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You can count the number of motorcycle models that have been in production for 50 years on one hand, and you'll still have spare fingers. And the Honda Gold Wing's 50-year run is just the beginning of why it's an icon of motorcycling in the United States.
The Gold Wing was always a model aimed primarily at the U.S. market and for many years Gold Wings were built in Honda's plants in Ohio. But the Gold Wing has evolved tremendously over that half a century of production.
The 1975 Gold Wing was a naked bike, like the other offerings from Japan in that era, but that was the only way it was similar to what had come before. Even Honda's groundbreaking CB750 of a few years earlier had an air-cooled engine, but the Gold Wing's liquid-cooled, flat-four engine and shaft drive made it more automotive than anything else of its time. That smooth power made it ideal for long-haul rides in the open spaces of the United States and owners were soon bolting on windshields, fairings, and luggage. Honda then followed suit, evolving the Gold Wing into an ever-more-equipped luxury touring package, growing the engine to six cylinders, and creating an enduring benchmark in the touring category.
For all those reasons, the Gold Wing is clearly an icon of motorcycling, especially here in the states, and that makes it an easy choice for this season's podcast focusing on the most influential motorcycles (following season nine's episode on the Suzuki SV650). Listen in as Spurgeon and Zack dive into the history of the Gold Wing.
Listen to Highside/Lowside
As always, for those who prefer visuals of all of the bikes we’re discussing, we’ve got the YouTube link above. But if you're listening to this inside your helmet on your commute and just want the words, the podcast version is available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and LibSyn to name a few of your favorite podcasting apps.
