Goldwing v. FJR

[Windjammer]

As previously stated by 'Slinger, my SO looks at the FJR with a good amount of trepidation, whereas she was on the Wing before I had my jacket on... Needless to say, in 18 months of Feej ownership, she's yet to ride pillion...

Huh. Yer ol' lady must be kinda picky. Mine's more'n happy to ride pillion on the FJR, considering her other choice is a Norton. But damn if she won't ride on the back of both. Gets pissed if I leave without her (but gets over it). She's like a dog with it's head out the car window, but better lookin'!!

Speaking of dogs. I was in MN at the BIR races some years back, and met a guy on a V-Max whilst rinsin' off them 3 lb skeeters at the car wash. Mr. V-max was there - with his dog - sheepskin on the tank for the dog - and he rode there from Texas with the dog! World's luckiest dog!

The dog jumped right up on the tank when he fired up to leave - and didn't even complain about the ergos.

 

[rcan08]

i've ridden my wing on quite few 1000 mile+ days. and its a great LD bike. just did a 100ccc to the iba ride in dinner in Jax last month 4 1000+ plus days, the wing was most comfortable. but i wanted a smaller solo LD bike and ordered a 06 fjr. am sure it will compliment the wing. if i could only have one bike it would be the wing.

randy

 

[evil_henchman]

Would you eat a backcountry freeze dried meal on the side of the road in the middle of the desert to save time for more riding, or ride to the nearest town for a sit-down serve-it-to-me meal that you can savor for an hour or more. If you like both, own both bikes.

What a great analogy. Well said! :bubba:

 

[Pappy]

Wing Riders are Supersize?!?

.

.

.

nahhhh...

 

[Mogan]

Well, here are some newer thoughts...

--It's really not about the FJR v. Goldwing for me. I also have a BMW K1200S that's cherry and fun to ride. If tricked it out a bit and am done with farkling. An awesome machine (Akrapovic ti exhaust, race intake, risers, CF body parts, radar, HID low beam, shared GPS)

--I'd ideally keep both and get the goldwing, but I think the wife would shit on me and the supreme council of FJRland already has me up on charges for not riding the FJR enough

--If I have to limit the stable to two... which two?

 

[Mark G]

Well, here are some newer thoughts...
--It's really not about the FJR v. Goldwing for me. I also have a BMW K1200S that's cherry and fun to ride. If tricked it out a bit and am done with farkling. An awesome machine (Akrapovic ti exhaust, race intake, risers, CF body parts, radar, HID low beam, shared GPS)

--I'd ideally keep both and get the goldwing, but I think the wife would shit on me and the supreme council of FJRland already has me up on charges for not riding the FJR enough

--If I have to limit the stable to two... which two?

Jeez, Mogan, the two you like the most!! :lol:

If you're not familiar with the Wing, you can rent one lots of places, make for a nice long weekend, a lot cheaper than buying one and wishing you hadn't.

 

[Mike-H]

Everyone keeps talking about the SO not enjoying the FJR....or can't take enough with them, or not comfortable enough....ever occur to you guys, maybe....just maybe they are too spoiled. :blink: ...there are lots of 2up FJR riders out their who's SO's have no problems whatsoever....if the SO is not willing to ride, or learn to ride their own bike....teach them to pack lite....get a 2up distance saddle....& if they still complain....grow a pair .... & tell them it's better than walking....or not going at all.... :evil: ....gees....talk about whipped.... :angry2:

 

[FastJoyRide]

Everyone keeps talking about the SO not enjoying the FJR....or can't take enough with them, or not comfortable enough....ever occur to you guys, maybe....just maybe they are too spoiled. :blink: ...there are lots of 2up FJR riders out their who's SO's have no problems whatsoever....if the SO is not willing to ride, or learn to ride their own bike....teach them to pack lite....get a 2up distance saddle....& if they still complain....grow a pair .... & tell them it's better than walking....or not going at all.... :evil: ....gees....talk about whipped.... :angry2:

+1 on too spoiled!

Sylvia and I rode the 3 Flags Classic from here to Mexicali and back (the hard way) in 2004 on my then new FJR. Sheepskin was very helpful, but we rode 7,000 miles in less than 2 weeks. And we'll be racking up a bunch more miles to WFO in Reno and back.

I think the FJR's an excellent 2-up machine, but my choice in roads leans to the twistier the better. If I spent a lot of time slabbing, and I liked stereos etc on my bike, the Wing would be the thing!

 

[tsitalon1]

Man I know I'm gonna get flamed for this

The GW is probably the best touring bike you can find. It is rock solid, tracks straight as an arrow with hands off bars and is probably has the best ergonomics. I have the chance to drive a gl1800 anytime I want because my father owns one.

I will say that "I" believe the turn-in on the goldwing is better than the fjr. Why? because of the horizontally opposed motor being so low in the frame creates a low center of gravity. Our bike is relatively top heavy. Even the st1300 uses a v-4. It takes less effort on the end of the bar to get the GW to lean than it does on the Fjr.

Now I MUCH prefer my Fjr over my fathers GW for 99% of the driving that I do. I mainly commute daily to work and back with the fjr and take the occassional 500-900 mile trip. I still have a stock seat and taller "ahamay" windscreen so my ass / tailbone / back hurts by the end of a 500 mile day, but I don't take enough of those trips right now to warrant a GW.

If money wasn't an issue I would have 3 bikes.

r1

gw

fjr

James

 

[jimbemotumbo]

Yup, I considered the wing and went with the FJR, specifically to replace my HD and Guzzi for commuting, fun, and LD events. Needed a Do-It-ALL bike. Wife looooved the wing. Too bland for me. Sorry. Great bike, just didn't fall in love with it. Sat on the 06 FJR at the dealer and fell for it. Wife said the seat was not as good as the wing, but better than everything else. Close enough for me!

I couldn't be happier, but also wouldn't mind renting a wing if I ever convince the lady to do a BBG or a long summer mc vacation.

 

[twowheelnut]

Man I know I'm gonna get flamed for this
The GW is probably the best touring bike you can find. It is rock solid, tracks straight as an arrow with hands off bars and is probably has the best ergonomics. I have the chance to drive a gl1800 anytime I want because my father owns one.

I will say that "I" believe the turn-in on the goldwing is better than the fjr. Why? because of the horizontally opposed motor being so low in the frame creates a low center of gravity. Our bike is relatively top heavy. Even the st1300 uses a v-4. It takes less effort on the end of the bar to get the GW to lean than it does on the Fjr.

Now I MUCH prefer my Fjr over my fathers GW for 99% of the driving that I do. I mainly commute daily to work and back with the fjr and take the occassional 500-900 mile trip. I still have a stock seat and taller "ahamay" windscreen so my ass / tailbone / back hurts by the end of a 500 mile day, but I don't take enough of those trips right now to warrant a GW.

If money wasn't an issue I would have 3 bikes.

r1

gw

fjr

James

No flames from me. Enjoyed my GL1800 for 20,000 miles and so did the SO. She hasn't been pillion since I sold it because I think she's scared of the FJR. I'm hoping guarald's rack with back rest will cure that.

My stable would include a VFR, a dual sport of some sort, and a GL for me and he Mrs. in addition to the FJR.

 

[Bounce]

I will say that "I" believe the turn-in on the goldwing is better than the fjr. Why? because of the horizontally opposed motor being so low in the frame creates a low center of gravity. Our bike is relatively top heavy. Even the st1300 uses a v-4. It takes less effort on the end of the bar to get the GW to lean than it does on the Fjr.

We'll have to agree to disagree. After 10 years owning 3 different models of Wings and have having ridden a GL1800, the only time the FJR was slower to turn in (for me) was when I was putting my weight on the bars instead of holding myself up off of them (with my legs and back) and letting them do their job.

 

[radman]

I wouldn't mind a Wing at all, will probably have one some day if all goes according to plan. I mean, theres room for my IV stand, a Walker bracket, my nurse, the alt has enough oomph for the EKG, it would be a natural.

 

[Geezer]

I find myself looking more in the opposite direction. The next addition to my garage is going to be a sportie of some sort, probably a liter bike. I think of the FJR as my comfy touring bike. Just need to figure out where to mount the cup holder. I rarely ride with a pillion so that explains a good part of my preference.

 

[Ari Rankum]

If you're seriously considering a 'Wing, you should at least look at Mazda Miatas.

They turn better, are lighter, are cheaper, provide a better Strat-o-lounger experience, and feel more like a motorcycle than a 'Wing.

 

[Mike-H]

If you're seriously considering a 'Wing, you should at least look at Mazda Miatas.
They turn better, are lighter, are cheaper, provide a better Strat-o-lounger experience, and feel more like a motorcycle than a 'Wing.

& if you supercharge & inter-cool it....add a big brake kit, tighten up the frame, bigger sway bars, rims, lower the suspension....you can out run them in the twisties....while listening to a way more powerful stereo.... ( don't ask me how I know)....