BIG IN POWER AND SIZE
The first thing you’ll probably notice when
riding away on the K1600B is just how clear
the radio is… then it’ll be how bloody long
the bike is. Actually, the radio is impressive
until about 80km/h, then wind noise gets the
better of it, but around town it’s brilliant to
help catch up on the news spin or listen to
some gangsta rap.
Ok. This engine is serious. It’s big, wide
and very powerful. However, BMW has
done a remarkable job disguising the first
two because the ergonomics don’t feel
wide where you sit and the seat height is
reasonably low, making it quite manageable
at low speed. This is typically the Achilles heel
of all big bikes, but as long as you respect
the 1600’s size and are prudent with it, you
shouldn’t have any dramas. That said, the
60 KIWI RIDER
lowish seat height and short-ish distance to
the foot pegs can cramp your legs if you’re
tall. I am. I was appreciative of the forward
mounted running boards to stretch my
legs out from time to time. Sure, you can’t
change gear in this position, but when you
consider that sixth gear will pull it from 60
to 220 plus km/h without fuss – that is not
really a problem on the open road. And, with
integrated braking from the front brake lever,
there is not much need to use the rear brake
pedal that often either.
Back to the engine. Given this lump has six
274.8cc pistons making a total capacity of
1648cc, the maximum power figure of 160hp
is seemingly not outstanding. The torque
numbers of 175Nm at 5250rpm are the more
telling figures, and the fact that 125Nm of
that is available at only 1500rpm shows this
engine is in serious stump pulling territory. Of
course, 160hp is not to be sneezed at either,