The Inline-Six Touring Bike That Just Became A Used-Market Bargain
Touring motorcycles, especially the good ones, are expensive. There are no two ways about it. Sure, you can still buy middleweight touring bikes in the form of adventure tourers and sports tourers, but these crossovers don’t offer the same 500-mile-a-day comfort. They lack many of the creature comforts and tech that make full-dress tourers so great for interstate rides.
Just because they’re expensive doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy them. The thing is, tourers are among the fastest-depreciating motorcycles, and you can save a lot of money by picking up a used model. And you don’t have to go 10 years back, either. There’s a 3-year-old flagship inline-six touring bike that has depreciated into a used-market bargain and can save you over $10k compared to a brand-new one.
Touring Bikes Depreciate Like A Falling Brick
Touring motorcycles, as good as they are, are no longer the go-to motorcycles for those wanting to travel far. More and more motorcyclists today are looking for do-it-all adventure tourers, like the BMW R 1300 GS, that offer comparable luxury and comfort at far lower weight and all-road capability. For most riders, adventure tourers are simply better, given full-dress tourers’ hefty weight and tarmac-only underpinnings.
As a result, touring bikes no longer enjoy the demand they once did, leading to quick depreciation over time. That creates a unique opportunity for motorcyclists who are clear about not compromising on comfort. Instead of spending over $30k on a brand-new touring bike, you can now pick up a bike that’s a couple of years old for a bargain. A few years is not enough to result in significant age-related wear on the bikes, and you’ll still get all the modern essentials and performance.
Think of the rides you can do with all the money you save! There is one touring bike that has depreciated nearly 30% in just 3 years. This bike offers flagship performance, comfort, and features while saving you over $10k. And the best part is that you won’t be missing out on anything compared to its 2026 model year. The bike in question here is the BMW K 1600 GTL, the flagship Beemer tourer that can be had for well under $20k today.
The Touring Bike With Honda Reliability And First-Class Comfort
This BMW motorcycle combines Honda-like reliability with luxury touring comfort, featuring a durable six-cylinder engine and unique suspension.
The BMW K 1600 GTL’s Depreciation Is Your Reward
The BMW K 1600 GTL is one of the best touring bikes you can buy today, and it is one very expensive tourer, starting at $30k brand new. But it also depreciates fast, so you can find one for a bargain if you take the used market route. For the price, it offers a touring experience that no brand-new bike in the same price range can match. Remember, the GTL sits at the very top of BMW’s touring lineup, alongside the K 1600 Grand America. Put simply, a used GTL offers an exceptional amount of motorcycle for your money.
BMW has made a name for itself with its six-cylinder engines, which have powered some of the most iconic BMW cars out there. In 2010, BMW decided to bring that legacy to two wheels in the form of the K 1600 series, and the GTL benefits from that. The bike combines that high-performance, butter-smooth powerplant with high-tech suspension, couch-like ergonomics, and plenty of tech to keep you entertained and safe on your interstate rides.
A Fast Depreciating Bargain
A brand-new BMW K 1600 GTL starts at $29,995 today, and back in 2023, it went for around $27,295, excluding destination and handling fees. Depending on factory packages and optional colors, that price quickly crossed the $30k mark, in true BMW fashion. Today, however, the 2023 K 1600 GTL has lost 27 percent of its value on average. According to Kelley Blue Book, the typical listing price of a MY23 GTL is around $19,910, a full $10k lower than its new sticker price. We even found an example on CycleTrader listed for as low as $17,999.
We’re only taking the 2023 model year as an example, but depending on your budget and risk appetite, you can go for an older model, too. The 2022 GTL has a typical listing price of $18,060, whereas the 2024 model is estimated at $23,102. You can also go for pre-2022 model years, but you’ll be missing out on some features: the 10.25-inch TFT display, adaptive headlights, and Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR), which only made their way to the lineup in 2022.
The Touring Bike With Yamaha Reliability And Gold Wing-Level Comfort
The BMW K 1600 B is a surprising contender for a combination of reliability and comfort like a Japanese tourer
Legendary Inline-Six Legacy With Butter-Smooth Performance
Powering the K 1600 GTL is the narrowest inline-six-cylinder engine in any series production motorcycle, with a width of just 21.9 inches. This lump displaces 1,649cc and produces a respectable 160 horsepower at 7,750 RPM and 129 pound-feet of torque at 5,250 RPM. This engine is tuned to deliver superior pulling power and butter-smooth power delivery, with a strong mid-range that can make this hefty tourer (with you and the luggage) feel light on its feet. With a claimed top speed of over 120 miles per hour, it should feel relaxed and understressed even on the fastest highways.
BMW Motorrad claims a fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon, which gives the bike an estimated fuel range of 280 miles, given its 7-gallon fuel tank. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox with an anti-hopping clutch, which sends power to the rear wheel via a maintenance-free shaft drive. The bike also gets a reversing aid, so you and your passenger won’t be struggling to maneuver the bike out of the parking lot. Not to forget, the engine has also proven to be quite dependable in the long run, with the potential to rack up serious mileage over the years.
High-End Underpinnings Keep Things In Control
The bike is underpinned by a bridge-type frame, sitting on a Duolever/Paralever suspension setup. What makes this package special is the standard Dynamic ESA electronic suspension with fully automatic load compensation. The suspension adapts its damping to riding conditions and maneuvers on the fly, which is said to give the bike a magic carpet ride quality. For under $20k, very few bikes offer this kind of semi-active suspension as standard.
Business Class Comfort And A Laundry List Of Features
Being a flagship-level tourer, the K 1600 GTL leaves no stone unturned when it comes to comfort. It features a neutral riding triangle, complete with generous seats and handlebars that should be easy to reach for most riders. The seat is designed for 500-mile days, and its low 29.5-inch seat height should make it easy to get your feet down and manage the bike. You’ll also enjoy heated grips and seats, which should keep you and your pillion warm on cold mornings. The GTL’s top case also doubles as a backrest for the passenger for a proper couch-like experience.
The GTL’s design not only looks sharp and understated but should offer excellent wind protection. The substantial fairing, topped with an electronically adjustable windshield, should keep the wind off your face and body. At the back, the bike features integrated side cases and a top case in body-matched colors, which offer nearly 4 cubic feet of storage space. This combination of comfortable ergonomics, wind protection, and storage makes the GTL ready to tour the moment you get your hands on one.
Full Stack Of Features, Including An Adaptive Headlight
The BMW K 1600 GTL is also packed with modern features, including a full LED headlight with adaptive function. Introduced on this bike in 2022, this setup features a low-beam headlight that turns by up to 35 degrees into a curve according to lean angle, illuminating the corners as you lean into them. The entire headlight system also swivels up or down by up to 2 degrees during acceleration and braking. The bike also features welcome, goodbye, and follow-me-home light functions.
The bike’s cockpit is headlined by a massive 10.25-inch TFT display, also introduced in 2022. This display comes with integrated map navigation, route planning, and smartphone connectivity. It is complemented by fairing-integrated Audio System 2.0 speakers for an immersive sound experience. The bike also features a smartphone compartment with charging, ventilation, and weather protection.
Safety is taken care of by Integrated ABS with ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Engine Brake Control, and Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR). Other electronic features include Hill Start Control (HSC) Pro, Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC), ride modes, TPMS, and an electronic immobilizer.
Add it all up, and it’s easy to see the kind ofvalue a used GTL offers. Pick a used 2023 model year, and the first owner will have already eaten up nearly 30-percent depreciation, which you get to benefit from. So, not only do you save a lot of money, but you also get a bike that’s nearly identical to its 2026 model year. You still get the same performance, comfort, and features as a brand-new one.
Source: BMW Motorrad, Kelley Blue Book, J.D. Power, CycleTrader
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