BMW K 1600 GT voted the 2011 International Bike of the Year

Posted: Thursday 19 January 2012 by Toni M.

BMW can be more than satisfied after posting record sales in 2011 , a +6.4% increase from 2010 despite a waning world wide economy and now their super six cylinder tourer, the BMW K 1600 GT has been voted the “International Bike Of The Year 2011,” with two other of their motorcycles making it into the top five.

Announced at a press conference given by the Belgian motorcycle magazine Motor Wereld at the Brussels Motor Show. The award for the K 1600 GT comes from an international jury representing 25 motorcycle magazines: (Australian Motorcycle News (Australia), Auto By (Japan), Autocar India (India), Bike (Scandinavia), Bike (UK), Cycle World (USA), Der Reitwagen (Austria), Inmoto (Italy), KicXstart (Netherlands), Kiwi Rider (New Zealand), La Moto (Spain), Maximoto (France), Moto Kultur Asia (Malaysia and Singapore), Moto (Greece), Moto Journal (Canada), Moto & Loisirs (Belgium), Moto Mag (Israel), Motoraj (Czech Republic), Motoron (Turkey), MotoSi (Slovenia), MotorWereld (Belgium), PS Magazin (Germany), Revista Moto (Mexico), SuperBike (South Africa), Swiat Motocykli (Poland).

The K 1600 GT convinced the motorcycle journalists with its unique combination of comfort, performance and use of innovative technologies. The powerful in-line 6-cylinder engine was said to offer power, refinement and lots of fun. The bike’s sophisticated technology – in addition to ABS, traction control and navigation system, an adaptive headlight and electronically controlled suspension with various modes increase active riding safety – makes the K 1600 GT an incomparable touring motorcycle. On the road, the outstanding qualities of the K 1600 GT are its agile chassis and unusually light handling. All this gives the rider a unique riding experience, according to the jury, impressing the most demanding touring and sports motorcyclists.

The K 1600 GTL was rated separately and also convinced the jury, finishing fourth, while the S 1000 RR followed it in fifth place alongside the Kawasaki ZX-10R. With three models in the top five places, the BMW Motorrad put in a highly impressive showing overall. BMW Motorrad also won the highest rating in 2010 with the S 1000 RR.

The results of the IBOTY 2011:

BMW K 1600 GT (41 points)
Ducati Diavel (32 points)
Aprilia Tuono V4 APRC (22 points)
BMW K 1600 GTL (18 points)
BMW S 1000 RR and Kawasaki ZX 10R (16 points each)