An Interview with Honda an Interview with Honda

AnAn InterviewInterview Tips on withwith HondaHonda Towing a Trailer SUMMER TOURING ALSO: SPECIALS Fire and Ice: One Cool Bike—One Hot Topic New “Decades of the Day” at Wing Ding 30 June 2008 • Monthly U.S. $3.95 • Canada $4.95 www.wingworldmag.com June 2008 • Volume 31 Issue 6 ABOUT THE COVER CONTENTS Page 26 Page 48 Page 58 You, too, could win a brand-new Gold Wing at Wing Ding. Just ask Kathy & Tom Peck, last year's Features winners (and, incidentally, GWRRA's International Couple of My First Wing Ding..................................................................................................................26 the Year Coordinators).They say that, after winning the 2008 How Tragedy Turned to Triumph..........................................................................................48 GL1800 (pictured here), they opted to sell their two 2001s to a Fire and Ice: One Cool Bike—One Hot Topic..................................................................58 dealer who will ship them to Spain, as apparently there is an An Interview with Honda.......................................................................................................64 increasing market for high-mileage Go Fly a Site: Google Earth ...................................................................................................66 Wings in Europe. (Kathy & Tom's each had well over 100,000 miles Tips on Towing a Trailer..........................................................................................................70 on them.) Kathy adds that Tom has already put “lots of accessories” on the new bike and that, of course, they plan to take it to Info Bytes Wing Ding 30 in Greenville, S.C. And who knows, lightning could New “Decades of the Day” at Wing Ding 30...................................................................75 strike twice—so make more room in the garage Tom & Kathy! I.C.E.:An Adequate Space Cushion......................................................................................46 Last Chance to Qualify for Preregistration Prizes...........................................................76 Region J Rally Means a “Gold Rush” in Alaska..................................................................77 Headlight On!: 3rd Annual Route 66 Ride for the Relay ..............................................78 Summer Touring Specials Advertising Section...................................................................79 DEPARTMENTS Advertisers Listing .............................................88 Golden Dealers ..................................................16 News Briefs .........................................................22 Association Leader Listing ...............................93 GWRRA Official Products...............................98 Northern Reflections ..........................................8 A Word from Your Executive Director...........7 GWRRA/Rescue Application...........................78 Product Previews ...............................................32 Bragging Rights....................................................12 Hall of Fame ........................................................97 Readers’ Responses...........................................10 Cartoon................................................................73 Classifieds.............................................................89 In Memoriam.......................................................97 Readers’ Rides..................................................100 Events....................................................................91 In the Zone............................................................4 Wing Ding 30 Application................................85 Finishing Touches..............................................102 Motorcycle Goodies..........................................87 Workbench..........................................................36 ON-LINE • WING WORLD • MAY & JUNE NEW SHOWS! See SAFETY AND KNOWLEDGE FRIENDS FOR FUN, schedule on page 73. user name: safety • password: first June 2008 3 In the Zone Sharon Stanley • Editor • [email protected] Come Together, Right Now… This issue, I thought we’d steer away story (page 48) that goes even deeper as he (pun intended) from the usual number pours out his heart about a tragedy that turned his life completely around, but required of long travel stories we often run and the use of a three-wheeler to do it. Both of try a different approach—one that cele- these gentlemen’s stories may have us all brates the diversity of our Association, rethinking how we—as an Association—could from a geographical standpoint to that try to be more inclusive toward all Members. our annual International Wing Ding is held Finally, you’ll get to read some of the of the human spirit to what’s best for over the Fourth of July holiday. diverse opinions about the sport—and the our beloved Gold Wing. But for the June issue, let’s allow ourselves bike—we all love. Many of our Members tow to hear from Members—both U.S. citizens trailers, and Senior Technical Editor Stu et me tell you how the idea to diversify abroad and otherwise—about what being a Oltman shares his opinions on the possible this issue came about. To begin with, GWRRA Member and riding in their own travails of towing a trailer, along with recom- Lwe’ve recently begun receiving many country means to them. What’s important to mendations on how to do so more safely, on more types of articles, photos, etc., especially them? What would they like to brag about? page 70. from Members worldwide. But mainly, to be What kind words do they have to share with And Honda of America representatives, on totally honest with you here, it was spurred on Members worldwide? page 64, speak candidly in a recent interview by a letter I received recently from a Member Therefore, our “Bragging Rights” depart- with me about the difficult decision by Honda who was downing everything from GWRRA ment, this issue on page 12, is titled “An to relocate its production of Gold Wings back to Honda to women riders to “people from International Flair.” There, you’ll hear what to Japan. Keep an open mind, and you’ll see foreign countries” who are “telling of their Members in England, Saudi Arabia, Canada, how this relocation will affect not only ‘escapades’ in Wing World.” Germany, Mexico, Israel, and Australia have to American workers in the Marysville, Ohio, Oops, wrong things to say. First of all, I love say. Plus, you can check out Randy Powell’s plant but also Japanese workers in Honda’s GWRRA. I think its Members are some of the story on page 66 that will show you how to founding plant in Hamamatsu, Japan. best, kindest, and most giving people I’ve ever “fly around the globe” using Google Earth and The vast majority of GWRRA Members met in my life. Second, I respect a company see our entire planet from a birds-eye view. are U.S. citizens. We cherish and enjoy the who not only builds the world’s premier tour- Plus, there’s a humorous “Finishing Touches” freedoms our country provides us and that ing motorcycle but also has striven to be (page 102) sent in from the U.K. our military personnel—past and present— “green” long before “going green” was fash- In regard to the diversity of the human have guarded with their lives. One of those ionable.Third, I’m a female rider. (No need to spirit, this issue you’ll meet two riders who freedoms is the freedom of speech, guaran- comment on that one.) And fourth, GWRRA couldn’t be more different from one anoth- teed to us in our First Amendment. Members are some of the best, kindest, and er—and yet both are Members of GWRRA. As we celebrate our diversity this June, let’s most giving people I’ve ever met in my life— One is a person folks may think of as your not only let our U.S. Members speak, let’s let no matter which country they call home. “typical GWRRA Member” in terms of his our international Members speak as well. Let’s Now we all know that, speaking geograph- demographics and views on life, yet he rides a not only listen to the type of riders to whom ically, our magazine concentrates mainly on Gold Wing trike.Another rides a two-wheeled we’re used to listening, but also to some we our U.S. Members. And that’s appropriate. Gold Wing, but he is definitely not your “typi- are not. Let’s allow people to express how After all, the vast majority of our Members are cal Gold Winger” as he cruises around on his they feel about different aspects of our sport U.S. citizens. And—particularly in the July custom-painted flaming steed and blares rock and the difficult choices one has to make to issue—we often highlight our patriotism as an music. keep it alive and well. Association that was begun in, and will forever Mike Leatham’s story on page 58 is one of In other words, let’s “Come together, right be bound to, the United States. As a U.S. citi- a younger rider who just wishes to express his now.” Or should we not just because, as that zen and veteran myself, I wouldn’t want it any own, unique styling as he also shares in the one Member might say, it was a group of other way, especially for the July issue because great traditions of GWRRA. Gayle Vater’s is a Englishmen who coined that phrase? ● 4 Wing World Publication No.: USPS No. 462-550 Publication No.: CPC No. 40032110 PUBLISHER INB PUBLICATIONS Publishers for GWRRA EDITOR Sharon Stanley [email protected] (623) 581-2500, extension 253 SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITOR Stu Oltman TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTOR Howard Halasz CONTRIBUTING WRITER Randy Powell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Load more