BMW K1600GT Price: $25,035 (As Tested) The K16 has your classic touring-biased ST seating position, with moderately tall bars and reasonable legroom. The open seating angle and shorter seat/peg relationship shows the GT's modestly rear-set footpegs. The K16 has your classic touring-biased ST seating position, with moderately tall bars and reasonable legroom. The open seating angle and shorter seat/peg relationship shows the GT's modestly rear-set footpegs. Engine type: l-c inline-six Valve train: DOHC, 24v Displacement: 1649cc Bore x stroke: 72.0 x 67.5mm Compression: 12.2:1 Fuel system: EFI, ride by wire Clutch: Wet, multi-plate Transmission: 6-speed Frame: Aluminum twin-spar Measured horsepower: 128.5 bhp @ 7800 rpm Measured torque: 106.4 lb.-ft. @ 5100 rpm Corrected ¼-mile: 10.86 sec. @ 124.20 mph Top-gear roll-on, 60-80 mph: 3.37 sec. Fuel mileage (hi/low/avg.): 43/32/37 mpg Front suspension: Duolever with ESA II Rear suspension: Paralever with ESA II Front brake: Dual Brembo four-piston calipers, 320mm discs with ABS Rear brake: Brembo two-piston caliper, 320mm disc with ABS Front tire: 120/70ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-021 Rear tire: 190/55ZR17 Bridgestone BT-021 Rake/trail: 27.8°/4.3 in. Seat height: 31.9-32.7 in. Wheelbase: 66.1 in. Fuel capacity: 7.0 gal. Weight (tank full/empty): 756/714 lbs. Colors: Dark Graphite Metallic, Light Gray Metallic, Montego Blue Metallic Availability: Now Warranty: 36 mo., 36,000 mi. Contact: BMW of North America P.O. Box 1227 Westwood, NJ 07575 800.831.1117 www.bmwmotorcycles.com Kawasaki Concours 14 Price: $16,199 With the most aggressive riding position of these four, the Connie is nevertheless all-day comfortable. A relatively tall saddle and hiked-up footpegs distance it from the FJR, making it feel sportier. With the most aggressive riding position of these four, the Connie is nevertheless all-day comfortable. A relatively tall saddle and hiked-up footpegs distance it from the FJR, making it feel sportier. Engine type: l-c inline-four Valve train: DOHC, 16v Displacement: 1352cc Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 61.0mm Compression: 10.7:1 Fuel system: EFI Clutch: Wet, multi-plate Transmission: 6-speed Frame: Aluminum monocoque Measured horsepower: 132.6 bhp @ 8800 rpm Measured torque: 87.5 lb.-ft. @ 7200 rpm Corrected ¼-mile: 10.70 sec. @ 125.98 mph Top-gear roll-on, 60-80 mph: 4.78 sec. Fuel mileage (hi/low/avg.): 46/33/36 mpg Front suspension: Kayaba 43mm inverted fork with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping Rear suspension: Kayaba shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping Front brake: Dual Nissin four-piston calipers, 310mm discs with ABS Rear brake: Nissin two-piston caliper, 270mm disc with ABS Front tire: 120/70ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-021 Rear tire: 190/50ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-021 Rake/trail: 26.1°/4.4 in Seat height: 32.1 in. Wheelbase: 59.8 in. Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal. Weight (tank full/empty): 690/655 lbs. Colors: Metallic Nocturne Blue, Metallic Spark Black Availability: Now Warranty: 36 mo., unlimited mi. Contact: Kawasaki Motor Corp. 9950 Jeronimo Road Irvine, CA 92618 949.770.0400 www.kawasaki.com « | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | » | View Full Article By Marc Cook Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
jbutrus 3/21/2013 at 12:36 AM I ride a 2012 Concours and agree with your assessments pro and con. Given the competition, I expect Kawasaki to update the Concours reasonably soon. Updated instrumentation, improved integrated braking, electronic cruise control, and a slightly larger windshield would address most of the issues you raised and put the Concours well ahead of the Yamaha FJR-1300. To put the price differential between the BMW K1600GT and the Concours in perspective, one could purchase a new Connie AND a one year old ZX-6 for the cost of the Beemer. Of course, if money were no object the 1600GT and a 1000RR for track days is a Sport Touring/Sport combination no manufacturer can touch. Great article!
jbutrus 3/21/2013 at 12:36 AM I ride a 2012 Concours and agree with your assessments pro and con. Given the competition, I expect Kawasaki to update the Concours reasonably soon. Updated instrumentation, improved integrated braking, electronic cruise control, and a slightly larger windshield would address most of the issues you raised and put the Concours well ahead of the Yamaha FJR-1300. To put the price differential between the BMW K1600GT and the Concours in perspective, one could purchase a new Connie AND a one year old ZX-6 for the cost of the Beemer. Of course, if money were no object the 1600GT and a 1000RR for track days is a Sport Touring/Sport combination no manufacturer can touch. Great article!
Africord 3/19/2013 at 4:56 PM I don't have a problem with your analysis. But a shorter rider may come up with a different analysis. One look at the specs flips the choice for luxo ST to the Triumph for this inseam challenged rider. I also expect that my shorter arms (32" sleeve length) would not feel cramped at all. Different horses for different riders.
