GWM Souo plotting new 1000cc motorcycles

GWM has made its name in Australia selling utes and SUVs but, like Honda, the Chinese brand also makes motorcycles. And, following the launch of its Goldwing-rivalling Souo S2000 in 2024, the company has confirmed it’s now plotting several more motorcycle models.

At a press conference following the 2025 Shanghai motor show, GWM Souo motorcycle boss Zhao Sheng Guang confirmed that several new motorbikes are inbound – but the focus will remain on high-end metal.

“Souo S2000 is our first motorcycle. But now we have a new platform. The new platform will be smaller than this [S2000] one,” said the CEO. This is good thing, given the S2000 is a 450kg touring bike that costs as much as an SUV, at around $50,000.

“Displacement will be around 1000 to 1300cc,” added the Souo boss.

It’s not clear whether the new models will be cruisers, dualsports, naked or sportsbikes, nor how far from a commercial launch they are, but clearly Souo is investing in new product and is keen to spread its wings.

“The engine will be six or four-cylinder,” confirmed Zhao, cautioning that the Chinese bike brand does not want to play in the budget end of the market.

“We don’t want to develop very small motorcycles like 450cc. It’s not our target,” he added.

While GWM Australia told bikesales the high-end Souo S2000 is not on the radar for Australia at present, it’s understood the more affordable circa-1000cc products are much more likely to roll into Aussie GWM showrooms.

“Of course we have a plan to export [the new] motorcycles into overseas countries,” stated the Souo CEO.

Related: GWM debuts all-new SOUO luxury tourer
Related: Great Wall tipped to reveal Goldwing rival at Auto China show

Right now, the only bike that GWM sells is the Souo S2000 flagship tourer, which launched the brand in spectacular style in 2024.

The imposing machine’s mechanical heart is a unique flat eight-cylinder engine.

The liquid-cooled 1999cc powerplant produces 151hp (113kW) at 6500rpm and 190Nm of torque at 4500rpm.

Power delivery is managed through an automatic eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) pumping through a shaft final drive system. It’s all bolted to an aluminium frame and features electronically adjustable and adaptive suspension, complemented by an aluminium single-sided swingarm.

With a substantial 26-litre fuel tank, it has a claimed range of around 400km. With nearly square bore and stroke dimensions (68.0mm x 68.8mm), Souo claims the fuel-injected engine achieves fuel efficiency of 5.9L/100km.

Braking is handled by twin Brembo four-piston calipers up front gripping 320mmm discs with the same again gripping the single 295mm disc at the rear – not overkill, given the bike’s 450kg mass.

It has a 740mm seat height and comes with a large touchscreen, a pumping stereo system, cruise control and all the safety tech you would expect of a bike that costs around $50,000.

Chinese pricing starts at 218,800 yuan (approximately $US30,000) which converts to around $A50,000, give or take. And that’s for the entry-level S2000.