 The purpose of this website is to be the source of online information for Honda's four cylinder GL's. It is a collection of contributions by owners and riders of these fine bikes, and subscribers of the Four Cylinder 'Wings mailing list. If you have anything you'd like to contribute to this site, please email it to me via the mailing list. The four cylinder Goldwing is, without question, one of the finest touring motorcycles ever built. There are thousands of them still ridden in nearly every country in the world. Other touring bikes such as Suzuki's GK and Cavalcade, and Yamaha's Venture have pretty much fallen by the wayside while significant numbers of the four cylinder GL's live on. The GL1000 was produced from 1975 to 1979 and is famous as the world's first true purpose built touring motorcycle. It was a horizontally opposed four stroke, built during a time of inlines and two-strokes. It was liquid cooled when virtually everything else was air cooled. It was the largest motorcycle built by any Japanese manufacturer at the time, and was a real scorcher too. Cycle magazine turned a 13 second quarter mile with that first GL1000, which was only surpassed by the famed Kawasaki Z-1! Today, there is a world-wide Classic Wing Club for GL1000 owners. The GL1100, produced from 1980 to 1983, introduced the concept of an integrated fairing and luggage system with the 1980 Interstate model, and also distinguished the Goldwing as an American built motorcycle. Honda's Marysville, Ohio manufacturing plant opened on September 10, 1979 and the Goldwing has been exclusively manufactured at the Marysville plant ever since. Things like factory sound systems and air suspension became standard equipment on touring bikes because of the GL1100. Sales of the GL1100 were phenomemal, and this sparked the introduction of competitive, purpose built touring bikes by other manufacturers. None were ever able to compete with the GL1100's sales and engineering features, however. Honda continued to refine the GL with the introduction of the final GL1100 model - the 1983 GL1100 Apencade. The GL1100 also has a proud history in the Iron Butt Rally. The GL1200, produced from 1984 to 1987, was the ultimate refinement of the four cylinder Goldwing. Emphasis was placed on handling, rider and passenger comfort, and appointments that made the GL1200 the most luxurious touring motorcycle built during this time frame. The 1985 Limited and 1986 SEi saw the introduction of elecronically controlled fuel injection. Even today, the GL1200 Aspencade models are considered by many to be more luxurious and reliable touring bikes than the current production machines built by other manufacturers. The two major competitors to the GL1200 were Suzuki's Cavalcade and Yamaha's Venture Royale. Suzuki's Cavalcade sales were dismal and the Venture Royale, while a nice touring bike, just didn't meet the expectations of the growing segment of riders who wanted a luxurious touring machine. The GL1200 also holds the distinction of being in the Guiness Book of World Records as the motorcycle on which the longest motorcycle tour in history was completed. The four cylinder Goldwing models ultimately laid the groundwork for the development of the GL1500 and GL1800 six cylinder models. Many dedicated riders of the original 'wings feel that the big sixes have strayed away from what motorcycling was meant to be. For this reason alone, the Four Cylinder Goldwing models will continue to be ridden well into the new millennium, not because the FCW is the biggest and fanciest luxury touring bike on the road, but because the people who ride them are true motorcyclists and love these traditional luxury tourers.
Check your route with one of these internet mapping programs
|
..............
|
| This Web Ring site is owned by Royal Taylor |
|
|
Web design and concept by Chris Olson, current caretaker, Royal Taylor
copyright © 1998,1999 Chris Olson; 2007 Royal Taylor All rights reserved