Road test – 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool – 2018 Goldwing Touring test – Page 1 – Static

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2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static

On an exceptional motorcycle, exceptional measures: after 17 years without major evolutions, the Honda Goldwing is reinventing itself with great reinforcements of technology to – finally – offer the sophistication expected of such a limousine on two wheels. A little more powerful and much lighter, the 2018 Gold Wing is above all more dynamic! Test.

Test Goldwing Touring 2018 – Page 1 – Static

No other motorbike than the – "Aile d’or" in French – embodies pleasure and comfort better. Launched in 1975 as the GL1000 with a flat 4-cylinder, this ultra-roadster became the ambassador of excellence in 1988, when its two additional cylinders opened up the very closed circle of six-cylinder motorcycles. cylinders.

  • MNC retrospective : 
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In 2001, its "flat-six" went from 1520 to 1832 cc and its cycle part was modernized by means of an aluminum perimeter frame. Thanks to its near-perfect balance, the GL1800 definitively confirms its status as a two-wheel limousine: royal comfort, surprising dynamic capacities and unparalleled mechanical smoothness are among its countless qualities..

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static 

To the point that this poses a problem for Honda: how to renew such a concentrate of qualities without altering this tasty alchemy? Without a satisfactory answer, the Goldwing will continue its momentum with a single and yet remain at the top of its class. !

But all good things come to an end: its renewal could not be further postponed, if only to adapt it to Euro4 and contemporary standards. With its adjustable windshield by hand, its large square buttons on its fairings references and its dated technologies, the "Gold" began to lean towards the retro motorcycles. !

Honda therefore rolled up its sleeves to make the expected changes, opting for a redesign focused on dynamism. The figures speak for themselves: the 2018 Goldwing loses a whopping 34 kg (379 against 413 kg) and its six-cylinder, now 24 valves instead of 12 in 2017, goes from 118.2 to 126.4 horsepower (all details in our).

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static

Also integrated – unsurprisingly – the DCT double-clutch transmission and a myriad of technological developments: electronic accelerator, piloted suspensions, hill start aid, automatic engine shutdown when stationary (Idling Stop), cruise control, ultra-complete instrumentation of seven inches in color, keyless start, central locking … and an electrically adjustable windshield, finally !

In addition, there are four new driving modes which influence the mechanical reactivity, the sensitivity of the traction control and the ABS, but also on the hardness of the suspensions and the reactivity of the DCT. The Japanese "admirable vessel" also releases a new unconventional nose gear – two triangles surmounted by a shock absorber – which refers directly to the Duolever of its rival (see our).

The practical aspects are not neglected as standard with a GPS, two storage compartments in which a glasses case is inserted – in the center and on the return to the right, from which the opening of the gas hatch is activated. -, as well as a sound system correctly audible up to 130 km / h which offers a Bluetooth and USB connection (see our).

The best is not that the friend of the good

Considered next to the old Goldwing, the 2018 novelty gives it a nasty twist from a stylistic point of view: the 2017 model is much more voluminous and plump, almost puffy in comparison. Thanks to its lines inspired by the late CTX1300, the "Gold" 2018 gains in visual dynamism.

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static

The silhouette appears more compact, a finding corroborated by a few measurements: the novelty is shorter (2475 mm Vs 2639) and above all much less wide, of the order of ten centimeters at the base of the windshield! The sides of the fairings also benefit from this to refine, in addition to being less high. Results: the six-cylinder manifolds are now visible.

Thanks to this regime, the intimidating image of a "rolling liner" is somewhat diminished. This metamorphosis is assumed by Honda, which hopes to appeal to "younger users who might have been impressed or simply not attracted by the older generation". The fact remains that to gain slimness, not only superfluous curves have been sacrificed: useful volumes have also been overlooked…. 

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static

Thus, the space between the rider and the passenger is significantly reduced, while the saddles are less enveloping. Above all, the carrying capacity goes from 150 to 110 liters: the top case is struggling to close on the two full face helmets that MNC has yet easily fit into that of the old one. In addition to long-distance riders, motorcycle taxis – which nevertheless represent "20%" of volumes in France – may not appreciate !

"Honda has carried out studies to find out the conditions under which users used their motorbikes," replied the winged crest when asked about this curious choice. "As a result of this research, it appeared that the trips of the majority of users did not exceed two or three days and did not require too much capacity. The decision was therefore taken to reduce the total volume on loading". 

Note also the disappearance of the flaps which made it possible to deflect the hot air from the engine towards the feet to heat them, as well as the elimination of the storage compartments on each side of the passenger seat. This new Goldwing is therefore slimmer, of course, but also less overflowing with attentions (see our) !

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static

Another detail that is not one: in France, the version equipped with the DCT gearbox will only be available with the airbag ("Touring DCT / airbag" version at € 35,999). Bikers doubtful about the interests of the airbag are therefore condemned to opt for the manual gearbox ("Touring" model at € 32,999).

Not to mention that the airbag takes the place of the central storage compartment, further reducing the practical aspects. This choice is all the more astonishing as this technology is struggling to be democratized … And this observation has not improved following the recall of which the Goldwings were the subject in early 2017 because of the defective airbags designed by Takata, three years after !

Road test - 2018 Honda Goldwing Touring test: more watts, less cotton wool - 2018 Goldwing Touring test - Page 1 - Static

The 2018 Goldwing eliminates these considerations by offering a very high-quality finish to the eye, even more qualitative than on the old version. The touches of polished aluminum here and there (above the cylinder banks and the plates, in particular) make a strong impression, as do the Enken rims with angled valves which bear the inscription "Made in Japan"..

The clear and readable instrumentation, all in color, also contributes to this flattering visual observation, even if its gray plastic surround is quite ordinary. A dash of chrome would have been more "Premium" … Likewise, the all-plastic engine guards are nothing to dream about, nor is the central storage compartment hatch whose opening mechanism is eye-catching..

  • Continuation of our test of the Goldwing Touring 2018 in our dynamic part in !

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