When it comes to the open road, think Gold Wing
Wicked stereo, outstanding navigation system part of the package
By David Booth - National Post - Vancouver Sun - November 04, 2005 - www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun

LAS VEGAS -- I must be reaching my Gold Wing years. I'm wafting along scenic route 89A on my way to picturesque Jerome, Ariz., cruising at a Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance-like buck-10, bopping to the Temptations' Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch on the 2006 Gold Wing's upgraded six-speaker stereo and I honestly don't think I've been happier in my life.

I've been faster, certainly. Despite the Gold Wing's 1,832-cubic-centimetre engine, the big Honda still moves at a relatively (for a motorcycle, at least) leisurely pace. I've probably been a little more comfortable, too, as both the previous-generation GL1500 and BMW's LT have softer, more coddling suspensions.

But the Wing's firm-but-broad seat supported my rebellious lower lumbars, the cruise control eliminated the need for even throttle control and the Arizona sun radiated a perfect 23 C. Life simply doesn't get a whole bunch better.

That new 80-watt-per-channel stereo is actually one of the two noteworthy items regarding the recently revised Gold Wing. The other is a new navigational system liberated from the Honda Accord.

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You might think travelling all the way to Arizona just to test a stereo and navigation system is overkill, but, in fact, it makes perfect sense. You see, the Gold Wing's navigational aid, like that of every automobile system I've tested, is most useful when you're not even remotely familiar with the territory.

Because the menus can be complicated, if you know your destination is near a familiar crossroads and have an inkling that it's, say, northwest from there, you're better off buying a map, stopping at a gas station or asking a stranger at the side of the road for directions. It's far less troublesome than filtering through the myriad digital roadblocks all navi systems call menus.

But Gold Wings are all about the open road. So, when you're in Sedona and you want to get to Bagdad, Ariz., (yes, there is a Bagdad in Arizona) to ask the locals how they're dealing with the insurgency, wading through electronic mayhem pays dividends.

It's worth noting the Gold Wing's system is actually better executed than any number of automotive systems I've tried. The LCD screen, for instance, is very well shrouded, meaning it works extremely well in bright sunlight. It will also interface with your helmet-mounted headsets, actually cooing orders to "turn right in 100 yards."

All of North America is digitally mapped out, so getting lost should be a thing of the past, though it does eliminate the ages-old excuse of poor road signs. It's also available in both official languages, so our francophone compatriots should never again take a wrong turn and end up in Red Deer, Alta. That said, an upgrade to voice commands in the future would not go amiss.

The new "premium" stereo will be more frequently and easily appreciated. By far, the best audio system ever installed on a production motorcycle, it boasts additional speakers in the back and new tweeters in front as well as a great deal more power. In fact, so forceful is the new system that it's the only bike stereo I've tested that doesn't need to be turned up to full volume to be clearly heard at highway speeds. The bass is powerful and there's no tinniness to the treble reproduction -- at least when hooked up to the right input.

The radio could be crystal clear and music from the optional six-disc CD changer accurately replicated, but some portable players didn't work that well through the auxiliary input. It'll be a plug-and-see-if-it-plays situation to see if your iPod or other MP3 player works.

As for the rest of the Gold Wing, the 2006 is pretty similar to the '05 (the much-ballyhooed air bag won't appear until the 2007 model year).

A new seat-heater system and heated hand grips are now standard. The latter works very well, but all the assembled testers found that, even at the maximum of the system's five settings, very little heat is generated to warm one's posterior. It's a shame because Honda thoughtfully saw fit to incorporate the heating elements into the passenger's seat as well as backrest. Honda says the system puts out as much heat as an automobile heater. But, because a rider is exposed to the elements, more is needed.

The GL1800's mechanicals have changed not one iota. That's because they didn't need to. The flat-six engine still pulls like a freight train and is incredibly quiet and smooth. The suspension and frame, stiffened in the transition from 1500 to 1800 in 2001, permit almost ridiculously competent handling in a motorcycle so large. It's comfortable, too, with a seat that coddles even the most sensitive butt and a fairing that provides complete coverage from the elements. The saddlebags and trunk swallow an incredible amount of gear, and they're keyfob-operated, just like a good luxury car.

In short, the 2006 Gold Wing delivers hedonistic two-wheeled touring at its best, only a little more soniferous. And you no longer have an excuse for getting lost. Which may or may not be a good thing.