I've had 2 GL1800's over the years (2001 and later a 2002) - great bikes! I had an ST1100 that recently gave up the ghost (stator) and was more expensive to fix than it was worth. A quick trade in on a used Yamaha FJR1300 kept me on the road, but to be honest I'm not a big fan of how it handles compared to the Honda STs (used to have ST1300 too).

My wife and I are looking at bikes for each of us. I'm torn between another ST1300 and the F6B. My wife wants one of either as well. I think the lower seat height of the F6B would better for her but not sure about the weight. We'd have to get at least a 2015 or newer for the reverse for her.

My other consideration is cost. For the price of a nice used 2015 or newer F6B I can get two late model ST1300s. I know, different rides, etc. I think whatever we choose will be a good bike.

Congrats on the new ride! Looks very nice!

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Great bike ridewv. Was on my short list but I ended up with a beautiful '22 Police Road King. I do most of my own maintenance and the tediousness of the fairing removal is what kept me from hopping on the wing. If ever I win the lotto and can have someone else do the required maintenance, I'll have one for sure!

Having to peel off layers of plastic to get access to things is one thing that almost kept me from buying the bike. But some maintenance things look a little easier to do on the Wing; removing the rear wheel for instance. It has a single sided swing arm so it's just remove lug nuts like a car wheel and pull away, the brake caliper even stays on the swing arm. And there's one oil to change instead of three. Overall you're right though it will be more time consuming to work on.
But when I stumbled in and sat on the bike in the store it brought back the memory of the test ride on one back in 2018. The bike was so smooth and relaxed at 80 mph, handled like a dream, and it gobbled bumps up so well I barely felt them. My 2015 Road King never gave me any trouble and looked and sounded nice as well but suspension was the weak point on it, bumps were jarring and large ones literally would launch me up off the seat, and there are few smooth roads around here.... heck I live on a potholed dirt road LOL. I had been considering upgrading the suspension but never got the opportunity to ride one set up with Ohlins to see how much improvement it made. So suspension and the fact I'd had the 2015 RK for 8 years I just thought it could be time for something different. I worked out a deal to sell the RK to a friend, through the dealer to get credit as a trade for sales tax, along with a BMW, and rode away on the Wing. It's really too early to tell until I get some miles on the bike but so far it's everything I'd hoped.
About all I plan on doing to it is the luggage rack (on order) and maybe add the driving lights which did not come on this model.

Thought you'd like a tech tip on how to change the rear tire on a GW

Mojo that's great that your wife likes riding as well! Good luck on finding just the bikes you and she like.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Thought you'd like a tech tip on how to change the rear tire on a GW

OMG! I would NEVER lay my motorcycle on its side! That was a previous gen GL1800 but I had one of those too and never did that when removing the rear wheel. I just put it on my lift, jacked up the rear end, and pulled out the wheel from the back. Trying to remember if the back of the fender came off or not to let it roll out?

I'm saving that video though, thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

Opposed air-cooled engines from Lycoming and Continental dominate the General Aviation piston-power market.

A flat/opposed six, like the straight/inline six, is inherently balanced for less vibration, but without the length or height "packaging" problems of the straight six. All of these are desirable traits in both airplanes and motorcycles. This inline-six-powered c. 1918 Fokker D.VII, while a high performance airplane for the time, wasn't exactly streamlined.



Opposed twins and fours are also smoother than their inline counterparts. In automobiles (and motorcycles), inline fours have all kinds of schemes (special mounts and/or balance shafts) to quell vibration, but the flat-four Subaru needs none.

Sweet ride.

I'm still a pretty ridiculous bimmer fanboy, but next best and strong alternate is one of those wings.

I took one for a new years day ride in Boise a few years back, and was absolutely amazed. Wife never even got cold. For a lesser 49 only bike, it's probably near the top of my list.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Mojo that's great that your wife likes riding as well! Good luck on finding just the bikes you and she like.

Thanks! She’s come a long way in about 3 years. From riding as a passenger to getting and riding her own bike, and just last week she graduated the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s class for Rider Coaches. Now she’ll be teaching others to ride. Pretty cool!

I know in-line and opposed 6 cylinder engines are inherently smooth with opposed 4 and 2 cylinder engines being pretty smooth as well, but I know little about aircraft engines. But let's face it they then formula one car engine development lead the ICE technology for sure.

I like Beemers as well, always have. I still have my 1993 R100R.

Outstanding she's progressed to being an MSF coach!!!

I will confess that if I were to have only one motorcycle that this Goldwing, or any heavyweight touring bike, would not be it. There are any number of middle weight motorcycles that are lighter, more versatile, and less expensive that can tour almost as well as a Harley Tourer or Wing yet be more capable on the small roads that are so enjoyable to ride. The Wing will be fun to experience as a hot rod bagger and tour on though.

Would've never pegged that as a GW. That is one sharp looking bike!

Definitely less of the Lazy-Boy with wheels look of the standard GW.
Would be hard pressed to choose between the F6B or the K16B or GT

Thanks Tiger!

Many traditional Wing owners are not pleased with the direction Honda took this generation but I sure do. It's slimmer, lighter (although still heavy), and handles and rides nicer. And the non tour model w/o trunk is positioned more as Honda's sport tourer since they no longer make their ST1300.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
tator what else is on your list?

I want a bagger/tourer. Top 3:

Bmw K1600

Goldwing

Indian Chieftain

Ideally, this fall I’ll rent a few on Twisted Road and make up my mind

You would really like the K1600. I love mine, but also love to try different vehicles. I may sell it to fund a KTM 990 Adventure.

ridewv,

Of all the GWs I've ever seen, that is by far the best looking one to date.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I can imagine you will.

Thank you slabsides that was kind of you to say. Especially considering that while I like the styling overall, the matte paint, black exhaust, and maybe red accents are not my preference. I am "adjusting" to them somewhat.

quote:

Originally posted by tigereye313:
Would've never pegged that as a GW. That is one sharp looking bike!

That’s what I was thinking. It looks like a Rocket 3 GT humped a Touring Wing and this is their love child.

I think I can see the Triumph-Honda resemblance...

^^^
I didn't expect to see your new GW on a dirt road!

quote:

Originally posted by mod29:
^^^
I didn't expect to see your new GW on a dirt road!

Unfortunately this is the only road to get to my driveway.

I'm sure she handles just like a Africa Twin in the dirt.