I am on the fence about buying a 2018 GoldWing or a nicely farkled 2012-2017 GoldWing. Here's the background.
I've been riding over 25 years. I have considerable long distance riding experience (probably 100,000 miles or so). Iron Butt member (entry level only). Since 2005, I have been a FJR 13000 owner and that's the bike on which I have done most of my riding. I am now 61. Wife is 59. I have recently lost my riding partner (older brother) due to health reasons among other things. I don't really like taking long trips by myself (I once thought I did) and I see no suitable riding partners in my field of view (I am not a pack animal). In 2013, I had some hip issues and thought I had "outgrown" the FJR so I got a low mileage Level III 2008 Gold Wing. It was a fine bike. I added a few features to it in an attempt to "make it mine" but I could not bond with it. I had a super successful hip replacement in 2014, and in that year, I sold the 2008 Level III Wing, and got a 2014 FJR, which I now own (and love). It is a great solo mount for me. But the fact is, the FJR is not a comfortable mount for two up riding for folks my and my wife's age. We are in good health but are not without our own continuing joint problems. Clearly, nothing beats a GoldWing for long distance comfort. I am pretty good at managing a passenger on a GoldWing. My wife claims she wants to ride with me on pillion, but not if it is the FJR. Selling the FJR and getting a comfortable touring bike is essentially her idea, much to my surprise. She says I should get a bike that I like riding solo but which allows comfortable two up riding as well.
So I am (sadly) selling my FJR with an eye toward a GoldWing. A couple of weeks ago, I test rode the new Wing and the Yamaha Star Venture TC. I have ruled out the Yamaha. My wife liked the new Wing, but she also liked the 2008 Wing I had.
So, a Gold Wing it is.
Cannot decide which direction I want to go, however: New Wing or pre-owned Wing (2012 - 2017).
I have been reading a lot about the new Wing, its advantages and limitations, and am fairly familiar with the features of the Wing series pre-dating 2018.
I sense the following about the new Wing compared to the old Wing: Less comfortable for passenger and rider; less storage space; pricier (of course); less fuel capacity; better suspension; smoother and more refined transmission; speed limited; lighter; more eager acceleration; more refined powerplant; better stock lighting; updated electronics and rider interface package; no Android Auto capability. I am sure I am leaving out some things.
I am pretty much convinced that Honda does not care about its policy of offering onboard GPS that no one really cares for. That appears to be a wash on the 2018 and pre-2018 designs.
As an economic proposition, I feel like I could find a 2012-2017 Gold Wing, if I am patient, with just about every farkle I would want, for less money than an bone stock 2018 Gold Wing, and give up only that which is uniquely offered by the new design (suspension, onboard BT capability and electronics package, DCT (which I do not want) and the general "it" factor of having the latest technology Honda offers).
Part of me thinks the 2018 Wing is just gorgeous and cool and I should get one, shut up and never look back. Part of me thinks that is shallow and that the pre-2018 Wing would do just fine for two up riding and that it would likely have features and add-ons that would cost additional thousands of dollars to have on the 2018 bike.
I have to be honest too, that I was genuinely, perhaps irrationally, annoyed by the array of CB radio buttons and switches on the 2008 Gold Wing.
Opinions invited. One way or the other, I am getting back into a Gold Wing, it appears. I am confident you guys will help me make a decision.
(Let me know if anyone wants or knows someone who wants a truly great 2014 FJR 1300
).
I've been riding over 25 years. I have considerable long distance riding experience (probably 100,000 miles or so). Iron Butt member (entry level only). Since 2005, I have been a FJR 13000 owner and that's the bike on which I have done most of my riding. I am now 61. Wife is 59. I have recently lost my riding partner (older brother) due to health reasons among other things. I don't really like taking long trips by myself (I once thought I did) and I see no suitable riding partners in my field of view (I am not a pack animal). In 2013, I had some hip issues and thought I had "outgrown" the FJR so I got a low mileage Level III 2008 Gold Wing. It was a fine bike. I added a few features to it in an attempt to "make it mine" but I could not bond with it. I had a super successful hip replacement in 2014, and in that year, I sold the 2008 Level III Wing, and got a 2014 FJR, which I now own (and love). It is a great solo mount for me. But the fact is, the FJR is not a comfortable mount for two up riding for folks my and my wife's age. We are in good health but are not without our own continuing joint problems. Clearly, nothing beats a GoldWing for long distance comfort. I am pretty good at managing a passenger on a GoldWing. My wife claims she wants to ride with me on pillion, but not if it is the FJR. Selling the FJR and getting a comfortable touring bike is essentially her idea, much to my surprise. She says I should get a bike that I like riding solo but which allows comfortable two up riding as well.
So I am (sadly) selling my FJR with an eye toward a GoldWing. A couple of weeks ago, I test rode the new Wing and the Yamaha Star Venture TC. I have ruled out the Yamaha. My wife liked the new Wing, but she also liked the 2008 Wing I had.
So, a Gold Wing it is.
Cannot decide which direction I want to go, however: New Wing or pre-owned Wing (2012 - 2017).
I have been reading a lot about the new Wing, its advantages and limitations, and am fairly familiar with the features of the Wing series pre-dating 2018.
I sense the following about the new Wing compared to the old Wing: Less comfortable for passenger and rider; less storage space; pricier (of course); less fuel capacity; better suspension; smoother and more refined transmission; speed limited; lighter; more eager acceleration; more refined powerplant; better stock lighting; updated electronics and rider interface package; no Android Auto capability. I am sure I am leaving out some things.
I am pretty much convinced that Honda does not care about its policy of offering onboard GPS that no one really cares for. That appears to be a wash on the 2018 and pre-2018 designs.
As an economic proposition, I feel like I could find a 2012-2017 Gold Wing, if I am patient, with just about every farkle I would want, for less money than an bone stock 2018 Gold Wing, and give up only that which is uniquely offered by the new design (suspension, onboard BT capability and electronics package, DCT (which I do not want) and the general "it" factor of having the latest technology Honda offers).
Part of me thinks the 2018 Wing is just gorgeous and cool and I should get one, shut up and never look back. Part of me thinks that is shallow and that the pre-2018 Wing would do just fine for two up riding and that it would likely have features and add-ons that would cost additional thousands of dollars to have on the 2018 bike.
I have to be honest too, that I was genuinely, perhaps irrationally, annoyed by the array of CB radio buttons and switches on the 2008 Gold Wing.
Opinions invited. One way or the other, I am getting back into a Gold Wing, it appears. I am confident you guys will help me make a decision.
(Let me know if anyone wants or knows someone who wants a truly great 2014 FJR 1300

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