BMW vs HONDA - Which Is Better? The Goldwing or the K1600 GTL | Cruiseman's Reviews
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- I compare the features of the 2018 Honda Goldwing to the 2022 BMW K1600 GTL. Which is the better touring bike?
My Review of BMW K1600GTL: • The Best Touring Bike ...
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I owned a 2002 Goldwing which I had for a few years then switched to various other bikes and my last bike was a K1600GTL. I should have never sold the Goldwing. I put more miles on that bike than any other bike I had. The BMW was definitely faster, but it failed to match the touring capability of the Goldwing. Now that I'm retired I would love to own a Goldwing again.
Very fair and accurate. My BMW drew the most attention at every stop, but after a $1,500 minor brake job and replacing the fuel gauge 3 times (even the dealer admitted they were worthless on the 1200 RT) I switched to a Goldwing...after owning an '04, an '05, an '08, and now a 2018 DCT airbag model - I would never go back. Love your channel...keep up the good work!
Same for me, i change my bmw for goldwing, and never go back, no fiability with my bmw, lot of problem, not enough dealers, lot of time to have parts. For me, honda goldwing its far ahead.
*Well said!*
Yup, so much for German engineering and design. Although I admit I always liked the older R series BMWs.
Such simple days back then.
@@johnpejnovich7722 Different category than the Goldwing but that new R18 is a beautiful bike and close up fit and finish seems really good but I wonder how she handles, looks long and heavy
I own a 2019 Goldwing. Flawless.
Enjoyed your review. Only thing I would add would be the status category.
The name Honda is more common but I don’t say I ride a Honda. I say I ride Goldwing. There’s your status. 😊
He mentioned that at the end
Back in the 80's, I'd agree about the status of the 'Wing. But now, just noisy, clickety-clackety DCT and tire whine and nearly 900 lbs of weight to deal with. It's a shame.
@@geraldfrieberg7921 wet weight on a 18+ tour is around 850. I can definitely tell the difference from by 2016 Goldwing. My DCT is pretty quiet on the shifts. Definitely a joy to ride and I get way more comments on my 21 than I ever did on my 16.
I describe my ride as a '98 Gold Wing Valkyrie by Honda. I feel Honda has done a credible job with establishing the Gold Wing as the brand within the brand. But that distinction, good, bad, or indifferent, becomes diluted when you visit a Honda dealership that has Gold Wings displayed among scooters, ATVs, and assorted power equipment. Something you are not likely to see at the BMW motorad showroom.
@@geraldfrieberg7921 I'm not sure about any of your observations regarding your Golfing. I have an 2018 your day, and it displays none of those things.
Having owned two K1600’s and three GW’s IMO the review is very fair and I agreed with most of the comments. While I do miss the performance of the BMW, the DCT, lower center of gravity and comfort of the GW fit me better now that I’m in my 80’s.
Twenty-two years ago, in Australia, I saw a pair of gorgeous white-haired elderly riders. Now that I'm 50, my wish is to still enjoy cycling in my 80s, just like you. I'm on a dual bike right now, but I'm feeling the need to switch to a Goldwing soon. Get Healthy. thank you
Great review very interesting very fair
God bless you
80s and still riding... You sir, are an inspiration to us all. Godspeed.
Excellent review and I’d say it was very fair and spot on. It comes down to personal preference. I rode a K1200LT for years and more that 60k miles. For years I dreamed of an inline 6 BMW like the GTL. When the new GW came out in 2018 I had a hard choice to make. I studied them both, and rode both. I ended up choosing the GW and as much as I love BMWs I don’t think I’d go back. Your review was perfect and most of your choices were the same as mine. I thought the I’d miss the extras performance of the GTLs engine and that was the hardest thing for me to overcome in making my decision. But I have never once missed it the power. The GW makes the power where I use it most. Both are fine machines. Your review will help a lot of folks decide. Thanks
Like you I had a K1200LT for 8 years, put tone of miles on it and loved it in spite of being a very top heavy bike. When it was time for me to go to a newer bike my first choice was logically the K1600. Since the new 2018 Goldwing was coming out I test rode both the K1600GTL and the new 2018 Goldwing manual. I found the Goldwing much more stable at highway speed and much easier to handle at low speed. The K1600 is too sensitive to "dirty" wind to my linking, like for example when following or passing a truck on the highway. On the other hand the Goldwing feels like being on rails. The K1600 is more powerful but I would say may be a bit too much for a touring bike. Dont get me wrong the Honda is no slow bike but it delivers its power less abruptly until you put it in Sport mode where it becomes almost a sport bike. All things considered and although I was coming from a BMW bikes world the Goldwing checked more boxes for me than the K1600. It is smooth but still powerful, comfortable, reliable, beautiful, easy to handle, low center of gravity, etc...
@@alpac2756 I agree on all points.
@@gfrench440 Really enjoyed watching this comparison. I own a 2014 K1600 KTL and I put 65K miles on it and loved every minute. I totally agree with the comparions on most points and like Cruiseman says, in the end it is up to the preference of the rider. I can see the appeal of the GW with the power in the low rev ranges and I would surely enjoy that if I lazily ride through the curves and enjoy the scenery. But since my wife can't ride pillion any more I am mostly on the road solo, I get a kick out of that awesome power of the inline six engine. And the handling in the turns on the Georgia back roads and mountains makes carving through the curves a pleasure that I would not want to change a bit.
@@johnbe2 I agree with the extra power and as I said that was the tough decision I had to make. I would disagree a little with the handling comment. I know the GTL has more cornering clearance for leaning over hard and that’s a plus in the tight twisties. On the other hand the GW is very capable and has been described by some testers as a luxury sport touring bike. It’s very flickable because of the low center of gravity and cornering clearance can be boosted if needed by setting to sport mode to stiffen the suspension and setting the preload to 2 passengers plus luggage which actually raises the bike. I’m still in agreement with you that the GTL is more suitable for dragging your knee through the corners.
I ride two Harley Davidson s #1😂😂😎
It’s refreshing to see YT content that’s well-organized, time-efficient, and factual. No personal stories or opinionating, no excess verbiage. In other words, professional !
This is an outstanding comparison and very comprehensively describes in detail the pros and cons of both bikes. Thank you, sir.
I'm with you on THAT comment TM. 👍🏽
I personally agree with your overall assessment even though I own 2 BMW's. However IMO the BMW is far more performance oriented than the Goldwing, both in terms of power and handling making them two very different motorcycles.
If I were to put together a rating system the only thing I would have done is to add more weighting to certain categories. For example I do not see a rating of 1 for suspension being equal to a weighting of 1 for storage locking. I would have counted suspension as 3 points given its overall impact on riding.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Keep it up.
You can do it yourself. The Author is completely transparent on his assesments, so it is up to you to add the desired weigjting to it (if you agree) or to shift the points (if you, on an occassion, do not).
So, have your way.
I agree - apply the Kepner-Tregoe analysis to the equation.
Even though I own 4 BMWs, I wouldn't rule out the Honda. ...I've already got my performance riding covered. Maybe some relaxed touring would be good. Maybe.
There are parallels to an Accord and a 3 Series, to be fair. Accord is less sporty, but far more reliable.
I enjoyed reading your series on the K1600. I'm a K1600 GTL owner who has ridden the bike 30,000 miles in every condition imaginable (cross country slab, mountains, technical canyons, etc.), so I always enjoy reading the perspective of others. Having said this, I think you took on an impossible evaluation task. While the two bikes on paper can look similar, there are significant differences that should make a choice easy. Specifically, it's the three P's -- Performance, Performance and Performance. The GW is simply a step down. The GW doesn't have K1600 cornering and nimbleness capabilities. Also, GW acceleration is weaker. The K1600 still has an insane throttle band left long after the GW speed limiter kicks in.
It comes down to what riding experience speaks to you. You've made it clear that you're more of a laid back type rider, and there is nothing wrong with that. If most riders are honest with themselves, more fall into that category than not. If I was in the more "laid back" camp, I'd strongly consider the GW for myself. But if your priority is taking large bike performance touring to it's all around limits, then no contest. The K1600 is the choice no matter what point system is used. The Grin the K1600 puts on your face transcends almost all other considerations.
*Well said!*
Would you answer the same when considering two up riding? Passenger comfort and safety?
I thought the ability to remove all the luggage for a short fast ride made the BMW a more exiting choice. Maybe I'll bet a BMW for my 40s, 50s, and 60s then switch to the GW when my reaction time has slowed later in life. Riding styles can change with age.
@dbeimler I have both bikes, and the wife hands down prefers the Goldwing. May have something to do with how I ride the BMW. She sits too high on the BMW, but loves the detachable luggage. She will ride on both but likes sitting lower, she says it feels safer to her.
It was fair. As I age I think the high center of gravity of the BMW would kill it for me.
Traded in mine because of that very reason.......
You can assign the heated functions to one of the side 4 buttons on the K series’, and a good set of washing brushes will alleviate your cleaning concerns.
I’m a BMW guy, but the GW is certainly nipping at the K’s heels for people that want a sportier touring bike. You can ride either well beyond what Johnny Law deems responsible. The GW looks super sleek too.
The DCT being so good certainly makes the decision harder. I grew up on manual cars, but the ZF 8 speed I have now doesn’t leave me too sad about losing the manual shift.
I’ll take whichever one I can get with the most equipment for the least money. The six cylinders make them both.
You did a great job trying to be as fair as possible, integrity is so rare these days, hats off.
@Lightspeed 1138: I also grew up driving a stick & got a ‘67 MGbgt-no synchro-mesh in R, 1st & 2nd w/an electric overdrive in 3rd & 4th-when I was 17. I just gave to my sister as I’ve had a spinal cord injury & can no longer drive it. I must say that I’m shocked at the fact it costs MORE for a manual than an automatic, even if it’s equipped with paddle shifting. I understand that modern automatic trannies shift quicker than a human, but having the control over the gear my car was in, and resting my hand on the gear selector of the MG gave me instant feed back. Of course, riding on spoked wheels and a front suspension that was in need of work gave me a lot of feedback through the wooden steering wheel. I’m sorry-it’s not a motorcycle story-but I enjoyed your comment, and before I knew it…I was HERE! Thanks for sharing your post. I liked the original GL1000s, especially in blue and the shaft drive was/is so much easier, (& cleaner), than a chain or belt transferring the power to the rear wheel. I’m not a motorcyclist, but I’ve been friends with avid bikers for most of my adult life-even friends who were on motorcycles back in high school are still riding, just with a little more care & a lot less speed than when we were much younger. I’m rambling on…cheers, "THX".
I am a Harley Roadglide owner and is thinking of switching to the GTL or Grand America. The only thing I am concerned about is the cost of maintenance and repairs. What is your experience being a long time owner? Someone mentioned a 1500 brake job...wow😳
@@kevink1214 something is seriously wrong with that. It must have required rotors all around because that's the only way that would make sense. The pads practically fall out after removing 2 screws and a pin. Total replacement time is maybe 30 minutes, or 10 minutes each. I just checked the dealer parts fiche in Canada and it's about $500 for the 3 sets of pads, less than $400 US. I'll shop aftermarket and probably pay under $200 Cdn. Add in $150 for a brake and clutch fluid change and that's still a long way from $1500
One of the best and fairest reviews I have ever seen on these two bikes. Excellent job. I want to note that I have a 2012 K1600 and this bikes engine will literally obliterate most modern day sport bikes. This engine is shocking in terms of performance and handling.
It's a wonderful engine, but in a bike as heavy as a K1600, it will not obliterate a liter bike.
I also own the '12 GTL.... and Nate is correct on this. My bike can beat any other touring bike, but not gonna compete with a liter bike.
When it's time for an upgrade in another 6-10 years, a GW DCT will likely be my choice though.... especially if they take heed of CG's review here and "fix" some of the "deficiencies".
I had a 2013 k1600GTL and it was awesome! That said I tipped over a number of times. The down side of this bike is 1: seat is terrible 2: turn signals do not cancel for quite a long time and 3: height of seat is too high with that much mass. Going down the road at 100 mph it was absolutely wonderful but at 02 mph it was quite a handful. I loved that bike but am glad it is gone
When I decided to step up from my Harley cruiser I looked at the BMW and the Wing. I look back at my evaluation of both and agree with most of what you stated. What tipped the scale for me was the dealer network and my fond memory of my Honda CB. 750 of my youth. Oh and I still cover all bases with a Harley Ultra Limited. Some of my friends still say they would rather push a Harley as ride a Honda.
And HD thrives on that level of customer loyalty, but it will only last as long as the baby boomers can still ride.
Great video, many of these item were things I looked at when deciding between these two bikes. In the end it was the pillion comfort and options and the lower center of gravity which were the winning factors for the Goldwing, couldn't be happier!😊
1000% agree with the final conclusion. I've had both. The K1600, especially with the stage 2 upgrade, is a rocket ship that gives you the confidence to throw it into a curve without fear of leaving parts behind.
The DCT Tour is a relaxing, all-day comfortable ride that will leave some riders kinda bored, but they'll also have much more energy remaining after a day in the saddle.
Both are top-notch, flagship bikes that will not disappoint with their riding experience. P.S. I kept the DCT Wing for the comfort and have a Gen 2 VMAX1700 for the days I want to ensure that my heart can still get up to speed!
As an owner of both GoldWIngs and a BMW K1600 GTL I would say that your assessments are very good. Some of the items you score as a point for the K1600 I'd have given to my old Goldwing. But the opposite is also true so I know you did an honest review.
The single most important comment of the whole video is what you say at 26:10. That is 100% correct.
K 1600 GTL 👍👍👍👍
BMW has a shorter wheel base, making it more flickable than the wing but less straight line stability. Road mode in the BMW is an active suspension which adjusts to the road conditions 20 times per second. The wing suspension is not active at all. Good settings but not active. tail of the dragon, BMW without a doubt, driving cross country, the wing. BMW top box holds 2 full face helmets if helmets are laid on their sides facing forward. I thought you said the honda paint is a bit soft in previous videos. Scuffs easy but buffs out easily. The BMW increases in larger increments if you you hold it for a longer period of time. Press #2 on the left fairing short cut buttons(which are illuminated at night) and both grip and seat are displayed, scroll for which of the 2 you want to adjust, rotate the wheel to raise the level, push wheel to select ok, press #1 button and you are back to the main screen. Sounds complicated but it is quick and easy. The biggest difference is how far you can lean without scraping parts. A more mellow rider buys the stable wing not looking to scare himself carving up canyon twisties. The adrenaline junky looking to see how fast he can fly through the curves buys the BMW. Although the new wing appears to beat the older generation in this regard. You hit so many good points in your review, Keep them coming. Thanks Cruiseman !!!
Great job Chris, you put a lot of thought into this comparison, very fair in my book. Thanks.
Great comparo! Thanks for taking all the time and detail in this. Good stuff!
I stumbled on your videos while searching for others. I want you to do every motorcycle review I view from now on! So thorough and straight forward. Excellent job!
Thanks!
Great review. Regardless which bike a rider prefers personally, your review was fair, balanced, and very informative. Well done Cruiseman! All that said, I love my 22 DCT Wing.
I think you did a great job on the review. There are a couple of things I think you missed one was the greater cornering clearance on the BMW. It is significant and really makes a huge difference. I am a former Goldwing rider. My last two goldwings had a bit over 430,000 miles combined, (not a typo) so I have ridden enough to be very familiar with them. Right now I am riding a 1250 RT and thinking about going to a 1600 BMW, simply to get better accommodations for a passenger as it seems to be a longer bike than the RT. One more thing that I think you missed is the ease of changing tires on the BMW vs the wing. The center stand allows the removal of either wheel on the BMW. The removal of the rear bags is a huge plus on the BMW, all three can be removed and reinstalled in a few minutes so this is a huge benefit to doing a tire change. I have changed my own tires on both bikes and the plus goes to the BMW here.
Great review the key to it is personal preference, I feel they are both outstanding machines and have slightly different attributes. I will say your initial comment about the BMW being more susceptible to cross winds and twitchy goes away after you put a few thousand miles on it. I had the same feeling when I first got the BMW. I suspect that it takes very subtle control inputs compared to the Honda, as after a few thousand miles the cross winds ceased to be an issue when present. If you really look to your riding style you will find the bike for you. The main reason I went with the RT over another wing was the cornering clearance. I set my suspension on the wing to max preload and still managed to continually drag things when cornering. My foot pegs were only 1/2 the normal length from scraping them in the corners.
Thanks for the nice discussion regarding your thoughts on the two bikes and their attributes, top notch discussion.
One of the very best comparisons on TH-cam for such big machines... I learned a few things.... Thanks❤
There are a very few videos that I watch till the end. But this is one of the very few! I really like how you built up the video. And it's so pleasing to see that you're respecting both bikes! Following you from now on 🤙🏾‼️
I currently have a '22 R1250GSA, have owned 2 Goldwings and a K1200 and have done some research on the new GoldWing plus the K1600. A couple of thoughts:
1) For grip & butt heaters, my GSA has a button on the right handlebar which is a shortcut to the heat controls. Press that and I see both the Butt & Grip heaters and can then select which one and adjust to 1 of 5 positions. Not sure if the K1600 has that or not.
2) Engine-wise, I'd pick the K1600 simply because of more power (can't recall torque numbers), it is more performance oriented. But both are great.
3) Owner Maintenance - NO contest, GW all the way. You can't even get a Service Manual for more recent BMW Motorbikes and there isn't anyone who has published a comprehensive set of videos although there are a number out there.
4) If you added a category of "Oil Change", the BMW would win hands down. One drain plug, one filter.
5) If you added "availability" BMW would win. I ordered a Gold Wing last November but cancelled my order in June due to the bike not being available and bought a GSA.
6) GPS - there is no way I'd give Honda a check mark. Having a GPS that has maps that are over 2 years old with no updates on the horizon is virtually criminal especially if you go anywhere where there has been any road construction in the past 2 years. Yup, you do need a Smart Phone for the BMW but you can download maps (uh, current ones and it tells you when there are new ones - I installed the most recent maps 3 weeks ago and just got a notice that there are newer ones which I installed) so that you don't need a cell signal.
7) IMU. The GSA and I believe the K bike have a 6 position IMU which the Africa Twin also has but I don't think the GW has it. Anyway, you can be leaned over in a corner and apply your brakes on the GSA and it will control them so that you don't slide out sideways, even with emergency full on braking (I'm too chicken to try it). I don't think the GW will do that but you already gave the K bike the tick for brakes :).
Again, when it comes down to it, it really depends upon the individual person and their riding style. I would say that Honda really needs to step up their game, especially with the electronics and at least up here in Canada, availability.
Don, Attended the BMW 2-day Street course at their facility in SC. Let me tell you about the IMU/Anti-lock breaks on the new BMWs R1250's and K bikes. We rode their R1250GS's. On the track, going 45-50MPH around a corner, slamming on the breaks for emergency stops, the bikes just stood up from the turn angle and just stopped.. No screeching, no sliding... Amazing!... It was really scary the first couple of rounds, but after our class got to trust the system, it was no sweat.
Fantastic comparison! Thank you for putting this together..! I owned a 2018 Goldwing and LOVED it. For various reasons, I had to part with it. However, as I look to purchase my next bike, these are the very two I am considering. Your ride video, coupled with this comparison, it super helpful. Keep up the great work and know that your efforts are greatly appreciated..!
Excellent review cruiseman 👍👍
This is the best comparison I’ve seen on this subject. Thank you so very much!
Great review on both bikes. My concern is height and being top heavy. I am inseam challenged so the GW fits us smaller riders and being confident while riding is a plus for me. Thanks for the review
If you go to Ruriko_675 you can see she is 5'3" and can still manage fine. Name of the video is "From a female perspective. Test drive and Impression of HONDA GOLDWING TOUR!" Turn on CC if you don't speak Japanese.
@@starweb443 I am 5’6” and do fine on a GW. Had a Harley Ultra classic did fine on it but feel better on a GW.
Get your self a smaller trash bike you can train on and handle easy. Maybe a $1000 125cc and learn how to ride a bike really good. When you get your skill level up. Then your confidence come up and the weight of the bike, and every other problem become irrelevant. You just make up excuses for your lack of skill. And sooner or later you are going to pay for that… Not me or any other people are going to suffer because of it. Only you.
Too much people hurt them self every year, just because they cant easy handle their bike.
It gets much more fun, too. When you can whip your bike around like it is noting. It is mostly technique that you can learn. Even picking the bike up, don't take much strength. Go to Bret Tkacs, and look at his video of 3 techniques picking up the bike. I like the one you have your face against the bike, lean over the seat, take hold on the side a bit low. And just walk into the bike, push it up with your body wight and use your legs. He show who it is done off-road. But I bet it work just as good every where else.
That was the main reason I traded in my BMW GTL Exl. It was too top heavy at slow speeds and moving around a parking lot esp with gravel or bad pavement.... this was before the reverse gear. ( 2016 )
@@Gismo3333 ... so if someone feels more comfortable on a bike with a lower CoG.... they don't know how to ride? Pleeeease.... blanket statement (insult) if I ever heard one. There are probably a dozen riders just that have read your comment here that agree with Bucket List on CoG comfort that can outride you. There's ALWAYS someone that can put a cocky in their place.
I really liked the way you scored the bikes. You were very in-depth and candid in your comments. I would like to see a new vs older Goldwing comparison.
I really enjoyed this series and watching all the episodes. Thank you!
Well done review! Your time & experience are appreciated! Thank you.
Kinda feel like the k1600 Grand America would be a more comparable comparison to the Goldwing. GTL to Wing is like apple's to orange's. FJR or Concours would be more in line with the GTL.
Very good review. I have never rode a BMW, but I was surprised to hear it doesn’t handle the wind very well. I always appreciated my GL1500 and it’s stability at highway speeds. It almost made me think I was driving a car on the highway. Thanks for your review. I would be interested if you could review some adventure bikes like the Africa Twin or the Yamaha Tenere. A Honda CB500x would be another good review. Thanks again! Don
Enjoyed the video very much Chris. I think you did a very thorough comparison. I’ve been waiting for this video. Have a fun and safe 4th of July.
Impressive work you've done here. I give you a point for exceeding all other comprehensive reviews of these bikes. 👍 Thanks!
Our 2010 Electra glide was a really superb road bike; however, it was time to upgrade to improve the rider and passenger experience in terms of smoothness and a quieter ride. I really wanted to give the K 1600 a try and with my wife I’m back it was a terrifying experience when a truck went by or when in the dirty air wake of a tractor trailer. I was so disappointed because I really did love the bike and also the controls are identical to my 2019 GSA. The Harley was rock solid as was the Goldwing when we test rode it. I reluctantly chose the 2021 Goldwing with the manual transmission. After a few road trips I can say, In a word, we love it. Fine bike and as far as engine sound, it’s spectacular IMHO. Especially in fourth and fifth gear when you begin to accelerate out of turns. Ride safe everyone.
Harley tourings stay planted. That's what I love about them. As I recall, my mid-80's Wing was very stable.
All in all, a fair review and not easy to do because so many things are subjective. I’m deciding between the two. For me, the GW is a more suitable choice because of low speed handling, low CG and the DCT. Sounds like I’ll need an aftermarket seat to complete the bike.
(Just sold my 1250GS. It was the best solo motorcycle I’ve had, but two up and loaded with 50 lbs of luggage it’s a disaster. This is the reason it had to go).
Fantastic, in depth, well thought thru review! Thank you much!!!
Great review Cruiser man
Nailed it! Confidence in brand can be a purchasing tipping point. Your honest reviews for decision making is a act of kindness many will benefit from. I left my BMW brand loyalty after 4 attempts. It's challenging to be nice while disgusted memory bells ring but I will say.. Life's to short to get used up by a problematic brand.
As an owner of both bikes, one is the’14 GTL Exclusive & the other is an ‘18 GW Tour I agreed with most of the differences. Agreed the GW has a lower cost of ownership & is better suited to long straight highway miles, but what puts the bigger smile on my face is riding a challenging road where the BMW totally dominates. Riding a motorcycle for me is a sport and I am prepared to treat it as such. I will pay the premium for my preference. That said, when I went into the BMW dealer to buy a new bike I was so disappointed by the sales staff AND having had serious problems with this dealership’s service department I told them that I didn’t have to buy a BMW and left, only to go down the road to the Honda dealer and buy the GW. Glad I did it, but will return next time to BMW and find a way to work around the woefully poor customer service at my local BMW dealership. Thanks for the good video.
Bad dealer service and sales is not unique to BMW. It seems to follow all brands.
Been watching your videos for years this was one of your best great job ! Thanks
Great video. Detailed, thorough, and thoughtful
I've owned both. I agree that they are very close in score overall. The BMW is too heavy particularly riding 2 up. It is a personal choice, but I prefer my Goldwing.
Nice job and fair comparison. My only 2 comments. Though I have a 2021 GTL with the 719 option and a professional ceramic job, even the basic GTL I my opinion has the better fit and finish than the Goldwing. The paint is fantastic. My riding buddy has a 2018 Goldwing, and although his engine is nice, it just can't compare to the BMW's 160 hp engine. The best analogy of the GTL, a crotch rocket disgusted as a touring bike. Once again, thanks for the great review.
A year after the fact, I know you won't see this, but I'm considering a Wing and as a person who owned a K1200LT and could never get his 38" inseam legs to work with it - even with lowered pegs, your comment about being 6'2" and having more room on the Wing definitely got my attention.
Nicely done cruiseman 🤘🏻 best from Ireland.
Good job here! I guess if I were to weight what's more important to me, the comfortable ride and the better parking lot handling of the Goldwing far outweighs something like being able to say look I got a BMW or better Central locking! LOL. But I enjoyed this very much! But I thought they fixed the subpar radio on the gold wings? Again I love my 16 F6B and it will never leave my garage as long as I'm able to ride. Thanks for the comparison! Final thoughts anybody over 45 to 50 will definitely want the Goldwing in my opinion.
Well I’ve been fortunate enough to have owned both bikes. And, I tend to agree that both bikes are excellent touring bikes with loads of creature comforts. I also agree that the stock suspension on the GTL is far superior to the stock DCT and that’s why I am running Max’s upgraded suspension on my current ride which is the DCT. Although the DCT “sport” mode is impressive, I find myself riding 90% of the time in tour mode which is not as performance orientated as the GTL “road” mode. As for the transmissions the DCT walking forward and reverse mode is a very enabling and confidence producing feature when riding two up and when manoeuvring in unfamiliar parking lots especially on trips. I also find the DCT transmission a very desirable characteristic on the goldwing for a host of reasons including simplicity. However, the clutchless feature does make it more challenging for practicing challenging slow speed manoeuvres such as the “intersection” or doing figure eights within two standard parking lot stalls. But, hands down the wing is significantly cheaper to maintain. I hope my comments help you when considering which bike to purchase. IMO it is hard to go wrong purchasing either bike. Both bikes are very impressive machines.
IMO, slow speed with the DCT is far easier with the DCT in manual setting and use of the rear brake. A little practice with those items employed can make you a pro with DCT. Good Rides
How is the DCT in stop-and-go traffic?
@@deandoucette7206 painless :) this is what DCT is # 1 at, no pain to your clutch's hand in traffic
Who's Max and how do I learn more about this suspension upgrade?
@@boxofmoles4057 Max Mcallister at Traxxion Dynamics in Woodstock, GA. Good Rides
Great stuff Cruiseman... loved it.
NICE REVIEW
SEEMS FAIR AND CLEAR
THANK YOU
Great review! I have had a few Goldwings and a couple of BMW’s and currently ride a 2018 K1600 GTL. I prefer the BMW due to its overall performance but it does give up some comfort to the Wing. I would add that while it took me a while to adapt to the BMW menu system, I find it to be quite functional on the earlier models. Not so sure of the latest upgrades.
The BMW r1250RT is a better overall machine than EITHER the over-bloated 'Wind, or the BMW 6.
Cheers.
@@geraldfrieberg7921 Explain your comment, I've owned all 3.
Very good assessment. From personal experience on a long trip with a friend who had a k1600 and my 21 Goldwing, his range was a definite benefit for him and we were stopping more frequently to fill up my tank. It was a little annoying for him. I think you underscored the BMW performance. The BMW engine produces a lot of responsiveness and high end speed and maneuverability. While I personally haven’t done it, the Goldwing tops out at 120 mph. The BMW isn’t as limited. Love the channel. Sad to watch your wing ding video. I have gone to Sturgis and that rally and motorcycle related booths are fantastic. I was thinking about a wing ding trip in the future, but I guess not. Thanks for what you do.
While I personally have not done it….. you should do stand up comedy.
Btw , I have done and 120 mph is plenty fast enough for bike that size.
And the fuel consumption is twice at high at that speed as it is at a measly 60kmh, I tested that to.
My 2018 GW outlast my bladder , so stopping to get gas is always a welcome thing.
@@michaelbayliss1794 stopping, sure, but getting gas, no, one could get a 3 gallon Harley-Davidson to achieve that. Having a 300 miles/450km+ range for the day is perfect. Rather stop at some scenic place then a servo.
Excellent comparison. Outstanding job. I am thrilled.
Great video. Extremely fair comparison. Ty
Great review, the DCT is the winning factor for me over the BMW. Having the walking mode is one of the best features for me on a heavy touring bike.
Totally agree
For me too. I have neuropathy from chemo and it was hard to lift my foot to shift. Also, pushing around a heavy touring bike wiith wonky feet was iffy at best. The DCT and forward and reverse walking modes have made motorcycling fun for me again by removing everything I had trouble doing.
First off- Chris has done a great review considering the time he has spent with the K1600. Well done Cruiseman. FYI- the Australian delivered Goldwing bikes do not come with any inbuilt navigation software, they rely on ACP and AA for navigation. So both bikes are the same in that respect. Seems that’s the way a lot of manufacturers are going, just another area to cut on costs and future mapping upgrades. I must say that’s one thing I did dislike about my K1600 gtl was no backlit buttons. Looking forward to the new Wings backlit ones. Also I think the Goldwing is weighted better than the K1600 the weight feels a lot higher in the K1600 and this makes it feel heavy. One thing I did love with the K1600 is the linked braking system. You only have to use the front brake for it to apply really good stopping power to the whole bike. I think it’s going to take some time to get used to using the rear again, as my last two BMW bike has had this great braking system. So after 17 years of the BMW brakes the Wings will take a bit to get used to. One thing with the K1600 is they are quiet heavy on tyres and I generally have to replace both at the same time, whereas with my R1200RT I do two rear to one front. After seeing the various threads on the Wings tyre wear I am looking forward to better mileage than the K1600
The other thing I will miss is the petrol tank capacity. On the K1600 I can get 500klms per tank easily. Not sure what I will get with the Wing, I suspect @400 klms.
K1600 main adaptive headlight replacement globe is a xenon and original part price is $470 and to replace it is a major job, don’t even consider taking it in and getting BMW to replace it as the recommended way to get in to replace it is disassembling most of the front of the dash and speakers. Not a side of the road task by any means. If you check the manual they say return to dealer fro replacement. On the forums they suggest unbolting the handlebars and shift to the side to gain access to replace the globe and even then it took well over an hour.
Just a bit of an insight in owning a K1600 and I am sure I will find things that are just as difficult on the wing to replace, not even going to mention the air filters of the Wing 😵💫. Just so people know where I am coming from I have owned my K1600 for 7 years and put 130000 klm on it. I am looking forward to putting those sorts of Klms on my new 2022 Goldwing tour premium DCT airbag.
Sorry for the length of this post 😟
Definitely not BMW bashing but just making people aware of somethings that only long term ownership brings to the surface.
Are you sure you don't have your air-pressure to low in the tires. That will smoke your tires fast.
@@Gismo3333 hi , no I keep a close eye on tyre pressure and the bike has tpms.
Consistently high usage over the 130,000 KLM’s also comparing with my previous R1200RT
@@TassiePhil - Looking at it, don't do much. If you got more weight on the bike, you riding long hours in high speed and different climate.
That means you probably has hours at the time at high speed. So you increase the tire pressure to make the tires last, maybe twice as long or more.
And maybe buy a tires with harder rubber compound. You maybe got tricked, maybe even by your self. Sounds like you are a person that mostly talk, and don't listen to other people.
Also instead of coming with facts about how you ride, 1 or 2 people on the bike… how much weight on the bike you put on. You only keep om bragging about high usage.
The recommended tire pressure is only a starting point, not what you have to use all the time.
Best comparison of these bikes I have seen! Great job!
Thank you for this great eval and details. Well done! I really appreciate it
As an owner of both bikes ,I feel your review is spot on. I currently have the 18 Goldwing and would not go back to the BMW.
why?
I like the fact that Honda has a much better dealership network , in the U.S.A.. lower seat height, better in the wind , smoother ride , GW has it's own GPS .
Being 58 years old, I find the Goldwing fits my needs more than the BMW . The K 1600 is a great bike though.
Cruise Man had done great review on both bike's, it just depends on your riding style .
Thank you for an extremely cogent and balanced review. I have been considering acquiring a Honda Goldwing DCT or BMW's K1600B Grand America. You have provided ample food for thought. Actually, more of a smorgasbord! :) Also thank you for delineating an often overlooked, but obvious aspect of motorcycling - each rider has their own preference. Whether sporty or relaxed, it behooves us to be mindful of that, especially when we find ourselves caught in the rigidity of fanboy-ism over what model we ride. Thanks again for reminding us that ALL riders, irrespective of their choice, have a place at the table.
Wow! Fantastic review! What a great way to break it down for each bike and such detail explaining your comments!! You missed your calling, Great job!! wish there were more cool comparisons like this !!!!
This was a very fair and comprehensive review. I throughly enjoyed it.
Excellent review, I think it likely is a draw. Will be interesting to see if you get to compare the Indian Pursuit.
Forgot to ask. Any idea what Hondas plan to end Goldwing production next year really means? Apart from vague news in motoring press, I’m hearing unsubstantiated rumours that it only applies to manual gearbox models and not DCT at this stage.
It will certainly be a sad day if they cease production of all Goldwing models. I may be too late to buy one 😢😢
The picture is becoming clearer with official updates on Honda's Japanese GW site. It looks like the non-Tour version is being discontinued. No more GW baggers. And the speculation is that the Tour version will further evolve down the road to DCT only.
Brilliant review. Love the time and thought you give to these. It's apparent. Thanks again for what you do!
Glad you like them!
Love your show, thanks for the info
I had a new 1976 Gold Wing before they were sold with all kinds of accessories. I put a Vetter Windjammer fairing and a luggage rack on it. I later owned both a 1996 BWM K1000 RT and a 2001 K 1200 Gt. All of these bikes were very simple and were very good to ride. If you want to ride one of these modern bikes with every electronic aid and amenity, just buy a car. You will be more comfortable and actually save money on such things as tires and services. Bikes are supposed to be elemental, not cars on two wheels.
Overall, a very good video. Is there a reason why you didn't mention performance? I would have to believe that the BMW would run away from the Goldwing in any type of performance comparison. Also, you mentioned the ECO mode on the Goldwing and even gave it a point for the additional mode, yet the K16 still got the same fuel economy. Would they be close if the Goldwing wasn't ridden in ECO mode?
Who the heck wants to ride in Economy mode anyway? For me, I take my K1600GT away from the freeway slab and look for the twistiest roads so I can open up my K1600 engine so it sounds like an F1 car and pulls like a freight train.
Great video.Well done!Thank you for all the informations.
Great video. I don't own either but I am in the market for a big tour bike so this helped a lot. Keep doing what you do.
Great review!
excellent info! THANKS
Great review...
Thanks!
I think that was a very fair and detailed comparison and assessment. I think the picture of the two bikes next to each other in your garage says a thousand words regarding why the BMW feels top heavy. For several years, I rode a Honda ST1100 with a Givi top case and that bike also felt top heavy in low speed situations and much more sensitive to crosswinds on the highway versus my 2007 Goldwing. Having the top box and hard cases in that relatively higher position makes a big difference in how the bike feels when at highway speeds with any crosswind.
Great video and very fair review and comparison. I owned a BMW K1200LT and rode it for several years. My BMW was built for long distant traveling but not for running short errands. Also, my complaints about my BMW was the weight (nearly 900 lbs.), top heaviness, and a short kickstand. Parking my BMW on an uneven surface caused my bike to topple over on a few occasions. Having someone on the rear of the bike made the ride much more difficult to handle during slow speeds and coming to a stop while in traffic. Lastly, the maintenance cost for the basics was quite expensive as there were not many BMW places to get it serviced. What a real pleasure to own a 2019 Goldwing Tour DCT. Comfortable, low center of gravity, easy to maneuver in slow speeds, and having a passenger does not add any difficulty to the ride. Thank you Cruiseman for all your videos!!
I enjoyed every second of this beautiful video, Thank you 🙏🏼
Very well done Cruiseman. Your explanations and rationale for you points is fair. Thanks for doing this. Very helpful
Great review, I ride a 2020 GW and absolutely love it, downside is luggage compartments.
Thank you and safe riding.
Very good review. Thank you 🙏🏻🥰
Excellent analysis and very enjoyable.
Very good and fair review, thank you! :)
Thank you for your detailed review. I wish everyone who is deciding to buy which of these two motorcycles watches your video. This is very helpful.
Thanks for a very interesting video !
Very fair and professional review 😊
Excellent review, really will help both buyers!!
The best comparison between these two bikes I have seen. Absolutely exelent.
I have never seen any better comparison before. Well done and you were fair!
Well done, thoughtful comparison of these two bikes. Subscribed!
Glad you enjoyed!
Good and fair review.
I own a ‘17 BMW K1600GT. I have never rode a newer generation Gold Wing but I researched it extensively and had a deposit on an ‘18.
I will say for the most part you were fair. I do agree the the rider’s riding style makes the most difference. I am coming from a ‘06 BMW K1200S so I still wanted a sporty bike. We bought the K1600GT so my wife can ride with me. We did sit on the ‘18 Goldwing and we both thought it was comfortable. For me, after I added Illium highway pegs, my 6’2.5” frame is comfortable on long rides. My wife loves the comfort of the pillion seat and loves the arm rests accessory. I love the sound of the K1600 engine, which as you said sounds like an F1 car. If you open the K1600 engine above 7000 rpm, the engine comes alive and it’s an absolute rush. I have also heard that the K1600 is more nimble when canyon carving. You forgot to mention that the BMW will automatically adjust the height of the headlight based on the weight of the rider, pillion, and storage. I really like the adaptive lighting that lights through the corner. That could be a lifesaver for me because there are so many deer and moose in central British Columbia. I will say that the Shift Assist Pro is amazing. Mated to the F1 sounding engine, the BMW is way more thrilling than the Goldwing. I would prefer the BMW transmission in stop & go traffic. I do have the Shift Assist Pro which still allows me to use the clutch lever, whereas the Goldwing DCT transmission shifts when it feels like. It takes the control of shifting away from the rider. I think overall I have made the right choice for me at 59 years of age. When I am ready for a more sedate ride, perhaps when I am closer to 70 years-old, I will move to the Goldwing. The K1600 higher center of gravity will probably be too much for me after my leg strength diminishes. However, for now the K1600 is much more thrilling. As for the next bike to review, I doubt you will, but I would like to hear your impressions on the 2022 Kawasaki H2 SX SE. It has 197 HP but also many modern accessories and creature comforts. It will be my next bike for when I want to do long trips by myself.
Spot on review! Well done
Glad you liked it!
Thank you very much, for professional review!!
Great video. I’ve been thinking about both bikes. It was helpful to see them compared in this way.
Looks like the GW is my bike.
Great review
Spot on, content! great work sir
Much appreciated!
Such an excellent review. Very fair.
Excellent review .
Very impressive review. You were very methodical and touched on area's I would never think of considering. My next motorcycle is a goldwing tourer!