Honda Rethinks the Gold Standard:
Honda rethinks the Gold Standard:
2012 Gold Wing
WITH BMW'S FRESHLY unsheathed K1600GTL straw angling straight for its Gold Wing milkshake, Honda has introduced an overhauled version of its flat-Six battlewagon, scheduled to be available in dealerships this May. Hardware upgrades consist of new bodywork with increased luggage capacity (7 liters more, says Honda) and greater protection from wind and weather (specifically the lower body and legs), along with new suspension settings for enhanced compliance. Then there's the software:
A new, more user-friendly and quicker-connecting 3D GPS navigation system with a brighter screen allows sharing favorite ride routes with other riders online and comes pre-loaded with maps for all of the U.S. and Canada, including points of interest, gas stations, Honda dealers and WMD hiding places (kidding about the WMDs). Furthermore, a built-in MP3/iPod interface provides a new SRS CS Auto-technology surroundsound "premium listening experience" via 80-wattper-channel six-speaker wireless radio. The list goes on. Priced from $23,199 for the standard GL1800 to $28,499 for the Airbag version. An open-road tour-off is surely in the offing.
—John Burns
