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
Overview
Engine, electrics, Fuel and Transmisson
Chassis & Suspension, Brakes and Wheels & Tyres
Dimensions & Weights, Warranty & Servicing, Safety & Security and Instruments & Controlls
Convenience and Audio/Visual Communications
Overview
| 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, electrics, Fuel and Transmisson
| 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, Brakes and Wheels & Tyres
| 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, Warranty & Servicing, Safety & Security and Instruments & Controlls
| 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 and Audio/Visual Communications
| 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 |
