Sitting atop of the BMW Motorrad touring bikes range, the refreshed 2023 BMW K1600B made landfall in Malaysia just after the start of the new year. Packing equal amounts of style, tech, comfort, and performance, this touring machine arguably embodies the Bavarian marque’s motto of ‘Make Life A Ride’ to the fullest.
Based on the brand’s K1600GT flagship touring model, the K1600B model featured here takes on a strikingly different stance thanks to its ‘Bagger’ styling – hence the ‘B’ in its naming. This refers to the American-styled rear quarter that featured a styling that sees the seamless integration of the tail with and the luggage panniers – or ‘bags’ – flanking it on each side.
Aptly, as the images sprawled here suggest, the BMW K1600B is a sizable two-wheeler, and it has an equally sizable heart to match. Underneath, its pretty skin sits a liquid-cooled 1,649cc in-line six-cylinder mill that delivers 160 HP and 180 NM of twist. The said output drives the rear wheel through a slick six-speed transmission and signature BMW shaft final drive setup.
While all that sounds much, just remember that this Bavarian touring behemoth tips the scales at a whopping 344 kg. It also comes laced with an equally large 26.5-litre fuel tank that ensures it munches plenty of miles. Thankfully, the bagger styling does see it sport a rather welcoming saddle that’s just 830 MM high, and it’s matched with floorboards instead of pegs.
With a powertrain promising peppy yet smooth performance perfect for high-mileage cruising, it gets paired with a chassis to match too. Key to this is the incorporation of BMW Motorrad’s ‘Duolever’ front and ‘Paralever’ rear suspension assemblies, the latter primed further with single-sided swingarm assembly for both form and function.
The result of this chassis build sees the K1600B offer 115 MM (front) and 125 MM (rear) of suspension travel, promising unrivalled comfort. Said comfort also comes at any speed thanks to the inclusion of Dynamic ESA electronic suspension adjustment that features automatic load-levelling abilities as well.
Besides that, the riders in the hot seat of the K1600B have plenty of other tech to marvel at too. Key amongst which is a full-colour 10.25-inch TFT LCD display screen with both integrated navigation and smartphone connectivity, the latter via the BMW Motorrad Connected App.
Other key riding techs present include the BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro braking suite, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), three ride – Rain, Road and Dynamic – and engine brake control levels, not forgetting hill-start control, USB-C charge ports, heated seats and grips, as well LED lighting with adaptive cornering lights.
For the Malaysian market, BMW Motorrad Malaysia has laced the K1600B with the Comfort package too. This adds keyless ignition, a central locking system, quick-shifter, and an anti-theft alarm. There’s also an optional Tour Package which adds an audio system, LED auxiliary headlamps, as well as protective engine bars.
Size aside, what’s also relatively huge here is the base price figure that the BMW K1600B commands, which reads at RM173,500 sans insurance and on-road costs. Included here is a 3-year warranty and roadside assistance package for peace of mind.
Yes, pricey indeed, but justified for a motorcycle that’s arguably high on style, comfort, tech, and posh amenities. Are you ready to hit the open roads and make your life a ride in high style and comfort? Then this Beemer is perhaps worth a serious consideration indeed.
