Sportbike Bagger

Sportbike Bagger

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This all started with our recent Bagger Battle between the two juggernauts in the field: The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special and the Indian Challenger Limited. In just nine days, that story garnered enough views on MO to make it our ninth-most read story of 2019 – and it was posted on December 23rd!

All that traffic got us thinking about how these two American giants stack up to the rest of the bagger field, although long-time MO readers might remember we've already done something similar – the Big Dam Tour shootout of 2018. Back then we actually rode all the bikes in the field, which consisted of:

• BMW K1600 B
• Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
• Kawasaki Vaquero
• Harley-Davidson Street Glide
• Harley-Davidson Road Glide
• Moto Guzzi MGX-21
• Yamaha Eluder

In lieu of the logistical nightmare that is putting seven motorcycles together for a test – especially since we've already ridden all of them – in this spec chart comparison we're going to swap the Indian and two Harleys for the Challenger Limited and updated Road Glide, respectively, and take a look at the numbers. All the other bikes in the field haven't changed much, if at all, since we rode them in 2018, which should give us a chance to see how far the new Harley and Indian have leapfrogged the field – or if they simply inch away.

Engines

Let's get right to the heart of the matter here. Engines define a motorcycle, and nowhere is this more true than in the cruiser category. Making this comparison interesting is the wide array of engine sizes in this match-up. Bringing up the rear of the field is the Moto Guzzi, with a "paltry" 1380cc – mounted transversely, no less! But what the MG lacks in displacement it makes up with a total of eight valves, four spark plugs, and a huge 104mm cylinder bore – second only to the Indian's 108mm cylinders. The result is 78.9 hp at 8000 rpm, more than the Kawasaki (68.7 hp) and Yamaha (75.2 hp). Of course, the tradeoff is a torque figure of 72.7 lb-ft at 2400 rpm. Last in this group by a wide margin.

From there the other V-Twins bump up in displacement quite a bit, starting with the 1700cc Kawasaki Vaquero, 1769cc Indian, 1854cc Yamaha, up to the 1868cc Harley Davidson. What's impressive here is how much horsepower the Indian punches – 95.0 hp at 5,000 rpm – despite its small-ish engine.  [We should note here that the Challenger MO dynoed had significantly lower numbers and didn't rev as high as those in other magazine's tests. Indian tells us our tester was a "preproduction" unit, whose ECU cut the spark at 5000 rpm. The PowerPlus engine is supposed to make max horsepower at 5500 rpm (122 crankshaft hp), and redline at 6500. – Ed.] Liquid-cooling definitely helps, as does its single overhead cam (instead of power-robbing pushrods), eight valves, and aforementioned 108mm pistons. Also huge in this category is its sportbike-like 11.0:1 compression ratio. On the torque front, its 111.9 lb-ft at 3,300 rpm is the most in this group, including the six-cylinders!

Ah, yes. The duo of six-cylinders. Both BMW and Honda come into this segment with the K1600B and Gold Wing, respectively, boasting not one, but six pistons going up and down. The BMW is the smaller of the two, at 1649cc, with the Honda coming in at 1833cc. If you've been paying close attention, the Harley Road Glide, while down four cylinders, trumps both of the metric machines in displacement. No matter, as both the BMW and Honda trounce all the others in the field with measured horsepower numbers of 131.8 and 102.1, respectively. Torque numbers are close, with the K1600B pulling 106 lb-ft and the Honda at 106.4 lb-ft.

Of course, the riding dynamics of a V-Twin versus a six-cylinder are vastly different, as explained in the Big Dam Tour story above. While the V-Twins deliver a rumbling pulse, the BMW and Honda give you silky smooth refinement. Hammer on the throttle, though, and the torque will quickly whisk you away, no matter what you're on.

Considering the Bagger Battle and Big Dam Tour stories reveal all there is to know about the respective machines, the real question is how the new Road Glide and Challenger stack up against the old guard in the bagger category. Judging by the numbers, both bikes more than hold their own (except against the six-bangers). Especially the Indian. It seems remarkable what the Challenger can pull off despite its displacement deficit. The scorecard ratings reflect this, too. Despite being scored during separate tests, both the Harley and Indian engines tied in the ratings at 87.5%, far surpassing the 79.8% the highest-ranking BMW scored in the Big Dam test.

Suspension/Ride

Honda Gold Wing's front suspension

When it comes to suspension and ride quality, there are no big revelations the Harley or Indian bring to the table. The Harley rides on a 49mm fork with twin shocks in the rear while Indian went for inverted forks 43mm in diameter and just a single shock out back. The others similarly follow suit with telescopic forks and shocks. Once again, the BMW and Honda stand out – BMW for its Duolever front suspension and the Gold Wing for its double wishbone front end. For a bagger's intended purpose, shredding miles in comfort, it could be argued either method of quelling road imperfections is better than your standard fork/shock combo.

In the real world, the V-Twins still perform well. As Evans explains: "While you can tell the difference between the non-traditional front ends and the old, reliable telescopic fork (of both the standard or inverted variety), the front suspensions of all the bikes are more than capable of handling the rigors of travel – both on the interstate and two-lane highway. However, what truly differentiates the suspensions of these bikes is the shocks. The quality of these baggers' ride breaks down pretty much where you'd expect it to once you look at the specs for the rear suspension travel. The Harley ranks dead last, and with 2.1 inches of travel, it should come as no surprise. With the rest of the baggers having 50%-100+% more rear suspension travel, the results pretty much sort themselves out by the length of the stroke that the shock(s) have to deal with road conditions. Not surprisingly, the BMW and the Honda, with their transcontinental touring bike roots, smooth the hard knocks the best."

Fuel Capacity

Baggers are meant to shred miles, right? To do that you need a lot of gas in the tank. Looking down the line, we see the BMW leading the way with its massive 7-gallon tank. The Yamaha's 6.6-gallon capacity is a close second, with the new Road Glide and Challenger tied at 6 gallons. Ever since it was introduced, Honda was criticized for equipping the new Gold Wing with only 5.5 gallons (Honda says the new Wing is more efficient than the last, cancelling out the slight drop in capacity from before), but this is still more than the Moto Guzzi (5.4 gallons) and the Kawasaki (5.3 gallons). In our testing, which typically features heavy right hands, here's what kind of real-world mileage we've seen from each bagger:

Motorcycle	Fuel Mileage (mpg)
BMW K1600B	38
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special	42
Honda Gold Wing	41
Indian Challenger	40
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero	38
Moto Guzzi MGX-21	33
Yamaha Star Eluder	40

As you can see, despite the Honda's 5.5 gallons, the Wing's increased efficiency is more than just marketing fluff, scoring the second-best fuel mileage in the group. Only the new Road Glide bests it, and only by one solitary mile. With a result that close, they're basically nill. Despite its heft, the Yamaha's still able to nab 40 mpgs. Impressive. Way in the rear of the pack is the Guzzi, maybe because you need to wring its neck and keep the revs up to stay with the group and have fun. Of course, more revs means more gas.

Weight

When it comes to heft, "only" 106 pounds seperates the lightest bike here, the BMW, from the Yamaha at the other end of the weight spectrum. It's slightly more remarkable considering the K16 has three times the number of cylinders as the Eluder. But the K16 also utilizes lighter plastic compared to the gobs of metal on the Yamaha. After the BMW comes the Guzzi (795 lbs), then the Honda. The Road Glide (847 lbs) and Challenger (835 lbs) are among the heavier bikes here, with the Kawi slotting in just behind the Harley at 845 lbs. Generally speaking, light makes right on a motorcycle, but if ever there was a category where poundage was a non-issue, it's this one. Who cares what it weighs; as long as it looks cool and stirs the soul.

Electronics

Isn't it funny how motorcycles were meant to be an escape from the imaginative, figurative, hopefully not literal, and now electronic chains of everyday life? Now all the rage is connecting your motorcycle to your devices so you can keep tabs on your electronic life via dashboard display. Like it or not, motorcycle electronics are continuing to evolve. Below are just some of the ways each individual motorcycle embraces the 21st century.

Motorcycle	Electronics
BMW K1600B	Audio system with Satellite Radio and Bluetooth, Hill Start Control Pro, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Central Locking/Anti-Theft Alarm, Dynamic ESA, Ride Modes, Cruise Control, Multifunction Display, On-Board Computer, Auto-leveling Headlamp
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special	Electronic cruise control, Boom! Box GTS audio system with GPS and 6.5" full color TFT touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and voice recognition, USB connect and electric power accessory port, H-D Connect service, Reflex Electronic Linked Brakes with ABS. Optional Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) including Cornering Enhanced ABS (C-ABS), Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS), Drag-Torque Slip Control (DSCS), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Honda Gold Wing	Homelink (garage door opener), Apple Carplay, Tire Pressure Monitor, Cruise Control, Navigation
Indian Challenger	Lean-sensitive traction control and ABS, Cruise Control, Navigation (with traffic and weather overlays), Ride Planning and Tracking (via phone app), Glove-compatible 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero	AM/FM/WB audio system with iPod and SiriusXM radio compatibility, Cruise Control,
Moto Guzzi MGX-21	Ride Modes, ABS, Traction Control (3 level), Cruise Control, AM/FM Stereo, Bluetooth, MG-MP phone app,
Yamaha Star Eluder	7-inch Color LCD Touchscreen, Bluetooth, GPS Navigation (optional), CB Radio (optional), Satellite weather and traffic (optional)

Price

On the surface, all seven of these baggers seem to be on a fairly even playing field as far as base price goes, with the Kawasaki's $16,799 being the least expensive and the DCT version of the Honda Gold Wing bringing up the other end of the price scale. But let's not fool ourselves into thinking anyone would buy a base version of any of these. Depending how wild you want to go, with the exception of the Moto Guzzi and Kawasaki, each of these models can be accessorized to the moon from the factory, and the resulting price tag can knock on the door of 40-large. And that doesn't include accessories you can find in the aftermarket…

Motorcycle	Base Price
BMW K1600B	$20,095
Harley-Davidson Road Glide	$21,699
Honda Gold Wing	$23,800 (6-speed), $25,000 (DCT)
Indian Challenger	$21,999
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero	$16,799
Moto Guzzi MGX-21	$21,990
Yamaha Star Eluder	$22,499 – $23,999

What Have We Learned Here?

If ever the saying "Different strokes for different folks" applies, it certainly does here. Seven different interpretations of a bagger – some traditional, others not – all excelling in their own ways. However, the point of this spec chart comparison was to see how the new Harley Road Glide and Indian Challenger slotted in with the pack. It shouldn't have been much of a surprise, but the two are standouts in this category. Their combination of style, power, refinement and technology continue to be the benchmark others rate themselves against. But what do you think? Are the Road Glide and Challenger top dogs, or have we completely missed the boat (again)? Let us know below.

Specifications

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  2020 Baggers Spec Chart Comparison
  Specifications	2019 BMW K1600B	2019 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special	2020 Honda Gold Wing	2019 Indian Challenger	2019 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS	2019 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress	2018 Yamaha Star Eluder
  MSRP	$20,095 base	21,699 base	$23,800 (6-speed) / $25,000 (DCT)	$21,999 base	$16,799 base	21990	$22,499-$23,999
  Engine Type	Liquid cooled, inline 6-cylinder, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication	Twin-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight 114 45° V-Twin	Horizontally opposed six-cylinder, four valves per cylinder, single overhead Unicam, finger-follower rocker arm on intake, roller-rocker arm on exhaust	Liquid-Cooled SOHC 60° V-Twin; 4 valves/cylinder, 108 cu in	52° V-twin, liquid-cooled	Air and oil-cooled 90° V-Twin, 4-valve, dual spark ignition per cylinder	Air-cooled OHV V-twin; 8 valves
  Displacement	1649cc	1868cc	1833cc	1769cc	1700cc	1380cc	1854cc
  Bore x stroke	72.0 mm x 67.5 mm	102.0 mm x 114.3 mm	73.0 mm x 73.0 mm	108.0 mm x 96.5 mm	102.0 mm x 104.0 mm	104.0 mm x 81.2 mm	100.0 mm x 118.0 mm
  Fuel Delivery	Electronic fuel injection with ride-by-wire throttle system	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)	EFI, 50mm throttle body	Electronic fuel injection, closed loop/52 mm dual bore	DFI 42mm throttle bodies	Phased electronic Multipoint sequential injection, Magneti Marelli IAW7SM, "ride by wire", 52 mm throttle body, IWP 243 Magneti Marelli injectors, double oxygen sensor, integrated management of 3 engine mappings, traction control, cruise control	Yamaha Fuel Injection with YCC-T and D-Mode
  Compression ratio	12.2:1	10.0:1	10.5:1	11.0 : 1	9.5:1	10.5 : 1	9.5:1
  Peak hp, Dynojet 250 rear wheel	131.8 hp @ 8000 rpm	80.0 hp @ 4700 rpm	102.1 hp at 5500 rpm (measured)	95.0 hp @ 5000 rpm	68.7 hp @ 5300 rpm	78.9 hp @ 6600 rpm	75.2 hp @ 4300 rpm
  Peak Torque	106.0 @ 5200 rpm	106.8 lb-ft @ 2900 rpm	106.4 lb-ft. at 4200 rpm (measured)	111.9 lb-ft @ 3300 rpm	87.9 ft-lb @ 3200 rpm	72.7 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm	105.8 lb-ft @2800 rpm
  Transmission	Constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical cut gears, multi-plate wet clutch, hydraulically operated	6-speed	6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic DCT w/ Walking Mode F/R	6-speed; wet, multi-plate	6-speed with overdrive and positive neutral finder	6-speed, dry single plate clutch with flexible couplings	6-speed; multiplate assist and slipper wet clutch
  Final Drive	Shaft drive	Belt	Shaft	Belt	Carbon fiber-reinforced belt	Double cardan joint and fixed bevel gear seat	Belt
  Front suspension	BMW Motorrad Duolever; central spring strut, 4.5 inches travel	49mm conventional fork	Double-wishbone front-suspension system w/ Showa shock absorber, 4.3 in. travel	Inverted telescopic fork, 43 mm diameter, 5.1 in (130 mm) travel	45mm hydraulic fork, 5.5 inches travel	Standard fork , 46 mm	46mm telescopic fork; 5.1-in travel
  Rear suspension	BMW Motorrad Paralever, 4.9 inches travel	Dual emulsion-style shocks, hydraulically adjustable preload on left shock	Pro-Link system w/ Showa shock absorber, 4.1 in. travel	Single shock 4.5 in (114 mm) travel, hydraulic adjustable	Swingarm with twin air-assisted shocks, with 4-way rebound damping, 3.1 inches travel	Double shock absorber with adjustable rebound and remote spring preload	Single shock with remote preload adjustment; 4.3-in travel
  Front Brake	Dual floating disc brakes, 4-piston fixed calipers, diameter 320 mm, ABS	Dual 320mm, four-piston calipers	Two radially mounted 6-piston Nissin calipers w/ 320mm rotors, electronically controlled combined ABS	Dual 320 mm floating rotors with 4-piston calipers, ABS	Dual 300mm discs, dual four-piston calipers, K-ACT II ABS	Dual 320 mm stainless steel floating discs, Brembo radial callipers with 4 horizontally opposed pistons: ABS as standard equipment	Dual hydraulic disc, 298mm; Unified Brake System and ABS
  Rear Brake	Single disc brake, diameter 320mm, dual-piston caliper, ABS	320mm, four-piston caliper	3-piston Nissin caliper w/ 316mm rotor, electronically controlled combined ABS	Single 298 mm floating rotor with 2-piston caliper, ABS	Single 300mm disc, twin-piston caliper, K-ACT II ABS	282mm stainless steel discs, Brembo floating caliper with 2 pistons: ABS as standard	Hydraulic disc, 320mm; Unified Brake System and ABS
  Front Tire	120/70 ZR 17	BW 130/80B17 65H	130/70-18	Metzeler Cruisetec, 130/60B19 66H	130/90×16	120/70-R21 62V	130/70R18 Bridgestone Exedra
  Rear Tire	190/55 ZR 17	BW 180/65B16 81H	200/55-R16	Metzeler Cruisetec, 180/60R16 80H	170/70×16	180/60-R16 80H	200/55R16 Bridgestone Exedra
  Rake/Trail	??/4.2 inches	26°/6.7 in.	30.5°/4.3 in.	25°/5.9 in.	30°/7.0 in	27.8°/4.9 inches	31.0°/5.7 inches
  Wheelbase	63.7 inches	64.0 inches	66.7 in	65.7 in.	65.6 in	66.7 in.	67.6 inches
  Measured Weight	768 lb	847 lb	806 lbs (DCT, measured)	835 pounds	845 lb	795 lb	874 lb
  Storage Capacity	19.5 gal.	16.9 gal. total	7.9 gal.	>18 gal.	19.2 gal.	15.2 gal.	18.8 gal.
  Seat height	Standard: 30.7 in., Low Seat: 29.5 in.	29.0 in.	29.3 in.	26.5 in.	28.7 in	29.1 in. (28.3 in. option)	27.4 in.
  Fuel Capacity	7.0 gal.	6 gal	5.5 gal.	6 gal.	5.3 gal	5.4 gal.	6.6 gal.
  Fuel Economy	38 mpg	42 mpg	41 mpg	40 mpg	38 mpg	33 mpg	40 mpg
  Available Colors	Black Storm Metallic	Vivid Black, River Rock Gray, Billiard Red, Barracuda Silver Denim, Scorched Orange/Silver Flux, Zephyr Blue/Black Sunglo	Candy Ardent Red Matte Majestic Silver Pearl Stallion Brown	Titanium Metallic, Thunder Black Smoke, Sandstone Smoke, White Smoke, Thunder Black Pearl, Deepwater Metallic, Ruby Metallic	Metallic Spark Black	Black	Impact Blue, Raven, Liquid Silver

Sportbike Bagger

Source: https://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2020-baggers-spec-chart-comparison

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