2018 Honda Gold Wing Sheds Weight

[alans1100]

The 2018 Honda Gold Wing has shed up to 48kg of weight, has an electric windscreen, seven-speed automatic transmission, traction control and a link front fork.

https://motorbikewriter.com/2018-honda-goldwing-sheds-weight/

[Biggles]

You absolute beauty!!
That might well be the answer to my ST problem- namely, my wife preferred the Wing.   
AND they now have an electric screen.  If the GPS is a good Garmin, with the weight loss, and those sharp looks...   

Now I'll just have to wait 5 years for an affordable second-hand one to come available.   

I just read "idling stop".  That's a fuel saving gimmick that I hope is switch selectable.  Bikes don't burn enough to warrant it.  And the tank is smaller- why!!?  Just because USA has a 24 hour servo every ten miles!
Ahh- it can be:  "Idling Stop can be turned ON or OFF from the right handlebar switch."

How clever is this!?  "The automatic indicator system compares front and rear wheel speed difference to calculate signal cancellation."

[LindsayGT]

https://powersports.honda.com/2018/gold-wing.aspx

Oh dear, my ST has just developed a serious problem.

I want another Goldwing!

[Gadget]

I love the bluemotion auto stop on the Golf and the DSG gearbox.

I think I would get used to the Honda versions.

There appears to be a lot to like about this new wing.

It seems like a nice blend between the ST and wing.

[Shiney]

Looks very nice

[Sicman]

I think I could make the move across 

[Shillas]

It seems like a nice blend between the ST and wing.

My initial thought

[Gadget]

Another article.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2018-honda-gold-wing/preview/

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[West Aussie Glen]

I was getting excited until I read this:-

"But it has a smaller fuel tank and almost a third less luggage space"

The 1800 already has less useable luggage space than the 1500 

Some pluses and minuses for me.
The only thing that would convince me to update would be the front forks, better suited to a sidecar.

Honda Australia already have it on the net:-

https://motorcycles.honda.com.au/Touring/2018_Goldwing_Tour#product-details-list

2017 Dimensions 2,630mm x 945mm x 1,455mm

2018 Dimensions 2,575mm x 925mm x 1430 (low screen) 1555 (high)

[West Aussie Glen]

2017 Wheelbase 1690

2018 Wheelbase 1695

[Yorkie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM7d7ux_6yE&t=437

track test, comes up well

[alans1100]

Honda Australia already have it on the net:-

https://motorcycles.honda.com.au/Touring/2018_Goldwing_Tour#product-details-list

But that's a manual

Try the DCT version https://motorcycles.honda.com.au/Touring/2018_Goldwing_Tour_Premium

[ST2UP]

Wouldn't have thought I would say this about a wing.....but the 2018 just doesn't appeal to me.

Looks just to George Jettson crossed with a 1500 Valkyrie. Espeacilly in the red/black.



Cheers

[Gadget]

Teo of my resistance points to the Eing was the Fixed screen and weight. That's remedied in this model.

I want one in White Pearl, DCT, Airbag,  and Tour, which is not an option.

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[NTRebel]

Still a heavy monstrosity compared to the ST and that's with less fuel than the ST.

[StinkyPete]

The fuel capacity is just 21 litres.   

[West Aussie Glen]

The fuel capacity is just 21 litres.   

Agree with you Pete but I currently have a range of about 400 kms and with improved engine efficiency and a taller top gear the range probably hasn't changed much.

One write up talks about the pillion seat being less comfortable and an acceptable trade off with some other gain well I am sure for a lot of wing owners pillion comfort is a major concern.

[West Aussie Glen]

When I first saw the early photos of the new wing I was getting excited but this thread has made me think about what I would like changed on my wing so here we go:-

6 speeds as in a taller top gear or just a taller 5th gear. Current Wing pulls strongly in top gear from 60kph, I only change from top when I have to pass in a big hurry or drop below 60 ks
More luggage capacity
More efficient luggage capacity
As better GPS that gives actual speed and speed limits
Instrument warning lights that you can see in the sun
TPMS (rear wheel valve is a pain to get to to check the pressure)
Larger diameter hand grips (fitted to my wing but with a loss of hand grip heater effectiveness)
USB and cigarette lighter power outlets ( the wing doesn't have any locks of bikes have 4)
C-Tek battery charger socket with battery condition indicator lights (fitted to my wing)
Quicker start up of the electronics
A ride off centre stand (fitted to my wing)
High level tail stop and blinker lights (fitted to my wing)
An accurate speedo (speedo healer fitted to my wing)
Fuel computer, the wing handles head winds with ease but with a subsequent fuel economy loss, be nice to know when this is happening rather then when the fuel light comes on.
Larger side stand pad (fitted to my wing)
Day time running lights (fitted to my wing that are also blinkers)
Keyless start
Headlight on/off switch (fitted to my wing)
CB radio
Leading link forks just to allow for fitting a sidecar

Things that I would happily do without on my wing:-
Remote pannier locking (sensor takes up valuable space in the top box lid and who wants one)
Soft opening panniers
Auto cancelling blinkers


Things that really don't worry me about my wing:-
Weight once moving, just has to be managed when stopped, actually think the weight makes handling strong cross winds easier
Manually adjustable screen, it is very easy to adjust.
Fuel range although more is always better


Just my thoughts from over 30,000kms in the last two years on the wing and a lot of it 2 up.

[Biggles]

I'd add to that- ADD four litres to the current 25 litre tank, rather than removing 4 litres as they are doing.
I'd definitely agree with the agonisingly long electronics boot-up.  Appalling.
I agree- just have a taller 5th gear.  I have 6 gears on the V-Strom (which are useful for a 650cc engine) but it makes for noticeably more gear shifting, even when you skip gears as I often do.
Reducing luggage capacity might have been to make it look sportier.  Dumb move.  They have made the top box removable, probably so they don't have to make an F6B version.
Power outlets would seem to be a basic item these days of USB charging farkles.  Even one in the topbox would be good.
I concur with your observations about the very poor standard GPS.
It appears they have listened to riders' inputs, but didn't ask us!

[LindsayGT]

Here's another look!

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/first-look-2018-honda-gold-wing-and-gold-wing-tour.html

[alans1100]

Overall I like the bike with the smaller tank and the Apple CarPlay being negatives. A more universal system would have been better as not everyone as Apple stuff.

I like the DCT over the manual and wonder how long it will be offered on Honda Australia. The VFR1200 DCT didn't stay long due to poor sales.

Other than that beyond my income level.

Current Wing pulls strongly in top gear from 60kph, I only change from top when I have to pass in a big hurry or drop below 60 ks

My 1100 does the same and I only need a lower gear when towing

[West Aussie Glen]

Overall I like the bike with the smaller tank and the Apple CarPlay being negatives. A more universal system would have been better as not everyone has Apple stuff.

Or even want Apple stuff

[Gadget]

Yes Android Auto would be a bonus.

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[alans1100]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/first-look-2018-honda-gold-wing-and-gold-wing-tour.html

Yes Android Auto would be a bonus.

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It seems Android usage will come out in a future firm ware upgrade as mentioned in the above link.

[Gerard & Sandra]

Not sure about the new wing but when bought an 07 Wing 1800 the bloke who sold that once you ride a wing you will not ride anything else. At first I think he was being a good salesman but he is correct. The wing is the 5th Honda that I have owned and it is leaps and bounds ahead of another of the other 4. Probably the reason why we have out 03 Honda St 1300 on the market. Rgds GB