HONDA GL 1800 Gold Wing (2001-2014) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Honda Gold Wing was part of a touring motorcycle series in Honda's range, powered by a flat engine that delivered the power to the rear wheel through a final shaft drive. The Japanese maker manufactured the Honda Gold Wing series from 1974 to 2023.

From 1980 to 2010, the motorcycles were assembled in Marysville, Ohio. In 2011 no Gold Wing models were manufactured until later in 2012 when production was resumed in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan included a Honda Gold Wing model as one of their 240 Landmarks of Automotive Technology.

The bike was manufactured over several generations with many design and performance modifications, such as the 1975 model's 999cc flat four-cylinder engine evolving until 2001 to a 1,832cc flat six-cylinder powerplant.

In 2012, the bike featured more technical modifications, such as an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), cruise control, an electrically assisted reverse gear, an optional airbag, a fairing with a heating system, an adjustable windscreen, panniers and a trunk, a passenger backrest, and a six-speaker audio system with modern connectivity.

In 2001, Honda launched the GL1800 Gold Wing, a powerful and comfortable touring machine powered by a 1,832cc flat-six engine that brought additional power from 100 to 117 hp. Also, the bike came with a new extruded aluminum frame comprised of 31 elements, resulting in a weight decrease.

The 2006 model brought more features that included an airbag, a GPS system called Internavi, giving information through the speakers or headset cables, and a comfort package that included heated saddlebags, heated grips, and adjustable air vents, delivering warm air from the engine to the rider's feet in cold weather conditions.

In 2010, Honda released the last model manufactured in the United States, while in 2011, the Gold Wing series was not manufactured due to repositioning the manufacturing plant in Japan. Some retailers and aftermarket traders place the GL1800 in two categories: the first-generation US-made machine from 2001 to 2010 and the second-generation model manufactured in Japan from 2012 to 2017.

The Honda GL1800 Gold Wing was fitted under its clothes with a 1,832cc flat-six liquid-cooled engine that delivered 117 hp at 5,500 rpm and 167 Nm (121 lb-ft) torque with peak power at 4,000 rpm.