As we mentioned in an earlier post about the Repsol edition CBR250R, American Honda has announced a number of returning models for 2013 featuring new color schemes.

The returning models include the big touring Gold Wing, the Fury chopper, the 1312cc Sabre, Stateline and Interstate cruisers, the 750cc Shadow cruisers, the entry-level Rebel and the XR650L dual-sport. All model come back unchanged except for the paint, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

As Honda is all-too-willing to point out, consumers have scooped up 140,000 Honda Rebels over the last 27 years, and 250,000 Shadow 750s since their introduction in 1983. Another 129,000 models of the various VT/VTX1300 cruisers have hit the streets while American consumers have purchased nearly 550,000 units of the iconic Gold Wing since 1975. Continue Reading »

Accessory manufacturer Küryakyn is issuing a recall on its Transformer passenger floorboards for the 2001-2011 Honda Gold Wing.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the mounts of the Küryakyn Transformer floorboards may crack and break free from the mounting bolts. The floorboards may unexpectedly fall off the motorcycle, potentially leading to a crash or injury.

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Honda is issuing a recall for the 2001-2010 and 2012 Gold Wing due to a problem with the combined braking system. The recall campaign affects 126,000 units sold in the U.S. over the past decade.

According to Honda, the Gold Wing may experience rear brake drag even after the rider releases the brake. The problem is caused by secondary master cylinder of the combined braking system.

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Honda reported a 88.3% year-on-year decrease in net profit over its first quarter ended June 30, 2011, thanks in large part to the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunamis in Japan.

Honda reported a profit of 31.7 billion yen (US$411.1 million) over the quarter, a fraction of the 272.4 billion yen (US$3.53 billion) reported over the same quarter last year.  The decrease came mainly from a large dropoff in automobile sales.

Net sales from the motorcycle division helped keep Honda in the black despite a drop in unit sales. Honda reported a net income of 44.9 billion yen (US$582.4 million), a 43.5% increase from the net sales of 31.3 billion yen (US$406.1 million) from the same period last year. Unit sales were down 4.7% to 2.75 million units from 2.89 million units, but Honda was able to increase profits thanks to changes in its product offerings.

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The Honda Gold Wing is a veritable icon among touring motorcycles, offering an unrivaled blend of two-up luxury conveyance and a level of sporting prowess unheard of from a 900-pound bike. More than 640,000 have been sold since its introduction way back in 1975.

The latest generation debuted in 2001, boasting an aluminum-framed chassis and stout and smooth six-cylinder engine that made it king of the long roads. Now, a year after moving production from Marysville, Ohio, to Kumamoto, Japan, Honda has delivered a revitalized Gold Wing for the 2012 model year.

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