First weeks with a Goldwing... [Archive]

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Burger

09-18-2006, 02:27 PM

OK, well, I promised an update on my experiences with my Goldwing so here goes...

I love it :D

Regards...

Oh, you wanted more detail?...

OK, but before I do, please remember this is my own personal experience and I'm not knocking the ST at all... I still think the ST is a fantastic looking bike, a great multi-purpose (sports and touring) bike and I only wish I could have found what I wanted on one. Having said that, the Goldwing is amazing... If you haven't ridden a GL1800 then you won't believe that and you'll probably continue to look at it as an old mans bike. :)

The Goldwing is for me absolutely everything I want from a bike and I know I still haven't fully explored its capabilities. It handles like a much lighter bike, its smooth, quiet but with a purposeful roar and above all else utterly predictable. It goes exactly where I point it as if there were rails in the road guiding me to that point. This was the experience I wanted so much to have with my ST but no matter what I tried, wasn't able to find. The handling is truly amazing for a bike of such weight and proportions and the power... oh, the power... or rather the torque is just incredible.

A couple of weeks ago we went on a group ride with my IAM group. This was about 30 bikes of all sorts with riders who are generally a little above the norm in terms of skills. It is an advanced riding group afterall :) For some of the ride I was followed by a Suzuki Bandit. When we came to the end the rider came over to me and said "I can't believe how quickly that thing accellerates. What gear were you in when we were leaving the 30mph zones?". I told him the truth... I was in 4th. He simply couldn't believe it. He told me that each time we left a 30 zone he was having to click down 2 or 3 cogs just to try and keep up with me. So anyone who thinks a GL1800 is a slouch, think again. At those speeds I could easily have clicked down to 3rd or even 2nd, but there's just no need - the torque is amazing. What's even more amazing to me is that I know I still haven't ridden it as hard as I can or as hard as it's capable of.

Admittedly it is a heavy bike and while it's not as flickable as an ST or even moreso a light sports bike, it is amazing how adaptable it is and how well it can be negotiated around twisties. It really is possible to ride a GL1800 Goldwing in a spirited sports bike like manner and feel totally and completely in control.

Some people told me before I got the 'wing that if I was bothered with cross winds on the ST then I'd be even more bothered on a 'wing. Well, sorry to say this, but we've been caught by a few gusts that I know for a fact would have unerved the ST and the Goldwing didn't even budge. Admittedly, these haven't been persistent strong winds, so I may yet have some discovery to do, but these first experiences give me great confidence. Certainly the incredibly low center of gravity will help here as it does with the superbly smooth cornering and predictability.

I honestly haven't got anything bad to say about the Goldwing. My personal experience of the ST was that it was jittery and while it never actually let me down, I never felt truly confident on it. It was almost as if I felt like I was constantly riding on the edge of something going pear shaped. That and the fact I just couldn't get comfortable on it for anything over 50 miles. The Goldwing suffers non of these traits, has plenty of power and performance and overall handles far better than MY ST ever did.

As I said, I love it. For me it is absolutely the right bike and it only has a couple of downsides...

Firstly I just don't have enough time available to ride it as much as I want to and secondly... Farklemania !!!! Imagine my surprise (and their delight) when I found that one of the main UK suppliers of Goldwing bits is just 15 miles away :D There was no two ways about it, the body coloured mouldings just had to go... and it was just crying out for a little chrome embelishment lol. Nothing tacky I hope... just subtle pieces here and there.

Pics in my gallery and I do add new ones as I add new bits lol.

Anyhow, there you have it to date. I'd just like to say I think the community here is great and I love the fact I can tell you all about my Goldwing. I know some won't be interested, but it's part of what makes this community so special. I've looked and even posted on a couple of the Goldwing boards, as well as joining up with the Goldwing Owners Club in the UK, but somehow, ST-Owners feels like home like no other internet community.

Regards,

Medicine Bear

09-18-2006, 02:46 PM

Very nice review, Dave, and I still maintain that, if I could own both at the same time, I'd have a Gold Wing parked next to the ST.

Fred :03biker:

Danny C

09-18-2006, 02:54 PM

Awfully convincing review. Have only owned my ST for one season now and will likely stay with it for a while. Two reasons..............1.) I really enjoy the bike.............2.) I really enjoy riding solo. Everytime my VP of Happiness sees a Goldwing she asks why I can't buy somethng 'like that' so that she could be comfortable coming along on rides. I just keep saying "maybe someday".

Glad you're enjoying your new ride as much as you obviously are. That's what its all about at the end of the day......be it Vespa ........Goldwing.......doesn't really matter.

Louie Louie

09-18-2006, 03:06 PM

Great Stuff Sir Dave. !
Thanks...

BigTom

09-18-2006, 03:09 PM

Yeah, Dave.

I'm sure when I get old enough, I'll buy a wing.

:bsflag:

I am glad you are enjoying it. If you meet anybody that gets to ride as much as they want, let me know. Even George would go further, faster, more often if he could.

fast_cat

09-18-2006, 03:46 PM

I agree with Danny C, if I got the Gold Wing my wife would have wanted to ride all the time!!!

motomac

09-18-2006, 03:55 PM

Thanks Dave!!!! I feel more comfortable on the Wing, but will keep the ST as well. Those of us that are fortunate enough to have one each can relate. Those of you that have ridden with Mellow, know what a Wing is capable of in the twisties.

Trashman

09-18-2006, 05:19 PM

Burger review pretty wells sum up my feeling about the GW. Altought I do have to minor complants. I miss the brakes from the ST1300 the GW1800 just doesn't have the stopping power, and as big as the seat is on the GW I still would like a little more room. I've found a place in Austin TX that modifies the seat to allow you to seat back 2 more inches, I'm riding down to Austin next week to pick up a loaner seat to try out for a week or two.

Blrfl

09-18-2006, 05:22 PM

I dunno... Seems like an awful lot of time and expense just to become a moderator... :crackup

--Mark

Burger

09-18-2006, 05:28 PM

I miss the brakes from the ST1300 the GW1800 just doesn't have the stopping power,

Amazing... I would rate the brakes as significantly better than those of my ST. Did your ST have ABS? Does your Goldwing? I'm just wondering what could account for this drastically different experience we've had.

Regards,

motomac

09-18-2006, 05:30 PM

Amazing... I would rate the brakes as significantly better than those of my ST. Did your ST have ABS? Does your Goldwing? I'm just wondering what could account for this drastically different experience we've had.

Regards,
ME TOO!!!

Mellow

09-18-2006, 05:30 PM

Strange, I agree w/Trashman... The brakes on the Wing felt like they were fading when I first used them after trading in the ST. The ST always felt like the tires were made of glue when you hit the brakes....

Dave, maybe it was the fact you weren't on any bike for a few weeks? :eek:

Tarheel_Rider

09-18-2006, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the post and review. Glad you finally got it out of the garage with the customs issues. I hate to admit it but a friend who was a long time LT owner, just got a new GW and he really likes it. Actually he tried to get something smaller and his wife made him sell that after about a month and get something she could ride as well and he wanted something different - I can relate. I'd buy a different bike every month if I could afford it - but I can't, so stick with the best one for me for the time being.

Enjoy that GW and keep telling yourself you're not an old man. Reminds me of my dad when he was in his mid seventies sitting behind some 50 year old at a green light and complaining about how the old man in front of him should be allowed to drive. None of us are old in our own mind - and that's a good thing.

Trashman

09-18-2006, 07:36 PM

Neither my ST or GW had/has ABS. To be fair I have not pactice my panic stop on the GW like I should have, but it still feel like it take more stopping distance than the ST. All that being said I have not been on a ST since the end of June and I have slept several times since then.

Torque you say, the other day shift from 1st to 2nd and snaped the throttle wide open kinda scared me but man what a rush.

DubT

09-23-2006, 05:42 PM

We traded our "03" ST for an "06" Goldwing on July 7th, standard model with premium sound. We bought the St on Thanksgiving day of 04 and put around 17,000 miles on it. The ST was our second road bike, we upgraded from a Ninja 500 to the ST.

Needless to say it was a big adjustment but we really liked the ST until we rode the Goldwing. The wing is everything we were looking for in a bike when we bought the ST. We now have over 4,000 miles on it and are very happy with our decision.

The wing is very comfortable, very smooth and very quiet, engine/exhaust and wind.

Here are some other observations:
* Cooler than the ST, the 06 temp does not go up in traffic.
* Easier to get off of the sidestand.
* Easier to get on the centerstand.
* Corners MUCH better, it just goes around the corner.
* Great cruise control.
* Nice loud horn.
* Sits lower to the ground, I can get my feet flat on the ground.
* Stock seat is comfortable for many miles - rider/co-rider.
* Actually feels lighter than the ST.
* Really nice engine, will take off from a stop at idle.
* Valve adjustment at 32,000 for something like $120 if they have to adjust the valves
* GWRRA chapters all over the country, you can always find someone to ride with.
* Farkles galore.
* Easy to ride on the slab or in town.
* People really comment about what a great looking bike it is, hardly anyone said anything about the ST at work but many of them have commented about the wing.
* The wife loves it! If she did not I would still be riding observed trials!

Happy with our choice!

DubT

udhawg

09-23-2006, 07:46 PM

You guys that are whinning about your wife wanting to go, get her to learn to ride and you can have BOTH.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL234/2070156/10492181/189865287.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL234/2070156/10492181/189865293.jpg

How about that his and hers. These pics were taken at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas at the Hwy 125 campground on our way home from Eureka Springs.

Jim

Mac

09-26-2006, 10:53 AM

Burger, how is the fuel economy of the wing compaired to the ST?

Mellow

09-26-2006, 10:59 AM

I'm sure Dave will reply but I'll throw in here too.

I typically get 38-42 mpg... The fuel light comes on around 200 miles. You usually have 1 gallon left when the light goes on, that's been my experience.

I do miss the 280-300 mile range I had on the ST.. but, we all seem to still find a way to almost run out no matter what the range is... Sure beats the 120 mile range my valkyrie had.

Byron

09-26-2006, 11:21 AM

I don't know what the GW weights, and I'm to lazy to look it up this morning, but the brake components are basically the same on both bikes I'm pretty sure. That means there is no way you could expect the GW to stop as quickly/short as the ST. Now if the GW had larger disc's then maybe.

Tor

09-26-2006, 11:36 AM

Everytime my VP of Happiness sees a Goldwing she asks why I can't buy somethng 'like that' so that she could be comfortable coming along on rides. I just keep saying "maybe someday".

:crackup You know, you're just not nice, you know it :crackup .....

Horst

09-26-2006, 11:56 AM

blah, blah, blah ...

OK Dave, we get it ... but why are you also becoming a chrome whore like all the other GWRRA members ??? .... good grief ! ... :D

enjoy the ride ... that's what it's all about ... yes you got us on 'comfort' :(

Mark

09-26-2006, 12:07 PM

Burger

09-26-2006, 01:32 PM

Burger, how is the fuel economy of the wing compaired to the ST?

Hi Mac,

The fuel economy is not hugely different. I'm currently averaging around 47mpg on the Goldwing versus 50 mpg on the ST. That's imperial mpg which equates to about 40 and 42 US mpg.

As Joe mentioned the real difference is the tank size which while only 4 litres (1 gallon approx) smaller than the ST but with the worse economy means fill ups about every 200 to 220 miles. I agree this is not a plus point with the Goldwing but it doesn't detract one jot from my enjoyment of it.

Regards,

Burger

09-26-2006, 01:34 PM

... but why are you also becoming a chrome whore like all the other GWRRA members ???

Chrome, yummy, gimme, chrome, I need more chrome.

:ggw1:

At least I haven't and won't become an LED whore. I mean there's tasteful chrome and then there's just pimp mobile :D

motomac

09-26-2006, 04:07 PM

At least I haven't and won't become an LED whore. I mean there's tasteful chrome and then there's just pimp mobile :D[/QUOTE]

YET:06biker:

Wolvie

09-26-2006, 04:50 PM

I was wondering if there is a special compartment in the saddlebags for your oxygen tank and walker?

Although I am impressed with the new Viagra dispenser and the Depends saddle cover.

However, I am a little disappointed with the cane rack which is obvioulsy a ripoff of the Terminator's shotgun holder.

Did they ever get around to installing the bi-focal windscreen yet?

The cruise control is a total joke. No matter where you set it, it still keeps the bike at 21 MPH and activates the right turn-signal (which can't be shut off...ever).

Though, the CB and radio being hearing aid compatible is a nice touch...

(Thank you, thank you! I'm here all week. Remember to tip your waitress and try the veal...)

Mellow

09-26-2006, 05:37 PM

At least I haven't and won't become an LED whore. I mean there's tasteful chrome and then there's just pimp mobile :D

YET:06biker:[/QUOTE]
http://www.ridersrally.com/gallery/data/560/3659BlueChromeLights-thumb.gif

nm6r

09-26-2006, 05:41 PM

Wolvie

09-26-2006, 06:48 PM

As sorry...there aren't any DQ in NYC. So the reference was off my radar.

However...

Is it true that the new bike paperwork includes an AARP application?

Does it only allow you to gas up at 3:00pm because it goes to sleep and won't start after 6:30?

I heard that Aerostich makes powder blue polyester riding pants with the GW logo. The only problem is the belt is at your armpits.

...which goes nicely with the new Sidi patent leather white loafer-boots.

I like the aftermarket CB antenna with the hook on the top for the IV bottle.

cmguerrero

11-20-2007, 05:58 PM

I agree with Danny C, if I got the Gold Wing my wife would have wanted to ride all the time!!!

HA!!!

RaYzerman

11-21-2007, 09:15 PM

Nice review, Burger et al. I agree with all your comments. I gotta say I was in denial that I would ever get a GL, but I can't believe how much I like it for the ergonomics and my arthritic knees. It really is the ultimate touring machine. I would like to have both, but alas, I had to sell the ST. One of my excuses is I had to get it for the SO's back condition..... So, the rest of you who are in denial, I respect your opinion too.
Now, chrome reduction is actually my goal. You thought chrome or LED's are expensive, try real color matched parts, more than double that. While plain is still good, I think a few tasteful LED's are OK, Mac......... YET!!
It's all good, you like to ride, ride what you like. WE can all ride together!!

yellow wolf

11-21-2007, 09:59 PM

yup old mans bike,btw what bike was ridden for the 24 hrs of deals gap?hmmmmmmmmm

TahoeBound

11-21-2007, 10:05 PM

HA! Yellow Wolf - provide the "old man's crowd" with links to your Deal's Gap video!!! Your reputation proceeds you - even some of the bike shops around here (Prunieville, CA) know about your You Tube videos...nice.

thumperjdm

11-21-2007, 10:12 PM

dompa894

03-08-2008, 04:50 AM

I can understand your confusion about the GL. I originally kept going to my dealer in '02, asking about when the ST's were going to arrive. They kept getting put off, and I'd return a few weeks later. While talking with my salesman, near a row of about 6 new GL's (pick your color!), I jokingly said, "Some day..." He said, "Ride one, you'll be shocked." I figured 'what the heck, the ST's aren't even on the horizon'.

And, at 33 years old, I bought a Goldwing. Damn was I the butt of jokes at work...

I have an 05 GL1800A and am looking for another ST1100 (std) ... I think you have a near perfect stable for the highway. Both are nice scoots to consume a lot of miles, the Wing in more comfort that the '13 ...

I had an 03 '13A, too ... For me, that had a little too much suspension "edge" - seat position and shape was all wrong for me, but I do miss that scoot.

For me, a perfect scoot stable would be my wing, an st1100, an st1300, and a late model CBR-xx with seat and handlebar mods.

You may have been the butt of jokes at work, but you are smiling on the wing ... the wing can really l e a n over!

Subdivided

03-08-2008, 10:13 PM

Now I want a Gold Wing too. And an R1200RT. And R1200GS. And KTM...

dompa894

03-09-2008, 12:26 AM

Now I want a Gold Wing too. And an R1200RT. And R1200GS. And KTM...

Hope this doesn't morph into a bash BMW thread .. but .... I'd like an R1200Rt (really), but I cant stand the price, lousy warranty, and worst of all, subpar reliability history.

That last one hurts, bccause who wants to have a failure far away from home on a quick 3 or 4 day riding weekend?

My 3 ST's? Never any type of failure.
My Wing? Ha! You kidding?

Oh, I failed to mention, if you think Deals Gap is your kind of highway, get the traxxion front suspension on the GL ... You will never look back.

usnraytn@bellso

05-06-2008, 06:34 PM

I have both a GW 2005 and an ST-1300 ,2005 .I am a very luckie guy they are both wonderful bikes.

PLCBithead

05-09-2008, 04:26 PM

Very good report on the GL1800.

I do love my ST1300 and enjoy riding it for commuting to work and those nice 100 mile weekend rides. Eventually I will have a Goldwing, because its just so comfortable and all those nice features built in.

Happy Riding

wishey1

06-25-2008, 03:47 PM

I have loved all the bikes I have owned...'02 Wing, '05 ST, '05 GS, '08 RT.......

just to mention a few of them...they all had about 90% perfection and
all had about 10% that wasn't perfect.....

I don't know why that is. Maybe it has something to do with our human frailty
or maybe one's view of Life and the world.......

you know, mostly good but some bad.

w

Tourin'

06-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Yeah wishey, I think it's more about how each of us are built, more than the Bike. One Wing I considered was great of course, but not for it's owner. It had low miles, but he said it didn't fit him ergonomically.

But there's nothing wrong with your pretty pic. It's mostly perfect. Could only be better if each of us could get there soon!:07biker:

patiodadio

06-25-2008, 09:41 PM

If the MPG was better on the Wing.... I would jump on one. I have always been a fan of the GW...maybe the next generation will get better mileage and look like the X-Wing !