2018 BMW K 1600 B Grand America review

It was way back in June 2010 when Bikesales published our first news story on BMW’s new K 1600 six-cylinder touring motorcycle.

That yarn was on the K 1600 GT undergoing what appeared to be final shakedown testing in America, but we didn’t have to wait long before the machine – and a second version, the K 1600 GTL with even more luxurious appointments – was unveiled at that year’s Intermot show in Cologne.

Bikesales finally got to ride the shaft-driven pair in 2011 at the local launch, which concluded in the dark so the company could showcase its then groundbreaking adaptive xenon headlight technology – basically, lights turning their beams in concert with bends to allow riders a better view of our furry roadside-dwelling friends.

The light show on the home straight put the final exclamation mark on the K 1600 press launch, which had alright reached great heights earlier in the day thanks to the union of the smooth-running 1649cc six-cylinder engine and the sheer composure that both bikes displayed in all situations, even on twisty tarmac.  Technology and innovation all in one.

Since then, we’ve ridden the 1600s regularly, and the K 1600 GT was even included in a massive sports touring comparo a few years back – and why not, as it has sportsbike performance credentials wrapped in touring clobber.

The touring (K 1600 GTL) and sports touring (K1600 GT) platforms were then extended by BMW to include the K 1600 B Bagger – more or less the same bike as the K 1600 GT but with a different subframe. Same level of competency, too!

Which brings us to the $39,690 (plus on-road costs) K 1600 B Grand America, which is a full-dress version of the K 1600 B Bagger. Added features include a top box with integrated passenger backrest, a taller windscreen and a higher level of standard specification compared to its donor.

Standard Bagger features such as heated seats, cruise control and the electric screen remain on the Grand America, and other premium appointments include a keyless ride, adaptive headlight, electronic suspension, daytime riding light, reverse gear, hill start control, auxillary lights, tyre pressure monitoring, traction control and a central locking system. There’s really a lot packed into the Grand America package.

As far as overall dexterity is concerned, nothing has changed on the K 1600 B Grand America over the impressive K 1600 template we’ve sampled time and time again.

It steers like a sports tourer – it’s much more than a straight line juggernaut – opulence abounds, and that drive train is top of the pops, which is why we’ve nominated the machine as our best tourer in the 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards.

That means it will be heading off to Tasmania from October 22-24 as we begin the process of crowing an overall BOTY winner, which will be announced at the Melbourne Moto Expo on November 23.

The K 1600 B Grand America is the best luxury touring machine we’ve ridden, and that’s a big call as the opposition has certainly gone to another level in 2018 with bikes like the completely revamped Honda Goldwing going to market.

So where does the Grand America gain its competitive advantage? It’s really about refinement across the board, which is where BMW is a perennial A-grader.

The 1649cc engine is a major part of that halo effect. There are six-cylinder engines, and then there’s the BMW production version. It’s beyond reproach, and is so flexible that you can just about bang it into sixth gear and ride it like an automatic.

With a power peak of 160hp, it can also build a fair head of steam as well, with the super-smooth bi-directional quickshifter ever-present to maintain the keenness. The quickshifter also retains its fluidity on a steady throttle, and without requiring that extra encouragement that makes it just as appealing in the city.

Maximum power on the Grand America arrives at 7750rpm, and the indicated redline is 8500pm – pretty heady numbers for a big six. The massive 170Nm of torque reaches its zenith at 5250rpm, but even at much lower revs the engine is still bursting with personality.

At 100kmh in top gear the engine is ticking over at 2800rpm, and in that loping mode you’ll have enough juice in the 26-litre tank to punch 40-odd kilometres between stops.

Of course, payload will be a huge determining factor in mileage, and BMW says the Grand America is good for 196kg.

On the topic of loads, in true touring style the K 1600 B Grand America looks after pillions as well as the rider, with an integrated back rest, more than and heated seats.

And mainly in deference to our North America friends, the Grand America also has feet-forward footboards.

My only criticism of the cockpit is that the mirrors are a little too small for my liking, while the dash, stereo and navigational controls are characteristic BMW: easy to use, with all the information and settings displayed in a logical and clear manner.

That high windshield is a strong as an ox, holding its shape at higher speeds and providing a nice bubble for the rider.

The navigation on our test bike is part of the Grand America’s accessory list, which costs $1290.

Our test unit came with the Austin Yellow Metallic livery, which adds another thousand bucks to the normal retail price. The standard colour is Blackstorm Metallic.

K 1600 B GRAND AMERICA ACCESSORIES

For a 364kg bike (which is about 30kg more than the K 1600 B Bagger) with a wheelbase of 1618mm, the Grand America cuts one sharp and satisfying line – far more seat of the pants than a casual look at the bike would probably suggest.

It honestly feels 50kg lighter than what it is, so even when a pillion jumps on board you can corner in a precise and non-wallowy manner without feeling like you have the world on your shoulders. The electronic suspension lets the rider adjust settings for load and damping.

It may feel lighter on the road, but it’s still a big bike – which is where the reverse gear comes in very handy.

The bike has Bridgestone BT022 rubber, in sportsbike sizes as well: 120/70-17 and 190/55-17.

The K 1600 B Grand America is one free spinning and strapping machine, and proves that a touring machine can provide a seat-of-the-pants rider while also fulfilling its comfort ‘obligations’.

The machine has a number of natural habitats, which is not something you can level at too many luxury touring machines.

Could it be the 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year? It’s not really out of its depth in any department, so we’ll wait and see…

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-valve inline six cylinder
Capacity: 1649cc
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 160hp (118kW) at 7750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 175Nm at 5250rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Front suspension: BMW Motorrad Duolever; central spring strut, 115mm travel
Rear suspension: BMW Motorrad Paralever 125mm travel
Front brakes: 320mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Rear brake: 245mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS
Wheels: Front – 17 x 3.5, rear 17 x 6.0
Tyres: Front 120/70-ZR17, rear 190/55-ZR17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 364kg
Rake: 27.8 degrees
Seat height: 780mm (750mm optional)
Wheelbase: 1618mm
Fuel capacity: 26.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $39,690 plus on-road costs
Colour: Blackstorm Metallic or Austin Yellow Metallic
Bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia
Warranty: 24 months unlimited kilometres plus 24 months roadside assist