The K1600 series by BMW is a top-line motorcycle that offers both performance and comfort. The engine is the star of the show on these bikes: an ultra smooth and 1649cc powerful inline six cylinder. The K1600 models replaced the K1200 and K1300 models. The jump from the K1200 to the K1300 is noticeable. But the jump from the K1300 to the K1600 is like being on a different planet. BMW knocked it out of the park with the K1600 series, and they’re still a popular bike today. There are four models of the K1600: GT (Sport Tourer version with removable panniers), GTL (similar to the GT but with a top case, touring seat, taller windscreen, and different handlebars), K1600B (the bagger version with non removeable side bags), and the K1600B Grand America (similar to the bagger version but with a top case, touring seat, and taller windscreen).
The K1600 I bought was the Grand America version. The Grand America is BMW’s answer to the Honda Goldwing. In fact, when I bought the Grand America I was torn between the 2020 Goldwing and this bike. The new Honda Goldwing is a fantastic bike in its own right, but due to the covid pandemic and lack of Goldwing inventory in my area, the Grand America became the obvious choice. I don’t regret that choice at all! Since I’ve put many miles on both the Goldwing and the K1600 as a motorcycle technician, I feel somewhat qualified to due a rough comparison of the two. This is simply my opinion…
Comfort – The Grand America is the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever owned, period. In fact, it’s the only motorcycle I’ve owned where I didn’t have to make any adjustments such as bar risers, seat upgrades, etc. It fit me perfectly right out of the box! The bike offers excellent wind protection and the seat is very comfortable and wide. Plus it has heated seats, grips, adjustable wind screen, cruise control, a decent audio system, and factory installed highways pegs which means you can ride from tank to tank wthout a hiccup. It is that comfortable! The Grand America and Honda Goldwing offer similar seating positions. You sit upright with almost zero forward lean. This is a straight up touring bike…nothing sporty about it. The Goldwing and the Grand America are both extremely comfortable bikes. They both have heated everything and all the creature comforts a guy could ask for. They’re both luxery touring bikes at the top of the bike chain. The Goldwing has a convenient storage compartment in the front rider area where the Grand America doesn’t. And the Grand America comes from the factory with very comfortable and well placed highway foot pegs where the Goldwing does not.
Result: Tie
Engine – While the Grand America may be a touring bike, the engine will make you THINK you are on a sport bike. That inline 6 really is an amazing engine from BMW. The power is addictive. It pulls hard and the higher the engine RPMS’s the more it pulls. At low RPM’s the engine is smooth, quiet, and docile. But once you crack open the throttle it’s as if the bike becomes angry. The engine screams like a Formula 1 race car and within a breath you’re at triple digit speed. The Goldwing also has a 6 cylinder engine and it’s actually a bit larger at 1800cc. The Goldwing is a boxer 6, and an excellent engine as well. Both engines are extremely reliable and will last a long time if properly maintained. The Goldwing engine is quiet and offers smooth linear power. The K1600 engine is also quiet but offers a serious kick at higher RPM’s, kind of a Jekyll and Hyde.
Result: K1600…simply due to the fun factor and engine sound
Handling – The Grand America is a heavy bike, there’s no way around it. Once underway, however, the weight disappears and the bike feels quite light on its feet. It doesn’t hurt that BMW offers some of the best rider aids available. Everything from the duolever front end, dynamic traction control, dynamic ABS, multiple ride modes, quick shifter and electronic suspension make operating the Grand America a breeze. It really is an easy bike to operate which makes it very enjoyable. The Goldwing is also a great handling and easy bike that will make you question everything you thought you knew about physics. There’s simply no logical reason why a bike this size should be this easy to handle…yet here we are. The Goldwing does seem to carry its weight lower than the K1600. I think this is due to the position of the gas tank and the fact that the engine is a boxer style engine. However, the K1600 has a few more rider aids which allow you to hammer through the twisties in a little more spirited manner. In other words, at slow speeds the Goldwing handles better, and at high speeds the BMW handles better.
Result: Tie
Lights – The BMW K1600 models all come with adaptive headlights. This means that while leaning into a corner, the headlight will swivel in the direction of travel and illuminate the corner. It’s a nifty feature that works really well! Additionally, the K1600 models come with fog lights as a standard option. The bike will light up the road like an airport runway. I absolutely loved it! As far as tail lights and turn signals are concerned the Grand America has integrated tail lights installed in strips on the side bags and the back of the top box. It looks really good and it is very visible. The Goldwing has good lights and turn signals that work well and you can get fog lights as an option. The BMW takes the cake here.
Result: BMW
Brakes – Stopping the Grand America requires nothing more than a light squeeze of the brake lever. The linked brakes and very functional ABS work together flawlessly. The duolever front end prevents front end dive during braking, keeping the bike stable during emergency braking. The Goldwing brake system is similar, and the new double wishbone front end prevents front end dive as well. Both bikes have excellent brakes.
Result: Tie
Tech – Both the Grand America and Goldwing are absolutely loaded with tech. Almost every creature comfort a motorcycle could offer is found on these bikes. Both offer multiple ride modes, navigation, reverse, electronic suspension, etc etc. That said, the Honda takes it a step further by offering Apple Car Play and Android Auto, as well as a neat “walk mode” that is helpful when trying to slowly move the bike over rough terrain. Additionally, the Honda 7 speed DCT transmission is amazing…literally taking the comfort level to a whole new level. The K1600 offers a 6 speed quickshift transmission which works very well. Finally, the Honda buttons and switches are illuminated, which makes it easy to operate while riding in the dark. There’s a clear winner here.
Result: Goldwing
Summary
I really enjoyed my K1600 Grand America during the two plus years I owned it. Perhaps I will own another big tourer in the future but there’s just something about the sport touring bikes that speak to me. I eventually traded my Grand America in for my current BMW R1250RT. The odometer showed just over 23,000 miles when I traded it in. All miles were trouble free and everything worked as it should during my two years of ownership. If you are looking for a very comfortable touring bike, the K1600 Grand America is a fine choice!
Sport Touring Cycle Adventures 