Vazba: | Brožovaná | ||
Počet stran: | 120 | ||
Rozměry v mm: | 210 x 280 | ||
Počet obrázků: | 200 | ||
Rok vydání: | 2009 |
I doubt whether any Gold Wing testers and writers in the mid-seventies imagined that they were opening a new chapter of motorcycling history, a history still in the making. True! Honda planned on making history by building the Ultimate Motorcycle. Everything was put into the design to provide power, smoothness and stopping power. The unique package even received a name derived from Honda's already famous logo - that golden wing. However, even the most favourable reports on the new model did not confirm that Honda had reached the ultimate, particularly in respect to any sporting aspirations. Those writers did not agree about what exactly Honda had spawned. Maybe Honda itself was not sure. However, it was the riders, mainly American, who gave the Gold Wing its identity. It was a mile-eater! Before long they were hacking over the continent with speed and comfort, creating an enormous after-market for fairings and luggage, giving substance to the renowned love of motorcyclists for contact and friendship. Within 3-4 years rider-clubs were formed and they became a voice to be heard and, as never before, Honda listened. The Gold Wing began to evolve in response to riders needs and expectations for the ultimate, the ultimate touring motorcycle. The role of European riders in the development of the essentially American motorcycle was not so great, but they also recognised a good thing when they saw it. Suddenly, Britain edged nearer to Swiss Alpine roads, Norway was a couple of days away from the beaches of Spain. As in the U.S.A. 1978/9 saw the birth of rider-clubs in Europe and their members were seen sharing rides and rallies together. This led to another unique Gold Wing phenomenon emphasizing the international nature of motorcycling and its friendships. In 1983 those European clubs joined together in the Gold Wing European Federation, aiming to promote international contact, friendship, activities and information exchange between Gold Wing clubs and riders (and) to encourage others, by example, to strive for and to attain high standards as motorcyclists and to establish the Gold Wing and its rider as an example of all that is worthwhile about motorcycling. GWEF now links clubs in 18 countries, more countries that the European Union. Its 15,000+ members not only cross seas and mountains but also the imagined barriers between languages and cultures. And all that because of a motorcycle! From a technical and test standpoint, this book chronicles the model-development that paralleled this human story. It reflects the evolution of Anglosaxon opinions about the Gold Wing that is matched by those in the continental European press. More than 20 years of history and still going strong - the yard stick by which all other touring motorcycles are measured! I will appreciate this book and, hopefully, its sequel in another 20 years. Includes road, comparison & long-term tests, model changes, engine rebuild, touring & servicing.
Models covered: 1000, 1100, 1200, 1500/6, Interstate & SE. 172 pages, over 250 illus.