BMW R 18 vs Harley-Davidson FLSTSE3 CVO Softail Convertible (2026)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BMW R 18stacks up against the Harley-Davidson FLSTSE3 CVO Softail Convertible. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecBMW R 18Harley-Davidson FLSTSE3 CVO Softail Convertible
Model year20262012
Price$18,000$26,699
Engine1802 cc1803 cc
Horsepower91 hp
Torque158 Nm142 Nm
Weight345 kg345 kg
Seat height690 mm24 mm
Fuel capacity16.0 L5.0 L
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission6-speed manual6-speed
Front brakesDual 300mm discsSingle disc. 4-piston calipers. ABS.
Rear brakesSingle 300mm discSingle disc. 4-piston caliper. ABS.
Tires120/70-19 front, 180/65-16 rear130/70-R18 / 200/50-R18

BMW R 18 vs Harley-Davidson FLSTSE3 CVO Softail Convertible — which should you buy?

Picking between the BMW R 18 and the Harley-Davidson FLSTSE3 CVO Softail Convertible usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BMW R 18 brings 91 hp in a 345 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson FLSTSE3 CVO Softail Convertible counters with its own power figure at 345 kg. On price, the BMW R 18 has the lower MSRP.

Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: