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2012 BMW K1600GTL First Ride Photo Gallery

2012 BMW K1600GTL First Ride

See photos of the 2012 BMW K1600GTL in action in the 2012 BMW K1600GTL First Ride photo gallery. Read more in the 2012 BMW K1600GTL First Ride review.

With a claimed 160 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 130 lb-ft of torque at 5250 rpm, the BMW K1600GTL boasts an engine that is as capable of crawling through towns as it is blitzing canyons,

This is not your Dad’s Six-Cylinder this is the lightest, slimmest and most compact Six ever created. Its long stroke and tiny cylinders combine to produce plenty of torque and a wailing top end.

BMW has the process of engineering great touring motorcycles down to a science.

The K1600GTL has a variety of seat options available that will give potential riders a range of two inches of seat height that should accommodate riders of any inseam length.

The K1600GTL riding position is very relaxed. The pegs are lower and more forward than the GT stable-mate and the handle bars are swept back closer to the rider. This, combined with a comfortable saddle make the GTL a candidate for long, long luxury touring rides.

An integrated Blue Tooth communications system was featured on our GTL. Our bikes had iPod ready music system on board which, combined with the Blue Tooth ready Schuberth helmets made it fun to have some background music at your disposal.

The info system gets easier to navigate with the addition of the Multi-Controller menu-navigation wheel on the left handlebar.

The side cases offer an impressive storage and are more than wide enough to accommodate a helmet. The top case is equally spacious. All three bags are able to be locked simultaneously from the right handlebar switch.

Riding along the South African coastline the air was cool but the sun was scorching hot. That’s where the handy-dandy air vents on the side of the bodywork come in handy. By sliding them open it allows a powerful channel of air to flow into the rider’s lap. It’s a nice little feature even though it looks sort of goofy.

The dashboard would be right at home on an M-Series car so it is full of information and details on the motorcycle and the ride. The integrated GPS housing in the center of the dash make it very easy to use.

The removable saddle bags and top case are easy to lock, remove and close but BMW takes it a step further by offering the Central Locking System feature on the Premium Package which locks or unlocks all the cases with the touch of a finger on the right handlebar.

The K1600GTL features a fly-by-wire throttle that operates the unique fuel-injection system layout that has a single throttle body distributing fuel to each cylinder by the way of a sextet of intakes.

BMW has created what might very well be the supreme heavyweight luxury sport touring motorcycle in the 2012 BMW K1600GTL.

BMW's Duolever front suspension returns on the K1600 bikes, with the unique Beemer componentry delivering its familiar handling quirks.