Like some of the others, I too come from owning two GL1800's.

I have longer legs and simply couldn't do the miles on the Wing without knee or hips issues. The "western" style seating of my 2012 EG Ultra Classic is FAR more comfortable. Yes, I had a custom seat made and highway pegs installed for the Wing but no real help.

While the bike is heavy, it is surprising well balanced. Low speed handling is (IMHO) easier then the Wing.

As mentioned above, it is hotter, louder, and shakes more (especially at idle) then the Wing. Get use to the turn indicator switches...they aren't like the Wing. And you'll really like the cruise control...instant on with no lag or overshoot. The sound system is much better then the Wing with speakers all around.

I think maintenance on the UC is a lot easier then the Wing...two minute air filter changes, one minute spark plug changes, and separate oils for the engine/tranny/primary really help.

A word of advice...while it's common practice to make significant changes to the bike's air cleaner & exhaust systems soon after purchase, do yourself a favor and ride the bike for awhile until you get use to it. Many "day 1" mods don't work out as the new owner intended and those now used parts get sold for discount. In other words, don't waste a lot of time and money up front until you decide what modifications are really need...if any.

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your new ride!

 

You can expect to start liv'n like a Rock Star...more chicks, everyone wante to ride w/you & parties galore!!! Congrats on making the jump to coolness!!!

 

I rode Goldwings for 30 years and I had them all.....1100 thru 1800. With the Goldwings you change the oil & tires (basically no maintenance & the maintenance costs are cheap compared to HD).
I purchased a 12 Ultra Limited in August of 2012. I immediately noticed the engine heat compared to no engine heat from the GW. The HD is comfortable for me but my wife likes the comfort of the GW better since her seating area on the HD is smaller by 2-3 inches. Since the HD has no center stand, it is difficult to check the tire pressure and clean the wheels. I purchased a lift in order to effectively clean the wheels and inspect the tires ($400 for a good lift). I pull a Bushtec trailer once or twice a year and I really miss the reverse the GW had. The HD radio and CB controls are much more difficult to operate than the GW and the ambient temperature gauge on the HD is worthless. The GW had tremendous power and no shifting was required to pass. You will find the HD has a lot less power than the GW and you will need to be more cautious when passing. I ride very conservatively and do very little rapid acceleration. With the 1800 GW I typically got 42-45 miles per gallon (two up).....with a head wind the mileage would drop to 34-37. With the 103 motor in the 12 HD I get 33-37 mileage per gallon and this is riding very conservatively and not more than 70 miles per hour. I have never gotten 40 mpg and this is riding by myself. The HD is completely stock except the cat has been removed. Fuel costs are much higher on the HD since you have to burn 91 or better octane compared to 87 octane in the GW. The GW was very easy to clean compared to the HD. The GW had the enclosed motor whereas the HD has an exposed motor that is difficult to clean. Detailing the HD is a lot more time consuming than the GW. It may sound like I'm unhappy with the HD, but that is not the case. The HD is a lot more expensive to maintain and I knew that when I made the purchase. The HD has personality where the GW doesn't. I'm adjusting to the HD and you will too. Good luck with your new purchase!!

 

I had a gl1200 aspencade before my Ultra. I'm sure the gl1800 was a night and day improvement in function to my ole 1200, but that bike felt and looked more like a motorcycle.

Here are the thing I noticed in the first 1000 miles.
Heat, about the same but in a different place. The heat on the ultra is under your thighs, the heat on the wing was on your calf and in your face when the cooling fan kicked on.
Handling: Low speed the ultra has it...much lighter feel. High speed, the wing, but not by much. At least for me, the batwing issues in a crosswind are no big deal.
Mileage: Ultra 42-45, wing 36-39, although I did run the wing on regular and run the ultra on premium.

Wind blocking?: Surprise, the Ultra has it over the fixed faring wing. Cold days that I would have numb fingers on the wing after my commute I was fine on the Ultra.

Comfort: Ultra. betting seating position. The wings wide boxer engine makes it look like you are giving birth when using highway pegs.

Bags: Wing... better system for opening. I can do it easily with one hand.
Top trunk: ultra...side hinge is better and it has more room.

Ride quality: Tie

Power: wing...even with the 4cyl boxer, it has more power and acceleration than the ultra.
Driveline: ultra...the wing has an annoying amount of driveline lash.

I'm happy with my ultra...but I would not mind taking a trip on a 1200 wing..I was no interest in a 1500 or 1800 wing. I test drove both, I won't say they are a two wheel accord, but they are BORING.

 

Even though a stock Ultra will be under powered compared to a stock Gold Wing GL 1800. A stock Ultra has far more power options than the Wing has.

A Stock GL 1800 has 95 HP & 105 TQ to the rear wheel, according to magazine articles. There's not much avaiable after that in power increase options.

A Stage lll upgrade on a stock Ultra 103" would give one about 105 HP & 107 TQ. Which will walk all over the GL 1800. Then of course there are the 120R, Jims 131 engines and builders like Drago that can push horse power beyond 200 HP on a built Ultra. All it takes is money.

One poster stated he never got 40 mpg on his 103" Ultra. When I got my 110" my best mileage stock was 36 mpg. After Stage lll mods my dealer dynoed it and my mileage dropped to an average of 30 mpg.

After 5K miles, recommendations and research, I found Doc Weaver of Mineola FL. I made contact with him and then an appointment. My fuel map from my dealer's dyno was way off. Doc took about 2 hours in getting my fuel map near perfect. My average fuel consumption is now 40 mpg and my HP increased another 14 HP. TQ increased by another 15, by just Doc re-tuning and re dynoing.

Doc did replace the worthless SE Pro tuner with the TT Master Tuner. BTW I had a throttle hesitation and Doc got rid of it. My CVO now runs like a Swiss watch.

 

Thank you all for your replies. I am looking forward to riding this machine. I have ridden a few in the past but not for more than 20 minutes at a time.
My father had several in the past. A couple back from the AMF days and the problems that went with them. I've gotten positive feed back from others and can only give it a shot and
see for myself.

 

What surprised me. Last month I rode on my GL 1800 trike after not riding it for 7 months, before my riding buddy traded it in on another bike. He got it from me.

I found after putting 49K miles on my Trike I was more comfortable on my '11 FLTRUSE after only 6K miles of ownership with it's stock seat. Mind you I had a $1,300 custom seat and highway pegs, heel toe shifter and floorboards added to my trike for rider comfort.

Presently, there's no going back!

 

I was waiting for something like this --

Seriously though - Expect (A) more people talking to you at stoplights commenting on how cool your bike is while (B) caring less about what people think about your bike.

I've never owned a Wing -- But I've ridden with and continue to ride with Wingers. Typically at some point, we'll swap for a bit (don't try with the wives - they get more jealous than the bikes). I can never wait to get mine back and they never want to give it back.

But at that point, I'm on their Gold Wing, so they're easier to catch.

No doubt - As mentioned - the maintenance is a bit more involved and the like. That said, my Winger buddies generally hate doing maintenance and I actually sort of look forward to and enjoy it (as hardly-experienced at it as I am).