By Peter Kaye
If you have been reading Wheels Of Grace for some time now, you know that we focus mainly on American motorcycles. But every so often there is one from across the pond that catches our eye. The 2023 Gold Wing has done just that. Humans are just hard-wired to explore, to want to see what’s over the horizon. Every motorcyclist knows the feeling. Some believe that the best motorcycle to do that on is the Honda Gold Wing with its famously smooth 1833cc six-cylinder engine, refined bodywork for weather protection, and ample luggage. Full of innovative engineering, all Gold Wing models are Android Auto™ compatible, as well as offering Apple CarPlay™ compatibility. You can choose between a conventional six-speed transmission and our exclusive Honda automatic seven-speed DCT transmission, depending on the model. BASE MSRP: $25,600 Destination Charge: $475.00 Freight Surcharge: $300.00
2023 Gold Wing Features
Performance / Engine: The Gold Wing’s horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine is famously smooth and powerful. The latest version is an 1833cc design that’s over 13 pounds lighter than the previous generation (more than 8 pounds for the DCT versions). Standard on all trims.
Handling / Double Wishbone Front Suspension: One look and your eyes will immediately go to the Gold Wing’s radical, Honda-engineered double-wishbone front suspension. The innovative design moves both the engine and the rider/passenger closer to the front wheel, giving you more room for added comfort as well as stellar handling. Standard on all trims.
Electronics/Advance Meters: The Gold Wing’s cockpit meters are information central. In addition to the basics like vehicle and speed, loading configuration, ride mode, fuel level, engine temperature and dual tripmeters you can also monitor outside air temperature, cruise control speed, heater levels and even selected apps linked through Apple CarPlay on an iPhone or Android Auto on an Android phone. Standard on all trims.
Engineering/Throttle By Wire: The 2023 Gold Wing’s throttle-by-wire system enables features like the bike’s four ride modes and the exclusive Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), available on all Gold Wing models 2023. Standard on all trims.
If we had to ask Honda one question, that question would be “what are you doing?” Every year when a new motorcycle model comes out, we are all looking for “what’s new”. Obviously with the Gold Wing we are not looking for a re-vamp, Honda did that in 2018 and it will probably be another 10 years before they do that. But what we always look for on a new bike is “what is new”? “What is making the biker better this year?” Fortunately for Honda the “likes list” is much longer than the “dis-like list” and what we look for is the “dis-likes” to be corrected. Has Honda done that in the past? Sure, they have. They upgraded the trunk and made it larger. You used to fit one helmet now you can fit two. But what about the other dis-likes? Like a better nav-system? The locked gas-cap.
When Honda announced they were shutting down the Gold Wing Road Riders Association after 45 years, many were not sure if the Gold Wing will be discontinued all together. Looking at the 2023 model nothing we can see has changed. Absolutely nothing. Looking over the specs sheet, we did not see anything new from 2022 to 2023. To be fair, some other motorcycle manufacturers do the same but, with the Gold Wing not being the most popular Touring motorcycle we feel they should step up their game. Based on past history when a re-vamp takes place there are no upgrades or changes over the next few years, maybe why the Gold Wing is not the most popular Touring motorcycle. Making changes is what keeps riders coming back. On some online forums and videos people are actually saying that they feel that the 2023 models are leftovers from 2022. At least a new color… Give us a new color! Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle do that every year and people love it. Riders, even if they are not in the market to buy, they cannot wait for the new models just to see the colors. So why buy a 2023 model when you can buy a 2022? If you know, please let us know by emailing us.
With all that said, the Gold Wing is a nice-looking bike, very advanced in technology and electronics. With keyless hard saddlebags and trunk, heated seats for the rider and passenger individually controlled, with 126 horsepower and an average of 43mpg. I would not mind ripping the canyons of southern California on one!