Motorcycle specifications SouoS 2000 GL 2024 The immense wings of China

It's not often that a big new GT arrives on the motorcycle scene. These heavy, opulent vessels are the pinnacle of the touring machine, with often prestigious mechanicals: the Goldwing with a flat 6-cylinder, the BMW K 1600 with an in-line 6, the Harley Road Glide and Street Glide with a huge, legendary V2.
A Chinese manufacturer invites itself to the court with an incredible model: Souo presents a majestic motorcycle equipped, hang on, with an 8-cylinder!

It's called the S 2000 GL. A name as simple as its ambitions. With such a motorization, Souo shows that China is not only a player in the prestigious machine league, but that it also wants to be one step ahead. The engine layout is the same as that of the Goldwing, with two additional combustion chambers and a few extra cm3.

Two pairs of 4-cylinders promise exceptional smoothness and flexibility. The cylinder heads each feature two overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder. The flat layout saves space while keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. At 1999 cm3, torque should be more than copious, while power will be exceptionally elastic... if the Chinese motorists can calibrate an injection system to match this block.

It is mated to a gearbox with technology similar to that of the Honda. A dual-clutch automatic transmission with 8 gears (1 more than the GL), backed up by an electric reverse gear. The Chinese vessel is a few kilos heavier than its Japanese sibling, but its superior power will compensate for the extra weight. The 8-cylinder Boxer develops 152 hp, 26 more than the Honda engine. A generous hand to lift 461 kg. God, it's heavy...! But we're not comparing mass to weight anymore. The driving balance is more convincing.

Threatening as much as majestic with its size, the S 2000 GL has a "lion's dance" design. If we can't separate a certain search for identity from its look, its shapes instinctively remind us of the Honda GoldWing Tour and/or the Yamaha Star Venture Transcontinental.

Like them, the Souo promises an exceptional level of comfort: large suitcases and top-case, senatorial seating, heated seats and handles, large electrically adjustable windscreen, cruise control, 8-speaker sound system, collision warning, blind spot sensor, huge 12.3-inch color TFT screen and electronic suspension.

As far as suspension is concerned, the tourer uses a fork that is technically close to Honda's (a major source of inspiration, we'd say). No fork, but two arms linked to a Hossack-style linkage system (a copy of the Fior system). The rear is more conventional, with a single shock absorber. Braking is handled by Brembo, with 4-piston radial calipers.
The Souo S 2000 GL is also equipped with automatic parking brake and headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition and traction control.

Yamaha 1800 Star Venture Transcontinental vs Souo S 2000 GL - Family resemblance!?!

A bagger-style ST version is expected to follow. There's also talk of a cruiser, halfway between the Triumph Rocket III and the old Honda 1800 Rune Valkyrie.

But is it possible for a young brand with strong backbones to launch itself immediately into a category as demanding as that of Grand Touring? Don't panic: behind Souo is the carmaker Great Wall Motor, with a market capitalization of some thirty billion dollars.

No mention has been made of the price. But it's safe to assume that the S 2000 GL will adopt a far more advantageous pricing policy than the Japanese references in Europe. For the same level of satisfaction? Definitely different. Measuring up? We'll have to wait and see.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos