Had it done.. I like it
Im new to Goldwing and the board. I bought an 05 in the Spring. I had not been riding for a couple of years. It wasnt long before I noticed on the roads around Reno in the mountains that I felt the front wheel "chatter"... moving around in the corners. But then I also felt it going around almost any corner. I got increasingly nervous at the white "paint" at intersections and felt I had to go so slower than normal. Had never experienced it before on any of my other bikes, and also the 30 mph slight wobble.. when accelerating around town. Then there was the harsh bumps, I am ok with firm, and I like a kind of firm but accurate feel, but the harshness of the bumps around town,, or anywhere was not fun. It seemed wrong to me. I switched from dunlops to metzlers but no real change. didnt really expect it but felt a little better with what seemed a "grippier" tire.
I had the front and rear and fork brace from traxxion installed. It is much much better. Have felt none of the above since the install. I am getting my nerve back..... it felt that weird to me. I use the rear brake to slow maneuver, and the anti dive valve would kick in and jerk the bike. Now no issues with it gone. I feel the bumps but not the crashing/ jarring...... Now i am starting to relax and enjoy the bike like I thought i would. still working on the handlebar position, and maybe the seat.... took me two seats on my bmw, at least three on the road king, and probably 3 handle bars on both harleys.... but when its right.. its worth it to me. I spent considerable time reading the comments here, really trying to hear both sides of this. considered progressive, but thought... I want it right... for me..I didnt want to do one move and then feel I needed to do another.. was not thrilled with the cost, but since this is my one bike now my only toy/hobby,,, i wanted it to feel right to me.
And hearing a fellow rider in the shop one day relate his tale of being up in the hills and took his hands off the bars for a second...at about 35 mph and got a severe wobble that would not stop until he stopped the bike. He did have a worn front tire... kind of scalloped.... but that kind of thing is not unheard of.
For those who it does not bother... I think that is great... but in my case, it bothered me, and I am committed to the Wing. I really like it, especially now and intend to do some very long rides. Also, what I really like and appreciate, are the comments from other riders. It really helps to know what others have done, and how they feel about it. Then we do our own thing.... gotta love it.
So, for me, considering what I felt that I didnt like, and what I wanted to avoid experiencing if possible, then getting it done, and then getting a few hundred miles on it and thinking,,, dam... still not feeling any issues... it is worth it.
Not being a mechanic or at a level mechanically that I felt comfortable shipping the forks myself.... my dealer pulled them and shipped them to Georgia/traxxion. There is no Traxxion installer near by, and the trip cost to an installer for me was a trade off.
They were also great to work with by phone and email.
Hopefully this rambling will help someone.
