Harley-Davidsonhas long defined the touring motorcycle segment. These armchair-on-wheels machines offer riders the choice of immersing themselves in the landscape or sheltering behind massive fairings that block out the elements entirely. They deliver wind protection, powerful engines, comprehensive feature sets, and a generous helping of heritage—that unmistakable sense of belonging to a storied brotherhood. Naturally, all of this commands a premium price.
But what if heritage and brotherhood aren’t priorities? What if the goal is simply a quiet, refined touring machine that covers long distances with minimal fuss at a more reasonable price point? Better still, what if that alternative could match or exceed the American icon’s feature set? For riders seeking exactly that, there’s encouraging news: one long-distance tourer genuinely beats Harley-Davidson on both price and features.
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The Honda Gold Wing Tour Beats Harley In Two Key Areas
The Gold Wing is an icon of touring, and has gone from strength to strength over the half century that it has been on sale. The last big update was in 2018, when a few big changes made it a more usable motorcycle for a wider range of people while still retaining everything that makes it so popular. Today, it starts at $25,200, and with so many features, unbeatable refinement, and a few world firsts, there is no doubt that the Gold Wing Tour is the long-distance tourer that beats Harley on price as well as features.
One should note that the price quoted above is the base price. Although there is no real difference in the features, you do get the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for a little extra dough, or you can opt for the automatic with an airbag. You cannot have an airbag with a manual gearbox.
Honda Gold Wing Tour Highlights
- World’s only horizontally opposed flat-six engine in a motorcycle
- World’s only motorcycle with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
- World’s only airbag-equipped motorcycle
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Honda Gold Wing Engine: Six Appeal
|
Engine |
Horsepower |
Torque |
|---|---|---|
|
1,833cc Six-Cylinder |
124.7 HP |
125.3 LB-FT |
The Gold Wing shares a rare distinction with the BMW K 1600 series as one of only two motorcycles currently available with a six-cylinder engine. However, Honda’s powerplant stands alone as the only flat-six configuration in production motorcycles today. This engine produces 125-horsepower an 125 pound-feet of torque, and has recently received upgraded cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, while Honda’s Unicam SOHC technology keeps those heads compact and the overall engine width to a minimum. The latest iteration sheds 13 pounds compared to the previous generation, or 8 pounds in DCT form.
Transmission options include a six-speed manual that retains the electric reverse motor for parking lot maneuvers, or—for an additional $1,000—the world’s only seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission available in a motorcycle. The DCT version adds a creep mode that walks the bike forward or backward at low speeds. Honda engineers configured the gearbox output shaft to rotate opposite the engine crankshaft, effectively neutralizing the rocking motion inherent to longitudinal engine layouts. Power reaches the rear wheel via shaft drive. Electronic sophistication comes courtesy of a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire throttle, enabling multiple ride modes, traction control, cruise control, and hill hold assist.
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Honda Gold Wing Tour Chassis: Unique All Around
The Gold Wing uses a die-cast aluminum twin-beam frame, but there have been some significant changes over the years. The front suspension has been changed to a double-wishbone setup (quite like BMW’s Duolever system). This increases the rake under braking, making the motorcycle more stable when you need it the most. It has also allowed the engine to be moved further forward in the chassis, since the front wheel now moves vertically up and down rather than the upwards and backwards motion of a conventional front fork setup. The result is better weight distribution, and moving the rider further forward has helped with the feeling of control.
The rear suspension consists of a Pro-Link monoshock on a single-sided swingarm. This monoshock has electrically adjustable preload, with four different modes accessible via the menus on the display. The damping is also electronically adjustable. The brakes have 320 mm dual discs at the front gripped by a massive six-piston caliper each. At the back, a 316 mm disc is paired with a 3-piston floating caliper. Honda’s C-ABS system distributes braking force as is best for the situation.
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Honda Gold Wing Tour Features: Everything You Need
The Gold Wing might have a price that undercuts the full-dress Harley tourers, but it certainly doesn’t fall behind on features. There is a massive list of features that are standard on it, some of which we’ve listed below. Heated grips are standard, and the seat for both rider and pillion is heated as well. The trunk that doubles up as the pillion backrest can store two full-face helmets. The saddlebags open at the push of a button, or lock and unlock remotely with the key. Among the other notable accessories are the passenger armrests, passenger audio controls, an upgraded audio system, a tall windscreen, and wide rider footpegs.
Honda Gold Wing Tour Notable Features
- Optional airbag
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Adjustable windscreen with memory
- BASF-developed paint
- Tire pressure monitoring
- A button that allows you to open your garage door