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The Honda Gold Wing motorcycle had its debut in 1975, and became one of the most popular motorcycles in history.^{[citation needed]} Initially intended as a road bike, it started the new trend in "touring bikes". The Gold Wing was the first motorcycle with an airbag system.^[1]

[edit] Prototype

The flat-4 999 cc (61.0 cu in) Gold Wing debuted at the Intermot motorcycle show in October 1974.^{[citation needed]} Technical highlights were:

• Water cooling; the second water-cooled Japanese model after the 1972 Suzuki GT750 Straight-three engine two stroke).^{[citation needed]}
• Fuel pump, a motorcycle first.^{[citation needed]} What appeared to be a fuel tank was actually the electronics bay and radiator overflow. The real fuel tank was placed under the seat.
• Shaft drive. German BMW bikes were noted for using this on touring motorcycles, but it was a first on a large capacity exported Japanese motorcycle (Marusho, a Japanese manufacturer of the 1950s and 1960s used shaft drive on all their models).^{[citation needed]}
• Quiet, thanks partly to the use of a one piece silencer box under the swing arm.^{[citation needed]}
• Transmission located under the engine, instead of behind, for the first time on a motorcycle.^{[citation needed]} This layout is used on cars (e.g. Mini Minor^{[clarification needed]}).

[edit] GL1000

1978 Honda GL1000

1978 GL1000 from above shows the opposed cylinders

Produced from 1975 to 1979.^{[unreliable source?][2]} The bike was listed as a touring bike, but it came as a bare bike. A market developed offering fairings and luggage, including the Windjammer series by Vetter Fairing Company. With only minor differences for different markets, this bike remained virtually unchanged for the 1975–1977 production run. In 1978 there were many changes made: faux tank shape, instruments on the top of the faux tank, seat, camshafts, carburetors, exhaust system, Comstar wheels, deletion of the kickstart and others.

During the final run of the GL1000 in 1979, Honda included their own saddlebags and trunk, but not a fairing.

Honda sold more than 97,000 GL1000's in the United States from 1974-1979.^[3]

[edit] GL1100

Released in 1979 as a 1980 model, the GL1100 was made until 1983. For the most part, this was the same bike as the GL1000, but with some improvements. The engine was the same, but it was bored to a larger 1,085 cc (66.2 cu in) displacement, and electronic ignition replaced the older point system. The suspension was changed to an air adjustable system (a first for a production motorcycle).^{[citation needed]} Many parts were interchangeable between the 1000 and 1100 models.

The base bike was now called the "GL1100 Standard." In 1980 Honda also introduced the "Interstate" version of the Goldwing. This was the second production bike (after the 1979 BMW R100RT) to come standard with touring accessories like a trunk, saddlebags, and a fairing.

In 1981, production of the Gold Wing was moved from Japan to the Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio. This move brought manufacture of the motorcycle to its largest market and allowed Honda to market the machine as being made in America.

In 1982, the "Aspencade" was introduced, an Interstate model with more options. AM/FM Radio and two-tone paint was standard on the Aspencade (these were options on the Interstate) while floorboards, chrome and CB Radio were options on both models.

In 1983, Honda made a few substantial changes for the final year of the GL1100. This includes an LCD dashboard, anti-dive forks, linked front and rear brakes, and higher gear ratios in the transmission to improve fuel economy. The size of the trunk was also increased, and the seat and footpegs for the passenger were moved to provide more comfort.

[edit] GL1200

Honda Gold Wing GL 1200

Released in 1984. The 1,182 cc (72.1 cu in) engine was all-new. The frame was larger and stiffened for a smoother ride. In the Interstate and Aspencade models the fairing was integrated into the main body, eliminating the appearance that they were added on.

1984 was the last year of the "Standard" model, whose sales had declined in favor of the Interstate and Aspencade models. This lead to the decline of aftermarket manufacturers like Vetter.

In 1985, the GL1200LTD was introduced. This was a limited model GL1200 Aspencade, with more technology. Standard on the LTD was electronic fuel injection, auto leveling rear suspension, driver-passenger intercom system, cruise control, a Panasonic stereo with Dolby noise reduction, rear seat stereo speakers, an improved seat, a more elaborate paint scheme and an exclusive color (two tone gold), additional marker lights and cornering lights, a more sophisticated instrument panel, and a sophisticated trip computer. It also had an increased alternator capacity, allowing even more electronics to be added to the bike.

In 1986 the LTD was replaced with the SE-i. This model had an even larger 500 watt alternator, as well as all other LTD features, and was also available only in an exclusive color to the SE-i, a white and beige two tone.

In 1987 the SE-i was dropped, but some of the features were moved to the Aspencade model including the intercoms, cruise control, and the upgraded stereo. A simplified version of the trip computer was carried over as well. Fuel injection was not continued.

[edit] GL1500

Honda Goldwing GL1500SE (1999)

1988 brought the most changes seen to the Gold Wing series since its inception. The Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade and Yamaha Venture/Venture Royale abandoned the market segment in the wake of the GL1500's introduction (the Venture returned in 1999).^{[citation needed]} Kawasaki was the only competition that remained with the Kawasaki Voyager XII, which continued until 2004. The biggest difference was that the flat-4 engine was replaced with a 1,520 cc (93 cu in) flat-6 engine. Although it was still carbureted, Honda introduced solid state digital ignition. This both increased power and reduced noise. Honda also enclosed the entire motorcycle in plastic, giving it a seamless appearance.

One major innovation was the addition of a "reverse gear", which was actually a creative use of the electric starter motor linked to the transmission. Because of the size and weight, it was felt that some people would have problems backing it up.

Between 1988 and 1990, only one model was available. From 1990 Honda introduced the SE, which was essentially a cosmetic improvement including things like two-tone paint, a trunk spoiler and some others and most options were added to this model.^{[clarification needed]} In later years more features were added to the SE after criticism^{[by whom?]} that the price premium brought little more than window dressing.

Other models included were the Interstate (1991–1996) this was a very basic version with no rear adjustable foot rests, a very basic radio, no intercom and other changes to make it a more basic large bike. The Aspencade (1991–2000) was essentially the same as the SE, however it did not have the CB, the rear upper spoiler or two-tone paint work, and other minor differences. Most of the missing features of the Aspencade were sold under Honda's Hondaline brand.

[edit] GL1800

Gold Wing at a rally

The 2001 GL1800 was the first new model in 13 years. The engine was for this model increased to 1,832 cc (111.8 cu in), and fuel injected. At the same time, the weight of the bike decreased from that of the GL1500. This was done by making the frame out of high-strength aluminum. This was an extruded frame, and was composed of only 31 individual parts (almost half the number of the previous frame).

A recall was announced on the aluminum frame after many frames were found to have cracked and failed due to insufficient welding. This deficiency was corrected in the 2004 model year.

ABS braking was an option, added because of the increased power of the new engine, from 74 kW (99 bhp) to 87 kW (117 bhp).

The 2006 model was the first production motorcycle with an airbag.^[1] Other 2006 options were an in-dash GPS with audio information provided through the speakers and headset cables, and a rider comfort package including seat heaters controlled from the dash, heated handlebar grips, and engine-air vents (able to be opened and closed by a lever on the left side dash) located in front of the driver's foot pegs. Frame weight was reduced.

[edit] Valkyrie

"Limited Edition" Valkyrie Rune

In 1997, Honda brought back an incarnation of the "Standard Gold Wing," renamed the Honda Valkyrie in the US, and called F6C in the rest of the world. It featured a higher performance engine, based on the GL1500, in a cruiser-style frame. The Valkyrie Tourer version had a windshield and saddlebags. A more touring-oriented version was introduced in 1999 as the Valkyrie Interstate with a full fairing, saddlebags and trunk.

These models were dropped due to slow sales, leaving the standard Valkyrie, which was discontinued after the 2003 model year. In 2004, Honda released a "Limited Edition" model, the Valkyrie Rune, complete with 1,832 cc (111.8 cu in) engine and unique styling.

The Valkyrie engine is based on the Gold Wing engine, but has solid lifters instead of hydraulic lifters, six carburetors instead of the Gold Wing's two, more aggressive camshafts, a free flowing exhaust, and altered ignition timing to increase performance.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Honda Goldwing

• Honda GoldWing at the Open Directory Project
• Honda Motorcycles Milestone Model: 1975 GoldWing