2018 Goldwing Tour Manual Update:
I have had this bike since March 20, 2018. I currently have 4,343 miles on it. Quite simply it is the ST1300 on steroids. Everything is a bit bigger and I find it easier to handle as a result of the lower center of gravity. No, it is not as fast (I will get to that later), but if you put it in sport mode you will not be disappointed I can assure you. OK here is (later) I have attached the Cycleworld Dyno run of this bike. Normally it is referred to as a "Torque Curve", as you can see from the chart it is anything but a curve. This bike has over 100 ft. lb. of torque at 900 rpm's, hits 108 ft. lb. at 1250 rpm's and maintains that torque kind of torque to just shy of 5000 rpm's. I for one have never seen anything like this. All on 86 octane requirement regular fuel. If you would like to see more watch this
video and start at 16:22 to see what I am talking about.
Handling is impressive on this bike. The front end is remarkable in absorbing bumps and handling. Doing a full turn is no problem and comfortable. The seat is the best stock seat I have ever ridden on. My ST1300 had a custom cut Rick Mayer seat that I thought could not get any better, this seat for me beats it. About a week after I bought it, I rode to FL for a few weeks. It was effortless for me to run tanks out to anywhere from 200 to 230 miles. As for running tanks out I rode down in rather cold weather and put the cruise control on 65 mph. I was getting about 44 mpg, this is still in breakin and temps between 32 and 40F. The cold weather always reduces gas mileage. Now that we have reached spring/summer weather here in MI, I am getting about 47-48 mpg all around riding. Just city riding is getting 44+mpg (I am usually in 6th gear around 40 mph that makes a difference). I took a 180 mile + ride a cpl weeks ago in 75F weather on cruise cntl @ 65 mph and got 52 mpg in little wind with windshield low (I am pointing out all these factors being they all impact mileage). So at this point this bike has completely exceeded my gas mileage expectations. The speedo accuracy is the best I have ever seen on a motorcycle. It is as accurate as my Garmin GPS, if anything it is understated by 1 mph and carries this to 75 mph. The brakes on this bike are impressive as well. It stops effortlessly. The ABS makes it seem softer in stopping but seems to do the job well. The front end does not dive when you break and that is huge, it just stimulates more confidence when you have to grab onto them.
Ergos on the bike are excellent for me. Heck I am tickled to death about just having cruise cntl, heated seat and grips. The buttons and switches are easy to get use to and intuitive. I have to mention the horn on this bike, it is louder than any I can think of (on a test ride try it, texters beware).
I added my Garmin GPS to this bike as many others have. Reason being is the built in GPS has Limitations. I am like many others who own this bike had great expectations of the bikes GPS and it is OK at best. The service manager where I purchased my bike shared with me that he attended a seminar by Honda at the museum across from the previous Marysville, OH assembly plant and that Honda is aware of the GPS shortcomings and is doing a release in the end of June. Hopefully that will enhance the GPS's ability. I don't believe that will remedy being able to access while riding gas stations, hotels or food. Those are essentials for me and I doubt because of the liability involved that will happen. It would be nice to be wrong on this but time will tell. Hence me adding the Garmin to the bike.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Dennis
