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Bye bye, BMW

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BigJimSlim

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Sep 25, 2023
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Michigan
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R18B
Well gents and ladies, it’s been a wondrous 19 months of BMW R18B ownership. Alas, the bike and I have come to decide upon a conscious uncoupling.

I enjoyed most all of the mere ~3800 miles I rode it and really had envisioned many more. However, the transmission toasted up, and with it my confidence in continued ownership of the bike. The bike is now sold and I wish all the luck to the next owner.

Thanks to all who’ve read and posted here. It’s been helpful, enlightening, and strangely entertaining. Safe travels, mates. May the road embrace you.
 
What was the outcome of the transmission?

I'm guessing that the transmission was repaired under warranty; once fixed, you rode it over to the Honda shop and did a trade in?
 
Star-Lord said:
What was the outcome of the transmission?

I'm guessing that the transmission was repaired under warranty; once fixed, you rode it over to the Honda shop and did a trade in?
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Actually, BMW dealer bought it! Didn't take much of a hit, really, and sold it much quicker than I would've had I waited for the right guy to show up here at the house.
 
Star-Lord said:
I don't like that the transmission imploded ... Knock on wood, my bike has been solid reliability wise...
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Yep, so the dealer is sitting with it on a lift and it'll be who knows how long before it's road worthy again. I gotta think my situation was just a fluke. Really bummed, as the wing isn't a sexy bike by any means. But I'm pushing myself to embrace function above all with this one and hope it'll do the job!
 
BigJimSlim said:
Yep, so the dealer is sitting with it on a lift and it'll be who knows how long before it's road worthy again. I gotta think my situation was just a fluke. Really bummed, as the wing isn't a sexy bike by any means. But I'm pushing myself to embrace function above all with this one and hope it'll do the job!
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Well good luck and safe riding my friend , hope the Wing gives you plenty of pleasure.
 
Berardi3 said:
Great Choice im thinking about that same Bike though non tour
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Pretty pumped for it. Can’t find much in the way of criticism, and nothing that the aftermarket doesn’t solve. I really wanted a tour case cuz I feel like I carry a bunch of stuff all the time. This should give me plenty of room.
 
BigJimSlim said:
Yep, so the dealer is sitting with it on a lift and it'll be who knows how long before it's road worthy again. I gotta think my situation was just a fluke. Really bummed, as the wing isn't a sexy bike by any means. But I'm pushing myself to embrace function above all with this one and hope it'll do the job!
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I can understand the attraction to the GoldWing and I also believe you are correct in that the Wing is not a sexy bike. I was a Honda service manager back when the GL1000s roamed the earth and if you wanted bags, top box and fairing it was spelled Vetter. 1975 in England was the first time I ever heard the term "Hondaminium" used to describe it. The GoldWing, no doubt, is a very good bike but, to me the Goldwing has always been just too "common" and I encourage you to spend some time, thinking outside the box and exploring all options. Regrets can grow bigger as time goes along.
 
JohnShane said:
Toasted transmission at 3800 miles......certainly not wanted to hear after buying an R18 just three weeks ago. :confused:
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I gotta trust that this isn't a widespread issue at all. The bike came back from the reverse recall with some new chatter and whirring sounds. Took it 31 miles and it went kaput. I can't outright say the shop caused the problem, but I can't say it didn't either.
 
BigJimSlim said:
I gotta trust that this isn't a widespread issue at all. The bike came back from the reverse recall with some new chatter and whirring sounds. Took it 31 miles and it went kaput. I can't outright say the shop caused the problem, but I can't say it didn't either.
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Yup. Ironically the wing issue is.
 
St.moritz92 said:
I can understand the attraction to the GoldWing and I also believe you are correct in that the Wing is not a sexy bike. I was a Honda service manager back when the GL1000s roamed the earth and if you wanted bags, top box and fairing it was spelled Vetter. 1975 in England was the first time I ever heard the term "Hondaminium" used to describe it. The GoldWing, no doubt, is a very good bike but, to me the Goldwing has always been just too "common" and I encourage you to spend some time, thinking outside the box and exploring all options. Regrets can grow bigger as time goes along.
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I'm in a pretty fortunate spot right now to be able to consider just about any bike out there. Even before the failure, I had a "want" list. I've run through the usual suspects: road glide, roadmaster, K1600 versions, etc. Watched who knows how many hours of youtube. For everything I want out of a bike currently, the wing seems to check the most boxes. The K would be in contention, but I don't trust the shop, and the limited dealer network leaves me in a rut in some on the semi-remote places I've got on the agenda. I'm coming to terms with not having this head-turner of a bike anymore, but if I can trade that for all-out comfort and reliability, I think that's a good win.
 
BigJimSlim said:
I'm in a pretty fortunate spot right now to be able to consider just about any bike out there. Even before the failure, I had a "want" list. I've run through the usual suspects: road glide, roadmaster, K1600 versions, etc. Watched who knows how many hours of youtube. For everything I want out of a bike currently, the wing seems to check the most boxes. The K would be in contention, but I don't trust the shop, and the limited dealer network leaves me in a rut in some on the semi-remote places I've got on the agenda. I'm coming to terms with not having this head-turner of a bike anymore, but if I can trade that for all-out comfort and reliability, I think that's a good win.
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Good call. I have owned both the wing and the 1600. The two are the top choices for two up touring. Nobody else is even close. All the best!!!!
 
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