WE’VE already seen it in leaked pictures and now Honda’s 2018 Gold Wing has been officially revealed, with confirmation that it’s been ‘redesigned from the wheels up’.
The flagship tourer will be available with a new, third generation of Honda’s semi-automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) system, with seven speeds. The manual version is six-speed.
The flat-six 1833cc engine now has four valves per cylinder and benefits from a new ride-by-wire throttle and four riding modes.
The chassis is new, featuring an aluminium beam frame, double wishbone front suspension and single-sided 'Pro-Arm' swing-arm, with damping and rear spring pre-load electronically adjustable.
Honda says the 2018 Gold Wing is smaller, lighter and more agile that its predecessor, a development the firm hopes will increase its appeal to younger riders.
It will be available as the base-model GL1800 Gold Wing and as a ‘Tour’ edition with a top box and the option of DCT and an airbag.
The claimed kerb weight is 365kg for the base model, 379kg for the Tour and 383kg for the Tour with DCT. The existing Gold Wing weighs a claimed 421kg.
The engine has been ‘optimised for size’ according to Honda, but makes more power than the current Wing, at a claimed 126hp compared to 118hp. Peak torque is also up, from 123lbft to 125lbft.
The four riding modes are Tour, Sport, Econ and Rain, altering suspension damping and the combined braking system as well as throttle response.
It also gets Honda’s ‘Selectable Torque Control’ traction control system and Hill Start Assist, the latter to prevent rolling backwards.
The DCT version has a ‘creep forward and back function’ while the manual one retains the reverse system of its predecessor.
Equipment includes an electric adjustable windscreen, cruise control and a seven-inch TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity.
And of course, the new Wing has received a comprehensive styling makeover, as shown in the pictures.
The base model comes in silver, the Tour in red (main image on page two) and the Tour with DCT in red and black (above).
The 2018 Gold Wing was unveiled early this morning at Japan’s Tokyo Motor Show.
Here are the full specs of the 2018 Gold Wing, straight from Honda. Scroll down for more pictures.
Technical Specifications
ENGINE | |
Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 24 valve SOHC flat-6 |
Displacement | 1,833cc |
Valves per cylinder | 4 |
Bore x Stroke | 73mm x 73mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
Max. Power Output | 124.7bhp/5500rpm |
Max. Torque | 170Nm/4500rpm |
Oil Capacity | 4.4 litres (MT) / 5.6 litres (DCT) |
| CO2 emissions | Gold Wing and Gold Wing 'Tour' MT version: 128g/km Gold Wing 'Tour' with DCT and air bag: 131 g/km |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
Carburation | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
Throttle Bore | 50mm |
Air cleaner | Viscous, cartridge type paper filter |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 21.1 litres |
Fuel Consumption | 50.4mpg |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
Starter | Integrated Starter Generator system |
Battery Capacity | 12V/20AH |
ACG Power Generation Capacity | 12V/120A |
DRIVETRAIN | |
Clutch Type | (MT) Hydraulic, wet, multiplate with coil springs, assist slipper cam (DCT) Hydraulic, wet, multiplate with oil pressure |
Transmission Type | 6 speed MT (including overdrive. Plus electric reverse) 7-speed forward and reverse DCT |
Primary Reduction | 1.795 (79/44) |
Gear Ratios | (DCT) 1st: 2.167 2nd: 1.696 3rd: 1.304 4th: 1.038 5th: 0.821 6th: 0.667 7th: 0.522 Rev: 1.190 (MT) 1st: 2.200 2nd: 1.417 3rd: 1.036 4th: 0.821 5th: 0.667 6th: 0.522 |
Final Reduction | Engine side 0.972 Rear Wheel side 2.615 |
Final Drive | Enclosed shaft |
FRAME | |
Type | Aluminum die-cast, twin tube |
CHASSIS | |
Dimensions (L´W´H) | Gold Wing L: 2,475mm W: 925mm H: 1,340mm Gold Wing ‘Tour’ L: 2,575mm W: DCT 905mm / MT 925mm H: 1,430mm |
Wheelbase | 1695mm |
Caster Angle | 30.5° |
Trail | 109mm |
Turning radius | 3.4m |
Seat Height | 745mm |
Ground Clearance | 130mm |
Kerb Weight | Gold Wing: 365kg Gold Wing ‘Tour’: MT 379kg / DCT 383kg |
SUSPENSION | |
Type Front | Double Wishbone |
Type Rear | Pro Link |
WHEELS | |
Type Front | 130/70R 18 |
Type Rear | 200/55R 16 |
Rim Size Front | 18 x MT3.5 |
Rim Size Rear | 16 x MT6.0 |
BRAKES | |
System Type | Electronically-controlled combined ABS system |
Type Front | 320mm x 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with 6-piston calliper, floating rotors and sintered metal pads |
Type Rear | 316mm x 11mm ventilated disc with 3-piston calliper and sintered metal pads |
