BMW K1600GT

[Skub]

Matey had one of these on loan yesterday. Fuck me pink,but that's one seriously heavy bike. Prohibitively so,in my case anyway. His driveway has a slope,so I was picking it up off the sidestand and the slope wasn't helping. I thought I was going to ping a banjo string.

It made me realise I never again want another really heavy bike. I'm sure it's a great tourer,but 350kilos,or whatever,has to be a liability at times.

The first bike ever I didn't even want a run on.

[mangocrazy]

I wouldn't even take it off the sidestand, let alone ride it. I have a profound dislike and mistrust of heavy bikes. Plus they nearly always look what they are - overweight.

[MrLongbeard]

319Kgs wet (90% full tank), heavy yes but nothing to work a sweat up on.
I suppose my opinion may change if I get old.

[Skub]

..... if I get old.

That'll only happen if you behave yourself.

[mangocrazy]

319Kgs wet (90% full tank), heavy yes but nothing to work a sweat up on.
I suppose my opinion may change if I get old.

Is there any 'if' about it?

[Count Steer]

I'd like to have a go on one just to see what that engines like but, own one? No.

[Rockburner]

I'd like to have a go on one just to see what that engines like but, own one? No.

Sounds like a Porsche, goes like stink, handles far better than you'd think.

Bit heavy at pushing speeds, but then all big BMWs feel heavy. (the weight is a bit higher than the boxer twins as well), but manageable.

[Bigjawa]

Matey had one of these on loan yesterday. Fuck me pink,but that's one seriously heavy bike. Prohibitively so,in my case anyway. His driveway has a slope,so I was picking it up off the sidestand and the slope wasn't helping. I thought I was going to ping a banjo string.

It made me realise I never again want another really heavy bike. I'm sure it's a great tourer,but 350kilos,or whatever,has to be a liability at times.

The first bike ever I didn't even want a run on.

Pan Euro is 300 odd kilos and is probably one of the easiest bikes on the planet to ride.

I know one of those K16s that's a year round commuter, guy who owns it isn't shy about giving it the message, it looks rough though, he's not a great fan of washing it.

[Hairybiker84]

I took a 1500 out for a spin with the missus on the back a few years ago, coming to a stop in heavy traffic made me sweat! It had the usual BMW lack of feel to the low speed steering and I certainly didn't want to get it even slightly off balance. Hate to think what it would be like around slippery ferry ramps.
Went like stink though, for a big bus!

[Count Steer]

I took a 1500 out for a spin with the missus on the back a few years ago, coming to a stop in heavy traffic made me sweat! It had the usual BMW lack of feel to the low speed steering and I certainly didn't want to get it even slightly off balance. Hate to think what it would be like around slippery ferry ramps.
Went like stink though, for a big bus!

Oh yes...ferries! I took a fully loaded K1200LT on a ferry. The metal car deck had a thin sheen of exceedingly slippy crut all over it. My lower orifice was going like a demented camera iris! The handlebar geometry on the LT was like a laid flat ape-hanger arrangement. The grip were some distance behind the pivot...a bit like operating a tiller on a boat...in reverse. I'm not suggesting it was a heavy bike but it did pull things into orbit around it.

[Couchy]

It’s weird people will happily own and ride the latest cutting edge litre sportsbike that weighs 220kg and then add a pillion at another 70-80kg in completely the wrong position and not worry. But ride a 300kg bike that’s been designed that way, nah

[mangocrazy]

It’s weird people will happily own and ride the latest cutting edge litre sportsbike that weighs 220kg and then add a pillion at another 70-80kg in completely the wrong position and not worry. But ride a 300kg bike that’s been designed that way, nah

No problem with riding a 300kg bike. The problems start when you stop riding and want to push the BFF around.

And I think you're a bit confused in your statement above. If you add a pillion to the 300kg bike it then becomes a 370-380kg bike with the weight in the wrong place. And if it's designed to have a 70-80kg pillion, then the weight will again be in the wrong place if it's ridden solo. All motorcycles are designed with the rider weight accounted for (unless they're very light or very heavy). Adding a pillion is always a compromise.

[Horse]

No problem with riding a 300kg bike. The problems start when you stop riding and want to push the BFF around.

As a 5'7" wuss who had a series of RT BMWs, the knack is to plan so you push them as little as possible.

Park facing uphill. Sit on it, engine to go forwards, wheel it back.

Be wary of camber, whether when stopping, or parking at the kerb.

[mangocrazy]

No problem with riding a 300kg bike. The problems start when you stop riding and want to push the BFF around.

As a 5'7" wuss who had a series of RT BMWs, the knack is to plan so you push them as little as possible.

Park facing uphill. Sit on it, engine to go forwards, wheel it back.

Be wary of camber, whether when stopping, or parking at the kerb.

Yes, I get what you're saying. But there is always the likelihood of a combination of unfavourable circumstances causing your downfall. I prefer to give myself a fighting chance/safety margin...

[Bigyin]

Animal from VD days had one which was fitted with the Akra aftermarket system. Sounds like a Ferrari from behind and handles way better than it looks like it should. That may have had something to do with the rider ability but also consider he isnt the tallest and is built like a racing whippet and he can handle it around pushing it

[Count Steer]

Animal from VD days had one which was fitted with the Akra aftermarket system. Sounds like a Ferrari from behind and handles way better than it looks like it should. That may have had something to do with the rider ability but also consider he isnt the tallest and is built like a racing whippet and he can handle it around pushing it

IIRC he's quite agile too...clambering down the side of a GS and getting his knee down.