Interstate Honda's Bargain-Basement Gl 1500
INTERSTATE
CUICK RIDE
Honda's bargainbasement GL 1500
LUXURY TOURING BIKES DON'T get any belter than Honda’s top-of-the-line, $13,998 GL 1500 Gold Wing Special Edition. But a motorcycle that costs more than many cars, and has every possible gizmo, isn’t for everyone. The standard Gold Wing Aspencade sells for $2000 less than the SE and offers the same level of performance for those who can live without illu-
minated switches, adjustable passenger pegs, rear spoiler, high-zoot radio and a saddle rain cover.
If the Aspencade’s price still has you looking fora place to sit down, Honda's new 1991 Gold Wing Interstate should slow your heart rate considerably. Priced at $8998 (the same price as the ST I 100 sporttourer), the interstate is the least expensive Wing in years.
The Interstate isn't a stripped, bare-bones motorcycle, either, though such a drastic price reduction did require deleting several things. There’s no reverse gear, which may or may not be reason for concern, depending upon your point of view and length of inseam. There’s no cruise control, no onboard air compressor, no luggagebag liners, no quick-release windscreen adjuster, no LCD gauges and less body trim.
Eliminating these gadgets also reduced the Wing’s weight by 40 pounds, though with a full tank of fuel, our test bike was no lightweight. scaling in at 855 pounds.
Despite this, the Interstate requires little rider effort to control at highwav speeds. Sure, it's a little clumsy and feels really big when trying to maneuver into a parking spot, but this bike is surprisingly easy to control at any speed over l() mph, thanks in part to the leverage provided by the wide handlebar. Also, the Interstate’s opposed-six-cylinder engine, designed to position weight as low as possible, helps the Wing mask its bulk.
This smooth-running, responsive, torquer of an engine adds greatly to the Interstate’s charisma, too. Passing slower traffic, even on steep grades, takes little time—the engine does an amazing job of propelling the big motorcycle from cruising speeds to passing speeds, and doesn’t require a flurry of downshifts to do so.
The Wing’s huge fairing does a great job of keeping bugs, wind and rain off’the rider and passenger, although there is some air buffeting to the back of the rider's head at times. Still, a large still air pocket behind the fairing means the sounds from the downscaled stereo can be easily heard at freeway speeds.
On the open road, the Interstate is every bit as comfortable as its two higher-priced brothers and only the lack of a cruise control detracts. Frankly, that’s the only goodie that comes standard on the SE and Aspencade that we missed. A small sacrifice w'hen you consider howmuch extra fuel, extra accessories or extra riding gear the thousands of dollars saved in purchasing the Interstate wall brins. —Ron Griewe
