How do you use your bike and what do you like better about the wing? I like the Wings and I was just curous...
I use them both for similar reasons. I like to take a couple of big trips a year. I will be doing about 10k on the Wing in about two weeks. A USA4Corners ride on the Wing.
First off, I bought the Wing on a whim. I went to the International Motorcycle Show and sat on one. Even though I've owned and ridden motorcycles since 1965, never even touched a Wing. Although the quarters were a bit cramped, I was pretty impressed by the layout and all the doodads. So the seed was planted and started to grow in my head. After about 6 months I started shopping around and purchased the ABS model near my home (5 miles) for internet price, thus saving me a long ride home from the dealer. Prior to signing on the dotted line and sticking the key in, I had never been on one, save my short experience at the motorcycle show. On the way home I was thinking "What have I done?"
But then I had the same experience with the FJR. I had been riding a Yamaha Royal Star for 4 years when the FJR caught my eye. Although 'unobtainium', I read all the reviews about the new ST wonder in Europe and when Yamaha made the big announcement about selling them in the U.S. I ponied up the 500 bucks and waited. I got USA FJR number 376 and have gotten many miles of smiles.
What do I like better about the Wing? They are similar and different in so many ways.
Both have very good suspension.
Both need suspension upgrades.
Both have great lighting. No extra needed, unless you are an LDR (long distance - round the clock - rider) I tend to pack
it in before dark, because I camp a lot and don't like spotlighting forest rats.
Both handle dragging trailers quite well. I give a big nod to the Wing, especially with the giant torque in that huge engine. Although the FJR pulled my trailers well, it was more suited to cargo vs. camper trailers. Since I'm on the subject of trailers, I don't just mosey down the bullivard with a trailer. I've made passes over some major twisties, such as Beartooth Pass, the road to Chama NM, roads in and around Ruidoso, Lolo Pass (actually just a nice, smooth sweeper highway), Deal's Gap and associated roads in that area. Although I'm not a kneedraggin pegscraper, I can stay with or ahead of most. Hitches for the FJR were rare. I had the choice of making my own or purchasing from a company in Australia. I chose the later. Hitches for the Wing are everywhere. I chose the Bushtek, because it's very high quality and the electrics are plug and play, just like other farkles for the Wing.
Tires for the Wing last 2-3 times longer.
Integration: radio, mp3, WX, CB (extra and very costly), extra driving lamps, most everything is plug and play.
Both bikes have a fairly long range before fillup.
Both bikes get 40+ mpg (except when draggin trailers).
Both bikes have pretty good ergoes, although it's a toss up for me which is preferable.
The rider can stand on the pegs while underway on both bikes, which aids in the above.
Both bikes are quite hot, but there are ways to improve conditions in each instance. For the Wing, it's Baker Air Wings.
Both run on regular.
How do I use my bike(s)?
I like to run fast and hard, with or without a trailer. I read somewhere 0-60 comparisons and was surprised to see these:
03 FJR 2.88 seconds
GL1800 3.88 seconds
FJR AE 4.88 seconds
IIRC, I saw these numbers courtesy of MCN.
I am an original old timer FJR owner who is quite happy with my 'old' FJR. Hey, there's people out there who are still holding on to their FJs and wouldn't part with them for anything. But I am a newbie to the world of Goldwings and am quite happy with the Wing also. I have discovered that there are many Wing owners who also have FJRs, so they must make a pretty good combination
