Trying a BMW K1600GT from Alton Bahnstormer

[ppeaster]

Well i've been meaning to visit Alton Bahnstormer for months but, one thing or another has interfered.

Sun was out yesterday and I had a day off work so rode over for a look around. Very nice dealership, friendly staff and lots of stunning bikes to drool over.

They also kindly offered a test ride on the K1600GT, which I took them up on today. I've wanted to try this bike after seeing a few youtube vids where the engine sounds absolutely incredible.

I have only owned 600s; nearest i've come to a tourer is a go on a vfr1200 a few months ago. So i was quietly a little scared about manouevering this beast. I did struggle a bit with the weight at junctions, but once on the move it handled beautufully. Wide bars made turns effortless, and the riding position was a world away from my CBR600RR.

The engine is a work of art - after about 30min I took my earplugs out just to listen to it. It is creamy-smooth but so torquey. And the noise as you get up the rev range is addictive.

I am tempted to trade in my CBR, as at 6"3 I feel a bit like an elephant on a unicycle on it. The only downside was the k1600 was way heavier than I'm used to. Stunning bike though.

[Stevie GooGs]

That looks bloody massive? Is that BMWs version of a gold wing....
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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
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[ppeaster]

I think it basically is their GW. It had a stereo and speakers! Although looks pleasantly Teutonic compared to a GW IMHO.

[c_dug]

iL6 aren't they?

Edit: and memory says they have the clocks from a 3 series too?
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[1cyl]

Dry weight nearly 300kgs

Fuck dropping that on your leg.
And to think that somedays, I find manhandling half that amount round corners a challenge .

But a big fat horse for a long old corse tho obviously. And seems clearly capable of fun https://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5544-1/Knee+down+K1600GT.jpg

looks like pierce brosnan
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Chase my Witch up, Catch my Snitch up.
The SMC | The Pit | Stable

[P.addy]

If you want a car, get a car, don't get a bike that has the engine capacity of a car and expect to be able to hustle it well.

If you want a big tourer, fair enough but what benefits do you have over a car. It costs more than a 3 series, it carries less than a 3 series.

It has the same badge.

I am still unsure why people insist on building excessive sized bikes that weight so much yet offer so little

[stevo as b4]

Well off topic, but with todays 1000cc sports bikes and their top endy delivery with less of a pull your arms out midrange, I'd much rarther have a 1400cc ZX10R than a 1000cc one even with the same bhp.

I do agree that you can build bikes too big and heavy though. The mk2 V-max does not interest me in the slightest, as despite going to 1700cc and 200bhp, there is no V-boost, and it looks bloated and ugly, and worse of all, it's gone from 260kg to 310kg.

The original V-max is still something I want to mount, and see if it's manageable enough to be my next bike though?

[c_dug]

I'd happily tour Europe on a behemoth like the beemer, touring is what you make of it, the beemer clearly isnt designed for knee down hooliganism, its for enjoying the journey as well as the ride.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Shaft]

[Matt B]

[P.addy]

[ppeaster]