Motorcycle Maniac: 2012 BMW K1600GTL - Comfort And Power

2012 BMW K1600GTL - The Right Mix Of Comfort And Power

[caption id="attachment_22256" align="alignright" width="300"] CycleWorld chose the K1600GTL as the best touring bike to come out in 2012, and I'm inclined to agree.[/caption]

CycleWorld chose the K1600GTL as the best touring bike to come out in 2012, and I'm inclined to agree. This motorcycle is stylish and comfortable, offering all the luxury you'd expect from a BMW vehicle. The K1600GTL and its sibling, the K1600GT, were both equipped with large, powerful engines that deliver an exhilarating riding experience. There are also many innovative features and street bike accessories that enhance the experience of riding this massive touring bike.

The K1600GTL is built for long distance travel, with a relaxed seat position and handlebars that stretch back for added comfort. If you're riding with a passenger, they'll be sitting in the lap of luxury, with a roomy seat and a cushioned backrest. There are many different storage attachments to choose from, including top boxes and saddlebags, making it easy to pack up for a longer road trip. The top box is even meant to easily detach from the bike easily, so you can bring a picnic along when you ride out to the beach. Most touring bikes have far more complicated systems of attaching storage, but BMW streamlined the process.

When it comes to the engine, BMW went all out. The company's engineers created a compact inline six-cylinder specifically for the K1600s that can get as much as 160 hp, which adds an extra ounce of oomph to a casual ride. Not only is the engine powerful, but it's adaptive as well. Riders can switch between three driving modes depending on the road conditions - Rain, Road and Dynamic. There's a button on right side of the handlebars that makes it extremely simple to change things up if you should encounter a change in the weather on your ride.

[caption id="attachment_22255" align="alignleft" width="300"] The K1600GTL is built for long distance travel, with a relaxed seat position and handlebars that stretch back for added comfort.[/caption]

Thanks to the powerful engine, the bike handles quite a bit like a sportbike. It's got a lot of power just waiting to be unleashed when you reach the highway, but it also operates smoothly in the stop-and-go style of city driving. The BMW K1600GTL may be meant for longer rides, but you might find yourself taking it out for a spin more and more. Plus, the bike's lightweight engine and chassis help to reduce fuel consumption. This lets you travel farther between fillups, which is great because you won't want to stop once you get going.

2012 BMW K1600GTL Image Gallery