Oh god, am I getting old?

yes you are and old fart accept it and go riding.....what about a used st?

 

hi,
why not a "Moto Guzzi - California Vintage" ? It is enough useful and confortable but is always a motorcycle....Goldwing is rather a "2 wheel car", I think.
Try this link (in english) and let your wife see it.
Moto Guzzi
Ciao and Lamps !!!
Carmine

 

Rule #1. FTW

Rule #2. All other inquiries refer to rule #1

Buy what you like, and take momma riding

You may even get a happy ending after the ride.

 

y it is lighter, but it doesnt have the cappuchinno maker like the gold wing...... and yeah there aint nothin wrong with a goldwing........ghost is being a poophead............

 

Required apparel and accessories for riding a Gold Wing in classic style:

1) Plaid Bermuda shorts, and Hawaiian shirt worn partially unbuttoned to expose chest hair and gold neck bling;

2) White loafers, well worn and scuffed (brass buckles optional);

3) Black or brown sheer silk, knee-high socks (elastic leg garters optional, but adds a certain panache, especially when legs are pale white, bony, and hairy);

4) Thin gold watch with alligator band; gold medical ID bracelet; gold pinky ring(s); gold Freemason ring;

5) Prescription eyewear with clip-on sun shades (Optional: Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses);

6) Neck kerchief, loosely tied, preferably a dark or bright color with polka dots;

7) Cologne/aftershave/stick deodorant: Preferably Old Spice, although Brute, Aramis, and Aqua Velva are acceptable alternatives;

8) Open-face helmet with sun visor, in-helmet speakers and microphone boom;

9) CB radio with dual antenna whips;

10) Fingerless riding gloves;

11) Onboard ashtray, lighter, and drink holders;

12) Yosemiti Sam "Back Off!" mudflaps;

13) Most popular decals: AAA; Golden Buckeye (Ohio riders); AARP; AMA; FVW; Shriners; Freemasons;

14) Most popular flags (usually affixed to CB whip antennas, often varies somewhat according to geographic region): American flag; Confederate flag; POW-MIA flag; "Don't Tread on Me" flag. (Some obvious overlap here with Harley riders).

OK, all of this silliness is in good fun. Just thought I'd a little more humor to this thread! No offense intended. :wink:

 

Great riding skills! It shows how much of the performance is based on the rider's skill, not necessarily the bike. Sure, some bike are easier to ride aggressively but this video shows how a touring bike like a Goldwing can negotiate the twisties in the right hands. Love the video!

 

What about a Honda ST1300? Sort of between the VFR and the Wing.

 

I guess I am spoiled, being sans wife, but why not keep the VFR AND get the Wing? Ok, money is one reason but not necessarily a show stopper. I can see the appeal of a GW. As was said previously, it is kinda like a 2 wheel car, but a car that is open (sorta) and more fun to ride/drive. I have seen one couple on a poker run. Each had a Gold wing and each carried a kid on back. The kids slept between stops, it is apparently that comfortable. While the standard attire listed above isn't required, at least it doesn't require a chain drive wallet and black sleeveless t-shirt like a Harley. One of the MSF instructors here uses his wing to show people that the exercises are not that hard as he maneuvers it around more like a trials bike. Maybe someday if I can find a woman to put up with me, I will get one. Hell, go all out and even get a trailer to pull behind. Hon, can you make my next capo with a bit more vanilla?

 

I think there's been a little straying from the facts here gents.

I've got an 85 vf750f ( the VFR series' grand daddy).

I won't be selling it.

The wife is adamant about floors boards (no pegs), back rest and arm rests. She also wants to be able to stick her drink into a cupholder, lean back and enjoy the scenery.

I can't think of anything besides a 'wing that fits that description. Well, maybe and older Yamaha Venture royal or Suzuk Cavalcade. Harley's are just out of the question, I'm not made of money after all....

I won't be trading the wife, I just "traded in" 5 years ago and the "new one is ten years younger, 130 lbs, blonde hair and blue eyes. She also does not want her own bike. Been there done that she says. Just for reference, her last bike was an R6 and she had a GSXR track bike that she raced as well. She's done with piloting and only wants to ride.

I'm also not adverse to the thought of buying a wing and slowing down a bit. I'm 43, a flight engineer is Search and Rescue and my back, knees, elbows , wrists, and neck are pretty shot so I'm thinking some comfort might be a welcome change.

Intercomm doesn't bother me, but those patch wearing, fossil populated, 'wing clubs are definitely not in my future. Not my style, never has been.

The "am I getting old" comment was kind of tongue in cheek because the thought of a 'wing is actually kind of appealing right now.

That pair of 'wings hustling the Gap is probably one of the most awesome youtubes I've seen in a while. Those boys were hauling for the type of bike!

 

Given your requirements, I think you're right, GWing (or comparable) is likely the only choice; or a Miata/S2000 or something like that.

 

That person filming was seriously scraping something on the twists.

 

Dude it sounds like you have it figured out. Living the dream as it were. If there were one other bike I would consider aside from a Gold Wing it would be a BMW. Back when the wing was a baby, I rode an R100RT. Granted I have not ridden either one as they are currently, but that BMW was the sweetest ride ever. Didnt even have to crank the stereo up loud to hear it. Smoothest ride on a bike I have ever had. quiet motor, quiet wind, and plush long travel suspension. And with the price of Honda now, they are probably pretty comparable.

As for old, 43 is a kid, brother. I dont believe that wanting a great tool for the job is a bad idea. I would probably prefer an E class over a Lotus Elise for cross country travel too, if i could afford either one. You only have to 'slow down' when you want and when you dont, get on the VF. Have you (or anyone here) checked out a new BMW? I will have to go look now. Dang how old must I be when my VStar is too much of the cruiser at times.

 

whoa, 43, time for the pasture

Maybe get it triked out, too.

 

I second the ST1300 or better yet and not as heavy as the GW would be a BMW K1200 RS or RT touring bikes. I think the BMW would give her what she wants and you have a lighter bike than the ST or GW and still maintain some finesse with it. The K bikes have a better feel (IMO) than the R's. Plus you don't burn your shins in hot weather.

Either bike you can put a sidecar on with a bubble top so her hair doesn't get messed up or get a fly in her drink. Gotta keep'em happy.

 

the guy i bought my vfr from had the vfr and a gw hes had many gw through the years and love them right now he has a black gw and a vstrom 1000 his wife will only ride on the gw im also thinking iof the gw maybe an older one like the 82 or 83 aspencade execellent bikes my daad had one i used to love to bury it from him on long rides

 

what to ride?

Guyys,
I just got my 5th gen but am not new to bikes, previous sport bike was a snarling TL1000 that was too much { riding position} for my arthritic back.....
One ,two ,three bikes too many or not enough to me I must thidr the ST1300
Its a nifty bike, no its not the BMW,nor the FJR but if you want distance, comfort, carrying ability,wind ,weather protection..the ST is damn hard to beat...and its a V-4 too....about 125-130 h/p on tap.....lots of folks complain about heat....I say shut up and ride..its a 1.3 litre water heater.....
I really enjoy my VFR though,been wanting one for a long time ....hate the 6th gens gained weight and much more techno needed stuff for their servicing.....Mine is not the m otor the TL was but I have for years gotten by on far less bikes...lie my screen namesake GS850GN great bike for comfort...not loads of power but good handling and a great seat....I would be remis to not have a cruiser so my V-Star Silverado will have to fill that bill...slow,heavy,needs steel braided lines up fornt bad.....got a price on a full set for my 5th gen...wow....GW is a nice bike one of our group had one and met the yellow wolf fellow......he offered to video our guy going up some road....he declined...said if he led him up all he would get was front of his fairing.....it was a hoot..they were evenly matched on the wings fun to ride with...he sold it for smaller bikes with his Son...may have gotten back into it don't know ....I am enjoying my VFR though very glad to have it....but if I'm going a long distance...I'll be on my 04 ST....
Rod

 

So, next question is:

Anyone actually have a 'wing?

If so, any issues with passenger comfort on it?

IE: buffeting, hot spots, etc....

 

Yep, had one in the garage some years back, an 82 that I bought "naked" new and put a small Pacifico windscreen on. Bought a Honda detacable back rest for when Momma rode with me.

Rock solid smooth bike, never had an issue with it. Momma loved it. It was the only bike in the garage that she would ride with me. On a few occasions she fell asleep on the back , her helmet hit mine and I felt her jerk, I pulled over and asked her what? she said, sorry, I dozed off.

Make no mistake, it was a heavy weight, but it was sure smooth two up even on twisty roads. Also prone to dragging the crash bars, I bought some that fit real close to the valve covers but it still would get them. Better than the valve covers I guess. Air ride worked well. Bike was very easy to maintain as well. Never had a heat issue with it, Always comfortable. It did have headshake above 110mph until I put a fork brace on it. Probably from the windscreen. (Bar mounted) Fork brace cured it.

Put 45k on it then sold it to a guy that totaled it a month later

I have never ridden one of the newer ones, they look as big as a locomotive to me . heehee

 

ya know....I've always liked the Yamaha Venture Royal......They're pretty cheap these days.....and a Vmax engine slips right into the frame and has sooo many upgrades available.....hmmmmmm........

 

If you're going to look into the ST or Bimmer, I would recommend the Kawi Concours 14. More sporty, but I have spoken to several riders and they ABSOLUTELY love these things! I may end up getting one of these or the new VFR if it's comparable, instead of trying to make my '07 comfortable enough for the wife...

I'm sure you can get a rear bag with backrest and all the fixins.