he GW 1800 cc engine is like a smooth rocket.
When the Harley M8 engine was first designed in 2016, and they put it on a bike, the HD engineers decided it was way too smooth, riders "can't even tell they are on a motorcycle". No way would Harley put up with that!
See here.
"When an engine with complete vibration cancellation was tested, riders rejected it; "
So they changed the engine balancing from 100% to 75% so their riders "would know they are on a motorcycle".
There's a right way, a wrong way and the Harley way to design a motorcycle.
But I would love to have tried out the 100% balanced bike, but they never had any for sale. I wonder how it would have compared to the Honda GW.
But I have to admit that my 2017 Harley RoadGlide Ultra has a very good feel to it. Not a bit harsh, unlike any other Harley. It's just enough vibration to tell that I am on a motorcycle, has a great feel as is. IMO, they did a great job with that bike. Before it, I hated every Harley I tried, and I have ridden many.
But I will always wonder how that 100% balancing would feel like and which I would prefer. Can a touring motorcycle be too smooth? I am undecided. I would have to try them both to know.
For a very long trip, my 2017 Harley RoadGlide is the most comfy bike I have ever been on. I always take it when I will be riding more than a few hundred miles per day.
-Don- Ashland, OR