BMW K1600 B Grand America: A Motorcycle for the Long Haul

Words and Photos by Jennifer Jensen

The BMW K1600 B Grand America isn’t your average touring bike. At a whopping 800 pounds, it’s a true highway cruiser packed with comfort and tech for long stretches on the open road. At first, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Coming from a background of sport bikes and performance motorcycles, this giant felt more like saddling up on a rhino than a motorcycle. But once I got in sync with it, the K1600 started to make sense. By the time I was done, I could see why someone would choose this bike for their garage.

Design and Size: A Stately, Weighty Cruiser

There’s no avoiding the fact that this is a large bike. You feel every bit of its 800-pound heft when you’re at a standstill, and that’s with the 7-gallon fuel tank topped off. BMW did their part to make it manageable, though, with an aluminum frame and a low seat height of 29.5 inches. Once you’re on the move, the weight melts away, but it’s worth noting for those who might be new to bikes of this size.

Styling-wise, the Grand America is BMW’s answer to a Gold Wing with a unique twist. This isn’t a stripped-down bagger by any means—it’s a fully loaded grand tourer with sweeping lines, integrated hard bags, and a massive front fairing that gives it a distinctive look. And if you’re a fan of storage, you’re in luck. BMW claims 29.5 gallons of space between the saddlebags and the rear top case, so you’ve got room for more than just a toothbrush.

The Heart of the Beast: Inline-Six Engine

The centerpiece of the K1600 is its six-cylinder engine—a rare find in the motorcycle world. This 1,649 cc inline-six engine is as smooth as you’d expect, delivering 160 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. These numbers sound pretty average on a sports bike, but on a bike of this size, they’re plenty. The way the engine delivers power is where it really shines; it’s smooth, effortless, and predictable. Roll on the throttle, and it pulls you forward in a way that’s best described as “refined.”

While it’s not the type of bike that will pin you to the back seat, or toss you off the seat, the K1600 B Grand America gives you a steady surge of power that feels natural and unhurried. Whether you’re pulling away from a stoplight or overtaking on the highway, the engine has a linear quality that’s hard not to appreciate.

Built for Comfort and Stability

The K1600 Grand America brings serious comfort features to the table. Heated seats and grips come standard, so if you’re caught in cooler weather, you’ll stay cozy. The electrically adjustable windshield is a great touch, offering ample protection when raised and a nice breeze when lowered. You even get cruise control, which is an absolute blessing on long hauls, and there’s even more tech that would rival most modern sedans.

On the handling front, BMW has equipped the Grand America with Dynamic ESA, an adaptive suspension system that automatically adjusts to the road surface. Pair that with three riding modes—Road, Dynamic, and Rain—and the bike can be fine-tuned for nearly any environment. Dynamic mode tightens things up a bit, giving a firmer, more responsive ride, while Rain mode pulls back on power and traction for those wetter days. Most of my riding was in Road mode, which provided a good balance between comfort and control.

Tech-Savvy Touring

The 10.25-inch TFT display is one of the best features on this bike. It’s crisp, easy to read in almost any light, and gives you all the information you could ever need. With customizable displays, you can set it up to show everything from your trip computer to tire pressures and even your G-force readings (though I’d argue that’s more of a fun feature than a necessity on a touring bike). BMW also includes four customizable buttons on the left fairing for easy access to your most-used features, whether that’s radio controls, navigation, or heated seat settings.

And yes, the K1600 has a fully-fledged sound system. Bluetooth connectivity lets you link up your phone for calls or music, and there’s SiriusXM for those longer rides where you just want to set it and forget it. Now, I have to say, listening to music on a bike at highway speeds can be hit-or-miss. It’s there if you want it, but it’s not really my thing. Still, it’s nice to have the option.

Road Feel and Ride Experience

One area where the K1600 surprised me was in how it handled on back roads. I wouldn’t call it nimble by any stretch, but for a bike of its size, it’s fairly agile. The Dynamic ESA suspension keeps it well connected, and you can actually lean into turns with confidence. Just don’t expect sport-bike levels of feedback—it’s designed to give you stability over agility, and that it does well.

When it comes to stopping power, BMW didn’t skimp. Dual 320mm front discs with four-piston calipers and a single rear disc with two-piston calipers provide the braking power, with ABS as standard. You’re working with a lot of weight, so it’s good to know that when you grab the brakes, you’ll get a predictable response without much fade. The brakes don’t feel overly sharp, which suits the touring nature of the bike. They’re responsive without being aggressive.

The Trade-Offs: Things to Consider

While the K1600 Grand America is packed with features, it’s not without its quirks. The throttle, for instance, feels a bit sticky, especially when rolling off. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of, especially if you’re used to a lighter throttle feel. And despite the generous fairing and windscreen, I found myself getting buffeted around more than I’d expected on the interstate. BMW markets this as a bike built for the open road, so the wind management could use a bit of fine-tuning. Then again, it could be the fact that I’m just tall.

And then there’s the price. Starting at around $23,000, the Grand America isn’t exactly an impulse buy. The model I tested, with all the options, came close to $29,000. You’re definitely paying for all the tech, comfort, and brand name here. For some, that might make perfect sense, especially if you’re planning on doing cross-country trips. For others, that price tag may be hard to justify.

Final Verdict: The Long-Haul Cruiser You Never Knew You Needed?

So, would I buy one? Probably not. As much as I enjoyed my time with it, my heart still leans toward sport bikes. But I get the appeal. For those who value comfort, stability, and a host of features, the BMW K1600 B Grand America is worth a look. It’s a bike that encourages you to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than rush to the destination.

This is a motorcycle that feels more at home on a stretch of two-lane highway than darting through city streets or twisting mountain roads. It’s not a bike for the adrenaline junkie; it’s a bike for the rider who wants to cover serious miles without sacrificing comfort or capability. If you’re in the market for a bike that can take you across state lines with ease—and you don’t mind the heft—then the K1600 B Grand America just might be your ticket.