Probably going to be more the rider than the bike. I remember the first year the city changed from the "old" style snakes that would get hard and not be a problem, to the current "stay soft and flexibles". There was one street that they had "snaked" every crack for a couple of hundred yards. They were so close together that you couldn't do a u-turn. Riding straight was ok.
Honda Gold Wing - the return of shaft drive
- Thread starter Dirt_Dad
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Donk
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Kind of funny the more I consider a GoldWing the more I think about going back to an S10!
Donk
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I know the feeling. We have a 3 way intersection like that and more of the road is covered in snakes than not. Like riding on an icy winter day.
Dirt_Dad
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There's no question I'd rather ride tar snakes on the 890 or 1290 vs the Wing. But once the Wing hits clear pavement it does instantly regain composure. It's an amazingly well composed bike. But you can't make 800lbs completely disappear.
All those "the weight disappears after it moving" statement are relative, and ... BS. You don't get something so wonderfully stable at 85 MPH sustained, that you can then effortlessly throw from side to side in the twisties. You can absolutely enjoy it on the curvy roads, but it no doubt takes more force to change directions. Not a bad thing, it just makes you aware you are riding a different weight class of bike. For self preservation, you best be aware of that fact.
The biggest adjustment I have to twisty roads is the lack of available lean angle. It only comes into play when I go out to the really good stuff. During daily riding the lack of lean hasn't been a factor. For the hardcore stuff it's an exercise in body-english. I haven't done the good stuff enough to be fully competent at it. Still enjoy those conditions, but I do feel a bit held-back. I blame my skills, not the bike. It does make getting on the SAS and hammering the corners feel so good.
All those "the weight disappears after it moving" statement are relative, and ... BS. You don't get something so wonderfully stable at 85 MPH sustained, that you can then effortlessly throw from side to side in the twisties. You can absolutely enjoy it on the curvy roads, but it no doubt takes more force to change directions. Not a bad thing, it just makes you aware you are riding a different weight class of bike. For self preservation, you best be aware of that fact.
The biggest adjustment I have to twisty roads is the lack of available lean angle. It only comes into play when I go out to the really good stuff. During daily riding the lack of lean hasn't been a factor. For the hardcore stuff it's an exercise in body-english. I haven't done the good stuff enough to be fully competent at it. Still enjoy those conditions, but I do feel a bit held-back. I blame my skills, not the bike. It does make getting on the SAS and hammering the corners feel so good.
Donk
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I was reading about a guy's new to him GoldWing on another forum and interestingly enough part of the discussion was about skid plates for the GoldWing. I guess because of the low ground clearance if you bottom out going over something it is possible to wreck the cases so there are skid plates available. This is one from Traxxion. Not that you'd ever see it but it's nice looking. Never thought about a skid plate on a road bike but I can see how it makes sense.
Dirt_Dad
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That was my first purchase as soon as I got the Wing. I went with the Wing Stuff plate. Not as robust as Traxxio's offering. More simple installation, and it seems sufficient based on my investigation.
Donk
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Thought I'd mention it just in case
I have a very light weight stainless steel belly pan cover on my 2012. It's more of a rock guard than skid plate. It keeps rocks and road debris from hitting the oil filter and radiator overflow. At 90K miles mine is pretty beat up. The few times I have bottomed my Wing it always seems to be on the center stand which causes no damage. Must be on 2018+ the engine itself can hit before center stand mount.
JJTJ2
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Cruiseman (Gold Wing Youtuber) hit something early on with his 2018 and destroyed the engine. He said he was convinced that if he had a skid plate that it wouldn't have happened.
Tenforeplay
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What’s the real world mpg of a newer Goldwing with DCT?
gv550
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45 to 55 mpUSg reg gas.
thughes317
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Not your favorite biker on Instagram: "Gold wings matter #goldwing #motorcycle #bikelife"
1,923 likes, 41 comments - not_yourfavoritebiker on June 24, 2024: "Gold wings matter #goldwing #motorcycle #bikelife".
www.instagram.com
Dirt_Dad
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I'll say that has not been my experience.Not your favorite biker on Instagram: "Gold wings matter #goldwing #motorcycle #bikelife"
1,923 likes, 41 comments - not_yourfavoritebiker on June 24, 2024: "Gold wings matter #goldwing #motorcycle #bikelife".
Donk
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The shop took an '18 GoldWing in trade so I took it for a ride yesterday afternoon. This one was a 6 speed Tour 35k mile bike that had been rode hard and put away wet and needing a rear tire. In spite of that it was about the easiest bike I've ever ridden. I rode it for about an hour and a half searching out every local tight twisty road plus a 20 mile run down the highway. It's a good bike. I think too much weather protection for me, read lack of air flow and yesterday was only in the low 70s up here yet my inner legs were getting toasty. I can see how people get to loving them.
cyclemike4
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I have only rode a gold wing a few times. I never noticed a lot of heat coming off them. The last one i rode had all the air off of me and i can see it getting warm on long days. The thing that bothered me was all the air went over me hit the top box and came forward and pushed my head down from behind at highway speeds. Im sure a little air managment i could correct that. Other than that i loved that thing! That flat 6 would pull any gear any time at any rpm. Beautiful motor and smooth.
Dirt_Dad
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I
I haven't ridden the 6 speed. I definitely do not regret the DCT. I ride in so much heavy, stop and go traffic with the GW, that the DCT is about as perfect as I could ever hope. It does click and clunk away down there, but the ride is always smooth. It'd be nice if it didn’t make so many disturbing sounds, but that's nit picking.
Interesting you don't find the 890 hot, but you do the GW. Like you said, subjective.
I haven't ridden the 6 speed. I definitely do not regret the DCT. I ride in so much heavy, stop and go traffic with the GW, that the DCT is about as perfect as I could ever hope. It does click and clunk away down there, but the ride is always smooth. It'd be nice if it didn’t make so many disturbing sounds, but that's nit picking.
Donk
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Interesting you don't find the 1290 hot but you do the 890. Subjective 
Beggars can't be choosers, it was 6 speed or nothing. I can see how the DCT would be great behind that motor.
Beggars can't be choosers, it was 6 speed or nothing. I can see how the DCT would be great behind that motor.