Duel BMW K1600GTL Vs Honda GoldWing 2018: Cruising Face Off…
Forget Commander Stubing and his Love Boat. Rather, embark with Site for a cruise that is sometimes fun, sometimes rare, on the only two grand touring motorcycles with six-cylinder engines: the BMW K1600GTL and the 2018 Honda GoldWing Touring. On board !
K1600GTL Vs GoldWing – page 3: Course changes
At very low speed, the 2018 GoldWing retains the incredible balance of the previous model. Honda’s new front end – now similar to a Duolever, copier! – is perfectly neutral. The 18-inch front wheel offers even more roundness than the BMW’s 17 "which engages slightly in comparison..
After 30 km / h, on the other hand, the trend is reversed: the K1600GTL becomes more agile than the GoldWing which remains more firmly on its path. The "commander" of the BMW turns his motorcycle with a light blow of closed off handlebars, while that of the Honda must invest a little more to change course.
In built-up areas, the two engines compete in smoothness: go down to idle on intermediate gears and start again on a trickle of gas is a pure delight! However, due to a particularly long gear ratio, the new GoldWing does not benefit from the same elasticity as the K1600GTL. Who would’ve believed that ?
The difference is glaring out of the village, where the BMW is extracted on the last report with much more force. The new sixth report of the Honda corresponds to a real "over-drive": more than 45 km / h at 1000 rpm! No wonder in these conditions that the GL18 is less demonstrative than the K16 which takes "only" 35 km / h at 1000 revolutions…
By seeking more power in the towers via the reconfiguration of their big machine, the Japanese engine makers made the GoldWing a bit lazy under 3000 rpm. Especially when comparing its performance to the "sporty" K1600GTL which develops almost 35 more horsepower and weighs around thirty kilograms less !
In use, however, the Japanese flat-six remains more endearing: its sound of an American engine which rumbles in the first half of the tachometer before roaring in the second is more rewarding, in perfect harmony with the "Grand Tourisme" program. users.
Beside, the slight whistle then the hiss of the German six-in-line seems a little less appropriate. Admittedly, its more "Tourist Trophy" tone is very exhilarating at the start of the route, but it tends to get drunk after a few hours on the road..
Site notes with great pleasure that the BMW Motorrad engineers have reworked the sensitivity of their electronic accelerator: on the first K1600s, MNC judged the revs to be excessive on slight rotations of the right grip. From now on, the throttle management is much finer, including in "Dynamic" mode: it is as good as on the Honda, which is saying a lot..
Forward slow, half, all !
By briefly engaging "Rain" mode, MNC checks that the two motorcycles actually respond more gently to the measured demands of the rider. By wringing out the handle, however, the BMW driver is surprised by the vigor of the pickups barely past 3000 rpm. !
A good point is attributed to the two competitors in the wet: their tires offer the most convincing grip. Likewise, on dry but cool roads, grip is only faulted during our emergency braking tests. The ABS then come into action, discreetly but effectively. At all good !
According to the demanding Journal moto du Net, the next point to be reworked on the Munich engine block is the gearbox: its selection remains too slow, long, dry, noisy … especially compared to the manual "made in Tokyo" , so fast and precise that it is managed with the big toe without necessarily needing the clutch !
On the K1600GTL, the optional Shifter Pro allows you to do without the left lever – a little harsh – without worrying about the synchronization of the engine speed with the target gear: we stay open throttle – not necessarily large, watch out for the radars ! – to increase the gears, or the gas completely cut to lower them. The system is quickly adopted, whether you drive quietly in the city or load a little more on the road…
Question approval therefore, the Honda retains the advantage over the BMW, but the gap has narrowed since our first MNC duel! After having railed against the poorly accommodated suitcases and top-boxes, the future "Wingers" may criticize their brand new motorcycle for its lack of engine "trunk": on departmental, duo and loaded, you have to drop the 5 to navigate around 70 km / h…
In terms of pure performance, on the contrary, the gap has widened considerably between the two GTs: the "K1649" accelerates and sets off again much stronger than the "GL1833", whatever the gear engaged or the cruising speed adopted. From this point of view, bikers looking for a big performance roadster cannot be wrong. !
On the other hand, we must underline the clear progress of the Honda on the cycle part. The improvements observed in handling (s) during our first test of the GoldWing Touring 2018 are confirmed thanks to this confrontation.
Compared to the K1600GTL, the old GoldWing was handicapped by its overweight. Thanks to its significant weight loss and its particularly solid front axle during braking phases, the new Gold now manages to keep up with the pace imposed by the GTL! It just requires a little more effort on the arms, the Gold being a little more stable than agile..
The Honda metamorphosis is striking in the presence of its rival – and main target – BMW: when the suspensions of the K16 and the new GL18 are set in their most comfortable modes ("Road" for the first, "Touring" for the second), the German is even a little less rigorous in the winding and out of bumpy curves !
The GoldWing will look for the K1600GTL…
In return, the "Behème" provides its occupants with better shock absorption. Speed bumps in town, potholes in the country and connections on the highway are better erased than on the Honda, whose rear shock is a little drier and the saddle a bit harder !
Extremely comfortable when its rider wants it, the K1600GTL becomes noticeably stiffer and more incisive when the "Dynamic" mode of the ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) is selected. The difference in behavior is largely noticeable. More than the handlebars of the Honda elsewhere…
By engaging the "Sport" mode of his Gold, the pilot actually feels that the suspensions are firmed up and that the engine response is jointly a little more lively than in "Road". But the character of the bike is less upset than when the K16 is entitled to its double ration of "Dynamic" (engine and ESA).
Site observes in passing that Honda could have planned a lifting system – electronic and automatic, as long as it is! – footrests, because they touch a little too quickly in the bends negotiated strongly or in the roundabouts coiled quickly. Ground clearance on the GTL is better.
Braking, on the other hand, is an area that the GL1800 masters to perfection: thanks to its complex Dual-ABS front / rear coupling system, the rider can simply press the right pedal to slow down his machine very efficiently and precisely. On the BMW, the rear brake does not offer the same answer.
The use of the front brake is therefore more frequent on the K1600, which then offers biting, powerful and adjustable braking. On the GL1800, we pull the right lever only when necessary: we discover that the touch is a little hard compared to the BMW, so a hint less easy to manage.
For everyday driving in traffic jams, on weekends in Normandy or on vacation on the other side of the world (?), Le Journal moto du Net still prefers the braking of the Honda for its extreme smoothness and its perfect concordance with the road program … even motorway !
On expressways precisely, our two machines allow the bollards to be cleared without tiring: the two "windshields" are adjustable to the millimeter with a simple push and allow you to be completely isolated from the wind. Or almost…
Further away from his huge bubble on the BMW, the driver must move his chest a little forward so as not to find himself in the turbulence. When the saddle is in the high position, the older ones – necessarily – must lower their head very slightly so as not to feel any eddies on the top of the helmet. The "Winger", for its part, can keep its natural position.
For the rest, the K1600GTL supplants the Goldwing: the shoulders and forearms are better protected from rain or cold on the BMW. In summer, its ingenious deflectors at the top of the fairing (painted gray on our test model) provide excellent ventilation! The feet are also better sheltered: on the new GoldWing in cool weather, you can feel a draft rising in the ankles and calves….
Another point – detail – won by the K1600GTL: the positioning on the left of the handlebars of its cruise control. It is therefore very easy to stall the motorcycle at the desired speed, while the same operation requires a bit of gymnastics and practice on the GoldWing whose control is on the same side as the throttle grip..
At 140 km / h counter, the German six-in-line trots at 4000 rpm in the last gear. No crackling disturbs the driver. Only regret at this speed: you have to push the volume of the radio almost fully to follow the price of the CAC40 on France Info…
On the GoldWing and in the same conditions (140 km / h in 6th gear), the Japanese flat-six purrs about 1000 laps lower! The times are then modest, but the feeling of cruising aboard a large liner is as enjoyable – in our opinion – as the more dynamic acceleration of the K1600GTL. We can also hear more distinctly France Musique and Clair de Lune by Bruce willis Debussy.
According to the learned calculations of MNC experts, the K1600GTL pushed in 6th at 8500 rpm (red zone) could go up to 297 km / h at home, on the German motorway. But its engine manufacturers restrained it to 230 km / h. The GoldWing for its part, could theoretically gallop at 284 km / h at 6000 rpm, but Honda preferred to limit its "Vmax" to 185 km / h.
How high can we go ?
But what matters more for the owners of a big road motorcycle, it is to be able to go up to … two! Behind, precisely, the passenger enjoys a very good reception regardless of the machine. Less good than that of the old GoldWing, of course, but quite acceptable !
For the pilot, the arrival of a passenger on board goes almost unnoticed, at least once the motorcycles are launched! Because the escalation of the "co-pilot" to his post requires consultation and anticipation … The preloads of the rear shock absorbers are electrically adjustable: we then feel the rear of the motorcycles climb several millimeters. Please note: once the passenger has alighted, the motorcycle is found higher, which can complicate maneuvers a bit..
Our guinea pig Eric, who usually rides on a majestic, appreciates on the BMW its fairly firm but well-designed saddle, the practical handles and the clear view above the rider. However, he believes that the slightly protruding edges of the suitcases may interfere with the short legs..
On the Honda, our courageous passenger likes the armrests, which are very useful to settle down like in a chair, the taller steps and the lower seat height. He is less convinced by the ergonomics of the handles and the fact of having to shift to one side or the other of the motorcycle to see the road.
Question "vision" precisely, the long and beautiful days of May did not allow us to compare the lighting of our two frames. But seeing the equipment on the prows of the two motorcycles and the brilliant reflections in the road signs, MNC can assure that night runs will be perfectly possible..
Very long journeys are not a problem either: at the end of our thousand kilometers covered with us – Moto-Net.Cruises hopes to see you again soon on its lines! -, MNC estimates the total range of the K1600GTL at just over 410 km (414 km thanks to its 26.5-liter tank).
The GoldWing tilts again, despite its significantly lower average consumption (5.8 l / 100 km against 6.4): its "small" tank of 21.1 liters empties after 364 km. Unlike the BMW, the Honda cannot therefore cover a round trip "Paris – Le Havre" in one go..
"The best defense is attack" … Starting from this principle, Honda has oriented its new flagship towards more lightness and compactness, has fully updated its on-board instruments (all delivered as standard) and greatly refined its road handling.
But by going for the K1600GTL on his land in its territorial waters, the new GoldWing 2018 has unfortunately taken water in several places: comfort, protection, carrying capacity … So many points that are crucial to winning this battle naval royal !
Opposite, the BMW which has hardly changed since its launch now appears more complete. Admittedly, it is necessary to go through quantities of packs and options to match the rich endowment of the Honda, but in the end the price remains lower and the performances – not only engine – become superior..
GoldWing keeps a sacred card in reserve: the DCT, inseparable from the airbag in France. But this extraordinary and expensive double clutch would not allow the GoldWing to overthrow its opponent. The new queen of the road, according to the Site editorial staff, is the K1600GTL … Point "Barre" !
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