The BMW K1600 Bagger: Best Sport-Touring motorcycle?

I have never ridden a motorcycle that has received more attention than the K1600 Bagger. 

When I first began the initial research into the K1600 line-up of the BMW Motorrad company, I assumed this was a touring bike, designed for going long distances, and for ultimate comfort. And while it certainly does that, this bike is much more dynamic than I initially gave it credit for. 

Courtesy of BMW Motorrad

The K1600 has undertones of a motorcycle that feels more sportbike than touring at times, while still maintaining the capability of taking you down long stretches of the open road, with comfort and luxury hugging your body and helping the road to disappear in front of you. 

Our initial testing of this motorcycle consisted of a 200-mile journey, with a combination of street, highway, canyon, and mountain roads.

This route, would give me enough different scenarios to put the K1600 to the test, and see how it stacked up against some of the famous juggernauts that dominate the “bagger” world, of which BMW is self-proclaiming identity as stated in the name of the K1600 Bagger edition. 

As we left Irv Seaver BMW in Orange, California, one sentence was sitting in the back of my mind, “be careful out there, this might surprise you”, echoed the Sales Manager. He knows the kinds of motorcycles I ride (some significantly faster, and more aggressive than this 800-pound road warrior). The word of caution left me curious and excited for the journey ahead. 

As we cut through town, winding on roads to find our way to the highway, my initial surprise was found in the 132 lbs of torque, which immediately snapped on at every green light. This bike, for lack of a better term, was a torquey rocket! With a redline somewhere around 9,000rpms, this bike had all of the getup and more, to keep up with most motorcycles on city streets. 

I didn’t immediately notice the weight of the 750lb motorcycle going slower speeds; which had previously worried me, especially coming from a world of Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles. 

The weight of the motorcycle seemed to sit high enough up on the bike, coupled with the mid-control footpegs, that the motorcycle seemed nimble enough for its weight, to navigate in and out of tight spots easily. This motorcycle was certainly easier to maneuver than the other self-proclaimed “bagger” in the BMW lineup, the R18B. 

As we set out on the sunny California highway, I was surprised by a few things. First, the engine, which is tuned very aggressively, and lets you know it’s there, had vibrations that came through the handlebars, and the floorboard extensions. This wasn’t so bad that I minded, it just didn’t immediately fit the mold of a comfortable luxurious cruiser, that my preconceived notions formed in my brain. The second thing I noticed, was really the only major complaint that I think I have about the motorcycle, and I’m still not totally sure I was experiencing it. 

At highway speeds, the bike seems to wander slightly. The best way I can describe it is it doesn’t feel as planted as I’d like it to feel. When going at a constant 70-75mph speed, the bike sort of wanders. Not so bad that it’s dangerous, it just feels….light. Almost like there’s not enough lower weight on the bike to apply downforce, I’m honestly not sure. I was surprised by a motorcycle that I thought, was designed to go long distances, across the country, that this feeling was happening. I decided to ignore it, and see if it got better as the day continued. While there were pockets of time on the highway that I didn’t notice it, it still continued to happen for the duration of the trip. Would that one factor preclude me from recommending this motorcycle to people? No, there are certainly a lot of things that are downright impressive, and best-in-class with this motorcycle, but it is something worth noting. 

Based on the lightness of the front end, I did have an inkling at that moment, however, that maybe this bike was going to excel in ways I hadn’t anticipated. 

As our day was planned, the next stretch of road we would encounter, was a winding mountain road with a combination of hairpin turns, and long sweeping bends.

My guess was, this motorcycle was going to be light as a feather through these turns, and the 6-cylinder engine would be more than adequate to power me through the turns with ease. 

Oh was I right.

This bike was made for twisties. Sure, it’s 750 pounds, and for all intents and purposes, it shouldn’t do what I did, but it navigated the mountain roads with ease and left my friends in the dust on their respective traditional “bagger” motorcycles. Two words came into my head as I apexed through turns and carved perfect lines on the luxurious comfortable bagger, “sport touring”. 

When you look at the BMW K1600 B through the lens of those two words, it all starts to make sense. Sure, it’s not the prized RT1250 that dominates the sport touring world, but it’s no slouch. It has all the power and more that you would ever need, and it has the luxurious comforts that you desire to go as long as you’d like on the open highway. Are there better touring bikes, I think so. Are there better sport bikes? Sure. But, is there a better combination of all the above? You’d be hard-pressed to find something with more value for your money, than what exists in the K1600 B. 

The technology package and all the bells and whistles that BMW threw at this motorcycle are astounding. From the electronic windshield to the reverse gear, to the fully integrated locking hardware, and a whopping 10.25” TFT display, this motorcycle is a technological powerhouse. That, coupled with the 6-cylinder engine, and just about the poshest seat in motorcycling, makes this a serious contender in the sport-touring world. 

As I sit here reflecting on our 200-mile journey, a single word keeps coming to mind; interesting.

This bike broke the mold of what I thought it would be. While it exceeded my expectations in some areas, it left me wanting in a few as well. I wish it felt more planted at higher speeds, but I’m not sure that would be possible with maintaining the nimbleness I loved while carving canyons. 

If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that every single person who passed by this motorcycle, while parked at the biker bar we stopped for lunch, not only glanced at this bike, but stopped, inquired, and was beyond fascinated. BMW has created a curiosity amongst the bagger community, and I think that a good portion of them, should they have the good fortune of riding one, will be pleasantly surprised with what they experience. 

Special thanks to Irv Seaver BMW for letting us take this motorcycle out! www.irvseaverbmw.com