Bought a new Wing...

[TahoeBound]

Bought a new Wing (ABS, Nav, Heated stuff) a couple months ago. This was to supercede my '04 FJR (still had, but in the Cycle Trader). Goal was a "family" decision - safer (ABS, slower, less performance, makes be behave) & supremely comfortable for wife & kids, even though they probably ride with me less than 10%.

Well, goals accomplished. Unfortunately, 1,000 miles into Wing ownership, I find I MUCH prefer riding the FJR! Don't get me wrong, the Wing is a sweet ride - far better than a 900lb motorcycle should be & the perfect two-up bike. But its not getting it - I walk in the garage & ssschwing when I see the FJR and almost no emotional reaction to the Wing! Weird too, but after having the electronic windshield on the FJR, I'm not sure I can ever have another bike without it. And the Wing don't. And don't get me going on the Wing's front end & Nav system!

I'll give the Wing another month or two (maybe), but it's highly likely the Wing and FJR will be sold before summer to make room for a brand new '07 or '08 FJR. With the now standard ABS & key accessories added, I think I can reasonably accomplish the original goals.

In the end I guess this is a tribute & testament to the overall goodness of the FJR. 4.5 years and 45K of ownership & its still the bike for me.

 

[Fairlaner]

Bought a new Wing (ABS, Nav, Heated stuff) a couple months ago. This was to supercede my '04 FJR (still had, but in the Cycle Trader). Goal was a "family" decision - safer (ABS, slower, less performance, makes be behave) & supremely comfortable for wife & kids, even though they probably ride with me less than 10%.
Well, goals accomplished. Unfortunately, 1,000 miles into Wing ownership, I find I MUCH prefer riding the FJR! Don't get me wrong, the Wing is a sweet ride - far better than a 900lb motorcycle should be & the perfect two-up bike. But its not getting it - I walk in the garage & ssschwing when I see the FJR and almost no emotional reaction to the Wing! Weird too, but after having the electronic windshield on the FJR, I'm not sure I can ever have another bike without it. And the Wing don't. And don't get me going on the Wing's front end & Nav system!

I'll give the Wing another month or two (maybe), but it's highly likely the Wing and FJR will be sold before summer to make room for a brand new '07 or '08 FJR. With the now standard ABS & key accessories added, I think I can reasonably accomplish the original goals.

In the end I guess this is a tribute & testament to the overall goodness of the FJR. 4.5 years and 45K of ownership & its still the bike for me.

Let me know when you are ready to sell the wing as i hope to looking for one soon ( will be keeping the FJR though )

And let me get you going on the front end and Nav, what up with them?

R

 

[Cdogman]

Windsa god bike. Had one when I got my Feej.. Sold the wing.. They are very nice machines but COMPLETELY different machines than the FJR.... They are not so "Slow" and for a 900lb bike they do get the job done.... But it is not an FJR.... Different planets all together

 

[TahoeBound]

R,

I guess my biggest complaint was I absolutely wanted ABS. From previous research I knew there were complaints about the Nav. I was mad I was forced to pay an extra $1K+ for the Nav because of the way Honda "bundles" the Wing. To get ABS you have to also buy Nav, heated seats, grips, foot vents (which I like) and premium audio (which I like). Nav-wise I'd prefer a Zumo. Planning routes are a real pain, until you get all your "favorites" entered.

Front-end wise it lacks the precision of the FJR (expected I guess) and feels "loose" on freeway rain grooves. Some say "no problem," some say "replace the tire," some say "buy the $2600 Traxxion set-up." That sent me over the edge - I spent enough as is, I sure wasn't about to spend another $2600! I may go as far as a new front tire, not sure yet.

Check out:

https://www.gl1800riders.com/forums/index.php

 

[daddysbike]

Rule 1: If you like to ride "spirited backroads alone" the 1800 Goldwing can't be your only bike.

If you can manange both the Goldwing and FJR, you have your bases covered.

I had a 03 then a 05 Goldwing, put 25,000 miles on both. Also had a ST1300, CBR,VFR and a few more in between before settling on just the '07 FJR farkled out.

Like all bikes the Goldwing suffers from really bad stock suspension (only one front fork has a spring in it!) About $2000 will fix handling issues. I spent $1000 on the FJR (Eibach front spring and Penske rear shock).

NOTHING beats a Goldwing for enjoyable,long distance interstate travel. It actually makes riding interstate enjoyable! Cruise control, very comfortable ergos (Utopia backrest), great air/wind flow (quiet), add the luggage rack/bag and you can carry a ton of stuff.

In short I'm planning to get another 1800 Goldwing. Mostly to ride with wife/kids (weekends to Blue Ridge Parkway). But Also I've determined that I like to ride in warm/hot weather(summer) on the FJR in the GA/NC/TN mtns on day/weekend rides solo.

When it starts to get cold I'd like a wing for added weather protection and take longer trips (Key West?) (Outer Banks) and just travel the long ride on a great long distance mount.

I know the wing and what its best at (for me). It could not be my only bike, but there is nothing like it for traveling/2up.

Also the wing is a great bike for riding/traveling the flatter/straighter/less entertaining roads that I avoid on the FJR and sportier mounts.

FJR=twisty/solo riding backroad sport tourer

Goldwing= solo/2up (colder weather) interstate/flatter/less exciting road traveler.

These 2 bikes make all roads and all seasons fun to ride!

Think twice before getting rid of it. Of all the bikes I've gotten rid of, the wing is the one I wish I still had (and will be buying again).

Steve

 

[OhioFJR1300]

I have an 03 wing and a 06 FJR. I love them both. The wife loves the wing, and will not get on the FJR. So we ride 2 up on the wing and the FJR is "my" bike. If I had to part with one of them, it would be a tough choice. I say, keep the FJR and the wing.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Like all bikes the Goldwing suffers from really bad stock suspension (only one front fork has a spring in it!) About $2000 will fix handling issues. I spent $1000 on the FJR (Eibach front spring and Penske rear shock).

Good writeup but I can assure you that both of the Goldwing front forks have springs in them, the problem is that they are very soft springs. I think you meant to say that only the right fork has a cartridge and it has to all the damping. Honda used the same system on the ST1100 and ST1300 and it works pretty good on those bikes but it is a dud on a bike as heavy as the Goldwing. I put Traxxion fork springs and Traxxion's rebuilt rear shock on my Goldwing which made a huge improvement in both ride and handling -- but I still do not think the ride is as good as the FJR's. However, the Goldwing is a great bike for extended freeway riding and riding double.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

If the Wing can make Interstate travel enjoyable that's really saying something in my book, since I even avoid them in my car whenever possible! Just plain don't like the slab!

 

[jim oneill]

Totally irrelevant post! They,re 2 entirely different bikes, not even close! I have an 03 Valkyrie and an 08 Fjr and love them both for entirely DIFFERENT reasons. The Wing is a GREAT bike and so is the FJR

 

[Toecutter]

...it's highly likely the Wing and FJR will be sold before summer to make room for a brand new '07 or '08 FJR.

"I think that would be best"- Eddie Murphy, playing the fruit at the diner's club in Beverly Hills Cop

 

[JRO]

I like Goldwings, I am really getting fed-up with all the bikes out there that need thousands spent on them to make them rideable. What's with the people who build these things, today? I remember the days when 'acessories and upgrades' to a motorcycle meant buying a bungee cord and installing a hotter plug.

2-grand for a functional suspension on a $20,000 bike? Ridiculous.

 

[Bobcattoo]

Just agreeing with the OP. Put more miles on the OldWing but my heart gets a workout just backing the FJR outta the garage. Can't agree that stock suspensions are non-functional. No matter the performance level from the Factory, someone's gonna have an upgrade. Most Bikers don't have the skills to match the equipment performance as it is.

 

[mike25]

Most Bikers don't have the skills to match the equipment performance as it is.

Ya, safety and comfort takes alot of skill.

 

[k7lvo]

I like Goldwings, I am really getting fed-up with all the bikes out there that need thousands spent on them to make them rideable. What's with the people who build these things, today? I remember the days when 'acessories and upgrades' to a motorcycle meant buying a bungee cord and installing a hotter plug.
2-grand for a functional suspension on a $20,000 bike? Ridiculous.

+1. Next thing you know, they'll start a clothing line dedicated to their brand and turn their dealerships into boutiques...

 

[Bounce]

10 years of wing ownership (3 versions) and i agree with the OP. i lost my "luv" for it and have WAY more fun on the FJR.

 

[Good2Go]

I have an '07 Wing and an '08 FJR. I don't think one can replace the other entirely, they just serve very different purposes. They really compliment each other well, IMO. Keep 'em both if you can.

 

[TahoeBound]

...They really compliment each other well, IMO. Keep 'em both if you can.

Agreed. The Wing is a great bike - the perfect "2nd" bike IMO. However, I just want one street bike in the garage.

 

[painman]

I have to agree with some of the others. One bike for cruising and one for carving and cuttin it up if you can do it. PM. <><

 

[daddysbike]

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