BMW K 1600

The star feature of the BMW K1600 is its inline six-cylinder engine. It’s not the first transversely-mounted inline six-cylinder engine to power a motorcycle, Honda’s CBX, Benelli’s Sei and Kawasaki’s KZ1300 all came and went decades ago, but the BMW engine is the most impressive. Measuring less than 22” in width, the liquid-cooled, 1649cc inline-six is incredibly narrow, weighs only 126 lbs. but produces a claimed 160 hp at 7,750 rpm and 129 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,250 rpm.
The fully-loaded BMW K1600GTL weighs 767 lbs., which is substantially less than the Honda Gold Wing’s 900-plus wet weight. The relatively light weight of the BMW K1600 allows the touring bike to handle like a much smaller, sportier motorcycle. Slowing the BMW K1600 down is a triple-disc set-up utilizing BMW’s ABS as standard equipment. The K1600’s braking system also includes linked brakes (where both front and rear brakes are employed when applying pressure to either hand or foot levers and controlled by the bike’s ECU).