Beauty, we’re told, lies in the eye of the beholder. Fair enough, up to a point. This particular beholder knows exactly what makes for a beautiful motorcycle: curves, deep paint, a fair bit of shiny metal, and an unquantifiable magic ingredient that just makes me go “Ahhh!”.

It’s easier to explain by example: the bikes that set my pulse racing include most Norton Commandos (not the Fastback), Bonnevilles, the Triumph T160, 1970s Ducatis, the 2006 SportClassic range, the Honda CBX, Guzzi V7, MV750/1000 four, Kawasaki Z1, Laverda 1000/1200 – there are many others, but you get the picture.

In the opposite corner, marked “what were they thinking?”, sit most adventure bikes, most KTMs, those Transformer-meets-Alien Kawasaki 1000s, the Honda ST1100 and 1300, and now the 2020 Honda Gold Wing. When I saw my first pictures of the latest Wing, I was gobsmacked!

Let me explain some more. I love Gold Wings. I’ve loved them since I first tested one in the late 1970s. I wrote a book about them called, appropriately enough, Gold Wing. I rode a rented 1800 through Colorado with my wife and loved it. I’ve owned three Valkyries, which are essentially naked Wings with some added style, and the marvellous 2004 Valkyrie Rune in the main photo.

There are faster bikes, lighter bikes (and then some!), but the original flat four and latterly flat six engines are peerless. Smooth, turbine-like and utterly delightful. Add in the various creature comforts that have appeared on the Wing over the years and you have a fabulous touring bike, made even better by the frame and suspension that came with the 1800s. This is a bike that handles far better than it should. No doubt tests will reveal that the 2020 Wing is the best ever.

Some say that form should follow function. I accept that too, again up to a point. That’s why I admire the off-road capabilities of KTMs and Super Teneres and their ilk, even though I think they’re ugly. That’s why I can accept the acres of plastic that have adorned Gold Wings for decades, because they provide the weather protection and luggage capacity that you need on a serious tourer.

But for crying out loud – look at the engine on the 2020 Wing! The once-beautiful chrome rocker covers have been replaced by what looks from the photos like dull plastic. So too the chrome timing belt cover on the front of the engine – more dull plastic. Compare the 2020 model engine to the Valkyrie’s motor in these photos, or the Rune above, and tell me which looks better.

There’s been so much progress in motorcycle design and technology over the 52 years of my riding career, and modern bikes can run rings around machines from even 20 years ago. But that doesn’t have to be at the expense of art. The new Wing would look so much better if it borrowed a few styling cues from the Rune or the Valkyrie below – and surely it would perform every bit as well?

Happy New Year!