HONDA The Power of Dreams

In 2018, Honda’s flagship motorcycle model, the Gold Wing, was fully revamped and launched for the first time in 17 years, when displacement was increased to 1800cc in 2001.

Since the Gold Wing Interstate (GL1100) released in 1980, the series had focused on functionality as a grand tourer, with rear trunk and saddlebags as standard equipment. The commanding rear trunk undoubtedly contributed to the Gold Wing’s unique dignified appearance.

In contrast, the new Gold Wing was offered in two variations: the Gold Wing Tour, with a rear trunk and saddlebag as standard equipment, and the Gold Wing, with only saddlebags.

Since its launch in 1975, the Gold Wing series has established a unique grand tourer position, built upon the unchanging theme, “The King,” since its first development project.

The development team of the new model explored what the next-generation model should be like through interviewing customers in numerous locations where Gold Wing had been well received.

Through their research, the team learned that for some customers, “splendid and luxurious” may impede handling, and “comfort” may seem less exciting. This high-lighted the differences between engineers and users in their thoughts and feelings toward the Gold Wing.

The team began by freeing itself from the preconceived notions of “The King,” reconstructing the values that the sixth-generation model should offer to its customers.

The new development theme became “The Honda Premium Tourer,” and four requirements were established:

• -  Chassis: New-generation lighter, higher-density packaging that is suitable for a wide range of uses, from daily riding to long tours.
• -  Power Unit: Smooth and aggressive new-generation F6 unit
• -  Styling: Refined sharp and tense styling
• -  Controls and electrical systems: Advanced features that realize a premium feel

Developers determined the technologies to be applied in order to realize these requirements.

The frame inherited the aluminum twin-tube construct while reducing weight, and with Honda’s unique double wishbone front suspension, the chassis realized improved ride comfort and nimble handling.

All Gold Wing seats were designed to be comfortable for both rider and passenger. With the new model, a new seat design was adopted to match the new chassis for even greater comfort.

While inheriting the water-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC, horizontally opposed 6-cylinder specifications, the new engine was newly designed to be lighter and more compact. By adopting a Unicam train for the valve drive system, the new engine was 6.3 kg lighter. In addition, the transmission was changed from a conventional 5-speed to a 6-speed unit, and a new 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)* was introduced as an option for the Gold Wing Tour.

Innovative weight reduction throughout the chassis and power unit resulted in the new model being 38 kg lighter than the previous Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour.

The new model aimed to achieve a deep integration of comfort, performance, and quality.

The double wishbone front suspension realized a styling that immediately conveyed advanced and dramatically improved performance.

Throttle-by-wire, which electronically controls the throttle valve in response to the rider’s throttle grip operation, was newly adopted.

In addition, a new Riding Mode offered four scenes (Tour, Sport, Econ, Rain). Each mode provided optimized power feel, DCT auto-mode gear-change timing, torque control, and suspension and braking characteristics, achieving the optimum balance of riding, cornering and stopping.

With the new generation of smooth and aggressive power units in a lightweight and compact chassis, as well as advanced control technologies, Honda had realized “The Honda Premium Tourer.”

The new Gold Wing Tour had succeeded in providing the ultimate in riding pleasure for both rider and passenger.