I owned a K1600GT, which is virtually identical, and I can honestly say it was the most impressive bike I have ever owned.
I find the K16 to be a bike with few compromises. As a touring bike, it excels by having tremendous weather protection, good range, and comfort and conveniences either not found, or duplicated as well on other bikes. It has great two-up ability as well.
On the sport side, the way that bike steers and corners is beyond the laws of physics. It almost inspired too much confidence. I remember coming into corners much faster and relying on the K16's ability to almost intuitively take a more aggressive angle. It is incredibly stable, yet is the most flickable ST bike I have ever ridden.
The engine is AMAZING. Electric motor smooth, and torque out the wazoo. The K16 absolutely rips, and having a passenger on the back is almost transparent as far as acceleration goes. No downshifting required, just hammer the throttle and the bike takes off even two up.
My only complaints were the ride by wire felt a bit artificial, I prefer an honest to goodness cable. Also, the transmission was a little notchy. Not bad, but I expect perfection for the price the K16 demands. Those were my only complaints.
As far as value.....jeez. Guys here get their shorts all bunched up on this topic. I look at it this way....go price a loaded Goldwing, and a loaded Ultra Classic if you need to feel better about what a K16 costs. Go ride all three, and if you are a ST type of person, the K16 will blow the wind up your kilt like the others cannot.
Materials, fit and finish were all of excellent quality.
As an aside, outsourcing is the way of the world. Everyone does it, and that does not necessarily mean quality needlessly suffers. I owned 5 BMW's in a row before moving to my C14, and never had any trouble.
In the end, take one for a ride, and if it speaks to you and you can afford it, I would not hesitate if I were you.
