Gotcha: new K 1600 LT caught on camera

Is this the all-new six-cylinder 2011 BMW K 1600 LT? German website Tourenfahrer.de snapped these images of the new BMW being tested in California, lending credence to talk that the new luxury touring motorcycle is about to be (officially) let out of the bag.

The big Beemer will rival motorcycles such as the Honda Goldwing and to a lesser extent the Victory Vision (a V-twin luxo tourer) with a when it hits the streets, and will be powered by a torquey six-cylinder engine first seen in BMW's Concept 6 prototype.

In its first production application, the new inline six-cylinder powerplant will displace "no less than 1.6lt" or 1600cc, according to BMW, and hooked up to a K 1600 LT would output around 175hp (129kW).

Expect the new K 1600 LT to be one of the most advanced bike's when it's released, boasting the kind of gadgets and gizmos that would make luxury car drivers envious.

From the photo we can tell that the bike has an adjustable screen, an ultra-comfortable seat back for the pillion passenger and extra storage space thanks to an integrated top box and panniers.

It's possible that BMW's new uber-tourer will be launched at EICMA in Milan later in the year.