KOCHI:
Redefining the gold standard of luxury touring, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. today launched the 2021 Gold Wing Tour in India. The new model will make its way to the Indian market through CBU* route from Japan (*Completely Built-Up).
The 2021 Gold Wing Tour will be available in two variant options – Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with airbag & Manual Transmission.
Elaborating on the launch and expansion of premium motorcycle business, Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Since its introduction in 1975, Honda Gold Wing has always represented the ultimate in two-wheeled touring experience. It is a motorcycle that’s been very much on its own journey over the decades, all the while creating an enduring and unrivalled reputation for luxury, quality and comfort. We are proud to add the highly awaited model – 2021 Gold Wing Tour in our premium motorcycle product portfolio in India.”
Speaking on this occasion, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., said, “The benchmark of luxury on two-wheels for urban commute or open highways, the 2021 Gold Wing Tour offers unmatched comfort. This flagship model from Honda packs best balance of sharp design, latest equipment and advanced features that will truly redefine the ‘Art of Luxury Touring’ in India.”
Equipment & Styling
The styling presents a unique silhouette and counterpoints comfort with the dynamic abilities of chassis and engine, with the traditional Gold Wing premium level of fit, finish and materials. Its ‘face’ is daringly forward slanting; combined with the compact fairing proportions, it presents an energetic frontal signature.
The key line of the body, stretching front to back, highlights the differing upper and lower bodywork functions. A central element is the fairing, with its sharp and solid flat surfaces, and its nuanced aerodynamic detailing. It adds a tension that hints at the performance potential on offer.
Also on display is the motorcycle itself – the double wishbone front suspension, flat six-cylinder engine, exhausts – in all their functional beauty. Drawn together, the design elements create cutting-edge style, underpinned by incredible levels of engineering and electronics.
Comfort, heat management and air management are also high on the Gold Wing Tour’s agenda. The fairing channels airflow around the rider and pillion, effectively providing a pleasant cooling breeze.
An extended electric screen operated from the left handlebar provides excellent wind protection yet, at the same time, a sense of space and freedom when required. Screen angle and height adjustment is step-less. From a seating perspective, rider and pillion are separated. The rider’s seat shape is comfortable and supportive while allowing movement and easy ground reach. Both rider and pillion now benefit from a luxurious new suede/synthetic leather seat cover; the angle of the pillion backrest also relaxes from 16° to 23°.
All lighting is LED and the Gold Wing Tour is equipped with dual LED fog lights. The lower portion of the headlights use polished optical lenses on both sides to create a jewel-eye low beam light signature. Using high beam (in the upper portion) creates a stereoscopic impression. The front auto-cancel indicators are housed in the mirrors.
When riding, the speed that is been set with the cruise control switch is shown in the bottom left area of the speedometer. Through Throttle By Wire (TBW), the system achieves a smooth transition to the specified speed and an ultra-smooth operation, especially when going uphill. In the case of manual transmission, squeezing the clutch or brake, or twisting the throttle cancels cruise control. For the DCT variant (in AT mode) after completing the deceleration with the cruise control system in operation – and resuming the previous speed – the Gold Wing returns to the pre-set with an appropriate shifting schedule.
Luxurious instrumentation creates a unique cockpit. Different low-contrast colours with dark tones applied to the dials, of which the peripheral areas form cone-shaped slopes to create a feeling of depth. The 7-inch full-colour TFT liquid crystal display screen provides all the information for the audio and navigation systems, as well as managing riding modes and suspension adjustment. Information is displayed in differentiated segments in a very functional order, so the rider can get all the relevant data with the minimum of eye movement.
Brightness adjusts automatically and the rider can also choose from 8 brightness levels. Tyre pressure is displayed as a numerical figure in the bottom left area of the instruments. The Smart Key activates all the motorcycle’s systems and incorporates the emergency key. The ignition and handlebar lock can be turned on/off while just carrying it.
For 2021, an additional 11 litre for the rear top box brings total capacity to 121 litres. With the Smart Key present, a push button opens all of the boxes which makes the luggage operation simple. The unlock button on the Smart Key enables the passenger instant pannier access.
The Gold Wing Tour is compatible with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, so the rider can utilise the personalised information and content inside their smartphone, such as telephone numbers and music playlists. Bluetooth connectivity is also available and there are two USB Type-C ports to plug into. Upgraded lightweight speakers achieve superb sound quality with vivid presence. A passenger audio control switch is available to ensure an even more pleasant riding experience.
The navigation system is displayed in the central area of the instruments and includes a gyrocompass – which ensures continued guidance even inside a tunnel. The capacity of the fuel tank is 21.1 litre.
Chassis & Handling
The Gold Wing Tour’s die-cast, aluminium twin-beam frame is designed to package the engine in a tight space; its structural thickness is optimised in each area to deliver a smooth and stable ride, from walking speed upwards, whether on tight city streets or out on the open road.
Another benefit of the double wishbone front suspension is the reduction in sliding friction (from bump deflection and steering input) that a standard telescopic fork creates, as the stanchions travel up and down in the fork leg. Bearings are used in all shaft bush areas for steering and suspension stroke to further reduce friction.
The steering input – via the dual fork holders – is also separated from the suspension provided by the single shock absorber, and the motorcycle’s yaw moment make it nimble and easier to steer. In addition, patented steering cross tie-rods connect the handlebars to the front axle and the handlebar pivot, delivering an entirely natural feel to the rider.
Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS) optimally distributes braking forces to the front and rear wheels. The use of a single, light circulation type ABS modulator – integrated with the brake ECU – keeps weight down within the braking system. It also operates in linkage with the current riding mode of choice, automatically adjusting the braking characteristics to the riding situation. The Gold Wing Tour also benefits from a Pro-Arm swingarm, which attaches to the frame on its left side. The right side serves as a maintenance access. This allows much greater freedom of design and makes the machine easier to manage; it also contributes to stability. Pro-Link provides progressive suspension action and comfort while spherical joints are used throughout, cancelling out torsion.
Damping level adjusts electrically relative to riding mode. Stepper motors housed within the front and rear shock absorbers move needles to control oil flow, tailoring damping force for the riding situation. Rear spring preload is also electrically adjustable. Separate from the 4 riding modes, there are 4 settings of preload relative to load from soft to hard- single rider; rider with luggage; rider with pillion, and rider with pillion fully loaded with luggage.
Engine & Performance
The 1,833cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke 24-valve SOHC flat-6 engine produces peak power of 93kW @ 5,500rpm and peak torque of 170Nm @ 4,500rpm. The bore size of 73mm matches the stroke of 73mm; the left and right cylinders are offset by 4mm and the cylinder sleeves are aluminium. Throttle By Wire (TBW) engine management adds 4 rider modes to alter character and power delivery, linked to suspension damping and the Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS) – Tour, Sport, Econ & Rain.
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) seamlessly monitors and maintains rear wheel traction, in all riding conditions, for an extra layer of riding confidence. Its level of input, too adjusts via TBW relative to riding mode selection. Complementing engine’s deep bass signature the exhausts emit a powerful throb, without excessive noise.
The Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) combines the generator and starter motor into one component, with the generator effectively becoming the starter motor when supplied with reverse power. Helical gears are employed for the ISG driving gears, which reduces mechanical noise.
Key characteristics of Idling Stop (on the DCT option) are the ultra-quiet start-up of the engine thanks to the use of ISG, and the smooth starting feeling achieved through a combination of DCT and TBW control. When stopping at a traffic light with Idling Stop on, the engine automatically stops after 3 seconds and, when restarting, the rider only needs to turn the throttle, which immediately starts the engine.
The Gold Wing Tour has Hill Start Assist (HSA) on both Manual and DCT variants. This eases the effort of starts on different grade of slope. When setting off – even when the brake lever is released – the hydraulic pressure temporarily retains braking force (for about 3 seconds) so starting on the uphill slope with the throttle is possible.
Transmission System
The 6-speed manual gearbox is fitted with a ‘cam damper’ between the clutch and transmission, separating each inertial mass, reducing noise and improving shift quality/durability. A cam assist and slipper clutch (with fewer discs and reduced hydraulic friction in the release mechanism) replace the traditional hydraulic assist clutch. This reduces clutch load at the lever by 20% and smooths downshifts; the slipper mechanism also contributes to the high-quality downshift feel. It also includes electric reverse feature.
The third generation Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) features 7-speeds, with clutch feel, shift speed and rpm range of up/downshifts tailored specifically to each riding mode. It also features a creep forward and back function. It is optimised for low speed maneuverability, with close ratios reducing shift-shock. In the higher speed range, they are set wider apart to reduce engine rpm. In both speed ranges comfort is improved as shifting up or down is of the highest quality.
Color, price & availability
Starting today, Honda has opened the bookings for 2021 Gold Wing Tour at its exclusive premium dealerships – BigWing Topline in Gurugram (Haryana), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Kochi (Kerala) & Hyderabad (Telangana).
