Did You Know The Honda Gold Wing Started Life As A 1000cc Flat-Four
Today the Honda Gold Wing is famous as one of the world's greatest touring motorcycles, but when it first appeared in 1975 it was a very different machine.
The original GL1000 Gold Wing was powered by a liquid-cooled 999cc flat-four engine and was designed as a high-performance grand touring motorcycle. Surprisingly, it was sold without a fairing, panniers or top box. Those features only became common later as owners adapted the bikes for long-distance travel.
The combination of smooth power, reliability and comfort helped create a whole new style of motorcycle touring, and the Gold Wing remains one of the most recognisable motorcycles ever built.
Have you ever ridden a Gold Wing, or would you rather stick to something lighter and simpler?