"all bikes lead to a Goldwing"

My Name is Mike and I'm looking to join the "Old Guy on a Gold Wing Club" : )

Looking for a manual transmission, non-tour, low mile, fairly stock GW in the Midwest. 2018-19 silver or black preferred, $15k or so. I've looked on Cycle Trader, but if someone sees one at a dealer or hears about one, drop me a line.
 
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It's pretty easy to find a manual bike, just look for a DCT! Seems to always work that way for me.

They aren't the lightest or most nimble bike made but they do a great job faking it. They do so much so well plus they are very pleasant and really easy to live with.
 
wjbertrand said:
I joined the club a couple weeks ago. Enjoying my 2023 DCT Tour. Manual models seem hard to find new or used. I read somewhere that Honda builds 80% of Gold Wings with DCT.IMG_3457.jpeg
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Buy the foot shifter for the DCT. I have one. It's just like a manual bike except there's no clutch lever.

Only downside is the cost.
 
Obo said:
Buy the foot shifter for the DCT. I have one. It's just like a manual bike except there's no clutch lever.

Only downside is the cost.
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Yeah, I know it is available but not sure I need or want it though. The paddle shifters seem pretty intuitive so far. Is it a kit you can install yourself? How much does it cost?
 
wjbertrand said:
Yeah, I know it is available but not sure I need or want it though. The paddle shifters seem pretty intuitive so far. Is it a kit you can install yourself? How much does it cost?
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I had the dealer do mine as I bought it as one of the factory options with the bike. From what I recall you can DIY, but have to have the bike recognize the shifter. No special tools required that I recall, just a procedure of some kind. Same as if you remove it. As for the paddle shifters, I'm not a real fan of those. It's normally in AUTO which also allows the foot shifter at any time (just like you can use the paddles in AUTO.)

As for cost, mine was in the $600Cdn when I had it installed, so like @jspringator said, you could save your money if the paddles work for you and you still want some manual control.
 
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All bikes lead to a Goldwing.

The Goldwing then leads to getting a trailer (or two...) to tow behind it.

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(Trailer is actually black, but is coated in calcium or magnesium chloride from dirt road construction on our way to / from Gros Morne in Nfld. Circa August 2024)

Photo of the single wheel trailer coming. Have to get the new hitch system mounted (U joint style vs ball and receiver style above.)
 
HR Cole said:
No Goldwing for me! I used to think I wanted a GW but too pricey and not as much fun as my Transalp! I’ll stick to my ST1300 if I want to ride a ‘big’ bike.
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I hear ya!
Actually thought the same about buying the GSA, but buying used, with a couple thousand in training from RawHyde Adventures helped soften it a little.
Beyond always wanting one and having the cash and knowing I'm pushing 70yo - and I mean pushing HARD - I figured it really was "now or never."
No regrets, especially since I was able to keep the ST1300 as well.
Have to say I may want more, but I am extremely fortunate, and happy with what I have.
 
Had the ST1300 new from 2005-2010. Had 3 FJR1300's from then until May 2025. Last FJR being a 2020 I got in 2021 new. Fence sat about the GoldWing from 2023 to 2025 wondering if I would regret the switch. Kept the Sargeant aftermarket seat for the FJR for 6 months after the trade just in case I had to go back to the FJR. Sold the seat as I realized I made a great choice getting the Wing with no regrets. Not to say the ST or the FJR were not good bikes because they certainly were. But I retired last May and this was a present for self. I was fortunate to be able to pay cash for it. I proceeded to ride 24,000 km between May and September. That said... motorcycles are very personal and the bike you ride and desire IS the right bike for you.
 
After the first 10,000 miles I'm morphing into a love hate relationship with my '23 GoldWing DCT. I think the bike is great but find myself questioning if it is too much of a good thing. I'm never quite sure if I'm taking it for a ride or if it's taking me for a ride. It is easy to ride until you get into tight places at slow speeds. The weight is never an issue but the wheelbase certainly is. Maybe it's the Michelin tires that are on it but it also does not behave well on seams and ridges in the pavement at low speeds. I have spent more time in empty lots practicing on this bike than with any other bike I've owned and I still find myself in situations where the shear size of the bike intimidates me. About 12 years ago I owned a RoadKing and it handled like a scooter in parking lots. Don't get me wrong I love the GoldWing and the DCT just having a tough time sorting it in tight places and it's the first bike ever to rattle my confidence. I'm sure I'll get past it but I thought I'd be there by now.

 
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Donk said:
After the first 10,000 miles I'm morphing into a love hate relationship with my '23 GoldWing DCT. I think the bike is great but find myself questioning if it is too much of a good thing. I'm never quite sure if I'm taking it for a ride or if it's taking me for a ride. It is easy to ride until you get into tight places at slow speeds. The weight is never an issue but the wheelbase certainly is. Maybe it's the Michelin tires that are on it but it also does not behave well on seams and ridges in the pavement at low speeds. I have spent more time in empty lots practicing on this bike than with any other bike I've owned and I still find myself in situations where the shear size of the bike intimidates me. About 12 years ago I owned a RoadKing and it handled like a scooter in parking lots. Don't get me wrong I love the GoldWing and the DCT just having a tough time sorting it in tight places and it's the first bike ever to rattle my confidence. I'm sure I'll get past it but I thought I'd be there by now.

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Laughing at the video, never seen that before.

Maybe you need to plan the places you get into better :rofl1: j/k Donk

I've never owned a Goldwing, but have ridden several generations. First one I rode was a 76. Loved it. I think the last one I rode was a new 2018, WOW, it had gained a lot, in every dimension. Awesome bike though. IMO if you are into long distance riding, there is no better bike on the planet. However," For the riding I'm doing these days", a Wing would be too much for me now. An ST would be too much for me now. An FJR would be a lot for me now. I'm happy to have downsized to NC 750's. Being old, frail and weak and not traveling very far from home, they suit me well. Don't want anything bigger, or smaller at this point.

Seeing as how you are still into interplanetary travel in a short amount of time, one would think a Wing would be right up your alley. You'll figure it out. ;)
 
Donk said:
After the first 10,000 miles I'm morphing into a love hate relationship with my '23 GoldWing DCT. I think the bike is great but find myself questioning if it is too much of a good thing. I'm never quite sure if I'm taking it for a ride or if it's taking me for a ride. It is easy to ride until you get into tight places at slow speeds. The weight is never an issue but the wheelbase certainly is. Maybe it's the Michelin tires that are on it but it also does not behave well on seams and ridges in the pavement at low speeds. I have spent more time in empty lots practicing on this bike than with any other bike I've owned and I still find myself in situations where the shear size of the bike intimidates me. About 12 years ago I owned a RoadKing and it handled like a scooter in parking lots. Don't get me wrong I love the GoldWing and the DCT just having a tough time sorting it in tight places and it's the first bike ever to rattle my confidence. I'm sure I'll get past it but I thought I'd be there by now.

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Interesting perspective. I’m just wondering, do you regret selling the NT1100 for the GW? I often thought about a GW in the past but for the riding I do (these days, not cross country but just longer distance A->A rides), I feel the GW would be overkill. I have thought about the NT if I ever chose to sell one of the ST1100’s (not looking to sell those now) vs a Kawasaki Versys 1100SE.
 
I do not regret selling the NT and still like the GoldWing better. The NT's Africa Twin roots shine through too much for me as the bike feels taller than it need be and carries its weight too high. I also prefer the aerodynamics of the GoldWing better. Bike preference is such a personal thing. Everyone has to find what works for them. If the NT was more like an NC or GoldWing it would be more to my liking but alas it's not. If Honda made a GoldWing Lite at about 3/4 the size of the current Wing it would be ideal for me but they don't. Given the choice I would prefer to ride an 800-900cc bike but I tried the Wing and overall it is impressive. I am not sure what's up but it will get sorted out. The GoldWing is too good a bike to give up on easily.
 
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