MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
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RE: MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
ORIGINAL: Ben U
I left my 05 1800 ABS Goldwing for my current ride (see below). No bashing here ... just my honest opinion.
The pro's of the wing compared to the FLHTC?
1) ABS and linked brake system.
2) Less engine heat at stops.
3) Easy to keep clean.
4) Adjustable rear suspension and headlight with a flick of a switch.
5) I guess the intercom systems are nice but my wife and didn't use it much ... I guess we're just old school.
Con's
1) Cross winds pushed my around way too much while my wife rode with me. Not too bad riding solo.
2) Couldn't really personalize my ride to set apart from the others.
3) Chrome just didn't look right with all the other tupperware.
4) I went through front tires way too much ... about every 7000 miles. They always seemed to cup. I beleive it was because my bike was developing the low speed wobble on decel.
5) I always had a break squiel and the dealer said it was normal.
6) 6 hours is too much time just to change out the air filter.
7) The fairing provided so much wind protection, I had a hard time riding during the summer months.
Tips.
1) Removing the brake pads and conducting a complete cleaning will stop the break squiel for about 500 miles.
2) Installing the belly pan will not improve handling with cross winds but will help prevent oil filter puntures from road debreit.
3) Don't adjust the windshield height too much or the internal tracks will wear out. Find a height you like and stick with it.
4) Learn how to enter rear trunk manually before you lock your keys in it ... eventually it will happen. Ask me how I know.
5) Install wind deflectors to pull more air over you at speed.
Good luck and enjoy your ride. To me it doesn't matter as long as your knees are in the breeze. Of course with the wing, they'll be pulled behind that big fairing.
I left my 05 1800 ABS Goldwing for my current ride (see below). No bashing here ... just my honest opinion.
The pro's of the wing compared to the FLHTC?
1) ABS and linked brake system.
2) Less engine heat at stops.
3) Easy to keep clean.
4) Adjustable rear suspension and headlight with a flick of a switch.
5) I guess the intercom systems are nice but my wife and didn't use it much ... I guess we're just old school.
Con's
1) Cross winds pushed my around way too much while my wife rode with me. Not too bad riding solo.
2) Couldn't really personalize my ride to set apart from the others.
3) Chrome just didn't look right with all the other tupperware.
4) I went through front tires way too much ... about every 7000 miles. They always seemed to cup. I beleive it was because my bike was developing the low speed wobble on decel.
5) I always had a break squiel and the dealer said it was normal.
6) 6 hours is too much time just to change out the air filter.
7) The fairing provided so much wind protection, I had a hard time riding during the summer months.
Tips.
1) Removing the brake pads and conducting a complete cleaning will stop the break squiel for about 500 miles.
2) Installing the belly pan will not improve handling with cross winds but will help prevent oil filter puntures from road debreit.
3) Don't adjust the windshield height too much or the internal tracks will wear out. Find a height you like and stick with it.
4) Learn how to enter rear trunk manually before you lock your keys in it ... eventually it will happen. Ask me how I know.
5) Install wind deflectors to pull more air over you at speed.
Good luck and enjoy your ride. To me it doesn't matter as long as your knees are in the breeze. Of course with the wing, they'll be pulled behind that big fairing.
You forgot one little itty bitty detail on the "pro's" category - 115 horsepower. Don't get me wrong, I love my Street Glide. Wouldn't sell it for anything. But when I'm in a mood for adrenaline, the HD stays in the garage and the Wing and I head for the horizon. As for the air filter, yeah it's a pain to change, but it's only a 3 hour job and only needs changing every couple of years. Maintenance is actually much easier on my Wing than my Street Glide. Oil change on the Wing is 15 minutes, but it's 1-2 hours to do all 3 holes on my glide.
Ted,
Congrats on your new ride. Hope you enjoy it for many years. Maybe in the future you can add another HD to your stable and have the best of both worlds. Whatever you ride, may the years ahead be the best riding that you've ever had!
Doug
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
RE: MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
I considered a Wing a few years ago. Honda dealer was a d!ck. Didn't have a Wing in stock. Left my name & number for him to call when it came in so I could check it out. Always "In a couple more days." whenever I stopped by. Never did get a phone call and I had the cash if I did happen to like it. This dealer is only @ 4-5 miles from my house too. Anyways, I stuck with the HD family and got an E-Glide and really like it. Had to stop by that same Honda dealer awhile ago to pick up an extra helmet. I got totally ignored and bypassed about 3-4 times in preference to others who came in after me. When someone did happen to finally come over (Guess he drew the short straw to deal with the big bald guy.) he asked if he could get me a "Bike to go with that helmet." I replied with the little story I just said here, and all of a sudden they were very attentive. Whatever. Anyways, not to p!ss on your campfire with all this, but I wish you luck with your Wing & dealer. By the way, what kind of gas mileage do the Wings get? Someone was telling me once that they're pretty thirsty.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 2
RE: MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
Glad you got yourself a new ride!
I'd much rather have a winger .... than the new 2008 Victory Vision. OMG those are the nastiest bikes I've seen. Some say there is no personality with Wingers ... but Those are better looking as a motorcycle than the "George Jetson" Vision.
I wanted a GW for years and years. Thought those were the coolest bikes (OK .... give me a break I was young). Can't image not having a HD ... and wouldn't mind a used winger at some point just to have some fun with. But all in all. I love the HD culture and the 'family' atmosphere I have with the dealership I go to for parts and gear. Love pulling up into the parking lot on the weekends and seeing all the gorgeous bikes with their customization and drooling over certain features or addons.
In ways with you working for a dealership .... you still get the a lot of the perks of knowing a lot of the customers and milling around the bikes and whatnot.
If ya ever come out to Seattle... I'll ride with ya in a heartbeat!
I'd much rather have a winger .... than the new 2008 Victory Vision. OMG those are the nastiest bikes I've seen. Some say there is no personality with Wingers ... but Those are better looking as a motorcycle than the "George Jetson" Vision.
I wanted a GW for years and years. Thought those were the coolest bikes (OK .... give me a break I was young). Can't image not having a HD ... and wouldn't mind a used winger at some point just to have some fun with. But all in all. I love the HD culture and the 'family' atmosphere I have with the dealership I go to for parts and gear. Love pulling up into the parking lot on the weekends and seeing all the gorgeous bikes with their customization and drooling over certain features or addons.
In ways with you working for a dealership .... you still get the a lot of the perks of knowing a lot of the customers and milling around the bikes and whatnot.
If ya ever come out to Seattle... I'll ride with ya in a heartbeat!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
RE: MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
ORIGINAL: Ben U
Good luck and enjoy your ride. To me it doesn't matter as long as your knees are in the breeze. Of course with the wing, they'll be pulled behind that big fairing.
Good luck and enjoy your ride. To me it doesn't matter as long as your knees are in the breeze. Of course with the wing, they'll be pulled behind that big fairing.
Ted, as long as you keep riding your still ahead of the rest!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From:
RE: MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
ORIGINAL: the_icemAN
I'd also like to know what the MPGs are for the '07 goldwings
I'd also like to know what the MPGs are for the '07 goldwings
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 1
From: Grand Island , New York
RE: MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP THIS A SECRET
I would check with your tuner , I am getting 45 m.p.g. with my current map , the last one I had was 39.
ORIGINAL: UGGA
My '05 averages 40mpg. The '07 Winghas the same motor, so it should be the same. With respect to gas, there are two other considerations to look at as well. HD only has a 5 gallon tank, the Wing has 6.6. Also, the Wing runs on regular, the HD needs premium. I only get about 33-34mpg on my Street Glide (Stage 1 A/C, Hooker mufflers, PCIII, dynotune). That means that the range on my Street Glide is about 150 miles, whereas my Wing has a range of about 250 miles. That's a very important consideration when your in the middle of Utah's Grand Staircase Escalante and the next gas station is who knows where.
ORIGINAL: the_icemAN
I'd also like to know what the MPGs are for the '07 goldwings
I'd also like to know what the MPGs are for the '07 goldwings
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