Motorcycle.com Bagger Comparison
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 3,133
From: Texas
Pretty much turned out exactly as I'd expect. All motorcycle writers always seem to prefer the most sport-like bike.
Some commenter said it best -- the K1600B shouldn't have been in that group, as it's too different; the K1600B should be pitted against the new Gold Wing. Those are two birds of a feather.
(I'm not down on the K1600B, in fact I intend to buy one of the damn things if the dealer will ever bother himself to get the low seat in so I can fit on it; BMWs seem to have been designed exclusively for NBA players)...
Some commenter said it best -- the K1600B shouldn't have been in that group, as it's too different; the K1600B should be pitted against the new Gold Wing. Those are two birds of a feather.
(I'm not down on the K1600B, in fact I intend to buy one of the damn things if the dealer will ever bother himself to get the low seat in so I can fit on it; BMWs seem to have been designed exclusively for NBA players)...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 64
From: N. CA & East TN
the 1600B is not even in the same class as any of those let alone the gold wing. Owning several of those, WTF the Yamaha, no thanks. I would have to give the road glide the first spot as it really does offer the best wind protection. My road glide ultra is top notch in that category. Nothing can beat the BMW for performance though, it really is a race engine, built up as a claimed bagger, I have yet to use its full power because within a few seconds I am always triple digit speed without even cracking the throttle. They were right though the Harley does not feel as cheap as the Yamaha etc, they feel cheap with all the plastic. Hope Harley never changes and goes that route.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 100
From: Wisconsin
Pretty much turned out exactly as I'd expect. All motorcycle writers always seem to prefer the most sport-like bike.
Some commenter said it best -- the K1600B shouldn't have been in that group, as it's too different; the K1600B should be pitted against the new Gold Wing. Those are two birds of a feather.
(I'm not down on the K1600B, in fact I intend to buy one of the damn things if the dealer will ever bother himself to get the low seat in so I can fit on it; BMWs seem to have been designed exclusively for NBA players)...
Some commenter said it best -- the K1600B shouldn't have been in that group, as it's too different; the K1600B should be pitted against the new Gold Wing. Those are two birds of a feather.
(I'm not down on the K1600B, in fact I intend to buy one of the damn things if the dealer will ever bother himself to get the low seat in so I can fit on it; BMWs seem to have been designed exclusively for NBA players)...
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 201
Likes: 59
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
The 1600 would be a rocket ship, Im lucky and have a local BMW shop, but they dont care about the customer. Insane shop rates and wait times for service. I had an 09 boxer Twin for a commuter, it ran hard but maintenance costs were too much.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 3,133
From: Texas
I don't know why their seat heights have to be so astronomical. The 2018 Softail lineup has an average seat height of about 26", my Fat Bob has the highest seat in the lineup at 27.8". The LOW seat on the BMW K1600B is a full two inches higher than that! The frickin' R1200GSA, their best seller, has a seat height of 35". That's NINE INCHES higher than the Softails.
Harley even goes out of their way to offer the Ultra Limited in a LOW version, taking a couple of inches off its normally low height. I don't get BMW and their sky-high, 40-inch inseam bikes. I've met lots of Germans, they ain't that tall. Sigh. I love everything about the K1600B and would buy one today, if I could just fit on it. I'm not going to do the one-foot down, hop-on-the-*****-of-your-toes dance with a $24,000, 800-pound motorcycle.
But I want one. Dangit.
Maybe those lowering links are the answer... or leg extension surgery...
Last edited by FatBob2018; Feb 18, 2018 at 03:09 PM.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 314
From: Ohio
I like the idea of actually lowering the bike more than lowering the seat, as the seat would inherently compromise comfort, but -- how can lowering it not compromise travel? Certainly lean angle must be compromised, at least, right?
I don't know why their seat heights have to be so astronomical. The 2018 Softail lineup has an average seat height of about 26", my Fat Bob has the highest seat in the lineup at 27.8". The LOW seat on the BMW K1600B is a full two inches higher than that! The frickin' R1200GSA, their best seller, has a seat height of 35". That's NINE INCHES higher than the Softails.
Harley even goes out of their way to offer the Ultra Limited in a LOW version, taking a couple of inches off its normally low height. I don't get BMW and their sky-high, 40-inch inseam bikes. I've met lots of Germans, they ain't that tall. Sigh. I love everything about the K1600B and would buy one today, if I could just fit on it. I'm not going to do the one-foot down, hop-on-the-*****-of-your-toes dance with a $24,000, 800-pound motorcycle.
But I want one. Dangit.
Maybe those lowering links are the answer... or leg extension surgery...
I don't know why their seat heights have to be so astronomical. The 2018 Softail lineup has an average seat height of about 26", my Fat Bob has the highest seat in the lineup at 27.8". The LOW seat on the BMW K1600B is a full two inches higher than that! The frickin' R1200GSA, their best seller, has a seat height of 35". That's NINE INCHES higher than the Softails.
Harley even goes out of their way to offer the Ultra Limited in a LOW version, taking a couple of inches off its normally low height. I don't get BMW and their sky-high, 40-inch inseam bikes. I've met lots of Germans, they ain't that tall. Sigh. I love everything about the K1600B and would buy one today, if I could just fit on it. I'm not going to do the one-foot down, hop-on-the-*****-of-your-toes dance with a $24,000, 800-pound motorcycle.
But I want one. Dangit.
Maybe those lowering links are the answer... or leg extension surgery...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post