For the first time in Australia, the 2008 Goldwing was released in two trims this past year. The standard model costs $34,990, which in real terms, is the cheapest Goldwing yet. The luxury model costs $40,990 and includes a rider airbag, satellite navigation and an 80-watt sound system with an iPod connector.

The airbag module is located between the rider and the tank behind the forks. There are four sensors in the front forks to detect a frontal or offset frontal collision. With four sensors, if one fails to operate, you have backup sensors, and because they are placed behind the forks, they won't be triggered if you are hit by a bird or some other debris.

The delay between sensing a collision and inflating the airbag with nitrogen is 0.06 seconds and the bag deflates again in 0.7 seconds. Cost of a replacement airbag is $800, but it is not available as an aftermarket fitment on the standard model. National service manager Greg Snart said Honda had built a special facility in Japan to rigorously test the airbag before market release and he had not heard of any airbags accidentally inflating. If they did accidentally detonate, he said the bag would obscure the rider's view for less than a second.

The release of the new Gold Wing models comes amid a hectic year of new product releases. In February, Honda released its retro-styled CBF1000 tourer with the 954 Fireblades engine.
Over the following two months Honda released the CB600 Hornet and CB400 naked, which should sell well in states with learner approved motorcycle schemes. The CB400 costs $9990 (plus $1000 for ABS).

This month, the 999.8cc Fireblade and Goldwing are being launched. The long-awaited update to the Transalp adventure tourer with an engine increase to 700cc will arrive in July along with the TRX700XX sports ATV. In August, Honda adds the futuristic-looking DN01 700cc V-twin automatic cruiser and the CRF230L dual sporter which will replace the XR250L. Fading from the Australian Honda line-up are the Blackbird, CB900 Hornet and VTR1000.