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Well I'm about to get a Goldwing

Charlie G

Charlie G

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CMG CHG 5215 by gillinghams2007, on Flickr

I posted this picture a couple of years ago of a ride I went on with my Dad. Some may know he had a stroke in July and has decided to give me this 2006 Goldwing he bought new. He gave me the title last Friday and I just need to register, make room and bring it home. Well the wife isn't that keen really about it. This makes 6 bikes. There is a bit of sentimental value to it as this photo is the only time we have ridden together.

I've never ridden a bike this large, both in weight and size and I don't know much about them other than the specifications of engine and equipment. I did help a friend who was storing one move it. The electric power reverse is an odd sensation when using. If anyone has any advice on moving, riding, owning or working on one , please speak up. Goldwings and Harleys were really low on my potential ownership list. I really wish I could ask if anyone wanted to swap for it.
 
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Em says she will only come touring with me if I get one... ;)
 
That bike looks like the type that once you get it out on the road you will wonder how you ever got along without it!
 
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I would trade you my Beast for that in a heartbeat. But I think I would still owe you a whole bunch-o-money, which I don't have.
 
Charlie G said:
....................... Well the wife isn't that keen really about it. .......
Click to expand...

Charlie,

Yah, sentimental value. Your dad's bike.

Get used to riding it. THen take wife for ride on a nice day. See what she says then.

.
 
No bike I would rather have if I were going to do a cross country ride. Coast to coast on interstate highways and you will never tire of it. Of course most of us don't like to do the super highway touring, but I have heard stories of guys riding to Sturgis on their Harley's and on at least one occasion, a rider from Texas stopped in Nebraska and traded his H-D in for a Goldwing. Never heard of that happening the other way around.

I had a friend who once toured the perimeter of the US on his Goldwing during a 13 week summer vacation. He put high mileage on his every year.
 
I never thought I'd be the Goldwing type, but look at the Barge in my sig.

It's my vacation machine, and has never missed a lick. It's heavy and bulbous, and not all that attractive. I hate looking at it all winter, and I still vacillate about owning it, but one thing's 100% consistent: 20 miles into a motorcycle vacation, I'm suddenly perfectly certain that I will NEVER sell this bike -- unless it's for another Goldwing.

I'll spend 8 or 9 days doing nothing but riding, and every night, no matter how tired I am, I'm still disappointed that I have to park it and shut down that beautiful 6-cylinder engine so I can check into my motel and get some sleep.

I get where I want to be, in comfort and confidence, time after time. Aim that bike at the Blue Ridge Parkway and you'll be addicted; you'll never question your ownership again -- until winter, of course, when you'll hate it for about 4 months. Get used to it now, because that bike has probably 15 good solid years left in it.
 
Charlie, I'm sorry to hear about you father and wish him well. Not the way one wants to get a bike, but why not try it? An older friend of mine absolutely loves his.
 
Well, I have that Wing's "little brother", a 2000 GL1500SE. The difference is about like your 650 and 750. One is nice, the other is just a little more "nice".

If you are a peg-scraping corner burner, you may be a bit surprised at the Wing's ability. Yes, it's big and heavy, but surprisingly agile.

If you are more of a touring rider already, it will only take a minor adjustment to the weight of the Wing. By the way, they are only heavy at, and below, walking speeds. Above that, it seems to shed about 100 pounds and feels more like an 1100GK.

Sentimental value aside, I think you will easily learn to like the bike. If your wife enjoys riding with you at all, she will soon be finding reasons to go somewhere, and those "somewheres" will be farther and farther away.

By the way, I understand the sentiment of a "once in a lifetime" picture. There are three of them in my signature. The one with my mother was her first ride, ever. Unfortunately, it was also her only ride. The one with my siblings was the first time that the four of us and our spouses all rode together. Although we are all still alive and still have our bikes, one of my sisters was in a head-on accident a couple of years ago that probably erased any chance of her riding again. The family portrait is one we hope to repeat some time, it was the first time that all four in the immediate family were riding on four separate bikes.

Enjoy your time with your dad, even though it might not be on the bike any more. :encouragement:

.
 
If your other half isnt comfortable on one of those then she simply isn't pillion material.

Congrats on the Wing, sad about your dad but at least you can ride it and think of him and the good times.

If you end up riding big miles on it they are good candidates for dark side (there's a rabbit hole for you!).

Enjoy.
 
I've never ridden a Gold Wing for a reason.... I might like it to much! ☺
 
Had a 76. Great bike . Replaced the timing belt , synced the carbs, upgraded to a dynna iggy, and added airhorns. Rode it FLA to TX a couple times. Thing was a dream to ride.
 
My 75 is a great bike and has 81,000+ on the clock. More comfy than any of my GSs on a long haul. Less sore butt on a wing than a GS.
 
I think i ride because my dad did. He's pushing eighty and hasn't ridden in years now. He had a '81 gl1100 back in the day, i worked at a Honda dealer back then and used to make fun of wing owners, the deep pocket short arm jokes and "why don't you just buy a convertable car". (my dad went that route btw!) I now ride with my thirty year old son, on the street, and we drag race just about every week from April to October. When i got my '88 i gave him my "GK'D" '79 GS850. Me and my wife LOVE our wing. Wish we had got it sooner! I ride it every day during riding season, handles as well my 850. Just keep in mind that it's a big top heavy bike and ride it as such.
 
I have a 77 Wing I acquired last year. It floats pretty good, but my 850 is a better ride all things considered. Things are not as they once were for sure. My son traded his BMW K bike for a full boat Harley and that Harley really rides & handles. Surprising to me, I spent forever mocking Harley. When I rode my 1100E back in the 80's I ran with an older guy on an 80's Wing. I rode that and considered it a pig. At my age I'm not ever going to consider another behemoth, more into the 750 stuff.
 
Goldwings are kinda my thing...
I have a 2002 GL1800 right now after owning a GL1100, GL1200, (2) GL1500's - so I have some experience.
That 2006 is a GREAT bike. It WILL take some getting used to before you are ready to scrape pegs and ride it like you stole it.

It is a heavy bike - but balances well when at a stop so you don;t have to 'hold it up' -- just keep it upright.
It is a powerful bike which you will find when riding it -
It has torque aplenty --
Do your slow speed maneuvers in 2nd gear not 1st - 1st is too twitchy (you can even do it in 3rd sometimes)

Be sure the maintenance is up to date for longevity - oil - brakes - etc.
Fuel injection is awesome - the bike will start -
Prepare for 200 miles per tank range (6 gallons of fuel at 37-40 mpg avg)
Ride it - love it - enjoy

And once you re good at riding it - take the significant other for a ride -
I promise you she will like it..
In my life "she who must be obeyed" likes the GL1800 best of all the bikes I have had. ;)

Feel free to contact me with questions - I like to share knowledge.
 
Thank you for your comments and well wishes for my Dad and his motorcycle. My Dad is struggling adjusting to this change screaming and kicking even though his ability to walk and understand his limitations have been greatly compromised. I enjoy your thoughts on having the wife ride pillion. I seriously doubt that she'll get on the back. All my tactful efforts of the last 11 years have fallen on deaf ears and the look of my pending death, so I must walk softly (2nd gear) here. It would be nice though......

I followed Hammerhead, a member of the forum, around Mt St. Helens (Washington state) through shaded forests and sunken roads . I think he would have give Trevor a run for his money on his GoldWing. Pegs and center stand were dragging and sparks were flying as we hit the sunken parts of that road trying to rejoin our comrades before dark. I understand what they can do in capable hands. Gees they're heavy! I hope they have a power center stand? My shoulder and lower back are shot from lifting onto a center stand.

I really appreciate the post of you guys who have one of these beasts. I'm not looking forward to loading it on and off a trailer to get it home as it's getting a bit cold here now. Highs in mid forties. anyone have any thoughts about riding in colder weather on one or loading on a trailer. For some reason I hate loading and unloading a bike form a trailer. Never dropped one or got hurt, just stresses me out. He's done all of his own maintenance on the bike for a while. Sure he has it written down. I know he has records for all of his 11 trucks and cars. Caddies, Corvettes(newer), trucks and a Jeep. Why couldn't he have had the taste of Combat850 with a few Norton's and a Lotus? Ungrateful son as I am........

Thanks a lot guys and if you think of anything I should know, I'm here. HondaPotamus....:onthego:....I love it! I'm considering Goldynosoreass
 
The Wing offers great wind protection.
Both for the body and the legs - primarily the hands and the rear of your neck will get wind
as the air flows UP & over the windscreen - typical complaint about the the GL1800s is the HEAT from the radiators
which flows onto your lower legs.
I am riding mine down to 25 degrees still here in Wisconsin - mid 40's would be doable without electrics if bundled up a bit
Wear good gloves and put a balaclava on (or use a band type ear muff to cover your neck)
Of course warm wind resistant jacket, and extra layers of pants --
You COULD ride it home -
For me - my hands get cold and it's miserable - but I own electric gloves and a jacket liner for under 40 degrees.
Stop every 100 or so miles - warm up and carry on ...

As for lifting it onto the center stand - it's more technique than strength - practice ad it will be better -
the Wing also is perfectly happy on the side stand (just not for transporting in a trailer)

I find my GS850 harder to put up onto the center stand than my Goldwing. ??

Usually the one thing GL1800 riders need to be diligent about is tires - they tend to wear out every 10K miles.

 
Charlie, sorry to hear of your dad's situation. That has to be tough having to hang up the mc keys :( If I can ask how old are you two?

About the GL, you can't NOT get it, that's not a question but if you already have 6 bikes then I agree with your wife, if I were her I'd pressure you to part with some. Not going to be a popular opinion but I think 3 is a magic maximum number for most of us normal married folks with other obligations. You can only ride one bike at a time right? I'd pick two favorites, keep yours dad's GL because you will like it, and have a sale. Good luck.
 
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