Picture Intermission – 42 Years of the Honda Gold Wing

As a reminder, I’m at the preview of the new Honda Gold Wing today – so let me know if you have any questions about it in that linked post and I’ll make sure I answer them for you. Honda was kind enough to set up a Gold Wing from each previous generation outside of our hotel today, and I thought it was the perfect excuse for us to travel back in time together.

1975-1979 – GL1000

Genesis. I’m not sure I can add anything to what’s already been said about the bike that started it all. Motorcyclist magazine called it “Honda’s ultimate touring masterpiece.” This example has 2,867.9 miles on the odometer.

1980-1983 – GL1100

This is arguably the first “real” Gold Wing in that it was the first generation that you could buy fully-dressed from the factory (as an “Interstate” model). That got you a fairing, saddlebags, trunk, and an optional stereo. From a styling standpoint, this is my favorite. The round headlight just works. Cycle World named it the “Best Touring Bike” from 1980-1982.

1984-1987 – GL1200

1,182cc was as big as the four cylinder motors would get in the Gold Wing. A year after the GL1200’s debut, Honda released a 10th Anniversary edition that featured fuel injection, four-speaker stereo, cruise control, an electronic travel computer, auto-leveling rear suspension, and special metallic gold paint. I can’t be the only one that thinks the front fairing is ugly.

1988-2000 – GL1500

The debut of the six-cylinder boxer motor. It won a ton of awards in the press – in 1988, Cycle World called it one of the 10 Best Bikes of All Time. This example is a 20th Anniversary model and it has just 38 miles.

2000-2010 – GL1800 (the second generation of the GL1800 ends this year)

It’s been around for a while, and it’s popular. If you’re reading this post in the first place there’s a good chance that you own one of these or you’ve at least ridden one. The current GL1800 was split into two generations (pre and post 2010). I have never thought about it before but it’s very obvious with all the other models in a line – this is the only generation (after the 1st) that doesn’t state the displacement on the sidecover or front fender. Per a Honda rep, this is the last Honda Gold Wing that was built in the US.