2012 BMW K1600GTL Review

[AlexKovnat]

Hey, I like that expression "six appeal".

If that BMW engine's 1600 cc's were to be manifested as four cylinders with 400 cc each instead of 6 cylinders with ~267 cc's each, would it make much difference in terms of vibration? Did BMW go to an in-line 6 to avoid the use of balance shafts?

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by AlexKovnat

Hey, I like that expression "six appeal".

If that BMW engine's 1600 cc's were to be manifested as four cylinders with 400 cc each instead of 6 cylinders with ~267 cc's each, would it make much difference in terms of vibration? Did BMW go to an in-line 6 to avoid the use of balance shafts?

They didn't go to a six to save on balance shafts. A 4 is probably way cheaper to produce.

They went to a six because it's unique in the market. BMW riders will pay a premium price for a unique product that's not run-of-the-mill me too stuff.

BMW's car heritage is the inline 6 and it makes sense to tie that into the motorcycle line.

It's always a bike like this that gets the milk crate brigade up in arms talking about how a '96 Connie can do the same job for far less.

[12er]

Well the GTL is out after trying it on at Miller. Worst ergos ever on a bmw, felt like I was on a Harley. Lower back hurt within seconds and that was just sitting there. Now the GT version is more like it with the high seat and further forward bars. Now where did I leave that spare $25k...

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by 12er

Well the GTL is out after trying it on at Miller. Worst ergos ever on a bmw, felt like I was on a Harley. Lower back hurt within seconds and that was just sitting there. Now the GT version is more like it with the high seat and further forward bars. Now where did I leave that spare $25k...

Did they have a GT available?

Both dealers here only have GTLs at the moment.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by AlexKovnat

Hey, I like that expression "six appeal".

If that BMW engine's 1600 cc's were to be manifested as four cylinders with 400 cc each instead of 6 cylinders with ~267 cc's each, would it make much difference in terms of vibration? Did BMW go to an in-line 6 to avoid the use of balance shafts?

Six cylinder engines are inherently less balanced than engines with 4 cylinders. Interestingly a straight 6 (which was the standard car/truck engine for decades) has better inherent balance than a V-6. The industry did not go to V-6s for their larger engines over V-8s because they are superior. They are cheaper to produce and fit in smaller cars better than V-8s. You'll notice that after many years of battle with the US auto industry the Japanese finally gave in on V-6 engines and went to V-8s for their larger pickup trucks. The V-8 is just better in every way.

The choice of a straight 6 in a bike is a pretty good choice if you are going to build a 6.

[Morbo the Destroyer]

Buzz nailed it: the I-6 is unique, fits the BMW heritage, and is simply cool because it is what it is.

And the '96 Connie can indeed do the same job for far less, 'cept it won't get you laid. The BMW might.

[The_AirHawk]

And inline-6 engines sound The Bomb, whilst V-6 engines sound the ASS BOMB.....

(usually due to uneven firing-order; then some joker will put duals straight out of the header and make it sound worse than a twin shotgun-piped Shadow)

[12er]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Did they have a GT available?

Both dealers here only have GTLs at the moment.

I dont know about available but the SLC bmw folks had a nice tent. One side two gt's and two gtls, the other a few srr's, guess which side was packed and which side wasnt? They fired the GT up when I was sitting on it, flashback to last year with the multistrada. Somehow I resisted making a break for it, but it was tough. D@mn that thing sounds good, loved the blutoof everything and the wheeliebob controller. I assume you can order the GTL top case for the GT, still need to try one on with my Stich as the knee notches are going to be close with the pads. The long bars and low seat on the GTL was decidedly unbmw though.

Freaking freezing weekend, snowed in Tooele twice. SLC received 2 inches of rain on Sunday.

[Dr_Sprocket]

Originally Posted by 12er

Well the GTL is out after trying it on at Miller. Worst ergos ever on a bmw, felt like I was on a Harley. Lower back hurt within seconds and that was just sitting there. Now the GT version is more like it with the high seat and further forward bars. Now where did I leave that spare $25k...

I haven't even sat on one, but came up with the same conclusion just looking at the photos. The GT has better ergos for most, versus the GTL.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by 12er

I dont know about available but the SLC bmw folks had a nice tent. One side two gt's and two gtls, the other a few srr's, guess which side was packed and which side wasnt? They fired the GT up when I was sitting on it, flashback to last year with the multistrada. Somehow I resisted making a break for it, but it was tough. D@mn that thing sounds good, loved the blutoof everything and the wheeliebob controller. I assume you can order the GTL top case for the GT, still need to try one on with my Stich as the knee notches are going to be close with the pads. The long bars and low seat on the GTL was decidedly unbmw though.

Freaking freezing weekend, snowed in Tooele twice. SLC received 2 inches of rain on Sunday.

We were down by I-70 and Green River, Ut riding dirt bikes and ATVs. We saw all that weather moving north way to the west. Then Sat evening it began to blow at about 40-50mph from the south and did that all night. Didn't rain on us though.

The weather has been sucking bad all spring here. 3 years ago it was almost 100 on Memorial Day W/E in Tooele. Go figure.