The BMW K1600 B is both odd and magnificent. Odd, because the ‘B’ stands for ‘Bagger,’ when it’s really just a low-slung variation of the brand’s popular K1600 GTL tourer. Magnificent, because it’s a totally bananas ride. Powering it is a 1,649 cc inline-six, which makes 160 hp and absolutely howls at full chat. It…
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Harley-Davidson dominates the heavyweight custom scene in Japan: many of the top builders work on no other marque. But BMW has just disrupted that paradigm with its ‘Ignite Straight 6’ project: it’s given its luxury K 1600 GTL tourer to two of Japan’s most esteemed motorcycle craftsmen. Keiji Kawakita (Hot Dock Custom Cycles) and Kenji…
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At the Osaka Motorcycle Show, BMW Japan has just thrown the wraps off two extreme customs based on the K1600 GTL. That’s the range-topping luxury tourer, a road-going spaceship powered by a 1649cc inline six—and probably packed with more electronics than any other motorcycle on the market today. Just two builders were chosen for these…
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The BMW K1600 is a touring machine par excellence. It has six cylinders, seven computers, multiple drive modes and adaptive headlights. It’s the kind of machine that sends journalists into raptures, and wins Motorcycle Of The Year awards. It is not, however, a bike that anyone in their right mind would want to customize. The…
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