BMW K 1300 GT SE – 2009 |
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BMW has long had a tradition of producing excellent high performance, long distance touring bikes (grand tourers) which have found a firm following amongst us motorcyclists who like to munch miles and undertake cross continental tours. But a touring motorcycle has to tick all the boxes including, comfort, range, performance, handling weather protection and carrying capacity all wrapped up in a package that normally weighs far more than an average street bike. In fact the unladen weight of this latest tourer is 288kg, that’s before you fuel it up, add your luggage contents and a pillion!  But worry not as soon as you sit a stride this purposeful looking and substantial bike, you realise the weight is perfectly balanced and low down and in-fact once you move off any thoughts of 288kg quickly disappear. You only really notice the weight again, when manoeuvring the bike on and off the side stand and centre stand. This bike features the same awesome retuned power plant as fitted to the BMW K1300 S a water cooled inline four cylinder four stroke engine developing a stonking 160hp at 9,000 rpm and a 135Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. This is a far cry from the day when most BMW’s only produced 100hp and launches the bike into hyper sports territory with the amount of performance that is on tap! Although fitted with a six-speed box it is almost superfluous, gear changing is almost forgotten as even in top gear the acceleration is enough to accomplish most overtakes on the open road without changing down and yet it will bimble along happily in town at 30mph in sixth gear as well. However drop a couple of cogs and the bike really hustles, the power uptake is incredible showing its K1300 S roots. However unlike the K1300 S which felt a little nervous when pressing on the K1300 GT SE remains ultimately smooth and planted at all times, though above 7,000 rpm (should you ever need to venture that high in the rev range) a little vibration and harshness tends to be exhibited by the otherwise smooth engine. The bike handles far better than a bike of this size has any right to do and has near sports bike levels of flick-ability, aided by the grippy Metzler Roadtec Z6 tyres and perfectly balanced suspension, which for the most part isolates you from the worst of the British pot hole ridden roads. The whole ridding experience is very fluid. Gear changing is slick despite not having the quick slick gear adjuster of the sportier K 1300 S with a light clutch action using the span adjustable clutch lever, but the gear lever is small and tucked tight into the bike making changing challenging for those with larger feet. However there is no tramping or backlash from the left hand mounted BMW shaft drive.  If it’s gadgets you are after the K1300 GT SE is fitted with electronic cruise control, electronic adjustable screen, automatic anti skid control (optional extra), electronic suspension adjustment, comprehensive LCD information panel, tyre pressure control (optional extra), heated grips and heated seats. Our test bike had the excellent and cavernous BMW panniers with quality push button locks and release. These easily swallowed a full face helmet with room to spare. Plus there is a lockable glove box in the fairing for oddments and a rack for fitment of an optional BMW top box to complete the touring luggage setup. There is also a standard BMW power socket, but unfortunately this is not more up in the cockpit area to make it easier to power devices in your tank bag. However in one area we do feel the bike fails to meet the mark, that is the rider seating position. The pegs are set too far back causing your legs to scrunch up, even with the adjustable seat set to its highest position and the level of padding in the seat is not what we have come to expect from BMW. However the pillion position appears very comfortable and with large grab rails as well and if you need to check out what’s going on behind the adjustable mirrors provide an excellent, vibration free view of the fast disappearing road behind. How much road can you cover on a tank, well fuel economy was down on expectation, we averaged 38 to 40mpg which with a 24 litre tank gives the bike a theoretical range of shade over 200 miles, acceptable for a tourer. The cruise control we found to be a great addition for long distance cruising and was easy to use and setup. With the seat to its highest position the electronic screen did not raise high enough to prevent wind from coming over the screen top at the rider with the inevitably turbulence, the solution with in-fact to run with the screen dropped lower to reduce the turbulence. However the full sculpted faring does a good job at keeping the wind and rain off the rest of your body. Riders below 6 feet tall may find the screen height adequate though.  A high seating position also means your view of the rev counter and speedo is partially obscured by the sun guards fitted to the top of these clocks, meaning you have to lower your head to see the instruments clearly. Talking of sun the LCD information panel can be somewhat difficult to read with the sun behind you as the black text on a greyish background does not provide sufficient contrast in bright conditions. Above the waist the seating position is OK with the narrow height adjustable bars being in easy and comfortable reach, it is bizarre in that your bottom half is forced into a sports riding position, whilst your top half is in the correct touring position. It is a shame BMW missed the opportunity to fit adjustable foot pegs to mirror the adjustable bars. However this does not detract from the overall quality of finish on the bike which is very high, the brakes are rebranded Brembo units with braided hoses throughout , these provide efficient, positive and unflustered stopping power, when you need to bring this large touring missile to a swift stop, given their specification they should. You have two four pot fixed piston callipers upfront biting into two twin floating discs and at the rear a single double piston floating calliper, combined with BMW Motorrad’s integral ABS system. The rear brake is very positive indeed. But can we be positive overall about BMW’s K 1300 GT SE, well it’s a qualified ‘yes’ in most areas the bike ticks the boxes for range, weather protection, carrying capacity performance which is outstanding as is the handling, but the comfort afforded is below par, though riders below 6 foot tall may find the riding position more acceptable.  Article and Photos by Jon Booth – http://www.inter-bike.co.uk – The UK Biker Site Note all performance figures, weights and technical specifications are as claimed by the manufacturer Thanks to the BMW North Oxford dealership for the loan of the BMW K 1300 GT SE Specifications New price *: £14, 120 Engine: 4 stroke water cooled in line four cylinder Engine Size: 1293 cc Power: 160 HP Transmission: 6 speed synchromesh gearbox Weight (Dry): 255kg * Suggested On Road Retail Price for base model with no factory fit options
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