Honda GL 1800 GOLDWING Tour DCT/Airbag 2019 — Specifications

Who can boast of spanning five decades without showing a wrinkle, or nearly so? The 2019 Honda GL 1800 Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag rises to that challenge with a rejuvenation that goes well beyond a simple facelift. After years of piling on the kilos and cubic centimeters, the grand Japanese tourer decided to tighten its belt. Minus 22 kg on the scales compared to its predecessor. The result remains imposing—383 kg fully fueled—but the direction is clear. Honda wants to prove that an ocean liner can also corner like a yacht.

The heart of this Goldwing beats with a flat six, 1833 cc of rare smoothness. With 126 hp at 5500 rpm and, more importantly, 169.7 Nm of torque from 4500 rpm, the flat-six isn't chasing raw performance. It cultivates refinement, availability, that constant surge that transforms every roll-on into a silky glide. The real revolution lies in the transmission. The 7-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox weighs less than the old 5-speed unit, and its operation borders on magic. Three usage modes coexist. D mode lets the electronics handle shifts with the fluidity of a premium automatic. S mode, available in three levels of aggressiveness, allows higher revving and engine braking on deceleration. Manual mode remains available for those who want to keep control, via the left switchgear. In every case, you can take back command at any moment with a squeeze of the plus and minus triggers. The system reclaims management after a few seconds, without any abruptness.

The four riding modes add a layer of customization that sets this Goldwing apart from its rivals. Tour mode offers a versatile compromise between responsiveness and comfort. Sport mode firms up the electronically adjustable suspension, sharpens throttle response, and pushes the gearbox to seek higher revs. Econ mode softens everything to favor fuel economy on long hauls. Rain mode cuts available power and loosens the damping when the tarmac turns slippery. This granularity of settings places the GL 1800 on par with a BMW K 1600 GTL in terms of electronic sophistication—even above it in certain respects.

Honda also integrated the ISG system, which merges the alternator and starter into a single component. The concrete result: a start-and-stop system of astonishing smoothness. The six-cylinder shuts off at red lights, then springs back to life without vibration or jolt as soon as you brush the throttle. For maneuvering the 383 kg at a standstill, the walking mode moves the machine at 1.8 km/h forward and 1.2 km/h in reverse, without touching the gearbox. A detail that changes everything in a sloped parking lot. Compared to an Indian Roadmaster or a Harley Road Glide, the Goldwing remains the only one to offer a standard airbag. It is also the only one to deliver this level of integration between transmission, riding modes, and electronic aids.

On the equipment front, the list is dizzying. 7-inch color TFT display, Apple CarPlay, keyless ignition, cruise control, traction control, heated grips, electric windshield, onboard audio with Bluetooth, integrated GPS. The front end with its double-wishbone suspension, borrowed from the automotive world, delivers stability and steering precision that a conventional telescopic fork simply cannot match. The aluminum twin-spar frame, the low 745 mm seat height, and the 21.1-liter fuel tank complete a package designed to devour continents. One might lament the luggage capacity reduced to 110 liters and wind protection that falls short of the previous generation. At €35,999, the price tag stings. But for long-distance riders who rack up thousands of kilometers, this Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag remains the absolute benchmark of its class. No competitor offers this combination of mechanical refinement, onboard technology, and supreme comfort.