ST vs Goldwing

[Skyhawk]

I tried to ask this question some time ago, and got a number of interesting replies, but I probably didn't word my question very well, so no one really gave me what I'm looking for. I'll try again:

Question: For anyone who has experience with both the Goldwing (any model, 1200-1800) and the ST1300, how do the two compare in slow city and parking lot handling?

[motomac]

I have no problems with slow city driving with either one. Reverse definatley helps on the Wing when backing out of a sloped parking space, however I am constantly aware of the lay of the land on the ST and haven't had any problems yet. I park where I can either pull straight out or back down the slope to get straightened out and go forward.

[TRICKYRIC5474]

I have a 2001 GL1800a that I bought new in 2001. I have done several demo rides on a 2006 ST1300. My GL is now at the Dealer (a Friend is an owner of the dealership) as I'm trading it on a new ST1300a which hopefully will be in before next week.

The Wing is a well behaved bike for it's size & weight. That is not to say it is a piece of cake, it is not, but it is easier to manuver a slow speed than many of it's direct competition, like the BMW K1200LT. I feel the HD Electra Glides are even easier to manuver at low speeds. You are going to have to keep that weight in check at all times. It may seem light handling, but make one wrong move and the Wing will quickly remind you how heavy it is. Many will tell you that the Wing is easy because the weight is very low, it is, but it's still a lot of weight.
The Wing manuvers much better than you might think, but there's no getting around it's considerable size.
I find the ST1300 very light and easy to manuver compared to the GL1800. The ST also has the weight low, there is much less weight and the wheelbase is shorter. I know the ST1300 is considered a heavy sport tourer, but compared to the Wing it feels like a sport bike.

For around town, touring and casual riding on twisty country roads I am choosing to go with the ST1300 over the GL1800. Nothing wrong with the Wing. I guess I could just say it's too much of a good thing. I will miss the tunes and cruise but I'll add those to the ST1300a.

My best suggestion would be for you to go demo an ST1300 and then a GL1800. After I did a 100 mile demo on the ST1300 I came back and rode my GL1800 home. My Wing felt like a big fat dump truck after the crisp handling ST. I know, I drive dump trucks.

My main reason for the change is that the ST1300a brings back the basic "fun factor" of motorcycling that I didn't realize I was missing on the GL1800a.

Ride safe,

[bmcdonau]

You can rent a wing at a lot of dealers.

[sherob]

I commuted daily on the ST for 18 months/24k... it was a great bike. I now commute daily on a 06 Wing... it is a great bike.

I got the Wing so my daughter could start to ride with me, which I didn't feel comfortable with on the ST. They are both great bikes... both have +'s/-'s. You just got to figure out the one that fits your needs/wants :)

[dpage9040]

I had a Gl1800 for 3 years and 33000 miles, trips out west, east and south. Great bike - st1300, just as smooth, lighter, bars need risers. wife is happy with the seat, i love the agility, Had sold the wing and went to a cruiser, kept it 600 miles and jumped at a 06 black st1300 when i saw it. I was spoiled on the Gl1800, getting most of that back with the st1300. Have a givi trunk, love the luggage on the ST. Have a trip set around UP to machinaw in a few weeks, planning our 3rd florida bike trip for June, can't wait to stretch our legs on a long run. Have a light trailer I'll be pulling.

[hojo in sc]

IQuestion: For anyone who has experience with both the Goldwing (any model, 1200-1800) and the ST1300, how do the two compare in slow city and parking lot handling?


I had the 1500 for a few years, and the 1800 for one year, before I bought the ST1300 (one year old next week).

I feel that on the Wing, I sat a little lower to the ground. I feel that I can take a tighter turn on the ST, and I practice figure eights almost every day when I get home. Once moving, they both handle just fine.

[nm6r]

No denying the GW is the best touring bike on the planet. It's just missing the fun factor. The ST1300 will out perform in every aspect except touring comfort. Better accelleration, braking and handling. BTDT, the ST brought back the motorcycling excitement that we remembered. Some people have bought an ST and tried to make it into a GW, only to later get a GW. Totally different bikes for different people.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[Burger]

I believe he's asking about a GL1800 not the previous totally different 1500. Totally incomparable... I've ridden both and know.

My opinion and experience, having owned an ST1300 and now a GL1800... The Goldwing handles around town much easier than the ST. While the ST has a relatively low CofG, the 'wings is seriously low. This is evident enough when picking either bike off it's side stand - twice the effort required for the ST. Once either bike is moving it becomes relatively weightless of course but for me at least, I find the 'wing much easier to crawl with than the ST. I can leave my feet on the 'wings pegs much longer than I ever could on the ST when stopping.

Now, having said that, the weight difference when not vertical is very evident. One slip of the foot when balancing the 'wing and there's little chance you'll save it (I think). More chance of saving the ST there although that too will reach a point of no return.

Both bikes are heavy to wheel backwards but that's of course where reverse on the 'wing comes into it's own.

The ST has a much tighter turning circle due to the wheel base but dimension wise for lane splitting the 'wing is less than a half inch wider than the ST. It's a foot longer mind you.

On the open road where the ST steers quick and is therefore quite flickable for a touring bike, the 'wing steers much slower but is also more sure footed. Progressive and smooth handling as opposed to the more sports bike feel of the ST.

The 'wing is much easier to handle in cross winds than the ST and is much less susceptible to turbulence from other vehicles.

Obviously this is MY experience and someone else may have a totally different one. You should ride both and buy the one that you like. They are both great touring bikes but for different reasons.

Regards,

[msnyder755]

I own both and my impression is that either are fine for slow traffic commuting and parking lot hassles but honestly I would have to tip the scale to the Wing simply because of the lower center of gravity it feels easier to handle at slow speeds plus I can flat foot the wing and I can't quite on the ST.

[GL1800]

Whoever says that the wing is lacking in the "fun" factor obviously never pushed the wing. I have more fun on my wing than on any of the sport bikes I have ever owned. There are a couple reasons for that: 1. the bike is extremely sure footed, I will drag pegs long before traction becomes an issue. Not saying the bike can't lean, it can, quite nicely. 2. the upright position allows me to take in my surroundings while manuevering, rather than getting trapped in the tunnel that most of us experience in rapid manuevering. There is a downside when compared to sport bikes though, and that is the pure rocket factor. While the wing has a ton of torque and can easily get you into trouble, it is nothing when compared to the rockets. Is that a bad thing? Not really. As I get older, I find that I only want so much adreneline coursing through my body at any given time. I figure a 35 mph corner at 60 is far more enjoyable than the same corner at 75. Lean is KING, but something less than knee dragging is still pretty darn good.

[Medicine Bear]

You guys just keep it up - my wife has already picked out the Wing she wants to ride - thanks Sherob - and I can't convince her the ST is just as comfortable. Besides, my ST isn't red.:hotpepper

Fred :03biker:

[STreaker]

Has any thought been given to the fact that both bikes have a crankshaft running parallel to the direction of travel, and thus are easier to lean over than a comprable straight four?

[GoldWingGL]

Whoever says that the wing is lacking in the "fun" factor obviously never pushed the wing. I have more fun on my wing than on any of the sport bikes I have ever owned. There are a couple reasons for that: 1. the bike is extremely sure footed, I will drag pegs long before traction becomes an issue. Not saying the bike can't lean, it can, quite nicely. 2. the upright position allows me to take in my surroundings while manuevering, rather than getting trapped in the tunnel that most of us experience in rapid manuevering. There is a downside when compared to sport bikes though, and that is the pure rocket factor. While the wing has a ton of torque and can easily get you into trouble, it is nothing when compared to the rockets. Is that a bad thing? Not really. As I get older, I find that I only want so much adreneline coursing through my body at any given time. I figure a 35 mph corner at 60 is far more enjoyable than the same corner at 75. Lean is KING, but something less than knee dragging is still pretty darn good.

Well said....

[skidlid1300]

Has any thought been given to the fact that both bikes have a crankshaft running parallel to the direction of travel, and thus are easier to lean over than a comprable straight four?

Never really noticed any difference...

[mstgsaly269]

well for me as a passenger on the bikes, I have to say the st is not comfortable for me on long rides, my legs get cramped and my **S is killing me after a few hours. we test rode a wing this past weekend, and WOW it's like a couch on wheels for me( if the passenger is happy, aren't we all happy) lol needless to say, rich loved the way it handles too, so.... now the st is being traded for a wing.......

[motomac]

well for me as a passenger on the bikes, I have to say the st is not comfortable for me on long rides, my legs get cramped and my **S is killing me after a few hours. we test rode a wing this past weekend, and WOW it's like a couch on wheels for me( if the passenger is happy, aren't we all happy) lol needless to say, rich loved the way it handles too, so.... now the st is being traded for a wing.......

Sally, I asked Rich in another post WHAT COLOR????

[ifly]

Sold my Orange wing 03 ABS and purchaced 05 non-ABS ST1300 . Miss the ABS and was faster on the mountain with my Wing ! I love my ST but if i cant have both i would choose the WING !

[mstgsaly269]

Sally, I asked Rich in another post WHAT COLOR????

not sure you ever got your answer from rich or not but.... it is a pretty blue 07" if your at yooper stoc you"ll see it, Rich will be there with my 17 yr old son, since I will be out campin with the girls for the week.

[mather3]

Is there a Goldwing site like this ST site?
Rich

[mather3]

I am looking for a Goldwing site to gain information on the Wing. Is there a site like theST site? It has been a great help with my ST ownership.
Rich

[sherob]

www.gl1800.org
www.gl1800riders.com