By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Tourer
BMW K 1600 GT (MY2022) vs Honda GL 1800 Goldwing (SC 79-DCT)
BMW K 1600 GT vs Honda GL 1800 Goldwing: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
A lazy roll-on from low revs, and the BMW K 1600 GT's already pulling without a hint of strain. The Honda GL 1800 Goldwing's shove never breaks between shifts.
So which one do you buy?
The K 1600 GT has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: K 1600 GT
The K 1600 GT nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. Most of that is stronger brakes and harder acceleration. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Edges it: K 1600 GT
Hour after hour, the K 1600 GT feels a little kinder to you. It's a close-run thing, though.
The GL 1800 Goldwing has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: GL 1800 Goldwing
The GL 1800 Goldwing should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
What makes each one tick
K 1600 GT
The K 1600 GT's inline-six swells with torque a breath above idle and climbs to the top end with barely a tremor in the bars. The wide handlebar steers it into a corner entry with one fluid sweep, and the balanced chassis doesn't fight the lean. There's room to lean. The chassis carves the Blue Ridge Parkway's bends without fuss.
Nils rode the K 1600 GT in Spain in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
GL 1800 Goldwing
Behind the Goldwing's wide fairing and sealed bodywork, the cockpit stays hushed even when the air turns cool. At a crawl, the DCT version sorts every gear change on its own, and there's a walking mode to ease the bike through a tight lot. A broken patch doesn't upset the double-wishbone front end, which keeps the ride plush yet sporty. The wishbones swallow the bump whole.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The GL 1800 Goldwing has the lower seat: 29.3 in (745 mm) vs 31.9 in (810 mm).
- The K 1600 GT has the lower wet weight: 756 lb (343 kg) vs 804 lb (365 kg).
- The K 1600 GT makes more peak power: 161 hp (118 kW) vs 126 hp (93 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Look elsewhere
Neither one is built around the commute. If that's the bike's main job, keep shopping.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both fall short
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
K 1600 GT
What owners say
Strengths
- Ultra-smooth and torquey inline-six engine
- Premium build quality and equipment
- Surprising agility for its size
GL 1800 Goldwing
What owners say
Strengths
- Seamless DCT gear changes
- Significantly reduced weight and agile handling
- First‑class wind and weather protection
- Legendary flat‑six reliability
Known problems to check before you buy
K 1600 GT
- Reverse gear control unit seal failure / fire risk Recall 26V214000 The reverse gear control unit’s seal can degrade, allowing moisture ingress that causes a short circuit and overheating. This poses a fire risk (NHTSA recall 26V214000). Affected models: 2017–2025 K 1600 GT.
- Clogged radiator requiring expensive replacement Radiator fins are easily blocked by road debris thrown up by the front tire, restricting airflow and causing the engine to run hot. Cleaning the fins is awkward due to restricted access behind the fairing.
GL 1800 Goldwing
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Final drive
- Shaft
Where the spec sheets split
| K 1600 GT | GL 1800 Goldwing | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 29.3 in (745 mm) |
| Wet weight | 756 lb (343 kg) | 804 lb (365 kg) |
| K 1600 GT | GL 1800 Goldwing | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1649 cc | 1833 cc |
| Engine | Inline-six | Flat-six (boxer) |
| Power | 161 hp (118 kW) | 126 hp (93 kW) |
| Torque | 133 lb-ft (180 Nm) | 125 lb-ft (170 Nm) |
| K 1600 GT | GL 1800 Goldwing | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 7.0 US gal (26.5 L) | 5.5 US gal (21 L) |
| K 1600 GT | GL 1800 Goldwing | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 7-speed |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 130/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 200/55-16 |
| Wheelbase | 63.7 in (1618 mm) | 66.7 in (1695 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| K 1600 GT | GL 1800 Goldwing | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Keyless System | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
