"all bikes lead to a Goldwing"

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.
 
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.
 
@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.
 
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.
 
Donk said:
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.
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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:

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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.
 
Donk said:
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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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.
 
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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.
 
Maybe that's a formula for you, it isn't for me. Day I put a backrest on a motorcycle is the day after I give up riding. As for RDL seat no thank you. I use my lower body too much when riding and I could never put something that ugly on a bike I liked. You are welcome to do as you like to your bike but that doesn't mean it will work for everybody.
 
I think the Goldwing is the logical conclusion, the culmination of various aspects of riding, I mean let's get real; it's got it all and what I think is the biggest draw is passenger comfort and control with that passenger aboard; is there an easier bike to get on and off of whether you're solo or two up
For me, I'm not ever gonna buy another motorcycle but if I did it would have to be this bike
 
jspringator said:
Criticize if you want, but I look at it like this. I am comfortable, and you are not.
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What makes you so sure about that? Because I commented about recovering from shoulder surgery? Do you know how I am built or how I fit on a bike? How many hours do we both ride in a day? So many variables, so many unknowns. As I said you are welcome to do as you like to your bike but that doesn't mean it will work for everyone.
 
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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That's about how I felt about my Valkyrie. Amazing on the open road, not all that bad in the twisties, but not at all a good experience in parking lots. Loved the raw power and velvet smooth ride, but the ST has raw power, and better manners at low speed.
 
Lee T said:
That's about how I felt about my Valkyrie. Amazing on the open road, not all that bad in the twisties, but not at all a good experience in parking lots. Loved the raw power and velvet smooth ride, but the ST has raw power, and better manners at low speed.
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I'm kinda curious about all these comments regarding "handling at low speed."
Without casting aspersions, as a RiderCoach AND with decades of watching other riders in virtually every imaginable daily scenario, I know I have seen a LOT of riders struggle at parking / parking lot speeds, so I have to wonder... just how much is attributed to rider skills, versus the bike itself?
To add to my curiosity, I have watched many, many Gold Wing Drill Teams, and have seen everything from the 1200s to 1500s to 1800s in formation, as well as individual riding demos. So I am reluctant to believe a Wing (presuming in good tune) is actually difficult to handle at very low speeds. Now, of course, individual riders may have a specific leg or hip injury, or weakness, that would have no bearing on the capability of the motorcycle itself.
But for many reasons, one of the very first things I do with ANY bike that's new to me, is go practice parking lot drills, including 360s, u-turns, and all that.
In fact, that's how I first dropped my ST1300 upon getting it home to Birmingham, doing slow u-turns to learn how it feels.
Again, I'm not picking on anyone, just wondering what is meant by "Hard" when going slow. Motorcycles.
 
I've had a couple GL1800s and the wheelbase is noticeable at low speeds... Sure, anyone with practice can do some amazing things in an obstacle course but that usually does require hours of practice and filed down crash bars doing that course over and over and over.

As for recreational riding... There's a big difference in, say a tracer 900 zipping through 10-15mph curves and throwing the GL1800 around... it does take more effort and concentration, no matter how good you are. So, there is a difference...
 
Sadlsor said:
just wondering what is meant by "Hard" when going slow.
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I'm guessing folks compare slow speed handling and movement against other bike's that they've ridden. While that would make each comparison based on that persons own abilities, it could correlate if a majority of riders, who's ability varied, found certain commonly ridden bikes harder than others at low speed.
 
To clarify; without rereading my previous posts I do not think I used the word hard anywhere in reference to the GoldWing. I can't speak about earlier generations but the 18+ GoldWing is a super easy bike to ride and I believe I said that. I do not believe there is anything wrong with my specific bike again I believe it to be an excellent example of an excellent machine. What I said was it has a long wheelbase and isn't the best in tight places. Combine that with a recovering right shoulder that is not up to full strength by any stretch I find myself in uncomfortable situations. Not the bike, it may not be the rider but the combination of GoldWing and this rider is struggling at low speeds AT THIS TIME and more so at low speeds and bad pavement. I did mention I have spent a fair amount of time in parking lots practicing with the bike. I am of average motorcycle skills maybe with a little more training and practice than some. I have done training with LEO Motor instructors and can throw a RoadKing around ok for a civilian that doesn't work at it, or at least I could pre shoulder injury and surgery. I am not defending myself. Anyone who knows me knows I don't give a R A about what other people think or think about me. I am however right now defending the GoldWing. It is a brilliant piece of machinery and I have never said otherwise. That said a GoldWing because of its longer wheelbase cannot turn as tight a circle as some other bikes such as a Police HD for example. I have watched LEO Motor instructors try and they couldn't do it, neither can I, neither can you. GoldWing is still a great bike. All I was saying was right now there are times where I'm struggling with it. I do think most of the people here on the forum get it, get what I'm saying, I apologize if this turned into a rant.
 
For better or worse I parted ways with the GoldWing. Brilliant bike made better by the Traxxion suspension. For whatever reason, the bike while super easy to ride was causing me a great deal of anxiety. Love the bike but I am relieved it's gone. End of story for me.
 
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