Honda revealed its original GL 1000 “Gold Wing” in 1974 to compete directly with Harley-Davidson for a slice of the American tour-bike market, but it was a tourer in name only. More of a big cruiser by American standards, the fairingless, bagless Gold Wing found a toehold on U.S. shores, and Honda went to work perfecting its new platform.
The GL1100 Interstate, released in 1980, was really the first proper tour-bike version of the Gold Wing with a full fairing, windshield and baggage — features that catapulted the GL series to the top of the U.S. import-tour market. Honda carries that style all the way through to 2017 with its GL1800 Gold Wing, and the less-tourtastic, but definitely boulevard bruiser-esque, Gold Wing F6B and F6B Deluxe from 2016. The popularity of Gold Wings is undeniable, evidenced by its legions of loyal fans, so join me as I take a look at what Honda has in store for U.S. shores this year.
Continue reading for my review of the Honda Gold Wing, Gold Wing F6B and Gold Wing F6B Deluxe.
