During the Brussels Motor Show, the BMW K 1600 GT was voted "International Bike of the Year 2011," an award resulting from an international jury that represents 25 motorcycle magazines. Besides taking the IBOTY award, BMW motorcycles also took two other spots in the top five - fourth went to the BMW K 1600 GTL, the luxury version of the GT model, and fifth went to the BMW S1000RR, which tied with the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R.

The K 1600 GT convinced the motorcycle journalists with its unique combination of comfort, performance and use of innovative technologies. The powerful in-line 6-cylinder engine was said to offer power, refinement and lots of fun. The K 1600 GTL was rated separately and also convinced the jury, finishing fourth, while the S 1000 RR followed it in fifth place alongside the Kawasaki ZX-10R. With three models in the top five places, the BMW Motorrad put in a highly impressive showing overall.

BMW Motorrad also won the highest rating in 2010 with the S 1000 RR.

The following magazines took part in the IBOTY 2011: Australian Motorcycle News (Australia), Auto By (Japan), Autocar India (India), Bike (Scandinavia), Bike (UK), Cycle World (USA), Der Reitwagen (Austria), Inmoto (Italy), KicXstart (Netherlands), Kiwi Rider (New Zealand), La Moto (Spain), Maximoto (France), Moto Kultur Asia (Malaysia and Singapore), Moto (Greece), Moto Journal (Canada), Moto & Loisirs (Belgium), Moto Mag (Israel), Motoraj (Czech Republic), Motoron (Turkey), MotoSi (Slovenia), MotorWereld (Belgium), PS Magazin (Germany), Revista Moto (Mexico), SuperBike (South Africa), Swiat Motocykli (Poland).

International Motorcycle of the Year 2011 Results:
1.) BMW K 1600 GT (41 points)
2.) Ducati Diavel (32 points)
3.) Aprilia Tuono V4 APRC (22 points)
4.) BMW K 1600 GTL (18 points)
5.) BMW S 1000 RR and Kawasaki ZX 10R (16 points each)