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2018–2026 · Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Sold in the US as Honda Gold Wing Tour
The Flat-Six Comfort Benchmark
The Gold Wing Tour is built around an 1833 cc flat-six, and the entire machine is arranged in service of that engine. 126 hp at 5,500 rpm reads modest on paper until you find the 125 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm, which is where this bike actually lives. Drive goes back through a shaft, the front end uses a double-wishbone layout rather than a telescopic fork, and stopping is handled by Honda's Electronically Controlled Combined ABS. Traction control, ride modes, cruise, navigation and the full luggage system are standard. Honda's third-generation DCT is available if you would rather not shift at all.
It ages the way Hondas tend to age, which is quietly. It earns a 9.5 from me on reliability, and nothing here feels engineered to merely survive the warranty. This is for the rider who measures trips in days rather than hours, usually two-up, usually loaded to the lids. The honest caveat is mass. At 842 lb wet you feel every pound in a parking lot or on a steep gravel apron, and the center stand is an option rather than standard equipment. Get it rolling above walking pace and that weight quietly stops existing.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 126 hp (93 kW) @ 5,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 125 lb-ft (170 Nm) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 1833 cc |
| Engine | Flat-six (boxer)Motorcycles With Boxer Engines → |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | ShaftMotorcycles With Shaft Drive → |
| Fork | Duolever |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 130/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 200/55-16 |
| Wheelbase | 66.5 in (1690 mm) |
| Seat height | 29.3 in (744 mm)Motorcycles With a Seat Height Under 30 Inches → |
| Wet weight | 842 lb (382 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.6 gal (21.1 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Suspension
Over the years I've collected what Gold Wing Tour owners actually say: in the paddock, over coffee on club nights, at fuel stops, and in the messages riders send me after a season or two of ownership. For this generation the pattern is clear. The praise is loud and consistent, and it centers on how the bike rides and how well it looks after the two people on it. The complaints are real, but they're scattered, and each one comes from a smaller group of owners.
The comment I hear most is surprise. Riders consistently describe a full-dress tourer that steers with a lightness they didn't expect and holds its line with composure once the road starts to twist. Many put that down to this generation's lower weight and lower center of gravity. The engine gets the same steady praise: effortless thrust and strong pull from any point in the rev range. Owners are just as united on the brakes. They talk about serious stopping power with good feel, and they say the linked system and ABS haul the bike down quickly and keep it stable while doing it.
When owners describe the rest of the experience, they keep reaching for luxury-car comparisons. They mention plush suspension, roomy seating, a quiet windscreen that adjusts electrically, and an audio system good enough that passengers bring it up too. The equipment list is a recurring point of pride, with Android Auto and reverse gear singled out alongside the rest.
The gripes are quieter, and each one comes from fewer riders. Some owners find the panniers and top trunk tight for two-up touring, smaller than rivals and smaller than the previous generation, so packing takes planning. Passengers on 2018 to 2020 bikes mention lower back fatigue from an upright backrest, which Honda reclined for 2021. Others say the paint marks easily and the dash plastics scratch during routine cleaning, which takes the edge off the premium feel. The factory navigation gets called slow and unintuitive, though CarPlay softens that. Price comes up as well. This is Honda's most expensive motorcycle, especially with the optional DCT.
Fuel pump impeller deformation causing stalling (safety recall)
Affected 2018-2024 models have improperly molded fuel pump impellers that can swell and cause the engine to stall. Honda issued a recall to replace the fuel pump.
Primary drive gear bolt failure (safety recall)
On certain 2018-2021 GL1800 Gold Wings, the primary drive gear bolt may fail due to a manufacturing defect, causing sudden engine seizure while riding. Honda issued a safety recall (NHTSA campaign 24V820000 / Honda MTB 55270) to replace the bolt on all affected units.
Side fairing pocket release motor failure
The electric motor that opens the side fairing storage pocket can fail, particularly if water enters the mechanism. Honda updated the part number for 2021, suggesting an improvement. Earlier models may require replacement.
Windshield mechanism erratic operation
Dirt and grime can foul the windshield tracks and switchgear, causing the electrically adjustable windscreen to move up and down on its own, especially after riding in wet conditions. Regular cleaning is required to prevent the issue.
Clutch switch failure causing HSA light and ABS drag (manual models)
On 6-speed manual models, a faulty clutch lever switch can trigger a flashing Hill Start Assist (HSA) warning light and, in some cases, cause the ABS system to inadvertently drag the rear brake. The issue is typically resolved by replacing the clutch switch.
Where this Honda GL 1800 Goldwing Tour pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GL 1800 Goldwing Tour is actually built for.
This is the bike you have been describing. Two-up and fully loaded over Beartooth or Going-to-the-Sun, it stays smooth and settled all day and asks you for nothing but fuel stops.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
It changes direction better than 842 lb has any right to, and the comfort is a level above what you know. Just be honest about how much low-speed, tight-parking riding your days include.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
You get the miles and the comfort, not the ritual. The flat-six hums where you might want thunder, so buy this one for the road to Sturgis rather than the parking lot once you arrive.
Made for Florida State Road A1A · Black Hills · Main Street, Daytona Beach
The Honda GL 1800 Goldwing Tour also comes in these variants, models and special editions. Each has its own page covering only what differs from the standard GL 1800 Goldwing Tour — equipment, electronics, specs and used price.
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Honda GL 1800 Goldwing Tour. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2020–2024
Haul Everything, Miss Nothing
~$7,500 cheaper used than this bike at 5 yr
Competitor · 2011–2026
Six Cylinders, Zero Compromises
~$9,800 cheaper used than this bike at 5 yr
Competitor · 2010
Luxury Loaded From The Factory
Same Platform · 2018
Technology Meets Long-Haul Comfort
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.
