09-27-2022, 05:22 PM
I brought my S1000 XR in for service today and asked for a demo ride on a K1600GT sitting on the sales floor. I put 90 miles on that demo. Here are my observations, not meant to be a complete review of the bike.
At 758 lbs, it is much heavier than anything I would want, that's 50% heavier than the 525 lb S1000XR. It required a concentrated effort for me to get the bike upright from the side stand. I liked everything else about the bike.
The engine is fantastic! Strong. Smooth. HP and torque beast. What a pleasure to twist the throttle in 5th gear at 60 MPH and just pass someone effortlessly. (Our RS's are pretty good at this too). I got 42 mpg on my ride.
The transmission was a minor disappointment, the quick shifter was unnoticeably fine (good). The transmission had a slight click when shifting. It was not the old clunk of old BMW's, but it was a noticeable click, not buttery smooth like my XR.
I did not fool with the electronics too much, but the 10" TFT is great. The heated grips and seat are turned on/off using the menu's, it was not hard to find. There is no handlebar button for the heated grips - a step backwards but that button on the handlebars is now used for something else.
The ergonomics were pretty good, but some choices have plusses and minuses. The seat height is 29" and that was great, I could flat foot at a stop with no problem, a big plus for a heavy bike. But I found the footpegs to be a little high. The wind protection was great with the windshield in the low position. If they raised the seat, I would have had more leg room, I suppose they can't lower the pegs for ground clearance. So it's probably a good compromise of the pegs, seat, handlebars, windscreen positions. My legs were not exactly cramped so it's not a big problem. The seat was comfortable for the 1.5 hours I rode.
It has a 7 gal gas tank. The sticker price was $27k. It is an attractive bike, I like the GT with no trunk, and I like the red, white, and blue color scheme.
After riding this great bike, my S1000XR felt very rough around the edges on my ride home. But the XR has its own charm.
At 758 lbs, it is much heavier than anything I would want, that's 50% heavier than the 525 lb S1000XR. It required a concentrated effort for me to get the bike upright from the side stand. I liked everything else about the bike.
The engine is fantastic! Strong. Smooth. HP and torque beast. What a pleasure to twist the throttle in 5th gear at 60 MPH and just pass someone effortlessly. (Our RS's are pretty good at this too). I got 42 mpg on my ride.
The transmission was a minor disappointment, the quick shifter was unnoticeably fine (good). The transmission had a slight click when shifting. It was not the old clunk of old BMW's, but it was a noticeable click, not buttery smooth like my XR.
I did not fool with the electronics too much, but the 10" TFT is great. The heated grips and seat are turned on/off using the menu's, it was not hard to find. There is no handlebar button for the heated grips - a step backwards but that button on the handlebars is now used for something else.
The ergonomics were pretty good, but some choices have plusses and minuses. The seat height is 29" and that was great, I could flat foot at a stop with no problem, a big plus for a heavy bike. But I found the footpegs to be a little high. The wind protection was great with the windshield in the low position. If they raised the seat, I would have had more leg room, I suppose they can't lower the pegs for ground clearance. So it's probably a good compromise of the pegs, seat, handlebars, windscreen positions. My legs were not exactly cramped so it's not a big problem. The seat was comfortable for the 1.5 hours I rode.
It has a 7 gal gas tank. The sticker price was $27k. It is an attractive bike, I like the GT with no trunk, and I like the red, white, and blue color scheme.
After riding this great bike, my S1000XR felt very rough around the edges on my ride home. But the XR has its own charm.
2020 R1250 RS
2022 K1600 GT
2024 S1000 XR
Niwot CO USA
2022 K1600 GT
2024 S1000 XR
Niwot CO USA