Honda rolls into MY2023 with a carryover for its base model Gold Wing bagger. It sports the same proven engine and electronics package that long held it in good stead, along with many of the same creature comforts as its tour-tastic siblings to make it a capable commuter.
2023 Honda Gold Wing
- Smooth-Shifting DCT
- Lighter Weight
- Reverse And Walking Mode
- Seven-Inch Full-Color TFT & LCD
- Ample Electronics Suite
- Model: Gold Wing
- Engine:: 1,833 cc Flat Six
- Power Output: 125 Horsepower
- Torque: 130 Pound-Feet
- Transmission: Automatic DCT
- MSRP: $25,600
- Long-Distance Comfort
- Nimble Handling
- Impressive Power And Torque
- Relatively Heavy
- Boring Color Choices
- Too Expensive To Entice Buyers From Domestic Choices
2023 Honda Gold Wing Performance And Capability
The six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed “flat six” remains a fixture within the iconic Gold Wing family in 2023, as well it should give the 1,800's track record for performance and reliability. The layout is dead square with a 73 mm bore and stroke for a 1,833 cc total displacement and a 10.5-to-1 compression ratio.
The Gold Wing produces 125 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. It's liquid-cooled for thermal stability under varying conditions, up to and including stop-and-go under warm conditions, so stamina isn't an issue worth worrying about very much at the end of the day. Untampered, Honda Gold Wing's top speed is 140 MPH with zero-to-60 times under four seconds and the quarter mile in about 12 seconds.
The top ends, or outer ends if you prefer, are relatively simple and light through Honda's Unicam technology. It eliminates one cam and its associated support structure from the equation, along with its associated weight. Each cylinder breathes through a quartet of poppets for efficient aspiration. A single, 50 mm throttle body feeds all six bores to keep weight down. Aluminum cylinder sleeves also contribute to the weight-reduction efforts.
This type of mill makes another important contribution to the legendary handling of the Gold Wing by moving the center-of-gravity well to the South of the industry average. This contributes to better maneuverability at low speeds and better handling at high speeds.
Power flows through Honda's proprietary Dual-Clutch Transmission that delivers both fully- and semi-automatic operation, plus it comes with a Walking Mode that lets you creep forward and backward under power for easy parking-lot maneuvers.
A ride-by-wire throttle control lays the foundation for higher ride-control electronics. The Honda Selectable Torque Control protects the rear contact patch from over-throttling and slippery conditions, while the Hill Start Assist lets you put both feet down for stability while taking off on an incline.
A quartet of Riding Modes completes the package with quick personality changes on the fly. Apple CarPlay compatibility lets you tap into music, navigation support, and even make phone calls through the system.
Engine & Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
Engine | Liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder four-stroke, Unican SOHC, four valves per cylinder |
Displacement | 1,833 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 73 mm x 73 mm |
Compression | 10.5:1 |
Power | 125 HP |
Torque | 130 LB-FT |
Fuel System | Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 50 mm throttle body |
Final Drive | Shaft |
Gearbox | Seven-speed automatic DCT, plus reverse and walking mode |
Design
All the electronics have their interface in the seven-inch color TFT screen that rides central in the dash. It comes braced by analog gauges for the speedo and tach with LCDs outboard to complete the instrument panel and cover all the information bases.
Extensive bodywork aids in the refined aerodynamics, and it starts out right away with the vented, spoiler-type front fender. The substantial front fairing punches an impressive hole in the wind for both pilot and pillion with a well-vented windshield that mitigates much of the wearisome head-buffet effect.
It's a heavy bike to be sure. With a curb weight of 804 pounds – may as well call it half-a-ton with the pilot on board – the 29.3-inch seat height is confidence-inspiring when you have to put your Lamborfeeties down.
Stadium seating awaits your passenger for better visibility, but it's the stock hard bags that really give the Gold Wing its utility as a commuter, grocery-getter, or light tourer. Gold Wings have had grace all their own for quite a while now, and this newest version doesn't disappoint with its iconic profile and graceful lines.
Honda Gold Wing Specs | |
|---|---|
Seat Height | 29.3 in |
Wheelbase | 66.9 in |
Fuel Capacity | 5.5 gals |
Curb Weight | 804 lbs |
Chassis
Aluminum was the material of choice for the robot-welded, twin-spar frame in the Gold Wing for the lightweight strength that combination brings to the table. A single-sided swingarm completes the bones with weight savings of its own.
The steering head sets a rather long rake angle of 30 degrees with 4.3 inches of trail. Together, these figures point to stable tracking at speed, even with crosswinds and other exacerbating factors.
Instead of the usual fork arrangement, Honda uses a double-wishbone setup with a Showa shock on damping duties. One of the advantages of this type of front end is that the load-bearing and steering-support members are separate, which makes for a light and responsive steering.
Out back, another Showa shock takes care of business, and they run with 4.3 inches front and 4.1 inches of travel rear. That may not look like a lot on paper, but the Gold Wing has a plush ride all the same with an electric suspension-damping adjuster. That ensures no dirty knees when configuring for gains or losses of passenger/cargo weight.
Cast wheels come shod in street tires with a 130/70-18 ahead of a 200/55-16 to make the connection to the concrete. A pair of six-piston calipers bite 320 mm discs up front, with a three-pot anchor and 316 mm disc out back. The system comes with ABS and electronic brake balancing to round out the safety gear.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Front Suspension/ Travel | Double wishbone/ 4.3 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Pro Arm® single-side swingarm with Pro-Link 0174 single shock/ 4.1 in |
Rake | 30.5° |
Trail | 4.3 in |
Front Tire | 130/70-18 |
Rear Tire | 200/55-16 |
Front Brake | Dual 320 mm discs; ABS |
Rear Brake | 316 mm disc; ABS |
2023 Honda Gold Wing Price And Availability
The 2023 Honda Gold Wing costs $25,600, and it comes in Matte Gray. If you're looking for a Gold Wing for sale, note that 2020 and later have the next-generation DCT for smoother shifting.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Model ID | GL1800B |
Warranty | Three-year transferable, unlimited-mileage, limited warranty |
Colors: | |
└ 2020 | Matte Black Metallic |
└ 2021 | Deep Pearl Gray, Metallic Black, Ardent Red (DCT: Deep Pearl Gray) |
└ 2022 | Matte Nightshade Blue, Ultra Blue Metallic, Metallic Black |
└ 2023 | Matte Gray |
Price: | |
└ 2020 | $23,800 (DCT: $25,000) |
└ 2021 | $23,900 (DCT: $25,100) |
└ 2022 | $25,300 (DCT only) |
└ 2023 | $25,600 (DCT only) |
Competitors
Honda's Gold Wing sells well on our side of the world, but the U.S. market is increasingly competitive due to domestic pressure. Any tour bike looking for a slice of that pie will have to first overcome the likes of the Indian Challenger Limited.
Indian Challenger Limited
A fixed, vented fairing, and adjustable windshield on the Challenger Limited provide the pilot with some cover, but overall, Indian doesn't go to the extent that Honda goes to in the name of performance when talking about the bodywork. It would be a shame to cover up that big V-twin though, wouldn't it?
Stock hard bags are a constant across the board to make both of them baggers, born-and-bred. Gold Wings appeal to a performance-minded crowd, so they should rejoice at the 122 ponies and 128 pound-feet of torque that nearly matches the Gold Wing's flat-six mill in both horsepower and torque.
It's safe to say that this isn't your grandfather's bagger, not by a long shot, and that goes for both. Infotainment goodies abound with the Indian pulling ahead by a nose, and even more in the ride-control department with more features and a lean-sensitive component to boot.
The pricing is close enough. The base-model Black Metallic colorway fetches $27,999, while the Maroon Metallic costs $28,749, and the two-tone Spirit Blue Metallic / Black Metallic gets top billing at $29,499 to leave some daylight between the 'Wing and the Indian.
He Said
“Ain't no way around it, this is a lot of bike. The weight isn't just visual in nature, though there's no shortage of that, but the GW upholds its reputation as a nimble monster that adds a definite sportbike component to the touring world.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “The Gold Wing has long been the flagship tourer and bagger for Honda, but low-speed handling was a sore spot. That changed after the 2020 update revamped the suspension.”
“Also in the update, the next-generation DCT shifts quieter than before If you rode a Gold Wing and didn't like the clunky shift, try it again with this better DCT.”
FAQ
Q: Is Honda still making the Gold Wing?
In what coincided with Honda's celebration of 50 years in America, the Marysville Motorcycle Plant closed down in 2009. The Marysville plant assembled the Gold Wing leading people to think the Gold Wing line was coming to an end. Instead of shutting down the line, Honda instead imported Gold Wings from Japan. Rolling into 2023, the Gold Wing is still Honda's flagship touring motorcycle.
Q: How much horsepower does a Honda Goldwing have?
The Honda Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour have 1,833 cc flat-six engines. The engines produce 125 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque.
Q: How much does a 2022 Honda Gold Wing cost?
MSRP on the 2022 Honda Gold Wing was $25,300. For 2023, MSRP is up just a skosh of $25,600. The 2022 Gold Wing Tour cost $28,500 for the base model, $29,500 for the DCT model, and $32,800 for the DCT and Airbag.
Q: What is the top speed of a Honda Gold Wing?
The 2023 Honda Gold Wing DCT with the 1,833 cc engine has a top speed of 140 MPH.