Honda Gold Wing (GL1800) reviews

My last Honda was a 1978 750 Supersport I took to Alaska from New Mexico. This one's like driving a luxury auto on two wheels. Tuck in the XM with weather report and it's a load of fun. Looking forward to many trips and riding hours. Show less

I have ridden v-twins for over 40 years and never thought that I would own a Gold Wing. I definitely made a good choice in the 2009 Audio/Comfort. At 6 feet, 7 incles it seemed a bit cramped inside the fairings but after riding for a while it feels great. With approx. 100 miles a day on the beltway commuting to and from work, this is the ultimate bike. Good fuel mileage, creature comforts and great handling. After 18 years at the top of the touring class, what is left to say. Show less

The Gold Wing is a fantastic ride. The comfort is superb, the ride sublime. Our 2008 Gold Wing took us to the Alantic and Pacific Oceans. The Gulf of Mexico and up into Canada. The bike is a masterpiece. No matter if you have the cruise control set and are eating up miles on the or are dragging the pegs in the twisties this machine can do it all. You can customize it till your hearts content, chrome, lights or other safety related goodies! Gotta love it... Now, if they would only make tires to match the machine! Show less

I have been riding a 1990 Honda Pacific Coast 800 for the last 10 years, I thought it might be time to upgrade. I ordered my 2010 gl1800 base model that had premimium audio, heated seat, grips and in the pearl yellow on july 2009 and patiently waited a whole month to take delivery. On Sept 2, 2009 I took delivery of it and 2.5 hours later I rode it off the dealer lot and cruised it for 60 miles to get the feel of this AWESOME machine. The power, wind protection, comfort, etc., etc. was way over my expectations. After riding the pc800 I thought that was a great machine, boy was I wrong. With 2 months of ownership and 2600 miles, I am still smiling inside my helmet and just amazed on how Honda has made the best touring bike there is. Show less

In the past 6 years had a Honda Shadow 600, gone up to Goldwing, Magnas, Valkyrie, Yamaha V-star, Suzuki C50C, and a couple of other scooters. This Silver Wing is my 12th one. And I have to say that I am very impressed. Like it very much. Has everything I wanted and felt very solid. Communicated very well with rider(me)in handing bumps, taking off, and stopping. I should have bought this one a long time ago. Thanks Honda. Show less

Having had my '08 Wing for a little over a year and 22,000 miles, I have pretty much gotten comfortable enough with the bike to comment on both the positives as well as the negatives. (The positives dramatically outweigh the negatives... but they're still worth mentioning) First of all after 22k, I have the original tires, which based on what I've read is pretty impressive miles for the OEM's. The only maintenance I've done so far is oil changes, and as others have stated, this bike is easily good for hundreds of thousands of miles. 95% of my riding is done on the interstate and there is nothing even close to the Wing as a highway tourer, aside from maybe the BMW K1200lt. After a 900 mile day recently, I felt relatively fresh and I could have probably continued to ride. It really is that good of a touring bike. Power is impressive, handling is terrific for a bike of it's size and I get 40+ mpg with regular fuel. Plus, being a big motorcycle, it's much easier to be seen. Now the negatives, and again they are far outweighed by the positives. 1) No electronic windshield 2) The cruise control is horrible, particularly when resuming your previously set speed. It drops about 5 mph less than it was and then comes back up....very annoying 3) It probably could use a 6th speed, although truth be told once you get used to the 5 speed you don't notice all that much. All in all though, it's the best bike I've ever owned of the 17 bikes I've had in my life, and I suspect I'll be riding this one for a long long time. Will be anxious to see the new replacment Goldwing, probably a 2011 model. I hear they're going to possibly combine the Wing and the ST1300 with an automatic tranny. There may be a market for that, but I doubt if I'd ever be interested in an automatic. This may very well be my last bike. I just can't imagine anything else that's so suitable for my type of riding. Show less

This is exactly what I've been looking for! A scooter with an attitude of a 600cc bike. Many people like the option of a bike with the twist and go like myself. It has the look and feel of a touring motorcyle and a comfortable ride for the passanger. The extra space for storage is such a plus. I'm thinking of a back trunk for a little more storage with the added back rest for the passanger. Thank you Honda for making this great bike. Show less

MY SILVERWING HAD 4,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 2004. IT NOW HAS 26,500. I HAVE RODE IT SOUTH TO KEY LARGO,FL NORTH TO GREENBURG, PA. AND WEST TO BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI. PLANNING ON MAKING IT TO ST LOUIS, MO NEXT SUMMER. IT STILL RIDES COMFORTABLY AND SMOOTHLY. LIKE ANOTHER REVIEWER MENTIONED THE RIGHT SIDE GLOVE BOX ON MINE DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND THERE IS SOME RATTLING FROM THE FRONT END. EVERTHING ELSE IS FINE. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR A MOTORCYLE IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. I LOVE IT. Show less

I have ridden many bikes in my 30 years, sports bike, curisers, and dirt bikes, but this is by far the most comfortable bike that I have ridden. It has enough power to keep up with any 600 cc sports bike with a novice rider and out perform any cruiser. This is my last bike unless Honda makes a 750 cc Honda Silverwing, then I will get that to keep up with the sports bike coming out of a curves. Show less

I bought my Silver wing in March of 2007. It had 16000 miles on it at time. It came with the driver's back rest, Monokey luggage box, strobe brake light and chrome mirrors. I added the taller Givi windshield. I am 62 years old and find this bike to be very comfortable, smooth riding and surprisingly fast. It is very quiet. I go to work at 3:30am without waking the neighbors. I would recommed the Silver Wing to anyone. Show less