Picture/Article - New 2001 Goldwing - MCN

[Chip Taylor <ctaylor3@uswest.net>]

Title: Picture/Article - New 2001 Goldwing - MCN

Thought some may be interested in the new Goldwing GL1800 picture/article that was in the Bulletins section of MCN.  Interesting developments.

Motorcycle Consumer News - July 2000

THE NEW WING . . .  AND ITS CHALLENGER

 Citing a nearly unimpeachable source inside Honda's home offices in Tokyo, MCN of Great Britain has released substantial information regarding the next generation of Gold Wing.  Ostensibly dubbed the GL1800, the new Wing will continue the tradition of the flat-six, torque-monster engine of the past 12 years, though increased in size by another 300 cc - making it the largest mass production motorcycle engine in the world.  But, despite that similarity, it is said that not one single part on the new bike is carried over from the previous GL.  This is an all-new machine, from the ground up.
 According to MCN's sources, Honda's motivation was the BMW K1200LT, and their target  was to build a bike that handled just as well, if not better, yet with even more power and luxury amenities.  To accomplish this, the bike is said to sport a new, lighter alloy frame and  a highly-advanced suspension system.  Those who have actually seen it in action on the test track claim that it appears to handle exceptionally well, due at least in part to its excellent weight distribution.
 The styling is considerably more rounded and aerodynamic that that found on fully-dressed Wings of the past, and, taking a step backward from its normal evolution, the new Wing sports less bodywork.  Gone are several of the large underbody panels, the fairing looks to be narrower and sleeker, and the full disc brake covers have been removed from the front wheel.
  The honda engine plant in Anna, Ohio, is said to already be tooling up the new engine, and the bike is slated to debut at the Intermot show in Munich, Germany, this coming September.  Among the rumored optional amenities are heated seats and handgrips, and electrically adjustable windshield, GPS satellite navigation system, a cell phone and CD-changer.  Standard equipment may actually include such things as a one-key locking system, where turning the key in the steering lock automatically locks the saddlebags and trunk - and perhaps even arms the theft deterrent system.  There is also still debate on whether Honda's new push-button automatic transmission (revealed on the X-Wing prototype) will debut as an option on the GL1800.  The only thing we find odd in all of this is that there is still no mention anywhere of the possibility of ABS brakes.
   A new F6C Valkyrie, utilizing the same engine, is said to be slated for introduction at the same time as the new Gold Wing.

   Only about a week after the leak of the Gold Wing story, another came from the direction of Kawasaki Motors.  And while everyone was waiting for and expecting the new luxury tourer from Big Red, most of us were caught flat-footed by the news that Kawasaki was actually upping its bid in the same arena.
   Currently code-named the GTR1200, Kawasaki's new tourer will purportedly sport the engine from the ZX-12R hypersport, detuned to about 130 bhp.  This is in keeping with Kawasaki's goals for their tourer, which are much different from those of Honda or even BMW.  Built to be lighter, more powerful and with more aggressive styling and aerodynamics, the GTR seems poised to blur the line between luxury and sport touring.  Said to weigh in at nearly 200 lbs. lighter than the LT or Wing, the GTR will also sport more horsepower, and a price tag nearly $2,000 lower.
   Yet despite the high-performance bent, the GTR is said to offer not only ABS, but a list of options similar to the Gold Wing and LT.
   The GTR is not expected to debut until the 2002-model year, though at this point Kawasaki is denying that the project even exists.

Chip
(Spock)
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~VROC~ #801

wing.jpg