I liked that green color too. Never saw one in person but that look gorgeous!
Has anyone ever Ridden a Goldwing ?
- Thread starter Berardi3
- Start date
Cu Dubh
Active member
You live in a fantasy world. Done with you.
Your vocabulary is to copious for the dimensions of my comprehension.
Twatwaffle - found this one “Complete idiot dumbass or imbecile however to earn this title one must assert authority where none is had or when they are offended by things most people find humorous and then use that authority to get offenders in trouble.” Really cool word
Braggadocio - I found this one “boastful or arrogant. You misspelled it.”
Quityerbitchin - got this one too “shut the f—k up!
Love the Goldwing. I've had a few--'78, 81,84,85,97,08,13 and 6 different Valkyries so yeah, I'm a fan.
Cu Dubh
Active member
esmurrell
Member
I had a 2004 Goldwing and a 2018 Goldwing. I also had a 2012 K1600GTL and now have an R18TC (I also currently have a '22 R1250RT). I love riding - period and am admitted serial bike purchaser. The reason for this is I am looking for motorcycle nirvana and haven't yet found it. I am close but not quite there. I like the look, stability and ride of my R18TC. What concerns me is a slightly weak engine and the vibration that BMW engineered in to give the bike character. In my view, that wasn't necessary. One more thing that annoys me about the R18TC is there are no storage cubbies anywhere on the front of the bike. I would love to see a place for gloves, garage door openers, etc. Other than that, I really like my R18TC. The reason I got rid of my '18 Goldwing is twofold. First, the seat was only good for a couple of hours. Second, it was a boring bike. Yes, it is rock solid reliable (so have all of my BMW's been) and it did have CarPlay and Android Auto. However, I just couldn't see myself on it any longer than I had it.
I hated my 2019 GoldWing.
The Rocket 3 is a wonderful bike. I wish they would bring back the Touring version - I loved my 2011. They just never grabbed a foothold. Mine was the previous generation (2300cc) and the 2500cc ones are _amazing_.
The 2019 GoldWing was death by 1000 cuts and made me mad I spent like $25k on that motorcycle.
My Triumph motorcycles were much better dialed in and more enjoyable.
For context: I had a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate - essentially a GoldWing 1500 without the plastic. I loved that bike, best bike ever. I wish I had not sold it...
I had a 2011 Triumph Rocket III Touring. It was also an incredibly good bike.
I tried the 2019 GoldWing when they showed the redesign, and was purely disappointed. I have written about it extensively in other forums and whatnot - but there were just so many annoyances. Mine was a DCT, and I absolutely loved the DCT - especially in traffic, it was so cool. But I hated the programming. At the time (I do not know if it has changed yet) there was no user mode - so you were stuck with the settings that the factory set for the modes (just like our R18). Eco mode was too slushy - felt like the whole bike was neutered. Rain mode was fine for rain. Tour mode had great throttle response but terrible shift points. Sport mode had terrible twitchy and dangerous throttle response but great shift points. I found myself using manual shifting more than I should have - so that was a disappointment. What I wanted was the shift points of Sport with the throttle response of Tour. The motor was annoyingly loud at certain speeds and pitches - at around 55 it was miserable for me, even with ear plugs in. Just a steady annoying drone sound. And that sucked because most of the good roads in this region we spend a lot of time around 55. The Rube-goldbergian system for the locking bags and keyless ignition was dumb, all just to avoid having a key hole. Way worse than or R18s - because we at least have keyholes if the electrics are not doing what you want. Not so with the GoldWing, and the method to get them all open or start the bike without a key fob was hilarious. The paint was soft as hell, it would scratch any time you breathed on it. To do *anything* to the bike it involved removing 700 pieces of plastics with strange clips and tabs that break easy. The trunk was too small to fit a helmet (they fixed this in newer model years I think). However - the bike was quick and sporty, handled well, and I loved the Apple CarPlay. I just was not enjoying the bike at all. There were more little things that annoyed me with the bike, enough that I just wanted something else.
My Triumph motorcycles were much better dialed in and more enjoyable.
For context: I had a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate - essentially a GoldWing 1500 without the plastic. I loved that bike, best bike ever. I wish I had not sold it...
I had a 2011 Triumph Rocket III Touring. It was also an incredibly good bike.
I tried the 2019 GoldWing when they showed the redesign, and was purely disappointed. I have written about it extensively in other forums and whatnot - but there were just so many annoyances. Mine was a DCT, and I absolutely loved the DCT - especially in traffic, it was so cool. But I hated the programming. At the time (I do not know if it has changed yet) there was no user mode - so you were stuck with the settings that the factory set for the modes (just like our R18). Eco mode was too slushy - felt like the whole bike was neutered. Rain mode was fine for rain. Tour mode had great throttle response but terrible shift points. Sport mode had terrible twitchy and dangerous throttle response but great shift points. I found myself using manual shifting more than I should have - so that was a disappointment. What I wanted was the shift points of Sport with the throttle response of Tour. The motor was annoyingly loud at certain speeds and pitches - at around 55 it was miserable for me, even with ear plugs in. Just a steady annoying drone sound. And that sucked because most of the good roads in this region we spend a lot of time around 55. The Rube-goldbergian system for the locking bags and keyless ignition was dumb, all just to avoid having a key hole. Way worse than or R18s - because we at least have keyholes if the electrics are not doing what you want. Not so with the GoldWing, and the method to get them all open or start the bike without a key fob was hilarious. The paint was soft as hell, it would scratch any time you breathed on it. To do *anything* to the bike it involved removing 700 pieces of plastics with strange clips and tabs that break easy. The trunk was too small to fit a helmet (they fixed this in newer model years I think). However - the bike was quick and sporty, handled well, and I loved the Apple CarPlay. I just was not enjoying the bike at all. There were more little things that annoyed me with the bike, enough that I just wanted something else.
Really kind of curious that they have the Rocket 3 GT (grand touring!!) and don’t kit it out with bags and a shield.
I know, it's so weird. It really is just basically the same bike but with different placement for foot pegs and longer handlebars.
425
New member
Captain,
I am sure it is not just me about that feeling, but wherever R18 is involved on the Internet the Propaganda is at stake. I am an owner of R69S and R51/2 and do have personal experience and feelings related to the Bavarian flat twin. And I almost bought one R18C a month ago and the feeling of Dr. Joseph Goebbles around pulled me away
…BMW should change and try to remember who and what they used to be ,and discover themselves again and be as ever.…
Magic carpet ride
Moejacky
Member
You’ve captured my exact feelings on the Goldwing. The R18 has more soul to me and the seating position is perfect. I don’t regret switching from the 2021 dct to the r18TC.
I've never ridden a Goldwing, but I want to.
I won't ever give up Alcina for one, but there's always room for one more in my stable
Mike
I won't ever give up Alcina for one, but there's always room for one more in my stable
Mike
R18 100
Active member
Two bikes are much more fun than one bike. Hard to explain to a wife.I've never ridden a Goldwing, but I want to.
I won't ever give up Alcina for one, but there's always room for one more in my stable
Mike
manhattan
Member
goldwing is the best touring motorcycle ever produced imo.
if ya want to tour goldwing all the way!!
Agreed!
The stable currently has:
1976 Honda CB500t (wifey's)
2003 BMW r1200CLC
2004 BMW 1150rt
2022 BMW R18TC (Alcina)
And, plenty more space for more.
Mike
Gr8adv
Well-known member
The right tool for the job**, I always say. It is more cost effective and efficient, reduces risk, and increases uptime.
**job: to ride a different bike every day
I do believe in the idea of "to each their own".
For a long time, people kind of assumed the Goldwing was king. And maybe it was true - but in 2024 I would recommend that people read all the way through as many threads as possible and really think about it - we have so many good options available now. Then go and sit on things and kind of think about a long day...
I may have set myself up for failure though, when I was a kid I remember my Dad's boss showing him his wing. Would have been maybe mid 80s. I was blown away - it was *so cool*. It had a reverse, it had a built in air compressor and adjustable suspension, it had an intercom, radio, & CB, it was just like a magical carpet ride. I vowed to myself that some day I would be rich and have a Goldwing. Then I grew up, and went through many motorcycles - while I had my Valkyrie they transitioned to the Goldwing 1800 era and I knew a lot of guys who rode those. I thought it was a great bike. Especially the yellow ones. Then when the 2018 changeover happened, I was enamored with the new suspension and DCT and felt like it was time to try it out myself - and lo and behold, it probably was never going to live up to the dream implanted in my childhood brain...
Ask yourself, what does "touring" mean to you?
I travel much better on my 2019 Triumph Tiger 1200 than I ever did on the 2019 Goldwing. I put 4500 miles on my Goldwing with several 12 hour days in the saddle - and just simply didn't enjoy it. It wasn't for me.
My best friend enjoys his GS1250 more than his dad's K1600 for long rides. Everyone is different!
Sp far, the R18TC has been amazing - the cleanliness of the wind for rider & pillion have been better than any bike I have ever owned. It rides smooth and powerful and is just a dream to cruise. My longest day so far on it is maybe 6 hours? However the luggage is too small and too much is taken up by stupid speakers meant to appeal to Harley buyers which I will never use... Its also a BMW so everything is 3x as expensive, and since it is a low volume BMW there is not a lot of stuff out there for it and the stuff that is out there comes from like one or two vendors.
That is a strength of the Goldwing. There is a ton of stuff available for it just about anywhere you look, and there is a Honda dealership around every corner.
The best thing you can do is really just think about what is important to you - because my opinions are based on what matters to me.
Do you like / dislike wind?
Do you prefer heat or cold?
Do you have a tall inseam or a short one?
Do you worry about having dealerships nearby?
Is money tight for you?
How much luggage space do you need?
Are you OK with an automatic transmission?
Do you like noise, do you not like noise?
How long are your arms?
Do you want things like CarPlay or do you avoid them?
Will you ever be on gravel roads?
Do you ride in the rain?
Do you smoke? Do you want easy access to a beverage? Do you carry a firearm?
How many parts do you want to replace on day one of ownership?
Are farkles important to you?
Do you like to attend rallies?
Do you work on your own bikes?
Do you wear a full face helmet?
Do you have constrained garage space?
Do you want a center stand?
Have you ever needed reverse gears?
Do you cover your bike at a hotel?
Do you want to run dark side?
Are you going to get any custom paint jobs?
Should it support a trailer?
There are all kinds of questions you should think about when looking at a very expensive bike to spend a LOT of time in the saddle on.