For those of us who ride Goldwings

[Big Tom 10628]

2018 review. Lot of things to like and a few not to like. Not too sure about the automatic transmission although it may increase Trike sales..

http://ridermagazine.com/2017/10/24/2018-honda-gold-wing-first-ride-review/

[Big Tom 10628]

youtube video..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=679&v=ufzzFCAtLT4               

[W0X0F]

Well, so long as they offer both DCT and a manual tranny, no problem. If they drop the manual option then my days with Honda will be over.

My concern would be with the electronic throttle. What's the point of that?  Just seems like one more thing that can go wrong. I have enough issues with my TPMS. But when that acts up I can still ride.

[Ron]

Hey Tim

You already worn out that 2015?  From everything I have read it looks like Honda hit a home run(or at least a triple) with the 2018. Only time will tell. I have read some negatives, IE: gas tank, storage, Highway pegs, passenger comforted, but I think some of those items will be taken care of in reviews and after market items. Congrats to Honda and hope they sell a boat load of them. As for me I happy with with my 2017 and not looking for a new bike, but if I were the 2018 would be on my short list.

PS: Tim lets compare notes on the TPMS. Would like to know what issues you had with it.

[W0X0F]

Well, every multi-day trip I have ridden with the GL1800 my TPMS warning light will come on for 10 - 20 minutes at some point. This is not to be confused with the low pressure warning light. I've only had this issue on multi-day trips. I don't know what the difference might he but I've not had the problem during a long single day ride. Even on the my 12 day ride this summer the light only came on once for about 15 minutes.

Since I can't duplicate the condition to cause it, I haven't bothered to take the bike to the dealer. If it ain't broke they can't fix it. But looking at various blogs this seems to be one of the more common complaints. I just make sure I always carry a pressure gauge.

[Ron]

Well, every multi-day trip I have ridden with the GL1800 my TPMS warning light will come on for 10 - 20 minutes at some point. This is not to be confused with the low pressure warning light. I've only had this issue on multi-day trips. I don't know what the difference might he but I've not had the problem during a long single day ride. Even on the my 12 day ride this summer the light only came on once for about 15 minutes.

Since I can't duplicate the condition to cause it, I haven't bothered to take the bike to the dealer. If it ain't broke they can't fix it. But looking at various blogs this seems to be one of the more common complaints. I just make sure I always carry a pressure gauge.

I only had this happen 1 time, but it was the last day of a 4 day ride. It had rained all thru the night and I had a half cover on it. When I left it was 46 degrees and pulled out on the road and the low pressure warning light started flashing(and you know how much I hate flashing lights and I thought I was back on my 07 for a minute). I turn around and went back to the motel and took off all my gear and broke out the tire gauge and air compressor(and cussed a little) and check the tires. The pressure were normal front 41 rear 42. WTH so I start up the bike and ran down the road without my jacket(it was frickin cold) and back and the light never return. I have not had a problem since. I have no idea what has cause it and your right if you can't duplicate the problem no sense in taking it in. Been there done that. 

[W0X0F]

But can you imagine having a gremlin like this with the electronic throttle-by-wire on the '18 GL1800?

Again, I don't see the point. It's not like there are miles of cable to eliminate between the throttle housing and the engine.

I just don't see what the upside will be.  What problem are they attempting to correct? I

[Big Tom 10628]

Few years ago I sat at the AZ/Ca border crossing with a guy on a new HD who's ride by wire decided to take a "Rest". His bike was running but nothing happened when he twisted the throttle..  He was not happy when I asked if he could ride along at idle in 6th..

[W0X0F]

That kinda makes my point. Although, I would be more worried about passing someone on some narrow 2 lane road and having the throttle fail in the wide open position. That would really get my attention.

[Big Tom 10628]

Yeah, I imagine that failures are few.  I spoke to a Harley guy at a PGR Mission today who has 77K on his bike and he has never had a problem with it..

[W0X0F]

Yeah, failures are few.  In 18 months of owning the Goldwing, my TPMS has only failed what, 4 times?  Each time was out in the MIDDLE of no where, where I did not even have cell service.  If my throttle failed 4 times I might just give up on riding.

But, heck, at least the new Wing is the FIRST motorcycle to adopt Apple's CarPlay.  Huh?  I thought it was CARplay, not BIKEplay.

Sorry, but, I guess you can call me old school.  Just give me a nice, smooth running, quiet bike that can go all day for hundreds of thousands of miles without breaking down.  If Honda wants to take on HD, then, I guess I will need to start hiring a chase car for when I go on long rides.

I simply fail to see the point of the new Wing.  Shoot, they may as well just make the "Landing Gear" a standard feature.  But, I did just see that the new tour model comes in Pearl Blue, roughly the same color as my IS.  So I may just have to reconsider!!!

[Big Tom 10628]

Tim, you are in a good spot with a fairly new bike. Those of us with older models have a bit more to think about. Although my '06 is running fine, I may have to look for a 2017 after the New Year. Prices should be somewhat negotiable by then...

Hell my '99 is also running fine....LOL

[Ron]

Tim, you are in a good spot with a fairly new bike. Those of us with older models have a bit more to think about. Although my '06 is running fine, I may have to look for a 2017 after the New Year. Prices should be somewhat negotiable by then...

Hell my '99 is also running fine....LOL

I know what you are talking about Tom (well somewhat). In 1995, I bought my first Jeep Wrangler YJ( it was a back breaker to ride in). The next year they came out with the TJ model. The TJ model the first couple of years had a lot of problems. Tranny failures, rear axle problems, overheating ect. My 95 YJ was bullet proof and I owned it for 10 years with no issues. I sold the YJ and in 2006 I bought a TJ after Jeep had worked out all of their issue with that model. The next year Jeep came out with KJ model. The first 2 years of JK there were many problems with that model and I was told that 2 year period was the worst 2 years for a new model for Jeep. I owed the 2006 TJ for 10 years and not 1 issue with it. Now I bought a 2017 Wing and in 2018 they came out with a new model. From my past experience with the Jeeps it was good for me to buy the final year of the old model, and not the new upcoming model based on what happened the first couple years with those models. I was happy with both of the Jeeps even though I knew there was a better model available, but that didn't take away not one minute of enjoyment driving those Jeeps. I know Honda is a better build quality than Jeep, but lets not forget the problems Honda had with the first couple years of the GL1800( cracked frames, overheating ect)
  
With the Jeeps I knew there was a new model coming out at the time I bought them. The wing I did not, but if I did I still think I would have bought the 2017 because of my experience with the Jeeps. Don't get me wrong I think the 2018 Wing is going to be a great motorcycle and I hope there are no issues with the new model for everyone that is going to buy one right away.  Someday I will probably own one. Until then, I'm still having a love affair with my 2017 and we are still in our honeymoon.  

[W0X0F]

Tim, you are in a good spot with a fairly new bike.

Well, you are correct there.  Since I had an IS for 16 years, if that holds true for the Wing I will be 82.  I might even consider a trike conversion by then    Hopefully Honda will have all the bugs worked out of the new model by then.

The next year Jeep came out with KJ model. The first 2 years of JK there were many problems with that model and I was told that 2 year period was the worst 2 years for a new model for Jeep.

Shoot, l just traded in my 2007 Jeep Wrangler, which I purchased new in Dec 2006, for a Ram 1500 last month. I really didn't have any issues at all with my Jeep.

[Ron]

Tim, you are in a good spot with a fairly new bike.

Well, you are correct there.  Since I had an IS for 16 years, if that holds true for the Wing I will be 82.  I might even consider a trike conversion by then    Hopefully Honda will have all the bugs worked out of the new model by then.

The next year Jeep came out with KJ model. The first 2 years of JK there were many problems with that model and I was told that 2 year period was the worst 2 years for a new model for Jeep.

Shoot, l just traded in my 2007 Jeep Wrangler, which I purchased new in Dec 2006, for a Ram 1500 last month. I really didn't have any issues at all with my Jeep.

OK so you bought the only 2007 Jk that didn't have problems 
http://www.jeepproblems.com/Wrangler/

[Big Tom 10628]

Tim,  If you get a Trike when you are 82 you might appreciate the Automatic GW. I have a feeling that, that transmission will knock Can Am sales down a bit,

[Prescott John]

I have a Honda Pioneer side by side with the dual clutch transmission and I really like it.  It always seem to be in the correct gear and shifts a lot faster than I can.  The thing that concerns me is during parking lot maneuvers, when I only want to move a few inches to a couple of feet.  Honda did incorporate reverse, plus a forward drive for those situations.  I would need to know more about that drive system.  I am sure the manual trans would be more reliable.
John

[W0X0F]

Tim,  If you get a Trike when you are 82 you might appreciate the Automatic GW. I have a feeling that, that transmission will knock Can Am sales down a bit,

I do have a question regarding the transmissions.  So if any of you are technical gear heads, I would like an unbiased response.  I know just enough to know I don't know much.

It is my understanding the new Wing has a DCT while the Can Am has a CVT.  Are the differences between the two akin to a motorcycle tire vs car tire debate, or, does one tranny have characteristics that makes it superior to the other?  Although, by the time I am ready for one they may have something different altogether.

[NautiBrit]

I can help with the Spyder transmission, since I have one with the semi-automatic. It's basically a paddle shifter that operates both up and down the gears, but it also operates automatically when shifting down. When coming to a complete stop, for instance, it will run down the gears to first automatically. There is no clutch or gearshifter and there is no automatic upshift.

It is not considered to be a CVT as it does have a gearbox, not the bands that operate a CVT.

[W0X0F]

I can help...

It is not considered to be a CVT as it does have a gearbox, not the bands that operate a CVT.

I guess I must have misunderstood the article I read on the RT's tranny. So it is neither a CVT or a DCT?  Does it have a TLA (three letter acronym)?

But, again, my main interest is whether one type of tranny is better or worse or different than the other.  They are both considered semi-auto, right?

[NautiBrit]

I can help...

It is not considered to be a CVT as it does have a gearbox, not the bands that operate a CVT.

I guess I must have misunderstood the article I read on the RT's tranny. So it is neither a CVT or a DCT?  Does it have a TLA (three letter acronym)?

But, again, my main interest is whether one type of tranny is better or worse or different than the other.  They are both considered semi-auto, right?

The current models are designated SE6 for the semi-auto and SM6 for the manual. E for electronic?

From what I have read about DCT, it has more flexibility than the Spyder gearbox, but it is still a semi-auto and relies on the rider's input. Better or worse would have to be a personal choice.

[Prescott John]

The dual clutch transmission in my side by side is automatic with paddle shifters so I can let the transmission do the shifting or I can switch to manual mode and do the shifting myself.  I assume the new Goldwing can be shifted either way also.

[W0X0F]

Thank you for the info.

I guess the differences may be like the difference between a v-twin and a flat six. They both will move a bike; however, they will  appeal to different riders. Or maybe not.  Maybe more like the difference between a GM Hydramatic and a Chrysler TorqueFlite?

I test rode a semi-automatic Spyder RT at AZ Bike Week. Hopefully next year someone will have a DCT GoldWing trike available to test ride as well.