Took a side trip to our BMW dealer at Topside rd. on my way to SMHD on Saturday. They had three 1600B models on the showroom....two without the top box and one with (the one with is the 1600B Grand America?). Anyhoo, sitting on all three with what BMW calls the low seat, I'm still a bit of the ball of my foot and toes only. Granted, I had tennis shoes on so with my normal riding boots, I think I could stretch enough to put my entire foot flat. No option for a passenger backrest and/or luggage rack on the straight B model from BMW. No removable bags on the B in either configuration (top box doesn't remove either). The GTL sitting next to it fit me very well, flat footed with tennis shoes. All three bags are removable on the GTL. I didn't get to hear the sound system on the GTL but the B sounded very good. There aren't any rear speakers on any of the models (GTL or Grand America) according to what I saw or the sales feller.
I liked the feel of both the B (if I had boots) and the GTL in the sitting position. While the floorboards on the B did feel well, I could see them as being useless for anything except long, highway stretches. I did note that I could still use the rear brake using my heal with my foot on the boards along with down shifting using my left heal with the foot boards which is something but no substitution for actual controls on the boards.
The ergo's on the BMW are very good (for me). I did not have the opportunity to ride any (although it was offered) so can't speak to the power/ride quality but having rode BMW's in the past and recent reviews on this thread, I would agree it's probably very nice.
I can see the appeal of this B.
As for seats, I was impressed with both the B and GTL stock saddle. However, the Corbin option would be much improved for mainly the passenger and rider's backrest since BMW doesn't offer either currently.