2025 Honda Gold Wing Tour (50th Anniversary) First Ride Review
The ultimate touring beast designed to eat miles in total luxury. It’s a 50th Anniversary couch on wheels that handles way better than an 800-pound bike has any right to.
- S-tier comfort: Pure plush suspension that makes rough pavement feel like glass.
- Impossible balance: Over 800 lbs, but once rolling it moves with the ease of a much lighter bike.
- Tech loaded: Wireless Apple CarPlay, hill hold, and an electronic windscreen make long hauls effortless.
- Premium price: At nearly $30k, you’re paying car money for a motorcycle.
- Tight ergonomics: Shifter feels crowded by the engine case, making gear changes a bit cramped.
- Complex menus: Tons of buttons and settings can feel intimidating at first.
Performance Highlights
The Gold Wing’s 1,833cc flat-six feels more like a car engine than a motorcycle mill: massive, smooth, and endlessly linear. In rain mode it’s calm and refined; in sport mode it’s surprisingly punchy. The 40–80 mph roll is deceptive because the bike stays rock-stable and vibration-free, so speed builds without drama.
Rider Experience & Tech
The riding position is pure chair mode. You get a wide, firm seat built for back-to-back 500-mile days, with bars that reach back to you for a relaxed, upright posture. The electronic windscreen creates a huge pocket of still air — it’s legit touring luxury, not just “touring-ish.”
Tech-wise, it’s a rolling command center. You’ve got a mix of physical analog dials and digital screens, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Everything feels premium and durable, though the double-analog layout can look a bit busy until you learn where to focus.
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 71/100, the 50th Anniversary Gold Wing Tour lands exactly where it should: S-tier comfort and touring excellence, paired with shockingly good balance for something that weighs as much as it does. It’s expensive and complex, but if your goal is effortless cross-country miles, nothing else feels this dialed.
Who it’s for: long-distance tourers who prioritize ultimate comfort and tech over raw agility.
Who should skip: riders on a budget, or anyone shopping for a lightweight, flickable twisties machine.