Home Motorcycle Reviews 2012 Honda Gold Wing | Quick Look

2012 Honda Gold Wing | Quick Look

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August 24, 2011

2012 Honda Motorcycle

The Honda Gold Wing took a well-deserved vacation in 2011, and is back for 2012 with a new look and a number of significant improvements.

The suspension has been recalibrated,giving it a slightly more sporting ride that reduces unwanted floorboard dragging in corners.

The fairing and bags have been redesigned for more wind protection and added cargo capacity, respectively.

Optional high-tech upgrades include the Next-Generation Honda Satellite Linked Navigation System, plus XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather.

2012 Honda Gold Wing Quick Stats

ENGINE TYPE: 2vpc opposed-6
BORE x STROKE: 74mm x 71mm
COMP. RATIO: 9.8:1
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed (plus reverse)
WHEELBASE: 66.5 inches
RAKE: 29.15 degrees
CURB WEIGHT: 904 pounds
PRICE: $23,199

For a look into the entire 2011 motorcycle lineup, check out the Ultimate MotorCycling Digital Buyer’s Guide.

Also, if you want stay up to date on the latest in motorcycle news, “Like” Ultimate MotorCycling on Facebook.

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Welcome to the Motos and Friends Podcast. This episode is brought to you by Insta360, the leader in 360-degree action camera technology. This episode is also brought to you by the 33rd annual Biketoberfest® rally that takes place in the Daytona Beach and Volusia County areas, Florida; on Oct. 16-19.

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In our first segment, Don Williams gives us the low down on the another of the new Harley-Davidson Softails… this one is the Street Bob. The Street Bob can sometimes be overlooked as it’s a slightly simpler motorcycle than some of its Softail siblings, but it’s definitely worth a look as it still has that amazing 117-inch Milwaukee-8 motor, and it’s a really easy-riding motorcycle with bags of charisma.

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We’ve been talking excitedly for the past few weeks about the upcoming Biketoberfest rally in Daytona Beach, Florida on October 16th through the 19th. So this episode we take a few minutes to chat with Lori Campbell-Baker, Brian Bentley, and Andrew Booth, from the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. But especially, there are miles of scenic rides along the famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. Besides the riding, places like thenewrainforest part of the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure and it features multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, and Tamarins. Also, the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet has reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation, and there are several new exhibits on the campus of the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences. You should also know about the Harley Dream Giveaway… Tickets are available to win a Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST and a Ford F-250 Harley-Davidson edition from Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley-Davidson. There really is something for everyone here, even families, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.orgfor more details.

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“I’m no superhero” says Vanessa Ruck aka “The Girl on a Bike”, who is our guest for this episode. But… actually, I think she’s wrong, I’d say she is every bit a superhero. Teejay chats with Vanessa about that time she took on one of the most difficult and prestigious off-road races in the history of Motorsports: the original and real Dakar Rally; now known as The Africa Eco Race. This is the legendary desert race which covers 13 days and 6,000 kilometers, sometimes in over 120-degree heat. It runs from Monaco, Europe, through Morocco, Western Sahara, and Mauritania, eventually to Dakar in Senegal, West Africa. This is the race where 54% of the entrants didn’t finish; and yet Vanessa on her trusty KTM became the first British female—and only the second female ever—to actually finish this crazy test of human endurance and spirit. Check out Vanessa’s YouTube channel and her Instagram

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