New Gold Wing for 2018 - finally

[leafman60]

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2018-honda-gold-wing-leak/#more-142579

New front fork design (a la BMW), other improvements.

[Kev m]

Meh, not my bag, but I'm sure it will be a fantastic bike.

Did I see a rumor earlier about an auto trans?

[screamday]

Looks slightly stealthier.

[oldbike54]

 Interesting that Honda has gone to a Hossack fork .

 Dusty

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

In the photos the red bike and the grey one don't have a clutch lever, suggesting optional automatic transmission. 

[blackcat]

I'd rather have an Accord.

[toolittletime]

Looks like the bigger saddlebags from the GL 1500 have been revived.

Tim

[cookiemech]

I'm not trading my new Road Glide Ultra for it, but Honda at least used to set the standard for a big touring bike.

Very nice!

[bad Chad]

A bit anticlimactic.

[Vagrant]

and for only $1000. more you get a five year hernia insurance policy!

[oldbike54]

and for only $1000. more you get a five year hernia insurance policy!

  Well damnit , just got my pooter screen clean and you go and say this 

 Dusty

[twowheeladdict]

I'm not trading my new Road Glide Ultra for it, but Honda at least used to set the standard for a big touring bike.

Very nice!

I agree.  I just could not get used to the rider position on the Goldwing and it is not as easy to make your own as the Road Glide Ultra.

[LowRyter]

If I were in the market for a big rig vs Beemer and 'Glide, it would be one of them.

The GW is pretty well flawless and reliable, none of that can be said about the more expensive competition by comparison. 

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

The GW is pretty well flawless and reliable, none of that can be said about the more expensive competition by comparison.

 :1:  That's been my experience too. Not perfect, but far more reliable than BMW or H-D.

[twowheeladdict]

If I were in the market for a big rig vs Beemer and 'Glide, it would be one of them.

The GW is pretty well flawless and reliable, none of that can be said about the more expensive competition by comparison.

Have you looked at GW lately?  To get a model with ABS they are close to $30,000.  I'm glad they are changing the front end because that was a week point and brought in a lot of money for Traxxion Dynamics. 

I agree with the reliability of the drivetrain, but unless you fit the Goldwing out of the box, you are out of luck. 

Personally, I find Hondas in general to be boring and lacking in character.  They are great for those who just want to get from point A to point B.

But, isn't that why we are drawn to Moto Guzzi?  We want bikes with personality, character, and charm?

[LowRyter]

2WA,  I wasn't including the Beemer RT in the price comparison.  I was thinking of the GTL and 'glides as full on tourers.   Certainly the RT is sportier and lighter than the rest.  And Yamaha has a new Vtwin behemoth to consider as well.

[Sasquatch Jim]

I don't care for over large two wheeled automobiles.

[blackcat]

I don't care for over large two wheeled automobiles.

Exactly. I put about 10 miles on one and couldn't wait to give it back to my friend Tod. Even he didn't like it, and sold it soon after that temporary insanity, but to each their own. 

[wymple]

I like the comments section in the article. Couch rocket, Hondapotamus. At my age and 5'7-1/2 on a good day, these bikes all run about 300 lbs overweight. At least. I like my kid's V7 better.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I agree with the comments.  Big, heavy, no character, two wheel automobile, and expensive.  However, if I need to quickly get from point A to point B that requires hours on the super-slab, and I don't want to be in a cage, then the GW is the right tool for the job. For day rides on twisty roads in the foothills, I ride something else.

[slowmover]

Soulless

[mjptexas]

Interesting that Honda has gone to a Hossack fork .

 Dusty

I'm surprised that you don't see it on more touring/sport touring bikes.  I had a BMW K bike for several years.  IMHO the front suspension was heads and shoulders above anything else I've ridden.

[fatbob]

I do not like that. I don't believe that the Wing Nuts are going to like it either. It looks a lot less comfortable than the previous iteration.

[sidecarnutz]

You guys make me wish there was a LOL button for posts.

I'll hold out for a Goldwing with FWD AND the automatic. 'Course I could just take a wheel off a Civic and call it a sidecar rig. 

[Kev m]

I dunno, but if my machine is THAT "perfect" why does it need me?

[kenvil1]

The teardown photo reveals the GW to be the technological marvel that it is. It may not be the most exciting motorcycle to ride, but it excels in its class and it possibly represents today what a Vincent Black Prince did in the past.

Honda's dual-clutch, in its 2nd or 3rd iteration, while practical on the right motorcycle, has not been without its share of complaints, though. New electronic sport modes have been added on existing models to improve its performance, but riders have complained about the system shifting in mid-curve, and there is at least one near-horror story involving a DCT Africa Twin with a sticky left switchgear, so there is room for improvement and I hope the GW application addresses these issues. Perhaps it will make use of leaning sensors like Bosch's new ABS system does.

The 2018 models, based on the spy shots, look somewhat more svelte than past models, but DCT already adds twenty-three pounds to Honda's VFR1200X, so the weight of the GW transmission will likely exceed this unless a longitudinal layout somehow simplifies the design. Honda also has a patent for a triple-clutch transmission aimed at their cars, so it remains to be seen whether TCT is also suitable for the Goldwing.

[canuck750]

I am on a ride from Western Canada down the Pacific coast and over to Phoenix with my buddy on his 2008 Gold Wing and me on my '16 BMW GTL 16000. We have been riding B.C. Rockies for two days, both bikes get near identical mileage, run at about the same rpm. The GW has a better seat, better stereo, more storage space and has reverse. The Wing powers out at 200 km/ he the BMW will pull past 240, which is irrelevant. BMW has more passing grunt but the GW is smoother.  GW is heavier but carries its weigh lower. BMW will corner better and is more responsive but the GW is more comfortable for 10 hour riding. I ran my R1150RT for 12 years with not one fault and never babied it so as far as reliability is concerned the BMW was great. The bigger and heavier K1600 feels 100 lbs lighter than the old RT so don't be put off by the weight. The GW can shame a lot of bikes 300 lbs lighter in the curves with the right rider. The new suspension on the '18 GW should be an improvement, the front end feel is the only fault I have with the current GW in comparison to the Beemer.

My .02

[blackcat]

I dunno, but if my machine is THAT "perfect" why does it need me?

Somebody has to push the auto pilot button.

[elvisboy77]

I'd rather have an Accord.

Yawn.  UJC.  Get a Mustang instead!

[yogidozer]

it comes with a 48" TV too. A Jacuzzi is an option