GL 1500 Gold Wing SE

1998 Honda GL 1500 Gold Wing SE Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Honda for the touring motorcycle segment, the 1998 Honda GL 1500 Gold Wing SE pairs a 1520 cc (92.8 cu in) liquid-cooled six cylinder boxer, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 100 HP (73 kW) at 5,200 rpm while maximum torque reaches 150 Nm (110.6 lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 65.8 HP per liter and a 1,200 rpm working window between peak torque (4,000 rpm) and peak power (5,200 rpm), the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the GL 1500 Gold Wing SE measures 372 kg (820 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.27 HP/kg (3.72 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 740 mm (29.1 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 3 indexed model years from 1996 to 1998, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.