In recent years, motorcycles have been equipped with quickshifters, full color touch-sensitive TFT screens, hill-control, traction control linked to a 6-axis EMU and even in the case of the Goldwing an airbag.
This amazing car-like safety device was introduced back in 2009, the airbag is destined to prevent vehicle occupants from hitting interior objects and therefore lessen the severity of injuries.
After all these years the Honda Goldwing is the only motorcycle blessed with this technology.
But big red is not slowing down putting technology in their flagship tourer, they have now filed a patent for an advanced steering system that can counter-steer.
Instead of using gyroscopes, flywheels, and levels to keep it upright, the new design uses electric motors to exert a force on the bars to counter-steer the bike if its IMU detects that a slide is taking place.
A small electronic actuator is mounted on the bike near the steering head. It is connected to the top yoke of the bike by a lever and a rod. When the onboard system detects that the front or rear wheels are stepping out of alignment, the actuator dials in a predetermined amount of opposite lock to counteract the instability.
While the system as it is described is talking about slide assistance and help in the event of a potential crash. It’s not hard to assume that the same hardware, with some new zeroes and ones included, could be used to help keep the bike within its lane on a motorway, or even offer riders the ability to live like a Tesla owner and go hands-free.
And that last car-like "safety" feature is something to worry about.
For 2022, the flagship of long-haul luxury and technical prowess will also receive new colors.
The GL1800 Gold Wing Tour manual transmission will be available in Gunmetal Black Metallic, finished with a new blacked out engine, further enhancing its look and character on the road.
The DCT/Airbag version of the Gold Wing Tour will feature new glittering Glint Wave Blue Metallic and Pearl Glare White paint options in 2022, which will complete the Gunmetal Black Metallic color scheme. The DCT-only GL1800 Gold Wing itself will now also be available in a new Matt Jeans Blue Metallic color.