2018 Gold Wing Suspension

[Jambriwal]

Found the pic the other day looking for info on the 2018 Gold Wing
Can't wait to test ride one.

[Mr Whiskey]

Beemer clone (no matter what Honda says).
Jus' hope it eliminates the dread "low speed wobble" GL1800's infamous for!
Not sure if I'm comfortable with "tie rods"

[Beardo]

Mr Whiskey, my thoughts exactly.  Look like more moving parts, failure points, maintenance. How are the beemers for maintenance? I’m not familiar with them.

I’d think the failure rate on that one little shock would be faster than 2 separate fork springs/shocks. That’s a lot of weight/movement/stress on one little shock.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Mr Whiskey, my thoughts exactly.  Look like more moving parts, failure points, maintenance. How are the beemers for maintenance? I’m not familiar with them.

I’d think the failure rate on that one little shock would be faster than 2 separate fork springs/shocks. That’s a lot of weight/movement/stress on one little shock.

I only rode the BMW for a week, but it seemed fine. I wouldn't worry about a single shock. MonoShocks have on the rears of MXers for decades now with no problems. I would suspect Honda has put thousands of hours of R&D into this front end. They don't want to risk their top of the lineup.

[Beardo]

Mr Whiskey, my thoughts exactly.  Look like more moving parts, failure points, maintenance. How are the beemers for maintenance? I’m not familiar with them.

I’d think the failure rate on that one little shock would be faster than 2 separate fork springs/shocks. That’s a lot of weight/movement/stress on one little shock.

I only rode the BMW for a week, but it seemed fine. I wouldn't worry about a single shock. MonoShocks have on the rears of MXers for decades now with no problems. I would suspect Honda has put thousands of hours of R&D into this front end. They don't want to risk their top of the lineup.

You’re probably right. I just wonder if it’s another case of engineers over engineering to solve a problem that doesn’t exist...or does exist but cold be addressed simpler, like the aftermarket companies have been doing for years with better springs, valving, etc.

Who the heck am I to disagree with a Honda engineer though, I guess.    They’re kinda good at their jobs.

[sandy]

IMHO: This will solve the fork rebuilding regularity. I have 60K on my '05 wing and they've been apart twice. Completely rebuilt. The pivot points are similar to the rear suspension on a wing and it hasn't failed. My rear shock was out for a new hydraulic hose/bleeding and spring replacement. But no pivot point issues.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Mr Whiskey, my thoughts exactly.  Look like more moving parts, failure points, maintenance. How are the beemers for maintenance? I’m not familiar with them.

I’d think the failure rate on that one little shock would be faster than 2 separate fork springs/shocks. That’s a lot of weight/movement/stress on one little shock.

I only rode the BMW for a week, but it seemed fine. I wouldn't worry about a single shock. MonoShocks have on the rears of MXers for decades now with no problems. I would suspect Honda has put thousands of hours of R&D into this front end. They don't want to risk their top of the lineup.

You’re probably right. I just wonder if it’s another case of engineers over engineering to solve a problem that doesn’t exist...or does exist but cold be addressed simpler, like the aftermarket companies have been doing for years with better springs, valving, etc.

Who the heck am I to disagree with a Honda engineer though, I guess.    They’re kinda good at their jobs.

One of the ride reports I read described the front geometry as very light and inspiring in the corners.

[Mr Whiskey]

gl1800riders done dedicated a sub-board to the new model...
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/193-2018-goldwing-board/
Plenty of "tech & spec" for those that's interested

[The emperor has no clothes]

gl1800riders done dedicated a sub-board to the new model...
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/193-2018-goldwing-board/
Plenty of "tech & spec" for those that's interested

Thanks 

[Rams]

Mr Whiskey, my thoughts exactly.  Look like more moving parts, failure points, maintenance. How are the beemers for maintenance? I’m not familiar with them.

I’d think the failure rate on that one little shock would be faster than 2 separate fork springs/shocks. That’s a lot of weight/movement/stress on one little shock.

I only rode the BMW for a week, but it seemed fine. I wouldn't worry about a single shock. MonoShocks have on the rears of MXers for decades now with no problems. I would suspect Honda has put thousands of hours of R&D into this front end. They don't want to risk their top of the lineup.

You’re probably right. I just wonder if it’s another case of engineers over engineering to solve a problem that doesn’t exist...or does exist but cold be addressed simpler, like the aftermarket companies have been doing for years with better springs, valving, etc.

Who the heck am I to disagree with a Honda engineer though, I guess.    They’re kinda good at their jobs.

You're probably correct about the Honda engineering but, that's a pretty sophisticated front suspension and I'm not convinced it was needed or is worth the expense.    Before anyone else says it, no I'm not buying one so, my opinion really doesn't matter.  But, I've always believed in the KISS system.   Keep It Simple Stupid.    Is it that much better?   I'll probably never know but, it most surely isn't something that would get me into a dealership for a test ride.   Just my opinion and yeah, I know it ain't worth much.

[old2soon]

Well if Honda engines are Any guideline at all I'm guessin here overbuilt to a factor of 6 or better. When the rear monoshocks showed up on MXERS there were similar questions. WHEN wuz the last time someone questioned the rear monoshocks. This appears to me anywho as a natural progression. RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

Well if Honda engines are Any guideline at all I'm guessin here overbuilt to a factor of 6 or better. When the rear monoshocks showed up on MXERS there were similar questions. WHEN wuz the last time someone questioned the rear monoshocks. This appears to me anywho as a natural progression. RIDE SAFE.

Mono Shocks on the rear of a MX reduced the moving parts of the system.    Different application when you add in steering factor.    Not questioning the engineers on whether or not it'll work, just seems to be a lot of unnecessary engineering to me.  

Correct me if I'm wrong but, isn't this similar to the front suspension that was on the Rune?   Working off memory here but, sure seems like I've seen this before.

OK, I'll shut up now before the folks that like it jump on me about it.   Relax, it's just my opinion.

[jimmytee]

Why in my day we had no suspension other than a spring in our seat and we were happy to have it.  Don't need all these fancy stuff on a motorcycle.

 

[Rams]

Why in my day we had no suspension other than a spring in our seat and we were happy to have it.  Don't need all these fancy stuff on a motorcycle.

 

Yeah, I was kind of expecting an old age joke from you.

You didn't let me down.....

[jimmytee]

Why in my day we had no suspension other than a spring in our seat and we were happy to have it.  Don't need all these fancy stuff on a motorcycle.

 

Yeah, I was kind of expecting an old age joke from you.

You didn't let me down.....

As predictable as you critiquing anything different .   

[Rams]

Yeah, I know but, I'm not the only one questioning the mono shock front suspension.

[Reb]

I'd assume the design works or mother Honda would not go to production with it. Definitely took some notes from BMW and made enough adjustments to patent one themselves

Probably comparing Apple's to oranges on this from my engineering experience but I would assume Honda has been working on this design (by design I mean entire MY18 Goldwing) since atleast 2012 if not earlier.

[hubcapsc]

Yeah, I know but, I'm not the only one questioning the mono shock front suspension.

I'd guess that the rear shock has a much more brutal job
than the front one. I'll bet that the front suspension on the
new Goldwing is awesome and durable.

-Mike

[Robert]

Interesting suspension but like anything else there is trade offs. I wonder if its really that much better a design than the standard one. I see many advantages, few disadvantages and nothing really worth getting excited about.

 I do like the idea of getting rid of a potentially unstable and problem area which has always been the front forks though. Much more solid since you are not trying to steer from 2 tubes that are going in many directions at once and experiencing the wobble to the front forks. Not to mention no more front fork seals and a much more even and controlled front shock experience.

Thanks for the diagram and I didn't know BMW used this suspension also.

So does this mean we are going to have to get our bikes a wheel alignment now?  

[jimmytee]

Actually this suspension isn't all that new.
https://www.hossack-design.com/hossack-1