The exclusive distributor of Honda vehicles in Qatar, Doha Marketing Services Company (Domasco), has launched the all-new 2018 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing premium motorcycle. 
Star Qatari athlete and former Asian champion sprinter Talal Mansour was among those who attended the formal launch event yesterday at the main Honda showroom, near National Mosque on the Khalifa Street and TV signal.
Since its introduction in 1975, the Honda Gold Wing has been described as ‘the ultimate in two-wheeled travel,’ growing in physical size and displacement over the four decades, all the while creating an enduring and unrivalled reputation for luxury, quality and comfort.
Honda Gold Wing, according to the company officials, has amassed a huge fan base in Qatar and numbers have grown manifold over the years, with more riders wanting to be part of the Gold Wing heritage.
“The Honda Gold Wing enjoys legendary status in the country. The new model is more exciting to ride than ever and Honda has made the Gold Wing smaller and lighter and added all the hardware and software a modern rider could wish for. It is very much a true rider’s motorcycle,” Domasco managing director Faisal Sharif said in a statement.
While introducing the vehicle to motorcycle enthusiasts, Honda’s sales and marketing head at Domasco, Greig Roffey, explained the unique features of the vehicle.
The new Gold Wing is taking a  new direction and it still has an evocative, flat six-cylinder engine that delivers an avalanche of torque and power. It still remains Honda’s flagship premium `tourer’, loaded with features that allow two people to ride in style. 
Sharing a common engine and chassis platform, the new ‘Wing will be available as the base model GL1800 Gold Wing, and as a ‘Tour’ edition with top box, which will also offer a version equipped with Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and air bag.
Optimised for size, the bike’s new flat six-cylinder engine has lost none of its power, torque and addictive delivery. Honda Selectable Torque Control maintains rear wheel traction while the suspension damping and Combined Brake System alter depending on the modes selected. Tour, Sport, Econ and Rain are the four modes of the vehicle. 
Hill Start Assist and Idling Stop add ease of use and improve fuel efficiency, said the company official.
The performance improvement is matched by even greater levels of relaxation: the stylish, aerodynamically-efficient fairing channels air around the rider and the electric screen adjusts for preference.
 The seats provide all-day comfort and the motorcycle’s new features like the smart key system, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity bring even more convenience.
The new Gold Wing replaces the relaxed lines of the outgoing model with a more honed, athletic ethos. The lower portion of the headlights use five polished optical lenses on both sides to create a Jewel-Eye low beam light signature. Using high beam (in the upper portion) is creating a stereoscopic impression. The front indicators are housed in the mirrors.
Capacity of the fuel tank is 4litres less at 21litres. But as the new Gold Wing is so much lighter and more aerodynamic. The improved fuel economy of 5.6litres/100km means the tank range is similar to the previous design. The Gold Wing is now compatible with Apple CarPlay so the rider can utilise the personalised information and content inside their iPhone such as telephone numbers and music playlists.
The Bluetooth connectivity has been adopted and a USB cable can also be plugged in.
Honda’s unique Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is a natural fit for the new Gold Wing engine and development revolved around the DCT as the base. 
This is the third all-new generation of the system and the first to have 7-speeds, specifically designed for long-distance cruising.
The new Gold Wing’s DCT features a 1.8km/h forward Walking Mode with reverse of 1.2km/h, operated instantly from a +/- switch on the left handlebar.