A man’s got to know his limitations. I’m exploring mine with a well-maintained 2013 BMW K1600 GT.

I didn’t expect to buy a motorcycle this year. It’s my third purchase from Morton’s BMW. First BMW. Fifth motorcycle, as I think back.

It all began many years ago. My mother’s boss Sue Miller was a friend to the family. We went camping together. She had a Winnebago and a Honda Trail 90 motorcycle on a bumper mount. I think it might have been 1974 when I whizzed around a campground on it. She also let me ride her Yamaha 180cc street bike a few times, after regaling me with stories of her riding a Harley.

In the 1980s I found a 1972 Yamaha R5C with 350cc of two-stroke power. A colleague had a similar 1974 Yamaha RD350. It was a great starter motorcycle for a single man. My metallurgist friend helped keep the antique running. Even after I ran it out of oil, on the interstate. Yes, that was stupid.

Another good friend, soon to be my best man, had a very nice 1983 Honda Nighthawk 650cc. He decided to purchase a 1985 BMW K100RS. After riding alongside I realized I had to buy his Nighthawk just to keep up. The K bike would leave me. So I forked over the cash and rode his old Honda for a while. It was blue. It was so nice. But circumstances changed, and I sold it. I put the money towards a honeymoon in Hawaii.

For some years, 1991 through 2008, I didn’t ride. During the gas price craziness in May of that year my massive Toyota Tundra made my wallet thinner than I wanted. With my bride’s acceptance, I found a Suzuki SV650S at Morton’s BMW priced to move. In May. It nearly fit me. It was the perfect “reentry” bike for a mature gentleman. I loved getting around the countryside on it, but it was just too small and uncomfortable. I rode it for four years.

In April 2012 I went to Morton’s for their BMW Days. I got to ride a S1000RR, R1250, and a GS850(?). Great experience as it showed me that bigger and more powerful bikes are good. In May I went back thinking I would get a Yamaha R1 but the used one they had didn’t track straight. I saw the 2002 Honda Interceptor there and tried it. I couldn’t walk away. Custom paint, sized for me, and all the records this engineer craved. I’ve ridden it for eight years.

For some reason, this year, I’ve been watching touring motorcycle reviews on YouTube. I imagined myself on a Goldwing, but saw repeated comparisons to the K1600. In each review it became apparent that such a driving machine would match my goals of riding further with more comfort and luggage capacity with sporting style. Wouldn’t you know it, but Morton’s had a K1600 GT on consignment. And it is May.

I went up Saturday May 23, 2020 for a test ride. I have never felt so much excitement before a trip. I was literally buzzing, a physical sensation I couldn’t shake as I loaded up the Honda luggage cases and rode away. I was first to the dealership. And, I got to try the K1600 GT out for about 40 minutes. NoVA is not a good test site but I learned I could make u turns on residential streets, navigate city traffic, and enjoyed the power of the inline six-cylinder engine.

I paused in the showroom to think about it. I chatted with a very helpful sales associate who happened to be there that day. He is retired LEO, so my being affiliated with Henrico Police made a connection easy. He showed me a few unusual items about this K1600 that weren’t obvious, as he rode the same model and could see the differences.

This particular K1600 GT was likely owned by a very wealthy man with style and taste. And a garage. It has only 4,760 miles in seven years. The features engineered by BMW are quite sufficient but he had a custom Corbin Smuggler seat added, and custom paint for the top case, Smuggler case, side cases, and mirrors. It’s all matched to the factory Montego blue. And of course he added a special BMW emblems to the fairings on either side that light up. To make shifting more secure he put a billet aluminum shift peg on the lever. To ensure optimum handling he had Michelin 2CT tires recently installed. To keep the headlights protected he added a special clear cover. To light the night he added penetrating fog lights down low. It is a one of a kind machine.

I had to make a decision. To many of you it would be obvious. Buy it! To this engineer, decisions are never easy. But riding back on my Honda I knew it was the right motorcycle for me, at this time. I called the dealership from a gas station near home where I was refueling the Interceptor and made a deposit. I couldn’t go another minute without making this big move.

For two days I waited for a chance to drive up to Morton’s to pick up the machine. It’s worse than Christmas. It is like a hot fever that won’t break. Chores at the house and a day of working from home were punctuated by tasks to get on the road up to Fredericksburg. I could hardly wait for all the conferences to end. Thankfully a good friend in my subdivision was able to carry me up there. It was great to share my excitement with him and to see his reaction. We made it up there in about an hour.

After a good ninety minutes of paperwork, and a tutorial on the many electronic features of the K1600GT, I was ready to go. The sales manager took the picture you see here. I couldn’t wait to swing my long leg across the saddle and see what it could really do.

It was so different than the Interceptor. In a good way, of course. Fast. So very fast. 160 hp fast. I set the cruise control at 70mph and found myself really focusing on traffic safety rather than my speed. But when I needed to get clear of the people in cages, the available power was amazing. It handles like an extension of your mind, even as large as it is. Radio, GPS, glove boxes, cases to hold everything, adjustable windscreen. Who dreams up this stuff?

It’s sitting in the garage here now. It fits right where my beloved Interceptor did. I can’t believe I have a nearly new custom machine with 4,800 miles here. I wonder at times how my steps are ordered. My AGVSport leathers even match the Montego blue. These things can’t just happen.

I’ve spent a few days with the K1600GT now. A few adventures. Most of the rides have been to carefully explore its capabilities. It is, to overuse a word, astonishing.

My bride of 28 years is amazing, as she puts up with all this. I know she understands, and I am grateful every day for her trust in me to ride safely and return home. I love you. Thanks for allowing me be the adventurous man in this lifetime together.