2008 Honda Gold Wing

The Gold Wing is a traveling institution. It is the pinnacle in two-wheeled luxury, large, comfy, and filled with all the accouterments needed to take you and a pillion across the tarmacked globe. It’s not for everyone, and many wrongly disparage the Wing’s physical size. Still, the attractiveness of this great bike, not to mention the activities of the Gold Wing Owners’ Club, opens the doors to a whole new two-wheeled world for its ardent followers. Big can be beautiful, and it doesn’t get much bigger than the Honda Gold Wing.

Performance and Fuel Economy

The 1832cc six-cylinder engine offers smooth, easy power—118 bhp and 125 lb./ft. of torque—while exceeding the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) 2008 emissions criteria. Low front engine placement and a sturdy engine mount result in outstanding road handling and low-speed agility. The parallel two-valve cylinder-head design has direct shim-under-bucket valve actuation and does not need a 600-mile service; the first valve clearance examination is performed at 32,000 miles. Camshaft chains with silent adjusters ensure dependable, maintenance-free operation.

Design

The 2008 Honda Gold Wing‘s naturally smooth flat-six-cylinder engine also functions as a tuned stressed frame component. The robust engine-mounting system makes use of specially designed hangers and perfectly matched mounting bolts to provide a superb road feel while reducing engine vibration to an absolute minimum. Excellent braking power is provided by dual full-floating 296mm front discs with Linked Braking SystemTM (LBSTM) three-piston calipers and a single vented 316mm rear disc with one LBS three-piston caliper.

Power

The parallel two-valve cylinder-head design and side-mounted radiators offer excellent ergonomics, with enough foot space for the rider and a roomy passenger cockpit for the passengers. With a simple press of the thumb controls on the right handlebar, the slow-speed, electric Reverse system is activated. This lightweight electronic cruise control system uses a 16-bit ECU-controlled, motor-actuated throttle mechanism. A simple but brilliant ratcheting windscreen adjustment mechanism with approximately 4.0 inches of movement enables six settings. The system, when operated manually, avoids the weight and complexity of electric motors.

Lighting

The headlight system uses two 55-watt H7 low-beam and two 55-watt H7 high-beam bulbs with computer-designed multi-reflectors. When used in high-beam mode, all four lights generate a unique front-lighting signature. Engine and saddlebag guards aid in protecting the Gold Wing’s bodywork in the event of a tip-over. The silver powder-coated finish on the 2008 Honda Gold Wing‘s aluminum frame ensures that it will look great for years to come.

Instrument Panel

The instrument panel has white-on-black analog displays for the speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, and fuel level, as well as changeable backlighting and high-luminescence red pointers. Reverse, Neutral, Overdrive, oil pressure, fuel injection, high beam, sidestand, cruise on, cruise set, and low fuel all have indicator/warning lights. A high-resolution LCD in a separate module shows the odometer, A/B trip meter, ambient temperature, audio modes, CB, rear-suspension setting, trunk/saddlebag-open indications in all lighting circumstances, and a clock.

Safety Features

A motorbike with a completely integrated rider airbag, a first in the industry. The airbag module, located in front of the rider, houses both the airbag and the inflator. The airbag Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which is located to the right of the module, analyses accident sensor information to decide whether or not to inflate the airbag.

Specification

• Height: 57.3 in
• Length: 103.7 in
• Width: 37.2 in
• Curb weight: 886-926 pounds

Engine type: liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder

Fuel Capacity / Gas Tank Size: 6.6 gal

C/D TEST RESULTS:

• Zero to 130 mph: 24.7 s
• Zero to 100 mph: 9.9 s
• Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 s

2008 Honda GL Series (Gold Wing) Factory Service Manual

The service manuals for the Honda GL Series (Gold Wing) for 2008 are comprehensive and cover every area of the vehicle’s operation and maintenance. Regardless of trim level, all Honda motorcycles are delivered with service manuals.

• Routine Maintenance
• Tune-up procedures
• Engine, clutch, and transmission repair
• Cooling system
• Fuel and exhaust
• Emissions control
• Ignition and electrical systems
• Brakes, wheels, and tires
• Steering, suspension, and final drive
• Frame and bodywork
• Wiring diagrams

Honda repair manuals are intended for technicians and dealerships in the maintenance and repair of motorcycles and other vehicles. A service manual should be used with any maintenance or repair work that a motorcycle owner does.

2008 Honda GL Series (Gold Wing) — Owner’s Manual

Buyers of a 2008 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle were provided with an owner’s manual that included all of the information they would need for future maintenance and repair.

• Introduction
• Specifications
• Security System
• Operation
• Maintenance and Lubrication
• Service Procedures
• Troubleshooting
• Warranties and Responsibilities

For this reason, there are some operational suggestions in the Honda Gold Wing Manual to make the vehicle’s operation easier for the driver.