It has stronger
bottom-end power then we remember, allowing it to escape traffic lights with
the greed of a sportbike. The dyno chart shows that the Beemer’s Twin churns
upwards of 85% of its maximum torque (56.69 lb-ft at 6400 revs) from as low as
3600 rpm all the way up to 8700 rpm, 200 revs short of redline. That amounts to
speedier overtaking maneuvers virtually anywhere in the powerband, but rev
happy riders will notice that the motor runs out of steam as it nears redline.
The engine is smooth and balanced, but we did continue to feel some vibration when the tach needle points toward the upper end of its spectrum. More peculiar is the motor’s pseudo-knock condition experienced anytime it’s lugged between 2500 and 3000 rpm. Although it sounds similar to a mechanical firing knock, BMW said it might be a trait of the engine’s counter balancer.
The rest of the drivetrain, including the six-speed transmission, cable-actuated clutch and belt final drive performed flawlessly, and we love the precise engagement and near perfectly weighted action of the clutch lever. This not only makes launches easy but fun, too. Another plus is the clean look and that it should require zero maintenance aside from its scheduled replacement at 34,000 miles.
Instead of re-tooling its already versatile and well-performing engine package, German engineers focused on the motorcycle’s chassis, appearance and optional accessories to provide extra handling and touring capabilities. Although it appears unchanged, the single-sided swingarm has grown by two inches, extending the wheelbase to 59.6 inches versus the ST’s 57.7 inch measurement. This increases stability and rear wheel traction and allows the Beemer to leap off corners with the voracity of a more sport-oriented motorcycle. And for the inevitable occasion of being caught in rain or exceeding the high adhesion limits of the stock rear rubber, there’s the optional Automatic Stability Control ($400).
The 10-spoke cast
aluminum wheels have a new, more contemporary look. Plus they’re lighter too.
The rims wear either Metzeler
Roadtec Z8 or Continental
Road Attack 2 tires in
sizes 120/70-17 (front) and 180/55-17 (rear). Our Radiant Valencia Orange
Metallic steed wore the latter brand and we had excellent results in terms of
handling, grip and tire warm-up time. Furthermore the wheels offer a $250
optional Tire Pressure Monitor that is neatly integrated into the instrument
display. A warning light also illuminates if the tire pressure falls below a
predetermined threshold.
Braking hardware consists of a pair of 320mm cross-drilled rotors up front actuated by four-piston fixed calipers sourced from Brembo. A 265mm disc and solo-piston caliper is fitted at the back with both brakes functioning independently through stainless-steel lines with anti-lock functionality. Stopping performance is yet another strong point of the GT with each brake lever offering loads of power and acute feel, which make for effective and fade-free stops.
This electronic adjustment can be made on the fly, via a pushbutton switch on the left handlebar. It did make a noticeable difference in the speed at which the shock returned over big bumps and G-outs. We preferred the Sport setting as it offered more accurate road handling at a quicker pace on curvy roads. The rear section of the frame was also beefed up to accommodate the 24-pound increase in cargo-carrying payload (total payload capacity including rider, passenger and luggage is rated at 456 pounds).
The way the rider fits inside the cockpit was also tweaked for greater comfort. The rider’s footrests were shifted forward and down by nearly half of an inch to mitigate knee fatigue from bending. The seat is also a wider surface area and is set at a lower height (31.5 in.) versus the ST (33.07 in.). Additionally BMW offers buyers the choice of a low seat option (30.1 in.) or a tall (32.3 in.) one that the dealer can fit at no charge. Lastly, the height of the handlebar was raised by almost an inch with an updated mounting apparatus to reduce vibration. Overall it’s a very comfortable steed delivering all-day comfort, though a bit of bad vibes still makes its way through the ‘bars, especially at higher rpm. And of course, since it’s a BMW, optional heated grips ($250) are offered making for a more comfortable ride in chilly weather.
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