Honda GL1800 Gold Wing review – it really is *that* good

The Honda Gold Wing (or Goldwing if your spacebar is broken) is a big, heavy, expensive motorbike with a reverse function. But if that's the limit of your knowledge then watch this video and have your mind expanded – it's actually a sublime bike with impressive handling, an amazing engine and more comfort than a panda that's eaten a sofa.

[agma]

Im 46. I had a Fat Bob for 6 months.. upgraded to Indian Chieftain as I was more inclined towards performance /Cruise luxury. Guess what after owning it for over 2 yrs, test rode 2022 DCT and was completely sold Out! Now I have this GL18 DCT for lil over 6 months and already crossed 1100 miles. THIS IS THE BIKE!

[benkelly]

Never a fan was I! Limped into Honda Gedges in Pevensey bay, on my GS (puncture) late on a Friday! Yes we’ll get you a new tire! Won’t be for a week. Please do take the gold wing bagger! (Marvellous people they are too) well! What a blooming marvellous experience! Despite the weight, the slow speed handling is pure magic. Sport mode! Wow.. move over gixer! I looked as cool as penguin piss! More comfy than my favourite arm chair and I am now planning my devious move into ownership!

[luuk]

Never thought I'd say this, but that there Goldwing looks pretty freaking amazing in that color

[markscars]

Undoubtedly the best YouTuber find of 2021. Such natural presentation.

[davidallen]

I have the 2020 Bagger DCT. I filled it up yesterday and it said the range was 254 miles and I've been getting 55+ mpg. You can lock the panniers with the fob just like central locking with a car . I find the brakes to be excellent ...never been in a situation where they have not felt up to the job.
Best bike I have ever owned!

[alp]

It is really that good! Perfect, NO, but close to it, for me. 4 years on a DCT Tour, since new. Zero regrets. Superb machine.

[TheMissendenFlyer]

I told you it was good! As an owner of the DCT Tour version (complete with Airbag!) I agree with your analysis pretty much entirely except for the suspension being able to bottom out - on the Tour you can set the suspension to hard/normal/soft (the same as you can on my GS) and I have a feeling that's one of the features not on the "standard" bike - that and the heated seat are excellent features you gain on the tour along with a few other bits and bobs. Fabulous machine though - you can keep your trailers, Blackpool illuminations, tassle clubs etc of the lardy older bikes - the 2018 on is an awesome machine, infact the best bike I've ever

[aceusmc]

There hadda been something wrong with the bike you rode. There's no other way a 'Wing's brakes feel remotely lacking. My 'Wing's brakes feel and work spectacularly well. Sport bike level of braking with almost no discernable dive in corners as hard as i can push it. The Goldwing is essentially a sport bike that's the most capable touring bike on the planet. And those plastic covers are actually just covering up the steel crash guards.

[patim]

Upto 21 years ago I always said that I will never want a Goldwing. That is, until I drove one and was sold after about 1 km and bought a new GL1800 . I drove it daily to work summer and winter (Netherlands) . Since then I want nothing else. Due to some physical problems the last 18 years in the form of a Trike. First a normal EML trike based on an 1500, the last 8 years a GL1800 EZS reversed trike.

[christopherparker]

So nice to watch a motorbike review video where are you driving on the left-hand side of the road. Love from Australia. Love the review!

[bryanweller]

‘Dolphins squiring opioids up my bum with their little bottle snouts’ I swear to God that’s the best bike review line I’ve ever heard 🤣

[tim]

The GW is moving to higher and higher to being my #1 bike on the shortlist. It might be #1 at this point……what a machine

[gregoryhousch]

Great Video... I Won't Be Totally Satisfied Until I Add That Bike To My Motorcycle Collection... Most Of My Friends Criticize The DCT, However I Think It's Rather Cool, Especially In Stop-N-Go Traffic. I'm Saving For Mine As I Comment On Your Video 👍🏾👍🏾🏍💨💨

[Widewings]

I own one of these and your description is on par…but my favorite part was that I thought I could be listening to Mr. Bond …. As a South African myself, I’m far from achieving that finesse in English speech… just gotta love that accent. Great video mate 😎

[howardgold]

It's an incredible bike, loads of space, pace and weather protection. Super comfy and perfect for running about Central London or a trip to Cornwall. Android Auto is excellent, just need a bit of time to learn how to use it. I challenge anyone not to like it, assuming they have actually ridden it. All those old Goldwing riders who deride it have no idea what they're talking about.

You should be getting about 50 to the gallon and over 200 before filling up.

Love mine.

[motomark]

A very honest video and overall I would agree with you! I’ve just had a test ride on one today (DCT) absolutely amazing overall, loved it! Probably the best bike I have ever ridden! It gives you so much confidence! Now, I know it will not suit everyone, it just depends on what you want from a bike and it’s not an off road bike but it really is a touring bike! It’s such a nice place to be when riding it! The handling surprised me, it really does hold its own on the twisty’s! Would I buy one?? Absolutely!

[kimhorton]

I’ve a 2015GW anniversary edition I bought new at Tommy’s Honda in Crossville, TN in 2016. It now has 83k miles and I couldn’t be happier. I had spent 14 years riding ST1300s and age was getting to me. No longer. I have no problems holding the bike up at weird intersections with slanted lanes. She does 220 miles/tank regularly and is almost 100 pounds heavier than the featured bike here.
What’s wrong with shifting???!? I’ve ridden street bikes since 1962 and I Loove shifting to slow down in twisties. Riding mountain roads in Tennessee in fourth gear. It’s about attention and staying engaged. Good luck and happy riding to the newer GW community but I’ll stick with my older bike. I can’t afford to move anyway, retired in 2008.
Tim, wish you well on your encounter with a newish Goldwing. I wish I could afford to replace my earlier Wing but I am very happy with my older model. Ride the older and see what you’re missing. And, yes, twisties and emergencies are why there is a rear brake.
30 MPG is the best you could get??!!! I get worried my plugs, wires and timing if I get less than 38mpg.

[theonlyredspecial]

Awesome big bike. The 6th gen remake really brings it into the modern era. On my tour version you can disable the fob by holding the Honda button for a few seconds. It will flash once to disable the engine and lock the luggage. Enable it again same thing and it flashes three times. Weird your shows 150 full. Mine says around 275.

Tyre pressures are an interesting one. The manual says 36psi front and 42psi rear. I prefer it 40-42psi front. Its a heavy bike and my rocket 3 is 42psi front. Just seems a better ride. But I'm 6ft3 and 18 stone. Never get tyre warning issues.

And I have to say I was shocked about your brake comments. I've never felt it lacking even when riding in sport mode down back roads and I have a v4, Two fireblades and an h2. The rear brake disc is a dual layer cooled disc it's pretty impressive on its own. Really are quite impressive combined. I honestly do think your demo bike seems knackered tbh! Even the mirror has taken a battering. Surprised you got this for a review. It's clearly in need of a good bit of tlc

[pistolpete]

I love that color combination! Great review video!

[rufus]

Owning a large bike myself, Rocket 3, it's surprising how surprised people are that you can throw it around corners scrapping the pegs and at just how fast the thing is. The trick is not being afraid to throw it around, if you go into a corner half arsed you can get into trouble. But I'm a big bloke, like you. I can imagine smaller people being overwhelmed by these machines.