Honda Gold Wing - the return of shaft drive

[Dirt_Dad]

I did find the 1290 hot. After the cool cover and zipping closed my bottom pant vent it all disappeared...science.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

What’s the real world mpg of a newer Goldwing with DCT?

I finally paid attention to this. Routine commuting about 110 miles a day, right around 48 MPH. Enjoying the ride, more like 43 MPG.

The title paperwork has finally caught up to me here in the new home state of WV. I was about to register the GW when I looked at the rear tire and realized, that ain't gonna pass. I haven't been watching it outside of looking at the tire pressure monitor a couple times a day. I had it in my head that a touring bike should be able to go into the low teens on the mileage. Nope, 8400 and I'm just about on wear bars. New tire on the way, will get it changed out at less than 9K.

 

[scott123007]

I finally paid attention to this. Routine commuting about 110 miles a day, right around 48 MPH. Enjoying the ride, more like 43 MPG.

The title paperwork has finally caught up to me here in the new home state of WV. I was about to register the GW when I looked at the rear tire and realized, that ain't gonna pass. I haven't been watching it outside of looking at the tire pressure monitor a couple times a day. I had it in my head that a touring bike should be able to go into the low teens on the mileage. Nope, 8400 and I'm just about on wear bars. New tire on the way, will get it changed out at less than 9K.

There is a reason a lot of guys Darkside these things.

 

[Checkswrecks]

There is a reason a lot of guys Darkside these things.

I was going to post the same thing.

 

[gv550]

I find the Bridgestone tires go significantly further than the Dunlop.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

There is a reason a lot of guys Darkside these things.

I don't know about a darkside. I already feel the GW powersliding with a normal tire. Can't imagine being leaned over on the edge of a street tire and giving it some enthusiastic throttle. Seems like a potential for more excitement than I'm looking for.

I picture a darkside as better for gentle riding. But that's all speculation on my part. I've never tried one.

 

[Sierra1]

Some riders don't know that motorcycles are designed to lean into a corner.

 

[scott123007]

I "think" one of the fastest riders through Deals Gap on a Goldwing was Darkside. And before anyone says "yeah, that was just a Gold Wing", I believe he is in the upper 95 percentile of the fastest overall.

 

[scott123007]

 

[Cycledude]

They even have a big beautiful poster on the wall in the store of Yellow Wolf-Rick Peppin riding his Yellow Goldwing hopefully I didn’t misspell his name

 

[Tenforeplay]

How does airflow and turbulence compare between the gw and super ten, up around 80-85 mph indicated?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I can't give an apples to apples comparison. All my Super Teneres had aftermarket windscreens and adjusters. They were completely fine at those speeds. Similarly, the GW has electric windscreen up and down, so turbulence can be adjusted out.

I will say I have to move the windscreen higher than I like at those speeds on the GW. I prefer looking over rather than through the screen. I'm right on the edge of that with the Wing.

There is an aftermarket screen that makes claims their shape throws air higher. Plus it's wider than stock. People seem to really like it. I do plan to give that one a try in the future.

As far as airflow...the S10 gave more of a breeze to the rider than the GW. Good in warmer months, less so in the cooler times.

 

[Tenforeplay]

I have the tall Oem windscreen with winglets on the super . Up around 82 mph indicated the buffeting kind of gets tiring. Smooth air would be nice. Though like you say, depending on the temperature it could be nice. Smooth air with vents at the bases of the windshield might work well. I need to drive a wing sometime for comparison I guess.

 

[Sierra1]

I've read that the new 'Wing has more wind protection than the last Gen. I don't how that's possible considering the sheer size of the last Gen's windshield and fairing.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I've never ridden an earlier generation Wing, so can't compare.

There are definitely times I'm wishing I had installed the side wind deflectors to direct some air to the lower regions. It's not KTM hot, but as you approach the upper 80's more airflow would be welcomed.

 

[Donk]

After I read about the need for a bash plate/skid plate whatever you call it for the GoldWing I was talking to a friend that does a lot of long distance stuff on his. He was one of the unlucky ones who tore the bottom of his engine off. He did it during The Heart of Texas Rally. Now any time I mention GoldWing my wife says, "you're not buying a street bike that needs a skid plate to keep from ripping the bottom of the engine off. Oops maybe shouldn't have shared that information! I wonder how many people that has actually happened to? Knowing someone that had it happen makes it a lot more real than reading about it on the internet.

Getting caught in a big back up on the Interstate during my last trip really did have me thinking DCT is not a bad idea.

 

[simmons1]

After I read about the need for a bash plate/skid plate whatever you call it for the GoldWing I was talking to a friend that does a lot of long distance stuff on his. He was one of the unlucky ones who tore the bottom of his engine off. He did it during The Heart of Texas Rally. Now any time I mention GoldWing my wife says, "you're not buying a street bike that needs a skid plate to keep from ripping the bottom of the engine off. Oops maybe shouldn't have shared that information! I wonder how many people that has actually happened to? Knowing someone that had it happen makes it a lot more real than reading about it on the internet.

Getting caught in a big back up on the Interstate during my last trip really did have me thinking DCT is not a bad idea.

From what I understand the 18 plus Wings are more susceptible to engine damage underneath hitting stuff than the previous Generation.

I have a skimpy engine cover on the bottom of
my 2012 that has lasted fine for 90K+ miles.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I'm sold on the DCT for commuting. Riding home today at 2MPH, stop, 3MPH, stop, over and over and over again, would be even more tedious with a clutch.

I've never counted, but I bet I manually downshift 30 to 100 times in a 50 mile ride to or from work. This afternoon I was using Rain Mode in a foggy, soggy, way too moist ride. I bet I hit the little downshift button 150 times. Rain Mode...necessary, but OMG.

Oh, the skid plate. Glad I got it. Don't ever think about it. Total non-factor in the ownership experience.

 

[Cycledude]

My Goldwing has 613,000 miles on odometer and it’s never had or needed a skid plate

 

[Sierra1]

My Goldwing has 613,000 miles on odometer and it’s never had or needed a skid plate

Difference in the design? Looks a whole lot different. The new one looks more like an updated ST1300. (to me)