At the end of 2022 I knew I wanted to move on from my 2019 Harley Davidson CVO Street Glide. The trip I did with some mates to Victoria drove home how ordinary the stock suspension and seat were.
Whilst I could have upgraded the suspension and seat there was little to be gained long term. So it was time to look for a replacement.
One thing I that I’d determined was I wanted to ride something different from any of the Harley Davidson’s I’d owned previously. The 2 motorcycles I was looking at were the Honda Goldwing DCT and the BMW K1600GT.
On a trip to Brisbane I had hoped to see a Goldwing DCT, the dealership were lax in updating their website and the bike was gone. So the next step was to look at the BMW K1600GT. I did love the look and feel of the bike when I sat on it. The seat was a bit higher than the B model. So being a bit of a “short arse” I opted for the B model and I wasn’t disappointed.
Part of choosing a new bike was looking at what you got for the money you were spending. As much as I love the look of the 2023 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Ultra I was never going to drop $62K on a bike. That’s the same money I paid for my VF2 Holden Commodore SSV Redline.
Standard Equipment
- BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS, ABS Pro
- Dynamic ESA, Hill Start Control Pro, Dynamic Traction Control
- 10.25″ TFT Display with Connectivity, Radio Software OCE
- Cruise Control, Riding Modes, Daytime Riding Light
- Heated Grips, Seat Heating
- Comfort Turn Indicator, LED Headlight and Taillight, Adaptive Headlight, Reversing Aid
- Integral Panniers, Forged Handlebar, Main Stand
Touring Package: Audio System ECE, Floorboards, LED Additional Fog Lights, Engine Protection Bar
Comfort Package: Keyless Ride, Gear Shift Assistant Pro, Central Locking System, Anti-Theft Alarm System
Motorcycle specs
Brand | 2023 BMW K1600B | Honda Goldwing DCT | 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited 117 (FLTRKSE) |
Price | Price – $41,125.00 Price Guide (Excl. Govt. Charges) | $41,999* Price Guide (Excl. Govt. Charges) | $64,995 Price Guide (Ride Away) |
Details | |||
Bike Type | Road | Road | Road |
Series | K 1600 | GoldWing | Touring |
Colours | Black Storm Metallic (ND2) or Manhattan Metallic Matt (N3M) | Matte Jeans Blue | Heirloom Fade |
Country of Origin | Germany | Japan | USA |
Limited Edition | No | No | Yes |
Engine | |||
Engine Capacity | 1649 cc | 1833 cc | 1923cc |
Engine Type | Piston | Piston | Piston |
Engine Stroke | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Bore X Stroke | 72.0 mm X 67.3mm | 73mm X 73mm | 102mm X 114.3 mm |
Cam Type | DOHC (Double Over Head Cam) | SOHC (Single Over Head Cam) | OHV (Over Head Valves) |
Cylinders | 6 | 6 | 2 |
Valves Per Cylinder | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Compression Ratio | 12.2:1 | 10.5:1 | 10.2:1 |
Induction System | Aspirated | Aspirated | Aspirated |
Induction Type | EIPI – Electronic Intake Pipe Injection | PGM-FI Programmed fuel injection; TbW (Throttle By Wire) | ESPFI – Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection |
Cooling | Liquid & Oil | Liquid | Liquid & Oil |
Maximum Power | 118 kW | 91kw | 78.3 kW |
Maximum Power RPM | 6750 | 5500 | 5450 |
Maximum Torque | 180 Nm | 170 Nm | 166 Nm |
Maximum Torque RPM | 5250 | 5500 | 3500 |
Electrics | |||
Engine Voltage | 12 Volt | 12 Volt | 12 Volt |
Charging Method | Alternator & Regulator-Rectifier | Alternator & Regulator-Rectifier | Alternator & Regulator-Rectifier |
Power Outlet (12V) | Standard | Standard | |
LED Lighting | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Fuel | |||
Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
Recommended RON | 95 | 95 | 95 |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 26.5 L | 21.0 L | 22.7 L |
Fuel Reserve Capacity | 4.00 L | 3.80 L | |
Transmission | |||
Transmission Description | Helical | 3rd Generation DCT; Foraward & Reverse Walking modes | Cruise drive |
Drive Type | Shaft | Shaft | Belt |
Gear Type | Manual | DCT | Manual |
Gear Number | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Clutch Type | Oil bath; Multi-disc | N/A | Wet; 10-plate; Assist & Slip; Hydraulic operation |
Quick Shift | Standard | N/A | N/A |
Chassis & Suspension | |||
Frame Material | Cast aluminium | Cast aluminium | Two-piece stamped & welded backbone; cast & forged junctions; twin downtubes; bolt-on rear frame with forged fender supports; MIG welding |
Rake (Caster Angle) | 106.40 degrees | 26.00 degrees | |
Side Stand | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Centre Stand | Standard | N/A | N/A |
Front Suspension | BMW Motorrad Duolever; Central spring strut | Double wishbone; Showa shock absorber | Dual Bending Valve telescopic fork |
Front Suspension Travel | 115.0 mm | 110.0 mm | 117.0 mm |
Rear Suspension | BMW Motorrad Paralever | Pro-Link swingarm; Manually adjustable preload | Hand adjustable twin shock asorbers |
Rear Suspension Travel | 125.0 mm | 105.0 mm | 76.0 mm |
Electronic Suspension Adjustment | Standard | N/A | N/A |
Swingarm Description | Single Sided Incorporating Drive Shaft | Single Sided Incorporating Drive Shaft | Mild steel; two-piece drawn & welded section; forged junctions; MIG welding |
Brakes | |||
Front Brake Description | Twin disc; Fixed calipers; Hydraulic; BMW Motorrad ABS | Twin fully floating discs; Hydraulic; Combined electroncially controlled ABS (D-CBS) | Twin Floating rotors/discs; Fixed calipers; Hydraulic; ABS |
Front Brake Caliper(s) | Four Piston | Six Piston | Four Piston |
Front Brake Diameter | 320.0 mm | 320.0 mm | 300.0 mm |
Rear Brake Description | Single disc; Hydraulic; ABS | Single disc; Hydraulic; Combined electroncially controlled ABS (D-CBS) | Single fixed rotor/disc; Fixed caliper; Hydraulic; ABS |
Rear Brake Caliper(s) | Double Piston | Three Piston | Four Piston |
Rear Brake Diameter | 320.0 mm | 316.0 mm | 300.0 mm |
ABS | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Linked Braking System | Standard | Standard | No |
Wheels & Tyres | |||
Wheel Type | Cast aluminium | Cast aluminium | Gloss Black & Contrast Chrome Tomahawk |
Wheel Size Front | 3.5×17″ (88.9×431.8mm) | BW 130/60B19 61H | |
Wheel Size Rear | 6.0×17″ (152.4×431.8mm) | BW 180/55B18 80H | |
Rear Tyre | 190/55-ZR17″ | 180/60R-16″ | 180/55-B18″ (80H) Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, bias blackwall |
Front Tyre | 120/70-ZR17″ | 130/70R-18″ | 130/80-B19″ (61H) Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, bias blackwall |
Dimensions & Weights | |||
Length | 2489 mm | 2475 mm | 2570 mm |
Width | 1000 mm | 904.24 mm | |
Height | 1465 mm | 1445 mm | |
Wheelbase | 1618 mm | 1695 mm | 1625 mm |
Ground Clearance | 146.0 mm | 130.0 mm | 130.0 mm |
Wet / Operational Weight | 343.0 kg | 364.00 kg | 437.0 kg |
Seat Height | 780 mm | 745 mm | 760 mm |
Seating Capacity | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Warranty & Servicing | |||
Warranty in Months from First Registration | 60 Months (5 years) | 24 Months (2 years) | 24 Months (2 years) |
Safety & Security | |||
Traction Control | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Rider Modes | 3 | 4 | No |
Hill Hold | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Engine Immobiliser | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Alarm | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Lock Type | Central Locking | Central Locking | Central Locking |
Instruments & Controls | |||
Instruments / Dash Description | 10.25-Inch Color-TFT display with connectivity and integrated map-navigation (by BMW Motorrad Connected App) | Analogue Gauges and 7″ Full colour TFT liquid crystal 3D display | Custom gauges styled to complement each CVO vehicle. New Boom! Box 6.5GT audio system with GPS & touchscreen |
Convenience | |||
Seating Position | Relaxed | Upright | Relaxed |
Heated Seats | Standard | No | Standard |
Heated Hand Grips | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Tyre Pressure Sensors | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Cruise Control | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Saddlebags/Panniers | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Top Box | No | No | Standard |
Windscreen | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Backrest – Rider | No | Option | Standard |
Backrest – Pillion | No | Option | Standard |
Audio/Visual Communications | |||
Bluetooth | Via BMW App | Standard | Standard |
iPOD Connectivity | Via BMW App | Standard | Standard |
MP3 Capatible | Via BMW App | Standard | Standard |
USB Connectivity | Via BMW App | Standard | Standard |
Apple CarPlay | No | Standard | Standard |
Android Auto | No | Standard | No |