Goldwing or Ultra Classic
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
I owned a 81 GW Interstate and it was a great bike. I just never liked the newer ones, they just got more and more plastic"y". I went with a Road King, it has the look and feel of what a motorcycle should be. I may someday move up to an Ultra someday but with the detatchable king tour pak and the hard bags on my RK I won't be real soon.
IMO. The Harley moves my soul and is more than a mode of transport.
IMO. The Harley moves my soul and is more than a mode of transport.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
+1
HogBack, you've basically hit on all the points that I was going to raise!! Haven't owned both, but put plenty of miles on both (rentals) & I own the Harley. Wouldn't trade it for anything else.
HogBack, you've basically hit on all the points that I was going to raise!! Haven't owned both, but put plenty of miles on both (rentals) & I own the Harley. Wouldn't trade it for anything else.
ORIGINAL: HogBack
Have owned both, plus an 00 Yamaha Venture full dress.Between the Wing and the Ultra,Harley is my choice. The Wing has more power, quieter, better weather protection, no personality, but the Harley handles much better, feel muchlighter, and easier to work on, 10+ MPG over the Wing, and has great character. The metrics never motivated so much as a smile, just a way to get to work.
I do not run more than 75 much, so if you are into higher speed touringat 85 plus all day long, better rent and make your own call.
Later
Have owned both, plus an 00 Yamaha Venture full dress.Between the Wing and the Ultra,Harley is my choice. The Wing has more power, quieter, better weather protection, no personality, but the Harley handles much better, feel muchlighter, and easier to work on, 10+ MPG over the Wing, and has great character. The metrics never motivated so much as a smile, just a way to get to work.
I do not run more than 75 much, so if you are into higher speed touringat 85 plus all day long, better rent and make your own call.
Later
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
You shouldlook at the Road Glide also. With the fixed faring it is comparable to the GW. You couldadd a tour pack for extra storage.
My neighbor has an '08 GW. He loves the NAV and the stereo and keeps hisSofttail Springer covered in the garage. It does sound like the air cars from the Jetsons cartoon. After riding it, it makes my Road King feel like a small bike.
My neighbor has an '08 GW. He loves the NAV and the stereo and keeps hisSofttail Springer covered in the garage. It does sound like the air cars from the Jetsons cartoon. After riding it, it makes my Road King feel like a small bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
ORIGINAL: br7l32
I have been deliberating for the past 2 or 3 weeks now and am leaning really hard towards the wing. I live literally out in the middle of nowhere and it's 200 to 300 miles to anywhere. Has anyone owned both and if you had the same decision to make again which one would you choose?
I have been deliberating for the past 2 or 3 weeks now and am leaning really hard towards the wing. I live literally out in the middle of nowhere and it's 200 to 300 miles to anywhere. Has anyone owned both and if you had the same decision to make again which one would you choose?
To establish a modicum of credibility, I've owned three 'Wings and three Harleys, along with prolly 20 or more bikes of other brands over the years. I've been riding 50 years, longer than many of these guys are old. So much for credibility.
I currently own both a '04 Wing AND a '08 Ultra Classic, and I can most definitely be objective in characterizing them. I have my money in both of them, and I ride one of 'em or the other about every day.
Based solely on your statement "I live literally out in the middle of nowhere and it's 200 to 300 miles to anywhere.", I'd recommend the 'Wing without reservation. It's simply a more comfortable ride. The UC may have "more soul", but that "soul" translates into discomfort on long rides.
Here are some factoids:
The UC will turn heads everywhere you go. If you're into profiling, and many people are, maybe it's the choice for you. However, 2-300 miles from nowhere, there are no heads to turn, and "getting there" may emerge as the prime objective.
The 'Wing has vastly better protection from the elements. The windshield is not only up/down adjustable, but it's simply larger, resulting in better wind protection, as well as being vented for flow-through when the weather's warm. The UC has none of that. Add to that the fact that the fairing on the 'Wing offers lower body protection the UC cannot. The UC "lowers", even with their "adjustable" properties, provide only minimal windblast protection. If it's cold outside, I always have to wear some sort of added leg protection on the UC due cold air over the tops of the lowers; there's no need for that riding the 'Wing.
Someone said the UC's a better handler. Not true. It's not bad, but the 'Wing's horizontally-opposed cylinders keep a lot more of it's engine weight down low, and that lowers the center of gravity, making low speed handling a snap. It's a lot more competent at low speeds. It's proportional braking system and sport-tuned suspension, combined with larger tires and better traction, gives the rider a level of confidence impossible to achieve on the UC. The 'Wing also has anti-dive front suspension, a nice touch. The UC does not. Lastly in the handling department, on a 'Wing, you're going to be able to functionally USE all those performance features, because it has considerably more power (118 hp) than a [size="2"]stock UC - HD refused to publish it's horsepower, but it's around 70 or so. Additionally, the 'Wing comes with all that power from the factory; there's no need to pump another $6-8000 of perform
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: New York City Area
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
Well funny you should ask that. Ive never been on a "LeadWing" as some call it although we all came from a beginning, riding foreign bikes, myself included. I was at the deler picking up my new 08Classic, and started talking to a guy that was also there to pick up his 08 Ultra. Said this was his first Harley, sold his Kawasaki and was undecided even took a new "LeadWing" for a ride, didnt like it very plastic, heavy, more money, took an Ultra for a ride loved it, bought it , Crimson Red beautiful color and saved himself 1K said it was the best bike he's owned!!!! In the end you have to choose what you want, youll be riding it and paying for it!! Ill still wave to you on the "Wing" when I see you, although not with the same enthusiasm! Ride Safe, brother! Bill
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
ORIGINAL: Uncle Scrooge
Hey Redneck,
Great post, but your cover is blown! The further you got into it, the thinner the redneck accent became. What year did you graduate Harvard?
Hey Redneck,
Great post, but your cover is blown! The further you got into it, the thinner the redneck accent became. What year did you graduate Harvard?
Ron
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 47
From: New Hartford CT
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
ORIGINAL: kruisin
I owned a 81 GW Interstate and it was a great bike. I just never liked the newer ones, they just got more and more plastic"y".
I owned a 81 GW Interstate and it was a great bike. I just never liked the newer ones, they just got more and more plastic"y".
Isold it to buy the 89 Ultra I ride now. When I bought the Ultra it was stock, and while it ran and handled well it just did not have anywhere near the power of the old Wing. I was actually surprised at what a dog it was performance-wise. Buttheold lady found the Harley much more comfortable than the old Wing, andI was happyjust to finally havethe big Harley after 35 years of riding (mostly Triumphs prior to the Wing). After a couple grand in mods, my Harley now performs better than the old Wing ever did, and it looks and sounds way better than any Wing ever could.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Goldwing or Ultra Classic
ORIGINAL: Retired_Ted
In my opinion, either bike is a winner. I owned and modified a Road King for 2 years and loved it - some guy gave me nearly what I paid for the bike and he now owns it. I have driven the Ultra (worked in HD service for little over a year) and the Ultra is a fine bike. The Goldwing which I currently own is heavier but has more power than the Ultra. Part of the decision depends on your dealers - if the HD dealer is great, that helps. I do my own service so the dealership thing didn't matter. I wanted to try the GW and so far, other than whimpy suspension, the GW is OK. It's pretty hot in the summer in spite of being water cooled - not any different than the HD. My wife has arthritus and the GW seems to fit her pretty well (we're both 62). If you've never owner a HD, you would love it. Both bikes have their attributes and, if I had room for 2 in the garage, the other would be a HD.
In my opinion, either bike is a winner. I owned and modified a Road King for 2 years and loved it - some guy gave me nearly what I paid for the bike and he now owns it. I have driven the Ultra (worked in HD service for little over a year) and the Ultra is a fine bike. The Goldwing which I currently own is heavier but has more power than the Ultra. Part of the decision depends on your dealers - if the HD dealer is great, that helps. I do my own service so the dealership thing didn't matter. I wanted to try the GW and so far, other than whimpy suspension, the GW is OK. It's pretty hot in the summer in spite of being water cooled - not any different than the HD. My wife has arthritus and the GW seems to fit her pretty well (we're both 62). If you've never owner a HD, you would love it. Both bikes have their attributes and, if I had room for 2 in the garage, the other would be a HD.