2017 BMW K 1600 B | Six-cylinder bagger
BMW introduce American Grand Tourer inspired bagger
The presentation of the Concept 101 concept study as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in spring 2015 was an impressive new chapter for BMW Motorrad in the history of BMW Motorrad Concept Bikes.
Now this BMW Motorrad interpretation of motorcycling on endless highways, the dream of freedom and independence and the embodiment of “Grand American Touring” becomes reality in the form of the new K 1600 B bagger.
As a high-performance, exclusive motorcycle, the new K 1600 B with the familiar six-cylinder in-line engine and supreme 118kW (160hp) output, like the “Concept 101” study that preceded it, already embodies the motto of the “Spirit of the Open Road”.
It is synonymous with elegance, power and luxury on two wheels and transforms every road, every tour and every moment into a great experience.
2017 BMW K 1600 B key features:
- Six-cylinder in-line engine, 118kW (160hp) at 7750rpm, 175Nm at 6500rpm.
- Bagger design with eye-catching stretched streamline-style silhouette and low rear section.
- Low rear frame for reduced vehicle height, dropped passenger seat height (-70mm) and typical bagger look.
- Fixed side cases with a new compartment design, rear central cover and integrated light units.
- Chrome-plated parallel silencers with ribbed end caps.
- Folding rear mudguard for easy wheel removal.
- Effective wind and weather protection with wind deflectors stretched further back.
- Typical short bagger-style electrically adjustable windscreen.
- Electronic suspension Dynamic ESA with automatic damping adaptation, “Road” and “Cruise” damping modes.
- Reverse assist for even simpler manoeuvrability as an optional equipment item ex works.
- Shift Assistant Pro for shifting up and down without clutch as an ex-works option.
- Intelligent Emergency Call as an ex works option (only in European markets where ConnectedDrive is available).
Whether on a relaxed ride after a hard day’s work, an enjoyable weekend cruise for two, or an extended holiday trip, the new K 1600 B unites six-cylinder performance and comfortable touring qualities with the casual relaxation and unique riding style of a bagger.
The new Blackstorm metallic (including black chassis components and the drivetrain) finish of the K 1600 B is largely based on the K 1600 GT Tourer.
While long-distance riders will benefit from the superior comfort and consistent touring-style design of the K 1600 GT, the new K 1600 B sets completely new standards with regard to “Grand American Touring”.
The rear section of the new K 1600 B has been completely redesigned in order to significantly reduce the seat height for even more comfort and for even greater ease of access for passengers.
With this special bagger style design, the passenger benefits from a rear section that is a full 70 millimetres lower than the six-cylinder tourer, resulting in a correspondingly lower seat height. Two attractively shaped passenger seat handles ensure that passengers feel secure on the authentic backward sloping seat.
At the same time, the new rear frame allowed the deep recesses in the body design required for consistency with the design principles, so that the new K 1600 B looks particularly low, stretched and dynamic. Also redesigned are the fully chrome-plated silencers, fitting in organically with the bagger look.
The standard side cases are bolted to the redesigned rear frame. In addition, the rear light units, consisting of a reverse light, side indicators and brake lights, are integrated in the side cases in the style of US “road cruisers”. All lights use LED technology and are therefore particularly economical and long- lived, as well as offering top-quality details.
The redesign of the side cases of the K 1600 GT tourer with slimmer covers and deeper body allows for particularly comfortable and effective loading of luggage on the K 1600 B. Two luggage nets in the lower part of the case provide practical storage for smaller travel equipment.
The switch for the passenger seat heater has been handily positioned on the right hand case. The keyless seat bench release is easily accessible, not exposed to dirt and integrated in the left side case.
As part of this redesign of the rear section, the new K 1600 B has an additional rear middle cover. The rear mudguard has been designed to fold upward to make it easier to remove the rear wheel when changing the tire.
For the ultimate touring experience, the K 1600 B offers excellent wind and weather protection. To this end, the side sections of the fairing sweep downward and backward from the efficiently designed slipstream deflectors. Wind deflectors not only provide for even better protection for the riders hands, but also give the front section of the new K 1600 B even more presence.
The two mirrors fit in perfectly with the overall design, the interchangeable mirror caps also offering an opportunity to individualise the bagger. The generously proportioned mirrors include an aspherical element and offer the best possible view of the following traffic.
The new K 1600 B also features an electrically adjustable, redesigned short windscreen with memory function. This not only effectively protects the rider from wind pressure and eddies, but also returns to home position as soon as the ignition is switched off.
As part of the new design, the new K 1600 B follows the bagger look by doing away with the storage compartments on the left and right in the lower part of the engine in the series configuration.
This means that it is an easy matter to equip the bagger with extremely comfortable foot rests that allow the rider to adopt a “feet forward” position. The storage compartments are available as an ex works option.
With its six-cylinder engine, the new K 1600 B offers supreme performance and abundant torque. Still the most compact six-cylinder in-line power unit in motorcycle series production, the engine has an output of 118kW (160hp) at 7750rpm, generates a maximum torque of 175Nm at 6500rpm. The new K 1600 B has also been designed to meet the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class.
The bagger also makes a nod to luxury, relaxed motorcycling in the form of a reverse assist option. This is activated conveniently as required at the press of a button on the left-hand handlebar panel. As a result the forward gear is blocked and the reverse gear is engaged.
Movement itself is initiated by the rider pressing on the starter motor button, which establishes propulsion via a bendable shaft.
Riders of the new K 1600 B have the riding modes “Rain”, “Road” and “Dynamic” directly available to them at the press of a button at the right-hand end of the handlebars so as to be able to adapt to different purposes such as road touring, riding on wet surfaces and sporty, dynamic riding.
The traction control function DTC is combined individually with each of the different modes and is fully harmonised with them so as to ensure maximum riding safety.
The Shift Assistant Pro is also available for the K 1600 B. When accelerating, the throttle valve (throttle grip) no longer has to be closed for shifts using the throttle hand, so propulsion power is virtually constant without torque interrupt. When decelerating and shifting down (throttle grip/throttle valve closed), the engine speed is automatically adapted by means of double-declutching. Gears are engaged as usual by means of the gear pedal.
Shift time is significantly reduced as compared to a gearshift using the clutch. There is no shift support when the clutch is activated, when shifting up with the throttle grip closed (coasting) or when decelerating.
The essential chassis elements of the new BMW K 1600 B are the light alloy bridge-type frame familiar from the K 1600 GT and the well-proven BMW Motorrad Duolever and Paralever systems for wheel control at front and rear.
The new K 1600 B offers a supreme combination of riding stability, dynamics and light handling in all riding and load states. The electronic suspension Dynamic ESA with its “Road” and “Cruise” damping modes as standard safeguards a particularly active riding experience with the greatest possible comfort.
In the standard “Road” setting, damping adaptation is fully automated across the entire range, thereby offering the very highest level of comfort and traction over virtually all surfaces. This ensures the optimum damping force in all riding states and regardless of load.
Depending on customer preference, the spring preload can be adapted to the load state at the press of a button and independently of the damping. It is possible to switch to “Cruise” damping mode and thus to more gentle damping at lower speeds at the press of a button.
Using various parameters, the different riding states such as acceleration and deceleration of the new K 1600 B are precisely identified so that the damping forces on the front and rear spring strut can be adapted within milliseconds. As a result, superior damping comfort and a very stable ride response are ensured even in banking position.
The optional “Intelligent Emergency Call” function will be available in several European markets for the first time in 2018. It must be remembered that the functionality will only be available in ConnectedDrive enabled markets to start with.
Multifunctional instrument combination and integrated control concept with multi-controller and TUFT display.The instrument cluster of the new K 1600 B has two classic circular instruments for the speedometer and engine speed display.
The information display on the 5.7-inch TFT colour screen allows attractive visualisation of text fields and graphics, among other things. Elements of the integrated operating concept include the multi-controller and a menu guidance system for controlling the comfort functions and the on-board computer.
A wide range of Original BMW Motorrad Accessories and options available ex works means that nothing is left to be desired in terms of the individualisation of the new K 1600 B.
This includes the provision of comfortable foot rests for the passenger, while these elements can also be fitted to offer the rider a particularly relaxed “feet forward” position. Redesigned forged wheels with eleven double spokes each further enhance the exclusivity of the new K 1600 B.
