Oh god, am I getting old?

[supertex]

That person filming was seriously scraping something on the twists.

[RHawkman]

Dude it sounds like you have it figured out. Living the dream as it were. If there were one other bike I would consider aside from a Gold Wing it would be a BMW. Back when the wing was a baby, I rode an R100RT. Granted I have not ridden either one as they are currently, but that BMW was the sweetest ride ever. Didnt even have to crank the stereo up loud to hear it. Smoothest ride on a bike I have ever had. quiet motor, quiet wind, and plush long travel suspension. And with the price of Honda now, they are probably pretty comparable.

As for old, 43 is a kid, brother. I dont believe that wanting a great tool for the job is a bad idea. I would probably prefer an E class over a Lotus Elise for cross country travel too, if i could afford either one. You only have to 'slow down' when you want and when you dont, get on the VF. Have you (or anyone here) checked out a new BMW? I will have to go look now. Dang how old must I be when my VStar is too much of the cruiser at times.

[karazy]

Maybe get it triked out, too.

[GreyVF750F]

I second the ST1300 or better yet and not as heavy as the GW would be a BMW K1200 RS or RT touring bikes. I think the BMW would give her what she wants and you have a lighter bike than the ST or GW and still maintain some finesse with it. The K bikes have a better feel (IMO) than the R's. Plus you don't burn your shins in hot weather.

Either bike you can put a sidecar on with a bubble top so her hair doesn't get messed up or get a fly in her drink. Gotta keep'em happy.

[kd4ysi]

the guy i bought my vfr from had the vfr and a gw hes had many gw through the years and love them right now he has a black gw and a vstrom 1000 his wife will only ride on the gw im also thinking iof the gw maybe an older one like the 82 or 83 aspencade execellent bikes my daad had one i used to love to bury it from him on long rides

[rodm850g]

Guyys,
I just got my 5th gen but am not new to bikes, previous sport bike was a snarling TL1000 that was too much { riding position} for my arthritic back.....
One ,two ,three bikes too many or not enough to me I must thidr the ST1300
Its a nifty bike, no its not the BMW,nor the FJR but if you want distance, comfort, carrying ability,wind ,weather protection..the ST is damn hard to beat...and its a V-4 too....about 125-130 h/p on tap.....lots of folks complain about heat....I say shut up and ride..its a 1.3 litre water heater.....
I really enjoy my VFR though,been wanting one for a long time ....hate the 6th gens gained weight and much more techno needed stuff for their servicing.....Mine is not the m otor the TL was but I have for years gotten by on far less bikes...lie my screen namesake GS850GN great bike for comfort...not loads of power but good handling and a great seat....I would be remis to not have a cruiser so my V-Star Silverado will have to fill that bill...slow,heavy,needs steel braided lines up fornt bad.....got a price on a full set for my 5th gen...wow....GW is a nice bike one of our group had one and met the yellow wolf fellow......he offered to video our guy going up some road....he declined...said if he led him up all he would get was front of his fairing.....it was a hoot..they were evenly matched on the wings fun to ride with...he sold it for smaller bikes with his Son...may have gotten back into it don't know ....I am enjoying my VFR though very glad to have it....but if I'm going a long distance...I'll be on my 04 ST....
Rod

[great white]

So, next question is:

Anyone actually have a 'wing?

If so, any issues with passenger comfort on it?

IE: buffeting, hot spots, etc....

[vfourbear]

So, next question is:

Anyone actually have a 'wing?

If so, any issues with passenger comfort on it?

IE: buffeting, hot spots, etc....

Yep, had one in the garage some years back, an 82 that I bought "naked" new and put a small Pacifico windscreen on. Bought a Honda detacable back rest for when Momma rode with me.

Rock solid smooth bike, never had an issue with it. Momma loved it. It was the only bike in the garage that she would ride with me. On a few occasions she fell asleep on the back , her helmet hit mine and I felt her jerk, I pulled over and asked her what? she said, sorry, I dozed off.

Make no mistake, it was a heavy weight, but it was sure smooth two up even on twisty roads. Also prone to dragging the crash bars, I bought some that fit real close to the valve covers but it still would get them. Better than the valve covers I guess. Air ride worked well. Bike was very easy to maintain as well. Never had a heat issue with it, Always comfortable. It did have headshake above 110mph until I put a fork brace on it. Probably from the windscreen. (Bar mounted) Fork brace cured it.

Put 45k on it then sold it to a guy that totaled it a month later

I have never ridden one of the newer ones, they look as big as a locomotive to me . heehee

[great white]

ya know....I've always liked the Yamaha Venture Royal......They're pretty cheap these days.....and a Vmax engine slips right into the frame and has sooo many upgrades available.....hmmmmmm........

[Echo3Niner]

If you're going to look into the ST or Bimmer, I would recommend the Kawi Concours 14. More sporty, but I have spoken to several riders and they ABSOLUTELY love these things! I may end up getting one of these or the new VFR if it's comparable, instead of trying to make my '07 comfortable enough for the wife...

I'm sure you can get a rear bag with backrest and all the fixins.

[great white]

If you're going to look into the ST or Bimmer, I would recommend the Kawi Concours 14. More sporty, but I have spoken to several riders and they ABSOLUTELY love these things! I may end up getting one of these or the new VFR if it's comparable, instead of trying to make my '07 comfortable enough for the wife...

I'm sure you can get a rear bag with backrest and all the fixins.

Thanks for the suggestions (I mean that sincerely), but......

Nope.

[klee27x]

Are you sure those Goldwings are safe? Most cars have 4 wheels!

[Echo3Niner]

You know, the more I think of it, I don't think I'm going to work as hard to make my Viffer comfy for the wife; I think I'm just gonna get a Concours 14 or the new VFR if it's comparable, and call it good.

Thanks! This thread just cost me like $15 grand! ;-)

[great white]

Well, the wife has done a bit of an "about face"....

She doesn't want to ride at all anymore.

Kibosh on the touring bike purchase.

Guess it's just me and my good ol' VF from here on in.......that might not be so bad......

[vfrhusband]

I've riden with good wing riders and have been impressed with the bike. Awesome power and control for a bike that big. There are things i do like about the bike. Honda, in all their DUMB ASS moves over the last few years have made a work of art with the 1800 Gold Wing. For it's class, what bike, at any price can touch it? I'm not ready for one mysself, and I do also like the ST1300, but i still have that desire for a more sport profomance bike. Maybe that is why the V4 1200 is looking better to me than I thought it would... Damn it. I did wanna hate it after the Fury and DN-01 insults.

[VFRShorty]

Well, the wife has done a bit of an "about face"....

She doesn't want to ride at all anymore.

Kibosh on the touring bike purchase.

Guess it's just me and my good ol' VF from here on in.......

good thing she made this decision before you bought a wing!

[great white]

good thing she made this decision before you bought a wing!

She's usually pretty solid about not flipping back and forth, but she is still a woman!

(no offence ladies, it was meant jokingly!)

[VFRShorty]

none taken

[reg71]

Well, I'm 37 and I have started looking at the wing. Not for now, but maybe one of the current models on the used floor in 10 yrs or so. (I'll look for oone of the 2 that still have low miles) Those guys can rack up some serious miles. I see myself in the future going back to travel nursing living in an RV and hauling a wing behind on the trailer so that the wife and I can check out the areas where we move. Who knows, though. Life never seems to flow the exact course you expect. I sat on the wing at the dealership and felt like a starship captain. I am a gadgetophile and that is a gadgetophile's bike period. Hell I bet I could hook my iphone right into it and do everything on the road.

[Keager]

I was watching a show called Twist the Throttle on HD channels via DirecTV. The one with the Honda, they had the CBR running the track, and right behind it was the gold wing.... cracked me up.

[base341]

I posted the link to the Goldwing on the Dragon earlier...

Check this out.
WakeWorld Discussion Board: Wow - Tow Motorcycle

You can go from track bike to tow truck..

[vfourbear]

Went to the Honda tent at the races this weekend and sat on the new GW .........holy smoke, got enough buttons and dodads on it to put a fighter plane to shame. And hella big, not just big.....I mean BIG as in aircraft carrier big.

Also looked at the ZX14 Concurs....then went back and looked at it again.... then again....sigh...
what a nice monster tour bike, especially for the price.

[Echo3Niner]

Yeah, the wife and I will likely make it over to the closest Kawi dealer in the next couple weeks, to sit on a Concours 14 (called a "Connie", as I understand it)...

[rodm850g]

Guys,
These boats in 11-1400 sizes are for "Super sport touring"...I've got the Honda version for my choice, there were others that costs less/and more
but the Honda is more on the Tour version than say the Connie or the FJR....or the BMW 1300....they are ok and have definite purpose . I have enojyed going to Daytona for Bike week on mine, done T.W.O. , Road Atl, VIR, all sorts of places, solo and two up...now this is where they shine....two people enjoying the experience...I'm barley 2 months onto if VFR ownership and feel I'll be doing a lot more time on the VFR over the ST.....If I want to get out and eat up zip codes the ST is hard to beat,if I want to get out and thrash some ...you get the idea....bikes have diffeent purposes and that wing ..don't just overlook them they scat and haul two very comfortably....I'd say that if you don't want to buy one don't let your wifey get on the passenger seat...next thing you know there'll be an1800 in your garage.....
Rodm850g