Honda Golding

From Classic Motorbikes Wiki

1977 Goldwing

Honda Goldwing

When Honda announced the horizontally opposed, four cylinder Gold Wing in 1974 it created a combination of awe at its technically advanced specification and confusion as to its projected place in the market. The power output of the machine suggested a sports biased motorcycle, but the weight, shaft drive and complexity implied that it was aimed at the touring market. Honda had no doubt as to the Gold Wing's role, it was a grand touring machine of huge ability which became apparent when the magazine testers were able to ride it. The engine produced a claimed power output of 80 bhp at 7,500 rpm, sufficient to propel the 290kg motorcycle to a top speed of 125 mph, however it's real forte' was not ultimate performance, the weight compromised that from the outset, but it's ability to devour miles at high average speeds. The engine configuration ensured smoothness, the liquid cooling, good silencing and shaft drive helped to keep mechanical noise levels to a minimum and the low centre of gravity partly resulting from the engine design but aided by clever detail design that saw the fuel tank housed under the seat all aided the handling. The Gold Wing quite simply rewrote the rules concerning touring motorcycles and in doing so re-asserted Honda's claim to be the paramount manufacturer of technically advanced motorcycles in the world, an accolade that had been threatened by their rivals.

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Honda Golding

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Honda Goldwing

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