The Honda Gold Wing is synonymous with motorcycle touring, but the latest version, the Tour, finds itself in competition with many other Tourers. How does it compete in this rich market? Jeremy Webb rides it through the rain and cold of October to tell you.
To say I am impressed with the Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT is an understatement. I am thrilled with it because it has blown away misconceptions of being a one-trick pony for long-distance Touring and no good as a daily bike. On my trips, while I had the Gold Wing Tour DCT from Honda, I covered hundreds of miles on all types of roads in changeable weather and tonked it around.
I had to travel east much like the three wise men, but unlike them, I was travelling in the horrendous weather October decided to throw at me. I threw on my waterproofs and put my leg over the Gold Wing, setting off on what was meant to be three and a half hours of riding. You sit in the sumptuous saddle rather than on it, so your bum moulds in and feels the support. Your arms are in a perfect position, so there is no stretching and arching of the back, allowing you to sit with a straight back. After what turned out to be five hours in the saddle, I eventually arrived in Lincolnshire in a reasonably happy mood. Primarily due to the performance and comfort of the Gold Wing, which was ridden hard and put away wet.
The Gold Wing Tour is crammed with technology for riding safety and rider entertainment. On my journey east, I wasn't following the brightest star in the sky, but the impressive Sat Nav, on the vast digital display the Gold Wing Tour has. It is a touchscreen, allowing control over bike settings, entertainment and the Sat Nav. The backlit switches are ergonomically located so they can be used on the go. You get reverse gear which, when active, assists you in moving the bike around while sitting on it, which is great for saving your legs from doing all the hard work.
Tyre pressure monitors, Cruise control, riding modes, and Hill Start Assist are a few bike settings. A phone or music device can be connected to the Gold Wing via Bluetooth (Android/Apple car play) or USB cable, and the built-in sound system can be heard clearly at up to 70mph. The heated grips and seat were much needed on my journey, and I could see steam coming off my gloves and derriere due to the heat mixing with my sodden clothing.
The bike is agile moving; I could throw it around easily and change direction. It delivered in handling, sticking to the road even at acute lean angles. You can filter in all but the tightest traffic except when the builders' van or HGV driver with a mood decides to squeeze the gap. The DCT gearing is a blessing in these situations, as you don't need to use a clutch or change gears.
DCT technology makes riding as simple as twisting the throttle on a moped. It is super smooth and easy to use. On the right-hand control area, you select D for Drive and are engaged to go. Turn the throttle, and power kicks in. The bike produces 125bhp and combines well with the seven gear ratios giving the Gold Wing Tour strong acceleration, especially in manual, where you decide when you change gears via the plus/minus buttons on the left handlebar.
The windshield is huge, and when fully extended, it is like a sail on HMS Victory, although it goes up and down a lot more easily via a button on the left control cluster. It can be raised or lowered on the go, so it is practical and effective. It kept me a lot drier than I could have been facing constant rain for five-plus hours.
Over all the miles I put on the Gold Wing Tour, which covered Motorways, and A and B roads, I averaged around 55 mpg obtaining close to 250 miles from a full fuel tank.
The Gold Wing Tour is like sitting on your own entertainment system and being able to take it anywhere. Although defined as a Tourer, it is a superb machine that can be ridden fast and take on twisty lanes. The bike's versatility means it can be ridden daily and tackle mundane journies, but it comes into its own on longer rides where you can take advantage of its capabilities.