Rock My Ride

@Amos_Umwhat said:
@CalvinAndHobo , I never would have dreamed it, but the Goldwing may just be the most all around satisfying bike I've ever owned. The BMW was great, too, and I truly loved all my Harleys. If they'd stayed on track with the FXR's I'd probably still own one. Just some things to think about. Hopefully Indian manages as a stand alone. I'd hate to see them go under, again.

I'm not holding out hope for Indian. These private equity purchases all go the same way every time. People get laid off, production moves overseas, customer service becomes terrible, automated, and outsourced, innovation and R&D stops, the same bikes get sold for the next 5 or 10 years with fake updates that don't keep pace with the industry until all the profit is squeezed out, and then they go bankrupt with everyone getting a golden parachute on the way out. Can't take a chance and buy a new bike from them when parts could stop getting made in the future and the quality of the parts that do exist just goes downhill once made overseas. I took a lot of pride in the fact that my bike was made in Iowa, and I love everything about it, especially the reliability of it. I'm just bummed.

I'll be test riding everything when it's time to upgrade and I'm sure I'll love the Goldwing, but when I test rode it last time I just felt like it didn't have any soul. I don't really know how to describe it, but it felt more like a convertible than a bike, everything was too nice and smooth, and I felt like a passenger more than a rider. We'll see what changes though, this was years ago, and the model I test rode was not the manual shifting version that you own, it was the automatic DCT one, which is probably part of why I felt like that.

@CalvinAndHobo , I get that. My Goldwing test ride was, well, nice. Mr. Rogers nice. Smooth, efficient, sanitary. My motivation in buying it was primarily that it was a better transportation system for us, two up. 90% of my riding is two up. Also, the BMW's tall seat was getting to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of 70 year olds.

After I bought it I started making it mine. Ultimate seat and National Cycle's Comfort Bars so I could stretch my legs helped. A lot! I didn't think I'd like the backrest, but I do. And then, the Alaska Leather Sheepskin, much comfort.

I also added a luggage rack to the trunk, which was a more complicated task than I thought. Faye's reaction was great to witness: "You're going to drill holes in a brand new $30k motorcycle? Are you crazy?" I also put a Quiet Works windscreen on in place of the stock. I like the recurve lip, and it is wider than stock. I put adjustable wind deflectors under the mirrors as well, it gets hot down here, and sometimes it's nice to funnel all the wind in my direction.

Lastly, the engine. It's so smooth it feels tame. That's why there's the Sport Mode. I got used to this bike the same way I did with the BMW. I started out in Rain or Econ modes, and then moved up. I don't like surprises in traffic. While I'm almost always in Tour Mode now, all I have to do is flip the switch to Sport and the machine forgets its gentlemanly manners and becomes a beast.

I should add, I do appreciate your comments regarding Indian's future as a stand alone. That was pretty much what I figured would happen to Harley when they left AMF, and it was pretty much what happened to Harley when AMF bought them, although that ultimately turned out to be what saved them long enough for Harley's people to buy themselves back. What I fear will be missing is the passion. Motorcycling is truly all about the passion. Without it, the company, and the industry will die.

@Amos_Umwhat said:
@CalvinAndHobo , I get that. My Goldwing test ride was, well, nice. Mr. Rogers nice. Smooth, efficient, sanitary. My motivation in buying it was primarily that it was a better transportation system for us, two up. 90% of my riding is two up. Also, the BMW's tall seat was getting to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of 70 year olds.

After I bought it I started making it mine. Ultimate seat and National Cycle's Comfort Bars so I could stretch my legs helped. A lot! I didn't think I'd like the backrest, but I do. And then, the Alaska Leather Sheepskin, much comfort.

I also added a luggage rack to the trunk, which was a more complicated task than I thought. Faye's reaction was great to witness: "You're going to drill holes in a brand new $30k motorcycle? Are you crazy?" I also put a Quiet Works windscreen on in place of the stock. I like the recurve lip, and it is wider than stock. I put adjustable wind deflectors under the mirrors as well, it gets hot down here, and sometimes it's nice to funnel all the wind in my direction.

Lastly, the engine. It's so smooth it feels tame. That's why there's the Sport Mode. I got used to this bike the same way I did with the BMW. I started out in Rain or Econ modes, and then moved up. I don't like surprises in traffic. While I'm almost always in Tour Mode now, all I have to do is flip the switch to Sport and the machine forgets its gentlemanly manners and becomes a beast.

I should add, I do appreciate your comments regarding Indian's future as a stand alone. That was pretty much what I figured would happen to Harley when they left AMF, and it was pretty much what happened to Harley when AMF bought them, although that ultimately turned out to be what saved them long enough for Harley's people to buy themselves back. What I fear will be missing is the passion. Motorcycling is truly all about the passion. Without it, the company, and the industry will die.

Sounds like I'll have to try sport mode on the next test ride before making judgement. If my bike got stolen tomorrow and I had an insurance check, I think I'd start my test riding with the BMW R18 Transcontinental and go from there.

@CalvinAndHobo said:

@OutdoorsSmoke_21191 said:
Harley makes a great bike if you put a buttload of money in aftermarket parts. 😂😂😉

My next non customized Harley bike would probably be the BMW.

Which one?

K1600

@Amos_Umwhat said:
While in Nashville I accidentally ran across the Indian dealership. I was just looking for a place to turn around, and there was this nice loop parking lot, and then I saw the sign. Well, I can't just turn around here, I must go in and look, right?

So, I checked this one out pretty thoroughly, sat on it, asked questions of the salesperson while I was sitting on it. Looked into the storage, it has more than the Goldwing, truth is, I liked everything about it. So, I got his card and got the heck out of there while my bank balance was still intact.

It's lingering in my mind though. It's very much the style of bike that I spent many years on. 4" travel on the rear suspension, which is nearly twice what the comparable Harley has, I think 5" up front. 112ci motor. All the amenities of the Goldwing.

@CalvinAndHobo , yours is a Chieftain, right? Similar.

We also talked about the private equity thing, apparently the guy in charge is legit, I remember seeing something about his bonafides a little while ago.

I've only got 10K miles on the 'Wing, and I'm sure they wouldn't come close to its worth in a trade in.

Damn, I am strong, I can resist anything. Except maybe temptation.

It's going to drive me crazy for a while. We'll see what happens.

Sure looks nice and comfy!
What does the sticker say?

The struggle is real.

@Amos_Umwhat said:
Further research has me leaning towards keeping the Goldwing. Higher compression on the Indian means premium fuel is necessary rather than optional as on the 'Wing. The Indian has a couple more HP and a couple more lbs torque, but it also has about 80 lbs more weight, which brings me to this: no reverse gear. The Goldwing is ~840 lbs, the Indian is ~930 lbs, the 'Wing has reverse gear which has proven its worth many times over.

The Indian sure is a pretty bike. Sits a little lower, lots of nice shiny stuff, holds a little more, and has really nice floorboards, too. If I'd ridden one of those I'd have never made it to the Honda dealer. I'm too old and have too many rebuilt or prosthetic parts to be pushing 930 lbs around with only my remaining muscles and what's left of my cartilage.

Looks like I keep flying the 'Wing.

Good choice

@Amos_Umwhat said:
While in Nashville I accidentally ran across the Indian dealership. I was just looking for a place to turn around, and there was this nice loop parking lot, and then I saw the sign. Well, I can't just turn around here, I must go in and look, right?

So, I checked this one out pretty thoroughly, sat on it, asked questions of the salesperson while I was sitting on it. Looked into the storage, it has more than the Goldwing, truth is, I liked everything about it. So, I got his card and got the heck out of there while my bank balance was still intact.

It's lingering in my mind though. It's very much the style of bike that I spent many years on. 4" travel on the rear suspension, which is nearly twice what the comparable Harley has, I think 5" up front. 112ci motor. All the amenities of the Goldwing.

@CalvinAndHobo , yours is a Chieftain, right? Similar.

We also talked about the private equity thing, apparently the guy in charge is legit, I remember seeing something about his bonafides a little while ago.

I've only got 10K miles on the 'Wing, and I'm sure they wouldn't come close to its worth in a trade in.

Damn, I am strong, I can resist anything. Except maybe temptation.

It's going to drive me crazy for a while. We'll see what happens.

Dang I hate it when I accidentally turn around at dealerships. I can’t believe they build them at all of the worst places!

What year is your gold wing? I’ve been seriously considering one to keep my heritage company and to have a little more space and comfort for my longer weekend trips.

@CalvinAndHobo said:

@Amos_Umwhat said:
@OmgFrigginMike , my 'Wing is a 2024 with manual shift, not the DCT. Everywhere I went they talked up the DCT, but I like deciding what gear and when. @Calvin, good instincts and assessment. The Indian was indeed very comfortable to sit on, and I miss having floorboards on the Wing. The Ultimate seat made a huge difference, and I put on a set of "Comfort Bars" to give me highway pegs and a little tip-over protection. The windshield is adjustable, I put a Quiet Werks windscreen on. It's wider and has the recurve lip at the top. Cruise control is pretty good on the GW, I read that it may be reactive on the Indian, which would be awesome.

The majority of my riding is two-up on curvy two lane roads. Tennessee is full of roads like that. Any time I'm headed somewhere I usually have between 3 and 6 options as to route. Deer and tractors abound and are usually just around the next corner or over the next of many hills. Nimble handling and powerful braking is a must. When I lived in Texas, also in Kansas, most rides were; find a road, ride out until time to turn around and come bad on the same road. Not here, big loops in whatever direction. I noticed in my research that much is made of the Indian's superior radio, I don't care. I listen to music at home, and in my truck, but not on a bike. Unimportant distraction, for me.

If I'm not mistaken the Goldwing is, in fact, "made" in America about as much as any other bike. Ft. Wayne Indiana, I think. I could be wrong about that. My first instinct about the private equity thing is the same as yours, Calvin. We'll see what happens, but that is the way of the corporate world. Go cheap, screw the workers and squeeze the last dime out of the customers, as long as the soulless bosses get their gold.

Thanks to all for your input here. It helps. I wish I could get the Indian's floorboards and saddlebags on the GW, but, life is an endless series of compromises.

Sounds like the Gold Wing is perfect for the riding you're doing. The Indian has great brakes with ABS, but it's not nimble in any way. My girlfriend gets nervous if I hit corners too hard as it is, so more nibleness would be slightly wasted on me anyway. The one bike I still want to test ride is the Ducati Multistrada, but at that point I might as well start looking at Harleys, since at least they'll give you free knick knacks while you spend days in their dealerships waiting on repairs. I bet you'd love that Ducati with the roads you have, as long as there's a dealership close enough to home.

The Multistrada crossed my mind, and they had one at the dealership where I bought my BMW RT, but I was also leery of the maintenance factors and figured the BMW would be more "bulletproof". It was a fantastic bike, but not the best tool for the riding we do.

Faye is a great passenger. She remains calm. When we went up the Silverton "million dollar highway" she asked "What's wrong with Karie?", my friend's wife, who was clutching him with her head buried between his shoulders. When we got to Silverton our other road partner who'd been behind us was laughing: "Karie's freaking out and Faye was taking pictures". Karie stated loudly that she would NOT be riding back down that highway. One of the locals said "Then you'll have to call for a helicopter, 'cause that's the only other way down".