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The 2008 Honda Goldwing comes, for the first time, in two trim levels with the red luxury model not only including the first motorcycle airbag in our market but also creature features such as integrated satellite navigation, 80-watt sound system with iPod auxiliary plug in, fog lights and pannier liners.
The one-spec 2007 Goldwing cost $39,990, while the new luxury costs $40,990 and the standard model comes in at $34,990; the cheapest Goldwing yet in real terms.
At the first Australian media launch of a new Goldwing in the model's 33 years, Honda Australia motorcycles marketing services manager Rhys Griffiths said the keen pricing was the result of favourable exchange rates.
But the silver-coloured standard model is no stripper with features such as heated grips and seat, self-cancelling indicators, engine and panniers guards, and a 30-watt sound system with iPod connector.
The luxury models airbag module is mounted between the rider and tank and is tethered to the frame.
National service manager Greg Snart said there were four sensors in the front forks to detect a frontal or offset frontal collision. They are located behind the forks so that they don't trigger if accidentally hit by a bird, stone or other obstacle and there are four in case one or more fails to operate.
The delay between sensing a collision and inflating the airbag with nitrogen is 0.06 seconds and the bag deflates again in 0.7 seconds.
Snart said Honda had built a special facility in Japan to rigorously test the airbag before market release and he had not heard of any airbags accidentally inflating.
If they did accidentally detonate, he said the bag would obscure the riders view for less than a second.
Cost of a replacement airbag is $800, but it is not available as an aftermarket fitment on the standard model.
Griffiths said he expected 70 per cent of Goldwing sales to be the luxury model.
“Goldwing buyers are cashed-up baby boomers,” he said.
“They aren't worried about the price. They just come in and pay cash or write a cheque. They rarely buy on finance,” he said.
However, he expects the standard model will bring in new and younger buyers.
On the road
The launch ride last week took us through the scenic sweepers along the southern coast of Victoria and up through the Gippsland region.
Nothing too challenging for the behemoth of motorcycling, but a few tight corners did have footpegs and bellypans making ugly scratching noises along the tar.
Before setting off, the rider can adjust the suspension for pillions and cargo at the touch of a button which controls electric motors that vary the springs and shock.
There are 25 levels of adjustment and two memory settings.
Surprisingly, for its weight and size, the Wing feels light to flick around.
Needless to say, the riding position is comfortable and the bar and seat warmers with four levels of heat adjustment are a welcome comfort when riding in southern Victoria at this time of year. The pillion seat also includes a heating element in the back.
For summer, there are air vents in the fairing and windscreen and at less than 25km/h fans blow hot air from the engine away from the rider.
That big flat six delivers enough grunt down low to lift the front wheel and it is almost flying before it starts to run out of puff. However, fifth is an overdrive and you will need to drop back to fourth for highway overtaking.
Around town, it will happily amble along in fourth gear and accelerate willingly from low revs.
The linked brakes with anti-dive forks and ABS are strong and reassuring.
There are many handy creature features on the Wing such as a remote key for the luggage system, so it seems strange that the adjustable windscreen is manual, not electric as it is in the US.
Snart says it would make the bike heavier and more expensive.
“We asked customers (about the windscreen) and most people say they leave it in the one position anyway,” he said.
And although Wings are often seen towing trailers, Honda doesn't recommend the practice.
Snapshot
Honda Goldwing
Price: $34,990 (base), $40,990 (luxury)
Engine: direct-injection, liquid-cooled, 12-valve 1832cc flat six
Power: 87kW @ 5500rpm
Torque: 167Nm @ 4000rpm
Economy: 7.1L/100km
Transmission: 5-speed including overdrive and electric reverse, shaft drive
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