Honda’s new Gold Wing

[BMW]

Some of the GW community consider staying dry in the rain (sans rainsuit) and face protection (without a full face shield) from flying rocks to be important design features.

Not sure the new design will keep you completely dry but there will probably be larger aftermarket windshields available.

And the 2018 screen can be raised so that most can look through rather than over it and be protected from flying stones.

[cesarb]

Originally Posted by jargon

Was that Cross Country or Montgomeryville?

I think I can guess...

When he new Diavel first came out, I was denied a test ride on a quiet mid week day. They did not want miles put on it. This after buying multiple bikes from them!

[BMW]

Originally Posted by BMW

At walking speed, the front end was not as twitchy as the R12RT we demoed earlier in the month. That had the Telelever.

The GW was easier to balance standing still and at slow speeds.

OTOH, the RT would prob leave the GW far behind in the twisties.

[wellcraft]

Originally Posted by jargon

Was that Cross Country or Montgomeryville?

I think I can guess...

I've taken test rides on bikes at Cross Country and Montgomeryville without an issue. All manufacturers don't provide dealerships with demo bikes so I can understand their reluctance to offer demo rides since miles cause the bike to depreciate in value and there's no shortage of tire kickers who will take the bike on a test ride but have no intention of buying the bike. With that said I won't buy a bike without taking it on a test ride. I have to have some idea how the bike handles, accelerates, brakes, what the suspension feels like and the amount of wind blast. I was thinking of buying a S1000RR until I took it for a test ride and discovered the riding position to aggressive and the suspension to stiff. The bike was a 2016 with less than 1000 miles on the clock, all the bells and whistles and priced right at 13.5k. Great price but I would have hated to cough up that kind of coin only to discover I couldn't be comfortable riding it.

[jargon]

Most dealers, the first bike they receive is a program demo bike. The bike must be in program to be a demo. The bike is financed differently by the dealer from the manufacturer, then gets discounted for sale when it reaches a certain number of miles. Prices are specified in program. It’s just odd their first one wasn’t one of these.

[BMW]

Originally Posted by BMW

I had written Telelever but that is what the new K16B uses (and well done based on my recent half hour test ride).

And another correction...the K16B has Duolever.

[BMW]

https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-hond...-grand-america

2018 Honda Gold Wing Tour vs. BMW K1600B Grand America

Two bikes, 12 cylinders, 48 valves, 250 liters of luggage, and 1,000 miles

By Zack Courts & Ari Henning 10 hours ago

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Cycle World

The cockpit of the K1600B is stately and comfy. Yes, that was a beautiful dash in 2011 (and it still works well) but times have changed. Also, a speedo that goes to 170 mph is a little excessive on a bike that’s limited to 101 mph.

Lame.

[aa3jy]

“..limited to 101mph.”
That doesn’t make sense..especially on certain portions of Germany’s Autobahn or certain western US States..

[PittsDriverWes]

I've heard it's something to do with the quasi-cruiser configuration of the bike (floor boards hanging out in the wind, top case aerodynamics, etc). As baggers go, the last time I rode one from HD I couldn't make it go more than about 95 mph anyway. Still, it's a shame to neuter that beautiful engine like that.

I guess GTLs are still limited to 138 mph and I think the GT is limited to 155mph. I never quite got my GT to more than about 150mph but it was pulling pretty hard from 120 on up.

[BMW]

2018 BMW K1600B First Ride Review

Bavaria builds a better bagger

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...de-review.html

[BMW]

Originally Posted by PittsDriverWes

I never quite got my GT to more than about 150mph but it was pulling pretty hard from 120 on up.

Top speed on the K12RS requires staying in 5th.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by BMW

Top speed on the K12RS requires staying in 5th.

Or no wind resistance or some tailwind...

[R111S]

I test rode a new 6-speed (not automatic) Gold Wing at Niehaus Honda in Litchfield IL last Saturday afternoon.

Let me say if you love riding the Slab and for hundreds of miles at a time then GO FOR IT! It's very comfortable and you know Honda is a bonafide Engineering Company.

As a longtime Sport Touring Enthusiast (>320k miles now) and BMW K1300S Owner, I simply cannot get thrilled by riding behind a BARN DOOR bolted to a LAYZBOY Lounger on 2-wheels. You might as well get a nice Convertible Sports Car (Miata?) instead.

Lastly, the highway speed top gear roll-on power of the new Gold Wing is very weak compared to my K1300S. A couple downshifts would be necessary to overtake slower traffic on the Honda. OTOH, the K1300S has Sovereign Power that never, ever feels taxed.

[MattB]

Originally Posted by BMW

Top speed on the K12RS requires staying in 5th.

Unless you are talking beyond 158 mph, I say...

https://media1.tenor.com/images/1130...itemid=9112613

[Capt Howdy]

Originally Posted by Beech

I think they already have with the K1600B.....)

I agree. It sounds like Honda answered BMW