October 5, 2020 Now on its 45th model year, the Gold Wing is looking a lot more sporty these days thanks to a major weight loss program for 2018. Oh well, that’s what garage-door remotes are for. If you have a 2018 or 2019, though, you might have to think hard before putting out the cash. That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. Undoubtedly, some of my initial reaction to riding the Gold Wing comes down to starting with low expectations. These numbers, paired with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, make the Gold Wing feel much more athletic than it looks. Diamond-stitched seats come with chrome studs for a nice offset to the dark leather saddle, and hard saddlebags are joined by a proper top case complete with a passenger’s backrest though the latter is slightly shorter than the Gold Wing’s passenger backrest and it lacks the stock armrests. All Rights Reserved, Introducing the $1000 TopSpeed Student Scholarship. When it comes to electronics, it's clear the Gold Wing has more than its fair share. Unlike a manual motorcycle, you can't leave the DCT in gear when the bike is off. The closely spaced gears and surprisingly smooth shifts make for quick trips down freeway on-ramps, and the system's willingness to drop gears or work in manual mode makes passing on the freeway a breeze too. It's a motorcycle that takes care of you, and it feels as eager to devour miles as you are, even if you're my friend Davey -- the kind of person who would ride a thousand miles at a go on a whim. As with many touring motorcycles, the Gold Wing's engine is focused more on the production of smooth, effortless torque than on outright horsepower. A V-shaped headlight arrangement comes with stock foglights and mirror-mount turn signals, all in super-bright LED tech, to provide all of the forward lighting. Also unique to the DCT Gold Wing is the addition of a parking brake, the lever sitting down near the rider's left knee. Indian matches Honda tit-for-tat in the electronics department with a well-rounded infotainment feature that hits all the same high points with the notable exception of the home-based gadgetry. This works a lot like it sounds. The steering head mounts a double-wishbone fork setup rather than the usual hydraulic tube front end, and it relies on a single central coil-over shock to provide the support and damping. That was a sore spot, so improving that is a big plus. As for power, the factory claims 124.6 ponies and 125 pounds o’ grunt, but of course, that’s measured at the shaft; the power that makes it to the rear wheel actually looks more like 97/108, respectively. 2020 Honda Gold Wing DCT first ride review: 'Wing Commander It's big, expensive and heavy, but it's also one of the most pleasant motorcycles on sale today. Typically, there's a much more significant size discrepancy between the front and rear brakes to help keep the rear from locking up, but on the Gold Wing, the brakes are linked. Indian provides the same level of protection for the pilot with an adjustable windscreen, full front fender and fairing lowers, but rather than using a fixed fairing it opted for a more traditional fork-mount fairing to punch a hole in the weather. Grounded from travel with a new 2020 Honda Gold Wing DCT sitting in my driveway, I instantly saw the plus-sized touring bike’s new role. And as in the 911, the engine configuration provides some serious benefits for the 'Wing. The Gold Wing's handlebar controls have a lot of buttons, but everything is laid out intuitively. Cast wheels round out the rolling chassis with a 130/70-18 hoop up front opposite a fat, 200/55-16, and the braking duties fall to dual, 320 mm discs and six-piston binders and an unusually large 316 mm disc out back with electronically-controlled combined ABS protection all around. It's always been a big, impossibly heavy and carlike motorcycle, which limits its appeal to riders like me. The Hill Start Assist feature is a constant across the board with its brake-holding ability that lets you put both feet down for stability on a grade, and that particularly nice if you’re already trying to tip-toe the thing. The flat-six engine keeps the bike's bulk low in the chassis, which helps the bike lean more easily and feel more stable in a corner. I maintain that anything past 100 is a waste on U.S. highways, though I know some folks just have to be able to say ’if you ride with me, you’ll be looking at my taillight.’ As far as I’m concerned, he who rides fast, rides alone, and that kinda defeats the purpose for many of us.”. He currently holds an Associate's degree in applied mechanical science from his time at the M.M.I.
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