Six Cylinder Ks

PAULBACH · Nov 12, 2009

BMW introduced an inline six-cylinder caf?® racer concept at the 2009 EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

Inline-six engines have a staple in BMWÔÇÖs automobiles for decades and the German manufacturerÔÇÖs motorcycle division took on the challenge of adapting the straight-six to a bike without making it too long or too wide. The result is the BMW Motorrad Concept 6, and an evolution BMW says ÔÇ£will further expand the K-Series in the foreseeable futureÔÇØ.

For more info click here

johns3 · Nov 13, 2009

Paul,

One part of the press release was particularly interesting.....

"The new BMW straight-six will further expand the K-Series in the foreseeable future. The first model to be introduced will be an innovative and luxurious BMW touring machine"

easy · Nov 13, 2009

SugarHillCTD said:
. . . The first model to be introduced will be an innovative and luxurious BMW touring machine"

That could be a great motor for a new version of the LT. Let's just hope it doesn't look like a transformer.

Easy :lurk

acejones · Nov 13, 2009

If it looks like the concept it will be an ugly bike.

john1691 · Nov 17, 2009

Looks like a combination of a K1200R and a S1000RR. I kinda like it. I'm sure the production model will be softer, look how the S000RR changed from the initial full bike to final production. While it kept much of it's design themes, it is less edgey, IMHO. I'm still looking forward to seeing what they do with the LT!

pglaves · Nov 17, 2009

Acejones said:
If it looks like the concept it will be an ugly bike.

Which is what they said about the R1100/1150/1200GS series - which are such awful sellers in the marketplace (#1 in Europe). I know it doesn't look like a toaster tank or anything, but it looks OK to me.

But, that is all academic - it is a platform to show off the engine to be used on the new K1xxxLT - not a sport bike - yet.

acejones · Nov 17, 2009

Yeah, I know. I've got a group of ugly bikes (except my K75). Ugly can sell. It's all about convincing people they can't live without it.

PAULBACH · Nov 18, 2009

PGlaves said:
Which is what they said about the R1100/1150/1200GS series - which are such awful sellers in the marketplace (#1 in Europe). I know it doesn't look like a toaster tank or anything, but it looks OK to me.

But, that is all academic - it is a platform to show off the engine to be used on the new K1xxxLT - not a sport bike - yet.

Sport bike? At the point maybe the bike with sprout wings and fly.

It's an interesting engine to build a lot of stuff around.

Sailingfool · Nov 19, 2009

6 cylinder/ Really?

You know, I can't think of why anyone would need more horsepower than the 4 cylinder K1300S already has. If 170 doesn't do it for you, are you really going to be any faster with more weight, width, and complexity? Why ask why?

Semper_Fi · Nov 19, 2009

Sailingfool said:
You know, I can't think of why anyone would need more horsepower than the 4 cylinder K1300S already has. If 170 doesn't do it for you, are you really going to be any faster with more weight, width, and complexity? Why ask why?

It's all a matter of perspectie, imo.

I had a Valkyrie and thought OMG this is insane, then I had a Goldwing and thought that was all the power any sane person needed, then I got an RT and got the same speed but handling thown on top of that, then I test drove a KGT and it was over at that point.

Do I need more horsepower than in my KGT, short answer is no, would I get something that has the same abilities and more courage...... would certainly think about it.

:beer

PAULBACH · Nov 19, 2009

Sailingfool said:
You know, I can't think of why anyone would need more horsepower than the 4 cylinder K1300S already has. If 170 doesn't do it for you, are you really going to be any faster with more weight, width, and complexity? Why ask why?

There are folks that buy Hyabusas. How fast can you go?

BMW may be counting on folks who want to buy the biggest and baddest - and the fastest.

easy · Nov 21, 2009

Semper_Fi said:
It's all a matter of perspectie, imo.

I had a Valkyrie and thought OMG this is insane, then I had a Goldwing and thought that was all the power any sane person needed, then I got an RT and got the same speed but handling thown on top of that, then I test drove a KGT and it was over at that point.

Do I need more horsepower than in my KGT, short answer is no, would I get something that has the same abilities and more courage...... would certainly think about it.

Good point. . .

Man has always had an unusual fascination with speed. There must have been some people who thought commitment when they saw Rolland Free in his shorts going for the record in his superman pose.

Hundreds of years from now (if we don't wipe ourselves out first) when we figure out a way to achieve light speed, the next day a group of scientists will set to work on how to go faster.

And alas, the ship could look like a transformer.

Easy :german

“Scientists tell us that the fastest animal on earth, with a top speed of 120 feet per second, is a cow that has been dropped out of a helicopter.”
Dave Barry

JerryAttrick · Nov 21, 2009

Gentlemen,
It's never about "enough". We went past that a long time ago.
I might never get the K1300GT to full throttle at peak-HP RPMs (and certainly not with my wife on board) but it's there waiting!
There is something about riding a machine you could not have dreamed of 45 years ago...

JAMESDUNN · Nov 21, 2009

Six cylinders is a concept that keeps comin' back around. Remember the CBX by Honda, or the big Kawasaki? There were others. Generally, the six cylinder bikes don't stay long. Wonder why?

58058D · Nov 21, 2009

Though the Goldwing is an exception to that rule...

john1691 · Nov 21, 2009

Is it for the added horsepower, or useable power/torque, with better fuel consumption? You guys are right, how much is enough? But when you figure that more people are riding longer distance, with more gear, and possibly 2-up, why not build a bike that will do it all? It seems to me the 6 cylinder sport model is just a teaser for the LT that will carry the same or similar motor. Back when I rode a LTD 454 I thought an 800 would be too much bike, now I can't imagine going back down to just 800cc's. The truth is I would be fine on a 800, and depending on the road I'm on, probably couldn't fully utilize all that an 800 has to offer, but now that I've been on one 1200 or another for 5 years, why go back?

Oh well, sometimes common sence doesn't come into the equasion..............

landshark · Nov 21, 2009

It is like a biplane, a mono plane and a jet plane. Different rides, but what drives technology is refinement and power, or the desire for it. Each bike and time has it's charm, that is why we end up with more then one bike. I love to tool around on the old air heads, cruise at nice speeds on the k bikes and I have a couple of ducati's I like to ride when the mood is right. Talk of going back, I can not imagine having to live with one bike. This new bike makes lots of sense for BMW, apart from their niche market, they want to compete with the best anybody has to offer in all fields. The six will have the power, works for me, I am wondering how it will effect handling, it looks like they narrowed it down a lot. I will always ride a BMW, BMW just wants to get the attenion of them other people out there. So, for myself, I am coming out of the closet and freely admit, I want all the controllable power I can get, there is nothing like the feeling of twisting that throttle as you move down the road. I like the looks of the bike, the looks are in the eye of the beholder, Saw your post, my two cents.

JAMESDUNN · Nov 22, 2009

58058 said:
Though the Goldwing is an exception to that rule...

True. But it is the only long term six I am aware of, does not mean it is a bad idea for BMW. Time will tell.

dpmonk · Nov 22, 2009

6 cylinders in line

If only you didn't have to adjust the valves.

BMW service costs are already out of my income level.

PAULBACH · Nov 22, 2009

58058 said:
Though the Goldwing is an exception to that rule...

I recall being part of a focus group giving input to building a "new" k bike. The BMW engineer stated that Honda sells more Goldwings in the USA than BMW did all models combined.

Perhaps this is the big component for eating some of Goldwing's lunch.

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