Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT 2018 — Specifications

Imagine a motorcycle that has spent more time on the road than you have in your life. The Honda Gold Wing, this touring legend, has always been the synonym of absolute comfort and monumental presence. But with this 2018 Tour Airbag DCT version, Honda made a bold bet: to inject a dose of modern technology into a classic icon, without sacrificing its essence. The result is a machine that appeals as much to purists as to those who thought a Gold Wing was too intimidating.

The heart remains this mythical 1833 cm³ boxer six-cylinder, but it has been rejuvenated. With 126 horsepower and a torque of 167 Nm available from 4000 rpm, it does not seek the explosive performance of a sporty engine. Its strength lies elsewhere: sovereign propulsion, a master goldsmith's purr, a capacity to swallow highways without ever seeming to force. It is an engine that is part of the journey, not just a means of transport. Compared to large American twins or the inline six of the BMW K 1600, it offers a unique feeling of fluidity and smoothness, even if some competitors can surpass it in raw numbers.

The revolution here is the DCT, this third-generation dual-clutch automatic transmission. Honda wanted to make riding this 363 kg colossus even more accessible. Three main modes are offered: D for smooth and economical management, S for a more dynamic behavior with three levels of aggressiveness, and MT for manual control via the handlebar-mounted paddles. The system is so well integrated that you quickly forget there is no gear lever. The changes are imperceptible, and the "Pedestrian" function, which allows maneuvering the motorcycle at very low speed without even engaging a gear, is a masterpiece of engineering for managing this weight at a standstill. For the touring rider who covers thousands of kilometers or the rider who wants to avoid the fatigue of a mechanical gearbox on such a weight, it is a blessing. But for those who want total tactile control, the physical connection is missing.

The equipment is up to the price, which flirts with 36,000 euros. The airbag, a Honda exclusive, remains a unique safety argument. The dashboard is a festival of screens and information, with multimedia management, integrated GPS, electronic suspensions, and an electric windscreen. The comfort is royal, even if some purists of the older generation will regret a luggage capacity reduced to 110 liters and slightly less enveloping protection. It is a motorcycle that targets the modern rider, one who wants connectivity and assistance, not just a simple machine for traveling.

Ultimately, this Gold Wing Tour DCT is a fascinating proposition. It retains the majesty and unsurpassed comfort of the lineage, but adds a layer of technology that simplifies life. It is not for beginners, its weight and price make it an expert's machine, but it makes mastering this giant more accessible than ever. It dialogues with the BMW K 1600 GTL, more sporty, and American cruisers, more traditional, but it occupies a unique niche: the quintessence of high-tech touring, where every kilometer is a silent, comfortable, and assisted experience. It is perhaps the most civilized Gold Wing ever built, a vessel to explore the world without ever fighting with your machine.