The first time I saw the K1600GTL I was overwhelmed at the size and the bodywork. It made no sense that any motor could make it handle and perform well. Over the years I have watched at least 50 of them at the track and on the street seemingly getting along fairly well, but never very aggressively. To be honest, I sort of poo-poo’d the bike, never riding one.

A customer called and asked about helping with his 1600 GTL Exclusive which he that he had purchased brand new in 2014 and had barely broken it. In fact, it has only 1,824 miles from delivery. Loading the bike, I saw those 6 exhaust outlets. Got me to remembering my ‘83 Honda CBX I bought new here in Grants Pass which now resides in upstate New York.

Back at the shop, sitting in the lot, the bike felt sort of big and a little top heavy with the trunk. 20 minutes of fiddling with the electronic control wheel on the left bar got me Suspension Adjustment, Heated Grips, Stereo and Navigation. It was incredible the amount of information and adjustments that can be made sitting in the saddle. But this is coming from a guy that could never master setting the clock on a VCR. BMW says that this is the most comprehensive equipment level ever on a BMW motorcycle and I do not have any reason to doubt it. I have to share a partial list of the standard accessories:

Hill Start Control
Adaptive Xenon Headlight
Engine Protection Bars
Central Locking (with Alarm)
ESA II Electronic Suspension Adjustment.
DCT
TPM
Electrically Adjustable Windscreen
Sirus Radio
GPS Navigation
Passenger Arm Rests
Heated Grips
Heated Seat

I rode up Highland along side I-5 south. That noise, the pull, it was going back 30 years. A 6 cylinder!!! They sound so good and pulled so seamlessly, it was hard to imagine I was on a touring bike. I set the suspension to Normal and briskly rode to Rogue River. Brakes were pretty good and the SOUND! Getting in to Rogue River meant turning around or hitting the Freeway. The Freeway it was.

With no cars in front I blended up the on ramp at cruising speed long before I merged into the lane. The sound of the engine going through the gears is worth the price of admission. I quickly adjusted to the pace traffic and settled down into a smooth, comfortable ride, radio going, windshield up a bit to deflect the wind and started heading towards Nelson, British Columbia. Exit 55 turned up quickly and reality to boot, back to the shop. The bike is ready, I was wish I was…..

Miles are 1,824 and the VIN# is WB1061201EZZ25310. The selling price is $13,295. For other interesting bikes and collectable vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com 541 479 8888 or come by and see us Automania LLC at 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.

Automania LLC is a Consignment Oregon Dealer selling quality, privately owned vehicles including Aprilia, Buell, BMW, Citroen, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Nissan, Ossa, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Classic Hot Rods, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, MG, Packard, Porsche, Rover, Shelby, Toyota, Triumph, Volkswagen and any other vehicle of interest