BMW K1600 GTL [2018-2019]

The K1600 twins have a lot of technology going for them – at its heart is the world’s most compact six-cylinder engine. The reason for six cylinders isn’t just the incredible smoothness; 70 per cent of the torque is available from 1500rpm onward. Visually, you can identify a GTL by the pillon ‘chair’ and top box. The GT offers a more sporty seating posture than the GTL by placing the handlebars a couple of inches further forward, and moving the footpegs 2 inches upward and backward. The GTL offers a taller windscreen to help with high-speed touring. Thanks to its upright seating position, the GTL is slightly easier than the GT to manoeuvre at low speed in traffic. The 2017 update has added a ‘reverse gear’ to the GT/L, which should make backing up this 300-odd kilo machine slightly easier. There are a ton of options available, including wizardry like a self-leveling xenon headlamp system that adapts to the road as the bike leans over.