Bought a new Wing...

[Wicked Webby]

TahoeBound,

Life's too short to wait. Get what you want and chalk it up as a learning experience.

WW

 

[krashdragon]

Keep in mind about suspension. Manufacturers save $$ here with low budget (softly sprung) suspension. They build great/quality bikes with dependable engines, great brakes & transmissions. 99% of riders don't think about or notice their suspension and those that do will upgrade. I had 2 1800 Goldwings and didn't think much about suspension until I rode a friends with the Traxxion upgrade in the mtns. It felt like the bike lost 200lbs and it changed direction really easy. I decided that it wasn't worth the $$ and that mine handled fine for the way I rode it.Different story with the FJR. I like to ride brisk in the twisties and didn't feel confident with the stock setup. It felt loose and unstable when trying to push it a little in the mtns. I rode it over 10,000 miles like that then rode a friends with stiffer front forks and could not believe how much better it rode. I spent the $100 for the fork springs and decided to go for the $$ Penske rear shock. The first day with the setup I dragged a peg twice in the mtns while riding fairly fast and leaned over further than before. I'm not a squid or Hayden wannabee but really like the feel/handling of the bike.

I just got the word from my wife that she's ready to do some riding and would like another wing. I won't rush the suspension upgrade but at 25,000 miles will likely add front fork springs and rear shock. I think there are options out there that can be done well for $1000, about half the Traxxion cost. Not bad to make a very good bike a great bike.

Also I've mentioned this before but a good friend of mine is a service manager and used to race. He recently bought a ZX10 and the first thing he did was replace the suspension. He said every bike needs it.

Steve

Any chance she'd like to learn to ride?

Sitting in the back is boring, but that's JMHO! <G>

Mary

 

[daddysbike]

Any chance she'd like to learn to ride? Sitting in the back is boring, but that's JMHO! <G>

Mary

Nope. She only likes to ride a couple days a year and that's more than fine with me. I've been riding since I was kid in the dirt, she would only slow me down. Also I like only having her on a bike a few times a year = less risk for her. If she or my kids ever express interest in riding I'll get us some dirt bikes and let them learn there. Then a SV650 or similar road bike.

When I see a woman riding I think its great but my wife has no desire to ride and I'd only worry if she did.

Steve

 

[Ford68xl]

I traded in my 03 Wing for my 07 FJR. There are times when I miss the Wing, but not enough to wish I had it instead of the FJR. My wife misses the Wing more than I do, but I think its just because she hasn't had enough seat time on the FJR. My oldest son enjoys the FJR more even though he used to sleep on the back of the Wing whereas he is not likely to do so on the FJR. I you can only keep one, keep the FJR.