Honda Goldwing Peeping

[rushes]

Let me add to be clear.

I had no problem with the handling or performance. It feels good when moving.

I really like it!

Again, it was a too tight seating position for me.

Kinda like when I would go to a parent teacher conference at my kids school and would try to sit in their chair.

 

[JamesW]

Had progressives on my 2006 front end, not traxxion I am sure, but a nice compromise. Rode it spiritedly a bit and using the gearbox and torque I could roll out of curves/twisties right on other folks tails. Could not equal my FJR, but not much else does either. Tires help, I ran Cobras all the time. 921lbs and with momma not riding since the grandkids began arriving, sore right hip, torn right rotator cuff, wing is gone, am really enjoying my 2014 502lb V-Strom dl1000, excellent torque curve. The right gear and rpm and I can roll right along at lower to middle speeds with my friends ninja 1000 sport tourer, not racing, just navigating stuff.

 

[FJRay]

It really takes a special rider to make a GoldWing stay with an FJR in the curves. At the end of the day I can assure you the guy on the 'Wing is going to be worn out from the work.

Again, take a spin with Bugnatr... he is effortless riding that beast and doesn't seem to be phased by it at all... there are a bunch of LD folks that ride them as well and they do mighty fine in twisties or anywhere else...

AND !!! He does it with a car tire on the back. Wings do really well with a car tire.

 

[RaYzerman19]

I had a Goldthing once too.... For you KJ, stay away. With an FJR and K16, this is going to be even more of a pig than the K16. Why won't the K16 be the touring bike I would ask........ I say save the dough, and do not rent one.

That said, the GL can be turned into a very capable sport tourer by spending money. First on that mush of a suspension (Traxxion being the best and most expensive route), because it needs better springs and some ground clearance so you don't drag the hard parts. Second, tires.... on that bike, I thought Avon Cobras were the best (hint, put a taller 70 series Valkyrie size tire on the back for ground clearance and improvement to the handling, speedo error fix, etc.). Or, of course, the car tire does great on that bike.

Third, you are going to need better ergos, i.e., a taller seat, handlebar risers. You'll not like it stock because of your height.

But, no matter how you fix it up, it's still a 900 pounder. I did my best back in the day to keep up with ST groups, and while you can do it, it's a bit of work at the end of the day. The GL was meant for covering lots of ground while having very reasonable amounts of fun in the twisties.... but I don't think it's for you. The K16 will be much better IMHO. Save yer money.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I agree with Ray...the beemer is better than bugnatr's flying hideabed.

 

[FredandJeannesRacer]

Have you looked at the lighter versions of a GW,

such as the Valkyrie or the F6B?

 

[Bugnatr]

KJ my best friend from New York. Let's talk buddy, do as I did -go rent one for at least 2 days and 2 times. Once with the lovely Debbie and another time if need be by yourself. We'll get to handling in a second. My Wing is the first bike I have owned that I can flat foot so for me at 5'7" on a good day that is a nice thing.You are a bit taller than I am which may or may not be a problem, riding one all day will determine that.

Handling, the secret of the wing is the motor just like the bmw boxer. Those low center of gravity opposed motors are in another world as to upright 4's and even your 6. One of the best cornering bikes I have ridden is my bud's GS1150, makes hauling arse in the twistys a breeze-damit! So even with a car tire hippo does quite well in the sweepers but the tighter the road the less I can do-she does weigh 909 lbs.

I went to the Hippo for 2 big reasons. Pillion comfort, my wife is a very happy camper back there but even more so for me is the quiet I get behind the barn door front end. My hearing has taken a beating form helmet wind noise and the Wing makes 650 mile days a piece of cake. I did have to get used to running the motor like a car. Most of your work is done between 2-4 k rpm but she has a ton of torque and shifting isn't needed much, just roll on the throttle and go.

The radio and other electronics just suck, very old school but the cruise control is the bees knees. I say keep the Beemer and buy a used Wing if you feel like it's better for two up. Deb will let you know after a ride.

Hey...I have even a better idea. Fly out here and lets ride. We can switch back and forth between the Hippo and my KTM 990, after being on the Wing the Katoom feels like a high powered mini bike.

PS. We Wing riders hang out at the DQ bar. Nothing like a Blizzard on a hot day

Sending you my cell #.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I got nothing other than I'm enjoying the different points-of-view from all y'all...and I have more space in the garage!

Keep'em coming!

--G

 

[RossKean]

KJ

I rode my friend's Wing for a couple of hours a couple of years ago on some curvy roads in Tennessee. Plus a few other shorter rides.

The Good - Wind/weather protection, excellent low-end torque, very quiet, pretty good bells and whistles. It is probably almost as mechanically reliable as the FJR. Reverse gear means there is less need to plan your parking. Wouldn't want to back that thing up a 5° slope in a gravelly parking lot without some powered assist.

The Bad - Wallowed a bit in twisties (stock suspension that could be improved), significantly less top end compared to the FJR (but more than adequate for most missions). A little more work to muscle it around turns but not too bad.

The Ugly - I didn't fit! At 6'3" and 220+, I was just too cramped! There is no way I could ride one all the time unless there are some ergonomic changes that could be made to help the knees and hips.

It handles surprisingly well for a big girl and would have been even better with the upgraded suspension. As it has been mentioned, there is not much need to do a lot of shifting - smooth torque throughout the range. Personally, the riding experience was lacking a bit - felt a little like driving a 2-wheeled Civic on steroids. I had considered the Goldwing at one point but since I was never able to convince my wife to ride, I voted for the FJR instead. No regrets.

To be honest, I think you would be disappointed after the big Beemer. Pillion comfort might be a bit better but rider comfort would take a hit. I certainly can't see it as your main bike for every day riding but I can't see the point of keeping both the GW and the Beemer. (Maybe the GW plus an FJR, if the pillion's comfort trumps yours for trips taken together.)

The 'Wing is in serious need of a makeover. The platform hasn't changed significantly since the 1800 came out - almost 15 years ago. Changes made along the way have been mostly cosmetic.

By the way, my friend who owned the GW traded it after a couple of years (for a Harley Ultra!) because he could never get comfortable on it - chronic issues with hips. (He is about my height but 50 lb heavier and in his mid-sixties) While he misses the refinement and performance of the Honda, he is back to being able to ride longer days. His wife did not appreciate the switch to the HD.

 

[beemerdons]

I agree with Ray...the beemer is better than bugnatr's flying hideabed.

 

[Bugnatr]

I agree with Ray...the beemer is better than bugnatr's flying hideabed.

I almost sphewed my coffee Don.

 

[Klubis]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="beemerdons" data-cid="1270413" data-time="1447367721"><p>

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Klubis" data-cid="1270378" data-time="1447355625"><p>What was the part about the G/F <span style='font-size: 18px;'>coming</span> on every trip?</p></blockquote>

<br />

Great Minds Do Think Alike Klubis, My Brother you were one step ahead of Papa Chuy ese! JSNS, Hubba eh!</p></blockquote>

I think we were definitely on the same page on that! We should link it to the seat cleaning thread, or was that on another forum?

 

[FJRfarrier]

PS. We Wing riders hang out at the DQ bar. Nothing like a Blizzard on a hot day

Both of my parents ride Wings. They each have '87s.... so yes, it's not the modern models that you are looking at. But I grew up on those Wings. My grandparents all ride Wings. Heck, I grew up riding from one ice cream joint to the next. I couldn't believe that people would ride motorcycles and NOT stop for ice cream!!
And I can attest to this much- that back seat is comfy. There were times when I used to fall asleep before we would get out of town.

I know it's not much advice.... I guess it's more of a memory flash for me. Whoops.

But if you want to cater to your pillion... then it's pretty dern nice.

 

[Gramps]

Bottom line...they're heavy...all the time.