Would You Buy a K1600S?

[Che]

Would you buy a K1600S if it became available?

[Mach Schnell]

Why not? I've considered a lot of bikes, including the K1600GT and the S1000RR.

Would I actually buy one?

It depends.

If BMW came out with one when I was about ready to trade my K1300S, and if a test ride proved that it was not overly wide or less nimble, then I would be tempted.

[Mach Schnell]

I should add a few other thoughts.

If they built a K1600S, and if it were no more than maybe 570 pounds wet, and if it had similar geometry to the K1300S, and if it were developed to the 220 bhp level that would be reasonable for this platform with a normal warranty, then it would be very tempting, if for no other reason than to own a piece of history.

I think that a stronger development of the 1300 inline 4 would make more sense. This is a very smooth engine, and you could easily take it to 200 bhp without running into serious warranty issues. Maybe give the 1300 a turbo ... now that would be something. But, as in the case of the inline 6, it has been done before.

[motorbikez]

I will buy the concept 6 if it is built, as it is in my eyes a stunning piece of artwork, which will be hugely lighter than the GT and GTL a totally different beast from the K1300S.
As for a K1600S I personally and its only my view can't see that happening and if it does I can't see it being better than the K13S, different yes but not better.
I think the slant 4 has a long way to go yet and don't see BMW dropping it any time soon maybe a K14S may appear in the not to distant future.

[SHIVA]

I would change the thread title and ask would you buy a K1600S, instead of consider. we consider a lot of bikes. let me do that.

[SHIVA]

I think the next gen K-S should be lighter and faster than the K1300S and with more ferocious I-4 engine. Keep the 6 for concept6 as a trophy and collectible bike.

[Mach Schnell]

I am curious about the negative responses. There isn't even any such thing as a K1600S, so how can anyone dismiss the idea of possibly considering, and maybe even buying one? Who knows what it would be like?

Would so many people dismiss the idea of the K1600S just on the basis of not wanting the complexity of a 6 cylinder? Maybe that's it. I dunno...

[SHIVA]

no, i think they dismiss, because they know it won't work. it will be heavier, slower and lower revving.

[Mach Schnell]

Oh ye of little faith....

If BMW actually created a K1600S, it would not have these negative characteristics. I think if these were to really prove to be likely final characteristics, that none of us would ever have to make the decision about whether we would buy or not because BMW would not put it on the market.

BMW often pulls a rabbit out of the hat. I'm willing to wait to see if there's a rabbit or not this time.

Would I buy a K1600GT that has had the bags removed and been rebadged as a K1600S... NO.

BMW's not likely to pull such a stunt. They've historically had more respect for their customer base.

[SHIVA]

I really don't think so. this is not a case of wait and see, it's a case of will never happen as it's the wrong move period. 1600 is a touring platform, same as honda. they may make a Concept 6 halo bike for 25 grand US, if they decide to, otherwise, I seriously doubt will ever show up on the K-S. it won't happen.

have you ridden the K1600 touring bikes? the mellowest engine you'll experience, has no ferocity. redline at 8500, even if they up the RPM by 500 or maybe even by a maximum of 1000 rpm, it will not make that much of difference, it's a touring platform. it will however, rock on a showcase, collectible, limited edition, expensive cafe racer, like the Concept 6.

[Mach Schnell]

None of what you've described is inherent to the engine. It could easily be turned into a screaming 12,000 rpm warranteeable monster with 250 hp and every bit of 150 ft lbs of torque. 1.6 liters at formula state of tune would give nearly 500 hp. Half that would be easy to achieve in a production version of the engine. It needs cams, pipe, throttle bodies, and fuel & timing maps. I'll bet an enterprising entrepreneur with access to NASCAR level team facilities could have one humming in less than a month.

Well, now I'd like to see BMW go for it, just to show what could be done. Have you ever watched Sir John Surtees or Giacamo Agostini run the old 6 cylinder MVs around the track? It would be great fun to have a 1.6 liter 6 cylinder BMW gentleman's sport bike.

Meanwhile, back in reality, there's certainly nothing wrong or disappointing about the K1300S. That by itself may be the biggest factor to stand against development of an inline 6 for gentleman's sport.

[SHIVA]

have you ridden the K1600 Series?

[Mach Schnell]

I finally broke down and went for a spin on the GTL (the only one available to me).

It impressed me in the way I expected, i.e. I have absolutely no interest in it.

Further, with its width and weight, I can't imagine making an S version based on the GTL, or the GT (from what I know about it without having ridden it).

If BMW tried to tweak the K1600GT into a K1600S, I think it would be an abysmal failure.

On the other hand, if they took the K1600 engine, redeveloped it along the lines I've suggested (with its level of balance, and with the anticipated strength of components, it should take a lot of development without too much having to be done to the internals), then with the right chassis and controls, I think it could be a lot of fun.

Would I buy a K1600S that was a warmed over version of the K1600GT? No.

Would I consider a K1600S if it were done optimally? You bet!

[Mach Schnell]

The title of this thread got edited after several posts were made. The first title was something to the effect "would you consider buying a K1600S." The poll title was something like "Would you consider buying a K1600?"

That's a lot different from "Would you buy a K1600S." Since there are none available for sale, this question is moot.

[SHIVA]

would you buy is correct. Consider means shit... I could consider buying the Space Shuttle and a Bugatti Veyron as a chaser and I would consider living in Southern California and I also would consider going back to Barcelona for a longer trip this time. Would I do it? NO!

[FreedomRider]

Even an "S" has far too much wind management hiding its beautiful mechanicals for my tastes. Gimme it naked; Gimme that original C6 muscle bike.

Over twenty years ago Yamaha set out to build an "ultimate" superbike motor for their power hungry American market. They came up with a fabulous 1200cc V4; but it was to big/heavy for a "superbike/hyperbike". They instead plopped it into a very contemporary styled full-tour rig and it was an instant hit! A couple years later they took the same V4 motor and added some tom-trickery to the carberation/intake manifold and called it V-Boost. They built a "Muscle/drag Bike" around the performance tweaked motor and called it the "V-Max"
Yamaha is STILL making & selling "Max"

I don't want a "Wing" or a Cavalcade, a bagger, or a Can-Am "Spyder" (with or without 'boot"). Jus' put that gorgeous inline six where it belongs; In the C6

[kpavey]

I'd like to see BMW enter the triple cylinder territory but with a supercharger...make it 900cc or thereabouts, should be plenty enough with 0.5bar or so of boost. Should be able to get monster torque and power and loads of character. A shorter wheelbase thrown in would be good to enable occasional wheelies under power and better low speed manners.

It was interesting to see that Kawasaki 2012 ZX14 didn't go much above 1400cc deliberately I suspect because of the government nannies and 'gentlemans agreement' to not exceed what, 210hp? A 1600 tuned for power would push this boundary most likely. Power in and of itself doesn't define a great bike (although it helps). Personally I'm more interested in the torque at normal daily rpms/throttles. Marketing seems to see this differently though.

A K16S isn't what I'm looking for based on what I see from the GT/GTL lineup presently. YMMV. LIghter, better handling, full suite of rider customisable maps/suspension - (see the DDC article in the Tech Serv Maintenance area)/DSC is where the market is headed. Cheers.

[mondrage]

Not a K1600S, but a K1600R or the new Concept 6

[jewilson]

I sure don't wont a over weight k1600s, the bike is to heavy as it is. I like the shaft, however a chain drive would get you a15% power increase. This would put it in the busa league. Also the bike needs the 1000rr active suspension, dump the esp and use the HP4 traction control. Relocate the battery and make the tank bigger. I believe the current motor is good for 180/hp with few modifications. I would also like to see the cam chain drive redesgined and a dual clutch for faster shifts and high performance brembo added along with the actve forks from the hp4 s1000rr. Of course a new dash and body work that looks sexy, not like it fell off a transformer. Also i don't wan't a short wheel base little bike like the 1000rr, i want some comfort, not to be bent over low bars.

Soetimes that new Multistrada looks very good, but

I see not point in adding more power with out improving the handeling.


Cheers
Jim

[jewilson]

I sure don't wont a over weight k1600s, the bike is to heavy as it is. I like the shaft, however a chain drive would get you a15% power increase. This would put in the busa league. Also the bike needs the 1000rr active suspension, dump the esp and use the HP4 traction control. Relocate the battery and make the tank bigger. I believe the current motor is good for 180/hp with few modifications. I would also like to see the cam chain drive redesgined and a dual clutch for faster shifts and high performance brembo added along with the actve forks from the hp4 s1000rr. Of course a new dash and body work that looks sexy not like it fell off a transformer. Also i don't wan't a short wheel base little bike.


I don't see the point in adding more power with out improving the handeling.


Cheers
Jim

[CowtownBiomed]

I am waiting for a 1600 to show up in the wreckers, then I am going to cafe' it...

[soofsayer]

That's a cracking idea. Please start a thread when you do, it would be great to see. Have you done any other cafe projects?