I've been off the grid for a coon's age. Many things going on in my personal life, some very good, some very bad. But that is not why I am here. I bought my 2008 Wing in June 2021 and some of you had wanted pics. About 15yrs earlier, I had taken my wife to a closing Honda shop and saw an '05 NIB Wing sitting in the corner. I told my wife that was the bike I wanted when I retired. She quizzically asked, "Isn't that a bike old people ride?" Before June of last year, my wife and I were on our '03 Vmax. We had stopped for breakfast, and although we love the Vmax, it's only convenient for trying to kill you. The only thing that controls the bike is the throttle. The engine outperforms everything on that bike: brakes, frame, suspension. But it always puts a smile on my face, and I no longer take my wife out on that bike for that exact reason. While we were sitting and eating, my wife asked, "Why are WE waiting until you retire to get a GoldWing?" I answered that question in about 2 weeks, and this showed up in my garage.

I have since put on about 14.000 miles. Usually average 400 miles a week, just loafing around on my search for nothing. A trip to the post office becomes a one tank trip. But that is what that bike is all about. I just added fresh meat on the rims, with Dunlaps front and back. The previous owner had "gone to the dark side", he had mounted a car tire to the back. This is common for many long distance riders, it's cheaper, higher GVWR, and bigger contact patch when riding in a straight line. After riding with the old tires, and going to the new, there is a major difference. It is now effortless to ride, sometimes you don't realize you are going 100mph if there is no traffic around. And it sticks to a line in the corners with no rider input. It literally is on rails.

Not sure why I waited so long to buy this bike. It literally is the only bike you need, it does everything. And it does it very wheel.

Awesome and good for you!

I traded my Yamaha FJ09 two months ago for a Kawasaki KLR 650. I was way to often out riding myself on the FJ09 The KLR has been a more pleasant bike for me and I find myself riding more often.

Enjoy that new Goldwing and be safe!

I miss riding
Have been out a couple times with my father-in-law on his Indian & Victory, but miss the 10k rpm sporty nature of the Vulcan.

My drug of choice for this is a VFR1200 and my R1 is your Vmax.

Interesting. Over the winter, I am going to re-think my motorcycling. The BMWs I have been owning outperform my skills (getting older) and since I dont want to give it up entirely, I am looking at options.
Right now, I am leaning toward the Can-Am Spyder.