Published 26-07-2022
As manufacturers continually develop the technology and performance of their motorcycles, Honda knew the 2022YM Gold Wing required only a few ‘tweaks’ in the mission to develop the best tourer in the market today. Like cream, this magnificent machine rose straight to the top.
The announcement of the 2022 Gold Wing came as a little bit of a surprise to some, given the evolution the machine had already been through since 2019; how could Honda improve on what was already one of the most fully-loaded tourers produced? The flagship of long-distance luxury had already evolved from it’s naked 1000cc launch through to the striking new appearance with full luggage on board the new 2022YM.
Firstly, let’s talk about colour. The traditional curves of the Gold Wing’s predecessors have been straightened out to create a more structured and dare we say, sportier line. Honda have continued with this more urbanised and modern feel by bringing in a new colour palette of white, blue, grey and black along with metallic and matt metallic finishes. The only manual available in the range is the GL1800 Gold Wing ‘Tour’ in Gunmetal Black Metallic, featuring the blacked-out engine giving the bike real depth and character. The DCT/Airbag Tour features the Glint Wave Blue metallic, notable from the incredibly popular Honda NC750X, along with Pearl Glare White and new for this year, the GL1800B (Bagger, but we can’t say Bagger) has an ultra-cool Jeans Blue Matt-Metallic colour.
So, what about model updates? What has really gone on over the last few years? The re-birth of the Gold Wing came in 2018 with significant weight reduction. This weight-loss also meant the loss of the ‘armchair on wheels’ status it had developed for itself. With double wishbone front suspension, an all-new six-cylinder engine and development of onboard technology such as Android Auto and ApplePlay, the Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour was ready to fly.
The Gold Wing Tour is the ultimate in luxury touring status. With its comprehensive spec sheet including full integrated luggage, 7-speed DCT (or 6 speed manual), satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and onboard ApplePlay or Android Auto, electronic adjustable screen, keyless ride, 4 riding modes, HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control) hill-start assist, airbag and reverse gear, it leaves you wanting nothing more than to take to the open road.
You don’t need to take our word for it. We recently caught up with one of our customers, Mike who purchased the new 2022 Gold Wing in June and this is what he had to say, “I honestly couldn’t be happier. I’ve reached a stage in my life where I had to accept that I was riding my sports-tourer far too aggressively and yet, it wasn’t quite comfortable enough to want to spend more than a day riding! I had to consider better options in terms of changing my lifestyle and having more fun travelling and touring. With the new Gold Wing, it’s so much more pleasurable to ride and offers so much, I’ve sold my car! I have always been a Honda rider, having owned other manufacturers and models, but have never yet found any other bike whose build and ride quality matches that of the Honda. I may be getting on a bit, but looks are still important to me, so the clean lines and sporty edge of the new Gold Wing really appealed. Having owned every generation of Pan European, this just felt like the most natural step.
I came to North West Honda Super Centre to browse and consider my options. In truth, the team encouraged me to only make a decision after I had been for test ride. It’s like they knew after a ride there was no way I could say no! Admittedly, I was a little bit cynical having owned a manual Gold Wing in 2008, that this DCT experience would be as described. Chris, the Gold Wing Specialist encouraged to take a half-day test ride. We discussed some great routes from the showroom and I was topped up with plenty of fuel after a very thorough demonstration and discussion with Chris. Nothing was too much trouble. I set off from Blackpool, and within 20 minutes I knew this was the bike for me, and returned back to the showroom within half an hour! The ordering process was easy and friendly, explained in full and able to answer all my questions. I looked and considered some of the used models available at the time and their corresponding finance options, but couldn’t find colour combination that I wanted. The new 2022 Gold Wing Tour in Glint Blue was the way forward for me.
From ordering the bike to it arriving in stock took 2 weeks. I am really happy with all aspects of the bike and very much looking forward to completing the Clover Leaf tour after the service done at 600 miles.”