2018 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing from Czech Republic
Summary:
The closest thing to a car with two wheels
Faults:
Misfires related to the engine control module (ECU) and problems with manual gearbox gears.
The fuel pump impeller is improperly molded. Over time and with use, this impeller can deform, causing the pump to fail, resulting in the engine stalling or failing to restart.
Problems with the emergency lock on the left trunk. If the mechanism fails, it prevents access to the compartment that houses the battery.
General Comments:
I'll try to be as concise as possible.
What everyone considers a drawback: the weight. Yes, it feels heavy when you lift it off the side stand, but the weight is concentrated low down; it's more balanced and easier to control at low speeds than you might think. It doesn't feel any heavier than my previous Yamaha FJR1300 with a full tank. The high center of gravity of my FJR caused me problems a couple of times. That's not the case with the Gold Wing, with its lower center of gravity.
Size: It feels much smaller as soon as you sit on it. Most of the bike is low, and the handlebars are much better positioned than on my FJR. I had to raise the FJR's handlebars and move them back because they were too far out. Once you're moving, the size and weight of the Gold Wing diminish. On the road, it soon felt only slightly larger or heavier than my FJR1300 with a full tank.
Handling: It handles exceptionally well. This is one of my biggest surprises. It doesn't roll at all like a heavy motorcycle. It has less ground clearance, but it never scraped, so it's still sufficient for most public roads, but it doesn't lean as much as an FJR1300 (or the K1600). Very stable in any corner, and I've ridden thousands of kilometers on this bike.
It's a big bike, but it corners with confidence and always held the corner I chose, but I wasn't pushing it. I was mindful not to enter corners too fast, but my current pace suits this bike well.
It has a special double-wishbone front suspension, unlike any other I've ever ridden, and it's impressive. The rear suspension is conventional, but it works as well as on any motorcycle I've ever ridden, without you even noticing its actual weight. It always remained very stable entering and exiting corners. Of course, you have to think about leaning it in earlier, applying more force to the handlebars, and naturally, it's heavy and doesn't handle with the agility of an adventure bike, but as a luxury touring motorcycle, at my current pace, I found it excellent.
The 1800cc flat-six engine is the best motorcycle engine I've ever experienced. It has so much torque. You get maximum torque right from idle. That's incredibly good. Then, from 3000 rpm upwards, the engine transforms into an amazing sound, like a Porsche.
And you can enjoy this all the time at legal road speeds, unlike superbikes, where you can only reach their optimal rpm by risking hefty fines or even jail time.
The brakes are incredible. I wondered if they had power brakes like the old BMWs. I could squeeze them with just one finger and they engaged powerfully, stopping the bike better than almost any other I've ridden.
The seat comfort is excellent. You can easily pedal for 2 to 3 hours without stopping. My bike had a backrest, which was great. The legroom is also good. The central controls felt a little strange at first, but I adapted quickly and then felt very comfortable and at ease.
To conclude, I'll just say that the new Gold Wing is really very good, but if you've never ridden one, you have no idea and you'll probably still have some preconceived notions, and nothing I or anyone else says will change that.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th June, 2026