Honda Goldwing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Honda Goldwing motorcycle debuted in 1975 as a 1000cc flat-4 cylinder. Front dual and single rear disc brakes were luxurious features at the time. Riders soon began adding fairings and luggage to turn these bikes into touring bikes.
Popular Mechanics - Honda Redesigns The Gold Wing For 2001
If you've never heard of the Honda Gold Wing, it means you've been living under a rock for the past 25 years. But that's okay. All you need to know is that Honda recently unveiled the newest GL1800 version of the bike at the 2001 International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, Calif. Hop on. At a time when few motorcycles left the factory with the reliability or the legs to cross America in comfort, the original Honda Gold Wing delivered both, and then some. Introduced at Germany's Cologne bike show in October 1974, the GL1000 also displayed a ravenous appetite for short distances.
Pictorial History of the Honda Gold Wing 1975-2001 - MCNEWS.COM.AU
Although Honda had been building overseas plants for more than 25 years, the move to America in the 1970s was risky. To most consumers, Honda's quality was its strongest selling point, and building in America could jeopardize this hard-earned reputation-not just for the Gold Wing, but for all Honda products for decades to come. Nevertheless, Honda forged ahead, and on September 10, 1979, the first Honda of America Manufacturing (HAM) plant begins production as a group of 64 associates completes the first 10 Honda motorcycles built in Marysville, Ohio. In quick succession, Honda introduces the concept of luxury touring with the Aspencade. Amenities abound in standard trim, including LCD instrumentation, stereo, CB, on-board air-compressor and thoughtful touches such as the handy storage pouches in the passenger backrest. Following the success of its Marysville Motorcycle Plant, Honda builds an engine plant in nearby Anna, Ohio, to build Gold Wing engines. Just as Marysville's success paved the way for Honda's auto manufacturing in America, the Anna Engine Plant moved from manufacturing GL engines alone to building powerplants for Civics and Accords.
Bikes: Happy Brithday Honda Goldwing!
The story started in October 1974 when the new Honda GL1000 Gold Wing was unveiled to the press in time for the 1975 model year. The original bike was a 999cc liquid-cooled flat-four configured machine which was at the time one of the sportiest motorcycles on the market. As the years rolled by, the machine itself grew in size and capacity and its abilities grew with it.
Telegraph Motoring Taking Wing
What it needed to do was to turn the new model into a convincing long-distance, luxury tourer, as in this respect the old GoldWing was something of a sham. The fuel range was laughably short, for instance - at 85mph into a headwind you'd be looking to refuel at 125 miles. In replacing the old 'Wing, Honda has struck a pretty clever balance. The handling is now surprisingly good, even when you know that Honda has fitted a sportsbike-style, twin-spar, aluminium-alloy frame. In low and medium-speed corners the bike steers with an ease and accuracy that disguises its weight (a hefty 800lb before fuel or rider are added), but it impresses most at high speeds. There were times when the old model would weave and squirm enough for the rider to nervously shut the throttle, but even at 90mph in a relatively tight direction change the new one stays faithful to the rider's input. But for all the drag reduction the GoldWing doesn't come close to the K1200LT in terms of fuel economy or range. Where the BMW constantly surprises in its frugality, the Honda is plain thirsty. During the sort of riding in which the BMW would manage about 43mpg, the Honda will achieve about 35.
Feature Article - The Re-Birth of the Gold Wing: Honda's ...
Over the years, Honda kept its finger on the pulse of its customer base and changed the Gold Wing accordingly. People were using the machines mainly for long-distance touring, so it was optimized for that purpose. Aerodynamic fairings, saddlebags and a trunk became standard equipment. The wheelbase was lengthened to provide more room for the pilot and the passenger, the engine was tuned to favor torque over horsepower, and the bike got bigger and bigger. One of the challenges that Honda faced as it reviewed its manufacturing facilities around the world, was how to configure each plant for the flexibility necessary to meet the ever-changing demands of its customers.
Motorcycle Online: 2001 Honda Gold Wing vs. BMW K1200 LT
The K1200LT was designed to target the same niche that the GL1500 Gold Wing had grown so comfortable ruling - and then take things one step farther. The basic platform had, on paper, all the same basic accouterments that enabled the Honda to generate such a loyal following in previous years. Side by side, the KLT looks a bit rounded like a whale whereas the Honda looks, well - it still looks like a Gold Wing. It's more rounded than its predecessor, though, with a slopey little nose that looks like some soap opera starlet and a back end that looks one part Accord, one part Sophia Loren. The BMW's contours integrate the bags a bit nicer, tucking them in and molding them to the bodywork tighter than the Honda. Storage space in both bikes is ample, with the nod going to the Gold Wing for a bit more storage space. As far as ingress and egress of gear goes, the Honda still has the superior system. Stand at the rear of the bike and one hand can easily open any of the three large storage compartments with a flip of the appropriate lever. The Wing also has a cool keyless-entry for the trunk, but getting the side bags to close solidly can be a pain. They might stay closed, but the electronic display in front of you insists that they are not.
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This site sells accessories for the Honda Gold Wing. Current products include an improved sidestand, a quick park centerstand, a cooler carrier, a storage box for your Wing, and a storage box for your trailer.
2WF.com - Online and on the Gas
Once underway, the throaty six made all the right noises, both induction and exhaust-wise. This bike has turbo like acceleration (without the lag) and merging into traffic is a no fuss affair. Not surprising actually, especially with a flat six 1800cc motor that's fuel injected and producing torque in excess of 105lbs and a near hundred horsepower under the "hood". The fuel injection was Honda good and fed by twin 40's (injectors) each one is controlled by twin 3D injection maps. Although a tad abrupt rolling off the throttle, it was very smooth rolling on.
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