Drove the new BMW 1600 bagger today

[RDKLL]

blackvalk, post up some picks of the new bike...it is a BMW bagger thread and you have a new BMW bagger...so let's see 'em

[barney fife]

One thing that turns me off about the BMW 16 is the front end.  Standing from the front and looking at it; it is just butt ugly to me.  Different strokes for different folks.

[bscrive]

The look from the front end is one of the things I like about the gt1600.  It's a great looking bike and the one I rode a few years ago is probably different from the new bagger today.  I just have been spoiled by the reliability of my Hondas. 
All my bikes have been Hondas with the exception if a 1982 Kawasaki 750 LTD.  That was one awesome bike.  I wish I still had it.  My wife and I did our first real tour on that bike through the Adirondacks for 4 days.  That was an adventure.

[RDKLL]

I dont see a huge difference in the main lines...I wish I was looking at a new Goldwing...I would be buying the BMW

[Crabballs]

I dont see a huge difference in the main lines...I wish I was looking at a new Goldwing...I would be buying the BMW

That BMW looks sweet!!!  You got me thinking.  Gotta take one for a test ride and see how it feels compared to the Goldwing.  How smooth is that in-line six compared to the 1800?  The specs say it does 160HP.  If I buy another bike I know I won't get rid of my Valk, I love that thing.

[RDKLL]

I rode this one. It was pretty amazing, very much more tourey of the sport touring. Our KTM is way sporty of the sport touring...I believe if we had not got the KTM, it could have been eith the B or the GT...the Bobber will ALWAYS be coolest of anything in the garage
What I test rode and what I have

[Hook#3287]

the Bobber will ALWAYS be coolest of anything in the garage
What I test rode and what I have

I was looking at your pictures, thinking the same thing, before reading your post.

I know one thing, when riding my Bobber, I find myself smiling and giggling like a little boy with a cool toy.  She's almost 20 years old and cost me next to nothing and gives me nothing but adrenaline rushes.

Those new fangled rides look nice and handle very well, I'm sure, but nothing beats the simple motorcycling ride and care, of the original Valk.

If I ever decided to upgrade, a 2014 Valk or F6B would be probably the only contestants.

That BMW and the new Wing? Nice!!   Just too much.  Too much tech, too much $$$.   

[98valk]

the Bobber will ALWAYS be coolest of anything in the garage
What I test rode and what I have

I was looking at your pictures, thinking the same thing, before reading your post.

I know one thing, when riding my Bobber, I find myself smiling and giggling like a little boy with a cool toy.  She's almost 20 years old and cost me next to nothing and gives me nothing but adrenaline rushes.

Those new fangled rides look nice and handle very well, I'm sure, but nothing beats the simple motorcycling ride and care, of the original Valk.

If I ever decided to upgrade, a 2014 Valk or F6B would be probably the only contestants.

That BMW and the new Wing? Nice!!   Just too much.  Too much tech, too much $$$.   

too many things that can break/fail that only the stealer can fix $$$.

[Kidd]

RDKLL
I like your bobber a lot  , I want one , too

[barney fife]

The only thing that could possibly replace the Valk is the new Wing, but not at 23K and I still need to see it in person and test ride it.

[ledany]

I think I know pretty well the BMW stuff and I would say that the difference between  a 2014 Valk and a K16 B appears when you reach the last third of the rev, something I'm not sure you can easily do on your side of the pond 
The maintenance costs of the K16 are really high when the costs for the Valk are ridiculously low.
I won't go back to BMW but the new GW B is far too expensive here (31, 000 $ ?) 
And the GW with DCT, airbag etc. is 41,7 K$ 

[RDKLL]

RDKLL
I like your bobber a lot  , I want one , too

Thank you good sir!

[dans2014]

  BlackValk, keep us informed on your experience with that new BMW bagger. I agree on the windshield needs to be taller. The full dressed BMW bolts right on and is plenty tall. Congrats! Finest bike ever!!!

[blackvalk]

Sorry RDKILL, I haven't been on this site for awhile because I had out of town company and rode the last few days.

The picture you posted was perfect. I have nearly 3,000 miles on the K1600B now and frankly, love it.

It does everything well, except for the windshield.

I will not ride again until early spring when the snow disappears. I plan on riding down to the Laughlin River Run in late April.

Anyone else attending?????

[RDKLL]

What's up with the windshield? I thought it was the same electric shield on the K1600GT...any other niggling issues.
3000 miles...not bad. I am just shy of 7K in 10.5 months of ownership but take away the 3 months it was in the shop and I am averaging almost 1K per month...getting new shoes tomorrow

[Kidd]

What's up with the windshield? I thought it was the same electric shield on the K1600GT...any other niggling issues.
3000 miles...not bad. I am just shy of 7K in 10.5 months of ownership but take away the 3 months it was in the shop and I am averaging almost 1K per month...getting new shoes tomorrow

Did I miss something , why 3 month shop visit ?  Your Valk , right ?

[dans2014]

Problem with the KTM's are tight riding experience. I'm 6-4 and just don't fit on a KTM of any size except the dirt bikes. The Honda and BMW are like couches compared to it. Please keep us informed on that BMW bagger!

[blackvalk]

The new windshield is way to short. In the up position, the wind is re-directed only up to my neck and I'm 5'7"...not very tall. I was told not to mix the GT or the GTL windshield because it will be way too tall.

I spoke with a windshield company in California that is going to make a specific windshield for the
"B". Again, it would be nice to have before late April for the River Run.

I personally like a quiet ride, especially when the windshield is all the way up.

[RDKLL]

Did I miss something , why 3 month shop visit ?  Your Valk , right ?

No, I had an accident in April...hit and run, $10K in damage tot he bike and broken collar bone for me...actually was 4 months between the wreck and when I was cleared to ride again

[blackvalk]

OUCH!

[dans2014]

 :)My dealer bolted the full size BMW windshield on the bagger and it fixed the issue. It's not cheap. He said 2 other companies are making them soon. As far as the looks, The BMW and new Honda remind me of these two cars, Bmw = Ferrari. Goldwing = Bentley. Both beautiful but different in subtle ways and lines. What kind of mileage are you getting?

[blackvalk]

I seldom check mileage but I'm hovering around 40. Most of my riding is highway or country roads.