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2018–2021 · Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Six Cylinders, First-Class Silence
The K 1600 Grand America is built around one of the smoothest engines you can put between your knees: a 1649 cc inline-six making 160 hp and 129 lb-ft. That torque arrives low and stays flat, so a fully loaded 802 lb machine still pulls away from a stoplight without drama. The chassis pairs a Duolever front and Paralever rear with Dynamic ESA, and the electronics run deep, from Integral ABS Pro to the Gear Shift Assistant Pro. This is BMW's full-dress touring statement, a rolling first-class cabin with a top case, floorboards, and a passenger backrest.
On the road it feels planted and composed, the kind of bike that shrinks its own bulk once you're moving and treats 500-mile days as routine. It's for the coast-to-coast rider who travels two-up, packs heavy, and wants the last 10 percent of comfort a lighter sport-tourer can't reach. The honest caveat is size. At 802 lb with a 30.7 in seat, this is a lot of motorcycle at walking pace and in tight parking, and you need to respect its mass in the slow, awkward moments before the wheels are turning.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 160 hp (118 kW) @ 7,750 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 129 lb-ft (175 Nm) @ 5,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 1649 cc |
| Engine | Inline-six |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | ShaftMotorcycles With Shaft Drive → |
| Fork | Duolever |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Seat height | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Wet weight | 802 lb (364 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 7.0 gal (26.5 L) |
| Fuel economy | 41 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Drivetrain
This picture comes from years of listening: paddock conversations, owner chats, club-night talk, and the messages riders send me directly. The Grand America pattern is clear. Owners praise the engine, the chassis and passenger comfort. Their gripes center on stability at speed with the top case, the top-speed limit, the price and the effort of reversing.
Riders consistently single out the inline six for how eagerly it revs out to its peak, a mix of luxury and sportiness owners call unique. Many say they're surprised by how precisely it steers in the twisties and how much ground clearance they find there. Passengers get their share of praise too, with owners pointing to the plush seat and suspension that stays compliant through long two-up days.
The most repeated complaint is a weave at high speed with the top case fitted. It gets uncomfortable enough that BMW itself recommends riders set their own speed limit when the bike is loaded. Some owners find the electronic top-speed limit odd on an engine this strong. Others question the premium over the K 1600 B and the Gold Wing, since they see only marginal equipment gains for the money. And backing it up without the optional reverse gear, several owners say, is a workout.
Rear suspension link strut may crack
On certain 2019‑2020 K 1600 models, the link strut connecting the rear suspension to the frame may not have been produced to specifications, potentially failing and causing loss of control. BMW issued a safety recall.
High‑speed front‑end wobble
At highway speeds, especially in turbulent air or behind large vehicles, the front end may oscillate or weave violently, potentially leading to loss of control. Reported by many owners and under NHTSA investigation.
Reverse gear control unit may overheat (potential fire risk)
On 2018‑2020 Grand America (and other K 1600 models), the seal for the reverse gear control unit may fail, allowing moisture ingress and subsequent overheating, increasing risk of a fire. Recall issued.
DTC warning light due to calibration error
A fast‑flashing DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) warning triangle may appear despite normal riding; sometimes resolved by a firmware update or recalibration via GS‑911 tool, without affecting performance.
Where this BMW K 1600 Grand America pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the K 1600 Grand America is actually built for.
If your season is Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, and long weather-changing days two-up, this bike was built for exactly that. The six's smoothness and the luggage make cross-country travel feel first-class.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
You want curves plus comfort on 200 to 400-mile days, and this bike carves better than its weight suggests. Just know you're buying a full-dress tourer, not a lithe backroad tool, so slow corners ask for muscle.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
The ritual and the miles fit, and the comfort is unmatched for a long haul to a rally. The character is refined German competence rather than air-cooled V-twin theater, so weigh that against the sound and identity you're after.
Made for Florida State Road A1A · Black Hills · Main Street, Daytona Beach
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this BMW K 1600 Grand America. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2022
Six Cylinders, Zero Complaints
Competitor · 2018–2026
The Flat-Six Comfort Machine
Competitor · 2017
The Low-Seat Long-Hauler
Same Platform · 2017–2021
Digital Bagger With Inline Six
~$500 cheaper used than this bike at 7 yr
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.