R1250 RT or new Goldwing?

If you're really into DIY maintenance / servicing, I'll have to grudgingly give the advantage to the Beemer.
I thought the Blackbird was plastics-intensive, until I got my ST.
While I would like to buy a USED Wing (see my cheap-SOB comment above) at a later date, I dread getting under the hood on that Tupperware-infested monstrosity.
On the upside, ya don't hafta do it often.
 
Sadlsor said:
While I would like to buy a USED Wing (see my cheap-SOB comment above) at a later date, I dread getting under the hood on that Tupperware-infested monstrosity.
On the upside, ya don't hafta do it often.
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Believe it or not, I find it easier to get past the plastic on my GL than on my ST, now that I understand better how to remove it.
 
IMO these are very different bikes aimed at very different riders, they are so different the decision should be an easy one to make, if it isn't, then lots of soul searching is still to be done.
 
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drrod said:
Interesting. You "would not own a BMW without full warranty" so went with Honda but bought extended warranty. No faith in Honda? Or just decide not to own any bike that was not on warranty? Would you have kept the BMW if it had the extended warranty or did you not like riding it? Just wanted something different?
What is the difference (if any) in cost of extending the warranty out for 5 years between the two?
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I liked the RT, but with warranty running out and the Goldwing DTC on the market, that sealed it for me.
I bought the Honda extended warranty because of what I learned from the BMW. The Goldwing was a new model, so I thought it might be prudent to get the warranty. The BMW extended warranty, if I had purchased it, would have been around $2K (if a recall correctly), I am not sure how many extra years. The aftermarket warranty available later was not really worth getting.
The Honda 5 year unlimited miles extended warranty was $1000 list (it can be discounted by some dealers.)
 
Just returned from my garage and while sitting on my K/GT remembered also my earlier R1150R and have to say ‘fit & finish’ on the Beemers is just top notch.

Honda is good but BMW is tops with Yamaha and Kawi a distant 3rd.
 
What’s a DTC doing in this conversation? A trouble code?
 
It's been said before, but I'll say it again, ride them.
Plus what's important to you, luggage, mpg, service intervals, DIY service, distance to dealer, pillion comfort etc.
I haven't ridden the GW since the 1500, I have ridden a 2014 RT and genuinely disliked every hour of it, it rode like something out of the dark ages.
On the reliability front they'll both be good but I would have a niggle about Beemers ability to keep shooting themselves in the foot. On the finish front Honda's generally stand up to UK salt and crap better.
But all this is nowt without a ride.
Upt'North.
 
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Although I've never owned a "bite my wiener", thus have no right to an opinion re the BMW product, I do own an '18 Goldwing DCT airbag model. Fantastic experience to ride. And Honda reliability and resale is second to none. My current three Hondas have never given me any grief. You'll remember the quality long after you forget the price!
 
OkieRider said:
The DCT goldwings are impressive from a performance standpoint.
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In this comparison it could be noted the RT has about 40 more hp and about 200 lbs less weight than the Goldwing. The latest Wings are down on power from the previous ones by 10% and objective performance numbers are on par with the 2001 Goldwing.
 
My $.02, I have ridden both and I bought the Goldwing in 18" a manual six speed. It is the 2nd bike in my life that keeps making me smile (ST1300 was the 1st). It is an amazing bike, the mileage on mine in just under 33,000 miles is 52.7 MPG. The ride is incredible and if you own a ST1300 the transition is real easy. As everyone has said, go for a test ride, almost every dealer now will allow that.
 
dduelin said:
In this comparison it could be noted the RT has about 40 more hp and about 200 lbs less weight than the Goldwing.
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Now we're in the philosophical realm of "How much power is actually necessary?"

I don't know about other people's experiences, but I've never rode my GL and found myself thinking, "If only I had more horsepower". I can outrun anything on the road shy of a very well-ridden sport bike or a very expensive sport car, but they'll have to work for it.

Not to mention that at 70 mph, my Gold Wing is exactly as fast as any BMW going 70 mph.
 
Shawn K said:
Now we're in the philosophical realm of "How much power is actually necessary?"

I don't know about other people's experiences, but I've never rode my GL and found myself thinking, "If only I had more horsepower". I can outrun anything on the road shy of a very well-ridden sport bike or a very expensive sport car, but they'll have to work for it.

Not to mention that at 70 mph, my Gold Wing is exactly as fast as any BMW going 70 mph.
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I think you missed the point of responding to #29 and headed straight for the subjective comparisons personal to you. If the GW's performance is impressive, and I didn't say it wasn't, how much more impressive is shedding 25% of the weight and adding 40% more power all for 49% less money (2020 MSRPs)?
 
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Both bikes run the 1/4 mile in under 12 seconds, but the Wing has already hit its speed limiter at 112. The Wing has a definite torque advantage.

John
 
dduelin said:
I think you missed the point of responding to #29 and headed straight for the subjective comparisons personal to you. If the GW's performance is impressive, and I didn't say it wasn't, how much more impressive is shedding 25% of the weight and adding 40% more power all for 49% less money (2020 MSRPs)?
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Not my intention. I'm simply expressing a line of thought that has gone through my mind before.

In my youth, I used to be focused on spec sheet performance numbers, because I thought those things mattered and had a direct link to "better vs. worse". As I've gotten older, I have a different view and those numbers aren't really important to me anymore.

Hence my reference to this being a philosophical question. ;)

As for "49% less money", I paid $15K for my Gold Wing still in the crate. :biggrin:. (I'm just being cheeky, everyone. Don't anyone get their knickers in a twist.)
 
Although more power and less weight are not necessities to get down the road, they certainly make the ride more fun :twocents1:
 
Gug said:
My $.02, I have ridden both and I bought the Goldwing in 18" a manual six speed. It is the 2nd bike in my life that keeps making me smile (ST1300 was the 1st). It is an amazing bike, the mileage on mine in just under 33,000 miles is 52.7 MPG. The ride is incredible and if you own a ST1300 the transition is real easy. As everyone has said, go for a test ride, almost every dealer now will allow that.
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Could you talk a bit more about the transition from ST to GW? With the ST, the sensation the bike is going to tip over. Does the GW feel similar? Also does the seating position feel similar or more flat butt like a cruiser?
 
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