BMW R 1300 RT vs Honda Gold Wing
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
BMW R 1300 RT vs Honda Gold Wing. BMW R 1300 RT: 145 hp (107 kW) hp, 584 lbs (265 kg) weight, top speed ~130 mph (electronically limited), Motoryk rating 8.5/10. Honda Gold Wing: 126 hp @ 5,500 rpm (2018+ GL1800) hp, 383 kg (curb weight, 2018+ GL1800 with DCT and airbag; base manual approx. 365 kg) weight, top speed 180–200 km/h (electronically influenced; est. ~190 km/h for GL1800), Motoryk rating 8.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
BMW R 1300 RT
Honda Gold Wing
Horsepower (hp)
145 hp
126 hp
Torque (Nm)
110 Nm
170 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
130 km/h
180 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
584 kg
383 kg
Type
Touring
Touring
Horsepower
145 hp (107 kW)
126 hp @ 5,500 rpm (2018+ GL1800)
Torque
110 lb-ft (149 Nm)
170 Nm @ 4,500 rpm (2018+ GL1800)
Top Speed
~130 mph (electronically limited)
180–200 km/h (electronically influenced; est. ~190 km/h for GL1800)
Weight
584 lbs (265 kg)
383 kg (curb weight, 2018+ GL1800 with DCT and airbag; base manual approx. 365 kg)
Fuel
—
6.0–7.0 L/100km (approximately 14–17 km/L, based on 2018+ GL1800 real-world average)
Fairing
Yes
Yes
Individual Reviews
BMW R 1300 RT
8.5/10
"The best sport-tourer available, if running costs don't terrify you."
Pros
+Exceptional real-world wind protection
+Punchy, refined 1300cc boxer
+Semi-active suspension transforms comfort
Cons
−Expensive dealer servicing costs
−Complex electronics frustrate DIY owners
−Heavy low-speed maneuvering
Honda Gold Wing
8.5/10
"The gold standard in touring bikes, if you can handle the weight."
Pros
+Bulletproof Honda reliability record
+Unmatched long-haul comfort
+DCT transmission genuinely clever
Cons
−Punishing weight in slow traffic
−Expensive tire replacements
−Common tip-over fairing damage
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
