BMW 6 Cylinder Motorcycles

• Table of Contents
• 1. The BMW Six-Cylinder K1600 Line-up
• 1.1 BMW K1600 Line-up: Specs
• 2. The Key Upgrades in the BMW K1600 Line-up in 2022
• 2.1 Engine Upgrades
• 2.2 Updated Horsepower and Torque
• 2.3 The Engine Drag Torque Control Works as a Traction Control System
• 2.4 Ride by Wire
• 2.5 Electronic Suspension Adjustment
• 2.6 New Lighting Functions
• 2.7 Chassis
• 3. BMW K1600 GT
• 3.1 Recognition as the best sport touring motorcycle
• 3.2 BMW K1600GT Specs
• 3.3 Colors
• 4. BMW K1600 GTL (Standard, Exclusive Style, Option 719)
• 4.1 BMW K1600 GTL Specs
• 4.2 Colors
• 5. BMW K1600 B (Standard, Exclusive Style, Option 719 “Midnight”)
• 5.1 BMW K1600 B Specs
• 5.2 Colors
• 6. BMW K1600 Grand America (Standard, Exclusive Style, Option 719 “Midnight”)
• 6.1 BMW K1600 Grand America Specs
• 6.2 Colors
• 7. BMW Motorrad Concept Motorcycles with Six-Cylinders
• 7.1 BMW Concept 6
• 7.2 BMW Custom 101
• 8. Takeaway

BMW has a long history of manufacturing inline six-cylinder engines for aircraft since 1917 and started manufacturing automobile engines in 1933. BMW first started making motorcycle engines for other companies in 1921 and then started producing their motorcycles under the brand name BMW Motorrad.

The first BMW motorcycles that received inline six-cylinder engines were the BMW K1600 GT (Sports Tourer) and K1600 GTL (Luxury Tourer). The K1600 GTL was designed to compete with the Honda Gold Wing.

BMW’s six-cylinder engines have a high power output, loads of torque, and smooth operation. This article discusses the BMW Six-Cylinder Motorcycles that have been manufactured so far.

1. The BMW Six-Cylinder K1600 Line-up

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The K1600 line-up includes the BMW K1600 GT, K1600 GTL, K1600 B, and K1600 Grand America. All four models are equipped with BMW inline six-cylinder, liquid-cooled 1,649 cc engines.

The BMW K1600 GT and K1600 GTL were announced by BMW Motorrad in July 2010 and production started in March 2011. The BMW K1600 B’s release was announced in October 2016, while the K1600 Grand America’s release was in 2017.

1.1 BMW K1600 Line-Up: Specs

Maker	BMW
Year	2022
No. of Cylinders	Six-Cylinder
Engine Design	In-Line, Four-Stroke
Displacement	1,649 cc
Stroke	67.5 mm
Bore	72 mm
Cooling System	Water-Cooled
Transmission	Six-Speed
Torque	180.32 Nm
Power	160 hp
Starter	Electric
Compression Ratio	12.2:1
Braking	BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro

2. Key Upgrades in the BMW K1600 Line-Up in 2022

2.1 Engine Upgrades

BMW has produced light and narrow inline six-cylinder motorcycle engines weighing 102.6 kg. The narrow structure of the BMW six-cylinder engines helped reduce the width and overall weight of the K1600 line-up. The 2022 BMW K1600 GT weighs 319 kg without panniers and the K1600 GTL weighs 348 kg without panniers.

The BMW K1600 models’ engines are redesigned to meet Euro 5 emission regulations. Further upgrades include the additional lambda probes, two knock sensors, and BMS engine control.

2.2 Updated Horsepower and Torque

The 2022 BMW K1600’s line-up engine can produce a horsepower of 160 hp like the previous versions, but now clocks at 6,750 rpm. Its torque, which was previously 174.9 Nm, increased to 180.324 Nm at 5,250 rpm.

2.3 Engine Drag Torque Control Works as a Traction Control System

All 2022 BMW K1600 models are equipped with an engine drag torque control system that functions as traction control. This system determines the speeds of the front and back tires and provides traction to the rear wheel, the input being taken from a new six-axis IMU on a lean angle. The level of intervention by the system when controlling the throttle depends on the three different riding modes: rain, road, and dynamic.

2.4 Ride by Wire

Sensors are installed in the accelerator grip to help control the amount of throttle exerted by the rider. Despite how much throttle is exerted, the engine adjusts the position of the throttle valve accordingly to ensure the rider’s safety.

2.5 Electronic Suspension Adjustment

The new Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) by BMW Motorrad is installed in all K1600 models so that riders can adjust the level of damping per input received from the attached sensors.

2.6 New Lighting

The new lighting was introduced in the K1600 line-up which is activated when the motorcycle is switched on and off, the “follow me home” function activates the high beam. The new lighting system has more LED lights installed that allows for better illumination.

2.7 Chassis

The BMW K1600 models’ chassis are made of a lightweight alloy bridge-type frame. The purpose of the design was to equally balance the overall weight. The center of gravity is lower due to the perfect mass distribution and placement of the engine, chassis, and seating position.

3. BMW K1600 GT

The BMW K1600 GT was based on the previous K1300 GT and K1200 GT models. This motorcycle was designed with sporty tourer looks that provide maximum comfort when traveling across long distances. The K1600 GT’s key features include cruise control, heated grips and saddle, xenon headlight, and an onboard computer. The BMW K1600 GT has a dry weight of 296 kg and a fuel capacity of 7 gals.

3.1 Recognition as the Best Sport Touring Motorcycle

The BMW K1600 GT was named in several magazines as the best sports tourer of 2011, including Cycle World, Motorcyclist, and Motor Cycle News.

3.2 BMW K1600GT Specs

Wet Weight	343 kg
Seat Height	31.9 in / 32.7 in
Fuel Tank Capacity	7 gal
Top Speed	120+ mph
Average Fuel Economy	39.5 mpg
Base Price	$23,895

3.3 Colors

Sport	Racing Red Body, Racing Blue Metallic, Light Wight, and Golden Brake Caliper
Standard	Black Storm Metallic
Option 719	Meteoric II Dust Metallic

4. BMW K1600 GTL (Standard, Exclusive Style, Option 719)

The BMW K1600 GTL is based on the previous K1200 LT model and falls under the luxury tourer category. The K1600 GTL model is heavier compared to the K1600 GT because of its additional luggage options, including the trunk and hard saddlebags. This motorcycle is fitted with large and comfortable rider and passenger seats that offer upright and relaxed riding positions. For the BMW K1600 GTL, the rider’s seat is positioned lower, the footrests are positioned forward, and the handlebars are closer to the rider compared to the K1600 GT. It has the same key features as the K1600 GT, including the heated saddle and grips, xenon headlight, and an onboard computer.

4.1 BMW K1600 GTL Specs

Wet Weight	357.88 kg
Seat Height	29.5 in
Fuel Tank Capacity	7 gal
Top Speed	120+ mph
Average Fuel Economy	40 mpg
Base Price	$26,895

4.2 Colors

Standard	Black Storm Metallic
Exclusive	Monolith Metallic, Black, and Gravity Blue Metallic with chromed parts.
Option 719	Meteoric II Dust Metallic

5. BMW K1600 B (Standard, Exclusive Style, Option 719 “Midnight”)

The BMW K1600B was specifically designed for the North American market. It is a bagger-style motorcycle with a large nose fairing and aerodynamic structure to reduce air drag. Also, this vehicle was fitted with a lot of luggage options to carry stuff on long rides. The BMW K1600 B is the least expensive model of the K1600 line-up. The BMW K1600 B has a seat height of 29.5 inches, a wet weight of 344 kg, and a fuel capacity of 7 gals.

5.1 BMW K1600 B Specs

Wet Weight	344 kg
Seat Height	29.5 in
Fuel Tank Capacity	7 gal
Top Speed	120+ mph
Average Fuel Economy	41 mpg
Base Price	$22,545
Option 719 "Midnight" Base Price	$30,310

5.2 Colors

Standard	Black Storm Metallic
Exclusive	Manhattan Metallic Matte body and Night Black Matte engine
Option 719 "Midnight"	Meteoric Dust II Metallic with water transfer Paint

6. BMW K1600 Grand America (Standard, Exclusive Style, Option 719 “Midnight”)

The fully-faired tourer BMW K1600 Grand America first premiered in 2017 at the EIMCA in Milan, the world’s biggest motorcycle trade show. The K1600 Grand America’s design was intended to be the most comfortable in the K1600 line-up. This model was based on the BMW K1600 B and can make longer rides on highways more comfortable. There are a few differences between the BMW K1600 B and K1600 Grand America, other than the latter having more comfortable rider and passenger seats, and a taller windshield. The passenger seat has large back support and additional floorboards installed. However, the BMW K1600 Grand America is quite expensive with a base price of $27,465.

6.1 BMW K1600 Grand America Specs

Wet Weight	367 kg
Seat Height	29.5 in
Fuel Tank Capacity	7 gal
Top Speed	100 mph
Average Fuel Economy	41 mpg
Base Price	$27,465
Option 719 "Midnight" Base Price	$32,210

6.2 Colors

Standard	Black Storm Metallic
Exclusive	Manhattan Metallic Matte with a Night Black Matte engine
Option 719 "Midnight"	Meteoric II Dust Metallic with water transfer paint

7. BMW Motorrad Concept Motorcycles with Six-Cylinders

BMW has designed several concept motorcycles that are currently not in production. These motorcycles are well-known for their futuristic designs. It is expected that some of the concept motorcycles by BMW Motorrad will make it into production in the near future. BMW Concept 6 and Concept 101 are two concept motorcycles that are equipped with six-cylinder engines.

7.1 BMW Concept 6

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The BMW Concept 6 is a concept motorcycle with a futuristic café racer design. Concept 6’s six-cylinder engine gives it a powerful torque of 130.16 Nm. Concept 6’s six-cylinder engine produces a turbine-like sound that complements the vehicle’s compact and narrow design. The six-cylinder engine’s advanced catalytic converter makes it more fuel-efficient than a four-cylinder engine.

7.2 BMW Custom 101

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The BMW Concept 101 is a stylishly designed bagger motorcycle designed specifically for the U.S. market. This motorcycle’s design used the BMW K1600 as the motorcycle base. The company gave special mention to Roland Sands, a motorcycle racer and renowned custom motorcycle designer, for helping BMW Motorrad build this motorcycle.

This concept motorcycle’s most unique feature is the wooden panels installed on the bodywork. Concept 101 comes with a powerful, high-performance six-cylinder 1,649 cc engine. Its unique styling and advanced features make this motorcycle look elegant and luxurious.

8. Takeaway

BMW started producing six-cylinder motorcycles in 2010 while its competitors produced the first six-cylinder motorcycle in 1965. The toughest competition BMW Motorrad faced while introducing six-cylinder motorcycles was from the Honda Gold Wing and Honda Valkyrie. BMW still produces successful six-cylinder motorcycles that are popular in the U.S. market.

BMW six-cylinder motorcycles are compact, lightweight, and narrow. The six-cylinder BMW K1600 models are ideal for touring and provide comfortable riding ergonomics across long distances.

Though the BMW six-cylinder K1600 line-up already has good storage capacity and accessories, you can further enhance this using different LUGGAGE options and aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags. The luggage options include SADDLEBAGS and SISSY BAR BAGS, while the aftermarket parts include HANDLEBARS, SISSY BARS, CRASH BARS, and FAIRINGS.