[AD] To the ex-rider friends "Do you still love motorcycles?"
[HONDA/GOLDWING@U.S.A]

Do you love motorcycle?

Since I first obtained motorcycle license at age of 18, I have been riding motorcycle untill now at age
40.

When I was a student, it was all about motorcycles. Freezing or raining, weather didn't matter. My friends and I were always on motorcycles to go anywhere. Well the reason was also having a car wasn't an easy option for student, but it didn't matter.

Riding just to wonder, riding solo on a trip, there weren't any obligation or goal. It was purely only for fun.

After years, all my friends, except one, stopped riding.

Work, Family and so on, there are many reasons to take motorcycle away from you. I am not blaming
my friends of that, thankfully I still hang out and go out to drink with them.

However, there is a thing that makes me think of life.
My friends, who stop riding motorcycles, often say,

"a year passes by so fast"

Does it to you?

Riding in the U.S. is the "American Dream"

Working as a journalist of my passion, motorcycles, I had a chance to ride motorcycle in the U.S..

"Do you want to ride the new GOLDWING in TEXAS?"

It was like an American Dream coming true to me. With no hesitation I accepted the offer.

GOLDWING TOUR

The flagship model of the HONDA, GOLDWING. Fully upgraded after long 17 years. Check the difference in style.

Previous model GOLDWING

Previous model was already a high-performance excellent tourer, debut in 2001. Designing of motorcycle has developed much since then, therefore, it does look a little old. Also, compared to the new model, it is obvious that the new model is better.

Look at this elegant face. GOLDWING used to be a motorcycle for elders, but the new model, with
edgy style, fits younger riders as well.

GOLDWING

The new GOLDWING comes in two versions. "GOLDWING Tour" with top case, "GOLDWING" the bugger style without the top case.

to the "UNKNOWN" World

I have rode outside of Japan several times, but still, riding on the right side of the street makes me a little nervous.

You can turn right on RED signal(if there is no car coming), you CAN'T turn left if the RED arrow is on(In Japan arrows are used only when you can turn), etc. At beginning, traffic rules were shaking my brain, especially in town.

In addition, this was TEXAS. Where the real cowboys still walk around the real AMERICAN OLD WEST.

It was all taken care by GOLDWING

My main ride was" GOLDWING TOUR" with DCT(Dual Clutch Transmission).
DCT is an automatic transmission system which only HONDA is capable of adapting to motorcycles.

Since it is an automatic transmission, there is no clutch. Meaning there is no worry when you start the
big boy. Imagine trying to start this big boy on every signals you end up in cities. Not needing to worry
about clutch control may not sound a big deal, but actually is! When you don't know the streets or local rules, you want to concentrate on your riding plus the navigation.

Have you heard of HONDA's DCT? It is the third generation of its kind equipped on the new GOLDWING. And it is not just good, is way more perfect!!!

I prefer manual transmission on motorcycles, but HONDA's DCT perfection gave me a second thought.

Way more an ordinary motorcycle

Out of busy town to country side. TEXAS is something, but GOLDWING was even more.

1800cc horizontally opposed, six-cylinder engine and DCT matches so nicely and perfectly.

Shifting up as if you were riding a manual transmission, and shifting down without any irritating shock.

This is exciting, this is good! It is simple but just feels awesome!

A taste of American Car

The way of enjoying motorcycle varies, but feeling the wind and feeling the engine are essentials. The feel of the new GOLDWING's engine is same as the American Muscle V8 engine.

The vibration under the seat and deep exhaust roar excite your brain cells.

Furthermore, the engine is capable of providing gentle pleasure at lower speed, too. Enjoying the feelof the air and looking at the blue sky at the same time.

Riding motorcycle enriches your journey way more than a car.

Being able to ride a motorcycle is one HAPPINESS

The wilderness of TEXAS!

Never ending straight roads with 360 degree view and mild turns.

It was the pure HAPPINESS. Being able to ride motorcycle gives a lot more to the life than not riding them at all.

Don't take GOLDWING as a raid back tourer, it does run quick as well.

HONDA makes motorcycles which are rider friendly, motorcycle does what you tell it to do. GOLDWING with DCT is exactly it. You lean, machine leans and turns with cornering please added to it.

This is why experienced riders or riders who are over 30yrs prefer HONDA.

Let's reveal the secrets

First ever double wish-bone front suspension on a motorcycle. Compared to the ordinary telescopic suspension, it does act extraordinary smoother.

There were almost none of push-back shock to the handle from the front suspension. A new comfortableness I have never experienced before.

The front tire doesn't loose its grip under any circumstances and stays stable which loosen your unneeded tension while riding.

Also, brake system was a great surprise.

Rear brake is integrated with the front brake. When you hold the front, the rear acts as much needed to stabilize the machine. Just by holding the front brake lever lightly, radial mounted brakes start the job, slow at beginning and strong enough soon after.

I am sure you will be surprised when you feel the stopping power of the new GOLDWING. A big boy stops much quicker than you imagine.

A technology that adds safety to the machine. Also the technology that proves HONDA is a motorcycle maker with many titles in the world's most toughest road race, "MotoGP".

Top of the world Service

Yes, it is "Apple Car Play" on a motorcycle.

Connect your iPhone to GOLDWING, and you have all the voice control available. Tell GOLDWING to call somebody, or to play music, and more.

So my first order to GOLDWING was "Look for nearest Gas Station".

and here you go. Without any hesitation, GOLDWING is ready to take you there. It is a common feature
on cars nowadays, but for motorcycle riders, it is a great step ahead!

Even more!

The body of GOLDWING looks big, however, sitting on it, feels smaller than it looks. 38kg lighter than previous model, plus new handle width allows riders to sit more comfortably.

If you are 165cm high or above, there will be no trouble to handle GOLDWING.

Makes a lot of difference when you have both feet stable on ground especially on bigger motorcycles. More centered mass weight and re-designed frame reduces the weight of the machine on rider.

MORE and MORE!

You may think luggage cases are there to load stuff. Yes, you are right, but the ones on GOLDWING are not just normal cases. They know what you are doing!

If you leave your GOLDWING smartkey inside the cases accidentally, GOLDWING detects it and re-opens the case to warn you leaving the key inside.

It does close at first when you close the case, but right after it re-opens automatically. Same for top case.

Also all the cases lock automatically when you walk away from the machine.

Small features that add luxury to GOLDWING.

You will never in-lock your keys nor forget to lock cases with your important belongings in them.

True Satisfaction is this!

It wasn't just a regular day.

Experiencing GOLDWING's new performance, higher generation of convenience, true fun of motorcycle riding, the wilderness of TEXAS, strong sun beam and dry air.

It was a day to experience all above in reality, not virtually.

A regular day passes by quickly that you may not remember all the details of it. This very day that I spent with GOLDWING wasn't like that. Every time I recall the day, something different comes out of it.

Then I confirm to myself, "true satisfaction rely on how you spend a day"

Furthermore, I realized that

This experience in the U.S. was like an American Dream. However, the base structure of the journey is the same when I visited Hokkaido the first time 21 years ago. The love of motorcycle and touring.

All my life is build on experiences with motorcycle.

It doesn't matter how old you are to enjoy life with motorcycle. You can ride again whenever you want to.

Never rode before? Just get the license!

To give you real example, a friend of mine, decided to aquire motorcycle license at age of 45, all of sudden. Now he is enjoying motorcycle riding every month on his CBR250R. And the "exceptional one" I mentioned at hte beginning of this story, actually was away from motorcycle for over 20 years but now is back again!

"When you get older, motorcycle is the only enjoyment you have"

he says to me with full smile on his face.

It is always a great pleasure to know ex-riders coming back to motorcycle world. My objective as a journalist is to keep telling the "dreams with motorcycles"

It does not have to be a GOLDWING, nor the U.S.. The only element is motorcycle. Motorcycles have
power to change one's lifestyle.

"Do you still love motorcycle?"

Age doesn't matter, there always will be a motorcycle for you!

Once more time with motorcycle

The message of the new GOLDWING is "BEYOND".
Go beyond the previous model, go beyond the ordinary with DCT.

At last, "GO BEYOND" yourself!

The world of new GOLDWING

Honda Moto

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