BMW K 1600 GTL vs Kawasaki Vulcan S

The BMW K 1600 GTL (2026) and the Kawasaki Vulcan S (2026) are compared with the same Moto Kıyas physics model under identical conditions: flat dry asphalt, no wind, a 75 kg rider and no passenger. The BMW K 1600 GTL is a touring bike with 1,649 cc, 158.2 hp and 358 kg; the Kawasaki Vulcan S is a cruiser with 649 cc, 59.9 hp and unlisted weight. Power-to-weight with the rider: 365.5 hp/ton versus 226.5 hp/ton. On this measure the BMW K 1600 GTL is 61% ahead.

In the simulation the BMW K 1600 GTL covers 0-100 km/h (speedometer) in 3.34 s and the Kawasaki Vulcan S in 4.49 s; the BMW K 1600 GTL is quicker by 1.15 s. In the 100-0 km/h brake test, braking distance without the 0.3 s reaction time is 41.0 m for the BMW K 1600 GTL (with ABS) and 44.7 m for the Kawasaki Vulcan S (with ABS). The BMW K 1600 GTL stops 3.7 m shorter. Calculated top speed: 226 km/h (estimated from power and drag) versus 173 km/h (estimated from power and drag).

All values are an estimated simulation, not road-test measurements. Technical data comes from the sources listed below; the model uses class-average calibration (no accepted model-specific road test) for the BMW K 1600 GTL and model-specific parameters calibrated against published road tests for the Kawasaki Vulcan S. Missing manufacturer data (weight) is estimated by class regression, not measured. Open the interactive app (currently in Turkish) to watch the run side by side and change the load.