I am opening this thread because i have seen several discussion about 2006-2008 Goldwing GPS units but few info about 2009-2010 versions.
I will start with some history about different models.

Beginning from 2006 Honda installed an integrated GPS navigation system in Goldwing GL1800 motorcycles.
Two localization were built, one for the US market and one for EU market, anyway in Europe there are many US version due to parallel import from the States. Development of the unit started almost 2 year before the exit of the model so is based on old devices.

First version ( 2006-2008) is derived from the Streetpilot 2610, have HWID 265 for US version and HWID 506 for EU version. Uses a CF card up to 2 GB to store maps and files and uses non NT maps data. Both versions have an hidden usb port inside the case. The unit can be switched off via the system menu.
Latest FW are 4.50 and 4.60 for US version and 2.60 for EU version. With those latest firmwares the unit is able to use NT maps. For the US version is available a mod that enables also the localization change, giving the possibility to choose the voices via the menu.[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Discussions about this version are present in several forums. A hidden menu is accessible by using the Zoom IN/OUT control with the sequence IN-OUT-OUT-IN.

Second version (2009-2010), derived from ??? , have HWID 0712 for US version and HWID ??? for EU version.
Uses a SD up to 4GB (even HC types) to store maps and files; uses NT maps. Has built in an XM radio and weather/traffic alert system, for this reason the menu for switch off the device was removed. On the service manual of the bike two antenna are indicated ,one for gps and the other for XM. The SW is revised and the screen reading is improved using different colors and graphic. It has a sort of Predictive Position Technology, so the system continue to updating the drawed map even with a poor GPS signal. For this reason connections with speed sensor and reverse gear sensor are provided. The last FW release is V 2.30 for US versions and V ??? for EU versions. The hidden menu is present with the same sequence of previous model.

Third version (2012 & up) is a completely new device. It's derived from ???, has a new structure of directory and files so it's possible a easy mod to change localization from US to EU. It uses .gpx format, has 2 SD cards, one hidden for the system maps and another removable for routes and it's also possible to plan and store routes from pc to SD using Honda Trip Planner web site. HWID is ??? FW is ???

All models have a soft lock system that disables the controls when the bike is moving, except the Zoom control and Voice on/off Control.

Coming back to the firmware related discussion I am interested to know if someone has worked around the 2009-2010 US model to remove the software lock or to change languages.
Hope this helps.