Bike Files: Honda Gold Wing

Honda’s giga tourer is over 50 years old now but still living its best life…

Honda Gold Wing? Those big touring bikes?

You got it! When Honda’s Gold Wing was first shown to the world back in 1974, it was pitched as a kind of superbike-cum-tourer. With a 999cc engine in a flat-four configuration (like a VW Beetle) it boasted the biggest capacity engine of the time. It was aimed at the American market and they couldn’t get enough of it. The originals were quite a bit different to the ones we have today, but by the 1980s something happened which would turn the Gold Wing into a complete legend…

Which was?

The first Gold Wing, officially called the GL 1000 Gold Wing, had no fairing and no luggage capacity – however the rise in aftermarket products like panniers, top boxes and even Craig Vetter’s WindJammer fairing had seen a few ‘Wings modified with loads of accessories.

Honda saw this and the second generation Gold Wing was the first ‘full dresser’ as the Americans would go on to call them. Although there was still an unfaired option, the flagship Interstate model featured a massive fairing, top box, panniers and even the option of an on board stereo. The Americans loved it even more, and the Gold Wing gained a cult following around the world. It evolved and got bigger and more outrageous with every generation.

^{Ain't no sport bike...but handling's better than you'd expect.}

And they still make them today?

We’re on the sixth generation of Gold Wing now. The GL 1800 features an 1800cc flat-six engine and is fully loaded for any tour. Funnily enough, after getting more and more ostentatious over the decades, the sixth gen version (which was launched in 2018) is actually a little more compact and manageable than the behemoths of old. At 367kg it’s still a big old beast, although it’s also surprisingly manageable.

The riding position is not dissimilar to an American cruiser, with a low seat and raised handlebars, while that flat-six engine design contributes to a low centre of gravity. Most come with Honda’s excellent DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) system which effectively turns it into an automatic motorcycle, and that’s a perfect match for this type of bike.

You also get a reverse gear with the DCT, which is really handy for when you have to manoeuvre at low speeds. Other tech, like hill hold and the ability to creep around at walking pace, all contribute to make it surprisingly easy to get on with.

What’s a Honda Gold Wing like to ride?

Surprising is the word of the day. Some Wing Nuts were disappointed when the GL 1800 went on a diet back in 2018 but, from a riding perspective, it’s a far more enjoyable and engaging bike to ride on our twistier European style roads.

The motor ‘only’ makes around 125bhp, but it gets delivered nice and low down the rev range and, really, this is a motorcycle which is all about the torque. The engine is stonkingly smooth and that sets the tone for the rest of the bike. As you might imagine, it’s laid back to ride and is able to carry the weight of a passenger and luggage with ease – but you’d expect that from the definitive touring motorcycle.

Sure, it’s no Fireblade, but the handling is far better and more precise than its weight and geometry would suggest. The suspension is a unique wishbone arrangement up front, to cope with the weight, but happily the Gold Wing feels surprisingly conventional to ride. 

^{The sixth-gen Gold Wing is slimmer than past behemoths.}

What sort of tech does a Gold Wing have?

It’s an expensive motorcycle and often liked to a two-wheeled car so, as you can imagine, it’s got loads of tech in it. Gold Wings famously were the first motorcycles to have an integrated stereo unit, and the new ones have built in sound systems with connectivity to Google Carplay and Android Auto.

The huge TFT dashboard contains pretty much everything you could want (and a lot more on top) and there’s even an airbag built in, which goes off in event of an accident. Really, it would be easier to say what it doesn’t have.

^{The view from the cockpit is very nice indeed.}

^{The electric windscreen and car like dashboard ooze class.}

What doesn’t it have?

A turbocharger! Being serious, it has pretty much all of what you want. The Tour version has panniers and the famous top box (which doubles up as a backrest for the pillion) although surprisingly there’s very little luggage capacity on the standard machine. The panniers look great and all, but they’re a bit small and takes the Gold Wing into bagger cruiser territory more than fully dressed tourer. The top box makes up for that. It’s huge and can swallow two full faced helmets with ease.

You don’t see many Gold Wings around though, do you?

That’s true, and for good reason. It’s a very niche, specialist bike. A new one costs as much as a nice car and, as such, it’s the kind of bike you keep for special occasions. You’ll rarely see one on the commuter run but head out to one of the hugely popular owners’ gatherings and it’ll be a different story.

The Gold Wing is a real cult bike with a strong and loyal following. The Gold Wing Owners Club of Great Britain is very active and the regular Wing Dings (which is what Gold Wing owners call their club meetings) are fantastic events. There’s a real Gold Wing community and superb camaraderie among owners.

Should I buy a Honda Gold Wing?

To be honest, it’s one of those bikes you’ll immediately know if you want or not – without us telling you. They’re expensive, and that’s the barrier for most, but if you can afford one and want to buy into the ultimate touring motorcycle and the lifestyle and community which comes with it, you will be purchasing something very special indeed.

^{There's a real community aspect to 'Wing ownership.}

I’m not convinced, what else is out there?

Could we suggest BMW’s K1600GT? The Bavarian company are king of the tourers and the 1600 is their ultimate Autobahn conveyance. Like the Gold Wing it’s got six cylinders and is butter smooth, yet has a bit of a different vibe going on.

Gold Wings were conceived for the US market and its no surprise that the two big American manufacturers have offerings in a similar vein. Harley’s Road Glide is another touring icon and, especially in ‘Limited’ spec, it ticks many of the same boxes as the Gold Wing. Harley-Davidson also has a hugely active owners’ community, and a legend to match – or even surpass – that of the ‘Wing.

Some more left field alternatives come from Indian. The company’s Roadmasters are also big cc tourers, while the top-of-the-range Pursuit models offer all the modern bells and whistles in a traditional package.