If you're into two-wheeled touring things don't get much better than riding a BMW K1300 GT through the Swiss Alps, experiencing transfixingly scenic vistas that could adorn any chocolate box, from atop one of the smoothest and comfiest long-distance bonies in existence.
I did just that a couple of years ago and thought it would be an experience difficult to match. Until last week that is, when I rode Beemer's new six-cylinder K1600 GT and K1600 GTL along a hellishly hot but transfixingly scenic Western Cape coastline, where the bikes' international launch was held.
When the temperature hits 40 degrees even an airflow riding suit doesn't provide much relief, and you feel like you're being attacked by a giant hair drier.
But beyond a momentary pang of jealousy for fellow road users ensconced in their blessedly cool airconditioned cars, I wouldn't have swopped it for anything.
The responsive shove and charming rrorrt! of the straight-six engine as you tweak the throttle, the way these two-wheeled titans imperiously glide the kilometres away in bum-soaking comfort, the general grandness of being in control of such large machines, with a clear road ahead and 300km left in the tank, you feel like the king of the world.
So why did BMW decide on a six-cylinder engine for its new touring behemoths? Basically to show it could, and six sounds so much better than four in the one-upmanship stakes. In the world of big touring bikes, less definitely isn't more.
BMW was also after big time torque, and here the big lump certainly delivers with over 70 percent of its 175Nm twist already available from just 1 500rpm, to go with its hearty 118kW power output. I rode up the steep Franschhoek pass in sixth gear just to see if I could, and it was no problem: the bike munched the incline with no stutters or flat spots in the power delivery, even in sharp hairpins where the engine revs fell to just over idling speed. This bike talks the torque.
It's a gem of an engine, and apart from the hearty power delivery it's as smooth as Charlize Theron's thighs, yet with that abovementioned creamy growl adding some vocal charisma.
And size isn't an issue. If you're fearing an alley-scraping six cylinder lump of the Honda CBX variety (remember that?), fear not, as the clever Bavarians have produced a very compact powerplant that's just slightly wider than the K1300's old four-cylinder engine.
The K1600s are still large bikes, make no mistake, and not your first choice for commuting through traffic jams. But as tourers go they aren't quite the hefelumps they might have been, and once you start rolling you can feel the work BMW put into minimising weight and, perhaps more importantly, concentrating it in the right spots.
They corner pretty well and you're able to achieve half decent lean angles (more so in the GT) before scraping the footpegs, while there's no dive under heavy braking due to BMW's patented duolever front suspension.
The GT, which goes on sale in South Africa around midyear for R173 000, is the lighter and more sports-oriented of the two bikes, but comes with a full-blown spec sheet that includes an electrically adjustable windscreen, heated grips and seat, cruise control, onboard computer, luggage panniers (with central locking - how cool is that?), Xenon headlights and ABS brakes. Navigating the onboard computer menus is done by a multi-controller ring similar in concept to the iDrive system found in BMW's cars.
The GTL replaces the old K1200 LT as BMW Motorrad's uber-tourer, in direct competition with bikes like the Honda Goldwing.
The GTL comes with a built-in top box which doubles as a padded backrest for a pillion passenger, plus a lower seat.
However, there's no reverse gear as in the LT, so you have to be very careful how you park this heavyweight.
Over and above the toys already listed for the GT, the GTL's R195 500 pricetag will also include a radio/USB audio system.
Available options on both bikes will include Electronic Suspension Adjustment, Dynamic Traction Control, and a cornering headlight - a world first for motorcycles.
With all the fairings and windscreen you tend to ride in a very wind-protected bubble, so in that scorching weather of the Cape one of the coolest (ahem) features were the flaps on the front fairing which you can adjust to direct extra air onto your body. These clever Germans think of everything. -Drive Times