Latest generation Goldwing?

[Knapdog]

Anyone else been tempted?
The thought of a newish Honda Goldwing dct Tour is very appealing.
I've watched loads of videos and I'm half thinking of trying one out.
The "problem" is I, like you, own the superb Valkyrie,  a bike that anyone who has ever sold one has always regretted it.
Can I also justify the price? It's an awful lot of money for someone like myself who just does just around 5 to 8 thousand miles a year but it certainly is some motorcycle.

[redgoldwing]

I have a 2018 Goldwing Tourer DCT (bought new in 2018), in addition to my 98 Valkyrie Tourer and a 05 VTX-1800. I've been riding Goldwings since 2001, when the last generation was introduced.

The 18 Goldwing with DCT is a superb machine. The 7-speed automatic transmission is flawless. You also have the option of manually shifting by using the paddle shifters on the left handlebar. One of my favorite features is the electric windshield.

It has a low-creep forward and reverse gearing which uses the transmission, instead of the starter motor like previous generations.

It has Touring mode, which is the default and which I use most of the time; Sport mode which will provide maximum throttle response and give you some “oh s*it” moments; Rain mode which eases back on some of the throttle and gear shift set points for better handling in the rain; and Econo mode.

I routinely get 42mpg at East Coast Interstate speeds; 39 mpg at higher Interstate speeds out West.

I have 88,000 miles on it and no problems. There is one recall for a fuel pump problem, which was announced earlier this year.

I use my Valkyrie for shorter touring, say 1000 miles and the Goldwing for anything more than that.

It's not fair to do a direct comparison between the Valkyrie and the latest generation (starting with 2018) Goldwing. There's a 20-year difference in technologies (carbs vs fuel injection; no ABS vs ABS; Traction Control; LED lights, and others).

Let's just say that if I had to stick with one bike for my needs, it would be the Goldwing.


Bill

[Pluggy]

I sure like that new Wing. I wanted a new one and didn't buy it. We understand tax, title, tags and freight.  Extra costs above those and a low trade-in value on a nice Valkyrie made me think "later".  "Later" never happened.

If you add up everything and like the out-the-door price, you can have a fine motorcycle.  Maybe a low-milage used one would be a reasonable option.

[Knapdog]

I have a 2018 Goldwing Tourer DCT (bought new in 2018), in addition to my 98 Valkyrie Tourer and a 05 VTX-1800. I've been riding Goldwings since 2001, when the last generation was introduced.

The 18 Goldwing with DCT is a superb machine. The 7-speed automatic transmission is flawless. You also have the option of manually shifting by using the paddle shifters on the left handlebar. One of my favorite features is the electric windshield.

It has a low-creep forward and reverse gearing which uses the transmission, instead of the starter motor like previous generations.

It has Touring mode, which is the default and which I use most of the time; Sport mode which will provide maximum throttle response and give you some “oh s*it” moments; Rain mode which eases back on some of the throttle and gear shift set points for better handling in the rain; and Econo mode.

I routinely get 42mpg at East Coast Interstate speeds; 39 mpg at higher Interstate speeds out West.

I have 88,000 miles on it and no problems. There is one recall for a fuel pump problem, which was announced earlier this year.

I use my Valkyrie for shorter touring, say 1000 miles and the Goldwing for anything more than that.

It's not fair to do a direct comparison between the Valkyrie and the latest generation (starting with 2018) Goldwing. There's a 20-year difference in technologies (carbs vs fuel injection; no ABS vs ABS; Traction Control; LED lights, and others).

Let's just say that if I had to stick with one bike for my needs, it would be the Goldwing.


Bill

Thanks, Bill

Any thoughts on the extra weight of the Goldwing? Also, when I sat on one in a Dealer's I felt as if my legs were more splayed out.
Any comments on that?

[redgoldwing]

"Any thoughts on the extra weight of the Goldwing? Also, when I sat on one in a Dealer's I felt as if my legs were more splayed out.
Any comments on that?"

Knapdog,

From my owners manuals, the curb weight of the Valkyrie Tourer is 769 pounds; for the Goldwing Tourer it's 842 pounds, so the Goldwing is 73 pounds heavier. But you don't notice it, primarily I think because the gas tank on the Valkyrie is up top while the tank for the Goldwing is down low, under the seat.

I don't notice any problem with legs splaying out. But I should say that most of my touring time is spent with my legs stretched out on Rivco Aero Pegs.

I'll be happy to answer your questions.


Bill

[mello dude]

I look at the base Goldwing (standard?) once in awhile, but damn, that price tag makes me cough. 

[Jims99]

I personally don’t want something that has all that computer stuff on it. I like having something that I can fix and work on myself. All those Extra things are nice when they work, but if something goes wrong, usually a dealer repair.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I personally don’t want something that has all that computer stuff on it. I like having something that I can fix and work on myself. All those Extra things are nice when they work, but if something goes wrong, usually a dealer repair.

I don't mind the computer stuff at all.

IF (extremely big, bolded IF) the manufacturer will sell you the required diagnostics equipment and software. Getting Kawasaki to do so for the Concours 14's KDS3 was easy (but pricy) at one point; now it's gotten to be downright onerous. Harley and their Scam...I mean Scan-A-Lyzer? Nope. They flatly refuse. And that's Reason Numero Uno why I'll never own an M8 series Big Twin.

I've ridden both generations of 1800 'Wing. The latest w/ manual transmission...let's just say that whomever implemented the ride-by-wire system and the throttle curves used with it should be tossed out on their a$$. The DCT model, on the other hand, is a great platform.

The shop up the road from me has a couple new 1800 DCTs on the floor. If I didn't already have the Connies I might look at grabbing one of those for long distance 2-up work for me and the Missus. After her hip and back surgery of the past couple years I don't know how long of a journey she can take these days so the Valks will probably get the nod for that.

[Hook#3287]

I bought a 2018 DCT used because there were no new ones available, pretty much in the country, due to man made Chinese flu.

It is an amazing machine and still boggles my mind on it's performance in all aspects.

But, it is a machine and it has and will have issues, none I haven't been able to address myself, mostly minor stuff or caused my me.

I've kept my Valks and at present time have no plan to sell any.  Unfortunately they do not get the ride time they deserve.

The present model is not like your grandfathers Goldwing.  It's more sport tourer than couch cruiser, like the last model, but I like that. A lot.