Celebrating 50 Years of Flight: Riding Honda’s Legendary Gold Wing from Barber to Daytona
Helmet buckled. Gloves on. I was squinting into the golden rays of the setting sun as I stood at the edge of the pavement at the Barber Motorsports Park—a sprawling gearhead paradise where the world’s largest motorcycle collection meets a 2.38-mile racetrack.
If there’s such a thing as a vintage motorcycle mecca, this is it. Patiently, I waited for the rider ahead of me to pull into the staging area.
It was my turn.
I swung my leg over the seat, turned the key, and, with pure excitement bubbling inside, pressed the starter button. A 1975 Honda GL1000—the very first generation of the Gold Wing—roared to life.
I was about to ride a 50-year-old motorcycle around a racetrack.
Enduring Legacy
Very few motorcycle models have stayed in production for 50 years or more, and that milestone doesn’t happen by chance. It takes decades of careful planning, re-engineering, and attention to detail. These qualities keep a bike not just alive, but thriving as one of the top sellers in a company’s lineup.
Back in 1975, the Gold Wing was a big deal for Honda. At the time, its flagship was the wildly popular CB750, a bike that had already cemented Honda’s reputation for performance.
But Honda wasn’t content to rest there. It wanted to flex its engineering muscle and tap into the growing American touring market, where riders hungered for comfort and power on long hauls.
That resulted in the GL1000, a 999cc flat-four tourer designed to rival Harley-Davidson’s FL series and meet the demand for smooth, reliable cross-country machines. It was a bold bid to redefine “big bike” beyond V-twins, but if there’s anything we’ve learned about Honda over the years, it’s that the company thrives on bold innovation.
Laps of Luxury
As I gathered speed, the old bike stirred a strange sense of familiarity, despite my never having ridden one before, although I’d logged plenty of miles on newer models in recent years. Twisting the throttle unleashed a smooth, effortless surge of power and a rolling wave of momentum, unmistakably characteristic of a Gold Wing.
Despite 50 years of evolution, the original and modern day Wings feel so similar because both prioritize a smooth, stable ride rooted in their flat-engine designs—four cylinders in ‘75, six in ‘25—which deliver that signature low-end torque and balanced power.
The transmission shifted through gears with smooth, effortless precision, while the chassis carved through corners with the poised grace of a ballroom dancer. The only surprise came from the bright red light flashing on the dash every time I hit the brakes. It didn’t take me long to figure out that nothing was wrong—it simply confirmed my brake lights worked.
Motorcycles & Gear
2025 Honda Gold Wing GL1800
1975 Honda Gold Wing GL1000
Helmet: Shoei GT Air 3
Pants: Klim Outrider Pants
Jacket: Klim Marrakesh
Boots: Klim Black Jak
Gloves: Klim Dakar
Imagine cruising down Route 66 on one of these bad boys in the mid 1970s. The GL1000 was of the biggest and fastest bikes on the road. The open highway stretched out before you, the engine humming with a deep, steady growl as you effortlessly swallowed the miles. Every man, woman, and child stopped to stare as you pass by.
What an experience it would have been. How unstoppable would you have felt?