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Has anyone ever Ridden a Goldwing ?

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1758297946#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Berardi3
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I have a FE that is great around town and for trips to local beach towns for overnight stays. When I need more gear for a longer trip, I take my K1600b which is smoother, louder (Remus pipes) and more precise in the curves, but when I really want to ride fast, I use my R1250RS or Panigale V4S. If I had to pick one bike over the others, it would be very tough. The greatest aspect of owning multiple bikes is that unlike several wives(girl friends), it is legal and safe. E.g., the R18 almost never gets me into trouble but still attracts a lot of attention at the curb.
 
I have owned a 2018 Goldwing and now have a '22 R1250RT and also a '22 R18TC. To compare the Goldwing to the R18TC is night and day difference. The Goldwing has an OHC engine architecture and is also a 6-cylinder boxer configuration. It is quite smooth and can be downright boring when riding on a long trip. It handles well and its weight (lighter than an R18TC) disappears once underway. From my point of view, you can fall asleep on this bike while super-slabbing it. That's the primary reason I sold it. The R18TC by contrast, is significantly larger, better on the bumps and its weight likewise disappears once underway. It holds a line and is super stable at any speed. While I don't recommend it, I can set the cruise at 75 MPH and take my hands of the handlebars with complete confidence. For a large bike, it corners well and continues to hold the line. The biggest difference is the engineered in "character" is just enough to keep the ride interesting wherever you may be. Of course, YMMV. I think the sentiment you are conveying is "variety is the spice of life".

Cheers....
 
I read all three pages and noticed only one mention of the K1600 series BMW. I have ridden and repaired many Goldwing's over the years. My father rode the things, but I preferred my 2019 K1600B. To me the ultimate tour machine.
 
I had a 2018 GoldWing. Smooth powerful drive train. But it was designed to idle at 2,000 rpm on startup. Did not like that in January cold.
 
valkraider said:
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.
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I've got a 2014 GoldWing. I would not trade it for a 2018+ or a BMW K1600 GT/GTL/Grand America. I simply cannot get used to the 'disconnected' BMW Tele/Duo-lever Front Suspension or Honda's improvised copy thereof.

1725428193917.webp 1725427988049.webp

And not for a lack of trying. I have taken both for test rides, several K1600's over the course of the last six years - hoping that my stance would have softened. Ten corners maximum and I'll be heading back to the showroom.

I'll be stripping the 2014 next year to change it to pearl white, to add some farkles and to 'refresh' it generally. It is a keeper. It also packs more luggage, although admittedly not as much as the 1500's did. It is simply amazing to see how many GL1500's are still on the road. Top touring rig by a mile.
 
I had two Wings ('07 and '09). Loved both especially the '09 where I went everywhere with it. I actually regret selling it. Many bikes later, I tested the 2018 DCT Tour and liked it initially but the wind on my shoulders and legs bothered me a bit as it was late fall when I demo'd the bike. I loved the sound of the new engine and the lighter weight.
I actually prefer the older Wing. I also wish they gave the new gen Wing a bit more power. I don't have an R18, and have yet to test ride one but have sat on them. I like the Classic. One day I will but for now, I'm happy with my '16 GSA.
 
Berardi3 said:
Looking to possibly move to a Gold Wing I know its a totally different ride but seems like its more touring oriented
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I own a 2021 R18 FE. Love it. It is an artistic masterpiece and handles beautifully. I have owned several Goldwings…’89, ‘93, ‘05 and currently own a 2018 DCT Tour and an2018 DCT Bagger. The DCT surprised me with how excellent it is. I also have two 2014 Valkyries (Blue and Red) and a 2004 Rune (another rolling masterful piece of engineering art). I fell in love with Honda’s flat 6 many, many years ago.

I have loved, loved, loved all of my Goldwings. Absolutely fantastic touring bike. I like the new sportier style as well from 2018 on. Nothing wrong with the older styles either…the new one is a lighter and a bit more nimble…however the older style was also remarkably nimble for such a big bike.

Trying to decide on whether you should get a Goldwing vs. R18TC is like asking people which woman is better. Ginger? Blonde? Brunette? Large or small breasts? All bikes have will have some features that will excite your particular tastes and some features not so much. I have decided a long time ago that I don’t let things “annoy” me about the bikes I choose to own. I’d rather feed my soul on the things that I enjoy and just let the things that are meh just rest quietly. The R18 has some things that could be better…as does the Goldwing. Nothing is ever going to be perfect in all aspects.

Philosophically, this is why I have the best marriage and the absolute best wife. Because I choose to love her just the way she is! (It helps that she’s beautiful AND amazing)

So, test ride a Goldwing and see if you fall in love.
 
I owned a 2018 GoldWing and liked the drive train. That bike had smooth power in any gear. Easy to shift, nice wind protection too, after I put a larger wind screen on it.
What I did not like was the awkward position of the handle bars so I installed Heli bar brackets to bring the handles back to me.
The motor would idle at 2,000 rpm for 5 minutes at startup. This is not good on a cold January day. The last thing I need is to rev the engine on startup in sub freezing weather.
 
estoma said:
I've got a 2014 GoldWing. I would not trade it for a 2018+ or a BMW K1600 GT/GTL/Grand America. I simply cannot get used to the 'disconnected' BMW Tele/Duo-lever Front Suspension or Honda's improvised copy thereof.

View attachment 15780 View attachment 15779

And not for a lack of trying. I have taken both for test rides, several K1600's over the course of the last six years - hoping that my stance would have softened. Ten corners maximum and I'll be heading back to the showroom.

I'll be stripping the 2014 next year to change it to pearl white, to add some farkles and to 'refresh' it generally. It is a keeper. It also packs more luggage, although admittedly not as much as the 1500's did. It is simply amazing to see how many GL1500's are still on the road. Top touring rig by a mile.
Click to expand...
Good discussion: Why the TELESCOPIC FORK keeps WINNING—Alternative front suspension FAILS!
 
It is an interesting debate but I believe it is down to personal preferences. The only bike I have ever ridden (only 30 minutes test) with a non conventional telescopic fork was the K1600B.
If you ask me, I found the the Duolever steering/suspension mechanism really intuitive and I will say that for the speed and mass of this bike, including the GW, this system worked way better for me than the conventional fork. It may not work on all bikes and that does not mean one is better than the other but I would certainly favour the Duolever for fast and heavy machines without a shadow if they came as an option when purchasing the bike.
 
My former 2018 GoldWing seemed nimble and easy to steer. I upgraded some of that with products from Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia.
 
I have never ridden a GW but I think that apart from separating the steering forces from the suspension forces, the K1600 has the front fairing mounted to the frame as opposed to the fork and therefore, the one I rode felt very very flickable on the roads, even on tight roundabouts and at very low speeds the steering felt very light and accurate. I know the K is 120 or so pounds lighter than the R18 but I did not put it to that, I simply put it to the Duolever suspension/steering and the fact that 50+ pounds of hardware and fairing is not attached to the fork, making the steering a very light affair.
Other factors contribute to the handling and that is the engine with a sweet and smooth RPM/torque delivery, almost like a jet turbine.
 
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