| Author | Message | ||
     Slowride |
I cross posted this over on the GL1800riders.com site. Well, I am coming up on 6 months with the 08 GW and I thought I might put down some of my observations. I have been riding motorcycles since I was 4 or 5, can't quiet remember, but in that time I have ridden the full gamut of bikes including 80's model GW's (84 Aspencade, 86 Interstate). The bike that held my interest the longest was the Buell. This resulted in 4 different models over 5 years. I finally rested on the Ulysses for about 40k miles. Although I loved the bike and would own another I did have a laundry list of things that had to be replaced or repaired under warranty. In Oct of 08 the wife and I decided to ride all the big tourers except the GW to get a feel for what was on the market, they included (BMW RT/LT, HD Ultra/RG, Yamaha RSV, Kawi ?, Suzuki ?) We looked at the Victory's and the Guzi's but nothing rang our bell. Finally we took a trip to the Honda Dealer and road the GW. I couldn't put my finger on it exacatly, but I would have to say that going from a Buell Uly to a GW was interesting. During the test ride I think what stuck out was the ability to flick the bike around. Yes I said "Flick". I could input the same movements and techniques used on my Uly with the GW and get a proper response. I never got that with the other Tourers (exception BMW RT). Basics Now we have only managed to log a little over 3k on the bike since Oct. 08, but some revelations have come to light since then. First, you're never too young to get a GW. I am 34 and the wife 33 and we absolutely love the bike. Second, with the right technique I have been able to take some serious corners off the seat with the knee hanging out with the bike in stock form. We managed to do a run up to Eureka Springs from DFW on the bike and push it through the pig trail 2 up. I finally found the fork flex I had been reading about on the board here. Third, the stock tires D250's so far have been great on the slab and in the twisty's albeit a little loud for my taste. I have not experienced any pushing or loss of traction. I did break the rear tire loose at a stop light once 2 up in Dublin, TX. The streets seem to be covered with a fine layer of silt you could barely see. As we pulled away from the light I started to accelerate and the back end broke loose and pushed to the left. I just road it out and the bike stayed straight. Fourth, the windshield is adequate, but there has got to be something out there better. I am 5'11" and 270lbs and this past weekend with the shield all the way up, I experienced some buffeting that was so bad that it literally slapped my helmet and would make a popping sound on the top of it. Rider/Passenger Compartments I had this notion this weekend part of the reason we like the bike so well is that each the rider and passenger are in their own compartments. What my wife does in the back generally has no effect on what I am experiencing in the front. Basically, I don't feel crowded. All the other bikes had her right up on me either with her torso or her legs. The GW does neither. The controls are configured in a manner that only mildly agitates me (like reaching for the cruise button at speed or trying to hold the front brake in and using my thumb to turn the volume down only to hit the channel selector toggle instead). I do get a little more heat in the lower shin area than I had ever experienced on any other bike. It is definitely not a cook fest like my TLR on my left inner thigh or my Uly on my right inner thigh. Cruise Control As previously mentioned I don't exactly like the reach with the right thumb for the CC toggle at speed, but HOLY COW... Where has cruise on a motorcycle been on my life, talking about a stress reliever on those long rides. This is by far my favorite feature of the GW. Adjustable suspension This is an interesting topic for me. Coming from a fully adjustable front and rear to just an adjustable rear is a handicap in my opinion. The money needed to get the suspension to the right level based on what I have read here about traxxion is not worth it to me. I can say that with the rear set at 25 and the front stock, I can still burn up some asphalt chasing down my sport bike friends. Matter of fact, I will be running to Suches, GA at the end of March to participate in the MarchBadness VI. It is an annual Buell event where between 30-100 Buells get together and ride the North Ga Mnts. I am planning on putting a hurtin on the chicken strips on the GW at the end of the month. Radio I finally broke down and bought a J&M Elite 584 to shove inside the helmet this weekend. I have my Scorpion EXO 1000 torn down with the front foam section taken apart and prepped for install. Up until then I have been listening to the radio through my closed FF helmet at like volume 16+ and have enjoyed it. Now the looks I get from those I am passing on the highway as they hear my Pet Shop boys or Boy George screaming out as I ride by is getting annoying. LoL, I would never listen to that crap, but some of looks are priceless. I like the fact I can plug my Zune up and just pipe it through the system. I had the CB installed from the dealer, but today have never used it due to not having a headset. I have actually debated on doing a write up here with pic on installing the J&M in a FF Helmet. I did several searches and could never find a How To. If you guys are interested I will post one up. The big picture... I like it! She likes it! It is one hell of a machine. The RPM's at 80-90 are a little higher than expected, but she sure seems comfortable rolling along at those speeds. She corners well enough for me hang with my sport bike crowd and rides smooth enough to put a smile on the wife's face at the end of the day. We will be doing our first 2 up tour in June. We will be running from DFW to CA to hit the 1 from San Louis O to San Fran. I am looking forward to it and the wife is ecstatic. Parting shot... I know my limitation on this bike, which is why I picked up a 98 Buell S3T that is being converted into a weekend corner thrasher and track day run about. I love the feel of the Buell and the way it talks to me on the road, but for long distance and even most of the round the town running. I always fire up the GW and take her out. | ||
| Kurbennett |
Glad you like the Wing. Sold mine after getting the Buell and seeing the old girl sitting in the corner. The GW is a great bike if you are going to be doing some long range 2-up touring, but as a daily commuter it is just being wasted. I miss the comfort and rock solid dependability though. But still smile everytime I ride the Buell! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
There can't be the crap load that descend on Knoxville for Honda Hoot if they suck. Of course, I'm sure you are familiar with Yellow Wolf: | ||
| Slowride |
Yep, I followed him on the Dragon when I was riding the Suzuki TL1000R. I think right after that season he sold his yellow wing. He still an active member on GW board, but he is riding something else these days. I had a hard time keeping up with him on the TLR. | ||
| Rubberdown |
I'd like it 'cept when I ride 2up, I like her plastered against me, holding on tight, screaming in delight  | ||
| Dynasport |
It's interesting to me how different bikes have their own subcultures. A couple of years ago riding back from Daytona after Biketoberfest (I think) I saw a group of GW riders while I was gassing up. They were pulling into a hotel by the gas station. It was night and it looked like a UFO had landed. I never saw so many lights on bikes in my life. Lights of every color stuck on every surface. It looked like each rider had tried to outdo his buddies until there was no place left to stick a light. I guess lights are like chrome to the GW crowd. I also get a kick out of how it seems like all the two up GW riders and passengers dress alike. Same pants, jackets, helmets, gloves, you name it. Very nice. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not making fun of them, I just find it interesting. Like I said, it seems each bike develops its own subculture. My problem is that I don't seem to fit in any of them. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I like goldwings but my Uly tours just as well. | ||
| Danger_dave |
What I DON'T Like about goldwings is the windscreen. Everything else in the class is motorised. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>I had a hard time keeping up with him on the TLR.<< They are surprisingly quick. But a rider of similar skill levels and knowledge of the road would smoke him on a sports bike. The tankers just don't tip over far enough. | ||
| Slowride |
DD, I couldn't agree with you more on all points. I was a newbie back to the sport bike and hit the Dragon as one of my first trips out again. Don't doubt what you see with the Yellow wolf though. That bike has been completely redone with a full Traxxion setup. It sets higher than stock and gave it more lean angle. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Hmmm - jacking them up makes a difference on A road King too. I tested a Wing, A Victory Vision, several M & C series Suzukis and a Rocket III last year. I thought the Vision was the best handler, the Rocket the Fastest and the Wing the most luxurious and best finished. | ||
| M2nc |
I met Yellow Wolf at the Dragon. He impressed me and never left the parking lot. Of course I saw Ferris do the same trick on his Road King, but he had D on the back. I have come to the conclusion that most riders that ride anything other than a pure sport bike, and then even so for most of those that do, that the threshold of their bike's handling will never be known. I have pushed the Uly on some tight mountain roads but on fast sweepers I have never even come close to pushing it. There is one corner on my favorite local road that I pushed the Uly to over 90mph and the bike had a lot more. I just didn't. I am a pace rider and I like that pace to be slow enough that if I come around a corner and run up on an Amish horse drawn buggy, that I can slow soon enough not only to not hit them, but pass in neutral slow enough that I do not spook the horse. (Yeah that happened last weekend). Most Uly or GL riders will never find the outer limits of the handling on either bike. A more talented or determined GL rider will keep up with a lesser, more cautious Uly rider. And if a magazine ever tests a Uly and a GL at the same time, the chances of them ending up on a road course is now in the one in a million. I would say pure physics will put the Uly comfortably ahead. The RT proved not to be much of a test against the Uly. But for most riders it means nothing. A flickable bike is all they will notice and need. A motorcycle's handling prowess is a small portion of the buying decision in a touring or even sport touring bike. If it were a bigger portion then maybe Ulys and GL sales numbers would be reversed. That said, I would like to have a touring bike and the GL has always interested me. I appreciate the insight. A GL would might make a good stable mate for the Uly. | ||
| Slowride |
M2nc, You are coming to MBVI right? I will be there on the GW. You're welcome to a ride on her if you fancy. Micah | ||
| Itstaboo2 |
Hey Micah, long time no see. How many bikes have you had since I bought that M2 from 'ya? I still got it, still runs great. I am starting on a project bobber. It is going to be a new bike composed of used parts. We just started the gathering phase. Congrats on the Hondabago. You always have all the cool toys! | ||
| Slowride |
Itstaboo2, Good to hear from ya. I think about that ole M2 ever now and then. She was great bike. Hmm, I have had 6 bikes since that M2. Yeah it is an addiction and need to be fixed. So the M2 will stay intact and not be used for the bobber project right?  | ||
| Strokizator |
I ran into a group of GW riders last year just outside Death Valley in Beatty, NV. To a man, every guy rode around in shorts and white tennies. Most had hair color that match their shoes. Since then, I've been looking at the rider each time I see a GW and it seems to be a theme. | ||
| Slowride |
Strokizator, That's pretty funny... I'm one of the young bunch that ride these bikes. Lesson Learned though, I should have picked up one of these a long time ago. There is nothing better for long distance 2 up touring in my opinion. I also believe an experienced rider will have more than one bike in his garage at a time. Ahem... I have 3 and most of my friends have at least 2. Still, your comment was funny. Imagine what the other biker communities say about us Buellers. | ||
| M2nc |
Micah, I am still a maybe for MB. Originally I passed, but it may end up that I have a bed, so why not load up on the Uly and go. If I do go, I hope to see you there. |
