The consensus is that the Honda Gold Wing is an outdated man’s bike. But that’s fallacious on so many ranges. That might have been the case in its early years, but it surely has come a good distance since Honda’s 1974 GL1000. Not many bike firms can boast of a mannequin that has been in manufacturing for 50 years, though the mannequin was discontinued in Japan in 2023.

In 2024, the Wing continues to remain on sale in North America, signaling a continuation of its legendary legacy. Last yr, Honda did point out the Gold Wing could be obtainable in 5 trims and although the web site reveals solely two, it does will let you customise. Taking the Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT mannequin under consideration, and additional demarcating the bottom mannequin and its choices, it makes 5 trims – the bottom Gold Wing in Manual or DCT, the Gold Wing Tour with six-speed or DCT, and the Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT. Let’s try why it is an unmatched choice right this moment.

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Mechanical Prowess

The Gold Wing’s horizontally opposed 1,833cc six-cylinder engine is well-known for its smoothness and energy. The design is over 13 kilos lighter than earlier generations and eight kilos much less in DCT trims. The high-strength aluminum cylinder sleeves assist scale back weight and improve cooling effectivity, whereas the 73 mm cylinder bore (in addition to the quick high-strength crankshaft) helps scale back the engine size, making it extra compact. The engine makes use of a four-valve, Unicam cylinder head design that improves efficiency and energy, and likewise contributes to the engine’s weight discount from its earlier era. This four-valve-per-cylinder design performs an enormous half within the Gold Wing’s superior gas effectivity, too.

Since the mill is mechanically unmatched within the trade, Honda’s left issues principally unchanged for 2024. This yr’s updates are restricted particularly to beauty enhancements, notably new shade choices. Its final substantial overhaul got here in 2018, when Honda threw upgrades to the engine, the addition of a double wishbone suspension, enhancements within the suspension, electronics, audio, rider conveniences, and weight discount measures, Since then, the Gold Wing has remained comparatively unchanged by way of mechanical modifications, however the revisions broadened the Gold Wing’s attraction considerably. Last yr additionally noticed a navigation replace obtainable for obtain.

Key Highlights

• Latest era all-aluminum body is considerably lighter and extra compact than earlier editions
• State-of-the-art die-casting permits Honda to fine-tune chassis rigidity, giving each a easy journey and exact dealing with.
• The Gold Wing’s revolutionary 7-speed Automatic DCT shifts are sooner and smoother, and the overdrive seventh gear is ideal for freeway cruising.
• You might imagine it is only for cosmetics, however the Gold Wing’s twin-wall exhaust design retains issues cooler as in comparison with a single-wall design.

Engine Specifications

Crazy Good Features

On the gear entrance, the Gold Wing’s pace will be set through Cruise Control, because of the fly-by-wire-throttle that may be adjusted whereas on the transfer. Rider modes are straightforward to entry, permitting adjustments in engine traits, suspension, and rider aids. In full Tour DCT mode, it has seven semi-active gears, a reverse, and the 1.1 miles per hour “Walking mode” that may be accessed on the contact of a button. The low-speed reverse gear on the Tour DCT mannequin makes use of engine energy, whereas the Gold Wing Tour with guide transmission affords a novel electrical reverse. Both programs make it straightforward to maneuver the bike out of a parking house, particularly if it’s good to roll again up an incline.

Dual-Cutch Transmission (DCT)

Other than that, at greater speeds in Sports mode, the gears maintain out longer, whereas throughout speedy deceleration, the automatic transmission downshifts a couple of gears quickly and with out issues. Economy mode, although, is a special story, particularly when on the throttle aggressively, the transmission will short-shift all the best way to prime gear, refusing to down-shift gears when it must be doing so. That’s been executed to advertise gas effectivity, after all. Unfortunately, the cruise control is not adaptive on account of a scarcity of radar, which additionally means there’s no blind-spot detection. Although unquestionably dependable, a difficulty at slower speeds between first and second gears with DCT has been the dearth of management because of the non-existence of a clutch lever, and taking its payload under consideration, it may be unnerving.

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Integrated Starter Generator

Honda has gone the space by establishing an built-in starter generator. While most bikes have the components individually situated, Honda has mixed the starter motor and generator into one compact part that immediately results in the Wing’s general weight-savings – 5.3 kilos to be actual. The generator turns into the starter motor when the polarity is reversed. In addition to this, helical gears with tooth set at a particular angle to the gear axis are used within the {hardware} for lowered mechanical noise and vibration. Another handy function of the Gold Wing is the engine shutting off robotically after three seconds when in visitors. With the mixed assist of throttle-by-wire management and DCT, restarting is initiated easily and instantaneously when the rider turns the throttle.

Honda Pro Arm Swingarm

On the suspension entrance, Honda makes use of their proprietary single-sided aluminum Pro Arm swingarm design that homes the Gold Wing’s shaft drive. The swingarm hyperlinks to the body utilizing a patented pivot construction that will increase stiffness and reduces weight, resulting in responsive dealing with and a easy journey. The Wing Tour takes it to another level altogether, that includes suspension that may be electrically managed through 4 adjustable modes for various masses. Riders can choose from Rider, Rider with loaded baggage, Rider and Passenger, and Rider and Passenger with loaded baggage whereas the suspension robotically adjusts on the fly as you journey.

Reliability and Quality

The Wing is extraordinarily comfy, and it’s akin to proudly owning a small automobile. It can eat up something that’s thrown at it, munching up potholes and bumps, and also you gained’t really feel a factor, because of its double wishbone suspension and ridiculous payload. Its modern design adjustments the trail the wheel travels by way of the suspension stroke and that lets each the engine and the rider and passenger transfer nearer to the entrance wheel. The brakes are stated to supply wonderful stopping energy each time, because of Honda’s ABS-linked braking system that includes twin three-piston calipers on the entrance and a single three-piston caliper on the rear. They’re mated to full-floating 296 mm and 316 mm rotors respectively.

The Gold Wing is well-engineered, however for many who are new to it, it’s tough to start with. It might have lost quite a bit of weight from the earlier era, but it surely’s nonetheless heavy. Its 802 / 804-pound weight (relying on which trim you’re taking a look at) is clear when taking it off the stand, and can take a while to get used to. We don’t advocate attempting to lean the bike over side-to-side after you have your leg over the seat – it’s a leviathan of a motorbike and never a 300-pound entry-level providing.

Touring Luxury Reinvented

Despite its static mechanical configuration, the 2024 Gold Wing continues to supply an intensive array of touring-friendly options. Covering lengthy distances is simpler when the onboard leisure system offers many choices and Honda even upgraded the onboard audio system to 45 watts a few years in the past. Across all trims (excluding guide), riders get a 7-inch TFT display, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, an adjustable electrical windscreen, Smart Key operation, 4 using modes, traction control, and Hill Start help.

The 7-inch show display is probably not as much as the requirements of a Ducati, Kawasaki, or BMW, but it surely will get the job executed. It is flanked by an analog speedometer and tachometer, which is beneficial and appears good, however why Honda hasn’t gone utterly digital is anybody’s guess. The DwellingLink Wireless Control System is non-compulsory, in the meantime.

Protecting the rider from the weather is Honda’s display. Electrically managed, it strikes each up and down over a distance of 4.9 inches, adjustments angle as it’s raised and lowered, and likewise remembers the final setting it was set to. It affords wonderful wind safety because the rider is now nearer to the entrance wheel and subsequently sits nearer to the windscreen, which is narrower, decrease, and has a extra sporty profile than earlier generations.

The Gold Wing would not be full with out its storage amenities. For 2024, it options built-in saddlebags that may be opened electronically with the push of a button and be locked and unlocked remotely with the sensible key. They’re additionally hydraulically damped for easy operation. In the Tour model, the Wing will get the 61-liter prime field with an built-in passenger backrest.

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Strong Price Compared To American Options

Today, the Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT instructions an MSRP of $33,000, a modest $100 improve from the earlier yr. Meanwhile, the Gold Wing Tour and Tour DCT are priced at $28,700 and $29,700 respectively. As for the bottom mannequin, it’s obtainable in a six-speed guide transmission or DCT at $24,700 and $25,700 respectively. At this worth, the bike is less expensive than the likes of the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide or Indian Challenger Elite.

All in all, the Honda Gold Wing has remained mechanically unchanged since 2018, however you continue to get a bucket load of tech and an unmatched mixture of consolation, expertise, and refinement. Its 1,833cc flat-six engine is as easy as butter as ever and guarantees riders an unforgettable expertise. So for those who’re available in the market for the last word touring bike that additionally affords sports activities capabilities, that is it!

Additional Specifications