Goldwing v. FJR

[Mogan]

Anyone consider a Goldwing rather than an FJR for long distance riding?

 

[Rogue]

Well there were about 9 GL1800 finishers in last years Iron Butt ralley!

 

[thegunslinger]

Just added an 06 Wing to the stable for a two-up machine. The little woman doesn't like riding on the Feejer. (which suits me) B)

 

[vectervp1]

I'm probably not the best example of this, but nope I never considered it. When I bought my FJR I really wasnt into LD riding. I wanted a bike I could take on 'long' 500 mile weekends. I met a few LD riders and started doing some LD rides on my CBR 954RR including a BBG and then my FJR arrived. I never really thought of myself as getting into this type of riding until after I got the bike.

Now after owning the FJR I dont think I could see myself on such a large bike. I may consider a more 'touring' and less 'sport' sport-touring bike later in life, but I dont see myself on a wing any time soon.

 

[twowheelnut]

My FJR replaced my GL1800 and VFR. I'd say you gotta think about the riding you wanna do. The GW is the supreme touring machine, but it also doesn't mind the twisties at an elevated level of hustle, either. It is, however, a big honkin' machine.

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...

 

[Randy]

Have thought about it for long hauls with the Mrs., but, only if I could be in a position to not have a wing as my only bike. I'm only 39 fercrisssakes.

 

[Bounce]

I moved to the FJR after 3 Wings and 10 years on them (83 GL1100a, 84 GL1200a, 98se). The FJR provides the level of western-us motivation without the thirsty nature of the Wing. I can go as far on the stock fuel capacity of my '03 FJR as I could on the 98se with 11+ gallons of gas (aux fuel). And often I can get farther on the FJR than I could rely on with the Wings. They are thirsty suckas because they are pusing a lot of air out of the way with those barn door fairings.

Oh... and a 650 lb bike ain't **** after throwing a nearly 900 pound bike around for years.

 

[Mark G]

Hi, I'm the new guy on this forum. I've got a GL1800 which is used 2-up 99% of the time. I really like the bike for 2-up, but it's a handful around town. It really does handle a lot better than most people think, but I'm not implying it's a sport bike.

I'm waiting on the FJR because I want a lighter bike that's useful for the sort of touring we do...a long haul from central Texas to the Ozarks, for instance, then several days of riding in the mountains.

600 miles on the Wing in a day is a long day, but not exhausting.

My limit on my former (WHY did I sell it? :blink: ) VFR was about 450 miles in a day. I'm hoping the FJR is the happy medium between those two bikes.

Lotta folks knock the Wing because it's so...portly looking, and because so many owners are so...portly looking, but I personally think it's a fine bike, and fun to ride.

Not as fun as my VFR was, nor my racebike is, but it fills its niche very nicely.

 

[Mogan]

I'm toying with the idea of selling the FJR and using the wing for long distance trips while keeping a sportbike for shorter junkets and speed moods. Am I crazy?

 

[twowheelnut]

Hi, I'm the new guy on this forum. I've got a GL1800 which is used 2-up 99% of the time. I really like the bike for 2-up, but it's a handful around town. It really does handle a lot better than most people think, but I'm not implying it's a sport bike.
I'm waiting on the FJR because I want a lighter bike that's useful for the sort of touring we do...a long haul from central Texas to the Ozarks, for instance, then several days of riding in the mountains.

600 miles on the Wing in a day is a long day, but not exhausting.

My limit on my former (WHY did I sell it? :blink: ) VFR was about 450 miles in a day. I'm hoping the FJR is the happy medium between those two bikes.

Lotta folks knock the Wing because it's so...portly looking, and because so many owners are so...portly looking, but I personally think it's a fine bike, and fun to ride.

Not as fun as my VFR was, nor my racebike is, but it fills its niche very nicely.

Hmmm, I could do no more than 500 miles/day on the Wing. Oh, I did 6 -700 several times, but I paid dearly for it the next day...

The VFR ('99), on the other hand, was an all day machine for me. I never wanted off the frickin' thing!

But, to this day, I rue the day I sold the VFR. Dumb, dumb, dumb...

 

[Scab]

I currently have both. If I am taking the wife and a crap-load of stuff long distance, the Wing is the thing. Solo and crap load of stuff, the FJR.

 

[BlueWing]

I currently have both.  If I am taking the wife and a crap-load of stuff long distance, the Wing is the thing.  Solo and crap load of stuff, the FJR.

x1

 

[user 357]

The FJR is just fine for me for long hauls.......

Of course 500 miles is a long haul for me.......

I dont need a wing to go down the superslab..... <_<

The FJR does just fine....... :blink:

 

[rickcorwn]

Oops, wrong topic.

Carry on.

 

[Mogan]

Well, I took the FJR out today now that I have all of my upgrades and farkles working properly and all I can say is, _ _ _ K the Gold Wing! This baby handles so beautifully...

 

[wheatonFJR]

In other words, never mind :lol: ...

 

[Shane Stump]

The GL1800 is an EXCELLENT bike!

I am adding an FJR1300AE to it hopefully next month (according to the dealer)!

I want a smaller bike for when I don't want a 900 pound bike. But having said that, the GL1800 is a great bike at any distance. While I have never tried to do an Ironbutt, I have written 900+ miles several times going out to West Texas to meet friends for some BBQ!

Best Regards,

Shane

 

[worldbound4now]

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.

My personal feeling, a goldwing shouldn't be your sole bike. It should be an addition to your garage with the sportier bike for your alter ego.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I've ridden both the Wing and my FJR.

The Wing surprised me with how well it handled for such a big bike.

But after getting my FJR, the only time I would get a Wing is IF my wife wants to ride on long trips on a regular basis AND I get to keep the FJR.

BTW, 670 miles on Saturday for a day trip into Missouri.

Stock seat and no throttle lock...perfectly good long distance machine...and SPORTY too B) .

Okay, I cheated...I added the sheepskin seatpad at the 480 mile mark.