My first impressions riding a Goldwing

[chuck c]

I've had my 81 for 2-1/2 years but today was my first real ride. I didn't know what i was getting when I bought this not running at a yard sale. I'd never ridden one or any bike in this size category. But I am a big fan of the Boxer engine design, old Goldwings are plentiful and very inexpensive, lots of parts are available, and I was intrigued by the idea of the single carb conversion. Now that I've worked on and ridden one, I have opinions.

1. Good Lord, these are heavy. Getting it up that little ramp to get it on the lift takes most of what I have. I am very careful doing it for fear of losing control of it because if anything happens my best option is to run away and leave the bike to its fate. Trying to regain control could get me really hurt and I'm too old for that. I have an electric boat winch and I plan to add it to the lift for safer on-offs.

2. Somebody put a lot of thought into rider ergonomics because even this 81 is darned comfortable. I always thought the handlebars looked a bit oddly positioned but they put the grips in exactly the right spot for me. I considered changing the bars for a different look but any change would be less comfortable.

3. I feel safer on this than any other bike I've ridden. It's big, has big, high lights. It's much more visible to the 4-wheelers.

4. It is not for carving twisty back roads, duh. Attempts to take turns hard caused scraping footpegs sooner than I am used to. All part of learning a bike's limits and strengths. If I have the urge to carve twistys, I should ride a different bike.

5. I'm hooked. I'll never part with this machine. I will have other bikes but this one will be customized to my liking and when I'm done no one else will like it anyway!

 

[chuck c]

I had every intent of putting the front fender on but I kinda like the no fender look, even with the fairing. What do you think?

 

[nwhittemore07885]

Once you get used to it it will feel like a dirt bike under you rather than a 700 lb machine . All it takes is time and practice at first they are over whelming but that soon fades as you pound out countless miles in comfort.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[desertrefugee]

chuck c » Sun Oct 16, 2016 5:18 pm[/url]":1a6vlwkz]
I had every intent of putting the front fender on but I kinda like the no fender look, even with the fairing. What do you think?

I think you will be very unhappy the first time you are caught out in the rain.

On a more positive note, I am not at all surprised that you're hooked. They really are special machines.

 

[dan filipi]

I like the fenderless look.

 

[nwhittemore07885]

Looks sharp until you run through rain and cannot see where your going

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[brianinpa]

If you don't think a Wing can carve the twisties... go to youtube and watch some of yellow wolf's videos on the tail of the dragon. You might change your mind.

Oh and rides are measure in smiles per hour and not miles per hour!

 

[joedrum]

glad your running and riding now

 

[Steve83]

I also like the fenderless look, but the exposed radiator makes me nervous...

 

[chuck c]

Steve83 » Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:47 am[/url]":kp0747fw]
I also like the fenderless look, but the exposed radiator makes me nervous...

Yeah, that's my worry more than being rained on. That screen only stops bigger stuff, it's not going to protect it from fine gravel thrown into it by the tire. Maybe if I alter the shape of the fender. Make it slimmer. Cut it down a bit top and sides but leave the back. Hmm. I do have a spare I can mess with.

 

[chuck c]

chuck c » Sun Oct 16, 2016 8:18 pm[/url]":az8r74nc]
I had every intent of putting the front fender on but I kinda like the no fender look, even with the fairing. What do you think?

It definitely needs gators! Got to hide those shiny fork tubes!

 

[detdrbuzzard]

don't be fooled by watching yellow wolf on you tube, he rides an 1800 wing which handling wise is light years ahead of your 1100 wing
I've never cared for the fenderless look but I do like the look of your wing without the lowers on the fairing

 

[D-50Dave]

Steve83 » Today, 12:47 am[/url]":3ed3htkl]
I also like the fenderless look, but the exposed radiator makes me nervous...

+1

 

[Ansimp]

detdrbuzzard » Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:32 pm[/url]":rve9f5uk]
don't be fooled by watching yellow wolf on you tube, he rides an 1800 wing which handling wise is light years ahead of your 1100 wing
I've never cared for the fenderless look but I do like the look of your wing without the lowers on the fairing

I can't fault the handling on my 81 except for its weight and lack of brakes. I ride with sports bikes without any major problems except for running out of steam at just over 100mph and I have to leave plenty of following distance in case the rider in front wants to stop suddenly. Scraping while cornering is a lot harder now that the rear shocks/springs have been replaced. I had begun to think that I was cornering harder but it was just less ground clearance due to sagging rear springs/shocks. :doh:

 

[brianinpa]

chuck c » Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:07 am[/url]":350i306m]

Steve83 » Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:47 am[/url]":350i306m]
I also like the fenderless look, but the exposed radiator makes me nervous...

Yeah, that's my worry more than being rained on. That screen only stops bigger stuff, it's not going to protect it from fine gravel thrown into it by the tire. Maybe if I alter the shape of the fender. Make it slimmer. Cut it down a bit top and sides but leave the back. Hmm. I do have a spare I can mess with.

What is the condition of your spare? I have one that has a couple of extra holes drilled in it for an extension if you want it to cut up.

 

[brianinpa]

detdrbuzzard » Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:32 am[/url]":305wo4hh]
don't be fooled by watching yellow wolf on you tube, he rides an 1800 wing which handling wise is light years ahead of your 1100 wing...

I think what it comes down to is knowing your bike's limits and the limitation of the main nut behind the handlebar. As long as those limits aren't exceeded, an 1100 does pretty well in the twisties. I had a blast when I was on the tail 0f the dragon and other roads in that area and the many mountain roads in my area. Several times I drag the floorboards... it's just a matter of knowing how far you can take it without going too far.

 

[slabghost]

Gl 1000 fender might look nice on it.

 

[brianinpa]

slabghost » Mon Oct 17, 2016 2:33 pm[/url]":3f8vog7c]
Gl 1000 fender might look nice on it.

A 1000 fender changes the look significantly.

The only problem I have, depending which tire I have on, it rubs at highway speeds.

 

[joedrum]

hmmm im pleased with the front fender on hooch now ....bought off ebay for a hmmmm cant remember now ....600 yamaha r1 im thinking ...fits nice and allows for very wide tire ....mounting fitting required .... :builder:

 

[chuck c]

brianinpa » Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:56 am[/url]":3lkla4wg]

chuck c » Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:07 am[/url]":3lkla4wg]

Steve83 » Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:47 am[/url]":3lkla4wg]
I also like the fenderless look, but the exposed radiator makes me nervous...

Yeah, that's my worry more than being rained on. That screen only stops bigger stuff, it's not going to protect it from fine gravel thrown into it by the tire. Maybe if I alter the shape of the fender. Make it slimmer. Cut it down a bit top and sides but leave the back. Hmm. I do have a spare I can mess with.

What is the condition of your spare? I have one that has a couple of extra holes drilled in it for an extension if you want it to cut up.