Totally overhauled for 2018 with an all-new 1833 cc boxer six that’s more powerful as well as more fuel-efficient, the new `Wing carries on the tradition of the bike that basically invented luxury long-distance motorcycle touring. The optional Dual Clutch Transmission makes the bike amazingly easy to ride. Making the entire bike smaller and lighter while updating the suspension makes it way sportier, and adding modern electronics was a big part of the overhaul: A 7-inch TFT houses the infotainment/navigation system (now approved for use with Apple CarPlay). Together with sister ship Gold Wing Tour – which adds a top box and a few other amenities – this bike has created its own dedicated community, and with good reason. 

The biggest of the “Neo Retro Cafe” Hondas is a highly stylized beauty powered by a street-tuned version of the mighty CB1000RR 1000 cc inline four cylinder. That engine’s contained in a mono-backbone steel frame that uses split-tightening aluminum pivot plates to save weight, with a  single-sided swingarm carrying the rear wheel. What stands out is the use of premium metal finishes throughout, drawing on the long café-racer tradition — parts such as the burnished-aluminum radiator shroud and airbox cover, machined engine cases, cylinder head, and sprocket hub – and especially that sensuous, seamless steel fuel tank.

Introduced in 2016 as an homage to the successful XRV650 and XRV750, this full-scale adventure bike was immediately heralded for being equally capable of crossing rugged continents and highway cruising. For 2018, the “True Adventure” spirit of the original AT expanded with the introduction of the CRF1000L2 Africa Twin Adventure Sports, with a big 6.4-gallon fuel tank among other things, designed to give it even greater range. Both Africa Twins use a powerful, highly tractable 998 cc Parallel twin to let these bikes make their way through, over or around nearly any obstacle, and both are available with Honda’s excellent DCT transmission.

It doesn’t always have to be serious does it? Riders of a certain age all remember 1968, when the first Z50A was made available in the U.S., complete with 8-inch wheels, knobby tires, adjustable seat, and lovable, cartoon styling. As of 2020, the Monkey is reborn: Chrome steel high-mount fenders with stamped exhaust shield, circular mirrors, and high-rise handlebars pay homage to the original, but the new Monkey is powered by a modern, reliable 125 cc single-cylinder, and is even available with ABS brakes. Maybe you can go home again?