End of the Goldwing? Edit to add - End of GWRRA and last Wing Ding

[Serk]

Seen this popping up in Goldwing circles; I know we've got our Valks that'll out last most of us, but...

Evidently it's recently come out that because of increasingly strict emission BS laws Honda and other manufacturers are gonna drop a lot of bikes later this year.

Depending on the source, some or all Goldwings may be going away by the end of this year.

Depending on the source it might be world wide or just no longer sold in the Japanese domestic market.

(I know, I know massive speculation in all directions, but figured it was worth at least bringing up and letting folks know what might be coming...)

News source:

https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/two-wheelers/honda-suzuki-yamaha-kawasaki-to-pull-the-plug-on-20-motorcycles-this-year-41655975368933.html

Another news source:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Honda-peers-to-ride-20-motorcycles-off-into-the-sunset-this-year

https://www.advrider.com/honda-kawasaki-suzuki-yamaha-will-axe-several-models-this-year-report/

https://www.topgear.com.ph/moto-sapiens/motorcycle-news/honda-yamaha-kawasaki-suzuki-discontinue-motorcycles-a4354-20220627

Video from a Goldwing guy discussion what's going on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMyIHnUyzrQ

[carolinarider09]

Similar discussion here:

https://www.gl1800riders.com/threads/japanese-bike-manufacturers-are-cutting-models-to-comply-with-emissions-regulations.477188/

[Jess from VA]

Goldwings are big polluters?

Who knew?

[cookiedough]

it is all Biden's fault. 

pushing mpg vs. comfort and greatness, just like vehicles now.

As much as I like driving my 62 mpg 250cc scooter and 50 mpg 650cc scooter,  our 6 cylinders at 35-40 mpg is hard to beat on the open road.

[Serk]

Not totally related to this, but related enough to not be worthy of its' own thread:

It's official.... GWRRA is shutting down, and the last Wing Ding is happening right now.

There's a video of the announcement on the GWRRA page:

https://www.facebook.com/1083887282/videos/323663303173657/

[Reb]

Can't say it's 100% credible. But someone shared this on the 18+ Goldwing Facebook page

[carolinarider09]

Also on the GL1800 Riders Forum.

The gentlemen made the following statement on that forum

Contacted my friend in Japan (I was stationed their while in the Navy). He is Japanese and rides. This has been in the news there so the info and previously posted articles are legit.
This is straight from Honda (note the URL at the bottom of the picture). My friend provided translation.
The following models will be discontinued worldwide in Oct 2022
Gold Wing Non-tour trunkless. Gold Wing Tour model will be retained.
VFR800F
VFR800X
CB400 Super Four/BOL D’OR
Ect…
It does not mention manual or DCT.

https://www.gl1800riders.com/threads/gold-wings-are-not-going-away.477295/

[Ramie]

Maybe they're shutting down the GW so they can build the Valkyrie again.

[GWS]

I've been fantasizing lately about Honda building a new Valkyrie. Actually I've been composing a letter in my mind to their High Priest of Marketing. It would have to look like the '97 - 03 version, but with fuel injection, improved final drive, a wider stock seat, and a smidge more room to get the alternator out. There you go, the perfect cruiser.

I'm not sure Honda ever built a bike with such a rabid, loyal following as the Valkyrie, partly, at least, because there was nothing else quite like it. So why not put out a limited production of, say, three years? The cool guys would buy the first year's bikes, a lot more would buy the second year's run because the cool guys already had one, and a lot more of us would buy the third year bikes because we'd need two years to save up the $30,000!

I might just send that letter. The saying goes that we get about 80% of what we ask for, we just never ask for what we really want.

[Serk]

Can't hurt to try, but IMHO there'll never be another bike like the classic Valks.... They really broke the mold on those.

Too enamored in plastic, weight savings, emission controls, computerized everything. It was one of those brief moments of clarity where the right person was at the right place at the right time to get the right thing done.

Hope I'm wrong, but just don't see anything remotely like the classic Valks ever happening again.

[baldo]

it is all Biden's fault. 

pushing mpg vs. comfort and greatness, just like vehicles now.

As much as I like driving my 62 mpg 250cc scooter and 50 mpg 650cc scooter,  our 6 cylinders at 35-40 mpg is hard to beat on the open road.

I hope that's snark...

[Pappy!]

Can't hurt to try, but IMHO there'll never be another bike like the classic Valks.... They really broke the mold on those.

Too enamored in plastic, weight savings, emission controls, computerized everything. It was one of those brief moments of clarity where the right person was at the right place at the right time to get the right thing done.

Hope I'm wrong, but just don't see anything remotely like the classic Valks ever happening again.

Triumph has been doing it and making tidy profits along the way! The retro wave is alive and well.
Their new 1200CC parallel twins are visually very close to the older original twins with all the right improvements in the right places.

[Rams]

Just like many other popular products from days past, sales are what drive production decisions.

If, GWs were still selling off the showroom floor at a sufficient pace, there would be no question as to what Honda would be building and selling.   The same thing happened to Pontiac and Oldsmobile just to name two product lines.

I'm not a GW fan but, I love that engine/drive train.   My hope is that Honda will keep that going and produce something more to my tastes.   My crystal ball isn't clear enough to predict what's going to happen but, I see this as an opportunity for something new and different.

On a side note, that's what happens when you make something that will run and last almost forever.  

Rams

[Reb]

Just like many other popular products from days past, sales are what drive production decisions.

If, GWs were still selling off the showroom floor at a sufficient pace, there would be no question as to what Honda would be building and selling.   The same thing happened to Pontiac and Oldsmobile just to name two product lines.

I'm not a GW fan but, I love that engine/drive train.   My hope is that Honda will keep that going and produce something more to my tastes.   My crystal ball isn't clear enough to predict what's going to happen but, I see this as an opportunity for something new and different.

On a side note, that's what happens when you make something that will run and last almost forever.  

Rams

I believe we will see a lot of changes in various models of all manufacturers going forward. Not just the motorcycle market, but automotive and electronic as well. Inflation paired with continued supply constraints is making the market extremely dynamic. What was once a profitable manufactured good could turn into a burden on a companies books fairly quickly.

I think the Goldwing demand is still their for US sales, Honda is going through the same struggle as every manufacturer at procuring parts from suppliers to build product (along with rising costs of those parts)

Basing this opinion off current working condition in a manufacturing facility. Deere John's production quantities currently are 100,000 mowers behind pre-covid levels.   That is not from a lack of demand.

[Rams]

Just like many other popular products from days past, sales are what drive production decisions.

If, GWs were still selling off the showroom floor at a sufficient pace, there would be no question as to what Honda would be building and selling.   The same thing happened to Pontiac and Oldsmobile just to name two product lines.

I'm not a GW fan but, I love that engine/drive train.   My hope is that Honda will keep that going and produce something more to my tastes.   My crystal ball isn't clear enough to predict what's going to happen but, I see this as an opportunity for something new and different.

On a side note, that's what happens when you make something that will run and last almost forever.  

Rams

I believe we will see a lot of changes in various models of all manufacturers going forward. Not just the motorcycle market, but automotive and electronic as well. Inflation paired with continued supply constraints is making the market extremely dynamic. What was once a profitable manufactured good could turn into a burden on a companies books fairly quickly.

I think the Goldwing demand is still their for US sales, Honda is going through the same struggle as every manufacturer at procuring parts from suppliers to build product (along with rising costs of those parts)

Basing this opinion off current working condition in a manufacturing facility. Deere John's production quantities currently are 100,000 mowers behind pre-covid levels.   That is not from a lack of demand.

Not to discredit your points because you have several good points but, I believe there's a difference in GW buyers and those looking for mowers.

Rams

[Wizzard]

How so Ron?  If gas keeps going up at present pace and vehicle cost keeps accelerating we may be riding our mowers to work.
 

[f6john]

I think the reason we will never see another classic Valkyrie run is because of the success or lack thereof of the 97-03 models. I bought my 99 standard new with a dealer installed Hondaline windshield and I was $12,800 out the door. Little did I know that there were hundreds, at least, of the 98 models sitting in warehouses unsold and people were able to scoop them up for $9,000+- and that went on for a while as the 2000 models were out when I got my 99.

I was sold on the Valkyrie the first time I saw one but it didn’t hit everyone the same way. I think one could blame Honda for a lack to sustained marketing and advertising. All the early magazine articles were vey positive and I don’t remember any manufacturing hiccups to hurt sales. In my town of 30,000 there were maybe 3-4 Valkyries on the the road and people were constantly asking what kind of bike is that? 20 years later people  are still asking the same question!

Whoever was at fault, sales never took off. Enter 2014 and a new Valkyrie, and history repeats itself. I imagine Hondas appetite to produce another Valkyrie will be satisfied for many years to come. Remember, you read it here first!

[Avanti]

My wife and I were sitting at the pull off at Powder Pass Wyoming and a RV with HD’s on trailer stops. Conversation starts by, who makes that and that is a monster.

Yep, the unknown motorcycle.

[Rams]

How so Ron?  If gas keeps going up at present pace and vehicle cost keeps accelerating we may be riding our mowers to work.
  

Sir, you (unfortunately) make a good point.   I guess you could mow your way to w____..........   Obviously for those into that kind of activity.  I try not to use such foul language as that W word.  

Rams

[Bighead]

it is all Biden's fault. 

pushing mpg vs. comfort and greatness, just like vehicles now.

As much as I like driving my 62 mpg 250cc scooter and 50 mpg 650cc scooter,  our 6 cylinders at 35-40 mpg is hard to beat on the open road.

I hope that's snark...

Very Doubtful but it isn’t Bidens fault he dont even know what day it is. He cant form a sentence so how could it be his fault. Maybe his puppet masters idea?