Goldwing Motorcycles, GL1000, GL1100, GL1200, GL1500, GL1800

In the year 1975, the Honda Gold Wing made its on road debut in the history of motorbikes. It was first introduced to people at the Cologne Motorcycle show in the year 1974. Initially meant for road biking, but later it initiated a new trend and evolved as a ‘Touring Bike'.

Since ‘Honda' brought GL1000 on the market, it signaled that this Japanese company has become a world dealer in the motorcycle technology. It was a flat 4, 999cc bike that gained instant popularity because of some of its exclusive and unique features.

These features include the following:

• Water-cooled engine: after the Suzuki GT750, (introduced in the year 1972) Honda Gold Wing was the second Japanese motorbike to have a water-cooled engine.

• Fuel Pump: Honda Gold Wing is considered the first bike ever to have a fuel pump. The part of the bike that looked like a fuel tank was basically the electronics bay and radiator overflow while the real fuel tank was located underneath the seat.
• Shaft drive: German BMWs were characterized for using shaft drive on touring bikes. Honda also used the same technology on the Gold wing motorcycles. However, Honda isn't the first Japanese manufacturer to have used ‘shaft drive', ‘Marusho' another Japanese bike maker of the mid 20th century used ‘shaft drive' for all their models.
• Quieter engine performance: the Honda gold wing had and has a quieter engine performance because of its one-piece silencer fitted under the swing arm.
• Transmission placement: instead of the transmission being placed behind the engine, the Honda Gold Wing has its transmission under it. This being a popular layout for cars but was used on a motorbike for the first time ever.

Honda Gold Wing has several models, the first being the GL1000 which came out in the year 1975. Over the years the Goldwing has undergone many upgrades and additions of features, all taking advantage of the most modern technologies available.

Now let's take a quick look at the different Honda Gold Wing models:

• GL1000: as mentioned earlier, it was the basic model of the Gold Wing which made its debut in the year 1975 and proved to be the best touring bike. This particular model was manufactured until 1979 after which its production stopped and then came the next model GL1100.

• GL1100: this was the next model after GL1000, which came on the market in the year 1979 and was produced until 1983 when Honda came up with its next Gold Wing model. GL1100 was basically the same as GL1000 with better features like, electronic ignition, 1085 cc cylinder, faring, saddlebags, trunk etc.

• GL1200: This model was introduced to the people in the year 1984 and earned instant popularity. This time it was an absolutely new engine with 1182 cc cylinder and larger frame. This particular model gave a much smoother ride compared to the other two preceding it.

• GL1500: this model of Honda Gold Wing brought about the maximum change and gave a new definition to ‘Gold Wing Motorbikes'. It was introduced in the year 1988 and took people by storm. It replaced the old school flat-4 engine with flat-6 engine and 1520cc cylinder. This model of gold wing was manufactured until 2004.

• GL1800: this model was introduced in the year 2001. It came with 1832cc engine, adjustable windshield, push button adjustable rear suspension, optional ABS brakes, CB, CD player, heated seat and hand grips. The GL1800 currently offers a GPS system with XM, XM traffic & XM weather. It is also the only motorcycle with a driver airbag.

To this day, few tourers, with the exception of the Harleys and BMWs, have been able to hold a candle to the mighty Honda Goldwing. So, for bikers who want to tour the world on two wheels but in the comfort of a stretch limo, the Honda gold wing is just the right motorcycle to do it on.