https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...-b?language=en
http://www.bmwblog.com/2016/10/10/bm...remiere-today/
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THAT almost resembles an F6B. :shhh:
It sure does, just as the F6B is being discontinued. I'm glad I got my F6B, because I doubt this K1600B will be nearly as affordable, especially now that BMW will have no competition from Honda. On the plus side, there's 160hp + ABS + reverse (BMW designers must have been reading this forum). On the minus side, there's that BMW aesthetic, with its front-end beak from a transformers movie. Looking at the K-1600B side-view, I definitely prefer the F6B's organic and integrated appearance.
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I went to the Beemer dealer last week to look at the 1600. Gorgeous machine and such better electronics and user inputs. This is a nice bike, but the price tag will be higher than giraffe ass. Would like to see the pipes dropped a few inches and the bags made bigger for more luggage. Not gonna get much overnight gear in those two puny bags.
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This will definitely generate spin off interest in the Honda F6B, discontinued or otherwise. The other point is we have to wait and see how it holds up in real world usage. They could sh*t the bed on version 1.0
I do like the looks and hope it is successful.
Side note - I am puzzled that BMW has not yet tried to market a horizontally opposed 4 or 6 banger.
http://cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...K-1600-B-4.jpg
http://cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...-9-750x500.jpg
Hummmm......I don't think I can make it fit me as comfortable as my F6B does...nor do I want to!
It's not quite the Concept 101.
No walnut trim.
No rich corinthian leather.
Think I'll stick with my F6B.
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That's a very nice looking bike. I'd like to see it IRL. It'll be interesting to watch for the reviews and rider impressions... and also watch for the accessories that it generates. Once upon a time I considered its older cousin, the K1200LT... but that bike had ergos that I couldn't overcome. And the price was a bit much anyway. Now that I'm "more mature" :icon_wink: I could probably swing a deal on this machine... though not sure I'd want to. It would be fun to have another bike in the stable, but you'd be very hard pressed to pull me away from my F6B. There's a sh*t ton of miles left in mine! :icon_biggrin:
Expensive but I'm sure it is a rocket ship though.
From Motorcycle.com:
Developed for the U.S. market, and available midway through 2017, BMW’s K1600B made its official debut today at the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles. The new bagger model is based on the Concept 101 Bagger we reported on in May 2015. Expect the base price to be around $20k, while a fully loaded unit will retail around $25k.
My opinion:
Price is as expected, just depends on what is considered a base model. I also doubt that BMW dealers will be willing to discount their bagger as much as Honda dealers discounted theirs. My 2013 F6B had list price of a buck less than 20 grand but they offered me a new one for $17,250 out the door price, which I took.
I do like it. I will definitely do a test ride when I can. I am also curious if there will be a new Wing released next year. If I like the new Wing and it has a removable trunk than I might be a buyer. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy and improve on my F6B. :yes:
Thanks for posting the information and I actually like the bike and of course since I have been an F6 fan from the beginning it doesn't surprise me.
I knew BMW was pissed off at Honda for the Africa Twin but to go this far can only be a German thing. To take aim at the "B" with such a relatively miniscule market doesn't compute.
Have you seen the Moto Guzzi Flying Fortress ????
http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread...orcycle-review
Now that Moto Guzzi is interesting.
None of this is making me want to switch bikes. I love what I ride.
If Honda is considering discontinuing the F6B then they had better reconsider. BMW has just created a competitive marketplace for this style of bagger. It could only help the sale of F6B's. BMW obviously created this bike because they can foresee a market for it. I'm sure the BMW version will have all the bells and whistles but you are going to pay for it. Don't forget the cost of BMW service. I'll stick with my F6B but I thank BMW for creating a bigger market for this style of bike.
They had the K1600GT, so they trimmed it, fully integrate the bags and put a "B" at the end. I guess it wasn't that much of a major design overhaul but it gives them more shelf space. Of course the target is Harley and fully loaded 25K that's a bullseye right at them.
The Beemer is so so, I'd have to see one in person to decide. But, there's no dealers within 100 miles, so that helps with the decision. The Guz is interesting though! But again, no dealers here anymore.
Mike
The Beemer is pretty sharp but I'd have to know about cost of ownership. Not much maintenance on the F6B and I plan to do most of it myself.
I have zero interest in the Guzzi; I prefer to keep full frontal coverage, not just a batwing.
That is accurate. Cosmetic changes aside, the K1600GT and the K1600B are generally identical. Both share the same drivetrain with 3 riding modes, Dynamic Traction Control and electronic suspension adaptation. Both share the same options (new reverse for 2017, clutchless shifting, etc.) There's a good chance that performance and handling will be the same.
Interestingly, the K1600B is noticeably shorter than the F6B (by ~12inches), which means smaller bags and no luggage rack (unless it overhangs entirely). The F6B also has a longer wheelbase – long and low, like the old Cadillac Fleetwood.
The GT and the B are at the same scale in the attached photo.
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Should be a fast bike with all the electronics and I'm sure an awesome suspension. Too much for my blood though, but that would be a tough call if I had it to spend!
Seems like Honda has to take this segment seriously now and introduce new option soon.
Something caught my eye.
The letter B is very prominent in the bike's visual design and marketing. I don't know why that bothers me so much, but it almost feels like it's a jab at our beloved B as in "we Germans can build a better bagger". Am I over thinking this?
That's a nice looking bike. I like it better than the original Concept 101 with the fake wood inserts. I also like it better than the K1600 GT or GTL.
It will be interesting to see how it sells, and how BMW markets it. Maybe Honda can learn something.
Won't know until I see it in person-- but I think the manufacturers of Helibars, Russell seats, and decent windshields should start thinking ahead. I don't think it would take much to make one of these the next dream bike for F6B owners who want a new bike.
I owned a K1200GT second generation and loved everything about it except for the cost for maintenance and the sparce dealer network. At one of the scheduled service the bike needed a ball joint and the part had to be shipped from Germany, taking 3 days to arrive and it wasn't the right one...so I had to wait another 3 days for the right part to arrive. I considered the K1600GT before buying my F6B but I just couldn't imagine being stranded hours from the closest BMW dealer and having to wait days for parts to be delivered.That new BMW bagger looks great though.
I really like the look and features of the BMW. I wonder what it weights.
323kg what would be about 712lbs.
BMW build this Bagger mainly for the US-Market. In Germany or Europe we normally don't drive much of those big baggers (different streets). Here they are more into the big touring enduros like a BMW GS1200, a KTM 1290 or Honda Africa Twin (which has a big fan base).
Yet another new bike creation by BMW! Talk about "thinking out of the box":shock: This newest marvel sets a tone unseen in the "Two Wheel Industry":shhh:
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https://www.yahoo.com/tech/m/aa3da44...rcycle-so.html
Before I bought my F6B, I got to test ride a K1600GTL for about 50 miles. BMW of Denver is one of the few dealers I've known that actually encourages you to take a real test ride. Many years ago I tested an R100GS there, and when I asked the salesman where I should ride it, he said he didn't care, I should just make sure I had it back by closing time!
Every review I've read says the K1600 is an awesome motorcycle, and I have to agree. It is a VERY nice ride. The comfort and handling are great. The electric windshield gives you perfect protection in any weather. The engine feels a lot like the GL1800, silky smooth with a broad power band. That is, until you pass about 4,000 RPM, when the Beemer makes way more power. I didn't fiddle with the electronic gadgets much as I wanted to concentrate on riding. My only complaint was some noticeable slop in the driveline.
I seriously considered the BMW, but ended up buying the F6B. To me the Honda looked better, and fit me slightly better. The $10K price difference didn't hurt, either. But I think the biggest deal breaker was reliability and maintenance. I met a guy who had to have his water pump replaced multiple times. I read about problems with the complicated electronics. A friend bought one, and he discovered that just to change the oil, you need to remove a secondary drain plug INSIDE the oil pan!
I'm sure by now BMW has worked out the reliability bugs in the platform, so this new 1600 B might be on my list the next time I'm shopping. One thing is for sure: Harley's new Milwaukee 8 could give the F6B a good run, but it will only see those cool looking taillights on the new BMW.
The BMW K1600 "B" has impressive performance specs and I think it looks great too. There is no contest between K1600 and any CVO Harley. The K1600 will make ANY Harley look like its going backwards on the highway.
Sorry to hear Honda discontinued the F6B. I'm enjoying my F6B and plan to keep it. Sold my Harley a couple weeks ago. Not sorry at all. Actually, I was happy after seeing the latest HD public stock downgrade.