BMW K 1600 GT named Bike magazine’s
2011 Bike of the Year
Bike’s accolade joins
MCN’s ‘Tourer of the Year’ Award.
Bike magazine, the UK’s best-selling
monthly motorcycle publication, has named the 2011
BMW K 1600 GT its Bike of the Year.
The K 1600 GT was the only touring
bike in consideration for the magazine’s top
award and saw off competition from sportsbikes and
motorcycles from around the world.
Bike magazine said: “The K 1600
GT is completely exceptional. Nobody who has ridden
BMW’s latest flagship tourer has come away feeling
anything short of awe. The whooshing, surging kick
and utter refinement of the glorious six-cylinder
engine; the all-week comfort and storm-beating abilities
of the adjustable riding position and fantastic fairing;
the features, goodies and options that include electronically
adjusted suspension, traction control, ABS, power
modes, a headlight that looks round corners, sat nav,
endless trip info, tyre pressure sensors, heated everything,
music, cubby holes and luggage…
“But it’s the chassis that
truly astounds. Yes, the 1600 is big, and it’s
not what you’d call light, but the balance,
control and agility are breathtaking. The steering
makes changing direction on a R 1200 GS feel like
hard work. It’s unprecedented. It took prolonged
debate and heated discussion to draw up the rest of
this list, but only one bike was ever in the running
for the title.”
The K 1600 GT also took a prestigious
MCN Award when it was named Tourer of the Year by
Motorcycle News. Judged and presented by Motorcycle
News, the UK’s biggest-selling motorcycle publication,
the annual MCN Awards recognise technical innovations,
outstanding motorcycles and sales success within the
industry.
MCN said: “The only real question
was ‘K 1600 GT or K 1600 GTL?’ The GT
stole the prize for its sharper handling and lighter
weight. The engine is silken and strong, the range
is good and comfort is exceptional. It looks good,
with loads of presence, and comes with every electronic
aid you could wish for, many as standard.”
Adrian Roderick, BMW Motorrad General
Manager, said: “For the new K 1600 GT to have
received awards from the UK’s two biggest motorcycle
publications is a very welcome confirmation that BMW
Motorrad is producing industry leading products. MCN’s
Award reaffirms BMW Motorrad’s position at the
top of the touring sector and Bike’s Bike of
the Year is a huge accolade which proves that investment
and technological advancement is welcomed in all classes
of motorcycle.”
Sales success
BMW Motorrad’s new six-cylinder
tourers have been a significant sales success, with
268 of the new K 1600 GTs and 192 of the K 1600 GTLs
sold in the UK since their launch – making up
22% of all touring motorcycle sales.
This success sees the two 1600cc machines
take second and third place in the touring sales chart
behind the boxer-engined R 1200 RT. As a result, BMW
Motorrad now holds 48% of the UK touring sector.
The six-cylinder motorcycles have been a hit with
both customers and the press alike. Media coverage
has praised the class-leading handling and performance
of these motorcycles as well as the sheer amount of
cutting edge design and experience-enhancing technology
integrated into the K 1600s.
For more information on BMW Motorrad
products and services visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk
or call 0800 777 155.
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