At the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda has announced the changes in store for the 2020 GL1800 Goldwing:
Changes have been made to the fuel-injection mapping, designed to improve the low-speed maneuverability of the bike. The DCT control software and computer hardware have also been upgraded, again to improve low-speed riding.
Speaking of the DCT, this transmission is now going to be available on the Standard model. The new DCT setup is said to be smoother and quieter than the previous models, thanks to noise damping rubber added to the internal shift fork guide and master arm.
The suspension has been softened and optimized for two-up riding on the Tour versions of the bike. The Tour version also gets larger grab rails for passengers, which is a needed change.
And of course, it wouldn't be a Honda model announcement without announcing new paint colors. Two new colors will be available on the Goldwing DCT and Goldwing Tour DCT. The Tour can now be optioned in Pearl Glare White, and the standard DCT is offered in Matte Ballistic Metallic.
I am liking how the black one is half chrome, and the white one is half black. Also liking how they make for every quid that is spent on development, a fiver is cut from production sound so good, paint for starters.
If I liked/wanted one, I'd like the blacked out engine and exhaust with the red accents on the full tour model. I don't like chrome.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargeant Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016. Patriot Guard Rider
So now Honda have had the early adopters perform almost two years of free field testing for them at their own expense, they have now been able to introduce new features that should arguably have been part of the original design. This process also de-values those early bikes, as it makes them less desirable as a second-hand buy compared to the 'revised' versions.
It tells me that not so much care and attention is spent in R&D these days. How did it honestly take Honda two years of production to figure out that a bike bought by many for two-up touring, should actually be comfortable for two-up touring? More compliant suspension on the 'TOUR' (the clue is in the name) model, and more practical passenger grab-handles... Just my opinion of course, but Honda should have had these two aspects well and truly sorted before the original 2018 release.
I suppose the time and money pressures on design, manufacture, and release these days, inevitably sees a sub-standard product launched, that then needs to have it's design fixed over the first couple of years (not feature-improved, but fixed). I'm seeing it in software development all of the time. 'Agile' software development methodologies increase the rate of minor feature developments. It provides a more responsive development environment, but all too often the quality of the software goes to ****. Your resellers end up not knowing if they can trust deploying your latest version, whilst they and their customers take all of the pain of finding the serious bugs that should have been discovered before release. That, or a software release is happening on X-date, and it has to go ahead regardless, even if two-thirds of the originally planned features have to be left out, or can only be announced as 'Beta' (When they weren't meant to be), because they are too flaky to be used properly just yet.
Last edited by Sadanorakman on Mon Nov 04, 2019 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Pretty much the same happened with the GL1500. The 88 and 89 have so many differences, they are practically different motorcycles. But even after that, there were constant improvements and fixes, some little, some big, and a few things never really fixed.
Yes I was thinking straight after I posted, that Honda had a major rework of quite a few bits after the 88-89 models. Still, suspension and grab handles... You'd have thought they could have had that ironed out two years ago.
KLHoogstad wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 11:47 am
So two new color choices? Are those additional colors or that’s it just those two?
Just those two
Not much of a choice. Really don’t care for either one. Not a fan of white in any vehicle. With all the colors they have at their disposal they could do a third. Black/white and white/black come on Honda really!
No real nice changes to 2020 models same ride just more money why that's just the way it goes with the selling of these bikes for the most part its still the best ride on the planet.
Hello,
I have changed my mind again and again and after almost purchasing a Kawasaki Versys 1000 in order to have a lighter bike, I remembered that I bought my 2004 Wing because the 600 pound bike i had was not good for distance riding or touring. I now have almost decided to get a new Wing DCT non-tour model. I have read several places about the sensitivity of the low speed DCT transmission and throttle and that Honda did some updating for 2020 to address this issue. I was just a few minutes ago told by a dealer that all that was done was firmware updates and that he had in fact updated all the 2018's in his inventory, to the 2020 specs. This is one of those too good to be true things. I like the red 2018 and don't think a flat black would appeal at all as in the 2020 models but at 82 and not that heavy, I want the very best in low speed handling. Can anyone for sure verify that what the dealer says is accurate? I'll also entertain any critical thoughts about an old man buying a new heavyweight bike. (Not saying I will abide by the suggestions )
I can’t comment on your specific questions but I think if you ride one, you will be pleasantly surprised and impressed. They were able to make a heavy motorcycle handle like a much lighter bike. Be ready for it to turn into a Sherman tank below 5 mph, but otherwise, it’s very agile and handles well.
Not sure on a lot new changes made to 2020 wings yet other then electronically. But its the best riding and handling wing I have ever rode love my DCT you just need to practice practice and you will be fine. Good luck Ride Safe Ride A Lot.
Sailor Bill,
I am 73 years old and have some issues with arthritis, especially my left hip. Last year I was riding a wonderful 2018 Indian Chieftain Limited, but I finally sold it because the distribution of weight—two huge pistons and a large gas tank all up high in the frame—was too much for me in stop-and-go traffic or at red lights or stop signs. Once the bike was rolling, there were no problems at all. It was a joy to ride. Prior to that bike I rode an equally great Harley Road Glide for many years, and before that a Honda ST1300, and the list goes on and on back to my first street bike, a new 1968 Honda 350. After selling my Indian, I knew I had to find a bike with lower weight, so I started doing my homework and finally settled on test riding a new leftover 2018 Goldwing. I had owned a 1200 Goldwing many years ago and put thousands of trouble free miles on it. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to find a Wing to test ride. The nearest dealer, in Roseville, CA, told me if I wanted a test ride, I would have to drive to San Francisco and rent a bike for the day. I did eventually find a dealer about two hours from my home who let me have a 10 minute ride on a very smooth road. Being new to the DCT transmission and the bike in general, that was not much of a test ride. And that is why I’m writing you today. Fast forward, I finally bought a bike online, sight unseen, from a Honda dealership in central California. In fact, I bought the exact bike you are thinking of getting: a brand new leftover red 2018 DCT. After the dealer delivered the bike to my house (about a four hour drive), I of course jumped on it and took off. Twenty minutes later I was on the phone with the dealer telling him that the bike was violently bottoming out on any and all imperfections in the road. He told me that I simply needed to hand adjust the rear suspension, which I have done at least a dozen times now.
The bike is indeed much smaller and easier to handle at slow speeds, especially when using reverse or walking speed to park; however, it is the roughest riding motorcycle I have ever owned! On a good freeway it is silky smooth, and on everything else it is an absolutely bone jarring nightmare. I know this is not the norm. Most folks were apparently lucky enough to get what Honda describes as the smoothest, most refined touring motorcycle in the world. Good for them! However, I also soon learned that many of those same folks on various chat groups will viciously attack anyone who dares to say that he or she got a lemon, as if Honda never made a mistake.
I wrote Honda right away, then waited a month to get in to see the mechanic they sent me to. He, a pleasant young man, test rode my bike in the city on smooth roads for exactly 3 miles and then said that yes, the front end is completely bottoming out, but that is “normal” for my model, which has been “race tuned” as opposed to the tour model. He then suggested that I purchase Traxxion suspension for $800 and he would install it for another $600. Of course, I have done a whole lot more homework since then, and I now find myself in the very unpleasant situation of having to hire a law firm in order to get simple justice. I am old. I am tired after working for 56 years in a row and retiring on a very limited pension. All I want to do is enjoy the years I have left while doing one of my favorite things in the world—riding a good motorcycle.
Sailor Bill, I love some of the things this bike offers, the DCT transmission, powerhouse braking, good handling on smooth roads, and I think you would like it too. But I cannot stress enough how important it is that you take a very thorough rest ride before you buy! This is the first time I have written anything about this online because I have read so many hateful and downright ignorant responses to others who have had anything negative to say. But when I happened to read your comment, I felt compelled to help a fellow rider if I can. I’m sure this can be a fantastic bike for most, but I am even more sure that it can turn into a nightmare if you are not careful. This is the first of more than a dozen motorcycles I have owned that I have ever returned to the dealer and asked for help. And Honda has absolutely no intention of offering that help, not until we get to court; then it will be a different story, but what an ugly way to spend one’s retirement.
Tori 2 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2020 12:42 pm
Twenty minutes later I was on the phone with the dealer telling him that the bike was violently bottoming out on any and all imperfections in the road. He told me that I simply needed to hand adjust the rear suspension, which I have done at least a dozen times now.
The bike is indeed much smaller and easier to handle at slow speeds, especially when using reverse or walking speed to park; however, it is the roughest riding motorcycle I have ever owned! On a good freeway it is silky smooth, and on everything else it is an absolutely bone jarring nightmare. I know this is not the norm. Most folks were apparently lucky enough to get what Honda describes as the smoothest, most refined touring motorcycle in the world. Good for them! However, I also soon learned that many of those same folks on various chat groups will viciously attack anyone who dares to say that he or she got a lemon, as if Honda never made a mistake.
Is it the front end or the rear end that is bottoming out?
I agree, it should NOT be doing this, especially not right off the lot.
It is the front end, but the force that the bike strikes with is so powerful that it jolts throughout the entire frame. I’m sorry to be in this position at this time in my life, but here I am, just one more sucker to a giant corporation, one that is infamous for not helping its customers. I am also very sorry to see so many people turn against people like Max McAllister, a highly knowledgeable man of integrity who has worked very hard to build a successful word-of-mouth business by helping others improve their bikes. Anyone who would question this man’s honor and integrity over the giant conglomerate known as American Honda is very naive indeed. They are the illogical few (or perhaps majority these days) who say, My bike is great, therefore your bike must be great too. Period! No room for anomalies.
Thank you for your reply. And yes, I have seen the post you mentioned and dozens like it. Unfortunately, I did not see any negative comments about the suspension on this bike until after I bought one and rode it. I then Googled the subject. Since then I have seen many negative reports against Honda and their remarkable lack of honor and integrity when it comes to helping customers who have legitimate grievances. That’s why I’m going to settle this in court.
Wow you're one of the first owners to complain about the front end I too believe you have a problem right from the factory. Most of us can adjust our shocks to were we want them. I believe this is the best wing made as far suspension goes haven't heard or read about the things your wing is doing, that's too bad Mother Honda is playing hard ball in helping with your problem. If anyone can help you it would be Max from Traxxion dynamics he's is doing some wonderful things with these new wings ya I am sure it not going to be cheap. I used a lot of his stuff on my 2010 wing it help greatly and even have a lot of his little upgrades on my new wing. I do perform my own labor so that does help. Keep on fighting with mother Honda hope they love your problems. Ride Safe Ride A Lot
Thanks for the support, Coppertone. Since Honda looked at my bike, Max and I have emailed about this issue several times. I'm sure you have seen his film on youtube about how quickly the front end bottoms out. I believe over 65,000 people have watched that presentation, and Honda offers no rebuttal or alternative. That's because they cannot refute what we can clearly see is fact, just as the Honda mechanic who examined my bike readily acknowledged that it was indeed bottoming out, but in his report he used the word "stiffness" that cannot be adjusted out. After all, he has a family to care for. And in his report who did he send me to to fix the problem he deemed "normal" because my bike has been "sport tuned" by Honda? Traxxion Dynamics. Well, I have since done a whole lot of research on this subject, and one way or another Honda will fix this problem.
Max, who is undoubtedly one of the most qualified people on the planet to shed light on this subject, is well aware that many others have the same problem, perhaps not as severe as mine, but certainly not up to the quality we all rightfully expect from the benchmark of touring machines. However, as Max has pointed out, those who come forward with this problem are often severely attacked (as he has been repeatedly) for saying anything against the Gold Wing. I have seen some who tell the owners they are too fat and that is the problem, or those who say you're just not riding the bike correctly. These people are so illogical and ignorant that they actually believe that just because they purchased a bike that (for now) does not have problems, everyone got a bike that does not have problems. And as far as Max McAllister goes, anyone who knows how to do even a rudimentary background search will soon discover that he is a highly skilled professional and an honorable man who has built his business the hard way, through honesty, quality, and integrity. Likewise, if one does the same amount of research on American Honda (which oddly enough is not named Japanese Honda), one will soon discover that the company they are so vehemently taking sides with will be the first ones to turn their backs on customers who develop major problems, such as mine. Don't believe me? Do a little homework. Wake up.
Again, thank you, Coppertone. I'm jealous that you got such a good bike and not what Honda's mechanic called a normal one, like mine. On a three mile ride on very nice city streets he discovered that my bike could rattle his teeth, and he called that "stiffness" normal. Do most of you have that stiffness, or did you get an abnormal version, one that takes road imperfections in stride? I bet most of you somehow got the abnormal version. Good for you! I want one too. And again, I have owned and loved several Honda motorcycles and cars and even an Element and a wonderful Ridgeline. Oh, and don't forget my lawnmower. Now I just expect Honda to be honorable with a loyal customer for the past fifty years or so. Admit that my bike is not normal (easy to prove if you all want to get together and ride it) and fix it. That's all.
Ya its looks and sounds like you may have lemon I am so surprised that Honda isn't helping out with this didn't realize or know the problem was as bad as you describe get on other sites and let everyone know what your going threw I belong to The GL Forum great site great site know as Yellowbird get on them to maybe pressure Honda to take a look at your Problem. I to have a Honda lawn mower and have owned many other Honda vehicles Good Luck to you keep fighting Ride Safe Ride A Lot
Well I own a 2019 Tour 6 speed. I agree with the poster about front end. Mine bottoms out some but on a not to rough road almost knocks me off the bike .Front end is noisy as well. Bike is not made for a taller person as well. Everything is cramped for me. Runs well and I like the sound just loud enough. They could have done a better job on stock windshield. Side wide is bad. I even went to an F-4 type, which is 2 inches wider and it's still bad. Wish I had my 08 back. LOL
