has anyone gone "Gold Wing"?

[kballowe]

We've owned a 2005 and a 2013 Road King. Combined 100K+ miles.

Really liked them both - but the suspension SUCKED, big time. Way too mushy. Both bikes wallered in the turns and a lot of front-end dive when applying the front brake. Still, we liked our Road Kings.

They say that the 2017 bikes have much stiffer suspension and that's probably good. We spent a couple grand just to get those RKs up to the level of the Gold Wing Suspension.

Right now, our "touring" bikes are a 2014 Yamaha VStar-1300 Deluxe and a 2015 Heritage Softail. The Wing sits there, waiting for those really long trips.

These are my personal experiences - yours can, and will vary.

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[gman2304]

I've owned a lot of different bikes as well. They were all good and served me well. One Goldwing two Electraglides, one Suzuki VStrom, Kawasaki, several Yamahas, other Hondas etc. I just sold my old Electraglide Ultra and am currently riding a 2009 Harley FXDC Superglide. I'm done with the cross country riding and the Superglide is light and nimble when compared to the big touring bikes. My son told me I was going backward, from large tourers and adventure touring bikes to a basic Harley big twin. It's what suits me now, and I'm loving the Superglide. Did I mention how good it sounds with the Rush slipons? Baffled of course....!

 

[mrsilv04]

Both pictures taken within a few miles of each other.

My first Goldwing - 2002 Non-ABS:

My second (and current) Goldwing - 2008 NAV & ABS:

I bought the 2002 in 2003, with 3000 miles on it. It had been the demo bike for a Honda dealership in KY. It was also ridden by the dealership's owner. I took it up to a little short of 90,000 miles and sold it in 2012. It went to Ohio. I later learned that it had been in an accident... it was totaled, and the guy I sold it to lost his life.

I bought the 2008 (in 2012) to replace the 2002. It had 14,000 miles on it, and came from Mississippi. It currently has 60,000 miles on it.

I stayed with the Goldwing because although the Goldwing is not perfect, I could not find a better bike that does what all that I want it to do. It does it all, from commuting to work... to grinding off parts at Deal's Gap... and literally, everything in between.

 

[BigCahuna]

Can you adjust the suspension to raise the bike up an inch or two? I'm 6'5" and even my Harley stock, seems too low for my taste.,,

 

[dnewton3]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Both pictures taken within a few miles of each other.

My first Goldwing - 2002 Non-ABS:

My second (and current) Goldwing - 2008 NAV & ABS:

I bought the 2002 in 2003, with 3000 miles on it. It had been the demo bike for a Honda dealership in KY. It was also ridden by the dealership's owner. I took it up to a little short of 90,000 miles and sold it in 2012. It went to Ohio. I later learned that it had been in an accident... it was totaled, and the guy I sold it to lost his life.

I bought the 2008 (in 2012) to replace the 2002. It had 14,000 miles on it, and came from Mississippi. It currently has 60,000 miles on it.

I stayed with the Goldwing because although the Goldwing is not perfect, I could not find a better bike that does what all that I want it to do. It does it all, from commuting to work... to grinding off parts at Deal's Gap... and literally, everything in between.



Draggin' on the Dragon on a Wing?

Been there; done that; loved it!


I will say, until you have ridden a Wing with a full Traxxion suspension, you will never know what true motorcycle joy really is. You will feather your tires farther than you ever thought possible. Expensive? Yes. But much cheaper than a new bike, and yet better than new ride and handling. Far, far better.



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[drseth]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
when it's above 40 degrees I commute 30 miles each way on a Vstar 650. I'd like to try some 600-1400 mile trips but I don't find the Vstar comfortable for more than a few hours, and the vibration above 60 drives me crazy. I know there are a TON of good choices out there - my list changes daily and has included FJR1300, a Dyna, Versys 1000; a friend recommended a Honda F6B. (a variation of a Gold Wing). has anyone ridden a Gold Wing? they just seem so BIG !!!


I haven't ridden a Good Wing, but do have a Honda Pan EuropeanST1100, as well as a Honda Pacific Coast PC800. They are both Sport Touring bikes, the Pan European a V4 shaft drive that is very comfortable for long rides. It was designed by Honda of Germany to compete with the BMWs. I added Rostra Electronic cruise control. With over 7 gallon tank, I can go 300 miles between fillips.

The Pacific Coast is a Very Twin water cooled shaft drive. The unique thing about the bike is it's trunk, the rear hinges at the seat, with ample storage underneath. Low center of gravity, my 5 ft 5in daughter rides it when she visits. Also has Rostra Cruise control for highway riding.