I'm keeping the Monster!
I wanted something to do longer distance trips with and took a trip to the Honda dealer to check out a Goldwing. I know it seems like the bike is for older dudes sporting an Aerostich one piece but the bike appeals to me. I swung my leg over and immediately felt intimidated by it's size and bulkiness. Is it a huge transition moving from a sportbike into a cruiser? I feel confident riding the Monster or the ZX6R as I have plenty clearance and the less weight makes it easier to handle.
Yuck, too big.
You should probably look into the Sport Touring bikes. Either with Honda or Ducati, IMO.
Triumph Sprint has also received great reviews.
Two summers back in the '90s I rented one for touring. I was inexperienced but felt at home right away.
It's very very comfortable and not at all hard to handle. After 300 miles, still ready to ride on. If I wanted to ride with a passenger and could afford it for a second bike - I would get one today - but of course not for hooliganism or commuting/lanesplitting.
Also it is one of few bikes that draws attention better than a Monster, and it does it without loud exhaust.
Had an 05 wing for a couple years, Hands down the best long distance touring bike out there (had a bmw k1200lt before this). Plenty of storage space and traveling on a big tourer def. got it's advantages. However you really need a sporty bike to go with it for the rest of the time. That said, the wing served me well as daily transport, the security of hard bags, cruise control, satellite radio etc is hard to beat on long trips.
Once you get used to the big size and weight (better than k1200 which is very top heavy and a handful at low speeds) the wing is a breeze to ride.
I did take it to a ducs fly south event www.usdesmo.org and had an absolutely blast grinding the foot pegs on the corners in the NC moutains running with my friends on their ducs!
Chris
I have a goldwing with the full traxxion suspension upgrade in the front forks and the progressive 460 adjustable shock in the rear. With tire pressures set correctly, and a good pilot, you would be amazed what the big girl can do. Suffice it to say that there are several riders on I-4s at Deals Gap wondering what big black bike passed them and never looked back.
I'm leaving on a 4-5000 mile trip Wednesday morning on the wing and there really isn't a better bike for the long trips than the wing. Going to Montrose, Colorado from northern Illinois and will be doing day rides out of Montrose until July 10th. Then Pike's Peak and back home. I can't wait.
I have a monster and would love to find a really nice ST3s w/ABS. The wing for two-up trips, the ST3s for solo trips or faster two-up trips, and the monster for hooliganning around and maybe the occasional track day.
if you have specific questions about the wing, I'd be glad to answer them.
Try the new Concours 14 from Kawaski, it has a retuned zx-14 engine it's supposed to be comfie, capable, and haul balls. I think it's Kawboy in the NMMR local has one. I'd pm him.
Honda should name its "Winnebago" the Monster....and buy out Ducati's rights.
get a bmw touring bike those things look cool
Buy a Civic, it's smaller and handles better. ;D
I have an ST4 and while not as plush as the Goldwing (I have ridden several), it actually keeps the "sport" in sport touring.
I would ponder stomach stapling, and possibly a sex change if I were you...which I'm not.... Thank Allah.
Quote from: stopintime on June 30, 2008, 03:25:30 PM
I would get one today - but of course not for hooliganism
No?
;D
(http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/Goldwing-wheelie.jpg)
^^^^^
hahaha
I'll get one one day to do the 'round oz trip' but I settled for an st3 for now (didn't sell the monster) to do shorter trip till the that time comes
Quote from: ADGHonda should name its "Winnebago" the Monster....and buy out Ducati's rights.
Some friends of mine call I4s "crotch rockets" - they call the goldwing a "couch rocket". [thumbsup]
Quote from: ADG on June 30, 2008, 08:30:27 PM
Honda should name its "Winnebago" the Monster....and buy out Ducati's rights.
Wingebago?
It's more money, but look at the BMW LT.
(http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/images/bikes/k1200lt/overview_photos/night_black.gif)
Aside from needing a new, maybe a little softer than concrete seat, I really like my GS for long trips.
I never thought I would be making a suggestion like this, but what about the decked out Harley's?. At least you can still make a little noise AND wear a leather bandana! (Not to mention, leak some oil, rattle your nuts loose, still pay out the wahoo for service, and have a full selection of non-functional, novelty helmets to choose from)
I have a K1200LT and a S4Rs... Good combo.
My brother has a Goldwing and complains about the fuel milage constantly. He claims to get better milage in his Civic. I get around 45MPG on the LT.
The LT seems to be a little sportier than the GW. LT is a bit top heavy, but it doesn't take long to learn how to handle it at low speed. Once it's rolling it's great.
GW is roomier if you and your passenger are very large, but my wife and I can put a hurtin' on a buffet ;) and we fit fine on the LT.
If your looking to go solo, I'd go sport touring. But if you plan to ride two up most of the time go with the LT or GW and your SO will love you for it!
I just bought a '79 naked GL1000. Totally different from the M696, obviously built for a different purpose. My gut feeling right now is that I will be keeping both for a very long time. The GL is the first bike I've ever ridden where you can't hear it; and you can't feel it - you really need to rely on the tach to ride it.
That said, the Sprint ST is a VERY nice bike. A friend of mine has one and he loves it. I would also look @ the FJR.
Quote from: silentbob on June 30, 2008, 09:11:15 PM
Buy a Civic, it's smaller and handles better. ;D
Yeah, Goldwings handle like crap...
http://www.youtube.com/v/0nrMQ3QwyPo&hl=en
another vote for the triumph sprint. a friend just sold his--to buy parachuting gear--but he loved it till then. rode it a few times and it's both comfortable and quick.
the BMWs are also nice.
father-in-law's goldwing just feels too much like a 2 wheeled minivan
I dont have a huge amount of cash to throw at a second bike at the molement, so the GW's have really caught my eye. At least the ones from late 80's and earlyt 90's. There comfy, cheap and not a bulky as the new ones. Now someone mentioned a sport-tourer, and I completely agree [thumbsup] . What a great transistion. You get the power and agility a sport bike but the comfort of a tourer. If I had it my way I would be purchasing a BMW; I think its the K1200 I like. But huge $$$ :o
More GW hooliganism goodness. [thumbsup]
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=7737366
Quote from: Bick on July 01, 2008, 06:33:27 AM
Yeah, Goldwings handle like crap...
http://www.youtube.com/v/0nrMQ3QwyPo&hl=en
Yeah they handle great at 30 mph and a 30 degree lean. I could drag my Harley around like that too.
Had a k1200lt before the wing, crappy ground clearance, I'd drag centerstand in even mild mountain turns, the wing actually handles better on twisties.
Also, the fact not many bmw dealers in the US as compared to Honda is another good reason.
If I ever considered another beemer again (and I never would) I'd probabl look at the k1200GT>
Chris
A friend of mine (Dustykitska) rode her Suzuki V-strom to Alaska and back from Albuquerque. She had nothing but good things to say about the bike on that adventure. She gave the twisties hell on it, too, before she added a Monster to her stable.
Here she is in Glen Canyon:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/bonfygloria/100_2702.jpg)
And here she is in Alaska:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/bonfygloria/rm-1.jpg)
There's Kawboy's Concourse fully loaded, along with a BMW and some Monster's on one of the NMMR's road trips, this one to Arizona, I believe. Kawboy gets that beast through the twisties like a pro, no problem. That is an all-purpose bike and it can go real, real fast.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/bonfygloria/100_2323.jpg)
There's is Count Desmo's V-strom fully outfitted for the long haul (he's selling it, too, so PM him):
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/bonfygloria/100_2579.jpg)
When I add a dual-sport bike to my stable, I am 99% sure it will be a V-strom due to the excellent handling and price range. Parts are easier to find, as well. Both of these bikes were lowered which I would need as well.