Is BMW planning an assault on the big bore naked bike market? There's no compelling evidence per se, but as the 2011 EICMA motorcycle show draws closer, we wonder what BMW will be showing.
One possibility is a new six-cylinder BMW street bike, one that would be powered by the companies all-new 1649cc engine in use on the K 1600 GT range.
Outputting 160hp (118kW) and 175Nm in its grand touring guise, the highly refined German-made six-cylinder engine could be tuned for a higher rev ceiling and more power, making it ideal (overkill?) for a street bike with minimal fairing. Not unlike the Concept 6 prototype bike that was originally exhibited to showcase the new engine...
When the BMW Concept 6 first reared its head a couple of years ago designer David Robb said it was something he'd like to see in production, but as he's a designer and not a product planner, that particular decision is not his to be made.
Nevertheless, it wouldn't be a shock to find out BMW is working on a new six, one that would offer riders a little more aggression in design execution and operation.
The general reaction to the BMW Concept 6 was favourable, and though a six-cylinder BMW street bike is not completely out of the question, it would probably not appear for another couple of years.
BMW is believed to be focussed on a new cruiser designed to replace the R1200C that was terminated early last decade, one that would rival the Ducati Diavel.
As motorcycle tastes continue to change, and the bike buying public's desire for new and different models continues unabated, there's a strong chance we could see a K 1600 S in the mid-term future, and if that happened it wouldn't be a stretch to see a K 1600 R, a sportier, more aggressive version of the K 1600 GT range.
Consider this: The most expensive part of developing a motorcycle is the engine, and most motorcycle manufacturers try to maximise on the capital outlay by spreading the engine across more models. It may only be a matter of time before BMW's next six-cylinder machine emerges.
BMW 1649cc six-cylinder motorcycle engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, 24-valve, in-line six-cylinder
Capacity: 1649cc
Bore x stroke: 72.0mm x 67.5mm
Compression ratio: 12.2: 1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
Emissions: Euro 3
Power: 160.5hp (118kW) at 7750rpm
Torque: 175Nm at 5250rpm
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