2017 BMW K1600 B
With the unveiling of the 2017 K1600 B, BMW Motorrad is launching another attempt at this
lucrative slice of the motorcycling pie. Earlier shown as the “Concept 101”,
the K1600 B is done in the American bagger style, a low-slung, sleek cruiser
with relaxed riding position and hard case saddle-bags at the rear.
Using the BMW K1600 GT touring bike as its basis,
the K1600 B carries BMW’s K-series inline-six engine that is claimed to put out
160 hp at 7,750 rpm and 175 Nm of torque at 5,250 rpm. The big fairing draws
its design DNA form the GT, and is visually and physically the highest point of
the bike, which then slopes sleekly back to the low-set rider and pillion
seats.
Fixed hard-cases fit on the right and left sides of the
rear wheel, which feature slimmer covers, but a deeper bodies, to give more
storage space. For ease of maintenance, the rear mudguard folds up, allowing
for removal of the rear wheel.
New in the cruiser world is the application of BMW
Motorrad’s Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension, which comes with automatic
damping. This gives the rider a choice between “Road” and “Cruise” riding
modes, with road mode giving the rider full traction and automatic damping and
cruise mode softening up the suspension considerably for greater comfort at low
speeds.
The 2017 K1600 B’s list of accessories is extensive,
and includes an electrically operated “shorty” windshield, in typical bagger
style. Also available is a factory-fitted quickshifter, which BMW Motorrad
calls Shift Assistant Pro.
Other options for the K1600 B – which comes in
Blackstorm Metallic – include comfort passenger footpegs and feet-forward
controls for the rider. In Europe BMW’s Intelligent Emergency Call is available
as a factory option for areas with ConnectedDrive access.
No details have been released about possible pricing
for the 2017 BMW Motorrad K1600 B, which joins the K1600 GT, GTL and GTL
Exclusive in the K-series line-up. In Malaysia, the BMW Motorrad K1600 GT
retails for RM 159,900, while the GTL and GTL Exclusive go for RM 167,900 and
RM 185,900, respectively, with prices including GST.
