Motorcycle must rides: #1

"bob and john" (bobandjohn) 08/09/2019 at 12:48 • Filed to: None

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This series will be a few articles on some styles of bikes that I think every rider, new, old, fast or slow, cruiser or sport bike (or dirt head)

I’m going to break the series off the start and mention the first bike, is actually a very specific model.

The greatest bike on earth. the honda Goldwing.

The goldwing is THE touring daddy. Big. huge. MASSIVE. This is a bike that you can now order with an automatic and an airbag for crying out loud.

For the past 20 years, the vereranble `wing has been powered by a flat-6 motor, discplacing either 1500 or 1800CC. 100hp, 125 lb-ft. Its not the most powerfull engine on sale. but its so silkly smooth, you`d hardly think it was on.

But the sheer comfort. radio. nav.hgeated seats. cruise control. And they are SO stable on the road. I almost fell asleep riding one of these.

My story with the wing? When i was working as a riding instructor, Honda canada invited us to a instructor only demo day. Needless to say, i hopped at the chance.

Meet Giant gertha. a 2017 GL1800 with nav, airbag, and allll the bells and whistles at the time.

walking it around, there is no hiding this is a 800lb + bike. She chonky. Once you get moving at 25+km/h it all just..melts. Smooth, stable and assertive was the best way to describe it. It has this presence that no other bike on the road can match. its the polite neighboor that you can always rely on.

riding this thing, again. you set the cruise, and it just sits there. miles (and gas) drifting away. On our demo ride, we rode past a golf course. At this time, i was listening to the radio (with the stero cranked, natch) and what was playing? “American idiot” by green day. I uhh...interupted several golf games as everyone turned to watch 850lbs of red gluide by with green day singing their heart out. A few laughs, and more then one angry face.

worth it? Oh yea.

And the best part? slap on a set of stright pipes and you have a porsche 911 sounds track too.

So big, floatly, boaty and you can tow. All the winf proection in the world and motor soundtrack to kill for. 

Stay tuned for more!

atfsgeoff > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 12:53

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Once I build a shed big enough to store one, it’s between the Gold Wing and the BMW K1600GT for epic touring. both super smooth 6-cyls, with the BMW being a little bit faster and more powerful but the Wing being a little more la-z-boy comfortable.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 12:55

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T ow? Why yes.

slipperysallylikespenguins > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:03

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I’ll pass. Besides the smooth engine, it represents everything I don’t want in a moto.

bob and john > slipperysallylikespenguins 08/09/2019 at 13:06

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here is the thing...it still something you should expireance. List isnt just about having the one burger for the rest of your life.

Try and and go from there. I wasnt a g-wing guy. I rode one. I get the appeal. and for touring, its still the best there is.

Would I own one? ehhh. For cheap enough I guess. 

jimz > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:20

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I’ve tried sitting on these things.  my inseam is way too short.  I feel like a 3 year old sitting on a high toilet. 

slipperysallylikespenguins > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:30

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I’ve ridden quite a few different styles through demo days(w hich everyone should take advantage of) . Closest to a Gold Wing was a Star Venture. I didn’t like it.

And from that I’ve learned that I really enjoy the bikes that are under 500lbs wet, limited electronics, and limited luxuries. And I especially hate stereos on bikes.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:39

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I’ve had a previous gen Valkyrie ride past me a couple times and... the exhaust. Dear lordy an exhaust on that engine is godlike.

bob and john > slipperysallylikespenguins 08/09/2019 at 13:41

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stars arent that great. The motor on the wing...because it brings the weigh so low, it handles WAY better then youd expect.

there is a VERy good reason why I put the wing as a specific model and not ‘touring bikes’ 

Maxima Speed > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:43

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Hold wing is definitely on my “ i want to ride one” list.

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:43

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Eh. Has too many cylinders, too few torques, and not enough chrome. Plus, air cooling is a lot more reliable, less to go wrong.

.

.

/S

benn454 > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 13:47

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 At that point, just buy an Accord.

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters 08/09/2019 at 14:00

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I was about to gear up and head over there to slap you

bob and john > benn454 08/09/2019 at 14:01

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A new , fully loaded wing is 40K CAd out the door.

I have seen cheaper accords. LOL 

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 14:02

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Not to mention how unsafe a bike that quiet is

Pickup_man > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 14:09

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I’ve been super tempted, on multiple occasions, to pick up a cheap Goldwing for a thousand bucks. One of these days I just might do it. 

DipodomysDeserti > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 15:11

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And the old ones make pretty cool looking cafe bikes.

My uncle road a Goldwing from NJ to California and back in the ‘80s . He loved that bike. I’m really looking forward to this series from you.

jimz > benn454 08/09/2019 at 15:29

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you scoff, but the GW’s radio/infotainment and controls look like they were lifted straight out of an Accord.

benn454 > jimz 08/09/2019 at 16:05

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 Doesn't surprise me. 

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 18:29

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Does this one still count?

CRider > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 19:47

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This is like adding a luxury limousine Sprinter van to your list of must-drive cars. 

bob and john > CRider 08/09/2019 at 21:30

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yes.


and? 

CRider > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 21:38

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And nothing. I’m not the one who put the 800+ lb Honda Goldwing at the top spot on my list of bikes everyone must ride, you are.

bob and john > CRider 08/09/2019 at 21:40

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i mean i wanna be driven in a super lux limo too.

also wanna drive a limo,. for shits and gigs

CRider > bob and john 08/09/2019 at 22:48

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Someone should buy a Goldwing and start a motorcycle limo service. 

shop-teacher > Pickup_man 08/10/2019 at 08:22

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Me too. 

shop-teacher > bob and john 08/10/2019 at 08:24

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So, 80's Gol dwings are super cheap, and I dig the way they look. But they have to be cheap for a reason. Is it just numbers? I know they made a ton of them. Or are the old ones maintenance nightmares that should be avoided.

bob and john > shop-teacher 08/10/2019 at 09:56

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its a coming on 40 year old bike thats not particularly fast, significant, or desirable. the milage is probably way up there too.