Motorcycle specifications BMWK 1600 Grand America 2025 Les highways de velours

When BMW decides to tickle the American market (or the American-style market, nuance), it doesn't pretend. Its long experience in touring motorcycles is an asset that all manufacturers envy. However, it's not easy to take on Harley in the Tourer segment. That's why the Bavarian manufacturer is sending the R 18 Transcontinental and the suavissime K 1600 Grand America its way.

Introduced in 2018 to give the K 1600 B more scope, the Grand America offers an alternative to the eternal American big rigs. Its modern styling combines the power of the German front with a very successful receding rear end. Alas, the "stylized" suitcases cannot accommodate a helmet. Fortunately, the top case is huge.

The reworked version retains the original design, with a few almost unnoticeable alterations. A little on the face to match the new headlight - it gains adaptive lighting as standard. And that's all. This imposing vessel continues its highly successful appearance, worthy of a road-going majesty. The edged taillights on the edge of the suitcases continue to impress.

The taut silhouette is the first impact, the engine confirms the uppercut. With the K 1600 series, BMW shows its talents as an engine builder with the 6-cylinder-in-line architecture that has made its name in the automotive world. The Euro5 standard has forced BMW to rethink its ejections. Engineers added two additional lambda probes and revised engine management. With brio: not only is torque up, from 175 to 180 Nm, at the same 5,250 rpm, but power is preserved while arriving earlier. The 160 hp maximum is reached 1000 rpm earlier. The power of the reworked 1649 cc starts to give a little more boot at around 3,000 rpm, then the gap increases gently until 5,000 rpm, where it strengthens before setting its maximum at 6,750 revs per min.

All the more reason to savor this block's fabulous breath and vigor. But to make the most of it, Béhème has done everything necessary to ensure incredible driving pleasure. The Dynamic ESA next Gen suspension fully automates the damping work, according to two rules: Road, for a comfortable ride on the road, or Cruise, for an even softer ride on the sofa. This is the perfect moment to place your boots on the running boards installed on the sides of the 6-cylinder. At a relaxed 750 mm from the ground.

Standing also means a high-flying driving position. The first K 1600s already had some nice hardware, with a TFT screen surrounded by analog dials. The new generation takes things to the next level, with the huge screen previewed on the R 1250 RT. 10.25" diagonal, the size of an iPad keyboard... This makes it easy to fit GPS navigation on one side and a whole heap of information on the other in shared mode. But the navigator is not integrated into the system; it uses an app to be installed on the smartphone. This can be stored in the watertight, ventilated tank compartment, complete with USB socket.

A big tourer can also be enjoyed with music, although the bewitching melody of the engine is enough to delight the ears. The K 1600 Grand America features a new 2.0 audio system, much better integrated than the old one. A good playlist and the BM sound system will show you what it's made of. A song by Kavinsky or Kenny Loggins might make you want to push the machine to high speed, but the manufacturer wanted to limit the temptation and the risks, with a top speed limited to 162 km/h.

Underneath the driving pleasure, BMW has installed a number of electronic modules. We wouldn't have expected anything less. And the Grand America packs as much as a car: triple driving modes (Dynamic - Road - Rain), engine torque control (updated), hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, traction control, cruise control, ABS Pro reactive in corners...
Let's not forget to mention a few comfort features, such as heated saddles and grips, electrically adjustable windscreen, reverse gear, USB socket in the top case, emergency call, welcome lighting system, etc.

As for its chassis, the Grand America, like the other K 1600s, hasn't changed one iota. No need to. The unorthodox presence of the Duolever fork with longitudinal arms (similar to the Fior system) has been forgotten. The rear section is combined with the Paralever single-sided cardan arm. All linked by an aluminum perimeter frame. To stop its 370 kg (3 more than before), three 320 mm brake discs are at work, with 4-piston radial calipers at the front and two pistons at the rear.

In the K16 series, the Grand America is undoubtedly the one that most takes you down an "American highway of the future". The 6-cylinder and the equipment are even better under a most senatorial dress. A motorcycle of superlatives, with a price tag to match. Do you have a Plan d'Epargne Logement? She'll gobble it up. And rightly so, unlike some more egocentrically exuberant models. All it needs is an automatic gearbox for some heavy-duty drivers.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos