- Produces 151bhp and uses an 8-speed DCT
- Four variants in the pipeline
- To take on Honda Goldwing and BMW R18
Great Wall Motor (GWM) may be best known for its SUVs, pickups, and electric cars, but the Chinese automotive giant is now making serious moves in the motorcycle world. Through its new motorcycle division Souo, GWM is building a lineup designed to rival some of the biggest names in the industry.
The company’s first motorcycle, the Souo S2000 tourer, debuted last year with a bold statement of intent. Powered by a massive 1,999cc flat-eight engine producing 151 hp at 6,500 rpm, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and even a reverse gear, the S2000 was a direct challenger to the iconic Honda Gold Wing. It didn’t just compete, it aimed to surpass expectations with more cylinders, more gears, and more technology.
Now, Souo is following up with the S2000CT, a cruiser lineup recently revealed in regulatory filings and previewed ahead of CIMAMotor in China. This new family of motorcycles takes the same flat-eight platform and reimagines it as a range of heavyweight cruisers inspired by Honda’s early 2000s Rune.
Souo plans to launch four versions of the new cruiser:
LH2000-3: A stripped-down solo cruiser.
LH2000-4: Adds a passenger seat and footpegs.
LH2000-5: Bagger-style model with hard luggage and a windshield.
LH2000-6: Similar bagger design but without the windshield.
Weights range from 891 lbs (404 kg) for the base model up to 941 lbs (427 kg) for the bagger variants, all riding on the same 71.3-inch (1,810 mm) wheelbase.
While the size and specs are impressive, what truly sets these bikes apart is their engineering. Souo has disguised a Hossack-style double-wishbone front suspension to resemble a traditional telescopic fork. This approach blends classic cruiser aesthetics with advanced engineering, demonstrating that Chinese motorcycles are moving beyond imitation toward innovation.
For decades, motorcycles from China carried a reputation in the West as cheap or disposable commuter machines. With the Souo S2000 and now the S2000CT range, GWM is positioning itself alongside established global players such as Honda, BMW, and Harley-Davidson.
While these are surely interesting, will we be able to see these motorcycles in Australia and New Zealand? Only time will tell!
