A few years ago, I introduced my wife to a GoldWing at a local Honda dealer. She was skeptical at first, but once I explained what it was about, I queued her interest. I told her when I retire, that is the bike I am buying. She asked why wait until then. Time went on...

Last week, we took the VMax out for a breakfast date. Without any mention, my wife’s exact words were, “I think we should look into that GoldWing, sooner than later”.

If the VMax was my “mid life” crisis bike, the GoldWing is our “empty nest” bike. Our oldest son is leaving for the Army in 5 weeks, aspiring to become a Combat Medic in the Army Rangers. We have another son who will be a high school freshman next fall. But it seems like our family life has been a blur. It just happened so fast. Cherish the time, because before you know it, you will be wondering what to do when the kids are gone. The GoldWing was our answer. That and I need to learn to dance...

My original plan was to pay cash for a new GoldWing, the day I retired. But I found a deal I could not pass up. A 2008 ‘Wing with 23,000 miles on it. Not even broken in. 1832cc horizontal six, 120hp, 120ft/lbs. With my wife’s blessing, it’s coming home next week. I’m already planning a cross country trip with a layover in Alaska in a few years.

I can’t believe I now own a GoldWing...

Very nice. I’ve been more on than off as a bike owner since starting with a Yamaha DT-100 Enduro at the age of 12.

My wife is lukewarm on riding, usually local, short, slower speed riding.

I get by with a Honda CB-1100, mostly errands with a bag attached, as weather allows.

I do agree, cruising is a lot more comfortable on a long-range cruise bike. I just tried out some goggles yesterday, nice upgrade from simple protective glasses. I do use a helmet at times.

Enjoy, ride like you’re invisible.

Pics

Congrats! it's a big touring bike you should have a good time!

They're a lot more nimble than you would think. Here's an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XLJNLpzxQ

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:

...Last week, we took the VMax out for a breakfast date. Without any mention, my wife’s exact words were, “I think we should look into that GoldWing, sooner than later”.

Makes perfect sense, LOL if I were a passenger riding on the back of a VMax (or most any bike) I would have said the same thing. Goldwings are very capable touring bikes but most of all they're about passenger comfort with their large rear seating area, backrest, and armrests with little cubbies for stuff. I made the same decision 21 years ago. At that time our youngest was off to college and my wife had recovered from a successful treatment of breast cancer which gave her a new outlook on things. She never rode with me prior but said she wanted to try it. After a year of mostly short rides and one longer trip on a standard motorcycle w/o backrest I bought the then all new 2000 GL1800 and she absolutely loved riding on that bike because it was so comfortable. On trips she'd have a camera in her lap and snacks in the armrest cubbies. One time we were riding up some small, twisty road, I think it was Rt 16 south from Tazwell VA. The barely 2-lane road had recently been paved and in the process the berms graveled. Cars and trucks cutting the corners naturally spread gravel on the road especially right hand bends so we were riding up the hairpins fairly slowly as I struggled to pick my way through the least gravel. She had been quiet for a while (which was unusual) and almost to the top I felt a bump on the back of my helmet. When I pulled off at the top for a little break she said she'd fallen asleep and awoke when her helmet bumped into mine. I started laughing and said "You need to learn to ride this bike because I want to ride back back there, it's like sitting in a lounge chair with your water and snacks and when you're tired you can nod off!" She never learned to ride and I never got to enjoy the comfortable rear seat but we sure enjoyed touring on that bike. ASKSmith I hope you and your wife enjoy many happy miles on your Goldwing.

A 2008 GW is a good choice. Just don't forget the weight of that bike at slow speed.

There are a couple of nationwide and local Gold Wing clubs. Check out GWRRA.org.

Regarding a passenger falling asleep while on the move. I've seen it many times with BMW riders. I see Wife or GF on passenger seat sleeping, reading a book or knitting.

Talk about trust.

happens all the time, kiddos on the back of my HD RG, you'll feel them nod off, wife would do it on the way back from Daytona in the evenings.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
They're a lot more nimble than you would think. Here's an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XLJNLpzxQ

Jim

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ For those who have never rode the "twisties" this video might make some people physically sick. ........... By the way .. the "tail of the dragon" is a stretch of road only 11 miles in length but contains 117 curves. As video shows other car/truck traffic. At one time it actually allowed BIG trucks but has since restricted Big truck travel. Was on my bucket list but have not made it yet. .................................................... drill sgt.

The dragon is fun, but it's over rated as far as good roads in Western Carolina....

If you go, do it in the middle of a week, you don't want to be on it in the weekend lookieloo traffic.

28 out of Franklin is a better road, Cherohala Skyway is a good longer road with lots of corners, there are plenty of others as well.

Welcome to the wing fold. I have been riding wings for the last 15 yrs and would never own anything else.
My current ride is a 95 Aspencade with 91K on it.
Still purrs like a kitten.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
The dragon is fun, but it's over rated as far as good roads in Western Carolina....

If you go, do it in the middle of a week, you don't want to be on it in the weekend lookieloo traffic.

28 out of Franklin is a better road, Cherohala Skyway is a good longer road with lots of corners, there are plenty of others as well.

I agree on all points!

Watch the road, not the scenery. That's harder than it sounds on the Skyway.

Congrats on the Wing.

Congrats on the GW.
I've always wanted one. They are incredible machines.

As an aside, for our first anniversary, I had wanted to rent a hot air balloon. I don’t recall what happened, but it didn’t work out. For our second anniversary, I rented a Harley touring bike, and we went to a bed and breakfast in Ohio Amish Country. Beautiful ride.

This year I tried to rent a hot air balloon, but just given our time factors, it won’t happen until fall. So we are going to a winery/bed and breakfast in Central PA. And we plan on taking our “new” GoldWing.

The time we rented the Harley, my son had to be life flighted to a local children’s hospital. I was working in the area and beat the helicopter to the hospital. Everything worked out ok, but it’s interesting my son is considering working on a Stat-Medivac after his Army tenure. Maybe even become a pilot.

Congrats! I know you’ve been wanting one of those for a looooooooong time.

Now all you gotta do is find that GSX-R 750 and you will have a complete moto collection.

quote:

Originally posted by nukeandpave:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
The dragon is fun, but it's over rated as far as good roads in Western Carolina....

If you go, do it in the middle of a week, you don't want to be on it in the weekend lookieloo traffic.

28 out of Franklin is a better road, Cherohala Skyway is a good longer road with lots of corners, there are plenty of others as well.

I agree on all points!

Watch the road, not the scenery. That's harder than it sounds on the Skyway.

Congrats on the Wing.

There is a lot of good advice here.
I've enjoyed the ride to and from the Tail much more then actually riding the Tail. Still, everyone should ride it at least once.

Stick, my garage is starting to look like a used bike sales lot. Lol. That GSX-R 750 got put on the backburner. I doubt I could find a decent example anyways, they tended to get spray painted neon colors after they get wrecked the first few times.

I’d like to take a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall. I’ve done it before, just not on a bike. It’s nice to know we have a motorcycle capable of doing it.

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
Stick, my garage is starting to look like a used bike sales lot. Lol. That GSX-R 750 got put on the backburner. I doubt I could find a decent example anyways, they tended to get spray painted neon colors after they get wrecked the first few times.

I’d like to take a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall. I’ve done it before, just not on a bike. It’s nice to know we have a motorcycle capable of doing it.

You now have a motorcycle capable of taking you cross country in comfortable style. On RUG, too, take that BMW and HD.

Do check out the GWRRA.org national organization and the local GW riders clubs so you can enter the motorcycle world of hand signals, ride captains and group riding at about 10MPH UNDER the speed limit with a bunch of snobs on over chromed Gold Wings.

Seriously, the GW is a great bike for long distance travel. Some of the clubs, not so.

^
GWbiker, I’m not a fan of group/club rides. The GoldWing is about my wife and I. Just going where ever we feel like, whenever we want. My idea of a perfect ride is getting lost, and finding your way home. Seeing things you’ve never seen before, and eating at places you never heard of.

As far as the group rides, most of the ones I went on were with novice riders. You always have people who want to ride too fast, or too slow, with little or no situational awareness of who is riding around them. My wife (and son) have mentioned about getting their motorcycle license. I guess I’m old school, and I reply you don’t learn how to ride on the street. Just a few days ago, we were almost hit head on by an SUV who crossed the centerline, and then a truck who pulled out in front of us. My wife was very shaken up both times, and said she doesn’t want her license now. She’s content riding on the back.

I went on a ‘group ride’ a few years ago, fundraiser type ride through church. It was ok, not something I would seek out. There was about 45 bikes or so.

I think a small group, 3-4 bikes would be about right.