Most of us would be hard pressed to say that we are not opinionated in someway, or that we have some pet peeves that just grate at us. This is one I have.
The relationship between the word "heavy" and Goldwing, and that these have somehow become synonymous with each other. I was watching a YouTube video about the evolution of the GW and when the narrator got to the pros and cons of the GW, the first item on the list of cons was "heavy".
We do not see the first item on a list for an HD as being heavy, nor for a larger BMW. The motorcycling community does the GW a disservice by implicating the GW as a heavy bike. The GW is a purpose built motorcycle that is made to suit a particular riding style and need, and if this is your requirement, the weight of the bike is not relevant.
The BMW R1200RT comes in at 505 lbs, HD Streetglide 830 lbs or more, and the BMW K1600GTL in at 750 wet. I could not find a review of any sort that classifies any of these bikes as being "heavy". Some of the HD versions are north of 900 pounds, just like a GW. After we buy these "lighter" bikes, we put us and passenger on, and may even include luggage in the order of some 400 pounds or more in some cases. Now why is it not noted that the bike, not being a GW is now a "heavy" bike. People don't want to own a bike that is designed to take the extra weight we inflict on these machines, but we are willing to take a lesser platform and abuse the GVW and think we are riding safely.
I further submit that while a person can lift a less "heavy" bike more easily than the larger ones, I have yet to see someone lift one of these "lighter" bikes off the ground and stand it up.
The main issue about weight is that a bike is only "heavy" when it is not moving. There is no weight to a bike when it is in motion. I had this as an issue when I stepped up to a Suzuki Boulevard C90T. It wanted to do what it liked and it was "heavy" at the time. After the course, this issue went away. This is also the reason I take an advanced riding course every year as I believe I determine how the bike will "behave" (for lack of a better word), not the bike.
Enough of my rant. I do believe that everyone rides for their own reasons and on the bike of their choice; however, I would like to see a concerted effort by the motorcycling community to stop labeling a specific bike as "heavy", or is it a conspiracy to get/steer people in a different direction away from a specific type/style of bike.
Enjoy your ride, ride safely.
Cheers
The relationship between the word "heavy" and Goldwing, and that these have somehow become synonymous with each other. I was watching a YouTube video about the evolution of the GW and when the narrator got to the pros and cons of the GW, the first item on the list of cons was "heavy".
We do not see the first item on a list for an HD as being heavy, nor for a larger BMW. The motorcycling community does the GW a disservice by implicating the GW as a heavy bike. The GW is a purpose built motorcycle that is made to suit a particular riding style and need, and if this is your requirement, the weight of the bike is not relevant.
The BMW R1200RT comes in at 505 lbs, HD Streetglide 830 lbs or more, and the BMW K1600GTL in at 750 wet. I could not find a review of any sort that classifies any of these bikes as being "heavy". Some of the HD versions are north of 900 pounds, just like a GW. After we buy these "lighter" bikes, we put us and passenger on, and may even include luggage in the order of some 400 pounds or more in some cases. Now why is it not noted that the bike, not being a GW is now a "heavy" bike. People don't want to own a bike that is designed to take the extra weight we inflict on these machines, but we are willing to take a lesser platform and abuse the GVW and think we are riding safely.
I further submit that while a person can lift a less "heavy" bike more easily than the larger ones, I have yet to see someone lift one of these "lighter" bikes off the ground and stand it up.
The main issue about weight is that a bike is only "heavy" when it is not moving. There is no weight to a bike when it is in motion. I had this as an issue when I stepped up to a Suzuki Boulevard C90T. It wanted to do what it liked and it was "heavy" at the time. After the course, this issue went away. This is also the reason I take an advanced riding course every year as I believe I determine how the bike will "behave" (for lack of a better word), not the bike.
Enough of my rant. I do believe that everyone rides for their own reasons and on the bike of their choice; however, I would like to see a concerted effort by the motorcycling community to stop labeling a specific bike as "heavy", or is it a conspiracy to get/steer people in a different direction away from a specific type/style of bike.
Enjoy your ride, ride safely.
Cheers
