I've ridden motorcycles since around '64 but never ridden the big road schooners...time to change that. I want to go see LOTS of places and would choose more of an expedition bike if I was riding single but I want my wife to go and she wants to ride too so I'm looking for more of a 2 wheeled LazyBoy for comfort. I've pretty much got it narrowed down to either a Honda Gold Wing or HD Road King but having difficulty making the final selection.
If I've learned nothing else in life, I've learned that there's great benefit in hearing others experiences. That said, I'd appreciate hearing from those that would share their experience with ride/reliability of either bike (Haven't entirely written off the Yamaha Stratoliner but I know absolutely nothing about its history nor anyone who rides one?!?!) Don't want to start a Wing v King battle thread but would really appreciate hearing your experience with either......
I never owned a Gold Wing, but have ridden Honda most of my life. They are good dependable bikes. My favorite was a 754. Currently I'm driving a 1988 600 VLX, the bike wont die. I'm going to retire it regardless after my truck is paid off only because I can't get anyone to service it for me anymore. It failed emissions and has carbs, so nobody wants to touch it. Fortunately for me I was able to figure it out without a sniffer - just a bad plug. I am looking seriously at Harley though too, just want to shake things up a little. Probably a Fat Boy, but we'll see how the budget is when the truck is paid off.
Hey Kummok! I think if you're looking for a "Two-wheeled Lazy-Boy" you should probably go with the Gold Wing. IMO it is much more comfortable for the passenger than the Road King. The Harley UltraGlide is closer to the Wing in the passenger comfort department.
The last Wing i rode was an early 2000's - what a nice bike! Very smooth, powerful, lots of gizmos. But for some reason it didn't "light my fire" like a Harley. I can't explain it. The Honda is a fantastic machine, but the Harley has more personality.
When you get one, come on up! We'd love to ride with you. I'm on a Harley Wide Glide and my wife rides a Harley Tour Sport.
The Mrs VETOED my motorcyle (Harley) idea...
Ok, honey... No Problem...
http://picasaweb.google.com/mrmrsc93/KindaSortaAlmostKentuckyBlue?authkey=Gv1sRgCPaomO2b5-jzIg# (http://picasaweb.google.com/mrmrsc93/KindaSortaAlmostKentuckyBlue?authkey=Gv1sRgCPaomO2b5-jzIg#)
Can't help you out with the Harley as I have never had the privilage to drive one or own one, but I had an 84 Aspencade (Gold Wing) that was rock solid and smoth as could be. Loved it. Sold it for a boat for bass fishing. :-\
I have had an eye on a BMW touring bike though for when I get rich and famous.
Best advice I can give you is to take them out for a test ride with your passenger.
I would vote for the Honda or BMW. BMW for best handling (especially at slow speeds) and the Gold Wing for maximum comfort and storage. I've only owned one Harley many years ago and it left such a bad taste in my mouth that I vowed never to own one again.
Image, fun, mystique - go for the Harley.
Relative road trip comfort (especially for 2) - the Gold Wing's your bike.
I have an 82 Goldwing and love the comfort. Has 44,000 miles on it and got it at 34000. Very dependable and nice ride. If you want some more info go to this link. Alot of nice people here also that will answer alot of your questions.
http://goldwingfacts.com/forums/
Good luck in your choice,
I'm a rider but just have a little Yamaha 1100 V-Star, however, if I were going to decide there'd be no question I'd get a Gold Wing. Those puppies are so so nice. Heated grips, heated seats, built in GPS, builit-in passenger to rider communication and on and on. I know the Harley's are nice bike, but you pay so much for the name. I vote Gold Wing ;D
I should say I'd go with the Gold Wing but slap some bad a$$ cobra pipes on her first ;D
HD has my vote.
ThanX all for your thoughts....I think I found what I'm after:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/Kummok/w_toflhtcu_spfr_s_s_c03.jpg)
Unless Honda comes out with a Firefighter Gold Wing before I top off the toy account for cash purchase, the HD FF FLHTCU has my vote for now!
Kummok...
Let me be the first to NOT talk you out of that!
Kammok will be pullin a trailer with his Bradley on it hooked up to a 110 converter
Smokin Salmon as he rides down the road.
That is NICE!
Quote from: Kummok on July 10, 2010, 09:45:11 PM
before I top off the toy account for cash purchase, the HD FF FLHTCU has my vote for now!
[slightly off topic, Kummok -
but, I don't want your GEM OF WISDOM to go un-noticed/un-shared]
Ok... Listen up kids... AND LISTEN VERY CLOSELY...
Re-read what the man said...
Kummok just dropped some
priceless FREE ADVICE on ya...
Key words: "CASH PURCHASE".
Lemme
translate that (if y'all don't mind...)
Don't
ever buy a TOY on CREDIT. In the long run, you'll have a LOT MORE TOYS.
Awrighten.
Nice choice - that's flippin' beautiful!
Took me about 50 years to learn that "cash purchase" part, Hal4uk but you are soooo right in how much it can add to your toy locker AND how much stress it can remove from the the anxiety locker. Looking back on all the "credit toys" of the past, including the annual new car/truck, the excitement went away for me within a few weeks of the purchase....(only exception was the Ski Nautique boat experience that, although the boat's long gone, it still excites me to think about having one again....not much chance of that hap'nin here in Homer!)
Kummok, it took me a long time to learn that too. 8)
Simple concept, but awful hard to master.
So... Anyway... You getting the HD?
Dunno yet for certain....right now it's a battle between ego wolf (HD) and intelligence/wisdom wolf (GW). I reckon the wolf that will win is the one I feed the most....either way I get to ride long distance and that's finer than a frog hair split 4 ways! ;)
I live more or less on Route 66, and there is a Honda dealer to the south of me that holds a huge Gold Wing event every year... You ought to see some of these rigs. Custom GW trikes with aerodynamic trailers, etc. (and matching leathers, of course!) Some cost as much as my house. :o 100s of them show up to cruise Old 66. It's quite a sight.