Honda also improved the brakes and replaced the spoked wheels with alloy Comcast ones which were better able to cope with the weight and momentum of the Gold Wing, especially when it was loaded up with accessories such as a front fairing, bags, and a passenger or two. For this model the engine capacity was increased to 1,cc The ignition was changed to an electronic system. The wheelbase of the GL was increased and the bike was given air suspension and an adjustable seat.
Gear ratios were shortened to keep the engine in its most efficient combustion range for highway cruising speeds. In , with the vast majority of GL Gold Wings being sold in the United States Honda moved production from Japan to a new factory at Marysville, Ohio although the engines continued to be manufactured in Japan and shipped to Ohio for assembly into the locally produced bikes.
In March Honda went to the next level and introduced a full production touring version of the Gold Wing called the Interstate. The GLI Interstate featured a full front fairing, saddlebags and trunk. A host of optional extras were offered for the Interstate including a stereo sound system and in a channel CB transceiver. This was a time when CB radio had become increasingly popular. The GLI model was also offered with an on-board air compressor to adjust the air suspension.
This bike was fitted with a larger more comfortable seat to ensure the rider experienced no rump numbing and many of the optional extras of the lesser models fitted as standard along with additional storage compartments.
The version of the GL Aspencade was fitted with dual internally ventilated disc brakes at the front and a single ventilated disc at the rear. For the model year the rear disc reverted to a standard non-ventilated type. Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki were all getting into the act and so Honda countered by increasing the engine capacity of the original GL engine to 1,cc The engine also received hydraulic tappets for minimal maintenance and quietness whilst the clutch became hydraulically actuated.
The front suspension became air assisted and anti-dive with 5. In the Gold Wing GLI Interstate featured a more coordinated front fairing and large capacity luggage areas with two 38 liter saddle bags and a 63 liter trunk. This weight remained almost unchanged for and although there were some changes made to the GLI; in Honda decided that the taller gearing of the model had not been a good idea so they shortened it again.
This model featured programed electronic fuel injection and was only made for one year. The top of the line Gold Wing was the GLA Aspencade and it had the same basic specifications as the GLI but with a digital dashboard display and a sound system with Dolby noise reduction which was upgraded in to a new Panasonic unit.
Having made the engine fit the team got to work on refining it, reducing the number of carburettors from one per cylinder in conventional Honda style to just two 36 mm CV Keihins.
The newly refined horizontally opposed six cylinder engine had a capacity of 1,cc 93 cu. This was now a nice big low revving under stressed engine with all the natural smoothness of a six cylinder. The new GL made its debut at the Cologne Motorcycle Show and it boasted features intended to send Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki back to their drawing boards.
The fairing wrapped around the bike in a coordinated way and the various luggage containers had central locking just like an automobile. The wheelbase was longer to accommodate the longer six cylinder engine. Developed by Toshio Nozue also responsible for the CB , the model is dubbed "the ultimate motorcycle" by Honda. Among the many changes are a longer wheelbase, electronic ignition, increased fuel capacity, and lighter weight.
The GL's Interstate version features an optional stereo-intercom system with signal-seeking tuning. The naked version of the GL is discontinued. Honda opens an engine plant in Anna, Ohio, where GL engines would eventually be produced.
The GL's Limited Edition version enables auto-leveling rear suspension in order to maintain correct ride height regardless of varying load sizes. Jess McKinley was fortunate enough to try out the new beast—although he had to travel all the way to Azores to do it.
The new Husqvarna middleweight is high powered, light, and it contains a couple of very nice surprises—not least how competitively priced it is. Sign in. Log into your account. Forgot your password? Password recovery. Recover your password. Friday, November 12, Get help. Ultimate Motorcycling. Husqvarna Norden We hope you enjoy this episode! Episode play icon. Load More. Search Results placeholder.
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