Engine: 1,833 cc Flat-Six, 126.5 hp, 170 Nm—Smoothness as a Riding Experience

1,833 cc, liquid-cooled four-stroke flat-six, 24 valves, PGM-FI, Throttle-by-Wire. Output is 93 kW / 126.5 hp at 5,500 rpm, with 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm. There is an integrated starter/generator system.

The engine is not designed around high-rpm drama—it is designed around smoothness. At the German highway reference speed of 130 km/h, it turns a relaxed 2,500 rpm. The result is a deep, even engine note that does not become tiring after hours in the saddle.

Zero to 100 km/h takes around five seconds, but the real appeal lies in gliding, not accelerating.

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, DCT, comes standard on this version and can operate fully automatically or manually through handlebar-mounted shift paddles. There is no clutch lever and no foot shifter—just open the throttle and glide.

One special feature is DCT Walking Mode. At the touch of a button, the engine moves the 393 kg motorcycle forward at 1.8 km/h or backward at 1.2 km/h. At this weight, that is not a luxury. It is a practical necessity.

The Gold Wing has been Euro 5+ compliant since the 2025 model year, with a revised ECU and a second lambda sensor with OBD2 interface. Fuel consumption is approximately 5.6 L/100 km. The 21.1-liter fuel tank provides a range of around 375 km.

Suspension: Double-Wishbone Front End, Pro-Arm Shaft Drive, Electronically Adjustable—Technology for 393 kg

Up front is a double-wishbone suspension system rather than a conventional telescopic fork. Thanks to its high rigidity and reduced friction, this design provides optimized riding stability and reduces front-end dive under braking.

At the rear is a Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm with integrated shaft drive and Pro-Link linkage for progressive suspension response. Damping is electronically controlled front and rear and adapts to the active riding mode.

Braking comes from dual 320 mm floating front discs, each with a six-piston caliper, hydraulically operated and using sintered-metal pads. At the rear is a 316 mm internally ventilated disc with a three-piston caliper.

Dual CBS combined braking distributes braking force between the front and rear wheels regardless of whether the rider uses the foot brake or hand lever. ABS calibration varies according to riding mode.

HSTC traction control and Hill Start Assist come standard. Wheelbase is 1,695 mm and seat height 745 mm. Wheel sizes are 18 inches front and 16 inches rear. Bridgestone G852/G853 tires, developed specifically for the Gold Wing, come standard.

Equipment: Airbag, Wireless Apple CarPlay, 61-Liter Top Case, Heated Seats—the Most Complete Production Touring Package

The airbag is the Tour version’s exclusive feature—and the only standard motorcycle airbag system in a production motorcycle anywhere in the world. It is integrated into the front fairing and deploys in a severe frontal impact to help protect the rider.

Additional standard equipment on the Tour DCT Airbag includes integrated side cases and a 61-liter top case with integrated passenger backrest, SMART Key, TPMS tire-pressure monitoring with warning function, fog lights, heated grips, heated front and rear seats with genuine and synthetic leather upholstery, electrically adjustable windshield, cruise control, Hill Start Assist, and four riding modes.

Infotainment centers around a 7-inch color TFT with an integrated four-speaker audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto come standard. Both have been wireless since MY2025; previously, a cable connection was required. Navigation, music, and phone functions are fully integrated. Bluetooth intercom functionality has also been improved since MY2025.

Stop-Start comes standard. Total luggage capacity is approximately 110 liters, combining the side cases and top case.

Ergonomics: 745 mm Seat Height, Highway Cockpit, Passenger Comfort at Grand-Touring Level

A 745 mm seat height is remarkably low for a motorcycle of this type. The knee angle and riding position are designed for long distances—a natural posture without climbing onto the motorcycle or stretching excessively. The passenger benefits from a generously sized heated rear seat and the fixed backrest integrated into the top case.

Riders report daily distances well beyond 500 km without significant fatigue. The Gold Wing is not the most agile motorcycle in the world. Its 393 kg are clearly noticeable at walking pace. Once moving, the weight becomes far less relevant. Above 80 km/h, the Gold Wing feels smaller than it actually is.

Handling: 393 kg, 126.5 hp—Easy Once Moving, an Exercise in Respect at a Standstill

Fully fueled weight is 393 kg. That is not a number to skim past. At a standstill and during parking maneuvers, the Gold Wing demands concentration. DCT Walking Mode and Hill Start Assist are not comfort gimmicks at this weight—they are genuine safety aids. Once moving at around 30 km/h or more, the riding experience transforms.

The double-wishbone front suspension absorbs irregularities, the electronic suspension stabilizes the motorcycle through load changes, and the transmission selects the correct gear without requiring any effort from the rider. The Gold Wing glides.

There are four riding modes: Tour, Sport, Econ, and Rain. In Tour mode, DCT is calibrated for relaxed cruising. In Sport mode, throttle response becomes more direct and the transmission holds gears longer. On the highway, cruise control takes over the throttle. Kick-down for overtaking responds quickly.

For comparison, the BMW K 1600 GTL starts at €29,290 with a six-cylinder inline engine and 160 hp, but no airbag and no wireless Apple CarPlay as standard.

The Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO starts at €47,950, with a V-twin and belt drive.

The Gold Wing is technologically the most comprehensive and, in standard equipment, the most complete grand-touring motorcycle on the market.

Costs: €41,429 Including Destination Charges—Everything Included, No Premium for the Complete Package

The price is €41,429 including destination charges. All equipment is included: side cases, top case, airbag, heated seats, heated grips, Apple CarPlay, audio system, and electronic suspension. There is no additional package surcharge.

The BMW K 1600 GTL starts at €29,290, but without an airbag, without wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard, and without a top case as standard.

When base price and complete equipment are considered together, the Gold Wing Tour sits in the middle of the grand-touring segment in terms of price and performance.

The standard warranty is two years with unlimited mileage. A paid extension through Honda GarantiePlus is available.

Verdict

The Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag is the most complete touring motorcycle you can buy—not the sportiest, not the lightest, but the one with the greatest commitment to long-distance comfort, technology, and manufacturing quality.

Airbag, wireless CarPlay, 61-liter top case, heated seats, electronic suspension, DCT with reverse—all standard, with no additional package charge. If you take grand touring seriously, this is money well spent.

 

Quick Check

+ World’s only standard production motorcycle airbag: exclusive to the Tour version

+ Seven-speed DCT with Walking Mode: forward at 1.8 km/h and reverse at 1.2 km/h at the touch of a button

+ 1,833 cc flat-six: 126.5 hp, 170 Nm, incomparable smoothness

+ Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard since MY2025

+ 61-liter top case with passenger backrest, integrated side cases—approximately 110 liters total capacity

+ Heated front and rear seats standard; heated grips standard

+ Electronically adjustable suspension with double-wishbone front end and Pro-Arm rear

+ Dual CBS combined braking with ABS; Hill Start Assist; HSTC traction control

+ TPMS tire-pressure monitoring, fog lights, cruise control—all standard

+ SMART Key, Stop-Start, four riding modes standard

+ 7-inch TFT with integrated four-speaker audio system

+ 745 mm seat height: remarkably low for this type of motorcycle

 

– 393 kg fully fueled: substantial at a standstill and while maneuvering; DCT Walking Mode is a genuine help, not a luxury

– €41,429: high entry price, even with the complete equipment package

– No IMU-controlled Cornering ABS in the conventional sense; uses its own CBS system

– Approx. 375 km range: acceptable for a grand-tourer, but not exceptional

– Warranty: two-year base warranty; extension through Honda GarantiePlus costs extra

 

Technical Specifications: Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag (2026)

Country of Manufacture: Japan

Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke flat-six, 24 valves, PGM-FI, Throttle-by-Wire; integrated starter/generator system

Displacement: 1,833 cc, 73 mm × 73 mm

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Power: 93 kW / 126.5 hp at 5,500 rpm

Torque: 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, DCT; fully automatic or manual via shift paddles; Walking Mode: 1.8 km/h forward, 1.2 km/h reverse at the touch of a button

Final Drive: Shaft drive, integrated into Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm

Riding Modes / Electronics: Four riding modes—Tour, Sport, Econ, Rain; HSTC traction control; Dual CBS combined braking; riding-mode-dependent ABS calibration; Hill Start Assist; Stop-Start; cruise control; electronically adjustable front and rear suspension

Frame: Cast-aluminum twin-tube frame

Front Suspension: Double-wishbone suspension, no conventional telescopic fork; electronically adjustable damping

Rear Suspension: Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm; Pro-Link linkage; integrated shaft drive; electronically adjustable damping

Front Brakes: Dual 320 mm floating discs; six-piston caliper on each side; sintered-metal pads; hydraulically operated

Rear Brake: 316 mm internally ventilated disc; three-piston caliper; sintered-metal pads; hydraulically operated

Wheels: 18-inch front, 18M/C × MT3.50; 16-inch rear, 16M/C × MT6.00

Tires: Bridgestone G852 front / G853 rear, developed specifically for Gold Wing

Airbag: Standard, Tour-exclusive; world’s only standard motorcycle airbag in a production motorcycle

Infotainment: 7-inch color TFT; integrated four-speaker audio system; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard; Bluetooth intercom

Comfort: Heated front and rear seats; heated grips; electrically adjustable windshield; SMART Key; TPMS; fog lights; Stop-Start

Luggage: Integrated side cases + 61-liter top case with passenger backrest; total capacity approx. 110 liters

Fully Fueled Weight: 393 kg

Seat Height: 745 mm

Wheelbase: 1,695 mm

Steering-Head Angle / Trail: 30.5 degrees / 109 mm

Fuel Capacity: 21.1 liters

Consumption / Range: Approx. 5.6 L/100 km; approx. 375 km range

License Class: A

MY2026 Updates: New colors only: Candy Ardent Red, Gunmetal Black Metallic, Pearl Deep Mud Gray, in addition to Matte Bullet Silver. No technical changes compared with MY2025

Price in Germany: €41,429 including destination charges

Warranty: 2 years with unlimited mileage as standard; paid extension through Honda GarantiePlus available