Honda Gold Wing

Since 1975, the Honda Gold Wing has been the bike you picture crossing a continent two-up, music playing and luggage packed. The 2026 model belongs to the sixth generation, launched in 2018, which kept the recipe but made it lighter and far more modern. Here is what you need to know before spending close to €29,000.

What exactly is a Gold Wing?

The first Gold Wing, the GL1000, arrived in 1975 with a flat-four engine, shaft drive and a fuel tank hidden under the seat. The six-cylinder engine came in 1988 with the GL1500, followed in 2001 by the 1,832 cc GL1800, which brought fuel injection, an aluminium frame and optional ABS. In 2006 it gained the first airbag ever offered on a production motorcycle.

In 2018 Honda changed direction: the current Gold Wing shed around 40 kg compared with its predecessor and gained an unusual front suspension and an all-new engine. Since then the updates have been mostly practical: DCT-only in Europe from 2022, tyre pressure monitoring in 2023, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus Euro 5+ compliance in 2025, the model’s 50th anniversary year, and new colours for 2026.

Which version should you buy in France?

Honda France sells two Gold Wings, both with the DCT gearbox (a dual clutch transmission that shifts automatically or on demand, with no clutch lever):

• the Gold Wing DCT at €28,849, the bike this page describes: side cases with 60 litres in total, a short electrically adjustable screen and 373 kg ready to ride;
• the Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag at €37,999: 61-litre top box with passenger backrest, taller screen, heated front and rear seats, LED fog lights, electronically adjusted damping, electric rear preload and an airbag, for 393 kg.

The six-speed manual has not been offered in Europe since 2022, although it is still sold in the United States. For 2027, Honda announced new colours in October 2026, and Honda France now lists the base version as the “Gold Wing Bagger DCT”. The specification is unchanged and French prices for 2027 have not been published yet.

How good is the flat-six?

This is the heart of the legend. The horizontally opposed six-cylinder (a “boxer”: the pistons move towards and away from each other, lying flat) displaces 1,833 cc and makes 126 hp at 5,500 rpm and 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm. On paper that is modest for the capacity; on the road, it is the flexibility that stands out. On Cycle World’s dyno, torque stays above 100 lb-ft (about 136 Nm) from 1,000 to 3,500 rpm. German magazine MOTORRAD notes that at 140 km/h in seventh gear the engine is turning barely 3,000 rpm.

The DCT is the other highlight. Four riding modes (Tour, Sport, Econ, Rain) change throttle response and shift points, and you can also pick gears yourself with two triggers on the left bar. A walking mode creeps the bike forward at 1.8 km/h or backwards at 1.2 km/h, which is priceless when you need to back 373 kg out of a sloping parking space. Top speed is limited to 180 km/h.

How does it handle?

The big news in 2018 was the double-wishbone front suspension. Instead of a telescopic fork, two pivoting arms guide the wheel, and steering is separated from suspension. According to Honda, this transmits 30% less shock to the handlebars, and the front end barely dives under braking. The press agrees: the Gold Wing tracks like it is on rails on the motorway and is surprisingly agile on twisty roads for its weight.

The D-CBS linked brakes (front and rear work together whichever control you use) with ABS are just as highly rated: Cycle World measured 38.6 m to stop from 96 km/h (60 mph) on a Gold Wing Tour, one of the best results it has recorded. The downside is weight: at a standstill and when manoeuvring, the bike still feels massive, as MCN points out.

What comes as standard?

The Gold Wing DCT has little to envy a car: 7-inch colour screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio and intercom, Smart Key keyless operation that also unlocks the side cases, cruise control, Hill Start Assist, stop-start, HSTC torque control (traction control), tyre pressure monitoring and heated grips. Lighting is full LED and the indicators cancel themselves.

Who is it for?

It suits riders who travel far, often two-up, and want maximum comfort without wrestling a clutch. The lighter, simpler base model is ideal for two- or three-day trips; the Tour, with its top box and airbag, is aimed at long-distance couples. Against it, the BMW K 1600 B plays the power card with 160 hp, while the Harley-Davidson Street Glide and Road Glide offer V-twin character and American style for more money.

The bottom line

The 2026 Gold Wing is still in a class of its own: a uniquely smooth six-cylinder, a chassis far more modern than its image suggests, a DCT that makes you forget the clutch and a strong reputation for reliability. You have to accept the price, the weight and luggage that is more compact than on earlier generations. If you want a bike to rack up thousands of kilometres without fatigue, it deserves a test ride.