2018 Oct. 27 GoldWing Presentation at Honda

[opas ride]

Today was the first official presentation of the 2018 Honda GoldWing and GoldWing Tour at Honda HQ in Torrance, California. I attempted to take some relevant photos and get some answers from the very knowledgeable Honda technical staff on hand.

First and most importantly, we had some GoldWing cookies to eat – Honda makes a tasty cookie! About 4 inches in diameter, with a nice, high-definition gradient on the printed sugar logo:



Here are some photos of the bikes:

First, the GW Tour after unveiling:



Next, the entry-level GW. All blacked-out, my favorite.



The bags are a bit smaller than on the F6B – a styling concession.



The odd little caliper on the rear disc is for the parking brake – it's an automatic, so it needs one.



Some really bright LEDs up front ...



And also in the rear.



Linked brakes with linked ABS on every model. Somebody listened!



I liked the looks of the bagger. I also like the looks of the F6B. They're both more attractive than the BMW K1600B, in my mind.



A fat rear tire. 200mm I believe. Looks just right.



The GoldWing gets the black exhaust. The Tour gets the chrome.

I hope later production models are put together with a little more care...Noticed on the trunk of the Tour model the Honda badge is off-center to left and the right saddle bag has a larger gap when closed than the left one....Just "nitpicking"....Great photos

[ths61]

I hope later production models are put together with a little more care...Noticed on the trunk of the Tour model the Honda badge is off-center to left and the right saddle bag has a larger gap when closed than the left one....Just "nitpicking"....Great photos

It would be great if they came debadged as an option so you don't have to risk the paint job removing the branding logos all around.

[Circle-5]

I hope later production models are put together with a little more care...Noticed on the trunk of the Tour model the Honda badge is off-center to left and the right saddle bag has a larger gap when closed than the left one....Just "nitpicking"....Great photos

According to the Honda motorcycle techs, these two GoldWings are not even complete – they were just recently cobbled together for presentations. That's all they've got. The engines will start (to demo the new, rumbly exhaust note), but won't get you anywhere. They won't let you sit on them. If you want to test ride a pre-production model today, you have to go to Japan. I assume these two incomplete props were assembled by hand in California, without the help of jigs, special tooling and so forth. The ones on display at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show next month should be closer to the real thing. But I will look for the off-center trunk badge to see if they're the same ones!

[DaWadd]

Great pics. Thanks for posting those. I don't care what the crybaby naysayers say that is one beautiful motorcycle.

[Circle-5]

Great pics. Thanks for posting those. I don't care what the crybaby naysayers say that is one beautiful motorcycle.

You're welcome and I agree with you. I walked in there with the intention of not liking the aesthetics of the 2018, based on the photos I'd seen. I had a solid list of misgivings and many good reasons to reject the new angular design, including my appreciation for the rounded, organic shapes of the current model. I knew that seeing the 2018s would just reinforce all my preconceptions. But it took about 30 seconds to change all that. Photos don't do it justice. It's hard to explain, but every line and every detail just flows together as you walk around the bike. There is no bad angle, just a tight, well-designed package that owes as much to CAD/CAM as it does to its designers.

There are some technical choices that could be questioned, like the smaller fuel tank, the absence of hydraulic valve adjustments (even Harley has them) and the aluminum sleeves, which may or may not be as durable. Time will tell. But the looks of the bike are impeccable, especially if you like the "form follows function" philosophy.

That's just my opinion, of course. For the record, I don't work for Honda, or for a Honda dealer. I just spend some of my money on their toys.

[VStarRider]

Thank you again for the pics. They are great. I am very impressed with what I see. I am ready to get my fully loaded up DCT GWT in Spring 2020. Already laying the groundwork for that move with the Mrs.

[Circle-5]

[Circle-5]

The white is now bright and glossy, not matte. The only matte color is silver (carry over from F6B in 2016 model year). For those who are concerned about paint quality: "... paint is high tech, using BASF nano-technology paint. Darks look darker, lights look brighter. The paint itself has a luxurious wet appearance." And I read somewhere that the 2018 GW has a clear-coat. Just like a real paint job!

Note: from my scanner to your screen, via JPEG and other processes, the color swatches below are unlikely to be exact, assuming they were correct in the first place ...

[Hook]

According to the Honda motorcycle techs, these two GoldWings are not even complete – they were just recently cobbled together for presentations. That's all they've got. The engines will start (to demo the new, rumbly exhaust note), but won't get you anywhere. They won't let you sit on them. If you want to test ride a pre-production model today, you have to go to Japan. I assume these two incomplete props were assembled by hand in California, without the help of jigs, special tooling and so forth. The ones on display at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show next month should be closer to the real thing. But I will look for the off-center trunk badge to see if they're the same ones!

On 11/30 I will be in Japan and I'm going to try to fine a Honda dealer. I kind of doubt they will have one on the floor if they do and I can buy one I will there and have shipped back to me by the end of the year =)
Hook

[olegoat345]

Anybody have a breakdown on MSRP?
If anybody finds a "real deal" let us all know. Riding one of those beauties home from anywhere in the US would be a fun thing.