If there will be something more comfortable compared to a 2019 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, it likely possesses the words “barca” and “lounger” into it somewhere.

For one more 43 years, the Gold Wing is a symbol of two-wheeled luxury. A high-water mark of carcass-cradling comfort. It’s the Cadillac of motorcycles — instead of the current, BMW-chasing Cadillac, while it possesses way more performance than you’d expect in a very big, big bike. Get real the old, luxury Cadillac, because of the tail fins and accompanying features. And yes it seats two!

There’s a well-oiled following of Gold Wing enthusiasts who create newsletters, websites, blogs and magazines, but there are only so many of them and they’re failing to get enough any younger. To reach new buyers, Honda knew it wanted to present you with a Gold Wing that is smoother, narrower and sportier. The latest bike is all can more.

The first exciting highlight from the new model may be the DCT or Dual Clutch Transmission. There have been DCTs over a not Honda motorcycles, but those were five-speed boxes even though this the first is seven-speed. I’m surprised they aren’t on more bikes. They surely will likely be as motorcycling evolves and new buyers go into the sport. 

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Motorcycles

Honda Gold Wing Details

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Honda couldn’t just swap within a new DCT; it was required to hold off until the new model arrived. To discover the DCT to match required a different frame and engine, nevertheless the engine remains a flat-six as before. It had become really worth the wait. The DCT is smooth given that it has dampers everywhere we look, with a fork shift damper, master arm damper and DCT clutch center damper. It’s smooth enough that Honda proudly says it’ll eliminate helmet-bump between riders — that uncomfortable knocking where passenger over the back thwacks the rider right in front during shifts. You are able to set the DCT transmission so it’ll shift to suit your needs or, at the flip of any switch, you’ll be able to shift it yourself via two pull track of the left handlebar.

There’s additionally a six-speed manual available. Both transmissions have a backup gear termed as a reverse walking mechanism for maneuvering in tight parking spots. The DCT has both forward and reverse walking mode.

Cool thing number two within the Gold Wing is a double-wishbone front suspension. It really is the same manner it may sound: a double-wishbone linkage attaching the leading forks for the all-new robotically welded twin-spar aluminum frame. In the heart of the hyperlinks is the spring and shock. Front wheel travel becomes nearly vertical while using new setup, as opposed to arcing rearward while it did within the previous Wing. Honda experienced a display model which has a foot lever to really make the front suspension fall and rise. It looked mighty cool.

The ProLink rear suspension is often a single-sided swing arm. Brakes are two-wheel ABS on all models, with large 320 mm discs in the front.

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Honda Gold Wing Historical Photos

Electronics have found their way little by little (or perhaps is it byte by byte?) from cars to motorcycles, as well as new Wing gets its share. A different throttle-by-wire system allows all types of electronic controls. There are four riding modes: tour, sport, econ and rain. Honda Selectable Torque, Hill Start Assist and cruise control are all there as a result of e-throttle. The bike even incorporates Apple CarPlay. There’s also an audio system and speakers available. Things are controlled by way of a 7-inch screen while in the center console plus a range of buttons plus a semi-mouse-like knob into the gas tank. Yes, this can be a motorcycle we’re preaching about. Can ac be far behind?

The Ride

The plan would be to begin in Austin and ride these magnificent monster motorcycles throughout the hill country of Texas. There is certainly great hill country there, if you’ve never been. Problem was, a giant ice storm named Inga blanketed the state run with snow and ice and pushed temps on to the 20s. Honda judiciously thought we would keep us all safely away from the roads the very first day. I can’t say I blame them. Even rain mode, ice may well be a problem.

On the other day, in barely above-freezing temps, we finally had got to go on a few abbreviated laps throughout the semirural flatlands southeast of Austin. No hill country, nevertheless it was still best to get out.

First off, I love that double-wishbone front suspension. It consumes bumps that some other motorcycle would transfer straight into the frame and make you stand on the pegs to absorb them. Steering is downright sporty for your Gold Wing; despite what you may think was a heavier front, it does not feel heavier. Indeed, the isolation offered by the double wishbones makes steering the iron giant easier. This is certainly something else I can tell working its distance to other bikes. Back-to-back rides between new 2019s with the wishbones and 2019s without made the decision clear: wishbone me, baby.

Here's the double wishbone front suspension

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The DCT transmission shifts with almost imperceptible smoothness. Most of the time, you hear but don’t feel it shift gears. I began on a DCT bike in automatic mode. The only problem was that, like many automatics, it upshifts prematurily . in three away from four modes, plus in sport, it downshifts prematurely. Since I was seeking ice, I started in rain way of a bit, which did actually allow it to become upshift sooner. A exchange signal of tour mode found what gave the impression of a very good default mode and keep it in. Sport was obviously a little too looking forward to everything however aggressive riding, where you could certainly do for this. And, honestly, I never tried eco mode.

Despite a curb weight of around 800 pounds, the 2019 is about 90 pounds lighter than the 2019 and feels it. One seasoned Gold Wing veteran, having a rider within the back seat, said for only one mile or two, “I really could drop this sucker into sport and grow scrapin’ pegs before you know it!” It had been hard to judge how that guy’s passenger felt concerning this since her face was hidden behind a visor. But he was right. This bike jogs my memory a bit of the Yamaha FJR 1300 sport touring bike. It's sportier than just a Harley Electra Glide.

I tried a six-speed manual transmission and liked that, too. That it was almost as effortless, and shifting yourself has its own appeal. But everything being equal, I’d chose that DCT.

2019 Honda Gold Wing flat six

The liquid-cooled flat-six is 1 ” shorter side-to-side, 13.7 pounds lighter, has four valves per cylinder in place of two and is particularly more fuel-efficient than last year’s flat-six. It sits somewhat farther forward to the 66.7-inch wheelbase for better balance and sportier handling. (I suggested to chief engineer Yutaka Nakanishi that he or she produce a flat-eight. He just laughed.) A pair times I had been capable to launch from a stop you wish I really could and located acceleration becoming a little beyond brisk. There’s no 0-60 time listed, even so the 1833 cc six does an outstanding job of moving those 800 pounds off of the line. It’s not fully while in the sport tourer class, nonetheless it feels close.

Like other Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Honda doesn’t list horsepower or torque, but internet speculation says it’s 125 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. No one knows? Honda does provide array of curb weights as 787 for your base Gold Wing while using six-speed manual on as much as 842 pounds for that Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT. You’ll find five models in any; the three between the latter two are: Gold Wing Tour with DCT, Gold Wing Tour with six-speed manual and Gold Wing DCT. 

Prices cover anything from $23,500 to $31,500.

You may additionally think about the BMW K 1600 GTL Exclusive, Indian Roadmaster, Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS, Yamaha FJR1300, Harley-Davidson Electra Glide or numerous competitors.

But for any luxury tourer with many newfound sportiness, the Honda Gold Wing just might be the best all.

On Sale: February

Base Price: $23,500

As Tested Price: $31,500

Powertrain: 1833-cc liquid-cooled flat six, rear-wheel drive, DCT or 6-spd man

Output: 125 hp, 125 lb-ft (internet-based guess)

Curb Weight: 787 to 833 pounds

Options: DCT, air bag, heated seats

Pros: Oh so comfy. Quick, too. Almost sporty

Cons: 800 pounds is much curb weight, price ain’t cheap