Honda Gold Wing

[JConley]

Anybody ride a Honda Gold Wing?? I was checking out the new models, and they look SWEET!! I would appreciate any comments good or bad. I looked at the Harleys first, but I cant find anything that would be a good long range cruiser with the all features of the Gold Wing. In my case, fearures and comfort are more important than image.





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[gitchesum]

My dad has a 93. It replaced his Harley. Seems Mom and Dad are more into comfort than they used to be. They rode it to the ROT Rally in your neighborhood last weekend, and they loved it.

His buddy Ed just bought a brand new 2002 Goldwing Aspencade. Sweet bike!!! I would have one in a heartbeak if I could.

BTW, he got the same color as the bike in your picture. I'm not much on orange, but that color looks great on that bike.



Dad's bike is 1 years old and has 45,000 miles on it. Runs great. I believe you can't go wrong with the Goldwing. IMO

 

[Todd G]

I too am not into the image thing. I test drove a new Gold Wing a few months ago. Man those are sweet. I can't believe how good the handle. It feels much lighter than a full dress Harley. For comfort and handling, they are the only way to go.

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by JConley

I looked at the Harleys first, but I cant find anything that would be a good long range cruiser with the all features of the Gold Wing. In my case, fearures and comfort are more important than image.

You know you gonna open up a can o worms with that statement



I guess the "Wing-Ding" DOES have more creature comforts than my "Bagger"... ... but if I wanted all those bell&whistles I'd have taken the truck. Sometimes it's just TOO much.

Yeah... . me and wifey run 700+ mile days on my Harley, it really needs a reclining seat, A/C, a 100 CD jukebox CD player. , vibrating massage, microwave, ... ... ... oh, and a 10,000# rated crane to pick it up when it falls over.

To each his own.

 

[Steve M]

It's not my style either but I'll give it a thumbs up for looks and they are smooth and quiet. They look a world better than they did ten or fifteen years ago. I had a GL1000 in 1980 that was a great bike sept for the embarrassment of riding a Honda. Nothing wrong with the bike or the ride. Just the image. I don't think you could go wrong with a GW if you're comfortable with riding a Honda. They're assembled in California aren't they? I like the Valkrie and if Harley didn't exist, I'd be riding one today. But since Harley exists and I'm more comfortable on something with American heritage and attitude, I'll stick with my Harley.

Many happy and safe miles on whatever you decide to get.

 

[chuck3]

I had an 82 and 86 Gold Wing, My wife and I toured the western states for ten years on them. Very smooth and comfortable bikes, one of the most dependable bikes on the road, never had one problem with either bikes. We rode as far as 700 miles per day a couple of times, pretty good for a couple in their late forties eh?

If I were buying a new touring bike today it would be the Gold Wing for sure.

 

[Utah Willie]

Your significant other may appreciate the subtle vibrations of a Harley over the smooth, quiet ride of a Gold Wing. My first wife LOVED my '52 Matchless 500 cc single

 

[RKelly]

I had an old '82 Honda something-or-other. Ran like a swiss watch.

I also have been looking around. I like American stuff, so I checked Harley, but they are soooo expensive, and my opinion is that the engineering is questionable. Remember that race bike that they could barely get to finish a race, never mind win. Someone might say that's the engine in the new V-Rod,... ya it is, after Porsche engineered it properly.

If you like touring, Honda is suppose to come out with an updated ST1100 (it's now up to 1300cc). Also, if you want something different, the Triumph Trophy ( www.triumph.co.uk ) is quite sexy, and also suppose to get a magor facelift in the very near future.

God I love stuff with engines.

Good luck

Ray

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by Utah Willie

Your significant other may appreciate the subtle vibrations of a Harley over the smooth, quiet ride of a Gold Wing. My first wife LOVED my '52 Matchless 500 cc single

I told Wifey, it's not a motorcycle, it's a 800lb gas-powered vibrator. (OOOOOPS, can I say that, or will I incure the wrath of the almighty?!!)

 

[brucew]

700 miles for a couple in 40"s

yep, thats great. i'm 56 and can still do 700 miles per day on my heritage classic. the only image i care about is what i think about my ride. if , for some reason you prefer something other than a brand built yearly since 1903 it's your choice and be happy you live in a country that allows choices. if you ride i would suggest membership in a motorcycle rights organization such as ABATE. ride free and ride safe - whatever you ride !!!! bruce

 

[Shovelhead]

JC, I just re-read my post and sorry, I didn't mean to come off so negative.

The 'Wing IS the top-o-the-line tourer. It doesn't get any plusher.



It's YOUR ride.

'Jes keep your knees in the breeze.

Hope to see 'ya on the road. Oo.

 

[JConley]

Thanks for the input! I didnt interpret anything negative in your post shovelhead, so forget about it



Its been a LOOOONg time since I have a bike, so y'all have any advice for driving around town and dealing with the idiots on cell phones and such? On the one hand, I keep hearing how bikes are dangerous, but I dont read anything in the newspapers, or hear of anyone getting killed around here on motorcycles. I wonder if things get blown out of proportion.

 

[Shovelhead]

JC,

edit: to add ... . The 1st thing you need to do is to sign up for a Motorcycle Rider's Safety class. I took it with my step-son 5 years ago, and after 15 years of riding 'My Way" I learned a few tricks that I hadn't thougt of on my own. Besides you get to spend a day riding around cones, dragging footpegs, and skidding the rear tire on a bike you don't have to work on.

The number 2 rule is to ride like you are INVISABLE.

Even if you THINK the guy/gal in the "cage" sees you don't expect them to yield.

Never believe the "cage" driver will do what you'd expect.

Ride aware. A fender-bender in a car will be an extended hospital stay if you're on a bike.



Get outta the city, into the country and ENJOY.



When the job gets me down, an hour therapy session with "Dr. Davidson" on a curvy country road makes the world right again.

 

[ZEEEW]

from Shovelhead "I guess the "Wing-Ding" DOES have more creature comforts than my "Bagger"... ... but if I wanted all those bell&whistles I'd have taken the truck. "



My woman says I cant buy a Wing, at least if she rides on it, just for this reason. She wants an overpriced HD, but if thats what she wants I guess

 

[M Barnett]

If I was the type person to like a Gold Wing, I would be driving a Dura Max. If you like your Cummins, you will love a Harley. Everyone has a different opinion, of course, but I love Harleys because they are just fun! If I wanted comfort, I'll take my Town Car, now thats more comfort than any Gold Wing! Bikes are very dangerous, no doubt about it. A couple weeks ago a friend had his leg amputated after being run over by the little old lady five years ago. Never could get it to heal. Lost several friends from riding. If you've never ridden before, then be scared to death the first few years, then you might make it. The worst thing is traffic. There are too many cages to watch for. If I'm in my Freightliner, and you pull out in front of me, then shame on you. If I'm on a Harley, I will watch you like a hawk, and pray you don't pull out in front of me. Stay in the country all you can and enjoy it.

Michael

 

[JConley]

Good advice... Thanks.



M Barnett. For comfort, I take the PSD Excursion I guess I want the best of both worlds. Every month, I have a 700 mile round trip drive to Padre Island over a weekend. Its interstate or at least 4 lane all the way. I would like a bike that could make this trip once in a while.



Shovel. A friend of mine just took the class last weekend, and recommended it also. Sounds like something I would definately do.