The Honda Goldwing: The Ultimate Of Touring Motorcycles

When referring to touring motorcycles, the act of actually touring a motorcycle isn’t what is being talked about.

Rather, touring motorcycles are a class of motorcycles, commonly informally referred to as “those big motorcycles with filing cabinets placed on the back”.

They are designed for distance running, and are quite efficient cruisers, with a trunk and saddle bag areas for a driver and a rider’s things to be conveniently put in. In the class of touring motorcycles, the Honda Goldwing stands legendary.

Originally released as a road bike in 1975, the Honda Goldwing is one of the most popular motorcycles of all time, as it boasts features which many motorcycle drivers have found functional and convenient.

The Goldwing has gone from version one to version something else in the past twenty years since its production, with enhancements and improvements put in every new release of the motorcycle model.

As a prototype featured at the Cologne Motorcycle show in October 1974, the Goldwing was already turning heads, as the touring motorcycle boasted a 999cc engine.

The prototype featured cutting edge technologies and innovative design elements, like its transmission system positioned under the engine, similar to how cars’ transmission systems are set up.

The prototype featured a fuel pump, making it the first motorcycle to ever have a fuel pump system. With its water cooled engine, installed shaft drive and impressive “silent” running, it was a superstar motorcycle, even as a prototype.

Officially, the GL1000 stands to be the first of the Goldwing Touring motorcycles line. It didn’t exactly come out already with “file cabinets” installed. This feature came out during the last year runs of the GL1000’s production, which ended by 1979.

The GL1100 came next by 1980, boasting a 1085cc engine. It didn’t have a kickstart system, as it was virtually impossible to kickstart it, considering its size.

Rather, an electric start system was installed, to remedy the touring motorcycle’s kickstart “issue”. By 1984, the GL1200 came following the GL1100.

It came with a 1182cc engine, and became the definitive of touring motorcycles, coming out with components which didn’t look like they “were snapped on”.

Come 1988, the GL1500 came out, and boasted truly dramatic differences from its predecessors.

It came with a 1520cc engine, and had a “reverse gear” transmission selection, as backing up proved to be quite a problem for some drivers.

By 2001 the GL1800 came out boasting a 1800cc engine, with its overall weight dramatically lighter compared with the GL1500. Strengthened aluminum was utilized in making up the GL1500’s frame, thus its lightness.

As touring motorcycles, the Goldwing stands legendary, a hallmark within the ranks of Honda’s production lines.