Honda’s legendary Gold Wing gets some useful upgrades
Honda Gold Wing improves in all areas as it looks to regain the touring crown
Touring luxury has just reached an even higher plane, thanks to a decent update to the Honda Gold Wing. If you’re not overly familiar with the Wing, its last big update was in 2018 when it had a radical overhaul from the previous model with not only a new engine, frame and running gear but an entire change in philosophy. Gone was the two-wheeled cocoon of old, replaced with something altogether smaller, sleeker and sportier. With their latest update Honda have continued that theme in some places and slightly back pedalled it in others. The biggest changes take place at the back of the bike on the Gold Wing Tour model (the top-spec version with the three piece luggage). Back in 2018 Honda said they spoke to their owners and most just went away for a few days, not weeks on end, so they shrank the luggage down to 110 litres from 150. Evidently this didn’t sit well with all owners as they’ve upped it again, adding an additional 11 litres to the topbox, taking it to 6 litres – and the total to 121.
For 2021, Honda redesigned the pillion back rest, which is part of the topbox, so it now sits at a more relaxed angle for easier cruising. The seat itself, for both rider and pillion, is now covered in a suede/ synthetic leather mix, which Honda say brings up the comfort levels up another notch. There’s been an audio upgrade too, for the musically minded, which Honda say “achieves superb sound quality with vivid presence” until an HGV sounds its horn over the top of Hey Jude that is.
Given most of the changes take place to the optional gear on the Tour model, the standard Gold Wing benefits from just the improved audio and a funky new colour described as ‘Pearl Deep Mud Grey’, which is the least appealing way of describing what is quite an appealing option. The Tour is available in Gunmetal Black Metallic or the classic Candy Red but only for the DCT model, which is a bit of a shame.
There’s no pricing or availability for the UK just yet but we’d expect new bikes in dealers shortly.