My paternal grandfather was a pretty active guy, huge garden, raised chickens, kept a greenhouse and always maintained his modest house in "neat as a pin" fashion. He was a steelworker, so by no means wealthy but comfortable in his own way. He was saving for a boat that he would buy in retirement. He never made it to retirement. I was 11 when he passed. I swore I would enjoy life for my entire life.

So, when I retire next week I will ride motorcycle, ride bicycle, play guitar, hike, walk, volunteer, travel, shoot and maintain the house just as I have for my entire life.

If your finances support it, buy the Wing and enjoy the hell out of it.

Besides, in 10 years bikes will all be electric.

I had two Goldwings in my life and enjoyed riding them. The only advice I can add is for you to consider the type of riding you going to do. Goldwings are big and cumbersome and are meant for getting out and seeing the country. If you are just going to be driving around town with a lot of starting, stopping, getting on and off, I would suggest something easier to handle.

Also keep in mind, as you get older your sense of balance becomes less reliable and your strength starts to decrease, so being able to handle a big bike like a Goldwing can become a lot more difficult.

The new wing has a lot more tech, it's slimmer, lower, lighter, well as light as a heavy cruiser can be, but still IMHO looks better, the previous model was a beast, the new one is more edgy.

They are good bikes, well made, last forever, have to agree, don't wait 10 years, could be that we're all on electronic battery powered eco-bikes with automatic trans and gps guided self driving trips..

When my wife expressed interest in traveling with me on a motorcycle we did some riding on my BMW R1100RS. She really enjoyed it other than tiring because it didn't have a backrest. In 2000 when Honda brought out the 1800 Wing I bought one just for 2-up riding and with it's roomy rear seat, backrest, armrests with cubbies, it was really nice for her. I didn't ride it all that much solo as it wasn't that enjoyable for me. The rider's seat was too short and my knees often contacted the fairing sides. Surprisingly it didn't ride very well on rough pavement and gravel roads, the forks in particular were harsh. The bike handled well on smooth roads but when riding through a series of tight turns it's weight became apparent, it did ok it's just that it required more effort. But for passenger comfort it couldn't be beat and my wife and I enjoyed many a trip on it. Eventually as her bad knee worsened even the Wing became uncomfortable for my wife so after she quit riding I sold it.

I guess it was 2 maybe three years back Honda finally gave the Goldwing a complete makeover. When I was at the dealership looking one over they asked if I wanted to demo it? They said it was set up as a demo and they really needed to get some miles on it. LOL that was like offering an alcoholic a shot of whisky! The demo was a base 6-speed manual shift Goldwing with the low windshield but they had added the optional rear trunk. I took it out for an hour and half on a mix of 2-lane highway, Interstate, small curvy paved roads, and a bit of town traffic. Compared to the previous generation Wing the side cases were smaller on this new one which could be a disadvantage. That was the only slight negative I came away with, other than that this new one was better in every way. The rider seat was longer and more comfortable and there was now plenty of knee room. The gearing was better with a nice, relaxed and tall 6th gear. I was often wishing for a taller top (5th) gear on the old one. Power was great everywhere just like the previous one, actually it even felt a little stronger. I really liked the low shield, in its low position there was clean, quiet airflow and raising it up blocked most air which would be nice in rain or cold. Riding down a mountain on the Interstate I was all alone so I opened it up for the two curves I was approaching. At over 100mph I leaned over first for a right then left curve then slowed back down to 80, there was not even the least wiggle the bike felt like it was on rails. When I exited on to a little curvy primary road the lighter weight and improved suspension and steering really became evident, this bike is much sportier and fun than the previous one. The suspension was outstanding, I could see the patches and breaks in the pavement but the ride was smooth as glass. When I looked down below the handlebars the new link suspension was moving up and down like crazy but almost none of that movement was being transmitted to the bars. It had the smoothest riding road suspension I've ever experienced.

Other than maybe taking my friend out on an occasional short ride, I ride solo. But even so I give serious consideration to buying a new Wing for a long distance travel bike. I'd get the base Wing with its low shield and without the rear trunk and strap my camping bag across the rear seat. I might opt for the dual clutch 7-speed transmission. The one I demo'd didn't have that and its manual box was fine but I really liked Honda's DCT on the two bikes I've owned with it.

So my answer is YES, buy the bike now! Most will want the more loaded version with the tall shield and rear trunk, you definitely want that if you plan on often having a passenger.

Not a Goldwing owner but... I bought my first Harley at 47. Put 80000 miles on that Softail since 2005. In 2016 I bought my Street Glide.

My only regret is waiting until I was 47 to buy that first street bike. So I would say go for it.

quote:

Originally posted by ggile:

Goldwings are big and cumbersome <snip>

Also keep in mind, as you get older your sense of balance becomes less reliable and your strength starts to decrease, so being able to handle a big bike like a Goldwing can become a lot more difficult.

Yes! It was ten years ago, maybe longer, definitely before age and health problems took their toll on me. At the time I was commuting regularly on my BMW, and had logged close to half million miles, as I had been a BMW rider since 1960.

On the day in question, I was leaving the airport after work. A half mile, maybe three quarters, on the exit road, one of the other guys who worked there had crashed. They were loading him for the trip to the hospital and he shouted at me, asking me to please put his motorcycle in a locked hangar.

I had never ridden a GoldWing. It took three of us to get it upright. I have never been on a motorcycle that was so cumbersome. Riding very conservatively, to get it to a hangar, it was not easy for me to handle; I could not visualize myself riding it safely in traffic.

Goldwings are heavy there's no doubt about it, and it's why I probably won't buy another one since I ride solo. A 6 cylinder, 1.8L motor, 36mpg, in a 850# motorcycle just seems excessive and over complicated for a motorcycle to me anymore. Kinda like using a 3/4 ton truck with a 6L motor as transportation. But each to their own.

In the Wing's favor the weight is low, the seat is pretty low so most can comfortably get both feet down, and they have reverse.

I won't talk you out of a Goldwing! Just make sure that bike fits your riding style and life style. It's big and heavy, and you need somewhere to put it.

Will it fit in your garage? Do you have a way to transport it to the shop if it breaks down?

You don't just roll a wing up into the back of a pickup, if you know what I mean.

I've been dreaming of doing the Continental Divide for a couple years now, and finally just said "fuck it" and bought a bike. I'm going.

Don't wait 10 years. Worst case, buy a cheap old used bike now, and ride the wheels off it. But don't wait.

Weekend runs are fun, and you only need enough clothes and gear for overnight.

Do it now.

I rode an early Aspencade and thought it was a fun bike.

Then in 2005 I rode a current year Gold Wing. I was massively unimpressed. It weighed a ton, and wasn't very comfortable. That and any motorcycle that requires a reverse gear is a two wheeled car.

If I were shopping for a motorcycle today I'd look at a BMW 1250 series or a KTM 1290 series.

Ive owned a lot of bikes in all my years...

My Wing was my favorite...

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
I rode an early Aspencade and thought it was a fun bike.

Then in 2005 I rode a current year Gold Wing. I was massively unimpressed. It weighed a ton, and wasn't very comfortable. That and any motorcycle that requires a reverse gear is a two wheeled car.

If I were shopping for a motorcycle today I'd look at a BMW 1250 series or a KTM 1290 series.

In 2018, they trimmed the weight ~10%, moved the cg forward, switched to a double wishbone front suspension, and improved aerodynamics. They’re now lighter and better riding than HD or Indian counterpart baggers or dressers. BMW’s K1600 series is lighter yet and more powerful.

This is my 97 Gold Wing model "Valkyrie Tour" Kind of a revision of the first wings with a bit more umph. There still out there for a song ! compared to a new one. A well keep model will last multiple 100 of thousands of miles. Current high mileage champ on the Valk forum is DDT on a 1999 Tourer @ 650,000 miles as of Oct 2019.

If interested try googling Yellow Wolf at Deals Gap / or / Yellow Wolf and Tail of the Dragon for those that think the Goldwing is a slug (handling) in the twisties. As well Goldwings pulling a trailer with 2 riders can be found. The "tail of the dragon"/ Deals gap is a 11 mile stetch of twisting 2 lane hwy ( open to all traffic except big trucks) that has 318 turns that has riders coming from all over the world. If it has 2 wheels or 3 wheels or peformance 4 wheels they can be found there. If you are able to visit try and not leave anything hanging in the tree of shame. .............. drill sgt.

If you guys don't mind me asking a semi-related question, sort of, was there a Silver Wing back in the early 1970's or so?

Google has not helped me with an answer.

My brother had, at the time, a Honda touring bike, I guess it was, it's been a lot of years.

I seem to recall him saying that the Gold Wing was more money and he could just afford the slightly less expensive model, and it seems like it was a Silver Wing?

I do clearly and vividly the story of him going to visit our sister one morning. He was going around the neighborhood street corner and hit some gravel right at her house. The chrome guard thing by the foot rest plowed up part of her yard and saved his foot/leg from injury.

Thanks.
.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
If you guys don't mind me asking a semi-related question, sort of, was there a Silver Wing back in the early 1970's or so?

Google has not helped me with an answer.


.

Variant of the CX500. 500 & 675cc VTwins.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...nd_GL650_Silver_Wing

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
If you guys don't mind me asking a semi-related question, sort of, was there a Silver Wing back in the early 1970's or so?

Google has not helped me with an answer.

My brother had, at the time, a Honda touring bike, I guess it was, it's been a lot of years.

I seem to recall him saying that the Gold Wing was more money and he could just afford the slightly less expensive model, and it seems like it was a Silver Wing?

I do clearly and vividly the story of him going to visit our sister one morning. He was going around the neighborhood street corner and hit some gravel right at her house. The chrome guard thing by the foot rest plowed up part of her yard and saved his foot/leg from injury.

Thanks.
.

^^^^^^^^
Yes Honda did market the "Silverwing". IIRC the "Silverwing" was sort of

a large step thru scooter type that was a capable and stable riding platform at highway/interstate speeds. Do not remember the engine size but had continuious drive ( no manual shifting) . ........................................ drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:

Yes Honda did market the "Silverwing". IIRC the "Silverwing" was sort of

a step thru scooter that was a capable and stable riding platform at highway/interstate speeds. Do not remember the engine size but had continuious drive ( no manual shifting) . ........................................ drill sgt.

The newer/current production Silverwing is a scooter with a 600cc P-Twin.
The prior version was a varian of the CX500, as posted above.

^^^^ That link seems to indicate a bike that came out in the late 1970's.

Brother had this bike in the early 1970's, probably 1971 or 1972, I think. Definitely not later than that.

Thanks for the help anyway, I guess it's a dead end.

quote:

I still have about 10yrs to retire...

But the Wing, she is beckoning me...

my accountant buddy bought his Gold Wing around 2005. He didn't put many miles on it for the next 10 years. Nearing his own 'semi-retirement' he & the Mrs. rode far & wide through out the West.

THEN they both got the hots for changing it to a tricycle via a high-$ rear end. They both love it and have extended their miles and smiles, attending various regional Rotary club meetings & extended family gatherings. They like it SO well after now turning over 20000 additional miles, they have had a custom saddle seating arrangement installed.

He's fully satisfied with the basic Honda engineering. He rode for decades as well, but this long distance 2-up touring is a special pleasure for them.

Good luck with yours.