has anyone gone "Gold Wing"?

[Jarlaxle]

Much past 65 or 70. Keeping it to 50-60 on my Burg gets me 60+MPG without even trying. When I did 175 highway miles running 80+ (and into my governor at ~95 at least once), I didn't even manage 50. My wife's Hyo usually tops 70MPG...she got about 55.

And yes, aside from the fuel burn, my Burg is perfectly happy to run those speeds.

 

[alarmguy]

I got to say after thinking about this, man, if you have been thinking about an FJR1300 I would seriously check it out.
Understand, I LOVE my 2014 Road King, has surpassed every expectation and completely and totally trouble free. My wife who rides with me, loves it as well. I kind of always told her, this is it, going to keep this a long time, my ultimate bike and maybe my last ... (at least she laughs at that statement)

... but then ... I got one tiny other thought on my mind after Yamaha updated and refreshed their FJR 1300 for 2016.
I WANT ONE!!!! *LOL* If I could I would have this as a second bike in my garage.
I always have ONE problem with metric bikes and that is they in my opinion, have outdated 5 speed transmissions. It really sucks if you like interstate cruising to different destinations and do true GPS speeds of 75 to 82 MPH with a five speed bike.

WELL, ANYWAY, FREAKING YAMAHA FINALLY PUT A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION IN THE FJR1300 and to me, makes it among the kings of the metric sport tourers.
Completely wet it weighs less then 650LBS, so as I get a little older, that is 100LBS less then my 2014 Road King (and how I may one day justify that to my wife if I decide I want one*L*)
I will try to rent one someday, if that is possible.
(and for that person who THINKS gas mileage tanks at high speeds, he is wrong, it does not IF YOU HAVE THAT SIXTH gear, plus you get an ultra smooth ride, the test on the FJR 1300 proves this point between past 2015 older 5 speed FJR and the new 2016 and up 6 speed FJR)

My 14 Road King cruises silky smooth at ANY speed and the FJR1300 would have to do the same. I can cruise at 80 to 85 MPH, two up, loaded with luggage and never ever break a sweat.
I have to admit, I am already watching the prices of the FJRs 2016 and later. I got a feeling, it may be a few years, but have this feeling I will try one out someday, we will see. Also without question, my wife would have to be comfortable on the back.
(it can also be, just a passing thought, but if I were you, I would give the FJR a good hard look)

 

[02SE]

Just because a bike has 6 gears instead of 5, does not necessarily mean the bike with 6 gears has a taller drive ratio in 6th, than a bike with 5 gears.

In your FJR1300 example, they changed the gear ratios basically for every 'Gear', while also adding the 6th gear. The new bikes' 6th gear ratio, IS however taller than the 5th gear ratio in the older 5-speed transmission equipped FJR's.

A lower engine speed does not always equate to better fuel efficiency. They are many variables in engine design, that determine a given engine BSFC.

Finally, when talking about 'high speed' fuel economy, we must first determine what we mean by "high speed". If we're talking speeds that are legal in some parts of this Country, we're not really talking about high speeds.

 

[Rick505]

So how do folks here feel about the Triumph Trophy SE's?? I'm also looking for a more sport touring bike but not wanting something as big as a full touring bike. Now riding a Suzuki DL-650A (2011) but never feel the need to take it off road for Dual-Sport riding. I'm seeing "new" 2014 (and perhaps 2015) models available with under 100 miles for $10-13000 vs. MSRP of just under $20000.

Rick

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: 02SE
Just because a bike has 6 gears instead of 5, does not necessarily mean the bike with 6 gears has a taller drive ratio in 6th, than a bike with 5 gears.

In your FJR1300 example, they changed the gear ratios basically for every 'Gear', while also adding the 6th gear. The new bikes' 6th gear ratio, IS however taller than the 5th gear ratio in the older 5-speed transmission equipped FJR's.

A lower engine speed does not always equate to better fuel efficiency. They are many variables in engine design, that determine a given engine BSFC.
...



Ummm ... I think its generally acknowledged, again, general, that any vehicle of the same make and model that gets an overdrive gear added, does better with fuel economy, never mind the benefit of a silky smooth, non stressed engine feel reported on the 2016FJR at higher speeds, MEASURED BY GPS of 75 to 85 MPH.

I dont care to get off subject of the FJR, I know there are those out there that will defend a 5 speed and that is fine if it works for you, Im just talking about my experience, why I will not buy a bike without a 6 and that of many who do my type of riding.
A 5 speed transmission is a cost savings to the manufacturer, you wont find many 5 speeds in many high performance vehicles of any type, 2 wheel or 4 wheel. Again, if you dont do true interstate speeds for long distances or if it doesnt matter to you thats great, to others it does.


Here you go, from Cycle Word Magazine ... "One thing is for certain: The six-speed transmission is a godsend! The FJR has never really been buzzy, but shifting into top gear the motor is so smooth, it’s eerie. Cruising at 75 mph, the engine is barely turning 3500 rpm. Yamaha claims the helical gears make for smoother shifting and smoother running, and we’d have to agree."

Click here for the Full Cycle World story

 

[02SE]

You missed my point.

You implied that a bike with a 6-speed transmission, always has a taller top-gear ratio than that of a 5-speed transmission equipped bike. In your post I replied to, you said nothing of an "Overdrive" gear. But just a 6th gear.

I'm simply saying that the number of gears in the transmission, does not determine the ratio of each gear, or the final ratio at the driven wheel, or ratio to the ground when tire circumference is taken into account.

For the record both of my streetbikes have 6-speed transmissions. One is a closer-ratio transmission from the factory than the other. I've also modified the gearing of both. One just in the final drive, the other with changes to the transmission gears themselves, and the final drive. Then there are differences in the ratio to the ground, depending on the tires I run.

 

[alarmguy]

Hmmm .. I don't really disagree with you but the OP is talking, it seems like a more heavy weight cruiser. I would guess in the vast majority of bikes, one with a 6th gear will cruise much nicer at GPS speeds of 75 mph because of a lower gear ratio and I point to my post about the new FJR as an example and all previous bikes I owned with only 5 speeds.
Many bikes with 5 speeds are not designed with such speeds in mind OR cost cutting just makes the 5 speed tolerable at those sustained speeds but its not the ideal.

 

[JetStar]

Never ridden a Gold Wing. Iv'e had a couple of FJR's over the years. I live in the flatlands and have to ride several hours to get to some roads with character. The FJR did that well. It ate up the slabs at a rate that got law enforcement's interest. Once I got to the curves, I'll admit that I was wishing for my FZ1, but it would have been painful to ride that on the interstate for hours. Rode to Winchester, VA from Indiana, then the entire Blue Ridge parkway down to Tennesee to the Dragon, and back to northern Indiana on my last FJR. Great memories! All with a 5-speed and no cruise control. I did have a throttle lock to give my hand a break now and then. Now that I think about it, I kinda miss that bike. I like the styling on the older FJR's better than the new ones.

 

[David_g]

Originally Posted By: JetStar
Once I got to the curves, I'll admit that I was wishing for my FZ1, but it would have been painful to ride that on the interstate for hours.

At first I was surprised by that last part, but I saw your sig and it looks like it's a gen 2 FZ1. Mine's a 1st gen, and it's good for touring: Slab, twisties, and so on. It's also for sale cheap (1st gen FZ1s offer more bang for the buck than just about anything). But I'm starting to reconsider...

 

[AntiMatic]

Had a Honda 750k in late 80s. Recently had a Vulcan 800. Have a VTX 1300 and 1 year ago got a Goldwing. Can only ride the 1300 with Mustang seat for an hour before I have to stop: wife cant stand it any more. We can ride the Wing for much longer: its a 900 lb bike, is really nimble but WIDE. Can hardly reach the highway pegs. I'm 5'10" and i feel cramped, like the seat should be about 2" further back. Knees point outward when feet on the pegs (no floorboards). Its an H6 with loads of power all of the time, will leave any V Twin in the dust, makes the 1300 feel very thin and mini bike like. I bought the WIng because I wanted a stereo and cruise control: excels with these. WIngs are extremely reliable, owners keep them forever, and they are not cheap up front. Did i mention heated seat and heated grips? Heat from engine can be directed toward feet...and I added AIr Wings to deflect air around the passenger. GPS, reverse gear...now only need A/C...Chose the Wing over HD for reliability. Have had Honda cars go 1/2 million miles.

 

[Jehu]

tomcat27,

I like to cover great distances in comfort, economically without carrying tools or worries. After seeing 43 States and all but 2 of the lower Canadian Providences F6B has performed to expectation. I have all gas tickets (except 2) from new and my mpg average is over 40 on regular gas.

Mine is a 2013 with 63,000 miles bought in April of 14. It's also a great commuter bike - for me. The boxer 6 carries it's weight low and the bike just handles great on the superslab, twisties or around town.

This week the low temp on my commute was 23F. I have heated grips, a heated vest, and Aerostich Roadcrafter and I'm ok for about 25 miles at that temp. Beyond that I would need
more feet and hand heat. Above 45F I can ride all day pretty comfortably.

Happy riding to you,

Jehu

 

[ragtoplvr]

The #1 finishing bike in the Iron Butt contest 11k+ miles in 10 days is an FJR. Other popular bikes are gOld wings, Harley's, and BMW

That should tell you something.

Rod

 

[David_g]

Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
The #1 finishing bike in the Iron Butt contest 11k+ miles in 10 days is an FJR. Other popular bikes are gOld wings, Harley's, and BMW

That should tell you something.

Indeed it tells me something. Last I checked FJRs dominate.

My problem understanding it is I don't really have a good idea of the routes they take. I know they get a set of checkpoints, and I think a time range for them (and some bonus destinations/activities/whatever), but I don't know what percentage freeway/sweepers/tight twisty roads, etc. they end up on.

 

[gman2304]

http://www.ironbutt.org/ibrfacts.htm#manufacturers

BMW has won more IBA rides than any other mfg, with 10. Yamaha is second with four.

 

[David_g]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
http://www.ironbutt.org/ibrfacts.htm#manufacturers

BMW has won more IBA rides than any other mfg, with 10. Yamaha is second with four.

Interesting and not surprising. It's more than just winning though. A while back someone posted stats for that year and FJRs were dominating the field.

For bikes where they have more than very few, on your link note that Yamaha has the highest percentage of finishers at 88.1% vs 77.7% for Honda and 75.3% for BMW. At the other end of the spectrum, Ural finishing percentage is 100% for 1 bike, but the Ural IBR ride report I read involved a seized engine and a parking lot teardown, etc. It may have finished, but there was time, money and dirty hands involved. As well as someone writing "IN" in the middle of his "URAL" license plate...

If I were going to attempt any sort long distance ride tomorrow on something from my stable as it sits now, it would be my BMW, and I can understand why the boxer twin has been popular with IB riders.

 

[jackz]

1800 FI gold wing great bike like riding on a sofa. but weighs 970 lbs been riding at age 16 and now 75 yrs young still riding . Once you ride a 1800 you love riding.

 

[dnewton3]

OP -
I have owned/ridden many makes and models over the years. Including various dirk bikes since teenage days, various sport bikes, ST1100s, FJRs, various cruisers, HDs, NightHawk-S, GL1200 Wing, GL1500 Wing, GL1500 Valkyrie Interstate, GL1800 Wing, and my current ride is a Vic XCT. I think I have a fairly broad sense of what's out there.

Before you get an 1800 Wing, you need to really define what you want to do with it, and how long and how often. It is THE premier road going machine. If long trips for multiple days is your goal, this be the bike! And it is, hands down, the best mount for a passenger. My wife is SAD that I got rid of our GL1800 for the Vic, but I wanted something different and she does not ride with me as much as she used to (not sure if that was a cause or effect?).

Anyway, try to find someone who will let you take a day trip on one; borrow it if possible. Yes it is big, but it's handling belies it size. You'd be surprised what those bikes can do in the hands of some skilled riders.

If you do your own work on bikes, be prepared that the Wing is intense in terms of maintenance stuff. The service intervals are fairly broad, but they can be involved. I am not exaggerating when I say an air filter change is 1.5 hours! Valve checks are 2 hours, or more if you have to change shims. Oil changes are easy, but that's where the easy stops. The coolant exchange is a PITB as well. The only upside is that the maintenance does not come around often; shims are checked every 32k miles. Air filter is 12k miles; absurdly to frequent and can EASILY go 24k miles unless you intend to ride your Wing in the next moto-cross race at your local dust bowl. Because of the linked-ABS system, even brake fluid changes are cumberson and nearly a two-person job. If you're the average guy that puts on 3-5k miles a year, it will be a long time between service events. If you ride a lot (15k or more a year) some of those things come around fairly often. And if you pay a dealer to do it, well you better get a second job.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a Wing; I LOVED my Wing, but after 10 years, I wanted to do something different. But I went into the Wing knowing what it is and is not. It's not a race bike, nor a commuter for tight city streets. It's a quasi-sport-touring bike. It's just a bit heavy to be really sport-touring, but it can run with them with the right rider. It is, without a doubt, the best touring machine out there, period. It's great for one or two up, for entire weekends or long full vacation trips. It's not something I'd ride around the neighborhood just to show off.

Side note: as good as the bike is when new, the suspension will fade over the miles, as all bikes do. My ridding buddy had his GL1800 upgraded with the full Traxxion suspension treatment, and it was nothing short of stunning how it transformed that bike into a true, keep up with anyone, sport-touring ride. The Wings are set up like road-sofa's from the factory; it's what pleases most buyers. A soft ride around the block with the MRS on back will sell these bikes for decages to come. Just know the suspension is on the soft side, especially after 25k miles wears on them. But with $3000 of Traxxion suspension upgrades for forks/shock, it is a BMW killer. The motor has all the umph you'll ever need, but the legs are what need updating. It is freakish how good that thing handles after new top quality suspenders are done. My riding buddy has several bikes, including two Ducati's for racing. And he loves his Wing after the upgrades. I've ridden it; it's spooky good for such a large bike. The bikes are not cheap, and neither was the suspension work, but he's now got a killer ride that can haul him across country and hall booty all at the same time.

Just my two cents.

 

[kballowe]

All these posts and not a single picture of a Gold Wing?
.
1st of all, I hate my Gold Wing. And I hated the one before that. And the one before that.
They all belonged to my wife - I'm just the pilot.

OK, maybe not hate. Maybe I would simply like to ride solo. Never had a problem with any of them, and they're comfortable. The newer ones come from the factory with heated grips and heated seats and cruise control and built-in radio and intercom and tire pressure monitoring (TPMS) and some more "stuff". Huge fairing - good for cold weather riding.
.
.

 

[alarmguy]

Nice ...

 

[BrocLuno]

I've ridden for over 50 years. Owned and ridden Brit bikes, German bikes, Japanese bikes, and borrowed Italian bikes (Guzzi). I have owned north of 50 bikes in my life if you count the race bikes ... I currently own a Harley Sportster and a Honda XL-350.

I have ridden three Goldwings, and honestly you could not give me one. For me, they are not that comfortable and I can't really get into cornering them. Can't pick one up if they fall. Need reverse to back out of parking spots. Just not my cup of tea. Much prefer Harley Road King

But that's the point. No one (no one) can tell you what you'll like. You have to ride them to know. Once you find what works for you - cool, buy one. Until you do, don't spend a dime except to rent and try