"all bikes lead to a Goldwing"

ST Gui said:
Why wouldn't he be able to? The real question is — can he stand on the pegs while eating a DQ ice cream cone.

Not a fan of a chaise on the back. That's a slick look without it. I haven't see one of those 'Wings with a third-party box. I'll have to look around.

That bike's a beauty. Since Honda plays D&D with the colors it's tough to get one you want when new. I like white and yellow (though I don't think there was ever an ST1800 in factory yellow) but that green is really nice. I might prefer 50 coats of clear on top but I'd be very happy with that bike as is.

And DCT!
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The pegs on a Goldwing are located a good bit forward of where they are on a ST1300 while the grips are further back so it is sort of awkward to stand on the pegs while straining to lean forward against the wind. The solution for me was simple - stand with my feet on the passenger pegs. This leaned me forward enough to offset wind pressure on the upper body.

I can't agree the 2018+ Wing is any sort of ST1800 sport tourer having owned several sport touring bikes and a 2006 and 2018 Wing. It's sort of "sporty" compared to the 2001-2017 Wing I guess.
 
I could stand on the pegs on the '23 while going down the highway without a problem. It was certainly a bit more awkward than on an adventure bike but doable safely enough.
 
I got to ride a DCT Tour at a demo ride recently (Moto America event at VIR). It was my first time riding a DCT. They gave me a quick rundown of how it works before the ride. It sure is an impressive piece of engineering, but it felt too big for my liking. It's also way too expensive for me. I liked the DCT enough to consider it on a smaller bike like the NT1100 or NC750X (no immediate plans though).
 
Lately, I find myself looking hard at a new GW....dunno if I will go that way.....not many alternate choices short of going BMW, in the larger touring class......
Since I already have a Valkyrie, a GW isnt that big of a stretch....( after I barf on the purchase price)
 
mello dude said:
Lately, I find myself looking hard at a new GW....dunno if I will go that way.....not many alternate choices short of going BMW, in the larger touring class......
Since I already have a Valkyrie, a GW isnt that big of a stretch....( after I barf on the purchase price)
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I had a BMW K1600 GTL and while I loved it for performance and comfort, it seemed like there was always some little thing going wrong. Speed shifter went out, reverse went out, ignition coil would set the light off. Even though the first two were covered under warranty, it was a PITA. And everything is expensive and over engineered. The second, internal oil plug seems almost intentionally over-engineered.

Worse, their dealership network is intentionally sparse, so everything I had to have them do was two three-hour round trips.

Still, that engine was fantastic. YMMV.

I can't speak about the Gold Wing except that the process for changing the rear tire turned me off of them permanently.
 
Belisaerio said:
I had a BMW K1600 GTL and while I loved it for performance and comfort, it seemed like there was always some little thing going wrong. Speed shifter went out, reverse went out, ignition coil would set the light off. Even though the first two were covered under warranty, it was a PITA. And everything is expensive and over engineered. The second, internal oil plug seems almost intentionally over-engineered.

Worse, their dealership network is intentionally sparse, so everything I had to have them do was two three-hour round trips.

Still, that engine was fantastic. YMMV.

I can't speak about the Gold Wing except that the process for changing the rear tire turned me off of them permanently.
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Maintenance on the Gold Wing is holding me back too. (well, that and the price). Right now I do all of the routine maintenance on my ST1300, but if I decide to go bigger, I'll factor in the cost of bringing it to a dealer which is a very unappealing prospect.
 
ddemair said:
Maintenance on the Gold Wing is holding me back too. (well, that and the price). Right now I do all of the routine maintenance on my ST1300, but if I decide to go bigger, I'll factor in the cost of bringing it to a dealer which is a very unappealing prospect.
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The only real PITA on the DCT airbag Wing is the air filter due to it being buried. It's akin to having to take off the Tupperware on the 1300 to access the bleeder nipple by the ABS unit. (yes I know there way ways to access it without removing ALL the Tupperware.)

I'm not sure what's the trouble with changing the rear tire. It's not difficult, even with the extra step I have due to the trailer hitch. I've done mine a few times.

My deciding factor was the dealer network (there was only 1 BMW dealer about 3 hrs round trip for me that served everyone across 3 or 4 provinces.) and total cost of ownership considering services over the lifetime.
 
Belisaerio said:
I can't speak about the Gold Wing except that the process for changing the rear tire turned me off of them permanently.
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If removing the rear wheel is like the Valkyrie, I know what you mean.... I dread the time when I need to do that..
-- Of course I am waaaay spoiled from the VFR on removing the rear wheel..... loosen muffler slip on bolts, rotate.... remove lug nuts... done! 5 minutes tops.
 
mello dude said:
If removing the rear wheel is like the Valkyrie, I know what you mean.... I dread the time when I need to do that..
-- Of course I am waaaay spoiled from the VFR on removing the rear wheel..... loosen muffler slip on bolts, rotate.... remove lug nuts... done! 5 minutes tops.
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The 2018+ Wing is a single sided swingarm for the rear.

You can do 1 of 4 ways .

1. add something (block of wood etc) under the center stand so the wheel drops and comes out after removing the bolts.
2. lay it on it's side (yes, that's a real thing you can do!), remove the bolts, remove the wheel.
3. on the center stand, take off the rear splash guard (2 allen bolts and one unclipped wire,) remove the bolts and side the tire out the rear.
4. pay someone else to do it. :)

With my hitch if I wanted to do #3 i'd need to remove some of my hitch first.

I normally do method1.

If you had a lift that had a drop for the rear tire, or raised the bike up like a "forklift," you'd be golden.



Images of the side method:

1790963207487.png1790963217128.png1790963314241.png
 
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