Goldwing 1500/1800

[Nicholai]

wah somebody getting married.. wanna be gold wingers..

 

yr long leg wont hit anything meh??

 

Haha!! Hopefully not, man. Besides, the bike is like a mini-car I'm sure it is very generous with the leg space.

[deanz4]

so book yr goldwing?? 1800 huh ?? how much on the road??

[Nicholai]

so book yr goldwing?? 1800 huh ?? how much on the road??

 

Not yet. Last time I checked was about $42k before the depreciation of the greenbacks. No idea about now. Will update you. Interested in getting one ?

[deanz4]

maybe ... but not now.. not yet have enough of going 280km/hr yet.

 

so have u test yr machine max??

[kenshi1777]

how heavy is goldwing? Is it very hard to handle??

[deanz4]

its heavy when stationary but when move at NSH its great

[Nicholai]

maybe ... but not now.. not yet have enough of going 280km/hr yet.

 

so have u test yr machine max??

 

Haha...not yet. Will do when the situation allows me to .

 

how heavy is goldwing? Is it very hard to handle??

 

The dry weight is about 330kg. Handling wise is great especially when you're already accustomed to bike's features and dynamics.

 

its heavy when stationary but when move at NSH its great

 

The ultimate touring machine !!

[kenshi1777]

how long to you guys get to familiarised the goldwing? At least confident when doing a U-TURN at small road

[deanz4]

until u fall once...hahahhaa

[kenshi1777]

no man.. If fall sure heavy reapairs..., If stuck halfway when U-Turn, dunno whether can support or not?

[Nicholai]

how long to you guys get to familiarised the goldwing? At least confident when doing a U-TURN at small road

 

Similar to any bikes that you've rode. Only bigger .

[skidrow]

From a GoldWing owner's point of view, I suppose riding a GoldWing is like riding a big bike like the ST11, Hayabusa, VMax, Blackbird etc.

 

Riding big bikes require using the power of the bike and technique to control, unlike smaller bikes where you can manhandle it to do your bidding. Once you get used to the response, the powerband, it's actually quite effortless.

 

I bought my GoldWing in August, spent 2 hours riding around to get the feel, did a couple of U-Turns, 3-Point-Turns, practised the reverse and going up and down slopes. It was quite ok.

 

Bear in mind I am only 1.64m, and 70kg, so height and weight (so I realized now) doesn't matter. It's a bit of technique and "guts" to make the bike do what you want.

 

I'm riding a GL1500, so the dry weight is about 370kg. If you tilt is at an angle stationary, the weight is terrible of course...but since when will you do that??

 

If any of you guys are interested to know more about the GoldWing community, you can try their newly launched website at http://www.gws-sg.com. They have a link to their forum (you can register and read the threads too). We are a very friendly and humble group and welcome anyone to our gatherings and rides.

 

You may probably have to see and feel the bike yourself to appreciate it (same for bikes in general), so come on down and look for us. We'll be at the upcoming National Bikers Weekend too, so feel free to ask everything that you want.

 

Buying a brand new GoldWing is relatively straightforward, as the condition is new. But buying a 2nd hand will do you good to check with the group, as they have some knowledge of the background of the history of the particular bike, and will advise you to watch out for any significant issues towards inspecting a bike condition. GoldWing parts are actually not expensive, but the labour required to repair is very expensive, and mechanics shudder at the thought of taking it apart. So not many mechanics will venture on this too. So the group can recommend you what to do, where to go and how to do it. I do a lot of DIY myself, with the intention of making it unique and also reduce my costs.

 

So, there... have fun!

 

Skid Row

[kenshi1777]

worried is when u-turn half way and some come rushing out from filter lane and you need to brake. The weight and tilted halfway is unbearable to support..

[skidrow]

I can understand where you are coming from. Controlling the bike is essential to safety for any occasion.

 

In my case, when I do a U-Turn, before I start, I will move more to the left of the lane, so when I U-Turn, I should not cross the 2nd Lane in a 3 lane carriageway. That should be relatively safe.

 

Anyway, the bike should be already straight when we complete the U-Turn before the filter lane joins the main road.

 

If however, in any case, all scenarios are unfavourable to us when we U-Turn, upon breaking, I would take advantage of the force to jerk the bike up, carefully maintaining that I don't overdo it and fall the other side.

 

It seems very technical and complex when I describe it, but when you get used to the bike and also practice, you will actually be able to handle it quite well.

 

Cheers

 

Skid Row

[kenshi1777]

2b and 2a bike not a probs, goldwing might be different i afraid

[Nicholai]

Had the privilege to ride on a friend's 2007 GL1800 yesterday and here are my comments:

 

1. It ain't that tough to get the bike off the mainstand but you'll need to have proper positioning and, of course, the side stand down for standby (getting the bike off the main stand while sitting on it is not recommended as the main stand will violently move up hitting the bike frame which will cause your/the owner's heart to break ).

 

2. The comfort was immediately realised as soon as I sat on the bike even before moving off!

 

3. The engine was freakingly smooth when I started the ignition (a signature of the Honda touring bike engine as I've been told).

 

4. Moving off was like any other big bike with no jerks at all.

 

5. The weight of the bike was literally unnoticeable during the ride.

 

6. The accelaration of the bike was superb with just a little (very little) twist of the throttle similar to any high end sportsbikes.

 

7. Having ridden a Hayabusa as my primary ride, I was not used to the "loose feeling" of the handlebar when making a turn (plus the burden of not making this huge bike, which does not belong to me, fall). Do note that this test ride was done in the common HDB parking area where space for manuevering is limited. Just need to get used to it when I get my own .

 

8. Stopping wasn't any different than other bikes. The brakes overexceed their requirements.

 

9. I realized that I could reverse the bike without engaging the reverse gear which made me even more confident of myself controlling it (I did not feel the weight of the bike while doing this).

 

10. Getting the bike on the main stand is similar to other bikes with main stands. Not tough at all!

 

My personal verdict: I'll say that this bike is not as difficult to handle as it's often thought so and, the comfort, power and convenience proved that it is the most comfortable and complete tourer available in the market. Can't wait to own one!!

[skidrow]

Hee hee hee....shiok ah? ;P

 

The GL1800 is a slimmer version compared to the GL1500, which looks bulkier. Also at approximately 20kg lighter in weight, it perhaps is a more maneuverable bike compared to the GL1500.

 

With more updated technologies, the GL1800 is definitely better.

 

With a few more additions like a fork brace, riding can be much more confident, and with the cruise control, I can light up my cigarrete while riding on the expressway!

 

The only consideration you probably have to take is when jams occur, you would have to follow the line (to a certain extent, I still weave my way through!) and parking...other than that, you'll surely enjoy the ride!

 

Let me know when you own one, would be most happy to check it out with you, and intro you to the group

 

Cheers

 

SkidRow

[Nicholai]

Hee hee hee....shiok ah? ;P

 

The GL1800 is a slimmer version compared to the GL1500, which looks bulkier. Also at approximately 20kg lighter in weight, it perhaps is a more maneuverable bike compared to the GL1500.

 

With more updated technologies, the GL1800 is definitely better.

 

With a few more additions like a fork brace, riding can be much more confident, and with the cruise control, I can light up my cigarrete while riding on the expressway!

 

The only consideration you probably have to take is when jams occur, you would have to follow the line (to a certain extent, I still weave my way through!) and parking...other than that, you'll surely enjoy the ride!

 

Let me know when you own one, would be most happy to check it out with you, and intro you to the group

 

Cheers

 

SkidRow

 

It was quite an experience! Sure thing, you'll be one of the first few to be updated when I get one . Appreciate the offer, man.

[cougar]

an admirable bike, i did get one if they design the next generation using piaggio's tri-wheel concept, that will make me start drooling.

[skidrow]

Hi dudes,

 

I don't think we will ever see an official 3 wheeler version of the Goldwing. However, in the States and Malaysia, there are "trike" versions (single front wheel, 2 car wheels behind) of the Goldwings, and there are also modfied "landing gear" versions of the Goldwings, where by 2 smaller wheels will fold up at the side of the bike, beside the saddlebags. Upon a push of a button, the wheels come down, and push the button again, the wheels go up (I believe it's hydraulic controlled).

 

There's a sensor also to detect if the wheels are down, and the bike is moving faster than 15km/hr, the wheels will automatically rise.

 

There's none of these in Singapore, but there's one or 2 of us exploring the possibility of manufacturing the landing gear and trying out. It's just a thought for now.

 

 

And for those interested, the Goldwingers Singapore will be doing a ride through together with some floats as part of the Christmas celebrations with STPB at Serangoon on 20th December. You may like to go check it out, and feel free to look for anyone of us and get up close with the bikes too I bet you will know which bike is mine

 

Cheers!

 

Skid Row

[Andre]

Hi there, this thread is very quiet, no goldwing rider in SBF??

[Nicholai]

Not many Goldwingers in Singapore itself let it be here. Haha! You ride a Goldwing?