Honda’s big tourer is here and it’s just as high-tech as anyone might have hoped.
The engine capacity is up by just 1cc, to 1833cc, but that belies the depth of the upgrades. The new engine is physically smaller than the old one but has twice as many valves – it’s now four valves per cylinder with Honda’s Unicam system allowing it to have just one camshaft per bank, and power is 93kW.
The new engine is fitted to two models. The base Gold Wing name now applies to the bagger version, with no topbox, while the full-dresser is now called Gold Wing Tour.
There’s also the option of Honda’s DCT transmission. Initially it will be offered only on the Tour as part of a package that also adds Honda’s airbag system. However, the pictures clearly show the lighter Gold Wing with no clutch lever, so DCT versions of that bike must be on the way.
DCT is far more than just an automated gearbox, too. Where the manual bike has six speeds, the DCT version gets seven forward gears and a reverse. It also gains a ‘Walking Mode’ that allows it to move forwards at 1.8km/h or backwards at 1.2km/h at the touch of a button on the bars. Other DCT-only tech includes an engine start-stop system that cuts the motor if you stop for more than three seconds.
There’s electronic damping adjustment on both the conventional rear suspension and the radical, DuoLever-style Hossack front end. The damping adjusts along with engine modes into Tour, Sport, Econ or Rain settings.
The infotainment seamlessly includes sat nav and uses Apple CarPlay to integrate with iPhones. Despite all this, the new models are up to 48kg lighter than their predecessors.
2018 GL1800 Goldwing Tour