[Marco V]

Contemplating moving to a goldwing. Is it an improvement overall? I did test ride a goldwing was happy with the ride but didnot drive it for less than an hour. I do short trips presently and at times stop and go driving.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Marco v

 

[joe in calif]

It's a great bike, great for around town and better on long trips, you won't be disappointed. If you have any doubts, I would say rent one for a day first. There are several guys that have switched and never looked back,

 

[bossdog]

Marco, I still have my heritage and like the bike, but to tell you the truth, I love my wing more. The HD will not compare with the ride nor the power. Just got back from a ride to D.C. for Rolling Thunder and the ride was outstanding. If someone would offer me a good price for the Heritage I would sell it and not look back. Now, had you asked that four months ago, I would have told you I was a Harley man forever. I only had 77000 miles on my Heritage when the engine went. I need a bike that can last longer as I ride all the time.

 

[budoka]

Agree with Joe's advice on the rental Marco. The Roadglide is very different from the Wing as is the Roadglide to an Ultra, but in different ways. Harleys are in general more of a laid back type of machine than Wings are IMO. Wings have always been special for me and my wife too, but the Roadking was only 'alright' for her. Performance and road manners are where it's at in my mind, and the Wing is just tops in my book.

 

[Stratman]

Welcome to the forum from Ontario Canada Marco (I have to be specific as budoka's from another part on the country) . I have always loved Harleys for the fun factor. For serious riding, give me the Wing. As someone once mentioned in this forum, "I ride too far, too fast and too often to ride a Harley"....but they do put a smile on my face
Strat

 

[Chopin]

One issue you won't have to contend with coming of a RoadGlide is the fixed fairing feel. You're a natural for the Wing.

 

[Two Wheel Wing]

I think you answered your own question when you began contemplating a switch to a Goldwing. The Harley does have a certain "wow" factor, but for me the comfort, driveability and reliability of Wing is what makes it my choice.

 

[budoka]

Goldwings have had extensive windtunnel testing and evaluation since the '84 models and have been constantly improved since then. There was an ad poster with a Wing rider and passenger in the tunnel with 60 mph wind and rain sprayed at them to show the "still air bubble" and weather protection created by the '84's fairing and windshield. Pretty amazing photo actually. On the newer models, some of the taller riders have mentioned some buffetting around the head area, but I have noticed none of it on my '09 (I'm 5'11").

 

[billcarr_]

I knew one HD guy who bought a new Wing and within a few months traded back to a Harley. The Wing didnt feel right. Hey do what ya gotta and do it now!

 

[budoka]

Marco, a couple of the members here have gotten special boots to deal with the vertical challenge they have (sorry I can't recall the brand). Hopefully someone with a better command of memory will chime in and help out. Unless it's a really long reach for you, once you get used to the feel of the Wing, it likely won't be an issue for very long thanks to the great balance of Goldwings. 95% of the time I'm at a complete stop before I even take my foot off the peg.

 

[Buzzy]

thanks to the great balance of Goldwings. 95% of the time I'm at a complete stop before I even take my foot off the peg.

I thought I was the only one! It's kinda like a game for me. Every day to and from work, I come to complete stops thru my neighborhood stop signs and try do them at a complete stop with never putting my feet down.

I would say I have about a 95% success rate. The other 5% is when I get stuck behind someone who likes to stop for several seconds before moving outa my way! And of course there are a few times when I just plain yinged when I should have yanged and need a foot or two to help me out.

All in all though, this is the most balanced bike I ever had for as big as it is.

 

[chrisgl1800]

I just traded my 2006 Harley Streetglide. I had it for 4 years, and had a softtail before that, and I bought a new Goldwing with all the bells and whistles.....no, I won't go back! The ride is amazingly better. I can't wait for the first trip!

 

[detdrbuzzard]

Tested a 2010 goldwing today.It is smooth,responsive great machine , however my problem is a height issue stopping and placing feet down seem to be a problem and I feel uncomfortable. I am unsure with the purchase. There is something special about riding a Harley if height was not an issue I would make the purchase with confidence any comments would be appreciated

you could get an after market seat that is lower

 

[Redfox]

Marco - I bought Tallmanshoes and they gave me 4 extra inches. That was last year but this year I have not worn them yet as I am a lot more comfortable with the "Big Bike". I also bought a book called "Maximum Control - mastering your heavy bike" and have been doing a lot of slow speed work and it has made a world of difference. This book would be a great read for anyone riding a big bike including a Harley. Which way to go was a very hard decision for me but I know I made the right decision for me but I do have to listen to the paint shackers I ride with talk about my sewing machine.

 

[redwing53]

Marco- welcome to the forum. I have a 2004 Road Glide with 50,000 wonderful and memorable miles on her. I have spent years and oodles of money trying to perfect that machine. Then after looking at Victories and not being totally sold I decided to try a wing. I bought one a week later. The bike is quiet, handling in all types of weather is improved, rider wind protection is great and compared to the glide the wind buffeting is non existant. The roll on power is good and all this with stock mufflers and no maps to the efi. As others have mentioned coming from a RG with a fixed fairing is a easy transition. If you ride two up your passenger will love the wing. It's a totally different riding experience- Good luck with your decision!

 

[budoka]

Buzzy's right Marco, there will be no 2011 Wings. There are lots of
10's around now, and still quite a few '09's, and there are some '08's stil scattered around. Bear in mind with no production for another year (at least) any incentives Honda has out there could go away, and Wings could be selling much higher than they are now, especially if the numbers get really thin. Keep an eye out.

 

[MarkH]

I rode a Harley Ultra Classic for two weeks two months ago (my dads bike).....The only thing you should think about is how to remove the Harley Emblem from your leather jacket...and replace it with a Honda emblem.....there is no comparison....GW's comfort, durability, handling of the bike out paces the Harley any day....

Good Luck with your decision....

 

[trourke]

I too have a Harley E-Glide and with 102,000 trouble free miles on it. But now I want a Goldwing. I have not ridden one but still want one. I rode a new E-Glide and it felt just like mine but newer. If I was going to spend that much money then I want something thats new to me. With the miles on mine it is tired for those long trips I use to take. I want to take those trips again and the Wing seems like the right choise. Style and comfort and power. That sounds good and hopefully I can do it soon. All it takes is money.

 

[budoka]

Careful trourke, there's a saying in the business: "you don't need money, all you need is a pen!"

 

[billcarr_]

HI Marco

I think you will soon get the feel of a Wing at stop. They have a very low center of gravity. Thick boots ought to make 3/4 inch and a custom seat another - 3/4 inch.