I'm 5'4, 145 pounds, 55 years YOUNG, own a 2013 Wing (bought new right off the showroom floor 6 years ago), currently have 42,000 miles, & I have no issues with mine. Everything is stock, including the seat. When I come to a full stop, I just scoot my butt forward towards the tank about 2 inches and I can flat-foot it. Not a big deal. Have never dropped her. Have never had the front wobble you speak of. No mechanical issues whatsoever. She is still in "like new" condition. The most miles I've put on her in one day is just shy of 1,200. Afterwards is when I found out about the Iron Butt and what you have to do to qualify, so I hope to do that this year. Anyways, the heat from the engine on the legs isn't bad until after many hours and miles and even then, it's not unbearable. As far as the breaks are concerned, I don't have ABS. But, they are at linked. It does take a little bit longer to stop but then again, we are talking almost a thousand pound bike. As heavy as that sounds, the Gold Wing is light and nimble once you're moving down the road, and she is quick to respond on the curves and overall in general. Never have had any issues with lean angle. I think the scraping you did was actually your camera and not part of the bike. I could be wrong, but in my opinion, you still had wiggle room on that curve. I do my own maintenance on mine except for one thing...... the freaking air filter!!!!!!! I hate that damn thing!!!!!! I have no idea what Honda was thinking, but I gladly pay for the shop to change it!
Couple comments- The head shake is pretty common, especially as your front tire wears. Installing the "All Balls" mod to the steering neck gets rid of the shake. There is a connection under the left hand front pocket for a 3.5 mm plug adapter, controlled through the Aux button on the radio. I run the Galfer ceramic pads, makes a big difference, especially eliminating fade. Goldwings aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I like to pound out the miles. The wing does it without complaints, and I feel good after multiple high mileage days. I did 6000 miles in 8 days last summer, and enjoyed ever last mile.
2019 GoldWing owner here. Man I was a couple years too late, this old one looks way better and higher quality than the new one. Kind of makes me regret not buying the previous one!
@@wingandhog wow, sounds like you scored! I hope it serves you well! My 2019 Goldwing is back in Honda’s hands as a lemon. The oil light kept coming on for no known reason, dealer visit after dealer visit after dealer visit no fix. So I had to get a lemon law attorney and got the bike lemoned. Keep enjoying your ride! 😎
I ride a decked out 2006 Goldwing and it is a BEAST. It not only eats Highway, it takes curves with ease, I can lean with the best of them and after that 500 mile day, my body is not beat to crap. It’s the best bike I’ve ever owned.
Surprisingly the gold wing handles very well. I witnessed a gold wing rider in the mountains recently leaning off with knee almost on ground in the curves. He was keeping a very quick pace through the turns and wasn't scraping anything either.
Then he was just a dufos, the goldwing drags long before needing to drop a knee evan tho I do point a knee out occasionally just to get it to dive in quicker but the knee tucks back in..it's simply just not necessary
Lemmy you obviously have not ridden a GL1800 very much. I have ridden Goldwings since the late '80s. As a "novice to the Goldwing" rider many of your observations are understandable. However, many GL1800 owners would object to your assessment of the steering and the lean angles. You also neglected to mention the linked braking system that makes it nearly impossible to lock up the wheels during an emergency stop which is standard on all models. I have watched these bikes "fly" around turns and leave sport bikes in the dust. Whoever prepped the unit you were driving didn't install the standard aux audio jack in the left pocket. The steering wobble has been well documented over the past 15 years since the GL1800 was released. Some have overcome it with a Super Brace for the front forks or sometime it's a faulty tire or defective steering bearings.
+Samuel Beloff I agree with you Sam. The newer body style, 2001 and up changed everything. You can ride the twisties down to 20mph and never come out of overdrive. This bike will lay right on over effortlessly in the turns. Very light and nimble. Now my VTX 1800 you have to manhandle...
+floydndaisy A buddy of mine has one of these in his stable (along with a BMW S1000R and a GSX-R750). He put a rise kit on it for added clearance. He once led a bunch of us sporty types on California 33 while his wife read a book! The GW isnt my cup o java (R1200GS), but much respect for this beastie!
You mentioned the front tire washing out...my honda had developed a nasty head shake as well. i too thought it could be the bearings ,but it ended up being the tire. new tires, headshake cured!
2002 Gold Wings have the MP3 cord laying in the left glove box. The 12 volt power outlet Lemmy missed is optional. I had mine installed in the left glove box, also. Honda offers a plug-n-play model that utilizes a harness plug that is already installed and is tucked behind the glove box. Yes, they thought of that, too! The passenger can have their own power outlet with several available locations. Don't know if it's the same on the 2015, though.
The hands-off steering shimmy when decelerating through 35 mph is pretty universal for all models of Gold Wings since the 1970's. Some bikes suffer from it more than others. There are things you can do to help - tighten the steering head bearings, an aftermarket fork brace, etc. The steering head bearings do not need to be replaced, just re-torqued.
I'm just not ready for the Gold Wing. But I do love touring on my Concours 14. I know my wife deserves a more comfortable situation. Hum, maybe I am ready for a Gold Wing.
I have an '02 that is still pristine. Just did 500 miles along the Texas coast this past Easter weekend. I've never had a head shake with my forks. Love my couch on wheels!
I just bought my first bike, my 2004 goldwing, been wanting a bike for 40yrs. $8,900 with 51k. I said perfect. Didnt know if I actually wanted to own one or just liked the idea, so I figured 8900 I'm not out of too much money if I didn't like it. I love it. I'm in empty parking lots leaning here and there and it practically drives itself. Great bike.
I took my Gl1800/2014 to Sturgis this year. Just over 4100 miles. I would definitely recommend a long day seat. The seat that comes standard with the GW is simply not made for touring. I was in a group of three and averaged about 800 miles a day cruising at about 75-80mph.
I agree, Lenny's review was worlds apart and ahead of any review I have ever watched, and I'm 55 years old. Great job. Greater insight into strengths and shortcomings. Would like to give you another opinion of the Honda Goldwing. I owned a 2010, and at 3800 miles when I bought it the rear tire was badly cupped, at 7800 miles the rear tire was bald and the front was so cupped it had to be replaced. 2nd set of tires were worn out with only 16000 miles on the odometer. My Harley Limited will give on average 14000-16000 miles on the factory rear tire, 18000-20000 miles on the front. Handling, the Goldwing always felt like it was more work to handle in the WV mountains, especially compared to my 2014 Harley Limited. Cruise Control - if you touched the throttle either by accident (bump) or to get around slow traffic in the passing lane, then it would drop 8mph (no, I'm not exaggerating) and then race back to where it was set, while the Harley is absolutely smooth in transitions. If you doubt the validity of this claim, there is a place in Florida that claims to be able to cure this. Transmission: Again, take a look on the internet, that same location in Florida will fix your Goldwing transmission to shift reliably for a mere $3600-6000, depending upon how much extra work you want done. Yes, my 2010 would slip from 5th to 4th, and hang up between 2nd and 3rd grinding heavily, and apparently that was not a fluke. One dealership did tell me they thought their Honda Rep would approve its repair, but that dealership was 300+ miles from home. Another said that they would be glad to tear it down and have their Honda Rep look at it, but if he felt it was within specification it would cost $2500 labor. Luggage: Top box on the Goldwing will accept two large full face helmets, IF you don't mind scuffing them trying to get them in that small opening. The Harley top box will take the same two helmets, gloves, and usually at least one leather jacket without effort. Rain protection: Yes, the Goldwing and the Road Glide Ultra protect better than the Harley Limited, with the nod going to the Goldwing, but don't make the mistake of thinking that helps in cold weather. If you are touring in cold weather get heated gear, it works. Performance: Yes, the Goldwing is faster, mine had Cobra Tri-Flo exhaust, and it would really perform, but the speed limits are easily shattered on bikes half this size. Reality is that the 2014 Harley Limited has enough power to make for easy passing even 2 up and fully loaded, while offering superior electronics, easier handling due to the shorter wheelbase, and superior braking. I hated the brakes on the Goldwing, sorry Honda, ABS is the new Gold Standard for motorcycles. I also hated the fact that while Honda has adjustable suspension, its only adjustable at a stop. The GPS, yeah, stopped only. Harley does not baby sit their owners, its up to you as an individual to decide if you can adjust things while on the move. Thank you Harley for believing in the Rider. Honda, man up. Does that make the Goldwing a looser? No, but it hopefully will make Honda realize its time to perform their own Overhaul, just as Harley did with their 2014 line up. Thanks.
When you raise the windshield the vent blocks the view of the road. If you buy it new, it costs as much as a mid-size car. The bike is as wide as it is tall, so that it doesn't fall over, it just rolls onto its side, making it relatively easy to get back up, depending on how much you have stored in the bags. Being as complex as a car, the bike is subject to hard to diagnose problems. The weight at slow speeds can be daunting when you are tired. But overall, it is the bike you want under you riding on the interstate at night.
My Goldwing handlebars doesn't shake when you let them go regardless of your speed, and Goldwing offers a 3.5 mm cable audio jack that goes in the front glove box, the Bridgestone tires are excellent. Other than that, i pretty much agree with the Revzilla review.
I've always considered a Gold Wing to be the Florida Retirement of Motorcycling... Just one step away from a CanAm Spider or an Assisted Living Home. After watching this review - Which was awesome - I'm now Gold Wing Curious.
+George Hill I started riding in 2007 and have put 90+k miles on my VTX 1300 R. I didn't like the Gold Wing in the showroom because it made me sit like a had a board up my butt. A couple of years ago I was on vacation and borrowed my brothers Gold Wing for a few of hours. By the time I was done, I actually enjoyed the riding position. I then got a great deal on a Gold Wing off Craig's list. Pretty funny because I live in Florida and I'm looking for it to be my retirement bike. However, in the last two years I've ridden it to TN a couple of times and this summer I rode it across the Rockies. I'm now considering getting a hitch and trailer. I can no longer imagine riding anything else on the highway.
While a Gold Wing is not exactly my kind of motor home..... I mean motorcycle, the review was spot on as always! I'm struggling with the very concept of a motorcycle weighing over 900 pounds!!!! I also have to wonder how you only get 105 horsepower out of a 1.8L engine.
It is huge. And get on one and you see quickly how big it really is. But as to the 105 hp: 125 ft/lb of torque. It's not built to go fast but to run forever and get you there with some spunk left in you, not beaten out by the road.
+giff74 Compression ratio is only 9.8:1 and it's just got two valves per cylinder. The motor is made to be smooth and quiet but have more torque than a Hayabusa throughout the whole rev range. It's a stump puller.
Been riding for over fifty years, have the 2015 Wing without ABS. I was in your standard "the car didn't see me " situation the other week. Between gears, brakes and experience (little luck too) I was able to bring the bike down to near stop , no lock up, no problem. Not sold on ABS and some of the Harley riders I ride with that have it don't really like it. Guess I'm old school, but, you have to know what you're doing and not count on technology to save your ass. Ride safe.
The 3.5 audio jack is included with this bike...it's in the front left accessory box. The front end wobble can be fixed by installing a fork brace, such as the Super Brace. If you mostly ride solo, then the F6B may be of interest to you. It's a little quicker than the full GoldWing since it's a little lighter.
I have a 2012 wing that I purchased new just turned 60,000 miles thoroughly enjoy this wing my first fuel injected motorcycle. I have no problem turning a 900 mile day and at the end of the there is no fatigue factor. I only wish was that the fuel tank was seven gallons as I ride tank to tank.
Great review Lemmy! Road my first Goldwing last summer, 2001. Was impressed. Not as heavy as I thought due to low center of gravity thanks to horizontal engine.
Nice review. Oddly enough there are Goldwing owners who always complain about the bikes lack of performance. Like you mentioned you should to embrace the bike for what it was designed for. Goldwings have gobs of torque and can easily pull a rider, passenger and trailer/camper. The steering head shake could be bearings. A lot of 1800 owners have mentioned they had the same issue and installing tapered steering head bearings eliminated the problem. Keep up the nice reviews!
3.5mm audio cable is in left front pocket, the connector is in the owners manual pouch in left hard bag. There is a 2 pole 12V connecter under the left pocket. Electric window would be nice for sure.
Great review! I own a '78 wing and recently rode a '08. Very cool to see and feel 30 years of innovation. But no ABS, no power adaptor and a beer box mounted audio hookup? Design fail!
The exact same steering "hitch" (?) issue is solved on the XL700 by lubricating and tightening the steering column, but changing tires and adding handlebar weights "supposedly" also helps. This is the feedback from an engineer I know. Not having ABS as standard on a bike of that price and class would definitely turn me off from buying it. The manual windshield is also a negative, especially with the effort it seems to take.
I am 5'2 and 160 and although its a bit tall I don't agree with him saying you gotta be big to handle it. Smooth powerful for a luxury tour. I road Harley for 15 years and feel you get much more bang for your buck with a wing
Much of what people find disappointing about the "performance" comes from the fact that they short shift the hell out of it. Much like the BMW Boxer, it is very comfortable being spun up despite the fact many folks think and do otherwise...
Great video. I need to make a correction though. I have a 1500 Goldwing which weighs 1500 lbs. I'm only 5'6" 190lbs and a guy in my club has one. He's 5'5" 150lbs. Size doesn't matter. Strength and experience plays a factor though.
very accurate review of handling clearance. why i sold my 2002 and bought a 2017 BMW K1600 which handles like a sportbike. Dont get me started on the 2018+ goldwing. They shrunk the gas tank, and the luggage. Not what to do for the cross continent ultimate touring bike. IN 2018 wireless android auto and apple carplay existed. 2022 honda civic, standard, goldwing? NOPE!
If I'm not sold on the Goldwing, I am on Lemmy. This is the "freshest" and smartest bike review video I've ever seen. I hit the subscribe button twice. The second time was to make sure.
Lemmy, You did an excellent review, ESPECIALLY the part about the headshake at 35 to 40 mph. NO WAY, should that be there. UH UH. NOPE. My v65 magna did the same exact thing, and it didn't have any miles on it, for how old it was. It DID NOT have the 'steering detent'. HONDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THAT HEAD SHAKE, FIRST.
After just under 100k miles on my '07 GL1800 (fully loaded, minus airbag) ... I trader her for the K1600GTL last year ... the GL1800 5th gear is now worst in class for RPMs and my fuel economy was in the high 20s when freeway cruising around 80-85 MPH. I cleaned up the 30-45 MPH wobble with a new Traxxion front end that also raised the bike about 1" and improved cornering. I had to replace the bearings with tapered bearings too. This bike is so long in the tooth ... 15 year platform with only cosmetic changes. If comfort is king, you don't ride over 65 MPH and you are heavyset ... well, this is the bike to go with. The market has better choices. I just drove a '15 Road Glide Ultra ... it was a nice ride. If your riding style is at all sport oriented, the BMW has not disappointed. My above GL1800 commentary aside, quality video, editing and review. Now I'm going to Revzilla to order a new tire and Rev'it jacket I've had my eye on.
It's not steering head bearings, it's the noodle front fork and the Goldwings weak spot. They won't do this with a new front tire, however they have the tendency to cup the tire and then you start to get the shake. I put all balls bearings in mine also a fork brace and a rear tire on the front mounted backwards (correct size of course) and it did not do this for a long time with that tire. Honda really needs to do something with the fork on this bike
The steering shudder you felt is the tires, throw on some Dunlops and Itll disappear. You really need to watch tire pressures on thoes, underflated and itll eat tires in no time. You mentioned the front end washing out, I put over 100k miles on a 2005 and never had anything like that happen, It has to be those tires.
If something got me hooked up on bikes when I was a kid, was when I saw my first Goldwing! Awesome review, top Revzilla quality. And Lenny, you're the man!
I think this is the best motorcycle review I've ever seen , very Complete and comprehensive ... you guys should do more. I would love to see a review of the BMW K1600GTL or even a comparison review of the big touring bikes...
I agree with a lot you said, however, you got a few things wrong. I can lean way over on my GW into corners and feel it gripping nicely, unbelievable actually. As for a no connector for your phone to hook up to there's one in the left side pockets, which I drilled another hole in and put a USB port that I ran a cable from the fuse box terminals.
I have a 2012 GL1800. Started with (2) Ultras (over 100,000 miles ) then a BMW LT. I miss the audio system on the HD. On the LT the electric windscreen and seconded to none braking system. 2 up to CA and back was a breeze on the GL. 7000 mile around trip in 3 weeks and stock seat was great. All the power you could ever want. The wind protection is a little too good, I installed wings under the mirrors to push some air into the cockpit. My model doesn't have ABS but, neither did 8 of the 11 motorcycles I've had or have. Slow down in wet conditions and look way ahead.
I bet, the majority of complaints about the weight of this bike are from people who have never owned a GL1800. Handles a lot better than people would suspect. but you do need to muscle it when you're not moving, or moving extremely slow. I"m not sure about the complaints about ground clearance. Maybe not enough air in the suspension? I gotta find that road he was on in hopes of finding me a passenger like that.
I have the abs version and love it. I am even willing to sell my ST1300 now. If you find the right dealer, you can get the abs version for But there are still things that the bike does need, like electric windshield, voice command phone control, etc. Also, you can not When you start the bike, you have to wait for all the diagnostics to run before hitting the enter button to use the gps. It takes a few extra seconds, so you have to get in the habit of starting the bike early and maybe fasten your helmet while it is warming up. Having said this, it is still a bike that you don't want to get off of at the end of he ride.
Great Video Lemmy! I've never ridden one of these, but I'd love to have one for the wife and I. I totally agree that a bike this new that doesn't have Cell Phone plug-ins is strange. I have a 2015 VW that has USB, 3.5mm Plug-in, 6 CD player, Blue Tooth, and an SD Card port that can hold a ton of songs on it. Oh, and an AM/FM radio/SAT(of course). Good to hear the down sides to the Goldwing as well as the good.
My 2010 has audio jack and 12v power in the driver's left compartment. Take those cumbersome aftermarket highway pegs off and you'll get much more lean. Look how far you have those things sticking out. For anyone who doubts the Wings capabilities in the twisties google Yellow Wolf Goldwing. "I'm not that fast it's just that most people aren't as fast as they think they are." YW A dose of humility for when that GW pulls on you through the twisties.
I'm only 36 but I'm ready for a goldwing 👍. The only problem is I can't afford one. I thought only Harleys were expensive lol. Used goldwings are way out of my price range too
Lemmy that Goldwing can corner way better then that. Move you cameras up off the crash bars. I can go from edge to edge of my tires on my Goldwing. If you Don't believe me message me will go for a ride. Also look in the left front pocket for your missing 3.5 mm audio plug they all have one. Last thing i am male 5'3 30 " inseam- keep talkin.
first time on a GL ?The bearings don't need replacing.Nature of the beast.It's really no bother.Who takes both hands off of the bars anyway?I completely agree on tires.E4s are needed for sure.
Nice bike. GW has always been the top of the big tourers. Most criticisms are a bit nitpicky, but the front end shimmy is scary and simply not tolerable in a new bike. I agree about the luggage rack and tie-down points. I always thought the GW looked like a gigantic scooter myself. I love that engine though. Torque is where it's at.
I spent 30$ and installed a 12v power supply in the left dash pocket to keep phone powered up on my 2014 AB Hannigan Trike. There is a 3.5 lead in the pocket also
As a owner with 127,000 original miles on mine I'm not 100% onboard with this review. The wing is very nimble and you can drag pegs all day long. As far as it being heavy, if the bike is moving at all you don't feel the weight. As far as speed, you can cruise at the century mark all day long and never give it a second thought. Finally the "head shake", that is a tire issue. Mine will do that too at LOW speeds when it's time to change tires. What he did not talk about is the harshness of the forks and the crappy anti-dive braking system. The forks really benefit from aftermarket rebuilds and any wing rider worth his salt will disable the anti dive....overall not a bad job on the review.
Hey Guys the handle bar shimmy could be caused by the front tyre ( out of round or unevenly worn from wrong tyre pressure over the lifespan of the tyre) or an unbalanced wheel as well as the steering head bearings needing adjustment!
I was told to check my tire pressure when I noticed front end shaking like you showed with your hands off the bars .....and the guy was rite my tire was down 9 lbs of aire
Hey buddy, Great video ! Im happy to see this video , before putting new tires, on my 2003 Honda goldwing, 1800, I have Bridgestone on them now ...beans are making noise , 14,000 on the clock . I'm 2nd owner . Purchase when it had 11,700 on the clock . What tire do you recommend.? I'm truck driver , I'm a big pressure checker . Thanks in advance.
Hi Lemmy, I have just come across your channel for the first time, and watched your review on the Honda Goldwing. I enjoyed your review and plan to watch some in the future, I will subscribe to your channel to make it easier to see what you are reviewing. I myself ride a Hionda Deauville, which I would like to trade sometime in the future. Do keep up the good reviews. Cheers (from Australia) Les
I have a GL1500 and she also has that nasty headshake. I have changed headbearings, front tire and mounted progressive front springs but with no result. I accepted the headshake as i have been told the shaking is a goldwing 'thing'. She just an old headbanging metalhead❤😂
I have to admit I have no interest in bikes like this, I just love the way Revzilla do things and Lemmy is the man, so I had to watch. Subscribe! Keep Lemmy employed!!!! ;o)
Now that I'm 36 with a bad back I like the Goldwing a lot more lol. Especially the new sportier ones !! I'd like to have a Harley Davidson Heritage Softial and a Goldwing in the garage
Out of all my bikes, Hogs, Triumphs, Crotchrockets, etc., my damn dorky Silverwing Scooter from 2003 is still going, and still my favorite bike. But I couldn't imagine dropping the cash for a Goldwing. They cost as much as my pickup.
1) The ground clearance seems really low. Any issues with that?2) Headshake. Some Harleys, the Yamaha Bolt, etc... are also noted for that. Is it always bearings or could it be out of balance tires? I know on my bicycle, sometimes a worn tire will make the bike develop a head shake and replacing the tire always fixes that. Or is this an apples to oranges comparison?
Great review! Even when you review a bike I'm not particularly interested in I still thoroughly enjoy the video! You are much better at this than so many reviewers on RUclips, especially when it comes to evaluating the bike, meaning the videos don't come across as promos. Fantastic production quality also. Keep it up Lemmy!
With the new generation of GWs that debuted in 2018, I was hard pressed to find any remaining Gen 2 videos. Currently, all I see on RUclips is the myriad of HD touring models with the M8s vs Indians with the 116 Thunder Stroke or the 111s with the 116 kit ...yawn. I own a 2014 GL1800 and here are my takes on it. It's a big bike that is smooth as silk. It's not loud and gone are the days I want to shake at a stop and annoy anyone around me with loud pipes. Next, I feel great on it - I get so many compliments on my murdered out black looks (the 1st year they introduced the black frame & wheels). I am truly comfortable on this bike and could go further if not for its 250 mile range. A Utopia back rest will help you going for 700 mile days and Helibars can fix it if your bars any issues you might have ...just like any bike. The engine is truly bullet proof...change the oil, follow Honda maintenance and it's your last bike. It'll certainly outlive me. The stock stones you indicate - replace after they wear out after 20,000 miles. What I dislike ...while you think the audio sounds great, that's a pass for me - 4" rears & 5.25" fronts can't deliver good, full, rich bass, like the 6x9s in the HDs saddle bags. I simply upgraded my Sena's stock speakers with iAsus speakers, use the SM10 & keep all the bike's functionality via bluetooth. It doesn't have a lack a luggage rack nor a trailer hitch, but no bike does as standard equipment. They're all upgrades and easily remedied with an accessory catalog. While handling lacks the command in the corners, Traxxion Dynamics upgrades will fix that ...including the front end wobble and will make this bike feel like a CBR 1000, not a 900+ lbs. behemoth. Lastly, the passenger backrest has too much recline and my wife feels like she's slouching, but again an easy fix with a wedged replacement backrest from several aftermarket companies. Overall, the best damn gentleman's bike you'll ever ride and own!
Fantastic review as usual. They will easily pull a small trailer, see that all the time on the interstate. Having said that I d really like to see the Wing offered in a more stripped down version. There's the F6B, I know but that's still a lot of furniture hanging on with you. Maybe a true bagger version of the Wing?
I'd like to see you guys review a Vulcan voyager, as a good affordable entry level touring machine. I just bought one and love it. I'd also rode a Goldwing quite extensively and I've been impressed with my voyager in every way other than the stock sound system.
Lemmy, sounds like the front tire is cupped or underinflated. Bearings bad, I'm thinking more the front tire. Washout in the corner and steering shake tell me it very well could be the front tire. Was this checked?
What are the odds you would find a hitchhiker dressed the same as you? That's wild!
Hahaha. How coincidental.
female hitchhiker
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I'm 5'4, 145 pounds, 55 years YOUNG, own a 2013 Wing (bought new right off the showroom floor 6 years ago), currently have 42,000 miles, & I have no issues with mine. Everything is stock, including the seat. When I come to a full stop, I just scoot my butt forward towards the tank about 2 inches and I can flat-foot it. Not a big deal. Have never dropped her. Have never had the front wobble you speak of. No mechanical issues whatsoever. She is still in "like new" condition.
The most miles I've put on her in one day is just shy of 1,200. Afterwards is when I found out about the Iron Butt and what you have to do to qualify, so I hope to do that this year. Anyways, the heat from the engine on the legs isn't bad until after many hours and miles and even then, it's not unbearable.
As far as the breaks are concerned, I don't have ABS. But, they are at linked. It does take a little bit longer to stop but then again, we are talking almost a thousand pound bike. As heavy as that sounds, the Gold Wing is light and nimble once you're moving down the road, and she is quick to respond on the curves and overall in general. Never have had any issues with lean angle. I think the scraping you did was actually your camera and not part of the bike. I could be wrong, but in my opinion, you still had wiggle room on that curve.
I do my own maintenance on mine except for one thing...... the freaking air filter!!!!!!! I hate that damn thing!!!!!! I have no idea what Honda was thinking, but I gladly pay for the shop to change it!
I am 138 pound and 5'5 rider and I had a few of this currently I have a 2013 and I don't have any issue with the size
I am 135 and 5’6”. I have a 2004 and I LOVE IT. The car tire on the back doesn’t like slow rocky roads
Couple comments-
The head shake is pretty common, especially as your front tire wears. Installing the "All Balls" mod to the steering neck gets rid of the shake.
There is a connection under the left hand front pocket for a 3.5 mm plug adapter, controlled through the Aux button on the radio.
I run the Galfer ceramic pads, makes a big difference, especially eliminating fade.
Goldwings aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I like to pound out the miles. The wing does it without complaints, and I feel good after multiple high mileage days. I did 6000 miles in 8 days last summer, and enjoyed ever last mile.
2019 GoldWing owner here. Man I was a couple years too late, this old one looks way better and higher quality than the new one. Kind of makes me regret not buying the previous one!
@@wingandhog wow, sounds like you scored! I hope it serves you well! My 2019 Goldwing is back in Honda’s hands as a lemon. The oil light kept coming on for no known reason, dealer visit after dealer visit after dealer visit no fix. So I had to get a lemon law attorney and got the bike lemoned. Keep enjoying your ride! 😎
You have a way better bike than this one.
I ride a decked out 2006 Goldwing and it is a BEAST. It not only eats Highway, it takes curves with ease, I can lean with the best of them and after that 500 mile day, my body is not beat to crap. It’s the best bike I’ve ever owned.
SPOT ON ROB , 2006 WING TRIKED OUT AT 117, 000 MILES NOW A LITTLE OVER 137,000 MILES.
YOU CAN'T GO WRONG OWNING A WING !!!!!!!
Surprisingly the gold wing handles very well. I witnessed a gold wing rider in the mountains recently leaning off with knee almost on ground in the curves. He was keeping a very quick pace through the turns and wasn't scraping anything either.
Then he was just a dufos, the goldwing drags long before needing to drop a knee evan tho I do point a knee out occasionally just to get it to dive in quicker but the knee tucks back in..it's simply just not necessary
Lemmy you obviously have not ridden a GL1800 very much. I have ridden Goldwings since the late '80s. As a "novice to the Goldwing" rider many of your observations are understandable. However, many GL1800 owners would object to your assessment of the steering and the lean angles. You also neglected to mention the linked braking system that makes it nearly impossible to lock up the wheels during an emergency stop which is standard on all models. I have watched these bikes "fly" around turns and leave sport bikes in the dust. Whoever prepped the unit you were driving didn't install the standard aux audio jack in the left pocket. The steering wobble has been well documented over the past 15 years since the GL1800 was released. Some have overcome it with a Super Brace for the front forks or sometime it's a faulty tire or defective steering bearings.
+Samuel Beloff I agree with you Sam. The newer body style, 2001 and up changed everything. You can ride the twisties down to 20mph and never come out of overdrive. This bike will lay right on over effortlessly in the turns. Very light and nimble. Now my VTX 1800 you have to manhandle...
+floydndaisy A buddy of mine has one of these in his stable (along with a BMW S1000R and a GSX-R750). He put a rise kit on it for added clearance. He once led a bunch of us sporty types on California 33 while his wife read a book! The GW isnt my cup o java (R1200GS), but much respect for this beastie!
You mentioned the front tire washing out...my honda had developed a nasty head shake as well. i too thought it could be the bearings ,but it ended up being the tire. new tires, headshake cured!
+mrbizzarro same story for my gw,mtks
Maybe it is the dobbleganger
2002 Gold Wings have the MP3 cord laying in the left glove box. The 12 volt power outlet Lemmy missed is optional. I had mine installed in the left glove box, also. Honda offers a plug-n-play model that utilizes a harness plug that is already installed and is tucked behind the glove box. Yes, they thought of that, too! The passenger can have their own power outlet with several available locations. Don't know if it's the same on the 2015, though.
The hands-off steering shimmy when decelerating through 35 mph is pretty universal for all models of Gold Wings since the 1970's. Some bikes suffer from it more than others. There are things you can do to help - tighten the steering head bearings, an aftermarket fork brace, etc. The steering head bearings do not need to be replaced, just re-torqued.
Watching it even after five years.... love this dude's perspective. Great guy.
Another awesome review Lemmy, you're setting the motorcycle review bar higher then it's ever bin.
I'm just not ready for the Gold Wing. But I do love touring on my Concours 14. I know my wife deserves a more comfortable situation. Hum, maybe I am ready for a Gold Wing.
i cant imagine a woman being more comfortable on any other bike. happy wife, happy life.
I have an '02 that is still pristine. Just did 500 miles along the Texas coast this past Easter weekend. I've never had a head shake with my forks. Love my couch on wheels!
The goldwing is a nice bike to ride.No complaint at all .
Non biker here, it's never really appealed to me but this thing is cool. Bravo to whoever gets to cruise around the world on one of these.
I just bought my first bike, my 2004 goldwing, been wanting a bike for 40yrs. $8,900 with 51k. I said perfect. Didnt know if I actually wanted to own one or just liked the idea, so I figured 8900 I'm not out of too much money if I didn't like it. I love it. I'm in empty parking lots leaning here and there and it practically drives itself. Great bike.
great video lemmy but you shouldn't pick up strangers off the side of the road just because they're wearing matching clothing
I took my Gl1800/2014 to Sturgis this year. Just over 4100 miles. I would definitely recommend a long day seat. The seat that comes standard with the GW is simply not made for touring. I was in a group of three and averaged about 800 miles a day cruising at about 75-80mph.
You can get it with an airbag, also. That one costs about $30 grand.
I agree, Lenny's review was worlds apart and ahead of any review I have ever watched, and I'm 55 years old. Great job. Greater insight into strengths and shortcomings.
Would like to give you another opinion of the Honda Goldwing. I owned a 2010, and at 3800 miles when I bought it the rear tire was badly cupped, at 7800 miles the rear tire was bald and the front was so cupped it had to be replaced. 2nd set of tires were worn out with only 16000 miles on the odometer. My Harley Limited will give on average 14000-16000 miles on the factory rear tire, 18000-20000 miles on the front.
Handling, the Goldwing always felt like it was more work to handle in the WV mountains, especially compared to my 2014 Harley Limited.
Cruise Control - if you touched the throttle either by accident (bump) or to get around slow traffic in the passing lane, then it would drop 8mph (no, I'm not exaggerating) and then race back to where it was set, while the Harley is absolutely smooth in transitions. If you doubt the validity of this claim, there is a place in Florida that claims to be able to cure this.
Transmission: Again, take a look on the internet, that same location in Florida will fix your Goldwing transmission to shift reliably for a mere $3600-6000, depending upon how much extra work you want done. Yes, my 2010 would slip from 5th to 4th, and hang up between 2nd and 3rd grinding heavily, and apparently that was not a fluke. One dealership did tell me they thought their Honda Rep would approve its repair, but that dealership was 300+ miles from home. Another said that they would be glad to tear it down and have their Honda Rep look at it, but if he felt it was within specification it would cost $2500 labor.
Luggage: Top box on the Goldwing will accept two large full face helmets, IF you don't mind scuffing them trying to get them in that small opening. The Harley top box will take the same two helmets, gloves, and usually at least one leather jacket without effort.
Rain protection: Yes, the Goldwing and the Road Glide Ultra protect better than the Harley Limited, with the nod going to the Goldwing, but don't make the mistake of thinking that helps in cold weather. If you are touring in cold weather get heated gear, it works.
Performance: Yes, the Goldwing is faster, mine had Cobra Tri-Flo exhaust, and it would really perform, but the speed limits are easily shattered on bikes half this size. Reality is that the 2014 Harley Limited has enough power to make for easy passing even 2 up and fully loaded, while offering superior electronics, easier handling due to the shorter wheelbase, and superior braking. I hated the brakes on the Goldwing, sorry Honda, ABS is the new Gold Standard for motorcycles. I also hated the fact that while Honda has adjustable suspension, its only adjustable at a stop. The GPS, yeah, stopped only. Harley does not baby sit their owners, its up to you as an individual to decide if you can adjust things while on the move. Thank you Harley for believing in the Rider. Honda, man up.
Does that make the Goldwing a looser? No, but it hopefully will make Honda realize its time to perform their own Overhaul, just as Harley did with their 2014 line up. Thanks.
Just bought one, pick it up in the morning. Thanks for the add on advice.
You bought the best bike in the world
When you raise the windshield the vent blocks the view of the road. If you buy it new, it costs as much as a mid-size car. The bike is as wide as it is tall, so that it doesn't fall over, it just rolls onto its side, making it relatively easy to get back up, depending on how much you have stored in the bags. Being as complex as a car, the bike is subject to hard to diagnose problems. The weight at slow speeds can be daunting when you are tired. But overall, it is the bike you want under you riding on the interstate at night.
My Goldwing handlebars doesn't shake when you let them go regardless of your speed, and Goldwing offers a 3.5 mm cable audio jack that goes in the front glove box, the Bridgestone tires are excellent. Other than that, i pretty much agree with the Revzilla review.
I've always considered a Gold Wing to be the Florida Retirement of Motorcycling... Just one step away from a CanAm Spider or an Assisted Living Home.
After watching this review - Which was awesome - I'm now Gold Wing Curious.
+George Hill Hey, nothing wrong with being bike curious.
+George Hill I started riding in 2007 and have put 90+k miles on my VTX 1300 R. I didn't like the Gold Wing in the showroom because it made me sit like a had a board up my butt. A couple of years ago I was on vacation and borrowed my brothers Gold Wing for a few of hours. By the time I was done, I actually enjoyed the riding position. I then got a great deal on a Gold Wing off Craig's list. Pretty funny because I live in Florida and I'm looking for it to be my retirement bike. However, in the last two years I've ridden it to TN a couple of times and this summer I rode it across the Rockies. I'm now considering getting a hitch and trailer. I can no longer imagine riding anything else on the highway.
+George Hill take one for a spin. put a few miles on it and you love it.
lol @ Gold Wing Curious
I had those bridgestone on my bolt And got the same shake on the front wheel!! switched to Michelin tyres and its gone!.. Great review mate!. Tx
While a Gold Wing is not exactly my kind of motor home..... I mean motorcycle, the review was spot on as always!
I'm struggling with the very concept of a motorcycle weighing over 900 pounds!!!! I also have to wonder how you only get 105 horsepower out of a 1.8L engine.
It is huge. And get on one and you see quickly how big it really is. But as to the 105 hp: 125 ft/lb of torque. It's not built to go fast but to run forever and get you there with some spunk left in you, not beaten out by the road.
+John Burley spunk? as in semen.
No, good grief.
He should add on a sidecar
+giff74 Compression ratio is only 9.8:1 and it's just got two valves per cylinder. The motor is made to be smooth and quiet but have more torque than a Hayabusa throughout the whole rev range. It's a stump puller.
No keyless go
No led headlight
No driving modes
No Trip computer
No shift indicator
No electronic windshield
But i have it and i love it !
Been riding for over fifty years, have the 2015 Wing without ABS. I was in your standard "the car didn't see me " situation the other week. Between gears, brakes and experience (little luck too) I was able to bring the bike down to near stop , no lock up, no problem. Not sold on ABS and some of the Harley riders I ride with that have it don't really like it. Guess I'm old school, but, you have to know what you're doing and not count on technology to save your ass. Ride safe.
Yeah but itll save a lot of lives and bikes. Its good to have it as an option
Lemmy, you are the best on the web. Been looking 4 years for reviews like yours. I think your job is safe. Keep up the great work!!
The 3.5 audio jack is included with this bike...it's in the front left accessory box. The front end wobble can be fixed by installing a fork brace, such as the Super Brace. If you mostly ride solo, then the F6B may be of interest to you. It's a little quicker than the full GoldWing since it's a little lighter.
I have a 2012 wing that I purchased new just turned 60,000 miles thoroughly enjoy this wing my first fuel injected motorcycle. I have no problem turning a 900 mile day and at the end of the there is no fatigue factor. I only wish was that the fuel tank was seven gallons as I ride tank to tank.
Great review Lemmy! Road my first Goldwing last summer, 2001. Was impressed. Not as heavy as I thought due to low center of gravity thanks to horizontal engine.
Nice review. Oddly enough there are Goldwing owners who always complain about the bikes lack of performance. Like you mentioned you should to embrace the bike for what it was designed for. Goldwings have gobs of torque and can easily pull a rider, passenger and trailer/camper. The steering head shake could be bearings. A lot of 1800 owners have mentioned they had the same issue and installing tapered steering head bearings eliminated the problem. Keep up the nice reviews!
Dig the high-viz helmet and jacket... and of course the Gold Wing! One can never be too visible.
never underestimate the stupidity of the average driver. they be blind AF no matter what!
Riding on the I-76/schuylkill river with that crazy Philly traffic speaks volumes. If it can handle Philly the goldwing can handle anything.
3.5mm audio cable is in left front pocket, the connector is in the owners manual pouch in left hard bag. There is a 2 pole 12V connecter under the left pocket. Electric window would be nice for sure.
Great review! I own a '78 wing and recently rode a '08. Very cool to see and feel 30 years of innovation. But no ABS, no power adaptor and a beer box mounted audio hookup? Design fail!
I love watching Lemmy's videos. First, because he's entertaining and second because I'm pretty sure the man is a walking thesaurus.
I have a 1986 Goldwing, And love riding it. and i use to ride a ninja.
The exact same steering "hitch" (?) issue is solved on the XL700 by lubricating and tightening the steering column, but changing tires and adding handlebar weights "supposedly" also helps. This is the feedback from an engineer I know. Not having ABS as standard on a bike of that price and class would definitely turn me off from buying it. The manual windshield is also a negative, especially with the effort it seems to take.
I am 5'2 and 160 and although its a bit tall I don't agree with him saying you gotta be big to handle it. Smooth powerful for a luxury tour. I road Harley for 15 years and feel you get much more bang for your buck with a wing
Much of what people find disappointing about the "performance" comes from the fact that they short shift the hell out of it. Much like the BMW Boxer, it is very comfortable being spun up despite the fact many folks think and do otherwise...
Thumbs up on the production quality of this video review.... A+ job...
Great video. I need to make a correction though. I have a 1500 Goldwing which weighs 1500 lbs. I'm only 5'6" 190lbs and a guy in my club has one. He's 5'5" 150lbs. Size doesn't matter. Strength and experience plays a factor though.
very accurate review of handling clearance. why i sold my 2002 and bought a 2017 BMW K1600 which handles like a sportbike. Dont get me started on the 2018+ goldwing. They shrunk the gas tank, and the luggage. Not what to do for the cross continent ultimate touring bike. IN 2018 wireless android auto and apple carplay existed. 2022 honda civic, standard, goldwing? NOPE!
Very well produced and informative. I can't believe I didn't know RZ did bike reviews until now!
If I'm not sold on the Goldwing, I am on Lemmy. This is the "freshest" and smartest bike review video I've ever seen. I hit the subscribe button twice. The second time was to make sure.
+gustaf3 Just make sure that second click didn't unsubscribe you! ;-) -DrewZilla
Lemmy, You did an excellent review, ESPECIALLY the part about the headshake
at 35 to 40 mph.
NO WAY, should that be there. UH UH. NOPE.
My v65 magna did the same exact thing, and it didn't have any miles on it, for how old it was. It DID NOT have the 'steering detent'.
HONDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THAT HEAD SHAKE, FIRST.
Tires need to be balanced or the front tire is cuping.
After just under 100k miles on my '07 GL1800 (fully loaded, minus airbag) ... I trader her for the K1600GTL last year ... the GL1800 5th gear is now worst in class for RPMs and my fuel economy was in the high 20s when freeway cruising around 80-85 MPH. I cleaned up the 30-45 MPH wobble with a new Traxxion front end that also raised the bike about 1" and improved cornering. I had to replace the bearings with tapered bearings too. This bike is so long in the tooth ... 15 year platform with only cosmetic changes. If comfort is king, you don't ride over 65 MPH and you are heavyset ... well, this is the bike to go with.
The market has better choices. I just drove a '15 Road Glide Ultra ... it was a nice ride. If your riding style is at all sport oriented, the BMW has not disappointed.
My above GL1800 commentary aside, quality video, editing and review. Now I'm going to Revzilla to order a new tire and Rev'it jacket I've had my eye on.
It's not steering head bearings, it's the noodle front fork and the Goldwings weak spot.
They won't do this with a new front tire, however they have the tendency to cup the tire and then you start to get the shake.
I put all balls bearings in mine also a fork brace and a rear tire on the front mounted backwards (correct size of course) and it did not do this for a long time with that tire.
Honda really needs to do something with the fork on this bike
The steering shudder you felt is the tires, throw on some Dunlops and Itll disappear. You really need to watch tire pressures on thoes, underflated and itll eat tires in no time. You mentioned the front end washing out, I put over 100k miles on a 2005 and never had anything like that happen, It has to be those tires.
Good review. If you buy the Honda accessories, you'll have the 3.5mm jack and 12v cig jack that will plug in under the cubby hole on the left.
If something got me hooked up on bikes when I was a kid, was when I saw my first Goldwing!
Awesome review, top Revzilla quality. And Lenny, you're the man!
I think this is the best motorcycle review I've ever seen , very Complete and comprehensive ... you guys should do more. I would love to see a review of the BMW K1600GTL or even a comparison review of the big touring bikes...
I agree with a lot you said, however, you got a few things wrong. I can lean way over on my GW into corners and feel it gripping nicely, unbelievable actually. As for a no connector for your phone to hook up to there's one in the left side pockets, which I drilled another hole in and put a USB port that I ran a cable from the fuse box terminals.
I have a 2012 GL1800. Started with (2) Ultras (over 100,000 miles ) then a BMW LT. I miss the audio system on the HD. On the LT the electric windscreen and seconded to none braking system. 2 up to CA and back was a breeze on the GL. 7000 mile around trip in 3 weeks and stock seat was great. All the power you could ever want. The wind protection is a little too good, I installed wings under the mirrors to push some air into the cockpit. My model doesn't have ABS but, neither did 8 of the 11 motorcycles I've had or have. Slow down in wet conditions and look way ahead.
I bet, the majority of complaints about the weight of this bike are from people who have never owned a GL1800. Handles a lot better than people would suspect. but you do need to muscle it when you're not moving, or moving extremely slow. I"m not sure about the complaints about ground clearance. Maybe not enough air in the suspension?
I gotta find that road he was on in hopes of finding me a passenger like that.
A GREAT job showcasing the NEW HONDA GOLDWING ..... It IS the Cadilac of touring machines
I have the abs version and love it. I am even willing to sell my ST1300 now. If you find the right dealer, you can get the abs version for But there are still things that the bike does need, like electric windshield, voice command phone control, etc. Also, you can not When you start the bike, you have to wait for all the diagnostics to run before hitting the enter button to use the gps. It takes a few extra seconds, so you have to get in the habit of starting the bike early and maybe fasten your helmet while it is warming up. Having said this, it is still a bike that you don't want to get off of at the end of he ride.
It's Lemmy from RevZilla. It was always Lemmy from RevZilla. He is infinite and vast.
Greenlane park is cool place. I remember my parents taking me there as a kid to go swimming when the beach was still there.
that damned global warming! AOC was right, were all gonna be dead in 12 yrs!
Great Video Lemmy! I've never ridden one of these, but I'd love to have one for the wife and I. I totally agree that a bike this new that doesn't have Cell Phone plug-ins is strange. I have a 2015 VW that has USB, 3.5mm Plug-in, 6 CD player, Blue Tooth, and an SD Card port that can hold a ton of songs on it. Oh, and an AM/FM radio/SAT(of course). Good to hear the down sides to the Goldwing as well as the good.
My 2010 has audio jack and 12v power in the driver's left compartment. Take those cumbersome aftermarket highway pegs off and you'll get much more lean. Look how far you have those things sticking out. For anyone who doubts the Wings capabilities in the twisties google Yellow Wolf Goldwing. "I'm not that fast it's just that most people aren't as fast as they think they are." YW A dose of humility for when that GW pulls on you through the twisties.
I'm only 36 but I'm ready for a goldwing 👍. The only problem is I can't afford one. I thought only Harleys were expensive lol. Used goldwings are way out of my price range too
Lemmy that Goldwing can corner way better then that. Move you cameras up off the crash bars. I can go from edge to edge of my tires on my Goldwing. If you Don't believe me message me will go for a ride. Also look in the left front pocket for your missing 3.5 mm audio plug they all have one. Last thing i am male 5'3 30 " inseam- keep talkin.
I like this guy!
+zero11010 Lemmy is freaking awesome
yeah, it's too bad Lemme is so blasé about his job:) The guy could make which way to be murdered sound exciting.
Great review. Never realized the Wing had so many shortcomings.
first time on a GL ?The bearings don't need replacing.Nature of the beast.It's really no bother.Who takes both hands off of the bars anyway?I completely agree on tires.E4s are needed for sure.
Nice bike. GW has always been the top of the big tourers. Most criticisms are a bit nitpicky, but the front end shimmy is scary and simply not tolerable in a new bike. I agree about the luggage rack and tie-down points. I always thought the GW looked like a gigantic scooter myself. I love that engine though. Torque is where it's at.
Another honest review. Nobody is better at reviewing motorcycles than you guys. Lemmy is great.
Had a Gold Wing in 1990 the best feature had to be the reverse system it had if not you could never back that thing up....
not man enough to backup
don eisren No but your mother is...
+weljo2001 must b black always talking about their mother
lol reve
I spent 30$ and installed a 12v power supply in the left dash pocket to keep phone powered up on my 2014 AB Hannigan Trike. There is a 3.5 lead in the pocket also
Fantastic narrator. Top gear needs to hire this guy!
As a owner with 127,000 original miles on mine I'm not 100% onboard with this review. The wing is very nimble and you can drag pegs all day long. As far as it being heavy, if the bike is moving at all you don't feel the weight. As far as speed, you can cruise at the century mark all day long and never give it a second thought. Finally the "head shake", that is a tire issue. Mine will do that too at LOW speeds when it's time to change tires. What he did not talk about is the harshness of the forks and the crappy anti-dive braking system. The forks really benefit from aftermarket rebuilds and any wing rider worth his salt will disable the anti dive....overall not a bad job on the review.
Hey Guys the handle bar shimmy could be caused by the front tyre ( out of round or unevenly worn from wrong tyre pressure over the lifespan of the tyre) or an unbalanced wheel as well as the steering head bearings needing adjustment!
I was told to check my tire pressure when I noticed front end shaking like you showed with your hands off the bars .....and the guy was rite my tire was down 9 lbs of aire
Hey buddy,
Great video ! Im happy to see this video , before putting new tires, on my 2003 Honda goldwing, 1800, I have Bridgestone on them now ...beans are making noise , 14,000 on the clock . I'm 2nd owner . Purchase when it had 11,700 on the clock . What tire do you recommend.? I'm truck driver , I'm a big pressure checker . Thanks in advance.
Hi Lemmy, I have just come across your channel for the first time, and watched your review on the Honda Goldwing. I enjoyed your review and plan to watch some in the future, I will subscribe to your channel to make it easier to see what you are reviewing. I myself ride a Hionda Deauville, which I would like to trade sometime in the future. Do keep up the good reviews.
Cheers (from Australia)
Les
Great job! I’m surprised no one ever mentions the tiny foot pegs... that’s a big reason I didn’t buy one!
I have a GL1500 and she also has that nasty headshake. I have changed headbearings, front tire and mounted progressive front springs but with no result. I accepted the headshake as i have been told the shaking is a goldwing 'thing'. She just an old headbanging metalhead❤😂
I have to admit I have no interest in bikes like this, I just love the way Revzilla do things and Lemmy is the man, so I had to watch.
Subscribe! Keep Lemmy employed!!!! ;o)
Now that I'm 36 with a bad back I like the Goldwing a lot more lol. Especially the new sportier ones !! I'd like to have a Harley Davidson Heritage Softial and a Goldwing in the garage
Out of all my bikes, Hogs, Triumphs, Crotchrockets, etc., my damn dorky Silverwing Scooter from 2003 is still going, and still my favorite bike. But I couldn't imagine dropping the cash for a Goldwing. They cost as much as my pickup.
While I'm impressed by the overall appearance smooth ride etc, not my speed. But you have to admit the customers keep coming back
Al
PS God job Lemmy
1) The ground clearance seems really low. Any issues with that?2) Headshake. Some Harleys, the Yamaha Bolt, etc... are also noted for that. Is it always bearings or could it be out of balance tires? I know on my bicycle, sometimes a worn tire will make the bike develop a head shake and replacing the tire always fixes that. Or is this an apples to oranges comparison?
cool review. was surprised about the tires, 12v port and aux ports.
Great review! Even when you review a bike I'm not particularly interested in I still thoroughly enjoy the video! You are much better at this than so many reviewers on RUclips, especially when it comes to evaluating the bike, meaning the videos don't come across as promos. Fantastic production quality also. Keep it up Lemmy!
With the new generation of GWs that debuted in 2018, I was hard pressed to find any remaining Gen 2 videos. Currently, all I see on RUclips is the myriad of HD touring models with the M8s vs Indians with the 116 Thunder Stroke or the 111s with the 116 kit ...yawn.
I own a 2014 GL1800 and here are my takes on it. It's a big bike that is smooth as silk. It's not loud and gone are the days I want to shake at a stop and annoy anyone around me with loud pipes. Next, I feel great on it - I get so many compliments on my murdered out black looks (the 1st year they introduced the black frame & wheels). I am truly comfortable on this bike and could go further if not for its 250 mile range. A Utopia back rest will help you going for 700 mile days and Helibars can fix it if your bars any issues you might have ...just like any bike. The engine is truly bullet proof...change the oil, follow Honda maintenance and it's your last bike. It'll certainly outlive me. The stock stones you indicate - replace after they wear out after 20,000 miles.
What I dislike ...while you think the audio sounds great, that's a pass for me - 4" rears & 5.25" fronts can't deliver good, full, rich bass, like the 6x9s in the HDs saddle bags. I simply upgraded my Sena's stock speakers with iAsus speakers, use the SM10 & keep all the bike's functionality via bluetooth. It doesn't have a lack a luggage rack nor a trailer hitch, but no bike does as standard equipment. They're all upgrades and easily remedied with an accessory catalog. While handling lacks the command in the corners, Traxxion Dynamics upgrades will fix that ...including the front end wobble and will make this bike feel like a CBR 1000, not a 900+ lbs. behemoth. Lastly, the passenger backrest has too much recline and my wife feels like she's slouching, but again an easy fix with a wedged replacement backrest from several aftermarket companies.
Overall, the best damn gentleman's bike you'll ever ride and own!
awesome video. Didn't know you guys did these, so now I'm looking at all of them.
Versys Chris
This bike is in need of a major update, but it's still awesome like it is.
Installing a trailer hitch violates your warranty with Honda. I would still probably do it but it's good to know ahead of time.
Fantastic review as usual. They will easily pull a small trailer, see that all the time on the interstate. Having said that I d really like to see the Wing offered in a more stripped down version. There's the F6B, I know but that's still a lot of furniture hanging on with you. Maybe a true bagger version of the Wing?
+John Burley Don't forget about the Valkyrie!
You're right. But the older model, not the new one for my taste.
I'd like to see you guys review a Vulcan voyager, as a good affordable entry level touring machine. I just bought one and love it. I'd also rode a Goldwing quite extensively and I've been impressed with my voyager in every way other than the stock sound system.
Lemmy, sounds like the front tire is cupped or underinflated. Bearings bad, I'm thinking more the front tire. Washout in the corner and steering shake tell me it very well could be the front tire. Was this checked?
Seems like you guys may have had a tire cupping problem with the head shake and wonky cornering.
+david lassell think the same David
Agreed!
WOW! It's about time I see an excellent unbiased review on a bike with the reviewer being a technical guy. Thumbs up.
Revzilla, I have a 09 FLHTC, and I am ready for a Wing. Comfort,Comfort,
Dude your review and the film work was very good. Even though I'm not a Goldwing fan