The K1600GT

The K1600GTL

BMW K 1600 GTL And K 1600 GT Clinch "Best Of" Honors For 2011 From Cycle World And Motorcyclist

In its debut year, the BMW K 1600 GTL and K 1600 GT have earned superlative awards from the U.S. media.  In its July issue, Cycle World magazine named the K 1600 GTL the "Best Touring Bike of 2011" and the K 1600 GT the "Best Sport-Touring Bike of 2011."  In the September issue of Motorcyclist, editors chose the BMW K 1600 GT as the "Best Touring Bike," while BMW's adaptive headlight technology - an option on the K 1600 GTL and GT tourers - earned "Best New Technology" kudos.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from these well-respected publications," commented Pieter de Waal, Vice President, BMW Motorrad USA.  "The positive response we've had from customers and journalists reaffirms our commitment to continually raising the bar for performance, safety, technology and value in this competitive market."

"It's one thing to win the game; it's something else altogether to change the rules. But that's what BMW's new K 1600 GTL has done to the world of two-wheel touring," wrote editors of Cycle World.   Of the K 1600 GT, they commented, "The Bavarian Motor Works last earned the honor of Best Sport-Touring Bike in 2006-07 with its K 1200 GT and stepped up in a big way this year with its all-new K 1600 GT."

Motorcyclist editors offered similar praise for the K 1600 GT, stating, "The company that invented Grand Touring reinvents the Grand Tourer...The K 1600 GT feels more like a BMW K 1300 S than your average long-distance luxury recliner, with handling that melts off  250 lbs. and acceleration nothing in the class can match...unless somebody comes up with a better way to repeal some heavy-weight physical laws - gravity, for starters - BMW's class-busting inline has what it takes to lock it up for the next decade.  Or two."

Both the BMW K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL have set new benchmarks for grand touring motorcycles by offering the world's most advanced technology available on two wheels.  These innovations include:

• The world's lightest and most compact six-cylinder engine on a production motorcycle. At 226 lbs (including clutch, gearbox and alternator) and less than 22 inches wide, the six-cylinder engine in the K 1600 models is comparable in size to four-cylinder power plants.
• The world's first Xenon adaptive headlight on a motorcycle. Innovative electronics automatically compensate for the lean angle around corners and ensure the beam of the headlight is always directed at the road ahead.

Motorcyclist editors praised BMW's adaptive headlight technology, saying "On a twisty road in the dark of night, BMW's adaptive headlight lets you see further and be seen sooner.  For motorcyclists accustomed to literally riding in the dark when riding in the dark, this is a very good thing."

• The world's most advanced audio and communications system on a motorcycle.  Bluetooth for wireless communication, Sirius satellite radio with a complimentary 12- month subscription, integration for iPod, USB stick and auxiliary input, AM/FM tuner,  pre-wired for Navigator 4.

• A multi-controller on the left-hand grip, which allows riders to operate the motorcycle's systems and adjust its settings without taking their hands off the bars.