Not really sure why everyone thinks this is a bad thing? Trying to take it more global rather than just a Spain vs Italy thing? 

Just a point, you don't need GTs on the 1300. That is more for the 1600 with another 100kg.

I don't think you get any more miles out of them, from what I remember from my 1600 days is they are the same compound but just have an additional ply to support he weight, so might give a harsher ride on lighter bikes.

As per an earlier post I swapped my old K1300GT for a new (to me) 2022 K1600GT a few weeks ago. The new bike is absolutely fantastic except for its enormous weight and consequent oversteer. Do other K1600 riders have problems with their bike’s weight and if so how do they manage it, especially when riding under 10mph and/or manoeuvring tight spots. At the moment it is quite embarrassing turning right into my drive as I sometimes end up in my neighbour’s drive! I find that using the Road or even the Rain mode helps but it is still difficult to execute tight turns, especially with my wife on board. Gawd knows what it will be like in the summer when we tour Europe!!

Any help will be gratefully received.

Tony

Hi alaskier, as the previous owner of six K1600GTs I can say that it is probably one of the sweetest steering big bikes I have ever ridden. Just keep the tyre pressures at 42/42 or it will steer like a bus 

Being quite large, the weight never really gave me a problem when manoeuvring, just a bit of forethought when parking to make sure your not backing out up hills. I only ever had the same problem as you once on when on a holiday in Wales, where you had to ride up a steep hill and turn left up a driveway which was almost a 360 degree turn back on yourself. Sometimes you just have to admit it is a very big bike and clumsy at walking pace. The first time I tried I got my missus to get off and walk across the road and up the drive, the second time I admitted defeat and just drove up the road to make a safe U-turn and coming back down the hill you could just slip off the road and straight up the drive.

I guess what I am asking is can you drop your wife of at the top of you drive, or come in from the other direction? I know these bikes are brilliant, but if it wasn't a problem with your K13GT then it does sound like you have a situation where the bike is causing problems and the only answer would be to change how you do things and look for options that can make things easier?

You do see a lot of posts of Road 5s and 6s getting punctures, but that is probably just because a lot of people use them.

Just one point though, Michelin withdrew the Road 5 for the K16 range as it comes up a little on the large size and can rub on the swingarm under certain circumstances, so go for a PR4 or R6. I found Dunlop Roadsmart 3s and 4s really suited to the big K, fantastic grip and good ride quality 

My favourite K bike - there was a converted K1300R Sport floating around once, I bet that was a great bike.

Interesting question on this bike - when getting insurance and they ask have you made any modifications, how do you think they will rate removing the ABS system?

Well, I don't think I will own another "K" after owning so many 

I've had a K1300GT, K1200R Sport, K1300S and most recently six K1600GTs one after another (thanks to the wonders of PCP). I've always loved the technology, presence and power of these bikes since I first rode one.

It all started many years ago when I went for a demo on a Kawasaki 1400GTR and felt very let down, and coming home my wife said lets go and look in there - Cannons BMW. The shop was great, the salesman was great, and the K1300GT was a revelation! ESA for swapping between one up and two up, heated grips built in, cruise control etc etc. Love at first sight - except for the price  . That's when I first joined this Forum (and the GB Riders).

So I went down to Vines to ride/buy a really nice looking K1200GT, but it was sold before I got there and ended up on an ex-Demo fully loaded K1300GT in Champagne colour scheme. Luckily I get a car allowance for work, so just redirected some of that for PCP on the bike, and rode away happy.

3 years latter I rode the bike into Cannons, and rode out on my first K1600GT. The big Ks were used for some epic tours, and I also managed to buy a good K1200R Sport for one up playing, which then turned into a K1300S to sit beside the K16s.

But since Covid, my wife has stopped doing the long Tours so I no longer need that two up comfort, and I have got too old and fat for proper sports tourers - although that may have actually happened a few years ago when I started putting Superbike bars on my K1300S. Now I ride the more upright bikes - tried a 1250GSA and it was a lovely bike, but I never really gelled with it. Went to a Gen 1 and Gen 2 XR, which are stunning bikes, but now own a KTM 1290 Super Adventure (a beast) and a Ducati V4S Multi which is a really nice all rounder.

PS - this whole post was started after I read Brian's "10 years ago ..."

... This means that I will get two 18,000 services in the deal ...

And each time it is six spark plugs at £42 each before anything else. A really good move if you do the miles and will keep her for 5 years.