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Tony C.
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« on: May 16, 2018, 05:00:25 PM » |
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Picked up the 2018 Gold Wing today. After a run down of the basics and the dealership pushing an extended warranty and a maintenance contract (bought neither) was on the bike a little after 10 AM. As one would expect, it's a much different ride than the Valkyrie. The similarity to the Valkyrie is the exhaust note when you get on it. Sounds sweet. This is not a whisper quiet Gold Wing. The bike is geared different than the Valkyrie and is read for overdrive at about 55 mph. I did 176 miles, mostly on back roads and often in 6th gear. As advertised the front suspension is amazing. I could see the tie rod ends moving, but couldn't feel any bumps in the handle bars. But what surprised me the most was the ease of the clutch pull and shifting. It was like a hot knife through butter. The bike handled and was geared like a big sport tourer. It reminded me a little of the FJR 1300 that I rented years ago. I road in Tour mode the whole time and found it plenty sporty. I had the dealership install the fog lights. I just wasn't up to the task. I did install the passenger armrest when I got home. Had to search for and download the instructions, because Honda did not send them with the parts. A little tricky, but they're on and I didn't break/scratch anything during the install. I think I've got the electronics all figured out. Honda may have built a wonderful motorcycle, but they wrote a terrible owners manual. Took me a long time to figure out how to set up radio station presets. Don't know if it was worth it because the antenna, which is along the top of the right saddlebag, did a crappy job of pulling in signals. Anyway, they're set for where I live and I figured out the scan/search function while I was in NH. Primarily the negative comments on the bike were about reduced fuel and storage capacity. My average mileage over 176 miles of back road riding at speeds up to 65 mph was 48.8 mpg. I'm in the break in period, so I was not throttle heavy. But assuming an average back road mpg of 45, yields a range of 247 miles. I can live with that. Especially without highway pegs to stretch my short legs. I didn't own a Wing until now, so I'm not aware of pre-2018 storage capacity. That said, I could see the storage on the 2018 is not generous. I think the saddle bags on the Valkyrie have more capacity. Couple of other notables. The bike is very streamlined. I've search for spots to hang the Bell Bernie gave me to ward-off road gremlins. It took a while but I think I found a place for it. I don't think there's an OFF button for the audio. If there is, I haven't found it yet on the bike or in the crappy manual. Decided to just switch the source to AUX when I don't want to listen. The bike handles and shifts so easily that I found myself riding at higher speeds than I typically did on the Valkyrie. Looked at the speedo and was doing 65 in a 45 mph zone. Caught myself and slowed it down. The bike is definitely ready to get up and go. Looking forward to showing it to you guys and gals on the road this season.    |
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« Last Edit: May 18, 2018, 06:18:18 AM by Tony C. »
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GaryC
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« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2018, 05:20:57 PM » |
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Tony,
Congrats on that beautiful bike. Glad you got the bike today I just told Deb it's not going to be a good day Saturday for Tony to get his new bike.
Two questions:
How do you find the height of the windshield? I know you can adjust it, do you look over it in the lowest setting?
How is the seat height? Can you flat foot it?
When I do get one, I leaning towards the DCT but I want to test ride it first and see how slow speed maneuvers are. Without a friction zone seems like it will take some relearning.
Good luck with the bike. Oh good decision on the extended warranty.
Looking forward to seeing it in person soon.
Gary
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idaida98
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« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2018, 05:35:41 PM » |
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Nice very nice indeed,good luck with the new bike.  |
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oldsmokey
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« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2018, 05:35:58 PM » |
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Very nice. Hope you get much enjoyment and many safe miles with it.
Hope the weather pattern changes soon for you.
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Tony C.
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« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2018, 06:09:39 PM » |
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Two questions:
How do you find the height of the windshield? I know you can adjust it, do you look over it in the lowest setting?
How is the seat height? Can you flat foot it?
Yes I definitely look over it in the lowest setting. I raised it above it's lowest setting because it was cool this morning but still kept it below my eyes. When raised all the way up there was no wind, but my preference is to look over not through it. I forgot to mention in my original post that the heated grips and seat felt great on a cool day.  Honda states the seat height as 29.3 inches. I did expect to be able to flat foot it, but I could not quite do it. Close enough though. Hope this helps. |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2018, 06:10:11 PM » |
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Nice very nice indeed,good luck with the new bike. Thanks Al! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2018, 06:13:50 PM » |
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Very nice. Hope you get much enjoyment and many safe miles with it.
Hope the weather pattern changes soon for you.
Thank you! |
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Karen
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« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2018, 06:18:25 PM » |
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Congrats, Tony, glad you were able to learn and enjoy! Ride it in the best of health and sanity!.
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Tony C.
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« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2018, 06:24:04 PM » |
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Congrats, Tony, glad you were able to learn and enjoy! Ride it in the best of health and sanity!.
Thanks Karen. I'll definitely be seeing you on the road this summer! |
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RonBou
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« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2018, 01:54:04 AM » |
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Good luck Tony. You should have many years of enjoyment.  |
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Ronbou "Keep the faith!"
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holmes
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« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2018, 03:08:31 AM » |
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Ohhhh me likey!!
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Bernie S
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« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2018, 04:29:32 AM » |
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Congratulations Tony enjoy !!!!
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Ed Norton
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« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2018, 04:38:54 AM » |
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Congrats Tony...now you need some good weather
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VRCC# 468 2017 ABS Pearl White GoldWing Grand Touring motorcycle Life is too short to sweat the petty stuff.  |
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Wall
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« Reply #13 on: May 17, 2018, 06:29:44 AM » |
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This may sway me that way. What a nice looking bike. Now if it has room for a large American,,,,,
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Sometimes you only get 2.7 seconds, make it count.
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idaida98
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« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2018, 06:31:02 AM » |
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Forgot to ask,did you sell the Valk yet?
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Tony C.
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« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2018, 11:11:48 AM » |
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Good luck Tony. You should have many years of enjoyment. Thanks Ron! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #16 on: May 17, 2018, 11:12:20 AM » |
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Ohhhh me likey!!
Me, too! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #17 on: May 17, 2018, 11:17:13 AM » |
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Congratulations Tony enjoy !!!!
Thanks Bernie! Looking forward to riding with you soon. |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2018, 11:18:15 AM » |
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Congrats Tony...now you need some good weather Thanks Ed! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2018, 11:20:49 AM » |
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This may sway me that way. What a nice looking bike. Now if it has room for a large American,,,,,
The bike really isn't smaller than the Victory you're riding now. The 2018 Wing would be great for you and Kathy. Believe me, you'd love it. You'd be flinging it back and forth better than I ever could. |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2018, 11:26:30 AM » |
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Forgot to ask,did you sell the Valk yet?
Hey Al, A buyer and I have agreed on a price. The transaction will take place next week. |
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holmes
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« Reply #21 on: May 17, 2018, 12:58:11 PM » |
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Forgot to ask,did you sell the Valk yet?
Hey Al, A buyer and I have agreed on a price. The transaction will take place next week. Is your buyer Rich?? |
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dalai-lama
Member
Posts: 402
Wish I was out riding...
Watertown CT
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« Reply #22 on: May 17, 2018, 02:48:58 PM » |
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The new bike looks fantastic Tony! Very good for you and Sherri!
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the dalai
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Tony C.
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« Reply #23 on: May 17, 2018, 05:06:25 PM » |
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Is your buyer Rich?? See above. |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #24 on: May 17, 2018, 05:07:13 PM » |
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The new bike looks fantastic Tony! Very good for you and Sherri!
Thanks Brett! |
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ybnorml
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« Reply #25 on: May 18, 2018, 02:09:05 AM » |
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Congratulations Tony....looking forward to your ride reports, what's good and what's not so good with your new wing !!
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RickT2004
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« Reply #26 on: May 18, 2018, 03:15:39 AM » |
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very nice ride Tony. There is a white one with the 7 speed DCT at MTR. I'm still looking for a used Interstate. Good luck
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Tony C.
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« Reply #27 on: May 18, 2018, 06:20:43 AM » |
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Congratulations Tony....looking forward to your ride reports, what's good and what's not so good with your new wing !!
Thanks Terry. So far so good. Can't wait to get back on it! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #28 on: May 18, 2018, 06:31:15 AM » |
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very nice ride Tony. There is a white one with the 7 speed DCT at MTR. I'm still looking for a used Interstate. Good luck
Thanks Rick. Do you want a second Interstate or are you buying to replace the one you have? During the short time my Valk was on Craigslist, I did see a few Interstates for sale. I just checked now and only found one in the greater Boston area. It's a 1999 green and silver with 33,000 miles priced at $5,500 in Norton, MA, which is close to RI. Link below. https://southcoast.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1999-honda-valkyrie-interstate/6560752340.html |
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RickT2004
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« Reply #29 on: May 19, 2018, 03:50:21 AM » |
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Replace mine. Well over 100,000 miles and it overheated once. I saw that one on Craig's list and check daily.
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Buddruffin
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« Reply #30 on: May 19, 2018, 06:35:06 AM » |
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After reading your post, it has taken a lot of the questions away that I had concerning the 2018 wing. Thank you for sharing
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Tony C.
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« Reply #31 on: May 19, 2018, 09:26:53 AM » |
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After reading your post, it has taken a lot of the questions away that I had concerning the 2018 wing. Thank you for sharing
Glad you found the post useful. |
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Matt-D
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« Reply #33 on: May 20, 2018, 06:33:37 AM » |
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Beautiful Bike Tony. Looking forward to seeing it. Good luck with it.
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Tourus
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« Reply #34 on: May 20, 2018, 11:32:34 AM » |
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Congratulation on the new wing. A friend of mine bought one a few months ago and had it lowered 2 inches by a Honda dealer. He has lowered the last 3 bikes he's owned by purchashing lowering kits but decided to let a dealer do it just incase it affected the warranty, cost him $200. Just thought I'd pass that on.  |
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« Last Edit: May 20, 2018, 02:51:22 PM by Tourus »
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Tony C.
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« Reply #35 on: May 20, 2018, 03:22:13 PM » |
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Beautiful Bike Tony. Looking forward to seeing it. Good luck with it.
Thanks Matt! I just got back from a 45 mile loop. I love it! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #36 on: May 20, 2018, 03:23:01 PM » |
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Congratulation on the new wing. A friend of mine bought one a few months ago and had it lowered 2 inches by a Honda dealer. He has lowered the last 3 bikes he's owned by purchashing lowering kits but decided to let a dealer do it just incase it affected the warranty, cost him $200. Just thought I'd pass that on. Thanks for the info. I think I'm fine with it out of the box. |
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holmes
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« Reply #37 on: May 20, 2018, 05:25:51 PM » |
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Congratulation on the new wing. A friend of mine bought one a few months ago and had it lowered 2 inches by a Honda dealer. He has lowered the last 3 bikes he's owned by purchashing lowering kits but decided to let a dealer do it just incase it affected the warranty, cost him $200. Just thought I'd pass that on. Thanks for the info. I think I'm fine with it out of the box. Can ya scrape the pegs yet? |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #38 on: May 21, 2018, 04:15:22 AM » |
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Can ya scrape the pegs yet?
Haven't tried. I'm not really a peg scraper. |
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« Last Edit: May 21, 2018, 06:02:19 AM by Tony C. »
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Valkrocket
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« Reply #39 on: May 22, 2018, 04:29:51 AM » |
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Road Trip! Congatrs Tony......She's a beauty. Nice roads down here and 2-maidens is still running strong.  |
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Glide-on>>>>>>>>
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