Honda Goldwing Motorcycles: Legends Among Their Class

In 1975, Honda released a road bike, which paved the way for a whole new trend of "touring bikes", the Honda Goldwing. Since its inception, Honda Goldwing motorcycles have become one of the most popular motorcycles in history, an added credit to the long line of credits attributed to Honda motorcycles.

The Honda Goldwing first appeared in a 1974 motorcycle show, the Cologne Motorcycle show in October 1974. It featured then cutting edge technology, and was a huge attraction during that time. It boasted a 999cc engine, and is the first motorcycle to feature a fuel pump. It ran very silent, and had its transmission system positioned under its engine, a common thing for cars, but the first to be implemented on a motorcycle. Its water cooled engine also added to its attraction value during the show.

By 1975 Honda Goldwing motorcycles came out as the GL1000, which went into production from 1975 to 1979. It was known as a touring bike, but came out bare, with customers personally setting them up with luggage saddlebags, the most popular of which was the Windjammer line produced by Vetter. Eventually, Honda released GL1000's already equipped with their own trunk compartments and saddlebags, which happened during the final run of this breed of Honda Goldwing motorcycles.

The second inception of Honda Goldwing motorcycles came in the form of the GL1100, which was pretty much the GL1000 only with certain enhancements. For starters electronic ignition was added into the GL1100, as well as a larger 1085cc engine. Its suspension was revamped into an air adjustable type, another first for mass production motorcycles. Overall, it was impossible to start GL1100 Honda Goldwing motorcycles via kickstarting it, thus the implementation of its electronic ignition system. Variations and improvements of the GL1100 were added into by Honda, with the 1983 GL1100 having the most dramatic of improvements. The dashboard featured an LCD screen, as the motorcycle's trunk size was increased as well.

By 2001, Honda Goldwing motorcycles have gone a long way in improvements and enhancements. Anticipation over the 2001 Honda Goldwing motorcycles was quite exiting, as the new engine boasted to be a 1832cc fuel injected type. The overall weight of the GL1800, which was its official model name, dramatically decreased compared with other Honda Goldwing motorcycles, as the frame of the GL1800 was made out of high grade aluminum. An optional ABS brake system came with the GL1800, giving more control over the 1832cc power the motorcycle has within its clockwork.

By 2004, a "Limited Edition" line of the Valkyrie Rune came out from Honda. Originally the "Original Goldwing" was reintroduced to the market in 1996, in the form of the Honda Valkyrie, which featured a 1520cc engine, true to the same GL1500 engine. The Limited Edition Valkyrie Rune came out with a 1800cc engine complete with its unique Honda styling.

As a touring bike, Honda Goldwing motorcycles have become standard bearers of their class. With its awesome power, Honda Goldwing motorcycles came with the ability to control that self same awesome power, living to the testament saying power is nothing without control.

As motorcycles, Honda Goldwing motorcycles are truly legends.