I know which I would pick even if I didn't already own one (well, a GT) based based solely on the article.

 

Great article in my opinion

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Great read......very little bias seen in the article.
So, Honda finally caught up with the 2011 design K1600?.....sorry, just couldn't resist. :laugh:

Yet to test drive the new Wing due to weather here and dealers not yet allowing them.
Intend to give the DCT a ride and see what it's like.

Interesting HP/TQ curves.....sort of surprised Honda didn't have the engine put out some bigger numbers since the engine is supposed to be a complete redesign.

Happy with my K1600.......No intention of replacing any time soon.
It's a nice feeling to know your happy with your current ride and have no desire for anything else at this point! :tb

 

They didn't quite catch up. Still too heavy, tank is too small as are the cases.

I'm also surprised they didn't up the redline to get more HP. Then again, I suspect if you had a chart recording of the amount of time a touring bike engine spends below 4500 compared to above (even for the GTL) you would find that 90% of the engine revolutions occur at less than 4500 rpm. And the Wing engine is well optimized for the idle to 4500 range.

I think they tried to hit two targets simultaneously and ended up missing both. True long distance riders will not be happy with the range and cases and those at the sporty end of touring won't be happy spotting the a K1600 a bunch of horsepower. I think Honda couldn't decide if they wanted a luxury touring bike like the prior Wings or a sport touring bike like the K1600. In my opinion, they got neither.

 

Interesting that what Honda lost in torque above 5000RPM they won below 4000RPM, which really makes sense given the age and urgency of the average Goldwing rider. Honda made the new GL smaller than the old one, but really, could they actually have made it bigger? I think it was at the useful limits on the old design. (No slam at the old design, it worked very very well, it was just to vanilla for my desires)

 

If someone had never owned a 6 cylinder touring motorcycle and was looking to buy one it would be tough to decide. Probably the type of riding ie" sport touring vs touring would be the decision maker. I have to say the Goldwing is pretty sleek looking.


I've already done a day ride with my friend, who has a red 2018 Goldwing, and will be riding with him again tomorrow and on a long trip this summer and it sure is pretty to look at (in my rear view mirror >. ) I'm sure I will be able to do a trade off ride on one of these trips.

 

I had a look at one today.... The Goldwing looks like it’s been inbred with the ST1300, much more streamlined and aerodynamic. It’s nice, but it’s still a gold wing and I’m not old enough, frail enough, grey haired enough or slow enough to own one. They still come with a colour coded walking frame though.

 

I resemble those remarks - except for the "slow".

 

Sat on the new Goldwing at the USA MotoGP at COTA last weekend and really liked it.

If I rode two up I would buy the new 'wing, but as the love of my life will only ride for about an hour or so with me......

I'll stay with my 2015 K1600GTS! >

 

I just had a 2018 Goldwing Air Bag model and sold it for the GTL. It seems to have a lower center of gravity, and while not moving it's easy to flat foot and balance around. The BMW seems the opposite, until you are moving just a couple mph. Than the BMW seems to handle much better all the way around. Tight u turns and going down the road. The power nod of course to the BMW. The Honda I had, did have the DCT transmission where everything is fully automatic. Thought I would love it but than I just felt more disengaged.

Hondas Nav is huge and it has lots of information on display. Its ride was smooth, but I liked the BMWs ride a bit more. It felt more connected and it felt more predictable. BMWs front suspension is so figured out. The BMW has more storage and removable bags. I couldn't get my large Shoei full size helmet closed in the Wings top box and no way would it work in the side compartments. On the BMW it will work in the top box along with another small full size, and Both running Senas! And the large will fit in the side paniers.

I like how on the BMW that screws seem to be more of the route for taking things apart, rather than pop type plastic. I like Hondas Apple play as well as their audio and big screen readouts. Honda has a great design, but now I am a BMW guy. Hondas reverser seems much quieter and they have the creep forward gear as well. So I guess in the end, you just have to decide what you like.

 

That was a really good write up. Very fair assessment.
It is a great time to be a motorcycle consumer. Lots of great choices no matter your poison.
After taking a 2nd look at the new GW and spending about an hour poking around it on the show room floor, I ended up w/ the opportunity to demo ride a GW DTC last week. I have to admit I was really impressed w/ how well the DTC works. It does require a bit of a different riding technique and a bit of trust in the electronics suite used. Yes, it was really strange 1st taking off not having to use the clutch.
The dash is beautiful, period.
I “did not” get enough time on it to be able to firmly conclude anything other than it is a pretty darn nice ride.
My G/F and I decided we “could” make the lack of storage work, if I choose to go w/ it.
Now, the $25,000 question (it was marked down)... no, I’m still out as I stated in another post previously. Granted my GTL has given my bank account plenty of grief over the past year on maintenance / repairs and that has been the source of a lot of frustration. However, as it has been brought to my attention by my G/F and a couple of friends, considering what I ask of it, I can’t complain to loudly.
I’m staying w/ a ride that simply out-runs / out-handles any other available “touring” platform....and I’m 2 up...


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That was a really good write up. Very fair assessment.
It is a great time to be a motorcycle consumer. Lots of great choices no matter your poison.
After taking a 2nd look at the new GW and spending about an hour poking around it on the show room floor, I ended up w/ the opportunity to demo ride a GW DTC last week. I have to admit I was really impressed w/ how well the DTC works. It does require a bit of a different riding technique and a bit of trust in the electronics suite used. Yes, it was really strange 1st taking off not having to use the clutch.
The dash is beautiful, period.
I “did not” get enough time on it to be able to firmly conclude anything other than it is a pretty darn nice ride.
My G/F and I decided we “could” make the lack of storage work, if I choose to go w/ it.
Now, the $25,000 question (it was marked down)... no, I’m still out as I stated in another post previously. Granted my GTL has given my bank account plenty of grief over the past year on maintenance / repairs and that has been the source of a lot of frustration. However, as it has been brought to my attention by my G/F and a couple of friends, considering what I ask of it, I can’t complain to loudly.
I’m staying w/ a ride that simply out-runs / out-handles any other available “touring” platform....and I’m 2 up...


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Sorry took so long to get back. I am back on the K1600 forum again after selling my Rt1250. I just am just picking up on threads. Thank You.

 

Had my K1600B at the dealership this morning to have something checked out (more on that story to be posted in a few weeks). While there the dealership owner suggested I take the 2018 GW out for a spin (I did have a deposit on one before buying the BMW). Due to a time constraint, I couldn't. But I may be able to borrow one for at least 3-4 days in a few weeks, while something gets sorted out on the B.

After riding the B for a while, the GW definitely seems narrower while sitting on it. The instrument cluster and that large TFT map screen appears closer to the rider. It does feel lighter rocking side to side while sitting there, compared to the BMW. I don't want the trunk/topcase (which can be removed) but that's a no-go as I can't fit a helmet in the side bags. Not even close. I have to park the bike in the City and once a fine young individual relieved himself in the helmet. So no more locking the helmet exposed on the bike.

The 5.5 gallon fuel tank is also an issue but I guess I could live with it. Honda has definitely done a good job of reducing the porky image of the older goldwings. As Donna stated I don't want to think I'm old enough to own one (which I am but remain in a state of denial).

 

Had my K1600B at the dealership this morning to have something checked out (more on that story to be posted in a few weeks). While there the dealership owner suggested I take the 2018 GW out for a spin (I did have a deposit on one before buying the BMW). Due to a time constraint, I couldn't. But I may be able to borrow one for at least 3-4 days in a few weeks, while something gets sorted out on the B.

After riding the B for a while, the GW definitely seems narrower while sitting on it. The instrument cluster and that large TFT map screen appears closer to the rider. It does feel lighter rocking side to side while sitting there, compared to the BMW. I don't want the trunk/topcase (which can be removed) but that's a no-go as I can't fit a helmet in the side bags. Not even close. I have to park the bike in the City and once a fine young individual received himself in the helmet. So no more locking the helmet exposed on the bike.

The 5.5 gallon fuel tank is also an issue but I guess I could live with it. Honda has definitely done a good job of reducing the porky image of the older goldwings. As Donna stated I don't want to think I'm old enough to own one (which I am but remain in a state of denial).

How do you know the person who "received" themselves in your helmet was young? Or for that matter male? If your helmet was hung low enough, a female may have seen a perfect chamber pot, with a padded seat no less!

 

Yes I felt it was a well written article that really did not favor one bike over the other. I am not sure I agreed with the statement regarding the twitchy handling of the K1600, but other than that it was good for a change. I recently went to a local Honda dealer to look at the new Wing and I must say when I first laid eyes on the bike it was pretty appealing in red. Didn't care for the other colors. I sat on it, but couldn't ride it due to our lousy weather at the time, but after I got on the Wing I noticed it just didn't seem "right" to me. I can't put my finger on why it didn't feel good, but I wasn't won over by it. I really wanted to test ride a DCT Wing due to a inconvenient medical issue that I have, but I just couldn't bring my self to go back later for a test ride especially after I took my 2015 GTL out for a while. I felt at "home" on the GTL.

So after a couple of weeks I pop into my local BMW dealer and nose around specifically to take another look at a black GT that they have and the sales guy asks if I want to take it out for another ride. I said yes, but what I really wanted to do was a back to back comparison of the 2018 GT to the 2018 GTL. As a point of information I really haven't fallen in love with the current colors for the GTL and I wish they had Storm Black Metallic as an option, but alas they don't. So my next choice was Thunder Grey Metallic. I was very lucky that it was a slow day at the Beemer dealer and they allowed me to take back to back rides on the two bikes. My first ride was on the bike I really, REALLY wanted to fall head over heels in love with and that was the black GT. I went out for my 45 minute or so ride and found no real fault with the bike and when finished with test ride #1 I almost immediately hopped on the GTL for test ride #2 in which I followed the same exact route I rode on the GT.

When I returned to the dealership and parked the GTL next to the GT I looked at the two bikes side by side and did some mental comparisons between them. As I said my heart was with the GT as it is a gorgeous looking bike with the black wheels and all and some of the little nice things on it to add some flash, but for me the biggest selling point was the ride quality. The GTL flat out gave ME a much better ride than the GT did. The majority of our roads flat out suck in the Milwaukee area and the GTL just ate up those rough roads where the GT was harsher on them even with the suspension set on the softest riding mode. Remember that I said for 'ME" the GTL was better. To some of you guys that pay no heed to rough roads and just take them in stride that's okay, it's your choice, but to me it's a big deal. Yes I know the GT is faster, but truth-be-told both bikes get up and go darn near identically. And at my age I need to go 146 mph like I need a double rectum. I doubt I will ever see top speed on a GTL anymore let alone a GT. I own a Holden built Chevrolet SS that I sometimes regret buying just because the thing is so quick there is no where to really play with it short of at a track day event.

So this coming Monday I pickup a new 2018 GTL (#4) to follow in line with my 2012, the 2013 and now the 2015. I am somewhat amazed that each time I make a change to a new K1600 I find so many things that have been changed on the bike by BMW for the better. The Shift Assist Pro is perfection in design and is a huge asset for me. I absolutely love it and I find it makes a great bike way better. As much fun as you may think you are having on a K1600 without Shift Assist that is minimal compared to once you have it. My new 2018 has the Reverse Assist, but that wasn't a deal breaker for me, but of course I said the same thing about the Hill Hold feature on my 2015 and I used that item a lot when I became familiar with it. So who knows, may be I will really like the Reverse Assist too later on. Now for a Power Center Stand........

Rick H.

 

Yes I felt it was a well written article that really did not favor one bike over the other. I am not sure I agreed with the statement regarding the twitchy handling of the K1600, but other than that it was good for a change. I recently went to a local Honda dealer to look at the new Wing and I must say when I first laid eyes on the bike it was pretty appealing in red. Didn't care for the other colors. I sat on it, but couldn't ride it due to our lousy weather at the time, but after I got on the Wing I noticed it just didn't seem "right" to me. I can't put my finger on why it didn't feel good, but I wasn't won over by it. I really wanted to test ride a DCT Wing due to a inconvenient medical issue that I have, but I just couldn't bring my self to go back later for a test ride especially after I took my 2015 GTL out for a while. I felt at "home" on the GTL.

So after a couple of weeks I pop into my local BMW dealer and nose around specifically to take another look at a black GT that they have and the sales guy asks if I want to take it out for another ride. I said yes, but what I really wanted to do was a back to back comparison of the 2018 GT to the 2018 GTL. As a point of information I really haven't fallen in love with the current colors for the GTL and I wish they had Storm Black Metallic as an option, but alas they don't. So my next choice was Thunder Grey Metallic. I was very lucky that it was a slow day at the Beemer dealer and they allowed me to take back to back rides on the two bikes. My first ride was on the bike I really, REALLY wanted to fall head over heels in love with and that was the black GT. I went out for my 45 minute or so ride and found no real fault with the bike and when finished with test ride #1 I almost immediately hopped on the GTL for test ride #2 in which I followed the same exact route I rode on the GT.

When I returned to the dealership and parked the GTL next to the GT I looked at the two bikes side by side and did some mental comparisons between them. As I said my heart was with the GT as it is a gorgeous looking bike with the black wheels and all and some of the little nice things on it to add some flash, but for me the biggest selling point was the ride quality. The GTL flat out gave ME a much better ride than the GT did. The majority of our roads flat out suck in the Milwaukee area and the GTL just ate up those rough roads where the GT was harsher on them even with the suspension set on the softest riding mode. Remember that I said for 'ME" the GTL was better. To some of you guys that pay no heed to rough roads and just take them in stride that's okay, it's your choice, but to me it's a big deal. Yes I know the GT is faster, but truth-be-told both bikes get up and go darn near identically. And at my age I need to go 146 mph like I need a double rectum. I doubt I will ever see top speed on a GTL anymore let alone a GT. I own a Holden built Chevrolet SS that I sometimes regret buying just because the thing is so quick there is no where to really play with it short of at a track day event.

So this coming Monday I pickup a new 2018 GTL (#4) to follow in line with my 2012, the 2013 and now the 2015. I am somewhat amazed that each time I make a change to a new K1600 I find so many things that have been changed on the bike by BMW for the better. The Shift Assist Pro is perfection in design and is a huge asset for me. I absolutely love it and I find it makes a great bike way better. As much fun as you may think you are having on a K1600 without Shift Assist that is minimal compared to once you have it. My new 2018 has the Reverse Assist, but that wasn't a deal breaker for me, but of course I said the same thing about the Hill Hold feature on my 2015 and I used that item a lot when I became familiar with it. So who knows, may be I will really like the Reverse Assist too later on. Now for a Power Center Stand........

Rick H.

Congrats!
Enjoy your new ride and please be safe. :tb

 

I really like the Goldwing and was considering adding one to the stable in addition to my GT. I've been doing tons of reading and research and rode one.

I believe, soon, Honda will have to address the front end. I had read about the issue but didn't give it much of a thought. In my mind I thought is was one person's opinion not backed with much proof, until:

Edit: Not sure if I first saw this vid here, another forum, or online somewhere else.

 

I really like the Goldwing and was considering adding one to the stable in addition to my GT. I've been doing tons of reading and research and rode one.

I believe, soon, Honda will have to address the front end. I had read about the issue but didn't give it much of a thought. In my mind I thought is was one person's opinion not backed with much proof, until:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTpskmEWSVQ


Edit: Not sure if I first saw this vid here, another forum, or online somewhere else.

Gives you something to think about I guess, but was that a design intention or accident.

Rick H.

 

I too saw that video and all of Max's other videos about the Goldwing. With the elastomeric bumper installed (taking up 39mm of travel), the the shock is limited from it's full 58mm of travel to just 19mm (33%), before the bumper is engaged. With the GW upright with no rider, there's only approx 6mm of travel before the bumper is engaged. The 'rider' he uses in the video is not the typical GW rider; he would need to gain about 40-60lbs.

The 2006 GW I had needed a lot of $$$ to upgrade the suspension to something acceptable. It's one of the reasons I went back to the BMW marque. It was disappointing to see this video, especially the apparent carving out of a donut from the top of the bumper (see 4:00 of the video). Clearly the bumper is designed to be a more active part of the suspension, as opposed to being a 'normal' travel limiter with progressive force to prevent a hard bottoming out of the shock.

Since I'm at the 6' 3" 200 lb mark (thanks Max for picking a perfect test rider) I would have to get the GW resprung to make it acceptable.

Now I'm seriously hoping I can get to borrow a GW for a week, to make a good comparison between the bikes.

 

Max is very knowledgeable. I had one of their Traxion suspensions on my 2016 wing and it was night and day difference. If I was keeping the 2018, I was probably going to have it done on it as well.

The other good videos he has is on the steering linkage up top. Very informative!

 

I gotta say, coming back to the K1600 with the separate Nav 6, it is growing on me. Yesterday, instead of using the iPhone Google maps, I used the Nav 6 to get to the dealership and had Waze running on the iPhone. Worked very well and Waze gave ample warning of the LEO hiding behind a sign with a laser.

The Goldwing is hobbled by the Apple Car Play implementation, where you cannot use the features of the iPhone on the main screen, while running an app like Waze. I was so looking forward to the Apple Car Play on the Goldwing and even brought my own cable to the New York Motorcycle show in December, to try it out. I was very disappointed with the implementation and the base Navigation system (needed for Android phone customers). I'm sure some Goldwing owners will thing the implementation is actually pretty good; I was expecting more from Honda.

 

So okay, here's an update on my 2018 GTL. Went to the dealership this morning to pick it up. Asked my salesman if it was all set and he said yes except for one item I wanted switched from my old GTL to the new one. I decided to just bring it back because it is an absolutely beautiful day here in Beer City. Anyway, the salesman goes in the shop to get the bike and I can hear a K1600 running, but it sounds terrible like it isn't getting fuel. The salesman walks back to me and says they have a little problem which turns out to be a defective fuel pump. Soooo, I didn't even get on my bike and it's already kaput! As it turns out they didn't have a fuel pump so one had to overnighted and hopefully I will receive my new GTL tomorrow. To the dealers credit they did give me a loaner 1200GS to take home so I wouldn't have to Uber it. Talk about a fish out of water on a GS! I needed a step stool to get on the thing!

All good things come to those that wait I guess.

Rick H.

 

Two different bikes for two different styles of touring. I see NO place to attach a tank bag on the Honda. I also don't think I'd like spending time with the rotary dial placed low in front of me. I like the "wonder wheel."

I also don't know how they were to average a paltry 39.5 mpg on the K-Bike. On my last extended ride from home to MN and along the Great River Road to NOLA and back home, I averaged 44 mpg. That's with a large duffel across the rear portion of the seat and zipping along the freeway at mostly 75-80 mph.

 

Two different bikes for two different styles of touring. I see NO place to attach a tank bag on the Honda. I also don't think I'd like spending time with the rotary dial placed low in front of me. I like the "wonder wheel.

The rotary dial does not work while moving so you won't be spending much time with it. Only the handlebar controls work while moving.

 

Yeah, I have always averaged about 42 mpg (no passenger) on two prior GTLs and my B, regardless of heavy loaded bike or not.

 

Test rode the new Gold Wing and it was affirmation enough for me that I am not a Gold Wing person.

Steering was very slow and heavy compared to the K16.
Not enough ground clearance.
Bags were disappointing.
Engine was smooth and had nice torque, but lacked the excitement the K16 engine provides.

Too much of a compromise for me.

 

I am not either. I tried to be fair in my write up. But I honestly feel the front end is under sprung and lacking for me personally.

 

I can tell you that they are 2 totally different types of bikes but with many similarities.

Sold my 2016 GT because I was sick of the driveline lash, the heavy clunking into all 6 gears at any RPM and the thrashing of obnoxious drivetrain clatter and noise it developed after about 6 thousand miles or so. As I stated in another post, I absolutely fell in love with that bike. The performance, handling, feel and fun factor was everything I dreamed it would be and more. I saved and waited to buy one and loved them since they came out for 2012 here in the U.S. But in the end, these issues started to ruin the overall experience for me. Tried to live with them for awhile. Been riding for 36 years. It just made me sad, putting up with these characteristics that FOR ME, I could no longer justify.

So now I was at a bit of a crossroads. Been the sport bike and hyper bike route in my youth. Tried the sport touring thing with my Aprilia Futura and later Concours 14. Then totally threw a wrench in it and tried the bagger lifestyle on a budget, riding a Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero for awhile. When it came time to finally jump into a K1600GT, I felt I had experienced just about every type of bike for the pavement, sans an adventure bike (too short for those). So where would I go from here? What bike would give me something from all of the styles I enjoyed in the past? Not a Harley guy. Was digging some of the new Indians but never felt totally happy with a big V-Twin. Just not into the vibration and felt they were overpriced. Was digging the new Triumph Rocket 3 but I knew that the lack of fairing & windscreen would wear me out. I thought that the new 2018+ Wing looked pretty cool; a lot less like a Grandpa bike and somewhat modern and sleek with all of the new angular lines in the body work. And I knew the engine was bulletproof. Figured, what the heck. Go check it out and get in a few test rides.

Well it simply won me over. Power like my Connie or K bike? Well no but it sure does have tons of ba**s when in sport mode. So much torque right from idle and pulls like a freight train. More than enough to keep me happy and still concerned about protecting my license. Handling. Turns in a little slower but not much. Noticed when tire pressure is correct its pretty darn good. Not lightning quick but it belies it's size, weight and length dramatically. I'm so comfortable with it now that I find myself riding it very aggressively in the twistys. I get it down there, with no chicken scratch on the tires to be found and I have yet to scrape so it's not as low as you think. The radio, XM, Car Play, Android Auto and NAV setup is light years ahead of the K bike. The dash looks similar to an Accord but to me that is what makes it great. Plenty of real estate to show you everything at once. No need to scroll through stuff just to see the radio station, or tire pressure, or similar stuff. It's always on screen in it's own dedicated place. It's got every feature imaginable and for me that matters. I tend to ride longer and it beats my old K bike hands down in that department.

It's a different kind of experience. You sit completely upright so by default it's very comfortable. There is enough spirited power and handling for almost everyone except die-hard Busa and ZX14 fans in my opinion. It's not a bike you can decide on with a short ride. You gotta ride it for some time and understand the different ergonomics due to riding position and angle. You sit more forward on the bike than the K or any other bike to be honest. So that changes the feel and finesse in the turns. You need time with it to gain understanding and confidence to appreciate what it has to offer. Sure, storage capacity is down but for me. I went from a GT to a Tour so I now have a top case. And if not enough space for multi day trips the optional luggage rack will make up for it.

Just wanted to say it's a fun and cool bike. It's just different. For me it gives me plenty of power, handling, comfort in spades, refinement and technology to make me happy without the compromises I was experiencing with my GT. Don't automatically think less of it. It's nothing like the old Wing. Some say it should be called the ST1800 in reference to the old Honda ST1300 sport tourer. It's quite a blast to ride and own.

 

And don't put too much into that alleged soft front end. The Tour comes with electronically adjustable suspension and I find the Rider + Luggage setting to be best. I never feel any "bottoming out". Remember that Max is in the business of selling suspension products. I trust him in general but never lose site of the fact that he is in business to sell you replacement suspension components. Anything he says about the Wing OEM suspension needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

For me, they still don't have the front end of the K, for me anyways. I am 260 and even when I had things set, it would dive much more. Now that is for me. Other riders are lighter etc. I didn't do an after market suspension on the new one I had. But I did on the prior one and it helped a little but not like I thought it would.


Never dealt with Max, on my prior generation Wing it was from somewhere else. To me it was much softer up front than any K bike I had. No matter what setting I used. I did get some bottom out a couple of times on it. I am glad you like your bike, it is a good bike and has many nice features. I am actually on a GA now and love it. The great thing about all these bike brands. They are in competition against each other and they push each other to get better and better. Each bike brand has something that appeals to one person more so than the other. And vice versa. So there is no right decision. Unless in the right mind of the person who bought it. Go to Cruiseman's Garage on U tube. He rides them, is a Goldwing guy, and has lots of great info.

 

@pcaddict66 I mostly agree with your Wing assessment, but there are differences all the same. I recently rode about 50 miles of the Devil's Hwy in Arizona neck-and-neck with a 2018 Goldwing. It's a magnificent stretch of curves, sweeps, straights and hairpins that will test the capabilities of any bike. We were both pushing pretty hard -- for the most part, neither one of us was pulling away from the other. The differences came in the extremes. There are downhill sloped hairpins where he scraped and my GTL didn't. And the K16 tops out way beyond the 110mph limit of the GW. He didn't even try to keep up when I fully opened the throttle. Still, I came away thinking that the new GW could be an option if the K16 were ever to go away. I definitely found respect for it.

 

Yes. The K definitely has a bit more ground clearance and the Wing will scrape before the K does. Wonder if he had it in sport mode and was manually shifting (if a DCT model). Sport mode totally changes the dynamics. It's like Popeye eating spinach. Way more extreme difference than the default tour mode. The 110 limit is due to a governer in the computer. Honda put a limit on it. If you have it reprogrammed with one of the 3rd party companies it removes the limit. And there is really no need for it. The bike is solid and stationary at high speeds. I'm in my mid fifties and have no interest in taking any motorcycle over 100 on any public roads. Too many bad drivers and anything could go wrong resulting in a possible quick and untimely death. Those shenanigans left my phychie many years ago. Plus I value my license and low insurance rates.

 

No DCT option on his GW. He wanted no part of that feature. It was manual all the way.

I agree with you on the insanity of completely letting loose on public roads. I’m 65, and have no business going there. And I don’t 99% of the time. BUT 😊 there are some great isolated roads in the western US where you can see forever and LEOs are too far from civilization to bother. When the opportunity presents itself, sometimes you go for it. The Big 6 is amazing in the 125+ mph range. Complete stability and the engine sings. Without the limiter, the GW may in fact be just fine. But personally, I’d never take a bike beyond what the manufacturer limits it to. From my perspective, they know something I don’t.

I’m glad you found happiness with the GW. That’s all that matters. Enjoy.

 

18 months ago I sold my ‘18 GT for an ‘18 Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag. Added Traxxion suspension, Russell seat, Denali lights, pegs, etc. it’s a wonderful bike is many ways— DCT is amazing! It’s gone now and I’m back with a new GT. I just missed the power, torque and handling. The Wing doesn’t “leap” out of corners like my GT.