i've never owned a goldwing nor a heavy weight - never ridden the predecessors (1500 or 1200) or any other dressed heavy weight but i feel i can say this: the re-vamp of the honda flagship (1832cc - '01 - '08) was, well v. good to fine! i've read articles touting the make over saying it was a chancy proposition, risky in the extreme. taking a proven product with a loyal following and starting, basically over. with nothing in my history but light and mid weights (and a chance to take a couple 1200 harleys for a ride) to compare to, i can say that the new wing is sweet! handling is incredible! she rolls into turns like a bike half her weight, sticks to the road like a heavy weight should and has power that i have yet to really come to know cause, frankly, i'm ah little scared! oh, it'll come in time - one has to know, but it's not a place i need to be. anyway, with 677miles since 8/21/08 (we've had some rain here 'bouts) i took my first mpg reading: 4 gal/159 miles. respectable, i'd say. now i want to list the good, the bad and the ugly.
first the good: the thing is beautiful! a work of art and quiet - i don't buy the "loud is safe" thing - i make it safe! audio is v. nice except on the highway. my old ears need the volume to 20-22 (max 30) before i can hear. headsets work well but you loose the quality of the system. cruise seems to react smoothly. i don't feel any surging. the brakes are superb. i've had a couple situations where health and reason dictated "heavy" braking - not panic, but like when green changes to yellow just at the point of no return. whether two up or solo the braking was smooth and positive with little nose dive.
the bad: what is with the whistle? sounds like a jet engine (which is ah bit cool) what the heck is that? i prefer a throaty rumble not harley more like criscraft. there is an annoying jet of hot air right on the ankles. ok, buy some deflectors or talk to me again in winter. got it. ummm.... seats could be better - deeper cooler (airy). i hate the wind hitting me in the back. although, it's really not that strong/bad. i've yet to feel any hot air from the leg vents. can i remove the CB crap and blank off where it was? there should be a dedicated IPOD dock. the glove box was a second thought - who wants a CD changer anyway for $700? finally the windshield raise/lower system is well, funky.
the ugly: what is with the whistle? actually there is no ugly. the bike leans (no pun) towards sport bike looks and handling rather then fat and lumbering which i am liking more and more. it is not what i expected. i will say there were moments in the beginning where i doubted my selection (based solely on my somewhat naive expectations - i thought i wanted fat and lumbering!). i can say now i absolutely made a good choice. the best? well i've never ridden the
bmw K1200 LT which i would think is in the same ballpark as the new wing.
bottom line: comfort, power, handling - i got it all baby!
first the good: the thing is beautiful! a work of art and quiet - i don't buy the "loud is safe" thing - i make it safe! audio is v. nice except on the highway. my old ears need the volume to 20-22 (max 30) before i can hear. headsets work well but you loose the quality of the system. cruise seems to react smoothly. i don't feel any surging. the brakes are superb. i've had a couple situations where health and reason dictated "heavy" braking - not panic, but like when green changes to yellow just at the point of no return. whether two up or solo the braking was smooth and positive with little nose dive.
the bad: what is with the whistle? sounds like a jet engine (which is ah bit cool) what the heck is that? i prefer a throaty rumble not harley more like criscraft. there is an annoying jet of hot air right on the ankles. ok, buy some deflectors or talk to me again in winter. got it. ummm.... seats could be better - deeper cooler (airy). i hate the wind hitting me in the back. although, it's really not that strong/bad. i've yet to feel any hot air from the leg vents. can i remove the CB crap and blank off where it was? there should be a dedicated IPOD dock. the glove box was a second thought - who wants a CD changer anyway for $700? finally the windshield raise/lower system is well, funky.
the ugly: what is with the whistle? actually there is no ugly. the bike leans (no pun) towards sport bike looks and handling rather then fat and lumbering which i am liking more and more. it is not what i expected. i will say there were moments in the beginning where i doubted my selection (based solely on my somewhat naive expectations - i thought i wanted fat and lumbering!). i can say now i absolutely made a good choice. the best? well i've never ridden the
bmw K1200 LT which i would think is in the same ballpark as the new wing.
bottom line: comfort, power, handling - i got it all baby!
