Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
BMW kicks off the 2023 model year with a few subtle “option” swaps to its K 1600 B and K 1600 Grand America models. No real changes though. (BMW Motorrad/)BMW Motorrad USA has recently announced updates and changes for its model year 2023 cruisers, baggers, and standards. Packages and ordering have been simplified, with one comprehensive equipment package available for most models. The ones we cover here are the R nineT standards, K 1600 baggers, and R 18 cruiser models. For the most part there are no mechanical changes or big styling revisions to the aforementioned returning models; these are all being given a simple “bold new graphics” treatment in what BMW calls “model maintenance measures for model year 2023.”The base R nineT reduces its price for 2023 and adds several new features as standard, but is otherwise unchanged. Option 719 Aluminum Matte shown. (BMW Motorrad/)R nineT: $15,945 (base)The R nineT base model receives no real equipment changes, though it does see some added features, and its MSRP of $15,945 is actually a couple of bucks cheaper than last year. The entire range received major updates in 2021, including revised cylinder heads, so there are no changes to the 1,179cc air/liquid-cooled boxer twin this time out, with a six-speed transmission and shaft final drive still pushing a claimed 109 hp to the rear. Most of the color options carry over from 2022, with Option 719 Aluminum Matte, Option 719 Night Black/Aluminum Matte, and Black Storm Metallic all remaining on the list. Option 719 Mineral White Metallic/Aurum is no longer available.The good news is that all US R nineT models automatically add the Select Package for 2023. That includes Ride Modes Pro, heated grips, cruise control, an adaptive headlight, engine-brake control, and traction control. When you consider the fact that the bike’s MSRP is virtually unchanged from 2022, it’s a nice carrot (although on BMW’s US website, it’s still listed as a $1000 option).BMW does also offer other options for the base R nineT, including an aluminum fuel tank (with or without sanded welds), Option 719 wheels (Classic and Sport), and billet packs.Related: 2022 BMW K 1600 B and Grand America First LookThe 2023 R nineT Pure also returns unchanged and is still the lowest priced in the R nineT series. Here it is in Option 719 Underground/Light White. (BMW Motor/)R nineT Pure: $10,995 (base)If you’re looking for the lowest priced bike in the R nineT series, the Pure is it, ringing in at a base price of just $10,995 for 2023 (and also unchanged from the 2022 model year). For that you get less sophisticated suspension, fewer bells and whistles, and no added Select Package as on the other R nineT bikes, but as an entrée into BMW’s popular Heritage series, you could do worse.There are also no equipment changes to the Pure for 2023, but some of the color options have changed. For example, Mineral Gray is still available but Teal Blue Metallic Matte is gone, as is Blackstorm Metallic/Racing Red. However, two new options make an appearance this year, with Option 719 Underground/Light White and Option 719 Pollux Metallic/Light White offered as choices.Other available options include spoked wheels, an accessory Design Option muffler, low suspension, and heated grips.The R nineT Scrambler adds the Select Package for US models in 2023. Here’s the new Manhattan Metallic Matte color with a brown seat. (BMW Motorrad/)R nineT Scrambler: $12,995 (base)For 2023 the R nineT Scrambler also returns to the line in the same form as last year’s model, but it gets a $500 price cut and adds the previously mentioned Select Package. As a refresher, that bundle adds Ride Modes Pro, heated grips, cruise control, an adaptive headlight, engine-brake control, and traction control. Not a bad upgrade.The color changes include a swap of Manhattan Metallic Matte in for Kalamata Metallic Matte; Option 719 Underground/Light White to replace Blackstorm Metallic/Racing Red; and Option 719 Pollux Metallic/Light White in the place of Cosmic Blue Metallic/Light White. The Granite Gray Metallic color option is unchanged.If you’re looking to add more options, you can choose from low suspension, spoked wheels (only with low suspension), Design Option gold wheels (not with low suspension), black spoked wheels (not with low suspension), off-road tires, a brown seat, and billet packs.The R nineT Scrambler in Option 719 Pollux Metallic. (BMW Motorrad/)R nineT Urban G/S: $12,995Like the Scrambler, the 2023 R nineT Urban G/S also cuts its MSRP by $500 and carries over to the new model year unchanged mechanically. It gets the Select Package, which adds Ride Modes Pro, heated grips, cruise control, an adaptive headlight, engine-brake control, and traction control. Plus, new color options, Light White and Imperial Blue Metallic, are added to the palette.Additional options include a Design Option muffler, Design Option gold spoke wheels, black spoke wheels, chrome header pipe, off-road tires, low seat, and billet packs.The 2023 BMW K 1600 B is unchanged this year, though it does add Keyless Ride as a standard feature. Here it is in Manhattan Metallic Matte. (BMW Motorrad/)K 1600 B: $22,545The K 1600 B and K 1600 B Grand America models both return for 2023 essentially the same as last year’s bikes, which makes sense as the entire K 1600 range received substantial updates in 2022 to meet Euro 5 regulations. Cornering ABS, cornering traction control, Hill Start Control Pro, tire-pressure monitoring, and three ride modes are now all standard across the series. The base-model K 1600 B bagger remains the lowest priced offering in the 1600 series, with an MSRP of $22,545—unchanged from last year.Even the color/styling options carry over from 2022, with Black Storm Metallic, Exclusive Manhattan Metallic Matte, and Option 719 Meteoric II Dust Metallic all on the list of choices. There are a few subtle tweaks though; all K 1600 B and Grand Americas now come with Keyless Ride as standard, and US models will add either the Bagger Package or Grand America Package. Previously, you could skip the combos and just add elements à la carte.The ZGA Grand America Package (which, uh, turns a K 1600 B into a Grand America) includes a quickshifter, an anti-theft alarm, audio system with additional speakers, floorboards, tall windshield, a top case and centerstand, and more.The ZBP Bagger Package is a smaller bundle, and combines a quickshifter, central locking and anti-theft alarm, audio system, floorboards, fog lights, engine bars, and a centerstand. Real-time gradient tire pressure monitoring now also comes included in both the Bagger and Grand America Packages.The 2023 BMW K 1600 B shown in the glorious Option 719 Meteoric II Dust colorway, which adds over $2K to the price. (BMW Motorrad/)The 2023 Grand America in the handsome Manhattan Metallic Matte color option. (BMW Motorrad/)K 1600 Grand America: $27,465As with the K 1600 B, the full-dress K 1600 Grand America model also keeps its base price virtually the same, adds a few standard features, and makes minor tweaks to the accessory list, but at its core remains unchanged, from the beefy 1,649cc six-cylinder engine to the 10.25-inch TFT screen, and even right down to the colors. In this case, that means the Grand America can be had in Black Storm Metallic, Manhattan Metallic Matte, or Option 719 Meteoric II Dust colors, and as we mentioned, Keyless Ride now comes standard on the model.For the US market, the ZGA Grand America Package is now added automatically, which on the BMW Motorrad configurator tacks $3,750 onto the base price. That bundle includes items like Gear Shift Assist Pro, Central Locking, an audio system, floorboards, a top case, engine protection bars, and a centerstand, installed.There are still other farkles available for the Grand America, including a storage compartment, an Option 719 bench seat, floor lighting, forged handlebars, forged wheels, and a high seat.And the Grand America with the sophisticated water-transfer Option 719 Meteoric II Dust Metallic paint option. (BMW Motorrad/)The R 18 shown in the Option 719 Mineral White Metallic/Meteoric Dust Gold, which we may or may not see for the US. (BMW Motorrad/)BMW R 18 and R 18 Classic: Price N/ALast but not least are BMW’s Big Boxer-equipped cruisers, the R 18 series. Interestingly, the brand made no mention whatsoever of these machines in the US press release, but we managed to glean some additional info from the global release, the Canadian announcement, and a video posted on BMW’s own global Facebook page, so it’s probably safe to assume that at least some of those changes are heading south too. Still, and as with the bikes above, the massive machines get only the most minor of tweaks, mainly to electronics, added standard features, and of course, color swaps and additional hues.First up is the R 18 base model, which comes into the new model year now offering RDC, BMW’s gradient tire pressure monitoring system. The R 18 Classic will also have the system as an available feature; the global release states RDC is “available worldwide on all vehicles with Keyless Ride.” The R 18 and R 18 Classic also get a new Option 719 colorway called Mineral White Metallic/Meteoric Dust Gold, though again, this isn’t confirmed for the US.The Facebook video tells us that for 2023, the R 18 B gets a new Gravity Blue Metallic Matt color as well as Mineral White Metallic for the Option 719 add-ons.The R 18 B (pictured) and Transcontinental will see a new Gravity Blue Metallic Matt paint option in some parts of the world; hopefully the US will get it too. (BMW Motorrad/)BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental: Price N/AOn the BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental, meanwhile, the RDC is now available worldwide on Keyless Ride models, and both bikes have a Gravity Blue Metallic Matt color option for the base model with a Mineral White Metallic colorway added to the Option 719 collection. Reverse gear also comes standard on the Transcontinental model, according to the global release.That’s all we could determine for now, but we’re sure there will be additional announcements in the next few months; our impression is that BMW is waiting the year out to see how global events may or may not further affect its production goals and supply line issues. Stay tuned.For 2023 the Transcontinental will gain the new Option 719 Mineral White Metallic/Meteoric Dust Gold colorway in certain markets. Reverse gear will also be standard. (BMW Motorrad/)
