New 124bhp engine
6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT
44kg lighter at 379kg
Electronic suspension
Four new rider modes
Fresh start
Honda Gold Wing 2018
Honda say that they set out designing the new Gold Wing with a blank sheet of paper. The overall goal was to make a much more rounded bike without losing the core principles of the bike and key to achieving that was reducing the size of it. The old Gold Wing was a huge great thing, with an enormous bulbous fairing that created a pocket of still air to encapsulate the rider. The new fairing is smaller, and more aggressive looking, and channels the air through ducts rather than forcing it over the top. Honda say this new approach delivers a ‘pleasant cooling breeze’ to the riders while improving the fuel efficiency by 20%. This means Honda have been able to reduce to fuel tank to 21l (down 4l from the old model), while maintaining exactly the same range between fill ups.
The large windscreen has also gone, replaced by a smaller, electrically adjustable screen, although a large screen will be available, as well an adjustable wind deflector for the arms and fixed deflectors for the lower legs.
The shrink hasn’t stopped there – Honda have reduced the total luggage capacity after their research showed owners mostly used them for two to three day tours. The luggage is still sizeable though as the top box will swallow two full-face helmets and combined with the panniers, you’ve got 110l to play with.
Engine
Honda Gold Wing 2018 engine
The engine in the old Wing was knocking on a bit, ultimately dating back to 2001, and while the new engine has stuck at 1833cc, the rest is completely new. The basic architecture is still the same (horizontally-opposed flat six) but it’s now sporting four valves per cylinder. It’s also much more compact and Honda have even managed to knock 6.2kg off it. Peak power has improved slightly to 124bhp and peak torque is now 125 ft lbs, coming at just 4500rpm.
Following on from the Fireblade, the new Goldwing has a fly-by-wire throttle, which brings a host of new features along with it. The throttle has four rider modes (Tour, Sport, Economy and Rain) that alter the power delivery and those modes are also linked to the traction control, suspension damping and braking system.
Honda say that Tour mode is the standard setting for comfort and power. It gives a direct 1:1 ratio between the throttle tube and the butterfly in the throttle body. Tour also puts the suspension and braking into default mode. Sport gives a 150% throttle ratio for improved response and acceleration, while the damping and rear brake lever are both firmed up. Economy is designed for easy cruising, so the throttle ratio is set to 60% (suspension and brakes remain standard). Rain mode turns the throttle right down, with between throttle ratio of 35-50%, while the braking remains standard but the damping is softened. Traction control remains active in all four modes.
For city riding, the new engine has an Idling Stop system, so after three seconds of idling the engine stops, only restarting when the rider twists the throttle. Honda say they’ve done huge amounts of work on this, so the difference when pulling away is almost imperceptible. If you really dislike the feature, it can be switched off at the the handlebars.
Gearbox
Honda Gold Wing 2018 frame
Paired with the new engine are two new gearboxes: a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT. The sixth gear gives a taller top end compared to the old 5-speed box, so engine revs at crusing speed are reduced. The manual also has a new cam assist slipper clutch, so the feel at the lever is lighter while downshifts are smoother. Both bikes also have Hill Start Assist, which uses the ABS system to hold you when stopped on a gradient.
The DCT gearbox is Honda’s third generation and comes with a few features. The 7-speed gearbox uses two clutches: one for start up, 1st, 3rd and 5th – the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th. Like the current DCT bikes the Gold Wing will have Manual along with Drive and Sport modes. The DCT features a ‘walking mode’, that allows you to crawl the bike forward at 1mph or backwards at 0.7mph from switch on the bars. The reverse function on the manual gearbox remains unchanged. The shifting on the DCT models is also connected to the riding mode chosen, so Sport mode holds onto a gear until later in the rev range and also changes gear more aggressively. Economy mode has a gentle engagement, changing up earlier in the rev range and Rain mode also has a soft clutch engagement as well as slower shifting to avoid upsetting the rear tyre.
Chassis & Handling
Honda Gold Wing 2018 fork
Keeping everything in check is a brand new frame, with a whole new suspension system. The Wing’s new aluminium twin beam frame is 2kg lighter than the old frame and has shuffled the new engine 40mm further forward, to make the ride more stable. The really big change though is new front suspension.
The new Gold Wing uses a double wishbone suspension unit, with a central monoshock and a separate pair of steering rods (not a million miles away from the Duolever front end fitted to K-series BMWs). Honda say this new front end is 30% smoother than the old bike as there is no longer sliding friction from the fork tubes, while separating out the steering input is said to make the bike 40% nimbler (whatever that means).
As you might expect from a modern super-tourer, the suspension is now electronically adjustable. The rear preload has four settings (rider, rider and luggage, rider and pillion, rider and pillion with luggage) and both the front and rear damping changes to match the riding mode selected.
All these changes have added up to a significant weight saving over the outgoing model. The previous Gold Wing weighed 413kg wet while the new Gold Wing weighs 365kg wet. The Gold Wing Tour weighs 379kg wet and the DTC airbox version weighs 383kg.
Infotainment, GPS & Connectivity
Honda Gold Wing 2018 GPS
Central to the Gold Wing has always been its expansive cockpit and that’s no different on the new model. Slap bang in the middle of the new dash is a brand new 7” full-colour TFT screen that houses all the infotainment, while most of the bike information (fuel, tyre pressure, riding mode etc.) is on various little screens dotted either side of the clocks. The connectivity itself has moved on too, so both Bluetooth and USB are supported, while iPhone users can now connect to the Gold Wing with Apple CarPlay. The audio system has been improved for increased clarity and passengers can control their own music with buttons on the top of the pannier. The GPS system has been updated too, so it now includes a gyrocompass so guidance even works inside tunnels, and basic GPS commands can be input too such as selecting ‘Home’ as a destination.
As you may imagine, the Gold Wing is now completely keyless. A fob is used to activate the bike and unlock the luggage – thankfully there’s a button on the fob, so you don’t need the ignition on to open and close the luggage.
The lighting is now all LED but not as you might expect it. The bottom half of the headlight uses five polishes lenses on either side, which creates a ‘Jewel-Eye’ low beam. At high beam the same LED pattern lighting creates a ‘stereoscopic impression’ (think Dambusters). The indicators are all LED too and self-cancel, based on inputs from the ECU.
Pricing & Availability
Honda Gold Wing 2018
The new Gold Wing will be available in three versions, the base model will be the GL1800 Gold Wing, the Gold Wing Tour, which has a removable top box, and the Tour DCT, which will also be available with an air bag. For now there are no indications of price but the current model starts from £24,999 and the new one is unlikely to be cheaper.
Richard
Looks great and all sensible improvements but I hope the ground clearance is improved as it looks like progressives will be no more. No crash bars so rubber buffers may be ok and they claim improved MPG but a mistake in reducing tank size. luggage capacity reduction seems wrong (where do they do their research-2 to 3 day trips only ? what about rear racks and the large no of trailers on wings).
I hate to think what the new price will be but sadly not a concern for me as I am not allowed !!!
Ian – What colour have you ordered ?
Cheers
Richard
Lord P
I can’t decide on the colour for me. My “half” of the luggage will clearly have shrunk to match the increase in price. Should be circa 30k next year, her ladyship is saving up,she likes the sporty more aggressive profile
Ken
I prefer the styling of my ’07 wing, the 2018 model looks too much like the BMW K1600, which would be around £13,000 cheaper, (pay the money & make the choice) but I can’t help feeling Honda have missed a trick and have taken away the indivduality of the wing! It’s becoming the same as cars, ” they all look the same”.
Gren
Actually I quite like the “Modern” look and anything lighter must be an advantage.
The colour scheme is quite nice too.
Perhaps designed to compete with BMW in a lot of ways? just an opinion……….
Agree with Richard’s comments in particular no crash bars. It has this plastic/rubber gizmos, but how much protection would they give in those “Car park mishaps!!”. I reckon a bit expensive……
The more I look the more I like it, (Jan’s not here at the moment). 😉
Perhaps run a sweep stake to see who buys first?
But again agree it must be Ian!
mike hiulme
I have bought 2018 wing done 1500 miles great bike nearly every way one big big fault sat nav a night mare any out there has one would love to hear from
IanC
Hi Mike,
My only experience of the 2018 Navi system is of the demonstrator dct bike which I had here for 12days.
I decided I’d load a route to it for folk to use when they went for a test ride – it took me ages !!
I’m quite used to creating routes and loading them to GPS units but I could not get this unit to accept a route which I’d created in Basecamp in GPx format.
In the end I used the online Honda TripPlanner and made the route in their own software and then downloaded it to a USB stick to transfer it to the bike.
During this process I found out just how inadequate the 2018 Navi unit is IF YOU WISH TO USE CUSTOM ROUTES.
It will only accept a max of 8 waypoints per route (which is a lot of waypoints for one route) BUT it doesn’t allow you to insert Via Points/Shaping points so you have to use Waypoints strategically placed to try to make the route go along the roads you actually wish to ride.
This is do-able if the routes is short as in the 28mile test route I created BUT expand the route to 250miles and its impossible.
I create most routes using waypoints for the start, morning coffee, lunch, refuel, afternoon tea, and destination hotel, (only 6 waypoints), BUT then I drag and drop the route onto the roads we want to ride and this can add 30-40 viapoints/shaping points.
I have heard that Honda is aware of this problem and is seeking a software update but they dont know if or when this will be available.
The Navi unit should be ok for riding from point A to point B but anything else and its next to useless.
If you use Custom Routes for tours or holidays you’ll probably need to fit a Garmin Zumo or BMW Nav6 to the bike 🙁
Sorry I can’t be more positive about the new Wing but for me its just too full of compromise 🙁
Cheers,
Ian.
philip tyler
I had mine 6 weeks now its the dct model sat nave passable if you dont expect to much of it love the rider modes its like having 4 different bikes
IanC
2018 DCT test ride report.
A big thank you to Doble Honda and Ian Gladman for sending me their 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT demo bike to try.
It was delivered last Thursday and it will be collected on Friday, I’ve had it for a full week.
I’d love to be able to say “I love it, it’s amazing” but sadly I can’t ☹️
For me, there are just too many things I don’t like about it, it’s just full of compromise and I didn’t enjoy the ride.
In fact, today (Wednesday) I left it in my garage and went for a ride on our 2018 old model Wing and it was a pleasure to be back on a really nice bike.
I really didn’t like the DCT gearbox at all.
I found full manual mode was best for me but it wasn’t great on downshifts and the throttle response in Sport mode was far too sensitive.
In D, auto mode, it changes up too early, 5th gear by 30mph and 6th or 7th by 40mph. This made it feel awful in the bends as it was always in too high a gear and not balanced at all.
Maybe the 6speed manual will be a much better ride.
The suspension wasn’t firm enough for me and it always had a soft spongy feel to it even with just me on it and set to 2up+luggage mode. I could not find a suspension setting to make it feel stable and smooth however much I tried.
The wind and weather protection isn’t as good as my old model bike, and I hated riding it in the wet, I just didn’t feel in control with the DCT gearbox. It was too unpredictable for me and I didn’t like how it would change gear mid corner or mid roundabout !!
Couple the above to the lack of luggage space and the small top box that won’t take my XL and Denise’s XS size helmets, a navi system that’s no good for our custom routes, and you’ve got a touring bike which, to me, seems like a step backwards rather than an advancement.
I’m sorry to say, we won’t be having a Tour DCT, it’s just not my cuppa tea at all ☹️🙁😌
There are some things I did like though –
The brakes are great,
The upshifts on the gearbox are seamless (shame about the downshifts)
The stability at low speeds in a straight line such as filtering is really good.
The exhaust sound is cool, it growls👍
The seat is comfy
The keyless ignition is worth having
👍
Let’s hope Honda decide they would
Like to produce a bike which appeals to us long time Wing owners and they launch a Grand Tour version sometime soon.
Fingers crossed
IanC
Someone said the New 2018 Goldwing Tour is MUCH NARROWER than the model its replaced 🙂
Really ??
Ok, I read a post saying the new bike is up to 8” (20cm) narrower than the old model.
Well, that’s not correct.
The approx sizes are-
Mirror-mirror = old 43” (110cmm) new42” (107)
Saddlebags = old 34” (87cm) new 33”(84)
Engine width = approx same both.
Fairing width = New is approx 4” (10cm) narrower
Therefore the weather protection is significantly worse.
I tried to take pics of this but I need 2pairs of hands to hold the tape and camera so I only managed the mirror to mirror size 😎
On both bikes the same rule applies when filtering (lane splitting in the US )- if the mirrors go through the rest of the bike will too.
THE NEW MODEL IS APPROXIMATELY 1″ (25MM) NARROWER THAN THE OLD MODEL – WOW!!
mike hiulme
Ian a little more on 2018 wing sat nav 1 = only connect to head set if bike set first if you forget say at a petrol stop you have to turn off re set nav turn headset on to talk to you 2 = if you miss a way point by as little as 30 feet nav will turn you back for the next 200 mile way round is to stop turn everything off go into setting cancel that way point restart and off you go 3 = beware of picking bendy roads the nav will sometimes optomise route and go its own way no provision to turn this off Honda know of these problems as they gave me £200 gift tokens plus a food hamper and say they are working on this problem ????
ANTHONY BREWIN
A voice from the past. I had a weekend out with you guys some time ago, but, just, just too busy with work. Anyhow, as Ian knows I have bought a 2018 DCT Model. I’ve done 8,000 miles on mine now. In brief I’d say the following.
The Good.
1. I like the slimmer, lighter weight bike. It’s more sports tour than serious tour. It’s not a serious comfortable, serious luggage bike as we all know/knew it.
2. Personally I love (Love) the DCT. My upshifts down shifts are virtually seamless. What “Drive” you use is of course determined by your style of riding. Mine lives in auto Eco mode, odd switch to Tour and never use the Sports mode. That said I hardly ever use the manual mode (When I do its just to play because it’s there) as I find the auto mode so good.
3. The new front suspension is ok, it’s fine….it’s not “Incredible” its ok. Is it miles better than the 2012 model…not sure it is?
4. Electronic suspension is fine, easy…it’s ok, not “Mind blowing”
5. Electric screen is great. That said apart for changing because of rain whatever, im the kind of rider who sets it and forgets it. But, a worthy improvement. I’d love it a whole lot more if Mr Honda and his team established a quick easy release that allowed both sides of screen to be quickly easily cleaned. Can’t be rocket science…..surely?
6. Brakes I fell are a good deal better.
7. Apple play? Love or hate for many. Personally I love it.
8. General handling I feel is far better, far better, lighter, more nimble easier to manoeuvre.
9. Stop start for me is a winner. Why stand wasting fuel at lights when engine can be cut and starter so easily.
10. Hill assist? It’s ok. It’s not a deal maker for me, it’s ok.
11. M. P. G. is better. That’s always good.
12. The instruments, and information available, when it works is good. Tyre pressure, temperature, available mileage, in tank etc, and much more, when it works is great. Sadly it often does not work.
13. I like big bikes; I always liked my 20112 model. That said I do like the lighter weight of this machine
Points that are not so good.
1. Sat Nav is less than useless, let alone importing of routes and other stuff, mine works sometimes seizes up much of the time. Less than useless and quite shameful for Honda to release this bike with such a pitiful (Truly pitiful) system. I kicked off and my dealer got a Zumo 550 fitted at no cost. A truly pitiful Sat Nave
2. Reduction in luggage beggars belief. For two people riding off for say two weeks it is woefully inadequate compare to previous model. Im a solo rider, not doing huge trips, for me its ok. For many it is just not fit for purpose.
3. 3. The position of horn is something I hate…seriously hate. Ergonomically for me it is just not in the right place for me to react and hit it fast enough in an emergency. On the 2012 model it say in the right place for me thumb and I could hit it in a Nano second. Really don’t like it on the new bike. I’d go further (Can only speak as I find myself) I’d say it’s even potentially even dangerous. Others may be ok with it….I hate it.
4. Seat, I don’t find as comfortable as the 2012 model. OK for daily trips but ive regular done 600-800 1000 miles in a day. I don’t fancy that kind of mileage on this new bike.
5. The electronics on this bike are really not fit to be released. A machine of this cost should come out the door fit for purpose and or quickly sorted if there are issues. There are issues and at this time, Honda seemingly has no plan to fix? I mention the following and have forgotten some. Sat Nav worthless, Tyre pressure monitoring does not work, Display reef miles left in tank does not work, Temperature does not work,
6. The little cubby box on right hand side of DCT model houses a button that open fuel filler cap. Driving home this week, low on fuel, but not sure because the read out is not working saying how many miles left in tank, the cubby box (At petrol station) would not open. I had no choice but to run the risk and carry on riding back to my nearest point (Office) I ran out of fuel the side of the rd on a 30,000 quid motor bike looking like an idiot. The number of electronic failures just is not good enough. Even more than this my bike needed to be recovered. No problem call Mr Honda recovery. First firm that came out simply said “Can’t do this, too difficult, nowhere to strap the bike down” I get on the phone to Mr Honda recovery “Can we get a specialist firm out who knows what they are doing to recover my Bike?” Yes indeed Mr Brewin. They sent out a second firm who said “can’t do this. No crash bars front or rear grab rails can no longer be used to strap down. They threw arms up in the air, threw the towel in, and drove off. My bike still awaits recovery.
7. Hand brake works fine. I had to have mine adjusted after about a 1000 miles as it would not hold the bike, it now needs doing again.
8. No crash bars? A bit worrying, we have all dropped our bikes. (have we?) That said regret to say dropped my new one….the rubber pads did the job. Not a scratch on the bike. Think id still like to see crash bars?
9. It beggars belief that the trunk will not hold two helmets….simply staggering. If rider and passenger have heads the size of an orange with now head sets on, you might be in with a chance. I have a Schubert with built in electronics (nothing on the side) no hope whatsoever of two helmets in the trunk
10. Security clip for attaching helmet to the exterior of bike. Almost worthless on its own. The helmet hangs down side of body work, chances are rain would get in. Ive had a modified security steel wire loop made up so I can fix helmet to seat and fix/secure to bike.
11. No strap down points for luggage on the bike
12. Weather protection this bike falls significantly short of the 2012 model. I was never cold on my 2012 bike; I have to take a bit more care on this one.
The overall deal for me, I like it. The DCT and lighter feel for me is the deal maker, I love it. For many DCT will never be a motorbike, I love it. Sadly, I regret to say Mr Honda has over promised and under delivered. On so many points. Let us not forget this is not a five bob motor bike. For most it will be about 30k or more. For this kind of money I can buy a decent Mercedes or BMW and chances are electronics, Sat Nave etc. will work perfectly. All balanced up i like the bike. Sadly it falls short in a number of areas.
Gren
In a nutshell a load of crap then!
Nigel Mackintosh
That’s a great description, Tony – many thanks.
Several of us had planned to buy the new bike when it was announced, but gradually changed our minds as the main deficiencies became known. I think you have identified a few more!
Would you mind us repeating your comments elsewhere, with credit to you of course, as it is excellent information which deserves a wider audience than it might get here?
IanC
Heres another two update from Tony,
1. Message as he was preparing for the tour to Scotland
Anyhow, the new bags came today, I’m pretty much loaded for the weekend. Truth is my wife has bigger make up bags than the Honda pannier bags. I’ve got some camera kit (it’s a photo shoot holiday more than a bike holiday actually) not a hope in hell of taking the kit I need without strapping another bag on back, and that’s me on my own. Fair enough most folk would manage with a very modest size camera and I have got a few bits of camera kit. But, wife’s make up bags are bigger. Two up? Two weeks and more? “With our climate and clothing needs” a mighty struggle for most!’
2. Message after the ride to Scotland –
I can now confirm without a shadow of a doubt weather protection on 2018 bike is pitiful compared to previous model.
Arrived in Edinburgh after being peed on relentlessly for four-five hours. Would never have made it without new heated jacket I bought last week. Had heated gloves for years, never had heated jacket. Just crossed my mind, but without heated jacket, would not have made it here.
Riding my old wing, in Scotland & Poland etc…, much more in cold weather, I was never once cold and didn’t have a heated jacket!!
Regards.
Tony.