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2018 Goldwing...up close and personal!

Devilsfan

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Went to the dealer today to pick up my NC sprockets. They just brought out a new Goldwing. IMO...gorgeous! The service guy was telling me all about it. I'm sure you've all read about the changes but Honda rebuilt this thing! New engine, new features, DCT with reverse, 45 lbs lighter, all the bells and whistles, everything is key fobbed, rear trunk is removable, joystick and/or buttons, replaced the dual forks, right-side single swingarm, NO THROTTLE CABLE!!!

Price tag??? $25K and some change.


Here's some pics for your viewing pleasure!

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Here's a picture of the "forks"!!! One "fork-like thingy" replaces the old dual forks.

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Almost the same for me today. My dealer got the first two in yesterday. One was presold and was ridden away yesterday. The other one was in the service department getting accessories added. I couldn't sit on it with the seat and fairing parts removed. I did get an appointment to ride a DCT Tour model demo on Friday.
 
I read long report on it in one of the cycle rags.
Different bike - same name.
Pretty fantastic.
Now if Kawasaki would just see the light and give in and put a DCT on the Concours.:confused:
 
My dealer has a dedicated goldwing guy. That's his job. Sell goldwing and accessories. There is a corner of the showroom dedicated to wings and accessories. Local clubs meet there and you can usually find wing owners just hanging out there. Kinda neat.
 
Going by the specs, it appears the new 'Wing has morphed into something closer to a modern ST1300.
 
Going by the specs, it appears the new 'Wing has morphed into something closer to a modern ST1300.

I agree. That seems an odd direction for Honda to go being that sport touring bikes don’t sell really well in the US.
 
Still too heavy for this old guy. Had a Wing a number of years ago and would dearly love to have another - but those days have passed me by. I’ll stick with my “Winglet” now. :)
 
Still too heavy for this old guy. Had a Wing a number of years ago and would dearly love to have another - but those days have passed me by. I’ll stick with my “Winglet” now. :)

No kidding. They may have lost 90 pounds, but they're still heavier than my ex-wife. Only by a couple of pounds, though.
 
Going by the specs, it appears the new 'Wing has morphed into something closer to a modern ST1300.

I agree. That seems an odd direction for Honda to go being that sport touring bikes don’t sell really well in the US.


Check out this article. It's short and has some cool pictures. But what I noticed from reading is the designer's response. We may not always agree with Honda's rationale but I think they're targeting a new base of riders. Therefore, some of the changes are catered to what their data is showing. I also find it interesting into their overall thinking. After reading this article I can see the "Eastern" mindset. Very interesting, IMO.

Why Honda ditched the forks: 2018 Honda Gold Wing technology


There was another article I read where they review the bike after riding it. One of that author's issues was the small luggage space. He wrote that, according to Honda's data, "new" riders are taking their motorcycles more on weekend jaunts than week-long, or more, trips. Therefore, Honda was thinking to decrease the motorcycle's carrying capacity.
Also, that author mentioned all of the buttons and such. He didn't like Honda putting all the buttons on the bars and tank. Yet at the same time, especially on the CTX forum, these guys are loading up their bars with every kind of gadget known to man! So I don't agree with that author's issue with too many buttons, judging from the gadget-hungry population we have today!
 
There was another article I read where they review the bike after riding it. One of that author's issues was the small luggage space. He wrote that, according to Honda's data, "new" riders are taking their motorcycles more on weekend jaunts than week-long, or more, trips. Therefore, Honda was thinking to decrease the motorcycle's carrying capacity.

Every time I read Honda’s rationale for reducing luggage size (weekend trips, overnight jaunts), I think of how I use my 2002 Goldwing. Example: wife and I are camping in North Carolina. Decide to ride Goldwing to Gatlinburg, TN for the day and walk around the shops. Wear full gear on the two hour ride. We take TWO SETS of motorcycle gear: pants, jackets, boots, helmets, and gloves, and although it takes all the space, pack them totally away in the 2002 Goldwing luggage. That, along with the tools, tire repair kit, rain gear, and other stuff that’s always on board. We then enjoy the town in street attire. So, I guess Honda figures on the new ‘Wing, we’ll be OK with wearing part of our riding gear in town all day, because there isn’t enough room to stow it on their new Goldwing. Mind you, this is just a simple day trip, not an overnighter.

And then there’s the overnight rationale whereby we wouldn't need to pack much. That’s true under the assuption that you eat at restaurants and stay in hotels. We don’t stay in hotels. We camp. When you camp, you need more stuff.

The luggage reduction on the new Goldwing is a deal killer for me. It would reduce the bike to less of a two up bike and more of a one person bike. And, I don’t need an 800-900 pound bike for one up touring. I’d wait to see if the aftermarket can deal with the luggage problem, but I’d think it would be a difficult task to increase the luggage size and integrate it to the bike. Perhaps trailers will get more popular. The Uni-Go might see increased sales.
 
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It's not like you have to bench press it. It handles like a much lighter bike.

2018 Honda Goldwing DCT Tour slow speed turns - YouTube

LOL! You are so right about that. Anyone who tihinks it’s a bulky, sluggish bike would be pleasantly surprised if not shocked at how a Wing handles. But I’ve reached the point (I think we all get there sooner or later) where the low speed maneuvers and garage-ability (reverse notwithstanding) is just more that I can handle with that much weight. Anyone who is remotely considering a touring bike and who still has the physical capacity should definitely demo one. Heck, if I can find a dealer willing, I’ll still go demo one just for nostalgic reasons. The Goldwing is one sweet motorcycle.
 
We take TWO SETS of motorcycle gear: pants, jackets, boots, helmets, and gloves,

Never have I ever heard of that.
I have taken another tire and helmet when I went FL to TX 40 years ago (fewer places/things/people to help)
Where do you put all the camping equipment? Trailer?
Isn't it like maybe 20% less volume?
 
Never have I ever heard of that.
I have taken another tire and helmet when I went FL to TX 40 years ago (fewer places/things/people to help)
Where do you put all the camping equipment? Trailer?
Isn't it like maybe 20% less volume?

We were camping in a motorhome and had towed the Goldwing to the camp from home. The two sets of gear are mine, and my wife's. Riding two up on the Wing from camp to our day destination, we then stowed our gear on the bike.

i think the reduction is more than 20%, but even at 20%, there would not be enough space. Besides, Honda also did away with the two convenient locking helmet hooks on the back of the trunk.
 
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Ordered a white DCT tour in December, dealer just told me there's a ~month delay for white DCTs.
They claim that white was never a big seller, until now when I want one. Turned over 75,000 on '98 Wing last Monday.
 
Ordered a white DCT tour in December, dealer just told me there's a ~month delay for white DCTs.
They claim that white was never a big seller, until now when I want one. Turned over 75,000 on '98 Wing last Monday.

C & C Powersports in Clarksville, Indiana has a white DCT Goldwing sitting on the floor now. I sat on it yesterday.
 
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