Pondering a Goldwing

[psycledelic]

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)

[Joe]

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!

[SteveH]

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.

[Bick]

Buy a Civic, it's smaller and handles better.   

Yeah, Goldwings handle like crap...

http://www.youtube.com/v/0nrMQ3QwyPo&hl=en

[cmorgan47]

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

[Pancake81]

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  . 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 $$$ 

[Rameses]

More GW hooliganism goodness.   



http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=7737366

[silentbob]

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.

[zvezdah1]

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

[bonfy]

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:



And here she is in Alaska:



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.





There's is Count Desmo's V-strom fully outfitted for the long haul (he's selling it, too, so PM him):



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.