I’ll say right away that the paradise was purely German, for those for whom BMW is the highest point of motorcycle building opupeosis. I’m not one of them (the average age of the most enthusiastic part of the public actually exceeded retirement age), but it was interesting to participate.
This year I attended two BMW demos at once. For the first time, only two motorcycles were exhibited - BMW F800GSA and R1200GSA. I only rode the “big beamer”, since I was not at all interested in the F700GS at the time. After reading a lot of reviews of big tourers, I couldn’t help but pay attention to the BMW R1200RT and despite the fact that the “Big Goose” R1200GSA did not impress me, I still decided to give it a chance. Having surfed the Dutch BMW Motorrad website, I was surprised to find that one of the dealers had all the models on display, including the R1200RT! Before I had time to think, I had already clicked on the registration link and filled out my data on autopilot. At the last second, I check that nothing else is planned for this Saturday and send off the form.
Two days before the event, I receive an email that everything is fine, we will be driving along a predetermined route in a group consisting of 1200RT, F800GSA, K1600GT and GTL Exclusive, and that it will be possible to change along the way by agreement. Hmm, not that I would dream of riding something like the F800GSA, but if I have to, then why not have my own? I was told to take (literally) my passport, a good mood and the weather with me :).
On the day of the test, I installed TomTom, grabbed an old Samsung S2 (due to the better camera than the iPhone) and went to the dealer near Maastricht (about 95 km from me).
By the way, the mood and weather were in the best possible way, and one clearly complemented the other :). By the way, this is my first BMW test (out of three), in which the weather was good. The previous two were so-so for driving. Sign? On the way to the place I managed to notice a camera hidden behind another mileage sign. A car standing nearby in the bushes completed the picture. A slight movement of the fingers of my right hand gave a slight peck at 130 km/h and I was already driving past the camera at the required 120 km/h. The “perfect” has been achieved. Let's move on without the agonizing wait for papers from the police.
I got to the place on time (in half an hour), handed over my license to make a copy and wandered around the perimeter. There was nothing special to consider, except for already familiar models and used copies, not much different from them in price. Apart from BMWs (including cars), the dealer didn’t have anything special, so most of the time I looked at the equipment provided for testing. There were two groups in total. One consisting of sports models like the S1000RR and nakeds, including the coolly tuned R NineT and the standard R1200R, and the second, which I ended up riding in, consisting of the R1200RT, K1600GT tourers and F800GSA adventures and, of course, the flagship R1200GSA.
At the same time, there was also a white K1600 GTL Exclusive “limousine” available with beige seats, but I didn’t even want to get into it. For some reason, the rear seat with armrests evoked sympathy for the potential owner. But, as a fact, it was possible to ride such a miracle. All groups were scheduled in advance; there were no “holes” in the schedule. As a result, I looked at the “start” of one of the groups and noted to myself that despite the presence of a pair of Akrapovičevsky exhausts, this “orchestra” does not live up to the “exhaust music” of Ducati.
As a result, my half-hour of hesitation was rewarded and I ended up “astride” the treasured BMW R1200RT. However, they immediately asked me to change halfway to the K1600GT. Okay, that's interesting too! So, the “hour of German heaven” has begun!
BMW R1200RT
Start
The key is in the lock, the first thought is “and what next” :). We squeeze the clutch - aha, the tidy has come to life! We press the red button near the gas handle - uh-huh, a familiar rattling sound. The opposition “boxer” came to life. Remembering how the “Gus” ended up not turning enough gas, we apply gas and quietly taxi behind the leader. Everything seems to be fine, without much twitching. We leave the parking lot and immediately take a couple of zigzag turns. I decided not to try too hard on an unfamiliar device, and listen to the sensations. It's funny. As expected, handling is excellent. It easily, I would say, playfully leans and turns. After a couple of traffic lights there is a slight acceleration - yeah, that’s “two-pot” torque! But everything is in (relative) order.
Landing
Smooth, comfortable, as befits a truck driver. Before your eyes is the wide “face” of the dashboard with mirrors at the edges. By the way, the mirrors are unusually “under” the hands, and not “above”, but everything is visible quite legibly. I just didn’t figure out how to set them up (I had neither the time nor the need).
Under the fifth point there is a wide soft seat (after all, more of a saddle than a sofa). My legs, at 185 cm tall, barely reach the ground. After a fairly low CBF, at first I was even afraid of not being able to reach it at the intersection, but then I “groped” for the asphalt at the last moment before a wave of mild panic. In general, the sensations are similar to those of the Goose (R1200GS), although the Goose seems taller from the outside.
Tidy and controls
There is only one complaint about the classic analog speedometer and tachometer - it’s too small! For such a huge side, they seem to be hiding. Later, on the K1600GT, I realized that this was not terrible, but there was a minor incident. The previous rider left the radio on as a present as a present! Iptit. Well, why the hell would a goat need a balalaika? At the same time, there was no time to ask how to turn it off. After the race, I saw a couple of buttons on the top of the side panel, but there was no particular desire to play while on the go. So I drove like a fool with music playing when I stopped :).
By the way, even on the “Gus” I saw a ribbed “ring” near the left handle that could be twisted, but without any visible effect. Then I read that this is a “multi-function” switch. But again, there was no time or desire to experiment. He does switch something. For example, a radio station :). In other words, “what the hell is needed.”
To top it off, there’s one more moment that I remember from “Goose.” Switching the turn signals is clearly designed for the huge Bavarian paws. Each time I had to reach (through that same “multifunctional ring of joy”) to the switch; fortunately, at least it is already similar to the “metric” Japanese counterparts, and is not spaced for the left and right hands, respectively, as on older models. Each time the palm actually came off the handle. Not that I'm complaining about the size of the hands, but you have to reach out every time, instead of just "put your finger on the switch" like in the "usual" Japanese or Italian design. In general, a small one, but a minus. Probably, over time you can get used to it, but I’m afraid that the desire to switch, say, in the city, would become less.
Box
Switching is convenient and pleasant, without complaints. It’s just a little strange that the first gear softly rests “down”, and does not become hard. The first time I even thought that maybe I didn’t insert it all the way, but then I realized that it seemed like it was supposed to be like that. Again, this did not cause any inconvenience, but it might have bothered someone. The difference in revolutions, in contrast to the same CBF, is decent - about one and a half thousand, i.e. The effect when switching is quite large, the gear needs to be selected. CBF's five hundred rpm difference looks more like a formality.
Engine
I had one complaint about the “Goose” - harsh vibrations from the engine that almost reach the teeth :). It is clear that when landing on the R1200RT I immediately began to listen to the sensations. According to the technical descriptions, the engine is tuned differently, and it appears to be so. Yes, there is a slight constant vibration (opposite after all!), but quite softly. Although after half an hour my hands still began to go numb :(. So, it looks like I’ll have to give up on boxers. What’s the point of a motorcycle that I can’t ride for more than (half) an hour? Especially for a long-distance driver who travels 300-400 km I have to travel in one tank! It’s a pity. Although... Maybe it’s for the better :).
The engine feels like it pulls great, I would even say a little brutal. A slight movement of the throttle leads to an “explosive” effect (again, everything is learned by comparison, I think that if I had transferred from the same Multistrada, I would have had different sensations). Not bad, but you have to be quite careful with the dosage. In conditions of poor traction, it may not be the best option. In dry weather, such manipulation a couple of times led to the effect of “pulling out” my hands, after which the range of circular movement of my right hand decreased significantly :).
The operating range of the engine is 3-4 thousand revolutions. At the same time, if necessary, it spins freely even higher, but with a uniform movement of 3 thousand, that’s it. You can easily add speed or slow down a little at any time without having to change gear.
The brakes are excellent, they grab confidently, it’s better not to make panic stops - the bike will stop, but the rider will have to hold on very well to stay in place :).
General feelings
As someone wrote on the Honda Pan-European forum, it felt like “you sat down and the world began to move around” (“let the scenery roll”). Despite the fact that there was Dutch Limburg all around, I couldn’t shake the feeling that France was passing me by :). I didn’t try it on the autobahn (switched to the K1600GT), but there were no particular doubts about the ability to cover long distances. This motorcycle is designed and equipped to cover tens of thousands of kilometers. Unless it is recalled for repairs every couple of thousand, which BMW is, unfortunately, very famous for :(. Combined with the base price of 19,400 euros (and few people buy it with this configuration), you can immediately throw in a couple of thousand on “vital” accessories ), the choice of such a device obviously cannot be called “spontaneous,” although I can imagine what people are paying for.
Half an hour later we stopped at a gas station and it was time to increase the number of cylinders by 3(!) times. The K1600GT stood in front of me.
BMW K1600GT
So, in-line six, the same (although it seems much wider) muzzle with integrated “ears”-mirrors, although this time without a radio. But even without him there was enough music. The most important difference between the K1600GT and the boxer is, of course, the engine. Everything else pales in comparison to the fact that there's a straight-six underneath you. The previous rider left the motor turned off for me, so I was able to feel the moment of “turning on”. Those. his absence. Especially after the “rattling” of the boxer, it seems like the Prius started up :). And only a slight turn of the throttle and a dissatisfied “squeal” that came from the rear exhaust pipes (not counting the soaring tachometer needle) convinced us that everything had already returned to normal operating mode. No “tactile fibdeck” for you - the moto stood quietly and continued to stand, sound was only added to the overall picture. It's funny.
Tidy and controls
In principle, nothing outstanding new compared to the R1200RT, only this time instead of the radio in the middle, the speed was displayed (on RT, I think it’s the same, you just had to switch the mode). In this version, the small size of the analog speedometer has not become so important, but the choice in favor of “blinking” numbers when changing speed instead of the usual switching is quite controversial. The number not only changes, but disappears, and then appears again with a noticeable delay. I hope this is not a compensation for the slow LCD, but just a design idea, but it didn’t seem very convenient to me. There were no particular problems with readability, perhaps partly due to the “monumentality” of the entire structure in front. The design with the mirrors is the same as on the R1200RT, I didn’t notice any difference.
Transmission
The box after the engine is just a rudiment. Short-throw, switching is clear, but, to be honest, it seems useless. Which is higher, which is lower - the difference is only in a small change in revolutions (about five hundred). To be honest, although it’s a heresy, an automatic machine would come in handy here :). By the way, the first gear, unlike RT, sticks in clearly and without a “soft bottom”.
One of the peculiarities is that when releasing and supplying gas, a clicking sound was clearly audible from the cardan/box side, as if from a backlash. In principle, this did not affect the smoothness of the ride, but it’s still strange to get this for the last hard-earned 25 thousand euros.
Engine
So, straight six. To be honest, it feels like a 600 with huge torque :). For some reason, I was expecting something clumsy and slow, although this probably suits the V-twin more. In fact, the 6 turned out to be very “spinning” and shrill :). The first couple of starts, afraid of stalling (who knows), I stepped on the gas, which made the driver look around nervously ;). Then I realized that I had to try hard to make such a “fool” stall. Because its cruising mode is 2-3 thousand rpm! Just a car on two wheels. At the same time, there are no sensations on the steering wheel or under the fifth point. If you describe everything in one word, it would be “swimming” :). Ten minutes later strange sensations appeared in my hands. And then an “idiotic smile” appeared on my face - my hands began to move away from the vibration of the R1200RT in absolute real estate. I was simply amazed. It feels like your hands are resting on the armrests of a comfortable chair. Not a hint of vibration or any engine operation at all. "Feel the difference".
By the way, the engine caused an “idiot’s smile” a second time (and at the same time laughter - you can’t see it well in a helmet ;), when, looking at the landscape passing by, I glanced at the tidy and for longer than usual, I could not take my eyes off. Moreover, I started laughing and smiling. The motorcycle rode absolutely smoothly and with a reserve of power at 1500 thousand revolutions. Fifteen thousand! I haven't seen anything like this on a car. Nahhh. I suspect that it would drive just as confidently from stationary speeds. Is this a motorcycle “or where”? Acceleration in the 6 turned out to be very smooth and with a complete absence of jerks or “explosions” of power. Confidently and evenly, easily dosed by turning the throttle. And it doesn’t matter whether we’re going at 50, 120 or 160. Still the same uniform, relaxed confidence.
The only strange thing was that, with all its 6-cylinder power, the engine did not want to slow down much. I had to use the brakes where the Boxer would have had to just let go of the throttle. However, sir. And unlike the opposition driver, turning around the corner turned out to be not so “joyful”. You immediately feel a “barge” instead of a living one and from any tilt it simply asks to turn into an RT.
By the way, the windshield on this “ship” turned out to be quite funny. There is a V-shaped cutout in the upper part, which, even when fully raised (the windshield, naturally, is motorized, is controlled in height by a button on the steering wheel), allows you to look not through the glass, but over it. Very comfortably. At the same time, the glass itself at the base is “multi-level” - there are still small pieces at the edges, as I understand it, for better aerodynamics. This whole design confidently protects the rider from the flow of air, and when lowered, it allows for sufficient “ventilation”. In general, no complaints, a solid “five”!
General feelings
It’s hard for me to imagine buying such a device as a “motorcycle”. More like a “second car”, or an alternative to a convertible. Almost a joke. As for me, this is already too much. After the ride, I had a clear feeling that if the R1200RT is a Tourer with a capital T, then the K1600GT is an uber-motorcycle for absolute comfort on a straight road. In general, it’s interesting to try, but in real life it’s not my thing. The base price of 24,500 euros generally calls this device into question whether it makes sense.
Some statistics
Ratio hp-kg, nm-kg
| Model | Power | Torque | Weight (*) | Power per 1 kg |
| R1200RT | 125 | 125 | 274 | 0.46 |
| K1600GT | 160 | 175 | 322 | 0.5 |
*) actually more, BMW is being cunning by indicating the weight without panniers.
Thinking out loud
If you need a motorcycle to quickly comfortably reach point B and for everything to float by like on a TV screen with “special effects” in the form of sun, rain and wind (albeit to a lesser extent), then a miracle like the R1200RT is quite suitable. But if you want to be “alone” with nature (as much as possible while riding on a growling piece of iron shod in rubber), then there’s not much point. And a regular road biker or even a cruiser might be much more suitable. Maybe that’s why adventure games have become so popular that they allow you to combine one with the other, and also warm yourself up with the thought of off-road (nu-nu). The option to go to work on such a “beast” is perhaps over a long distance. Driving for a “whole” 15 minutes seems completely impractical. In addition, the reliability of the BMW is slightly annoying, including the cardan, oddly enough.
conclusions
It was a great idea to ride and many thanks to the dealer and BMW for the opportunity! Would I buy one of these "ships"? More likely no than yes. And it’s not even about the amount (the base price is not much different from its Japanese counterparts). Their format does not fit into my daily use. You can’t get into a traffic jam with such a “stupid”, and I only have one trip a year of a couple of thousand kilometers (at best). Well, to top it off, the number of complaints and cases of breakdown is simply annoying, and I am more inclined to the “minimum maintenance” option.
ps The problem with numbness in the hands basically negates the “boxer” option, but I think it can be solved with some kind of dampers, if there is a desire :).
Good choice and pleasant travels!
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Today we are heading to sunny Spain.
Put on your caps, shorts and flip-flops, cut yourself some cheese and jamon and sit down comfortably... Ummm, damn sanctions... Well, at least boil some shrimp! I was riding in a taxi from the airport to the rental point and looking around. There were no dirt roads along which I was going to travel on the previously reserved Big Goose. There was no specific plan, but betrayal still began to creep up. Why did I decide that Spain is a paradise for big enduro? I need to watch less of the Discovery Channel...
Upon arrival at the rental point, it turned out that for some Spanish reasons the said hydroelectric station was also not there!
Truly, carelessness is inherent in all nations except the Germans. The manager apologized and then “K1600GT” came out of his mouth. Fate itself, in the person of Juan Pablo Al Ambra Quanto Costa Comestae, was turning towards me. Having come to my senses, I did not immediately show my joy. I continued to pretend that the client was about to leave, that I had no idea about some kind of K1600GT, boredly walked around the salon, asked what year it was and made sour cabbage soup. The manager assured that the motor was completely new and although the price of its rental was one and a half times more expensive than what I paid for a well-worn hydroelectric power station, they would sell the GT for the same money. Hmm... Well, let's take a look at it! So, the failed adventure at the Hydroelectric Power Station turns into a journey on the asphalt flagship.
After 20 minutes of waiting, an almost new, white K1600GT with three-digit mileage rolled up to the entrance. Tadaaam!!! I was silently thrilled. They really just bought it and didn’t know what they were doing. Mot is in full swing. Even with the optional center case. Without a single scratch, so the damage inspection form remained as clean as alpine snow. This imposed certain, if not significant, obligations...
In addition, they decorated two white modulars from a famous Georgian manufacturer for me and my wife, shook Federico’s hand, turned on the music, put the modulars in open-face mode and retreated.
Yes, yes, music. No, there was no piano there. There was a standard audio system. It had an AUX output in the lower right glove compartment, which in turn had a foam insert with a slot for a smartphone. Simply Brilliant! We put the phone there, it doesn’t get scratched and doesn’t hang around like shit in an ice hole, we plug in the wires and voila - your favorite music is already with you! All you have to do is connect your phone to Bluetooth and the speakerphone is also at your service. But roaming, vacation and peace of mind of the wife are priceless! For the rest... I turn off the phone and let the whole world wait!
The stock sound quality is far from audiophile, although it looks solid. Two main speakers + two tweeters in the front panel. Exactly the panels. Sorry, but not every car has such a set! Of course, most people have a panel, but tweeters... Some 5-7 years ago they were a luxury item and the owner of such gizmos in his car was known as a high connoisseur of opera among his friends. They asked him what musical instrument was best to teach their children, asked him for help tuning the piano, and they said that he had the hearing of a cat. And then there are beepers on a motorcycle! Surprisingly, such audio clutter produces the most ordinary, flat sound. On the other hand, judge for yourself: the speakers are outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions. Putting a harman pocket there is just stupid waste. The practical Germans thought it over among themselves and decided: “Dosya, why pay more? Whoever needs it will deliver it. They fulfill basic economic needs. You can hear them up to 80-100 km/h. And the fact that at maximum volume they begin to wheeze and there is no bass - and Wurst with him! Our bass is in a different place!” Another shortcoming (I can’t call it a minus) is that the receiver doesn’t catch well in the mountains. Well, this can also be solved. For example, if a football match of your favorite team is being broadcast on the radio, try going around the mountains on the other side, take a break or reschedule your trip.
The navigator is displayed on the columns. I immediately set its volume to minus so as not to embarrass myself. Imagine, you’re standing all like this in pathos at a traffic light. Something incendiary sounds from the speakers, like: “Music is playing on the ship, and I’m standing alone on the shore...”. Girls in shorts are walking past, they are already turning in your direction and then... a woman’s voice rings out the treacherous: “Please turn left in fifty meters” :((((Navik is implemented by the Garmin Zumo device. “It can be bought in a regular store, at an attractive price” . But! Here it is built into the dashboard and, attention (!), with the press of one key you can elegantly remove it and take it with you! “Square, practical, put it in your pocket!” I have used this function more than once. Leaving the bike on the street, Navik It's probably better to remove it, so that local pioneers don't have the desire to break into the dashboard. The navigator evacuation button clearly sticks out in plain sight. It can be mistaken for something else only if you've never seen buttons before. When the ignition is turned off, the jitiha lowers the windshield and carefully covers the panel from above, where this device comes from. “Hochland, this is fantastic!” But in this way, by leaving the Navik in place, you risk the integrity of the windshield and its electric drive. From sin!.. And you thought they didn’t have crime there? The local police are complete idiots who can only find an elephant that has escaped from the zoo. And then on the third day, according to photographs posted on Facebook by local residents. In crowded and tourist places it is better to appear with sewn pockets. What's wrong with the crowds! I'll tell you a story.
A friend of mine is walking along a half-empty street in the Spanish town of N. It’s a clear, sunny day, +27 degrees Celsius. All like this with glasses, high heels, a light dress and a handbag. A boy of about 9 years old is splashing on the warm asphalt from behind, and a worn-out beige Kia is driving towards us. Typical day. Suddenly, when everyone is level, the child snatches her purse and starts running! An acquaintance manages to fire a few shots from a Beretta strapped to her ankle. A shootout ensued. The attackers sat down behind a telephone booth and began firing in bursts. Swarms of bullets rebounded from her helmet. Because of this, there was such a ringing noise that the residents of neighboring houses, who were sleeping in the afternoon siesta, leaned out of the windows and began to shout something and wave rags. That day she did not take a portable folding grenade launcher from home, and the treasured ATGM, which she usually puts in her cosmetic bag, remained in another purse (she forgot to move it). Feeling the RGD-5 grenade on her belt, she pulled the pin and with a glance assessed the distance to the enemy... So, she manages to make a few awkward jumps after him, but he jumps into the same Kia and the gang disappears around the corner. There is every reason to assert that it was a child, and not a dwarf, and the car was driven by an adult organizer, and not a like-minded young classmate of the performer! Otherwise it would just be some kind of circus! The story sounded incredible when my wife told it to me. The most interesting thing is that my doubts about what happened were dispelled by local police officers Juan Carlos and Carlo Juanes. It turns out they KNOW (!!) about the gang operating in the area, all the signs coincide, but it is absolutely impossible to detain these elusive robbers!!! I was amazed at the intelligence of the police; they clearly had someone undercover in this organization. The search for the robbers naturally ended in nothing. Most likely they never started. Who wants to run along the alleys in the heat? This is what the Spanish police are like!
Puff... Also an intercom. This is no longer for me. Apparently you need BMW helmets and a secret ingredient. And then what do you get as a result? Instead of wind in my ears, my wife’s buzzing in my head. This system will put control of the motorcycle into the wrong hands! In this case, you risk not moving at all. So, dear users and developers! We kindly ask you not to give such systems wide publicity, especially in women’s circles! In general, I propose to ban them for security reasons. Let's agree - two strikes on the shoulder to write, three strikes to eat. For longer messages – Morse code. It's a pity they don't teach it at school. There are gaps in our education system...
Further. The aforementioned glove compartments are placed very thoughtfully. They are at the level of the shins on the right and left. Orthopedic specialists worked here! You wouldn't think of climbing into them while walking. At a traffic light - please. By bending slightly and extending your hand, you will have full access to the contents. The glove compartments are opened/closed by pressing the lid with the fingers of the upper limb. There is no way to open them with your foot. If something falls out, it won't break to the ground. Electronically tested! In particular, a smartphone.
All glove compartments and side cases are locked with a central lock and operate from the alarm remote control! One button, one Karl, locks all the locks!!! The second one unlocks. It's a delight. The central case, optional for the jitikha, had a separate key. I also used this opportunity rationally. I put my wife’s things there and gave her the key. Now she has her own separate (removable!) handbag for more than 50 liters. Forgot something? - Yes, dear, the key is in your pocket, you can go get some cream, while I wait for you at that cafe over there. “Carlsberg, this is probably the best beer in the world!”
We still haven't finished the front end of the bike. Well, that's where all the fun really comes in! Ergonomically located buttons on remote controls. With two thumbs you can reach everything except the cruise control. This button is a little tricky. Mode switching, heating (seats too), windshield, emergency lights. Everything you need is at hand. The magic wheel does the rest! If it was customary in the motorcycle industry to give Oscars, then undoubtedly the inventor of this device should have been given several at once. For convenience, for intuitiveness, for quality and performance. This is a revolution! This is the most comfortable I've ever found. The idea was spotted in the car department - a car joystick was simply placed on a motorcycle steering wheel. You playfully scroll through the entire FM range without being distracted from the road. You adjust the music volume, a bunch of parameters on the go, and get all the information from the on-board computer. And most importantly, everything works on the go! There is no nonsense in the Ducati style when the menu is not available on the go due to the fact that, you see, it is unsafe! But when it’s so simple and convenient, then why not! The button-wheel probably costs as much as a small-capacity Chinese scooter. But not everything in this life is measured in Chinese scooters.
Another high-tech feature is the winglets on the sides of the front fairing. They are adjustable - you can protrude to the sides. I still don’t understand what they are for. They don’t let you take off, they don’t press you closer to the road. When it’s hot, they don’t make them any cooler, which means they’re not air conditioning. Well, in general, they are for protrusion! They probably redirect air flows. It's an important matter. They look beautiful and technologically advanced.
Probably, in terms of meaning, in this place it is most appropriate to write about the thermal regime of pihl. I just wasn’t going to write about it at all, but then recently a colleague mentioned this problem in a post and I also decided to mention it. True, he was driving there in the cold. I was driving here in the heat. Therefore, I did not consider this a problem. The fact is that in city traffic jams, in my case when the air temperature is over +30, the stuff gets really hot and fries you with hot air driven from the depths by fans, like a chicken in the oven. Well, uh... considering the circumstances, I think this is normal. That's actually good. Some motors might overheat in such conditions. Therefore, I tried to stay in the shadows, turning off the car at traffic lights and in completely hidden places. And he stuck out his wings in the hope of their help, but in vain. I also remembered the Yamaha XJR1200 air vent, which doesn’t care at all, there are no fans and in this mode it just begins to knead its bones. Tested by Thailand.
The GT's mirrors are funny, like Shrek's ears. They stick out funny to the sides, well, you just drive and laugh. This is because they are disproportionately small. At the same time, everything is visible in them, they are not heavy, there are no nonsense with their electric drive and they fold by hand. They are well thought out and made with a sportbike and aerodynamics in mind. “Fantastich, Markt!”
It’s difficult to evaluate the suspension on Angelina Jolie-perfect asphalt. I mean the time when she still had both breasts. An ideal and heated coating provides a phenomenal riser... Since we are talking about Angelina, I propose a Poll:
What is your opinion on Angelina Jolie's decision to remove her breasts? A) It’s okay, it was a milk breast, a new one will grow - a molar one; B) It's okay, there are many substitutes for the original breasts - Metzeller, Shinko, Bridgestone, others (specify). C) Without breasts - it’s fashionable and stylish for youth D) If you hurry, you’ll make people laugh E) Your option
Well, we got a little distracted. Let's continue circumcision... review! One thing I can say is that the Germans successfully implemented their favorite anti-peck function, using the full capabilities of the electronic suspension. Have fun! Mot never bites. And it really adds comfort. I couldn’t evaluate the suspension modes even when I had to go down the steps on the moto. This was a forced necessity, not a intended test. Tell?
Having stopped at the next town N and climbed to its highest point, we quickly looked around and went down. Navik played snake in search of a way out of the maze of narrow one-way streets. Once again turning the corner, we drove a couple of meters down at a decent angle and an oil painting appeared to us: in the middle, the already narrow street turned into steps for ease of walking. And it’s true, it’s inconvenient to climb up such a mountain from below without steps, and if the frost hits, it’s just depressing. For ease of driving, two paths were left along the edges, closely adjacent to the walls of the houses. Thus, the ancient architect immortalized himself by taking care of all the residents of the city: grandparents, owners of small cars and scooters. But he forgot about the big sports tourists. Beha did not fit on the paths in terms of dimensions - the walls of the houses were in the way. We had to drive all the way down the steps. I looked for reverse gear. I searched again. I thought... And asked my wife to film it on her phone. What else was there left to do? Maybe this will help? At least there might be an interesting video to remember!
Here we come to discussing the weight of the motorcycle. 295kg dry. Apparently at BMW they do registration work, wash and saw metal. Because the moto is actually light. Its weight is so well distributed that it is not felt. It has no center of gravity, there is a feeling of lightness. Like from Milka the cow!
And how does he go with all this!!! The electronic handle transmits throttle control at the level of thought. Each molecule of gasoline, being in the line, already knows when and in which of the six cylinders it will run. Traction works online. It does not interfere with the fuel supply, it does not cut off the ignition. It works as smoothly as if you were using Lenor. It's almost impossible to notice. You just continue doing the same thing you were doing. The engine ran smoothly and ran smoothly. Only the blinking of a light bulb will tell you that a few moments ago you were confused about something. Ease and precision of control allow you to tumble along serpentines like a Pyrenean chamois. The limiting factor is you or the chamois, depending on who is driving. Mot can do anything. Any turn, at any speed that does not violate the laws of physics. Therefore, our movement along the serpentines looked like this: exiting the turn, open the gas, afterburner, shift, braking, downshift, not enough, one more down, short drift of the rear wheel, squeal from behind (the wife), apex - lie down, exit, gas, gear up…. Eskies, hairpins, arcs - everything goes through the course, along an ideal trajectory - the one that you had in mind.
Undoubtedly, the same ideal roads help with this. The secret is that all serpentine turns have a standard radius. The road seems to be assembled from parts of one (!) designer. In a couple of days you will already know them all. The turn may consist of several hems and be pumped with a pin, but each part will have the same radius as always. If the essay is triple, then each of the three will have the same radius. Those who have driven along the Sochi serpentine will understand me. There you fly into one turning radius, but along the way you realize that the builders did not expect to encounter such a landscape and they had to dramatically change the curvature, direction, material used and the slope of the road. And you also have to change something dramatically on the fly. The road was built randomly, as it turned out. It’s strange that she even brought her to Sochi. Light generally removes any restrictions on the choice of time of day for movement. The long-range xenon spotlight turns night into day. I never dared to look at the full-face at night when the distant one was on. Additional headlights are not required. Again, local roads help. Everything is strewn with trillions of reflectors. All markings are illuminated. On the right side of the road, yellow reflectors glow in the headlights, and on the left, red ones. And when you go back along the same road, again yellow on the right, red on the left! When do they have time to shift them from one side to the other?? And not a single one, not a single one, is confused!
On the day the motorcycle was handed over, we, like real Spaniards, took a siesta over lunch and an hour before the showroom closed, we remembered that we were a hundred kilometers away. The navigator, which, as usual, was in my pants, suggested that the journey “home”, and it was clear where his house was, would take about an hour. Simple calculations showed that in order to be on time, we need to move at an average speed of 200 km/h and we need to start right now. Having plotted a route along the toll road, we ran to the free parking lot where the motorbike was parked. By the way, motorcyclists are highly respected here and parking lots for motorcycles (all free) are usually located in the most trump and central places. There are also some places of “social consensus” where you can simply leave your bike on the sidewalk, in pedestrian areas, under a tree, in the shade of a fence, etc. And the police do not fine you for this. In Popykhy, jumping out onto the tollbooth, I looked around and, at the risk of being caught for speeding and deported on the nearest ocean-going banana ship, and not necessarily going home, I unscrewed the handle. Beha optimistically picks up the first 200 km/h. Next comes air resistance, acceleration weakens, but the needle can be driven to the 240 km/h mark. Up to 220 km/h I rode in an open flip-up and did not experience any discomfort at all. If you lower the windshield and bend down, you can most likely squeeze out the maximum speed on the speedometer - 260 km/h. Just squeeze it out. It turns out the GT is not a hyperbike.
For dessert, the sound of the engine. Of course, this is a pleasant component of any spendthrift. Although it seems to me that what we usually talk about as the sound of the engine is actually the sound of the exhaust. At low revs you can pamper yourself with low frequencies, akin to sportsbike liters. At medium speeds while driving, the engine rustles unobtrusively without straining you on a long journey. And at high speeds the sound of “afterburner” cuts through, like that of an adult sports car: “RRRRRRRR!” Well, just icing on the cake!
Also speaking about desserts and edibles in general, I would like to say that as soon as you drive deep into Spain, 70+ kilometers from the tourist areas, the price tags for food in restaurants and cafes simply drop significantly, like the Zimbabwean dollar during the election period. We will write this down as another plus of jitikha. As for fuel consumption, we can say that it is below average. The exact data is not preserved in my memory. Usually I just fill in 95 for 500 rubles, but everything is in euros, so the calculations went wrong...
Cardan? No, I haven't seen it. They say he is. Console wheel mount, cardan hidden from view in the console. Subject of engineering masturbation. Masterpiece. How does it affect…..? What can he influence on such a motor? Do not make me laugh. In my deepest conviction, it is almost impossible to feel the difference on the move - a cardan or a chain. You can hear it, if, for example, a gearbox is humming, but you cannot feel it. It is possible to feel that the bike rides “worse” with the cardan. But only if you previously rode the same motorcycle with a chain. Yes, the cardan takes away some power. Or even so - he does not have time to transfer it all, as quickly and efficiently as a chain. But no one suggests installing a cardan on a sportbike!
Will we live in the era of sanctions and import substitution without imports? Of course yes. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And what is good for a Russian is death for a German. Of course, we will not import motorcycles from Bavaria. But this particular one can be replaced by the Honda ST1300 Pan European imported from Japan or America. Of the bikes I've tried, it's most similar to the K1600GT. It was sewn according to European patterns and indicated this in the name. Everything behind the wheel is beautiful and ergonomic, the seating position is designed for an adult. Slightly heavier than behi +35 kg. There is also drive: the V4 sounds very perky, provokes the revs to rise and gives an interesting weight distribution - the bike easily falls into turns and shifts happily. Good light, electric windshield, gimbal. Basically the same set, but without hi-tech and heated seats.
The GT has a fraternal twin brother: the R1200RT. I think the Bavarians wanted to offer the GT as a fresh alternative to the old RT. Although it turned out to be almost 60 kg heavier. I don’t think it’s a matter of weight, but for some reason the public didn’t want to part with the traditional boxer engine on a tourist. And the next generation RT became like two peas in a pod similar to the GT. For what? Why? Let's admit that the Germans are not fools and the new 6-cylinder in-line engine on the tourist is superior to the boxer in all respects. Now the oppositionists will throw old worn out pots at me. But according to my version, the demand for the boxer is supported to a large extent for psychological reasons. Many people, looking at the large “sliders” - boiler heads, perceive them as additional protection for their legs. And they are absolutely right! To hell with them with cylinders, the main thing is health. Someone else just likes how powerful and traditional IT looks.
By the way, a little about Givi helmets. I haven't met them before. They showed themselves well. Considering that they had seen more than one head at the box office, everything was in place and functioning. Good materials. Nothing cracked, rubbed or whistled. However, these modulars weigh as much as a cast iron bridge. In general, nothing special, everything is in the Givi style - high quality and functional, without overpaying for the brand. Such a modular on a tourist and in the heat, just right!
From the entire review we managed to squeeze out several disadvantages that distance the GT from the title of the best ideal premium motorcycle made by the Germans for gentlemen:
-Bend your knees. This was not included in the review. And there is a fold. For me, it is a little stronger than I would like. The thing is subjective, habituated and, to some extent, solved by adjusting the seat. -Heating deflectors. This was also not included in the review, because there are none. -No back. But there is about this in the review. - “Low” maximum speed. Mot falls out of the “who is faster” debate. The premium buyer wants his premium to be the most premium. You don’t have to use it, but the very awareness of the possibility... I expected more from a 1600 cc in-line engine. — Even at premium, you might want an electric center stand, like on the former flagship K1200LT. Well, it seems like it’s not needed - it’s a cardan. Just a cool option. -Stock music does not pump and the antenna is rather weak. (You'd think everyone else has it).
The K1600GT feels like a car. For example BMW GT. Solid, thoughtful, functional. Pure German. Aryan.
That's probably all. I hope you had a good ride. Still, almost 2,000 km.
