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. Highlights include a smoother transmission, increased fuel capacity, stiffer chassis, improved brakes, and comprehensive fairing. Developed under Masanori Aoki, it brings fuel injection, an aluminum frame, and optional ABS braking to the Gold Wing, and it has 20 patents for technological innovations. Honda offers a GL with the world's first motorcycle airbag.
The Gold Wing's audio system becomes iPod-compatible. Production for the Honda Goldwing is based out of the Kumamoto Factory in Japan for all global markets including the U. Honda does not seem to be moving production for the Goldwing at the moment.
It is has started to move some motorcycle engine production to China, but it seems for now the Goldwing production will remain where it is. Honda is always on the lookout for talented employees, and there are a wide variety of positions available depending on your background and expertise. Although Goldwing production has moved to Japan, Honda continues to produce other vehicles in the U. S and therefore, still has a large influence on the U. S economy and job market.
Honda is often mistaken for an American company as over the years lots of its production has been in the U. Check out our article on how long Honda Gold Wings last.
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.
Suspension adjustment was by on-board air compressor. The model designations changed for this group of models. These new series were getting heavier and so, rather than create a new gearbox, Honda provide a reverse capability for the first time by modifying the operation of the electric starter so it could be used to provide assisted reverse for the bike.
The GLI Interstate basic model was lighter than its optioned up siblings and did not have the reversing feature nor cruise control. This was repeated again just a few years later in when the millionth Honda rolled off the Marysville production line and again it was a GLA Aspencade.
The GLA Aspencade was a luxurious motorcycle with cruise control, a quality audio system that was upgraded further in to the same unit that was fitted in the GLSE. The model received incremental upgrades over its production life particularly in styling and paintwork but also with engine, transmission and final drive upgrades in The features of both models included a vented windshield, an upgraded sound system, adjustable passenger floorboards and adjustable foot pegs with foot heaters for those long cold nights on the road, and additional lights, the whole package wrapped in a unique two-tone paint scheme highlighted with special insignia.
The GLSE continued in production with progressive improvements and upgrades until the 25th Anniversary GLSE in , the final year of production before the introduction of the next model. In Honda extensively re-designed the Gold Wing beginning with a new extruded aluminum frame that pruned a lot of weight off the bike. The new frame was a more simple design having 31 parts which was about half the number of component parts of the old steel frame. The engine capacity was increased to 1,cc With the lighter weight and increased engine power ABS braking was included as an option.
Also in tune with this being a twenty-first century motorcycle in it was provided with an optional air-bag and optional GPS.
The Valkyrie was aimed at the buyer looking for a big stripped down performance motorcycle. The engine of the Valkyrie was quite different to that of the luxury touring Gold Wing models having solid valve lifters instead of the whisper quiet hydraulic ones and it had six carburettors, one for every cylinder, in true Honda performance bike tradition.
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