New Engine Details Out For Great Wall Souo Tourers

The Great Wall Souo S2000ST and S2000GL heavyweight touring motorcycles from this chinese brand are readying themselves to go up against the Honda Gold Wing. There are new details regarding the engine specs and performance and we have some speculations about these.

The Great Wall Souo bikes have a rather unique power plant layout. It is the world's first purpose-built flat-eight motorcycle engine. With a displacement of 1999cc, it dwarfs the Gold Wing's 1833 cc six-cylinder engine. While the Great Wall Souo produces a respectable 152 bhp, its true strength lies in its low-end torque.

In addition to the horsepower figure, a breakdown of the engine's code name (GW8P68MYL) offers some insights into its internal design. The "GW" confirms it's a Great Wall Motors creation, and the "8" signifies the eight cylinders. The "68" refers to the cylinder bore size in millimetres (mm). When combined with the engine's total displacement, this suggests a near-square bore and stroke ratio, another indicator that the Souo prioritises low-end torque for a powerful and relaxed riding experience. This design philosophy prioritises grunt over screaming peak horsepower figures, translating to a potentially more relaxed and powerful riding experience at lower revs.

However, the bigger engine also leads to more added weight. The S2000ST weighs a hefty 450 kg, a significant 86 kg more than a standard Gold Wing. The fully loaded S2000GL tips the scales at 460 kg, outweighing the Gold Wing Tour by 77 kg.

The Souo's larger dimensions could translate to a more spacious riding experience for rider and passenger. The 45mm advantage in wheelbase might also contribute to a stable ride, especially when traversing uneven terrain. Additionally, the extra width could provide more legroom for the rider and potentially allow for larger saddlebags and other storage compartments. At the end of it it should end up looking like a mammoth.

Both Great Wall Tourers come equipped with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. They can provide smoother and faster gear changes, which can be especially beneficial in stop-and-go traffic or when manoeuvring at low speeds. Honda does not have a DCT on the Gold wing but it has it on the Africa Twin ADV

Whether bigger translates to better remains to be seen. We are eager to find out how this new behemoth of a cruiser does in the real world. It is a big claim to go against the undisputed leader of cruiser motorcycles. It will also be interesting to see if Honda responds by re-claiming the heavyweight touring crown with an even larger machine. One thing is certain, the competition in the heavyweight touring segment is heating up, and riders are the ultimate beneficiaries of this innovation.