You had me going there for awhile goldenboy. Then you started getting on my nerve......
then you turned into a *****. Me? I have ridden Goldwings.....1100/1200/and the last one was a 1996 1500 that I sold this year. Damn good bikes.......some have their quirks.
I sold my '96 and bought a 2004 Ultra Classic. Shakes at idle, hot as hell in stop and go traffic.
But, seems that Honda dealers have a THING about 10 year old bikes....they don't want to work on them anymore. Oh.....you want to have fun with a sales person at a Honda dealer? Ask them them to show you how to check a GL1500 OR 1800 air filter. You'll get a kick out of the look on their face! I will not bad mouth a Goldwing other than to say
they have quirks. I don't know what you ride, but Harley has changed allot since 1974.
Shop around. By the way....I knew some 2 digit mental cases that rode the hell out of some Goldwings. Luckily for some of us, you don't have to be smart to ride a bike.

 

Well, I've ridden Wings since '84...have about 70K on my '01 GL1800. Nice bike; great touring platform; sports a lot of Tupperware; kind of a pain to work on; can corner like a sport bike after suspension mods; some have a tendency to over heat a bit (can be cured); Some bikes have front end low speed wobble problems; most of the dealers are so-so; bikes are really quiet, smooth, comfortable, and very fast.

Just bought my first HD (FLHT) in 47 years of riding. Great dealer buying/parts/service experience (far better than Honda); slow speed handling is better than the larger Wing; seat is just as comfortable/uncomfortable as the GW; not as fast; just about as smooth out on the highway; far far better exhaust note; gas mileage just as good (mid-40's); high speed cornering not quite as good due to less clearance; luggage capacity about the same, but tour pack is MUCH larger than GW trunk; fluid changing more difficult than GW; hydraulic clutch would be nice (like GW); excellent new Brembo brakes (with ABS); very good cruise control (better than GW's that lags); engine heat is kind of high (just installed a Nightrider IED); etc. etc.

Both are great bikes in their own ways. Harleys have a lot more character and a far better dealer support system...and, apparently, a hell of a lot more t-shirts. I'd recommend a GW to anyone who wants to use it for a lot of long distance touring...two-up. Me, I'm done with Wings unless they come out with something that has around 2000 cc's and doesn't have a cooling system problem...not to mention cracked frame welds. I'll keep my Wing and use it for a couple of long trips throughout the year, but I LOVE my new FLHT and plan to wring as many miles as I can out of it in the future.

At 62, I'm not sure if I'll be buying any more new bikes, but if I were inclined to do so, it would probably be a Harley. The Motor Company is making a damn good motorcycle at this point, and they've got me hooked.

Whatever you choose, good luck, and ride safely.

 

I just traded an 06 Gold Wing in for an 09 Ultra Classic. Rode from Central Alabama to Key West and this year to Nova Scotia on the Wing. Great bike for what it is designed for. Long distance travel. Only had one problem that seems to be on many bikes and that's the front end wobble. Seems to me they should figure this out.
Have had the Ultra for a couple of weeks now and love it. You guys are right when you say the Wing has no soul. It's truly a Point A to Point B with a stop at the DQ in there somewhere kind of bike.
The 09 Ultra handles every bit as good as the wing. I can run it in the corners as well as I ever could on the Wing. I am not going to bash the Wing or the riders, it's just the Harley has a personality the Wing never had. I am VERY pleased with my decision to join the Harley Riders. It's a great machine. Just something in your soul that screams for a Big V Twin thumbing your butt as you cruise.

 

I've owned two GW's & now own an 08 EG Ultra classic. Both are top of the line bikes but very different. The GW is like crotch rocket with saddle bags. The GW has massive torque and HP. One would have to spend a lot of money to get the same Torque out of the HD. OTOH, unless you're riding the Tail of The Dragon, the HD should have plenty of power for touring, etc. Riding the GW is a little different because the center of gravity is higher than the HD. The GW is covered in plastic; the beautiful artwork of the workings of the HD are exposed. Both bikes have plenty of doodads & gagetry to keep the operator busy on the rode. The GW stereo system slightly out classes the HD's stereo sys. For those who have to ride in the southern heat, the GW will be more comfortable to ride; those in the northern states will appreciate the warmth of the HD in colder climates. The HD sure sounds nice; the GW don't even sound like a bike to me. Both bikes have a strong group of other owners. My .02.

REALBOB

 

Goldenboy is no longer with us.

 

Very well put Beary

 

Way to go MR. Clean

 

I ride with a guy that has a GW1800 and another that has a Bmw K1200LT both exceptional bikes, I have 2004 EGC that I bought new, We all got our new bikes at the same time. I have over 61,000 miles on mine, about double of what the other two have at this time. both the BMW and GW are excellent performers and will do anything their owners want them to do. My Electraglide does not get as good of mpg when hammering as either of those bikes nor will it handle as well or go as fast (well actually it will go faster cause I have it built up a bit but in stock form it would not go as good) I do not believe they would trade me and I would not trade them but we like to ride together.
The funny thing is when we park them together my bike always draws the attention. The Honda rider does not care but it bugs the heck out of the bmw rider. I have owned bmw's and honda's for many years and will get another bmw but for now my 04 electraglide is still doing it for me.