Bandit is sold, now what?

[mademiriam]

I had a chance to follow an ST1300 around the cabot trail (a most motorcycle worthy road) while I was on a bike that didn't agree with the way I like to ride (700 Madura) he had a blast. I decided then that once the time comes (inevitably it will) I will get the ST or something like it over the goldwing. Mind you if your wife isn't comfortable on the ST then I'd say you should try a goldwing.

[drewpy_dawg]

A couple Valk Interstates have appeared in the area with lowish miles.  I know my wife will be happy on that and I am fairly sure I will be too.  I've actually ridden one of these and my wife has been on the back of the same bike.
I did test drive a 08 Road Glide.  Rattled like crazy at idle but was actually nice at speed (6 speed and cruise control are good).  WAY over-priced though, honestly...If I could get the fairing, radio and hard bags of the HD on the Stratoliner, it would undercut the HD by thousands and would have more power...

[Red01]

If you're serious about considering a Valky Interstate, then why not a 1800 Goldwing?  The current gen GW is a good handling bike and from all accounts, be a better backroad burner than the 1500 Valky.

There used to be a member here from GA that had a 1800 Wing, a B12 and a GSXR1K in his stable.  One of his favorite passtimes was to take the Wing with his wife on it and ride Tail of the Dragon, passing as many sportbikes as he could - which was usually quite a few. (It helps to be a talented track rider.)

[Vidrazor]

Goldwings are tanks. I rode my friend's GW and the scariest part is STOPPING. It just kept going on and on. It went so much further down the road before stopping then I cared for. I'd hate to think what would've happened if I locked that sucker up, yeouch!

Needless to say, I'm not a fan of big, heavy bikes like Harleys and GWs. What's the point in riding something not that much lighter than a car? The GW felt like I was driving a car, no less. It barely felt like a bike. The ST1300 isn't much of prize either. For a sport-tourer, that thing is a total tank. If you do decide on getting any one of these tanks (Harley, GW, ST, etc.), make sure you get ABS.

I hope to find a nice SV-1000 (not "S") someday and turn that into a sport-tourer (fortunately I don't have "pillion problems"  ). That should make for a nice, lightweight tourer that'll still have plenty of spunk. Put some risers on it, a National Cycle Plexistar II windshield, throw my bags and Air Hawk on it, and I'll ride that sucker off into the sunset...

[drewpy_dawg]

2 reasons for me to try to avoid a goldwing...one being the stopping issue.  The other being that I feel like I'm too young to go that route...
but its seeming that is the route I should go...
At least the HD has brembo brakes on it now...that should count for something, right?

[LowRyter]

2 reasons for me to try to avoid a goldwing...one being the stopping issue.  The other being that I feel like I'm too young to go that route...
but its seeming that is the route I should go...
At least the HD has brembo brakes on it now...that should count for something, right?

no way.  The ABS GW will spank ANY full touring rig, comfort, features, handling or braking.  It's the ONLY full tourer with radial tires.  If you can afford one, the 1800 is without peers.  I chased one on the Bandit all over Deal's Gap in the rain.  There's no big rig that compares.

I was looking at the Guzzi because it was lighter & more unique- lots cheaper deal.  I love it, but I have 2 bikes, an RV, 4 cars & 3/4 ton pick up.

Bottom line, the Sports Touring bikes (FJR, ST, etc) are great for cross country 1-up, but not the deal for a passenger.  The Beemer LT is 2nd place.  The other Beemers, Rocket 3 & Harleys won't do it.  The Vision doesn't have any real luggage space, I don't know how it performs.  It's that simple.

The Valkyrie is the old GW, the NEW GW is just much sportier.

That's the bottom line.  Good luck finding what you are after.

No more comments from me.

[KenB]

2 reasons for me to try to avoid a goldwing...one being the stopping issue.  The other being that I feel like I'm too young to go that route...
but its seeming that is the route I should go...
At least the HD has brembo brakes on it now...that should count for something, right?

no way.  The ABS GW will spank ANY full touring rig, comfort, features, handling or braking.  It's the ONLY full tourer with radial tires.  If you can afford one, the 1800 is without peers.  I chased one on the Bandit all over Deal's Gap in the rain.  There's no big rig that compares.

I was looking at the Guzzi because it was lighter & more unique- lots cheaper deal.  I love it, but I have 2 bikes, an RV, 4 cars & 3/4 ton pick up.

Bottom line, the Sports Touring bikes (FJR, ST, etc) are great for cross country 1-up, but not the deal for a passenger.  The Beemer LT is 2nd place.  The other Beemers, Rocket 3 & Harleys won't do it.  The Vision doesn't have any real luggage space, I don't know how it performs.  It's that simple.

The Valkyrie is the old GW, the NEW GW is just much sportier.

That's the bottom line.  Good luck finding what you are after.

No more comments from me.

Yeah I'm not feelin' this anti-GL stuff either. I've had a GL1800 in the stable for a few years and its brakes are as good as any bike I've had in the last 5 years (FZ1, 919, 1250SA). Enough torque to pull tree stumps. Enough comfort to make the wife happy (and, trust me, this is a feat unto itself). And power and stopping power to make even the most discerning rider happy. For 1000 mile days and 2-up touring, the GL1800 has no competition.

[drewpy_dawg]

Would you commute on it?
This is why I'm asking.  I really deep down know that a GW is the right bike but keep wondering if it is because of things like brakes vs. weight, weight in city traffic, etc...

[KenB]

Would you commute on it?
This is why I'm asking.  I really deep down know that a GW is the right bike but keep wondering if it is because of things like brakes vs. weight, weight in city traffic, etc...

The Wing wouldn't be my bike of choice for commuting. But commuting is a small percentage of the miles I ride in any given year (8 miles each way to work).

If I was to own just one bike for commuting, touring, carving, etc. it would be the Bandit 1250.

That said, if I had to commute on the Wing, it would certainly be do-able.

In the end, riding to and from work puts a smile on my face and that's what counts the most.

Second hand accounts about GL braking myths wouldn't stop me from test driving everything I was interested in and making a purchasing decision from there.

[drewpy_dawg]

I fully intend (mostly due to members here) to run the demo GL through its paces soon.  The honda shop is very liberal with demo use (to quote: "bring it back in 2 hours) and there are a couple roads near by with a few curves that will give me a good gauge of the bike. 
Downside is I have to get Navi to get ABS, apparantly.  Should be standard on a bike like that or at least an option on any in the line. 

[KenB]

Honda's linked brake system works very well. I wouldn't feel compelled to get ABS, especially if I had to fork over an $3500 for nav, airbag, etc. And I really don't like what they did with the console control layout in order to accommodate the airbag. Not cool. I wouldn't be surprised if the airbag disappears from the Wing. Another thing to keep in mind -- the GL is due for an update. It's very likely that it will be launched as a GL2000. This will affect pricing on leftover 1800's.

[drewpy_dawg]

It will have to be an 09 (or 08.5?) at this point as the 2008's are already out. 
There are a couple on ebay from dealers in "cold" states for significantly less than MSRP.  I will see what my local dealer will do.  I have a free flight on Soutwest sitting there that I can so flying to Kansas or ohio won't add anything to the cost of the bike...

[interfuse]

+1 on the goldwing.

[gunz]

Our budget, since we are getting rid of 2 bikes and a car is enough that at the top end, I could probably consider a Harley except for reliability.  Then again, I'm considering a triumph too...heh

Then I'd recommend the Gold Wing with ABS.  Awesome scooter.  The new ones really handle. I couldn't keep up with one on the Bandit while while in the drenching rain in Smokey Mtns.  That windshield keep them dry while my helmet was fogged and that ABS kept him humming.

I think in the full touring realm, for 2 up riding, that the GW is the true standard.  It's the only Asian bike that has re-sale better than the Harley.  Expect to spend $20k for a new one, depending n options.

This was my afterthought. I had a great sport tourer (connie 1000) felt like it was older than I was Sold the bike and bought a sportier bike. Wish i had kept the budget touring bike and then just picked up and SV or the like for my daily solo bike.  Still considering the wing at 35 years old, but will have to keep a sport steed in the barn for me.

I also wanted to add, I would avoid BMW like the  plague. They still havent owned up to the final drive failures that are having and many of their long distance riders that have been dedicated BMW owners are moving to other manufacturers becasue they are tired of replacing final drives every 6 months. When the final drives go they puke gear oil on the rear tire. Its a bad scene. They make awesome bikes, But they really need to fix this ongoing final drive issue.

[drewpy_dawg]

I'm trying to convince the wife that the gold wing replaces one bike and the car and that the hyosung can stay.   Make that the bike for in town cruising and debauchery.  (There is a shop nearby that specializes in SV-650's...could probably get them to apply that knowledge to the Avitar...its too much fun drag racing harley's without really trying.  Would be nice to keep up with a v-rod...)
We'll see...gonna ride one tomorrow.
Thanks all...seriously...this thread has helped alot.  (more than the similar thread I posted on a v-max group I'm on...)
Drew