Honda Gold Wing for the year was at the top of the luxury market and tourism, which offers the best balance between comfort and performance in its class. But the rule is now under the threat of new BMW K1600 GTL has received a very favorable review editor at Duke a few weeks ago.
In a context of increased competition, Honda has chosen to equip the Gold Wing 2012 with only moderate improvements. This indifference is asked: When Honda retaliate with full model upgrade? Until this case, each time may come, "it's the little things that matter" adage should be enough for fans of the Gold Wing.
In a context of increased competition, Honda has chosen to equip the Gold Wing 2012 with only moderate improvements. This indifference is asked: When Honda retaliate with full model upgrade? Until this case, each time may come, "it's the little things that matter" adage should be enough for fans of the Gold Wing.
Honda offer models with both 2012 and 2010 Gold Wing for the back-to-back comparison, minor updates adorn the obvious GL 2012. Trivial as the updates may be available, and the effort at least justifies the $ 300 increase in MSRP between 2010 and 2012 base models ($ 22,899 versus $ 23,199, respectively).
The purpose of Comparo this back to back - is clear on the tight, winding roads of California's Coastal Range we were in the race - was to focus on better handling of the 2012 Gold Wing . When the old wing bar Dunlop, the new wing are shod with Bridgestone rubber. But as Honda was quick to point out Bridgestone was designed to work in harmony with the 2012 revised suspension, so they will not necessarily revive the old wing.
The purpose of Comparo this back to back - is clear on the tight, winding roads of California's Coastal Range we were in the race - was to focus on better handling of the 2012 Gold Wing . When the old wing bar Dunlop, the new wing are shod with Bridgestone rubber. But as Honda was quick to point out Bridgestone was designed to work in harmony with the 2012 revised suspension, so they will not necessarily revive the old wing.
In addition to the internal ring back up and down the fork, Honda could not say that there is a revised suspension settings front and rear wing 2012. Front wheel travel by car is reported in 4.8-inch, representing a reduction of 5, 5 calls for the wings before. However, Honda says the journey is actually unchanged, given the specification of age was a typographical error and confirm the new figure of 4.8 inches.
In any case, there is a slightly improved management of the 2012 Gold Wing ways. I say slightly, because the 2010s were the proper treatment of these heavy machines, but the new model is slightly more prone to fall into a corner. And in a 2010-model requires a little effort 'more to keep the long line of navigating a corner, 2012 to keep it lean angle and maintain the arc selected driver. Cornering clearance of '10 felt the same wing, and both were equally resistant to the bottom.
The seat-of-the-pants the most notable improvement in 2012-Wing, literally, is headquartered. Hopping out of the old model, and the new model, it became clear that the material of urethane new seats and the cover is really an improvement. Not quite Tempur-Pedic mattress material, but the GL support new headquarters for the level of comfort. And all passengers will be greeted by one of the best seats in the passenger business, a much more relaxing to sit on the driver's seat BMW GTL - if you do not want to whine in the back seat, you hear less him with the blade.
In any case, there is a slightly improved management of the 2012 Gold Wing ways. I say slightly, because the 2010s were the proper treatment of these heavy machines, but the new model is slightly more prone to fall into a corner. And in a 2010-model requires a little effort 'more to keep the long line of navigating a corner, 2012 to keep it lean angle and maintain the arc selected driver. Cornering clearance of '10 felt the same wing, and both were equally resistant to the bottom.
The seat-of-the-pants the most notable improvement in 2012-Wing, literally, is headquartered. Hopping out of the old model, and the new model, it became clear that the material of urethane new seats and the cover is really an improvement. Not quite Tempur-Pedic mattress material, but the GL support new headquarters for the level of comfort. And all passengers will be greeted by one of the best seats in the passenger business, a much more relaxing to sit on the driver's seat BMW GTL - if you do not want to whine in the back seat, you hear less him with the blade.
Because navigating a 900-pound motorcycle through the area where the motorcycle sport in general required all my attention wander, I have not been able to mess with the Gold Wing is upgraded electronics. Yes, I manage to find a decent station on the wing, XM Satellite Radio (some heavy metals to highlight the heavy grinding PEG), but Honda has improved other aspects of their audio and navigation systems.
New audio system in the squad is MP3/iPod connectivity. Yes, the connection of the device is in the top box, but its location is not important because Honda incorporates the control of the iPod in their handlebar controls and a panel of the screen. You can access playlists, artists, albums, etc, just as if you had the camera in hand. There is also a new dimension in surround sound speakers available to provide a better listening experience. I could hear the rear speakers more clearly, even at high speeds.
New audio system in the squad is MP3/iPod connectivity. Yes, the connection of the device is in the top box, but its location is not important because Honda incorporates the control of the iPod in their handlebar controls and a panel of the screen. You can access playlists, artists, albums, etc, just as if you had the camera in hand. There is also a new dimension in surround sound speakers available to provide a better listening experience. I could hear the rear speakers more clearly, even at high speeds.
Before leaving on our day we had a technical briefing on the new satellite navigation system from Honda. According to Honda the system provides updated information out of date due to a faster connection between cycling and satellite. Display screen is now clear for better viewing.
A very useful feature when traveling into the unknown new band is the GPS-Assist, which tells the driver in advance if you want the ramp to the left or right side of the highway. There is also a new 3-D terrain. Next to the iPod adapter to connect it with a new removable flash card, which allows owners to remove the Gold Wing their way, the download of a personal computer to download and share with the other wings of gold.Curiously, the Golden Wheel new wing is locked in a burst of clear varnish. Honda says it's for easy cleaning and to keep the wheels in better shape for a longer period. For someone who remembers yellow, exfoliation, clear coated wheels in the 1980s, it may seem like a mistake. But Honda has assured me that all the coat clear is the same recipe, the process of application is changed and the process was 30 years ago that got motorcycle owners to spend hours with a handful of steel wool scraping putty fatal turn of the wheel.
The new substance EQ 2012 Gold Wing, the side panels of color, stands out, with almost the same in the new wing added to his predecessor. New look cool profile of the Honda Gold Wing and second, the fairing is slightly wider, better protection from the wind.
Another visual cue of the GL is a new hood, directly above the brake / gear levers. It was the old model of chromium, but now it is black, according to Honda, to look at "modernizing". But instead of chrome or colored to update one of the three trim levels above the base model, this is incomplete, plastic, black panel illuminates all of the 2012 Gold Wings. It looks cheaper in person than in pictures, and it is not appropriate for a high-end motorcycle.
So the 2012 Gold Wing motorcycle to date is better, receive updates on areas that really benefit from its pilot. However, $ 23,199 is $ 28,499, the Gold Wing is the largest GTL BMW K1600, which retails for $ 23,200 is $ 25,845.
The new Beemer faster, lighter, has a Bluetooth and an electrically adjustable windshield. But the wing housing the most luxurious and passengers may have a slight advantage in low-speed handling.
The new Beemer faster, lighter, has a Bluetooth and an electrically adjustable windshield. But the wing housing the most luxurious and passengers may have a slight advantage in low-speed handling.
Although better than the wind in your pocket has been difficult to determine during the windy afternoon spent on board the two wings, restyled rear wheel, which has been moved to the rear lights, was a visually pleasing, and its functionality obvious. By centralizing the clearance between the back of the panniers saddlebags, and extends, the new Gold Wing gains seven liters of storage space. Parked side by side, 2012 looks smaller saddlebags, but 'tis only an optical illusion.
