Enthusiasts of the Honda Gold Wing motorcycle have waited a long time for this day, and now it is finally here, as Honda has finally brought a new Gold Wing to market – the sixth generation of this iconic motorcycle.
The 2018 model comes in two flavors, a bagger version which Big Red is calling the Honda Gold Wing, and a touring version, which is aptly named the Honda Gold Wing Tour.
Both of the 2018 models are all-new motorcycle designs, with virtually no part of the machines being shared with the previous generation bike, and both built around a brand new six-cylinder engine.
Focused around a more compact design, the 2018 Honda Gold Wing is staggeringly lighter than before, with roughly 90 lbs of bulk removed from its mass.
Honda has achieved this through a number of ways: a more compact engine, a new front-end suspension system, and a focus of design that puts a premium on weight savings.
This has lead to interesting innovations, like the integration of the starter motor and engine generator. The aerodynamics have also been improved, by a massive 12%.
Gold Wing fans will be happy to hear that the engine remains a horizontally opposed six-cylinder design (no, it’s not a hybrid), though now it comes with four valves per cylinder.
The flat-six engine has also been updated with Honda’s latest technology, and thus is now 20% more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
As a result of this fuel economy savings, the fuel tank on the new Gold Wing has been decreased by 1.1 gallons, though the range on the motorcycle has not been affected by this change.
Honda has also released its third-generation dual-clutch transmission (DCT) on the Honda Gold Wing, which through mechanical and electronic changes is more refined for touring duty, quicker to engage, and smoother in operation.
The optional dual-clutch transmission comes as a seven-speed gearbox, though a six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard.
The front suspension does away with the standard fork setup, and instead uses a double-wishbown front suspension that is very similar to the Hossack design.
This more compact design allows for the engine on the Gold Wing to be moved further forward on the motorcycle, thus making the chassis more compact.
The throttle is ride-by-wire, which means that Honda can now employ a suite of electronics on its flagship model, such as four different riding modes and traction control (better known as Honda Selectable Torque Control, or HSTC).
LED lights, cruise control, and hill start assist are also standard items on both model variants, while the Honda Gold Wing Tour comes fitted with an electronic suspension system.
A full infotainment system is standard, and includes Apple CarPlay and GPS navigation (free map updates for 10 years, too).
On the Honda Gold Wing Tourer, an airbag-equipped model is available as well, which features a design that has been massively updated from its previous iteration.
All of this comes with a three-year warranty, with an optional 5 year warranty from Honda, for a total of 8 years of warranty protection.
Available in February 2018 in American dealerships, the Honda Gold Wing is priced at $23,500 for the six-speed standard transmission, and $24,700 for the seven-speed DCT.
The Honda Gold Wing Tour will cost more however – $26,700 for the base model, $27,700 for the DCT, and $31,500 for the DCT Airbag version – and will also be available in the USA, starting in February 2018.
2018 Honda Gold Wing Tour:
Honda Gold Wing:
Details:
Source: Honda
Comments