[Lincoln]

uggh

what a crock of ****!! A Goldwing as Motorcycle of the Year?! The Goldwing provides it's rider(driver) with the most de-sensitized riding experience in all of motorcycling! The thing is a truck and a boat, no matter how light they've made it, it still weighs 800 friggin pounds. Sure it's got a great motor - the dam* thing is bigger than half the car engines on the road so it better be. Plus it's priced out of the reach of most, not all, but most motorcyclists. I don't know, i think Motorcyclist Magazine is being very generous classifiying this monstrosity as a "motorcycle"

 

[RRocket]

Re: uggh

Clearly you've missed the point. Just because it's not your cup of tea, it doesn't mean it's not a fantastic motorcycle. Last I heard, Motorcycle of The Year went to the "most significant new motorcycle". In years past, some of the winners weren't the most comfortable, or proved to be the most reliable, but they were in fact a very significant introduction. The Goldwing is very important for more reasons than handling and outright performance.

 

[aminalmutha]

Re: Honda

Shouldn't it have won Automobile of the Year?

 

[seruzawa]

Re: uggh

You should see the new accessory package for the Gold Wing. For only $5,499 you get body work that completely encloses the driver and passenger. Windshield wipers and two extra whells for balance are included. It is called the Weather Insulated Multiton Platorm Tourer or W.I.M.P. Tourer for short.

 

[aminalmutha]

Re: uggh

Wouldn't that make it a Honda Civic?

 

[Quahaug]

Re: MOTY always makes someone cranky

I think if you asked most people who went out and bought a new motorcycle last year, they'd say that MOTY should be the one they selected.

The motorcycle industry has engineered an incredibly diverse variety of two-wheeled machines because motorcyclists are an incredibly diverse bunch of people. If the award goes to the GSX-R1000 simply because it's so fast, then you've got a HUGE sector of the riding public saying "Hey, that thing is uncomfortable, ugly, and should be confined to a track." If the editors pick a cruiser or a touring bike, the squids squawk. They pick an off-road bike, the street riders have a fit.

I would suggest to anyone inclined to dis the new Gold Wing simply because it is NOT the kind of bike that they ride go out and test ride one. I ride a CBR600F4i, but I had a chance to take a '01 Wing for a spin at a recent group ride, and I have to say I was totally impressed. No, it would not be my choice for my daily riding (commute to work on winding roads through wooded rural areas). But I'd pick it over my F4i if I wanted to spend more than a day on the road, and I wanted to take a passenger, and I wanted to take some clothes and camping gear. The handling is light and intuitive once you're past parking lot speeds, and you get past parking lot speeds in a serious hurry. The thing pulls like a train. This is not your father's Oldsmobile.

I surely agree with the Motorcyclist editors that Honda made a MAJOR gamble with this bike. By giving it a sharper edge, stiffer frame, better handling, more horses and a contemporary look, they have probably alienated a lot of the Gold Wing faithful (who, as they age, would probably have preferred something softer). But what Honda has managed to do with this bike is to prove that touring doesn't have to be for elderly, overweight retired couples in matching outfits with dozens of ride pins stuck in them. I personally can't afford a Gold Wing, but if I could, I'd buy one and take off for a couple weeks and discover America.

BTW, I'm 41, in great shape, and have ridden nothing but fast, unforgiving bikes my entire riding career (18 years). Seriously, if you don't take a test ride, there's no way for you to know what's special about this bike.

Besides, Nicky likes it.

 

[desertbilly]

Works for me

It's too big for me, but I think it's a stunning execution of it's mission. The bike is intended for two-up touring, and that's the context in which it should be evaluated.

I can't think of another bike that was more of an extension/achievement in it's class during the past year. Maybe next year it will be the VROD. Again, not my cup of tea, but a major innovation/accomplishment in the cruiser genre.

 

[10024]

Re: uggh

Don't get me wrong, I actually think the Gold Wing is an excellent motorcycle for what it's intended to be. But the Civic actually has a smaller engine and cost less even when you add the CD and the wood grain dash.

 

[LimeSqueezr]

With the trailers you see most of 'em pulling...

the GW should be in a comparo with Kenworth, Peterbilt & Freightliner for Tractor of the Year.

 

[LimeSqueezr]

Test ride?

I've never found any Honda dealer remotely interested in offering me a test ride on one of their appliances from Marysville. You buy it and then see if you like it. Yeah right. But I walk into a Ducati dealer and they practically manhandle me onto a five-figure Italian work of moto-art and tell me don't bring it back 'til I've had plenty of fun on it. IF Honda bribes enough magazines with their advertising budget they're sure to get enough good press people will buy them because, well, it's a Honda. I'll pass on the GW and other 2-wheeled Lexi of her ilk, thanks.

 

[aminalmutha]

Re: uggh

Yeah, probably closer to a Honda Accord.

 

[Nepenthe]

Re: Works for me

I totally agree with you. The GW, based on the sheer technology and innovation, should walk away with the award. And that's what I wrote to MC magazine in an email when they asked for opinions. I told them I thought the FZ1 was the best bike in their list, but that the GW clearly was the Motorcycle of the Year.

By the way, the list included the Futura, the Monster S4, the Bonneville, the Gixxer (1000), the FZ1, the VTX, the ZRX1200R, and the GW. The Futura, Bonnie, and Monster all have flaws that keep them from quite being strong enough entries for bike of the year. The ZRX, VTX, and Gixxer are great bikes (IMO) and yet are mere updates of the standard, cruiser, and sportbike genres. The FZ1 breaks a bit of new ground. But it's the GW which has pushed the state of the art to a new level and which has somewhat redefined the touring segment of the market.

 

[422]

Re: Test ride?

The dealer I went to wheeled an Illusion Red GL1800 right out of the showroom and let me take it for a test ride.

 

[zorc]

Re: Works for me (NOT)

the new GW is nothing special. BMW K 1200 LT had all this and more (since this year a fully integral ABS) for few years now, but it is stupid to expect anyone but honda to win in america.

hallo from europe!

 

[1163]

Re: Test ride?

My Wife, who also rides, and I both were offered test rides on the new GL1800 and told "it's got a 1/2 tank of gas so have fun!" I have purchased three bikes from my Honda dealer and that may have something to do with it.

After riding the new GW we both new it wasn't for us. She has decided, after finding out where the H-D demo fleet would be next, on the 2002 H-D FLTRI Road Glide. We had to go to Americade in Lake George, NY from Oklahoma City, OK for that test ride.

Build a relationship with a dealer. Most will allow test rides if they know you but if not look around for the manufacturers demo fleet.

TatdNPrcd

http://www.net-model.com/Portfolios/DisplayPortfolio.asp?UserID=1062

 

[1163]

Re: Test ride?

Forgot to mention that no one is mentioning the price of the new GL1800. Fully equipped over $22,500. We'll pay $17,800 for the Road Glide and the only thing it won't have that she'd like is a CD changer.

TatdNPrcd