All Tests – The two-wheeled MPV – Used HONDA

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The two-wheeled minivan

All Tests - The two-wheeled MPV - Used HONDA

The site test hunting table lacked the famous Honda Goldwing: a rare motorcycle to take as much (if not more!) Care of its passenger as of its rider, it has since this year a GPS and an airbag. Test…

So much progress and changes made, for more than 30 years that the imposing Honda has traveled the roads around the world ! Because although the program "ride very far very comfortably" has remained the same, the very last GoldWing has little to do with its illustrious ancestor, the GL 1000 of 1975….

Faithful to its original philosophy, the Honda "Mega Tourisme" has continued to become more comfortable, luxurious and safe. Announced in the summer of 2005 (read) and unveiled last fall in Cologne (read), the new GoldWing 1800 passed a hell of a time in 2006 in the USA – where it is built and mostly sold – then in 2007 in Europe. Explanations…

"The 2007 GoldWing goes one step further in the direction of safety and ease of driving, with the adoption of two innovative new technologies: a GPS satellite navigation system that leads the way on roads as diverse as the one may be brought to encounter, and a remarkable and new airbag system (airbag) which deploys instantly in front of the pilot to reduce the severity of injuries in a frontal collision", proudly states the Japanese manufacturer.

In this "Luxe" version of our test, the latest GoldWing therefore adds two strings to its bow. Does this allow him to achieve perfection? Site is responsible for verifying it !

369 "small" kilograms ?

Long (over 2.5 m), wide (almost a meter!), High (especially with the antenna!), Bulky (almost 150 liters of storage), heavy (369 kg dry), impressive, confusing, welcoming , imposing, obese, balaise, luxurious, monstrous … There is no lack of qualifiers that come to mind of all those who observe the beast !

Yet for those who have the courage, the luck or the curiosity to get on it, the Japanese grizzly bear quickly turns into a charming teddy bear..

First of all because the driving position could not be more comfortable! The very low saddle (740mm) is suitable for any biker. Softly wedged in – and not on! – his saddle, the rider barely has to extend his arms to grab the long handlebars.

Then, thanks to its 6-cylinder Boxer lying under the double aluminum beam frame, the GoldWing’s center of gravity is placed very low. The first maneuvers are therefore easier than expected and the GoldWing reassures the most fearful.

As for the electric reverse gear, it is not only made for lazy people! It avoids finding itself in a situation to say the least annoying: backing this monster down a slope, even a slight one, can quickly turn out to be difficult, perilous or even impossible. !

However, even after several outings, caution remains in order: a premature gain of confidence can quickly lead to disaster … Beware of someone who makes a too casual U-turn, sneaks – yes, it passes! – between cars too hastily or crutch the monster too casually !

The Honda does not hesitate to remind its driver that its weight reaches 417 kg fully loaded and that it requires sustained attention during developments at very low speed, even if they are facilitated by a relatively light front axle..

The War of the Buttons

This increased concentration due to the imposing size of the GoldWing is all the more difficult to grant as a number of other elements attract the eye … and the fingers! Indeed, a good fifty buttons are dispatched on the central console, in front of each knee of the driver and of course, on the gigantic commodos !

Although we quickly distinguish between the keys that we will never use – automatic radio alerts for example – and those that we will never stop tampering with – cruise control, volume, etc. -, mastering the GoldWing requires a thorough study of all its orders. Activity that will necessarily be stopped !

Among the subjects to assimilate before taking the road, let us point out in particular the new GPS, available in the "Luxury" version, which also includes the airbag system. Easy to use, the GPS is perfectly integrated into the motorcycle and even has a small "cap" which effectively limits backlighting. We expected no less for an option that ultimately comes to € 3,400, the price of the Luxe finish..

The GPS screen also serves as a general interface and warns, for example, the driver that he has improperly closed the top case or the suitcases. These can sometimes be difficult to close, but never to open. The seals of the mirrors, not always perfectly fixed, are another source of annoyance, but which is counterbalanced by particularly clever angled inflation nozzles. !

In the multimedia department, we also appreciate the presence of an mp3 socket in the deep storage compartment on the left, under the handlebars. A good selection on its player and presto, let’s go to the music! Suddenly, the hatch located in the top case supposed to accommodate the six-CD charger (optional) allows you to embark a little more loading.

Casually, once the luggage is loaded, the pilot and his passenger – usually on a GoldWing – installed and all levels checked (25 l of gasoline and 4.6 l of oil), the fine team exceeds half a ton … Twice as heavy, most city cars are content with a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder … However, the Honda benefits from a 1.8-liter 6-cylinder … Yum !

Couples from hell

Despite its debonair appearance and its reputation as a "failed car", the GoldWing does not tarnish the honor of the rider that much: over 400 m from a standing start, very few cars can compete with the extraordinary torque of the Flat-six. !

The performance of this 1834cc is not to impressive, just efficient. The smooth sound of the 6-cylinder goes hand in hand with the image and comfort offered by the Honda. Only the clutch a little sharp can surprise during the first starts.

The gearbox may have only five speeds, be a little noisy and a bit dry, it is still well staged. In addition, the flexible engine and full from idle allows practically everything to be done in 4th gear. A treat on small roads !

In winding portions, the GoldWing shows good handling thanks to its 45 mm fork (with anti-dive system) and its solid single-sided arm which, like the beautiful rims, unfortunately goes unnoticed….

Naturally, improvisation is not in order with this type of machine and it requires the pilot to have some training before being able to trace his path at "high speed"..

The first angles are not easy, because the inertia of the motorcycle is important. Then, we tighten the buttocks in the first turns which close. Because the impossibility of swaying – if only a suspicion, after all the piloting is a lot "in the head" – to compensate for an increased angle of grip destabilizes those accustomed to smaller engines..

Motorcycle like no other … motorcycle anyway !

Likewise, the combined braking system requires some adaptation time. On the GoldWing, the brake pedal is essential because its activation allows you to take advantage of the full potential of the two front discs of 296 mm and the rear disc of 316 mm with 3-piston caliper. The intervention of the ABS during hard braking allows the limit of adhesion of the Bridgestones to be determined: useful !

Once its behavior is apprehended, this machine of five quintals offers an unsuspected driving pleasure. Driven with precision, the long handlebars allow the bike to lie on one side then the other quite easily and the pace can then become sustained.

For those who doubt the road skills of the Honda, a session on the famous road of Deal’s Gap allows to realize that before scraping the asphalt, the GoldWing can take an angle (). In fact, it is hardly except in small turns or roundabouts that the footrests will touch the ground..

On a more monotonous road, fifth gear is quickly engaged. It is a real "overdrive" which allows to significantly lower the engine speed, therefore the consumption (6.7 l / 100 km during our test) and the noise level. Stalled cruising at 4000 rpm, the big Honda tumbles at over 150 km / h counter and has 2000 additional laps before reaching the red zone !

Comfortably housed behind the windshield, the pilot does not see the kilometers scrolling. In the high position (+10 cm), the bubble isolates even the tallest. As for the deflector, it eliminates the "suction cup" effect – the one that inexorably pushes the rider towards his handlebars – whatever the speed..

Unfortunately, this windshield is not free from faults: its height adjustment is always manual and can only be done when stationary. Come on Mr. Honda, just a little electric motor and two extra buttons !

Although, as long as you do, a wiper would also be welcome! The vision of the rider in heavy rain is already considerably reduced by the water on his visor, that stagnant on the huge bubble forces the pilot to stand up to see in front of him … Not a top level of safety !

Finally, if the height of the windshield is quite satisfactory, its width is a suspicion insufficient. Indeed, in very humid weather always – for the attention of meteorologists of future generations, let us point out that this test took place in the middle of summer 2007! -, the drops run along the bubble and continue their way directly towards the driver’s gloves…

To warm your hands – or dry them – the GoldWing is fortunately equipped as standard with heated grips, as well as heated seats and the hot air bypass system via small hatches located under the engine heads, in the most pure "James Bond" style.

Madame is (almost) served

The passenger, meanwhile, is duly pampered … for once! Slumped in her chair, she benefits from excellent protection and will have to struggle not to take a nap! Cradled by the purring of the engine, she adjusts the temperature of her seat at will in the event of a cold snap.

Small disappointment on the other hand concerning the sound system: the rear speakers are not fitted as standard … On the motorway, the co-pilot perceives the music only weakly, yet perfectly audible for the driver. Here too, Mr. Honda could make a small effort by delivering the passenger speakers as standard … and by offering TNT HD Ready for the Luxe finish ?!

The electric central stand is another piece of equipment that is missing: the GoldWing asks small riders a good boost, a hell of a helping hand – and kicking -, good timing and a good dose of confidence to put the Honda on. his central !

On the other hand, the truck horn fulfills its role perfectly, just like the high beams which are the benchmark in two-wheelers. No wonder, then, that Honda has taken their shape back on the new 125 S-Wing scooter, giving its GT scooter a very close to the flagship look (read).

Airbag: not to be tested…

The last point that we fortunately did not test: the airbag, "a specially developed and extensively tested system with the aim of helping to limit the severity of injuries in a head-on collision", explains the world number one.

This equipment should quickly appear on the scooters of the mark, their massive apron and their large handlebars making it possible to accommodate the system more easily than the small bubbles of sports. To be continued…

In the end, this Honda turns out to be an excellent GT that encourages travel, not only the driver but also the passenger! Its flat-six and its cycle part allow you to maintain a good rhythm on all types of roads, while its GPS allows you to reach your home or professional appointments without wandering unnecessarily (except in tunnels, where satellite reception is interrupted. ).

But the GoldWing, displayed at 29,990 euros in the Luxe version, is one of the most expensive motorcycles in the world … Suddenly, it is more difficult to forgive it than others for its small faults: when will an electric power station stand? a better equipped windshield and an irreproachable sound system? To be continued !

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