"all bikes lead to a Goldwing"

[the Ferret]

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.

Laughing at the video, never seen that before.

Maybe you need to plan the places you get into better 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.

 

[Erdoc48]

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.

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.

 

[Donk]

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.

 

[Larry Fine]

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.

Maybe not, but that's a pretty good description of the STs to me.

 

[Obo]

ST's and GW's are different. I loved my ST, but was and never would be a GW. I also love my GW, and it will never be an ST. Would I like to have another ST, yes. Would I want to swap it out for my GW, definitely not. Which would get used more? I think it's fair to say the GW.

 

[Mellow]

@Donk I found it odd you didn't like the RT... If I remember correctly you did try one? To me it is a a middle ground between the ST and GW but will never be as smooth as the V4 or F6 by design... A tripple would be close but all the Twins/parallel/boxer/Vs will always have some more feedback.

 

[Donk]

Joe I like the RT it's just not for me. I think it's a great bike. It has too much weather protection for my liking is my biggest gripe and believe it or not the new GoldWing is cooler or has more airflow on a really hot day. Also as I'm sure you've noticed the RT is geared a little taller than the GS. Great for relaxed cruising but does take away from the grunt when riding out of a corner. As for engines design I am partial to twins, there I said it, even put it in writing! Loved the engines in my Guzzis, the transmission in the V100 not so much! Guzzi is just a BMW boxer made right and with more ground clearance That said the F6 is an amazing motor and it would be very hard for anyone to find fault with. Must be a reason Porsche stuck with it all these years.

I really like the GoldWing and think it's an excellent bike. Any issue is probably with the rider. I'm starting to question at 8 months after surgery if my shoulder is really up to the task? My wife says I seem to be icing it after every GoldWing ride and not so with my NC. I don't doubt that my shoulder is affecting my confidence and then the mind games get going.

 

[Obo]

I really like the GoldWing and think it's an excellent bike. Any issue is probably with the rider. I'm starting to question at 8 months after surgery if my shoulder is really up to the task? My wife says I seem to be icing it after every GoldWing ride and not so with my NC. I don't doubt that my shoulder is affecting my confidence and then the mind games get going.

Have you tried bar risers on the Wing to see if it makes a difference? (Helibars kit or just generic risers?)

From the Wingstuff site:

 

[ChucksKLRST]

Yes as Donk has said Motorcycles are such a personal like or dislike. And that preference even changes over time. At almost 77 I find I am still too young for a Wing, after owning a 1200 Interstate many years ago. I find that my NT1100 is turning into the correct machine for my age and family situation. My FJR Gen III is still my favorite of all bikes I have owned but over the years even she has become a bit too fat and heavy. I see a day in the not to distance future where my V-Strom will be the only bike in my garage. I started my moto career with a 650cc bike some 40+ years ago, and I will probably finish with a 650cc bike.

 

[CDNolddude]

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.

Sounds a lot like me. Do I go smaller or not. My 24 tour DCT is great but I don’t do the same type of riding. They don’t have the nc750x in Canada now. I think an updated 85 Gl1200 wing would be the ticket. My St1300 was getting too top heavy for me. May try some 650’s. For now the wing is staying.

 

[jspringator]

Here is the formula for Goldwing comfort. Helibar Horizon bars, Utopia backrest, RDL seat. Adjust the bars so that when your arms are down you have a level forearm. I like the backrest up pretty far to keep my back from getting sore. Steve Sanders has an old utube about the level forearm and he is absolutely correct.