goldwing versus 850

[Wingsconsin]

Great idea !

Great idea !

I've had them both, too. They have two wheels, four cylinders, and shafts. That's where the similarities end. They are two different, great machines, and either may or may not suit a particular rider. It might be pretty hard to do, but if possible, test each one before making the buy.

The best thing is to have one of each?

That's my plan ....:dancing:

 

[tkent02]

I'm working on it.

 

[Ecklund]

I can now more understand why some people own more than 1 bike.[/QUOTE]

For me, this is of course the real answer.

There are way too many cool, fun, interesting bikes out there to own just one...

I saw a nice 2005 Triumph Bonnie, or what ever they call them now, on CL for $1900. Hmmm

 

[Steve]

They have two wheels, four cylinders, and shafts. That's where the similarities end.

For Wingsconsin and me, there are fewer similarites than that. :-k

Our Wings have SIX cylinders.

And they are both BLUE, too. .

.

 

[Guest]

When I said older Wing I meant 1990's not the seventies! :>)

 

[850GT_Rider]

You're right. I love the weight of the 850.Its perfect for me.I have a tour pack to mount on it,doesnt weigh much.Once I get tc bros forward controls I will be good to go.Goldwing motors last longer, but the bikes are much heavier.And who rides a bike for 200,000 miles anyway? few people. I dont care anything about music playing.

As stated by others, the 850 is a reliable workhorse. For what it lacks in amenities like Barcalounger seats, it makes up for in simplicity.

4th of July weekend, in the midst of an 850 mile trip up to the UP of Michigan, back down the other side:

We were saddlesore a bit, but it was still a great ride.

 

[Wingsconsin]

Oh really...?

Oh really...?

As stated by others, the 850 is a reliable workhorse. For what it lacks in amenities like Barcalounger seats, it makes up for in simplicity.

Barcalounger seat...?

Here is my Goldwing Seat after a recover --

Okay ..maybe a barcaloounger...

 

[GS ace]

When the 850s were being made, the 'Wing had only four cylinders. 1000 and 1100cc models. I guess that I should have specified the era prior to '88, the first year of the 1500 six. I had a Saddleman gel seat with the air adjustable backrest on my Aspencade, color matched to the wineberry, of course.

Our GWTA chapter had a nice combination of year models. It was kind of neat to see them lined up on our dinner rides.

 

[850GT_Rider]

I had a Saddleman gel seat with the air adjustable backrest on my Aspencade, color matched to the wineberry, of course.

I rest my case..... :clap:

 

[ron bayless]

man that seat looks comfortable. My stock seat on my 850 is very comfortable.I remember my gs 1000, it was the first seat I ever rode on that was comfortable all day long. As far as 6 cylinder goldwings go other than having to replace the timing belts they run forever.My valkyrie would pass the nickel test.Start it up, stand a nickel on edge on the cylinder head.rev the bike.It wont fall over.But the valk only got 27 mpg.It was the tourer.I loved the bike, hated the mpg.

 

[ron bayless]

As stated by others, the 850 is a reliable workhorse. For what it lacks in amenities like Barcalounger seats, it makes up for in simplicity.

4th of July weekend, in the midst of an 850 mile trip up to the UP of Michigan, back down the other side:

We were saddlesore a bit, but it was still a great ride.

Now I know how my bike should look.Minus the vetter.

 

[GS ace]

The '79 850G I had prior to the 'Wings was really a nice tourer. It had a color matched Vetter with a Cycle Sound unit that had a Blaupunkt am/fm cassette with an amp and upgraded speakers jammed into it. An Eclipse tank bag, soft saddlebags, and a soft trunk on a luggage rack made comfortable camping a cinch. Loaded, it was a little top heavy, though, but was never a problem.

 

[ron bayless]

That sounds like a really nice setup you had ace.

 

[GS ace]

And oh yeah, the cooler rode on the seat behind me.

 

[chuck hahn]

Love that vintage 70s bates luggage. I couldnt give the ones I had away and wound up dumpstering them after a few years of dragging them around.

 

[gs scott]

Great to read through this thread. Have you guys ever read the magazine Road Rider? You can find them for sale in ebay, under magazines. I bought the 12 issues for 1982 and read through them - great reviews of bikes and how they held up on the "rode test". Reviews of bates luggage, motorcycle camping gear and accessories, tips... Really fun to read. Then I bought the 12 issues for 1983....

 

[ron bayless]

Great to read through this thread. Have you guys ever read the magazine Road Rider? You can find them for sale in ebay, under magazines. I bought the 12 issues for 1982 and read through them - great reviews of bikes and how they held up on the "rode test". Reviews of bates luggage, motorcycle camping gear and accessories, tips... Really fun to read. Then I bought the 12 issues for 1983....

Never heard of that.interesting.

 

[850 Combat]

man that seat looks comfortable. My stock seat on my 850 is very comfortable.I remember my gs 1000, it was the first seat I ever rode on that was comfortable all day long. As far as 6 cylinder goldwings go other than having to replace the timing belts they run forever.My valkyrie would pass the nickel test.Start it up, stand a nickel on edge on the cylinder head.rev the bike.It wont fall over.But the valk only got 27 mpg.It was the tourer.I loved the bike, hated the mpg.

Suzuki ruined the seat completely in 1983. A job they started in 1982. 79 to 81, its at least as good as the original GS1000.

 

[ron bayless]

Suzuki ruined the seat completely in 1983. A job they started in 1982. 79 to 81, its at least as good as the original GS1000.

Well, if that's so, I can't tell it.I have owned both.

 

[tkent02]

I like the early flat seats much better than any of the stepped ones. It just seems stupid to have a stylish step halfway up my ass when I'm sitting farther back.

That and the front part of the seat in front of the step is too low.