HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONDA GOLD WING
25 August 2005 - Honda (UK)

In 2005 Honda UK has been celebrating 30 years of a motorcycle that’s grown up over the last three decades into one of the definitive motorcycles ever – the Honda Gold Wing.

The story started in October 1974 when the new Honda GL1000 Gold Wing was unveiled to the press in time for the 1975 model year. The original bike was a 999cc liquid-cooled flat-four configured machine which was – at the time – one of the sportiest motorcycles on the market. As the years rolled by, the machine itself grew in size and capacity and its abilities grew with it. In 1980 the Wing’s engine capacity was increased to 1085cc and the GL1100 came enclosed in a fairing, while panniers and a top-box indicated its new touring capability.

In 1984 Honda introduced the GL1200 which was another major overhaul of the machine. The engine was now 1182cc and the bike came with a radio/cassette stereo, and uprated air suspension. Four years later the bike grew again – this time by adding two more cylinders. This new GL1500 had a 1520cc six-cylinder engine with the addition of a reverse gear, which was needed on such a large machine! The radio/cassette stereo was also joined by gadgets such as cruise control and an intercom for use between rider and pillion.

With mild updates over the intervening years, finally the all-new GL1800 Gold Wing appeared in time for the 2001 model year. This completely new motorcycle featured an 1832cc, six-cylinder motor and gave touring bikes a completely new tone as it handled as good as it looked. A CD player and ABS is an option on this latest model, while the use of lightweight materials sees the whole bike lighter than the previous machine.

Today’s GL1800 is a class-leading machine which adds fine handling to the seamless torque of that glorious flat-six engine. The 30th Anniversary Edition of the world-famous Gold Wing celebrates the whole history of the best horizontally-opposed motorcycles ever by carrying three 30th Anniversary emblems on the front cowl, rear top box and on the lower cockpit control panel. Chrome-plated ‘Gold Wing’ emblems also feature on the side covers of the machine, while the Wing’s large LCD information panel features a unique commemorative display during both start-up and shut-down cycles. The cost of the latest GL1800 Gold Wing is just £16,999 on the road.

With hundreds of thousands of Gold Wings sold since that first model in 1975 and with a growing army of fans as well as large owner’s clubs around the world, here’s to the next 30 years of Gold Wing greatness!

www.honda.co.uk

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