2018 Honda Goldwing Trike Coming Soon

Papa Zook

Founder
Staff member
Gold Member
Dec 14, 2007
11,116
8,009
Conroe, TX
Name
RJ
Did anyone watch Honda's Facebook Live rollout of the new 2018 Honda Goldwing last night? I did and I'm super impressed. I'm wondering which manufacturer will be the first to offer a conversion for it. I know all of them have talked to are coming out with a trike conversion for the '18.

Who else would be interested in owning a trike built using the new 2018 Goldwing?

Would you want the manual or automatic transmission?

Airbag?

Thoughts?
 


Now there's a bike that's probably gonna last darned near forever, but I hate to see how much they're gonna ask for it.

PC
 
I posted elsewhere on this, but Gloria always said she wanted a Wing trike but with an automatic. She likes the Goldwing version without the top box., but wants to add passenger and rider backrests, a luggage rack there the top trunk would be and, depending on airflow, a set of wind/hand/trike wings. She was going to call Doug at Roadsmith, but i suggested she wait at least until they come out to the public and the trike kit makers have time to design a kit.

As to who will offer the first kit, that depends on who is the most efficient designing and building a kit frame to fit the new Goldwing frame, and designing a kit body that follows the lines of the new 'Wing.

I called up pics of GL1800 trike kits, and style wise it seems the Motor Trike Razor design fits the angular lines of the new bike more than Roadsmith, CSC, Champion or DFT,though the Hannigan Gen II/F6B design comes in a pretty close second. This may be a factor in getting a kit to market - if they can use the current kit body with minor adaptations to a newly designed frame it seems they would be at the front of the time line.
 


Now there's a bike that's probably gonna last darned near forever, but I hate to see how much they're gonna ask for it.

PC

Pricing info, I assume MSRP stock from factory, no accessories, no dealer prep,destination charge, other fees, tax or liscense:

GOLD WING TOUR



[FONT=&quot]The three 2018 Gold Wing Tour models—Gold Wing Tour, Gold Wing Tour DCT, and Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag—are the modern interpretation of the classic Gold Wing, the ultimate long-distance touring machine, but with highly improved performance capabilities. Each of these models features saddlebags and a top case, as well as a tall electrically adjustable windscreen, front and rear speakers, and electrically adjustable suspension.

  • Colors
    • Gold Wing Tour, Gold Wing Tour DCT: Candy Ardent Red, Pearl White, Pearl Hawkseye Blue
    • Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag: Candy Ardent Red/Black
  • Price
    • Gold Wing Tour: $26,700 – $27,200
    • Gold Wing Tour DCT: $27,700 – $28,200
    • Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag: $31,500
  • Availability: February 2018

GOLD WING

Boasting a sporty character, the two Gold Wing models—Gold Wing and Gold Wing DCT—come with saddlebags but no top case or the accompanying rear audio speakers. The electric windscreen is shorter on these models, and preload adjustment is manual. HSTC, electric damping-adjust, center stand, and heated grips are not included.

  • Colors: Candy Ardent Red, Matte Majestic Silver, Pearl Stallion Brown
  • Price
    • Gold Wing: $23,500 – $23,800
    • Gold Wing DCT: $24,700 – $25,000
  • Availability: February 2018

And a "Build Your Own" page from Mother Honda:

(Scroll down to the "build" box.)

https://powersports.honda.com/2018/gold-wing.aspx

[/FONT]
 
2018 Goldwing

I have a 2009 Goldwing with a CSC Viper kit, I didn't think I would like a Goldwing trike, but now I'm hooked. I want to sell it and move up to a 2012 or higher because of the redesign, but now after looking at the 2018 I am going to wait it out. The only thing is now that I'm 60 will I live long enough to build and enjoy, only kidding. Zook keep your pencil sharp because when the kits come out you will be hearing from me, lol.
 
The automatic transmission model for a trike would be excellent for individuals with disabilities.
 
Since I didn't see a dramatic price increase on the 2018's, I can't see much of a difference in cost of a triked 2018 compared to earlier models. Surprisingly the prices on the 2018's seem to be priced right about the same as the last couple years of gl1800's. I imagine final trike price will depend on the engineering needed to do a trike kit but realistically I see the new trikes to be priced about the same as they have been.
 
I would want the auto.Besides the obvious reason the reverse is engine driven on the auto and the manual doesn't have it at all(if I read the info right).
 
I would want the auto.Besides the obvious reason the reverse is engine driven on the auto and the manual doesn't have it at all(if I read the info right).

"The 6-speed manual transmission is exactly what one would expect. However, there are two different variations. The base model Gold Wing does not receive a reverse function, and owners will need to back out of parking spaces the old-fashioned way – with their feet. The Gold Wing Tour with the manual transmission has the same electric reverse implementation as used on the previous generation."

Quoted from Motorcycle.com article...best write up I have seen yet.

See it Here

This is a ride impresson video, a good one.

Ride Impression Video
 
Since I didn't see a dramatic price increase on the 2018's, I can't see much of a difference in cost of a triked 2018 compared to earlier models. Surprisingly the prices on the 2018's seem to be priced right about the same as the last couple years of gl1800's. I imagine final trike price will depend on the engineering needed to do a trike kit but realistically I see the new trikes to be priced about the same as they have been.

I can envision a relatively major cost increase for the rake kit for the 2018's and up. I posted my reasoning in this thread: http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/46223-Wow-we-have-a-new-Goldwing?p=518835#post518835

It is post #13.
 
I would choose the 6-speed manual with reverse. I’m curious how the 6-speed is geared. Hopefully it’s like a second overdrive.

From what I have read, the final drive ratio is pretty close to the 2017 model.
 
I can envision a relatively major cost increase for the rake kit for the 2018's and up. I posted my reasoning in this thread: http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/46223-Wow-we-have-a-new-Goldwing?p=518835#post518835

It is post #13.

You could be right. It seems that Traxxion Dynamics is already in the process of designing aftermarket suspension upgrades for the 2018. I know that they are normally designed for 2 wheels but if they are looking into it, I'm sure trike manufacturers and other aftermarket companies will too. I guess we will just have to wait and see how it works out.
 
"The 6-speed manual transmission is exactly what one would expect. However, there are two different variations. The base model Gold Wing does not receive a reverse function, and owners will need to back out of parking spaces the old-fashioned way – with their feet. The Gold Wing Tour with the manual transmission has the same electric reverse implementation as used on the previous generation."

Quoted from Motorcycle.com article...best write up I have seen yet.

See it Here

This is a ride impresson video, a good one.

Ride Impression Video

See I didn't have it right.Thanks for the correction.
 
Not that I'm in the market for a new Honda, but it would be interesting to see a real world comparo at the dragstrip between the auto & manual offerings.

In days past Honda's attempt at auto clutch 2 speeds, was an utter performance failure as well as a sales fail.

There is another question as to why Honda, (or any other metric manufacturer), has not come out with a "factory trike" based on either their road touring or sports touring platforms.

Heaven knows there are several high quality aftermarket manufacturers out there who'd likely jump at the chance to build kits for Honda, as Lehman did for Harley a few years back....:Shrug:
 
Not a GL1800 but it is another Honda offering, the NC700X and a side by side comparison of a manual and a DCT version. It shows the DCT version outperforming the manual. Another thing to watch, as the manual is shifting, you see the headlight dip down. That doesn't happen at all with the DCT version, it stays steady the whole time.

 
Although, I've been riding Motorcycles since I was 15 yrs old, (I'm 67 yrs old now) I would probably go for the auto transmission....

I used to think that shifting 4 or 5 speed cars/trucks were the best and that I'd never change to an automatic vehicle......... Well since my wife got her new automatic car, I'll never go back to standard vehicle again....................Auto for me all the way!!

Ronnie
 
Did anyone watch Honda's Facebook Live rollout of the new 2018 Honda Goldwing last night? I did and I'm super impressed. I'm wondering which manufacturer will be the first to offer a conversion for it.

Who else would be interested in owning a trike built using the new 2018 Goldwing?

Would you want the manual or automatic transmission?

Airbag?

Thoughts?

I have a 2015 Harley Freewheeler. In January of this year I had to have my left leg amputated above the knee. I was thinking of getting a Pingel shifter for my Freewheeler when I am done all my rehab but now I am thinking of a 2018 Goldwing with the automatic and a trike conversion.
 
BlackWidow wrote:

I have a 2015 Harley Freewheeler. In January of this year I had to have my left leg amputated above the knee. I was thinking of getting a Pingel shifter for my Freewheeler when I am done all my rehab but now I am thinking of a 2018 Goldwing with the automatic and a trike conversion.

You might want to go with the Pingel shifter for a while.

The conversion makers most likely won't get the kits to market for a year or two. They have to get a 2018 Wing - not until Feb 2018 - then design the frame and body, integrate the Honda systems with their designs, then manufacture the components. Probably closer to 2 years before we see a kit for the new Wing.

I'm hoping I am being very pessimistic - my wife always said she wants an automatic shift Goldwing trike. She was so eager she was even going to call Minnesota to ask Doug at Roadsmith about one after she watched the release video last week.
 
BlackWidow wrote:

I have a 2015 Harley Freewheeler. In January of this year I had to have my left leg amputated above the knee. I was thinking of getting a Pingel shifter for my Freewheeler when I am done all my rehab but now I am thinking of a 2018 Goldwing with the automatic and a trike conversion.

You might want to go with the Pingel shifter for a while.

The conversion makers most likely won't get the kits to market for a year or two. They have to get a 2018 Wing - not until Feb 2018 - then design the frame and body, integrate the Honda systems with their designs, then manufacture the components. Probably closer to 2 years before we see a kit for the new Wing.

I'm hoping I am being very pessimistic - my wife always said she wants an automatic shift Goldwing trike. She was so eager she was even going to call Minnesota to ask Doug at Roadsmith about one after she watched the release video last week.

Crap! Well I guess I will go ahead and get the Pingel shifter installed on my Freewheeler for the near future, at least I will have a trike I can ride. I am still going to be anxious to see what they come up with for the Wing. I will try to be patient :D
 
Doesn't the factory construction of the Gold Wing frame determine the mounting of the trike parts? How much different is the construction of the 2018 frame?
 
Doesn't the factory construction of the Gold Wing frame determine the mounting of the trike parts? How much different is the construction of the 2018 frame?

It is different enough that it wont be a direct bolt on, but it wont be so different that the current GL1800 trike frame and running gear will be difficult to mate to the 2018 bike. It will just be a matter of mounting points. The biggest difference will be the new body styling and the design and fitment of the front end components, but those are already being conceptualized and engineered.
 
Anyone else considering a 2018 Goldwing trike? I think the new DCT automatic tranny will be a big draw for some. What do you think?
 

Welcome to the Trike Talk Community

Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things Trikes! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this is the place to share experiences, tips, and stories about your three-wheeled adventures. Explore modifications, maintenance advice, and rides, all while connecting with fellow trike enthusiasts from around the globe

Forum statistics

Threads
55,227
Messages
802,114
Members
23,799
Latest member
sammiesfreewheeler
Back
Top Bottom