– 2018 Gold Wing Model Lineup Differences Explained / Feature Breakdown –
Confused by the new 2018 Honda Gold Wing model lineup and what’s what? Which models do this or that and have this feature but don’t have that feature? If I go with the 6-speed Manual Transmission what features do I lose over the 7-Speed DCT Automatic Transmission and vice versa? Trust me, you’re not the only one… Let’s take a minute and break things down. If you haven’t already checked out the Official 2018 GoldWing Announcement yet, why not? Click Here to head over there and get caught up before you read the details below.
If you haven’t already checked it out yet, check out some of the other big news going on right now in the motorcycle world with the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show that is happening right now and in full-swing. You can check out my Hourly Tokyo Motor Show Updates by Clicking Here.
2018 GoldWing Tour Models (Tour = older “regular” GoldWing)
The three 2018 Gold Wing Tour models—Gold Wing Tour, Gold Wing Tour DCT, and Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag—are the modern interpretation of the classic Gold Wing, the ultimate long-distance touring machine, but with highly improved performance capabilities. All three all-new Gold Wing Tour models feature full luggage provisions, including saddlebags and top case. This is what you could consider the “regular” Gold Wing if you’re going off standards from the last couple of decades. Originally the stripped down Gold Wing was called just that, the “Gold Wing” and then you had the other model variations which added those features like fairings, saddlebags, trunks etc. History is repeating itself as you’ll see below on the second part of this posting. If that’s not confusing enough haha just think of it this way: Gold Wing = Base Model and Gold Wing Tour = “Cadillac” with the bells and whistles.
GoldWing Tour Colors:
- Candy Ardent Red
- Pearl White
- Pearl Hawkseye Blue
Significant Features:
- Saddlebags
- Top case (removable with accessory kit)
- Double-wishbone front suspension
- Tall electric windscreen
- 6-speed manual transmission
- Reverse gear
- Audio speakers (2 front/2 rear)
- Four riding modes (Tour, Sport, Econ, Rain)
- Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
- Heated seat
- Heated grips
- Cruise control
- Electric damping adjust
- Electric preload adjust
- Center stand
- Built-in navigation
- Apple CarPlay™ compatible
GoldWing Tour DCT Colors:
- Candy Ardent Red
- Pearl White
- Pearl Hawkseye Blue
Significant Features:
Compared to Gold Wing Tour, adds:
- Seven-speed automatic DCT
- Walking Mode
GoldWing Tour DCT Airbag Colors:
- Candy Ardent Red / Black
Significant Features:
Compared to Gold Wing Tour DCT, adds:
- Airbag
2018 GoldWing Models (Base Model that’s replacing F6B)
Boasting a sporty character, the two Gold Wing models—Gold Wing and Gold Wing DCT—come with saddlebags but no trunk or the accompanying rear audio speakers. The electric windscreen is shorter on these models, and preload adjustment is manual. HSTC, electric damping-adjust, center stand, and heated grips are not included. This model is what will be replacing the F6B / F6B Deluxe for 2018.
GoldWing Colors:
- Candy Ardent Red (missing picture below)
- Matte Majestic Silver
- Pearl Stallion Brown
Significant Features:
- Double-wishbone front suspension
- Short electric windscreen
- Six-speed manual transmission
- Audio speakers (2 front)
- Four riding modes
- Heated grips
- Cruise control
- Built-in navigation
- Apple CarPlay compatible
GoldWing DCT Colors:
- Candy Ardent Red (missing picture below)
- Matte Majestic Silver
- Pearl Stallion Brown
Significant Features:
Compared to Gold Wing, adds:
- Seven-speed automatic DCT
- Walking Mode
- Reverse
2018 GoldWing / GoldWing Tour Feature Comparison Review
GOLD WING TOUR |
GOLD WING TOUR DCT |
GOLD WING TOUR DCT AIRBAG | GOLD WING | GOLD WING DCT |
|
Double-Wishbone Front Suspension |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Electric Windscreen |
Tall | Tall | Tall | Short | Short |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
7-speed automatic DCT |
7-speed automatic DCT |
6-speed manual |
7-speed automatic DCT |
Reverse | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Top Box | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Optional | Optional |
Audio Speakers | 2 front/2 rear | 2 front/2 rear | 2 front/2 rear | 2 front | 2 front |
Riding Modes | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Honda Selectable Torque Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Heated Seat | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Heated Grips | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fr./Rr. Electric Damping Adjust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Preload Adjust | Electric | Electric | Electric | Manual | Manual |
Center Stand | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Optional | Optional |
Built-in Navigation |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Apple CarPlay Compatible |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Airbag | ✓ |
Model | Gold Wing Tour | Gold Wing Tour DCT | Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT | Gold Wing | Gold Wing DCT |
ENGINE | |||||
Engine Type | 1,832cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder four-stroke | ||||
Valve Train | 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 | ||||
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 | Multi-plate wet clutch | (2) multi-plate wet clutches | Multi-plate wet clutch | (2) multi-plate wet clutches | |
Final Drive | Shaft | ||||
SUSPENSION | |||||
Front | Double-wishbone front-suspension system w/ Showa shock absorber; 4.3 in. travel | ||||
Rear | Pro-Link® system w/ Showa shock absorber, 4.1 in. travel | ||||
BRAKES | |||||
Front | (2) radially mounted 6-piston Nissin calipers w/ 320mm rotors, electronically controlled combined ABS | ||||
Rear | (1) 3-piston Nissin caliper w/ 316mm rotor, electronically controlled combined ABS | ||||
TIRES | |||||
Front | 130/70-18 | ||||
Rear | 200/55-R16 | ||||
MEASUREMENTS | |||||
Rake (Caster Angle) | 30.5° | ||||
Trail | 109mm | ||||
Length | 101.4 in. | 97.4 in. | |||
Width | 36.4 in. | 35.6 in. | 36.4 in. | 35.6 in. | |
Height | 56.3 in. low windscreen; 61.2 in. high windscreen | 52.8 in. low windscreen; 56.9 in. high windscreen | |||
Seat Height | 29.3 in. | ||||
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in. | ||||
Wheelbase | 66.7 in. | ||||
Fuel Capacity | 5.5 gal. | ||||
Color | Candy Ardent Red, Pearl White, Pearl Hawkseye Blue | Candy Ardent Red/Black | Candy Ardent Red, Matte Majestic Silver, Pearl Stallion Brown | ||
Curb Weight* | 833 lbs. | 842 lbs. | 787 lbs. | 800 lbs. |
* Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride. Meets current EPA standards. Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment. All specifications subject to change.
To me it looks like Honda made a mistake on the weights. With the weights of the gold wing/gold wing DCT @ a 13 lbs. difference and the gold wing tour/gold wing tour DCT at the same weight, yet the airbag version is 9lbs. heavier. That is a heavy airbag. I think they should of moved the dividing line to the left on the above chart but didn’t have enough room for all the paint colors. Just my thoughts.