2021 Honda Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour First Look
Honda sprung news today about upgrades for its 2021 Gold Wing, the biggest of them being a capacity increase for the Tour version’s trunk. Shrinkage in luggage capacity was the chief complaint with the heavily downsized 2018 ’Wing: the new trunk holds 61 liters of storage, compared to the previous 50 liters, which Honda says will easily accept two XXL full-face helmets (even when equipped with headsets).
The passenger seat’s backrest now has a more relaxed angle, thicker foam and a taller profile to keep your passenger even happier. The seat gets a new faux suede cover with an enhanced appearance, along with colored seat piping for added color contrast.
Fog lights are now standard for Gold Wing Tour models while the rear turn signals on all 2021 ’Wings are now red for a clean, stylish look, says Honda.
A number of audio improvements are also along for the ride, for both Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour models, including upgraded, 45-watt speakers (previously 25-watt) with richer audio; optimized automatic volume-adjustment level and a standard XM radio antenna. Android Auto integration joins Apple CarPlay integration. The navigation system has also been updated with four map color options plus speed limit information.
Other changes include updated suspension settings, a saddlebag-mounted USB charger, and blacked out components.
Mechanically, the Gold Wing remains unchanged. The 1833cc flat-Six returns, with a choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT gearbox. The double-wishbone front suspension returns, as does the Pro-Link rear suspension. Claimed curb weights remain the same as the 2020 model, ranging from 787 pounds for the Gold Wing to 847 pounds for the Gold Wing Tour Air Bag DCT.
Colors and pricing for the 2021 Honda Gold Wing:
- Gold Wing Tour Air Bag DCT: Candy Ardent Red – $32,600
- Gold Wing Tour DCT: Candy Ardent Red; Metallic Black – $29,300
- Gold Wing Tour: Candy Ardent Red; Metallic Black – $28,300
- Gold Wing DCT: Deep Pearl Gray – $25,100
- Gold Wing: Deep Pearl Gray – $23,900
New 2021 Honda Gold Wings should be making their way into dealers in February.
2021 Honda Gold Wing Specifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gold Wing Tour | Gold Wing Tour DCT | Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT | Gold Wing | Gold Wing DCT | |
| Engine Type | 1,833cc horizontally opposed, liquid-cooled, six-cylinder four-stroke, single overhead Unicam w/ 4 valves per cylinder, finger-follower rocker arm on intake, roller-rocker arm on exhaust | ||||
| Bore x Stroke | 73mm x 73mm | ||||
| Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 | ||||
| Induction | Single throttle w/ 50mm bore, Throttle By Wire (TBW) | ||||
| Ignition | Full transistorized ignition | ||||
| Starter | Electric w/ Integrated Starter Generator System (ISG) | ||||
| Transmission | 6-speed manual w/ Reverse | 7-speed automatic DCT w/ Walking Mode F/R | 6-speed manual | 7-speed automatic DCT w/ Walking Mode F/R | |
| Clutch | Multiplate wet | (2) multiplate wet | Multiplate wet | (2) multiplate wet | |
| Final Drive | Shaft | ||||
| Front Suspension | Double-wishbone system w/ Showa shock absorber, 4.3 in. travel | ||||
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link system w/ Showa shock absorber, 4.1 in. travel | ||||
| Front Brakes | (2) radially mounted 6-piston Nissin calipers w/ 320mm rotors, electronically controlled combined ABS | ||||
| Rear Brakes | (1) 3-piston Nissin caliper w/ 316mm rotor, electronically controlled combined ABS | ||||
| Front Tires | 130/70-18 | ||||
| Rear Tires | 200/55-R16 | ||||
| Rake x Trail | 30.5° x 4.3 inches | ||||
| Length | 101.4 inches | 97.4 inches | |||
| Width | 36.4 inches | 35.6 inches | 36.4 inches | 35.6 inches | |
| Height | 56.3 inches with low windscreen; 61.2 inches with high windscreen | 52.8 inches with low windscreen; 56.9 inches with high windscreen | |||
| Seat Height | 29.3 inches | ||||
| Ground Clearance | 5.1 inches | ||||
| Wheelbase | 66.7 inches | ||||
| Fuel Capacity | 5.6 gallons | ||||
| Colors | Candy Ardent Red; Metallic Black | Candy Ardent Red | Deep Pearl Gray | ||
| Curb Weight | 836 pounds (claimed) | 838 pounds (claimed) | 847 pounds (claimed) | 787 pounds (claimed) | 800 pounds (claimed) |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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I rode a new 2018 Goldwing. In the very first corner I dragged toes pretty hard and it spooked me. I wasn't riding particularly quickly either. While I'm sure it's a capable bike, that made me nervous to test the limits on such a behemoth. I only rode it for abut 15 miles, so maybe a second ride is in order??
It's less lack of space for "luggage" :)