NYC IMS motorcycle show

[Ponte]

Deb and I went down to the show yesterday. We sat on the new Goldwing Tour, and while improvements were made in some areas , we were both disappointed in many things about the bike...  I'll keep my 2013. Too many items to comment about without making the post very long.. I'm sure others will love it...Just my 2 cents. 

[holmes]

I'd be interested to hear if you feel like writing it up

[Tony C.]

I'd be interested to hear if you feel like writing it up

Me too.  Maybe a short list? I know there's less storage and the passenger seat isn't as luxurious. What else?

 

[Dan-bury]

I'm right there with you Larry,  I was happy to read about the new Wing but once I sat on it I changed my mind.

For my legs I was really cramped and felt the weather protection will be diminished with the new narrow Fairing and Windshield (and no Windshiel Vent) . Also I did NOT have my riding boots on just walking shoes, as we walk the city while we are there, and I had a hard time getting my foot on the shifter. I guess the DCT will take care of that.

Also you can only be Blue Tooth, no cord.

The saddle bags and trunk are ONLY opened by a button on the bike or the button on the Fob so if the key Fob is not near the bike you are out of luck if,,, say the wife runs back to the bike for something without the fob.

All in all a great bike with some awesome improvements like the suspension and electronics, but just not for me.
I was asked buy a friend after climbing on and around the new Wing, Yamaha, BMW and Indian touring bikes which bike would I choose if I HAD to but a new 2018 ??

Well,,, in all honesty, The Wing is too cramped. The BMW is worse for my legs and I HATED the mirrors. The Indian does not have the Dealer network I want for cross country trips and although the Yamaha is nice if I was going to go V-Twin i'll get a Road Glide. 

[Tony C.]

Hey Dan. Based on the pictures, I can understand that the seating position would be cramped for riders of about 5' 10" and taller. I'm short than that and even I get cramped on the Valkyrie and stretch out to the highway pegs. Hopefully the aftermarket will figure out how to put highway pegs on the new Wing.

To satisfy my curiosity I did look at the BMW Bagger about a month ago at Wagner Motorcycles in Worcester. It does have standard pegs where you'd expect them to be on a BMW. But also has stretched out forward pegs for taller riders. Based on speaking with riders and MC article reading, I do think Honda is more reliable than BMW and also has a better dealer network. I don't care to buy one.



I thought you were very interested in the new Yamaha Star Venture Transcontinental? Did you get a look and sit one? It's getting excellent reviews and stacks up well to the V-Twin competition.

 

[Dan-bury]

Tony,
the BMW had the footboards mounted and although it was not as cramped as the Wing it had my knees bent back farther than I like for shifting and braking.  (I have had surgery on both knees) and when in the twisty roads I am always covering the rear brake and ready to shift so I would not get the benefit of those boards until I'm on the highway.

I sat on the Yamaha and even started it at Americade and did climb back on in NY yesterday. I really do like the bike, seating position is good and I felt comfortable right away.  But for me to spend $27,000.00 I would probably buy a Road Glide Ultra before the Yamaha.

[GaryC]

Luckily Tony, you and I don't have to worry about being cramped on the Wing. I hear how people say they feel cramped on the Wings and I find it difficult to believe seeing so many "large" people at Americade getting off the GL1800.
From some of the articles I have read, the smaller fairing offers better protection that the old one. Moving from wires to bluetooth is a major step forward. Cut the cord boys, I really like being able to walk away from the bike at fuel stopes etc. Deb can walk in the store and I can be outside at the pumps and still communicate. Luggage space reduction can be overcome, but would be a drawback.
I look forward to riding one, I want to see what the suspension is like, it was a disaster on the "old" wing.
I still like the Indian and not looking to trade in on the new Wing just yet but there is probably one more bike in my future.

[ybnorml]

  But for me to spend $27,000.00 I would probably buy a Road Glide Ultra before the Yamaha.

Think twice before making this move Dan-bury !! Harley riders, especially those that ride a Road Glide
never smile, are always frowning and snarling, and even bark and growl at waitresses !!!   

[Dan-bury]

All hypothetical at this point YB. I have no intention to drop close to $30k on a new bike.  If anything right now I may just add another used bike or find a nice left over if a great deal comes along.

Besides, I don't think I could afford the wardrobe change if I bought a HD. Where the heck would I put all the tee shirts I would need to buy???? Not to mention I don't have the arms for a sleeveless leather vest......


Seriously, for me.  I have Bluetooth set up on my F6B and after spending the last few months with it (thanks again Ed) I am not really a fan.  I am set up to listen to music and the CB from the bike and have my phone set up so it will read me a text message that come in as I ride. After learning all that was needed and figuring out all the pairing and proper connections I realize I was happier when I just hopped on the bike, plugged in a single wire and rode off.

Being able to walk back to get something out of a saddlebag without being tethered is nice but the expense of equipping my various Helmets with Bluetooth and the fact that I need to remember to charge my Helmet now out weigh the advantage. Also I now need to manually toggle between features with buttons on the side of my Helmet.

I know there are many folks here that are able to take advantage of the fact that they can talk Helmet to Helmet to many others in a group with out a CB, or connect to their phone and jump from bike to bike or even ride a bike that has no audio system like a naked sport bike. But I am not that guy.  At least not yet.

 As I say, this is just my old fashion way and I guess why the newest Motorcycle technology does not impress me as much as the seat of the pants feel I get when riding.

[Tony C.]

As I say, this is just my old fashion way and I guess why the newest Motorcycle technology does not impress me as much as the seat of the pants feel I get when riding.

Me too! That's why I've held on to the Valkyrie so long. I don't even care about a radio.

I've got to comes to grips with the fact that if want a new or newer bike with the Flat 6 engine, bags and a shield, some variation of Gold Wing or F6B will be required. I don't like the Honda accessories for the new Valkyrie they rolled out about two years ago. I don't know what decision I'll ultimately make. We'll see.

 

[Ponte]

I'd be interested to hear if you feel like writing it up

  Well here's my take on it.  Please understand that this is just my personal opinion as an old man and a 2013 Goldwing owner....Many will love this bike and that's great.... We all know about the new much needed suspension, electronics, motor, transmission options etc. All these things should be a great improvement to the bike overall, no question. I'm not an electronics guy, don't own an IPhone etc. so that doesn't matter to me personally, and I was happy with the motor for sure , but here's what they took away from the bike,

Body side panels (exposed trans and other mechanicals)
Lower cowl panels with the door for foot warmers.... gone
Storage cubby's on each side of the passenger seat.....gone
Seat and passenger area small. Deb found it harder to mount the bike compared to our current Goldwing.
Flimsy crash bars (back one attached to exhaust)
Tail lights in the trunk....gone
Back of the bike has a space between the bags with a rubber/plastic fender in the middle that you can see through to the tire. Looks like something off of a duel/sport bike.

I could go on but in my opinion, they cut corners on a bunch of stuff to keep the price down and give people the things that they wanted. That's all well and good, but it doesn't work for me. Oh and one minor point, I think it's going to be a nightmare to clean. You may not care about any of the stuff that I mentioned, and that' fine. You will love the bike. Just my opinion and you know what that's worth!!   Take care guys. 
 

[holmes]

Thanks Larry, I think your opinions are good ones and I'm thankful you took a moment to write them out.   

[ybnorml]

As I say, this is just my old fashion way and I guess why the newest Motorcycle technology does not impress me as much as the seat of the pants feel I get when riding.

Me too! That's why I've held on to the Valkyrie so long. I don't even care about a radio.

I've got to comes to grips with the fact that if want a new or newer bike with the Flat 6 engine, bags and a shield, some variation of Gold Wing or F6B will be required. I don't like the Honda accessories for the new Valkyrie they rolled out about two years ago. I don't know what decision I'll ultimately make. We'll see.

 

Tony, I can see you cruising on the open roads rocking to some Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and the like .....   

I'm on the same page as you and Dan-bury....the latest bluetooth riga-maroll doesn't interest me in the least, but I do enjoy my music.