I was asked for a first impression report on my new Goldwing after coming off my ST1300 (Elvis) ride. These are initial observations after 150 miles. The first couple of rides are when a new bike really feels different and before the rider becomes accustomed to the newness. Here we go...
1. The Goldwing engine has torque for sure. Not nearly as much shifting is required compared to the ST1300 when just tooling around town at low speeds. Kind of reminds me of riding my VTX1800F3 Vtwin in the torque feel.
2. The Goldwing is actually louder than the ST1300 when running. The engine is louder on the road and the exhaust has a louder note.
3. The radio sounds and picks up well. I listened to the speakers around town up to about 45mph. I went to helmet speakers at highway speeds.
4. The heated grips and seat work fine.
5. I really like the high gear indicator light
6. The self cancelling turn signals are nice to have and will probably keep the cussing down.
7. Storage is abundant. I already know the top box will be used the most.
8. The adjustable windshield is a nice feature and will keep me from having to buy an aftermarket unit, especially if I had bought the F6B instead.
9. The best farkle is the cruise control.
10. The driveline is much more noisy, and the transmission is more clunky when shifting compared to the ST1300
11. Not unexpected is the loss of maneuverability compared to the ST1300. The GW is a lot lower of course and has no sport bike feel to it.
12. I have a 34" inseam. The seating position for me is too far forward. I bought the floorboards, heel/toe shifter kits. I am far enough forward that using my heel to shift is further back than feels natural or to my liking. My plan is to modify the seat a this winter to give myself a couple of inches more to slide back a little. One can choose the F6B to get a little more space rearwards automatically. I still like my choice better for other reasons.
13. Here is a biggy I did not expect! The sense of speed when riding is a BIG difference. Those of you who ride the ST1300 already know how much it likes to go. Sometimes I would look down and find myself going much faster than I expected when riding the ST1300. The sense of speed feel on the Goldwing is much higher to me. 60mph feels like 60 mph.
14. The linked brakes feel similar and function as the ST1300. Stopping is no problem. I think ABS should be on all of the GW's, however this one does not have it.
15. The built-in TPMS works like a car where you don't see the pressure, but you get a warning light if the pressure gets low.
16. I put the rear suspension on setting 10 out of 26. I don't know enough yet to say if that is a good place to be.
17. The front suspension seems a little soft to me, but not uncomfortable.
18. I already know that the GW is not as hot when riding as the ST1300. I didn't get the normal testicular roasting I expect when riding the ST1300!
19. The center storage cover in front of the driver has no hinge and will probably get replaced with the drop in Kuryakyn cup holder thingy.
I will add more later as I ride. These were just initial things I thought about when riding my new GW for the first 150 miles.
1. The Goldwing engine has torque for sure. Not nearly as much shifting is required compared to the ST1300 when just tooling around town at low speeds. Kind of reminds me of riding my VTX1800F3 Vtwin in the torque feel.
2. The Goldwing is actually louder than the ST1300 when running. The engine is louder on the road and the exhaust has a louder note.
3. The radio sounds and picks up well. I listened to the speakers around town up to about 45mph. I went to helmet speakers at highway speeds.
4. The heated grips and seat work fine.
5. I really like the high gear indicator light
6. The self cancelling turn signals are nice to have and will probably keep the cussing down.
7. Storage is abundant. I already know the top box will be used the most.
8. The adjustable windshield is a nice feature and will keep me from having to buy an aftermarket unit, especially if I had bought the F6B instead.
9. The best farkle is the cruise control.
10. The driveline is much more noisy, and the transmission is more clunky when shifting compared to the ST1300
11. Not unexpected is the loss of maneuverability compared to the ST1300. The GW is a lot lower of course and has no sport bike feel to it.
12. I have a 34" inseam. The seating position for me is too far forward. I bought the floorboards, heel/toe shifter kits. I am far enough forward that using my heel to shift is further back than feels natural or to my liking. My plan is to modify the seat a this winter to give myself a couple of inches more to slide back a little. One can choose the F6B to get a little more space rearwards automatically. I still like my choice better for other reasons.
13. Here is a biggy I did not expect! The sense of speed when riding is a BIG difference. Those of you who ride the ST1300 already know how much it likes to go. Sometimes I would look down and find myself going much faster than I expected when riding the ST1300. The sense of speed feel on the Goldwing is much higher to me. 60mph feels like 60 mph.
14. The linked brakes feel similar and function as the ST1300. Stopping is no problem. I think ABS should be on all of the GW's, however this one does not have it.
15. The built-in TPMS works like a car where you don't see the pressure, but you get a warning light if the pressure gets low.
16. I put the rear suspension on setting 10 out of 26. I don't know enough yet to say if that is a good place to be.
17. The front suspension seems a little soft to me, but not uncomfortable.
18. I already know that the GW is not as hot when riding as the ST1300. I didn't get the normal testicular roasting I expect when riding the ST1300!
19. The center storage cover in front of the driver has no hinge and will probably get replaced with the drop in Kuryakyn cup holder thingy.
I will add more later as I ride. These were just initial things I thought about when riding my new GW for the first 150 miles.
