Never thought I'd be so unimpressed...

[RadioHowie]

My place of business (radio station) is in an ongoing promotion with a local motorsports supercenter (read: Multi-brand dealership)

We're giving away a Honda 250 Recon ATV and a Kawasaki STX PWC this Saturday. Come on by and register! YOU COULD BE A WINNER! :yahoo:

As a side effect of this promotion, we've been spending the past several weekends at the dealership doing live broadcasts, "Stunt War" shows, door prize drawings, etc. The ususal radio "Dog and Pony" ********.

This past Saturday, I needed a specialized battery for one of my broadcast devices and needed to head back to radio ranch for a replacement. Couldn't use the station van, 'cause it was tied up with the on-site festivities, so I finagled a demo ride on a new GL1800. The sales manager knew me and tossed me the keys.

The demo was a 2009 "Audio Comfort Navi XM" model...$23,000 -- super discounted to $15,000! :blink: :blink:

Man, are they EVER tryin' to move these things! Who'da thunk they had an 8-grand markup on em?

Anyway, took it for a spin. First impressions? WAY too much crap on a motorcycle. Now, I'm no minimalist by any means, but this thing had more distractions on it than Jessica Alba. I can't imagine how unsafe it is to fart around with all the toys this thing has on it. Sure, I know, "make your adjustments before you put it in gear." But in reality, how can someone justify ALL THESE TOYS??? And you KNOW folks are messing with stuff while underway.

Now, I don't wanna piss off any Wing riders, but Keerist! What a barge! How can a 32 foot long, 73 hundred pound motorcycle be so cramped! The bars were in my face, my 35" inseam knees were constantly bangin on **** on the engineering deck and there is no moving your *** around to shift positions. Makes me rethink future purchase plans for a Russell "butt pocket".

I know going from a 600+ pound ST to an 800+ pound landyacht doesn't make for very many "fair" comparisons, but despite all the videos I've seen of riders hustling one of these brontosauri through the twisties, I can't imagine being anything but exhausted manhandling one through traffic as a daily driver.

Top quality construction? No question. Unbeaten fit and finish? Buy one today for $15,000. Well known pedigree, dealer network, high-mileage capabilities and more, MUCH more, make me understand how the Wing remains the top in its field.

But for me? I guess I still have a few more layers of hooligan to wear off before I'm ready to retire to the Barcalounger.

Great, wonderful bike....just not for me. (yet)

 

[El Toro]

I have never been able to get excited about these either, but then I never ride two up, and I really like more emphasis on "sport."

 

[rushes]

I thought I wanted one. A friend let me take his for a day, and I brought it back after a couple hours. I too felt really cramped. Just not a good fit for me.

 

[fjrb0]

I have never been able to get excited about these either, but then I never ride two up, and I really like more emphasis on "sport."

+1, well said, both of you.

 

[dcarver]

But for me? I guess I still have a few more layers of hooligan to wear off before I'm read to retire to the Barcalounger.

:rofl: You n' me RadioHowie... Maybe someday.. just not today, Thanks anyway...

As ToeCutter said... 'Why straighten out a perfectly good corner?"

 

[RadioHowie]

But for me? I guess I still have a few more layers of hooligan to wear off before I'm ready to retire to the Barcalounger.

:rofl: You n' me RadioHowie... Maybe someday.. just not today, Thanks anyway...

As ToeCutter said... 'Why straighten out a perfectly good corner?"

I just hope I don't wear 'em off the way I did in my 20s and 30s....the scars STILL show when I get a sun tan.

 

[exskibum]

. . . and there is no moving your *** around to shift positions. Makes me rethink future purchase plans for a Russell "butt pocket".

That comment is exactly my concern and the reason I don't have a Russell. I like to be able to shift positions in twisties, and I don't need the distraction of a sidewing on the seat to get up over or around while I've got other stuff goin' on.

 

[v65]

The demo was a 2009 "Audio Comfort Navi XM" model...$23,000 -- super discounted to $15,000!

I was looking at wings for my dad, a year ago I don't think you could get a used one for that. Might be time to look again! :blink:

 

[RadioHowie]

. . . and there is no moving your *** around to shift positions. Makes me rethink future purchase plans for a Russell "butt pocket".

That comment is exactly my concern and the reason I don't have a Russell. I like to be able to shift positions in twisties, and I don't need the distraction of a sidewing on the seat to get up and over while I've got other stuff goin' on.

I guess the (less than) ideal solution would be to get a Russell or Mayer for the slab, and toss the stocker in the trunk to put on when you hit the crooked parts. Thank goodness the Feej has a 2 piece seat. The driver's-only seat on the Feej is lots smaller than the one-piece Sargeant on my ZRex.

 

[Toecutter]

. . . and there is no moving your *** around to shift positions. Makes me rethink future purchase plans for a Russell "butt pocket".

That comment is exactly my concern and the reason I don't have a Russell. I like to be able to shift positions in twisties, and I don't need the distraction of a sidewing on the seat to get up and over while I've got other stuff goin' on.

I guess the (less than) ideal solution would be to get a Russell or Mayer for the slab, and toss the stocker in the trunk to put on when you hit the crooked parts. Thank goodness the Feej has a 2 piece seat. The driver's-only seat on the Feej is lots smaller than the one-piece Sargeant on my ZRex.

My Rick Mayer doesn't get in the way at all when hanging cheek(s).

 

[RadioHowie]

My Rick Mayer doesn't get in the way at all when hanging cheek(s).

But does it limit fore-aft movement like the catcher's mitt pocket a Wing has? That was my issue. I couldn't back away far enough to get comfortable with the torso-to-bars and thigh-to-leg angle. In fact, I couldn't back away at all!

I just felt too far forward, with no way to move back. And I'd hate to drop 4 or 5 large on a custom seat and not be able to move fore and back, at least some.

 

[RadioHowie]

Oh, one thing I DO want to add....

Temps were in the mid 40s when I rode the Wing.

Now I be wantin' me some heated grips on the Feej. Only took about 10 minutes for the Wing's grips to spoil me.

 

[k7lvo]

I love my FJR... and I love my Wing. Distractions? Sure. As Dirty Harry said "A man's gotta know his limitations!" ^_^

I put over a quarter million miles on Wings, including 110,000 on my current GL1800, before the "sportier" bug got hold of me. I resisted for a while; I kept telling myself "I can ride my Wing all day at jail-bait speeds... I'll kill myself or go to jail for sure on an FJR!" After 15,000 miles on my FJR, I've managed to stay alive and out of jail (knock on wood!) Yes, some of the time I ride it faster than I used to ride my Wing. Interestingly enough, when I get back on the Wing, I ride it faster than I used to. I find the FJR to be an enjoyably smooth ride; I've never felt the buzz in the handlebars that some people complain of. But the Wing is not just smooth. It's smo-o-o-o-oth! On the high speed roads, the Wing's got very good power; you can put most traffic problems behind - FAR behind - with a twist of the wrist. The FJR? You can put most traffic problems behind you by simply THINKING about twisting your wrist. In the twisties the FJR makes the Wing look like the fat lady that she is, but she is still a fun ride. The Wing is a sporty touring machine and the FJR is a touring sport machine. Some people complain about the audio/communication system on the Wing, but it beats the after market stuff, even though the after market stuff gets the job done acceptably.

In short, I love 'em both. I haven't had to choose one over the other; I hope that I never do. (although, at this point in my "riding life" the FJR would win!)

 

[kurt]

I owned a GL1800 for a few months and found the accomodations to be very cramped for such a ginormous yacht. No amount of farkling could make the ergos right, so I sold it and bought the FJR. It is unbelievable how much more room there is for the pilot on the FJR. Of course, my wife would disagree as she was in love with the passenger side of things. Other than that, I was impressed with how well the thing handled at anything above walking speed. Most of the controls were set it and forget it propositions, so only the cruise and stereo came into play. I have both those distractions now, but they were much easier to operate on the wing since they were part of the switchgear. If it fits you, the wing is hard to beat, if it doesn't, there isn't much you can do to change it.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Before you say you can't hang off a Russell think again. Best seat made for comfort and has never hindered many a FJR rider from hanging over the side. Try it you will like it.

 

[sradek]

How old fart are you?

Life is too short for a GL ... whatever your age.

Ride fast and die young on a FJR! (if that's the case), unless your prostate is bothering ya (sorry, I had to say it).

No harm done (yet). Do try and get laid more often (works for me B) )

Cheers

My place of business (radio station) is in an ongoing promotion with a local motorsports supercenter (read: Multi-brand dealership)
We're giving away a Honda 250 Recon ATV and a Kawasaki STX PWC this Saturday. Come on by and register! YOU COULD BE A WINNER! :yahoo:

As a side effect of this promotion, we've been spending the past several weekends at the dealership doing live broadcasts, "Stunt War" shows, door prize drawings, etc. The ususal radio "Dog and Pony" ********.

This past Saturday, I needed a specialized battery for one of my broadcast devices and needed to head back to radio ranch for a replacement. Couldn't use the station van, 'cause it was tied up with the on-site festivities, so I finagled a demo ride on a new GL1800. The sales manager knew me and tossed me the keys.

The demo was a 2009 "Audio Comfort Navi XM" model...$23,000 -- super discounted to $15,000! :blink: :blink:

Man, are they EVER tryin' to move these things! Who'da thunk they had an 8-grand markup on em?

Anyway, took it for a spin. First impressions? WAY too much crap on a motorcycle. Now, I'm no minimalist by any means, but this thing had more distractions on it than Jessica Alba. I can't imagine how unsafe it is to fart around with all the toys this thing has on it. Sure, I know, "make your adjustments before you put it in gear." But in reality, how can someone justify ALL THESE TOYS??? And you KNOW folks are messing with stuff while underway.

Now, I don't wanna piss off any Wing riders, but Keerist! What a barge! How can a 32 foot long, 73 hundred pound motorcycle be so cramped! The bars were in my face, my 35" inseam knees were constantly bangin on **** on the engineering deck and there is no moving your *** around to shift positions. Makes me rethink future purchase plans for a Russell "butt pocket".

I know going from a 600+ pound ST to an 800+ pound landyacht doesn't make for very many "fair" comparisons, but despite all the videos I've seen of riders hustling one of these brontosauri through the twisties, I can't imagine being anything but exhausted manhandling one through traffic as a daily driver.

Top quality construction? No question. Unbeaten fit and finish? Buy one today for $15,000. Well known pedigree, dealer network, high-mileage capabilities and more, MUCH more, make me understand how the Wing remains the top in its field.

But for me? I guess I still have a few more layers of hooligan to wear off before I'm ready to retire to the Barcalounger.

Great, wonderful bike....just not for me. (yet)

 

[FJRocket]

this thing had more distractions on it than Jessica Alba.

:dribble:

I had a hard time reading the rest of the thread after that. Now THAT was funny! :lol:

 

[SPORT]

... I really like more emphasis on "sport."

Hence the meaning behind my handle

Rode my dads 2002 GL1800. What a boat! Though it was as comfortable as a couch and had pretty good power, I began second guessing its size and my reasons for wanting a GW. For now, I'm more than pleased with the FJR

I still think the wing is an old man's bike and I refuse to be old.

 

[wheatonFJR]

It's the rider and not the bike...as always.



I suspect that a few of us ride our FJRs like "an old man" even though in our mind, we think we are screaming along. :lol:

If I got a wing, it would be to have my wife feel comfortable...and travel via wing instead of a 4-wheeled car.