New 2018 GOLDWING

[Phantom]

Some Facts ......



20%: Reduction in clutch-operation load on the 2018 Honda Gold Wing

6: Number of cylinders in the prototype engine for the original GL. (The production version would have four cylinders, though the engine grew to six cylinders in 1988.)

5.3 lbs.: Reduction in weight achieved through use of an Integrated Starter Generator system (ISG) on the 2018 Gold Wing, combining the generator and starter-motor functions

43rd: Anniversary that the Gold Wing is celebrating in the 2018 model year

SCM440H: Name of the high-strength steel-alloy material used for the 2018 Gold Wing’s crankshaft, which enabled Honda engineers to reduce the component’s dimensions

CRF450R: Honda model (an award-winning, high-performance motocrosser) from which the 2018 Gold Wing’s Unicam® valve-train design was borrowed

1.1: Number of gallons by which the 2018 Gold Wing’s fuel-tank capacity was reduced without sacrificing range, thereby improving performance and handling

999cc: Engine displacement of the original 1975 GL1000 Gold Wing

20%: Improvement in fuel economy for the 2018 Gold Wing during testing

13.7 lbs.: Amount by which weight has been reduced on the 2018 manual-transmission Gold Wing’s engine

7: Number of speeds in the 2018 Gold Wing’s advanced automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

.75 mph: Speed at which the 2018 Gold Wing travels when in Reverse Walking Mode

$2,899: MSRP for the original, 1975 Gold Wing GL1000

4: Number of riding modes on the 2018 Honda Gold Wing: Tour, Sport, Econ, and Rain

7 inches: Size of the 2018 Gold Wing’s full-color Thin Film Transistor (TFT) liquid-crystal display

1,000: Number of miles Cycle magazine rode their 1988 GL1500 test unit in a single day for a story

4: Number of electric preload suspension-adjustment settings for the 2018 Gold Wing Tour: Rider, Rider + Luggage, Rider + Passenger, Rider + Passenger + Luggage

+80 lbs.: Amount by which weight has been reduced on the 2018 version, compared to its predecessor

Project 371: Prototype code name of the Shoichiro Irimajiri-led development project for the original Gold Wing

30%: Reduction in shock transmitted from the road surface to the handlebars on the 2018 Honda Gold Wing, thanks to the double-wishbone front-suspension system

4.4 lbs.: Amount by which weight was reduced in the Gold Wing frame and swingarm for 2018

110 liters: Total capacity of the saddlebags and rear trunk on 2018 Gold Wing Tour models (note: that is down from 147 liters in the 2017 Goldwing)

[98valk]

Indicated RPM at 60MPH: 2,550. Isn't that what we have now? Adding a 6th gear just so we shift more doesn't sound good. What am I missing?

[SpeedyWho]

Indicated RPM at 60MPH: 2,550. Isn't that what we have now? Adding a 6th gear just so we shift more doesn't sound good. What am I missing?

Yeah I really hope that's not the case, what's the freaking point. I never understood all those people who cried a 6th gear, by making 5 a taller ratio you'd get the same final outcome.

The final ratio of the 7 Speed DCT and the new 6 Speed appear to be the same.

[VStarRider]

Yeah I really hope that's not the case, what's the freaking point. I never understood all those people who cried a 6th gear, by making 5 a taller ratio you'd get the same final outcome.

The final ratio of the 7 Speed DCT and the new 6 Speed appear to be the same.

Hmmm. I wonder why they are keeping top gear rpms about the same....? Perhaps those revs match up to the engine's power band? Therefore, no need for a shift to pass? The Yamaha TC turns about those r's at 70 mph...but that's wide open for that thing

20% increase in mpg means that loafers like me should be getting near 50 mpg on the new model. I am leery of fuel mileage claims derived from "testing". They never seem to pan out. I remember Yamaha claiming that their performance four-stroke RX-1 snowmobile would deliver 25 mpg when it was released in 2003. I bought one, and never broke 20 mpg.

I am glad they kept the flat-6. If there's a theme on this and other GW forums, its that the six makes up for a lot of our old bikes' shortcomings, such as the stereo, ABS, cruise, etc. I know that motors are a significant factor in any motorcycle purchase decision, but this one especially. I know its what brought me to the Honda dealer from the Victory dealer.

[doubleh]

So, on the DCT models you still have to switch the gears somewhere from the left hand control? I'm asking this because I see a DCT foot shifter (599.95) offered under *Accessories* on the Powersport Honda site? I was under the impression there was no shifting involved at all. I figured you just twisted the throttle and she goes like an automatic trans in a car?

Also, on the DCT model Goldwing I see it comes with *walking/reverse* but the manual doesn't which make no sense too me. Anyway, I guess *walking* assists you while walking the bike forward?

I've already contacted my dealer where I purchased my '16 this past April and they'll be notifying me when it arrives so I could check it out. I must say that I'm intrigued, and will most probably jump on the Matte Majestic Silver!

[Fingerz]

This new bike looks great and I like that brown color a lot. But my 2016 B is paid off and I will be waiting a while longer before buying a new bike. At least that's what the Minister of Finance said to me!

[Circle-5]

Does anybody know what that flat retractable thingy on top of the instrument cluster is or does?

[ShanghaiDan]

So, on the DCT models you still have to switch the gears somewhere from the left hand control? I'm asking this because I see a DCT foot shifter (599.95) offered under *Accessories* on the Powersport Honda site? I was under the impression there was no shifting involved at all. I figured you just twisted the throttle and she goes like an automatic trans in a car?

Also, on the DCT model Goldwing I see it comes with *walking/reverse* but the manual doesn't which make no sense too me. Anyway, I guess *walking* assists you while walking the bike forward?

I've already contacted my dealer where I purchased my '16 this past April and they'll be notifying me when it arrives so I could check it out. I must say that I'm intrigued, and will most probably jump on the Matte Majestic Silver!

No need to shift AT ALL on the DCT. HOWEVER, if you do desire to shift it anyway, there are small levers/buttons on the left grip that let you shift up/down as you want. And you can get a shift kit for your foot if you'd like to use that as well. But it is entirely optional! I have a CTX700 and many days cruising through LA I don't manually shift at all. Up in the mountains, however, I shift quite a bit to make sure I'm in the gear I want for the upcoming corner.

[doubleh]

No need to shift AT ALL on the DCT. HOWEVER, if you do desire to shift it anyway, there are small levers/buttons on the left grip that let you shift up/down as you want. And you can get a shift kit for your foot if you'd like to use that as well. But it is entirely optional! I have a CTX700 and many days cruising through LA I don't manually shift at all. Up in the mountains, however, I shift quite a bit to make sure I'm in the gear I want for the upcoming corner.

Thank you very much, I appreciate the explanation of the DTC.

When first starting out with DTC do you need to shift down with the lever/button on the left handgrip to 1st gear in order for the trans to engage, or just twist the throttle? In other words, is there a neutral?

I just found this article on how the DCT works right before your post, but it doesn't answer my question above. Being you have hands on experience with DCT, I figured I'd ask.

Thank you very much,
Joe

[98valk]

Yeah I really hope that's not the case, what's the freaking point. I never understood all those people who cried a 6th gear, by making 5 a taller ratio you'd get the same final outcome.

The final ratio of the 7 Speed DCT and the new 6 Speed appear to be the same.

What I originally saw must have been a mis-print. It doesn't make any sense to add a gear without lowering the rpms.

The more correct info shows top gear at 60mph will be at about 2000 rpms, vs 2550. Yea!!!! BTW, this was calculated by someone. There is a graph in this link that clearly shows top gear is a whole step above our old top gear.

http://www.hondaprokevin.com/picture...00-tour-79.jpg

The DCT version will probably downshift instantly whenever you goose it. The manual version will of course need our input.

Here is a new to me link with some of this:

http://www.hondaprokevin.com/2018-ho...automatic-bike

So, higher top gear, smaller bags, better gas mileage, more power, lighter bike, better looking seat, too many electronics - everything I could want. I'm thinking Tour model with trunk removal kit. Don't know about DCT vs manual.