First Triumph, 6 days of intrigue.

[Molinoman]

Most (not all) of the guys that had wobbles on the Gold Wing in that speed range were caused by guys who would take their hands off of the handle bars (never did understand that) upon deceleration in that speed range. Both Gold Wings (2003 and 2006) I owned never wobbled so I can't relate to it but I am aware that some did experience it (I know of two out of 70 in my GWRAA chapter) outside of taking their hands off.

I miss the reverse in some parking situations (loose gravel, parking downwards when pulling into a parking space when the parking lot isn't flat).

But the Rocket is a monster and I like it and I'll just have to settle for my "minor" league sound system that I now have on it.

The magazine mentioned is "Motorcyclist" with the Motorcycle of the Year issue. The comparison was between the HD Electra Glide, the ever ugly (but different) Victory Vision, the GW and the Rocket III Touring.
Dennis

 

[mjbell1]

Welcome

Welcome aboard, its seems you have owned a good selection of touring type bikes. Now tell the truth was it the first
look or that first test drive that locked you in???

 

[Nateskate]

Two questions

I was board with the Goldwing and walked into the dealer to look at a Ducati ST3. There on the floor was this massive engine connected to a motorcycle. I couldn't help but stare. Most bikes are small for my 6'3" frame, but not this one. I feel right at home sitting on it. It fits me.

I have two questions; I'm have the extra lights for the front and need to lift the tank. The dealer only has the manual for the R3, not the touring model. Does anyone know the proper procedure for lifting the tank? Also can the whole bike be safely lifted using a traditional motorcycle jack under the motor or will it damage the bike? Oh, third question, does anyone sell accessories at a discount off of list? I hate to pay retail...

 

[Lester532]

Didn't you also give up reverse? You might miss that

Reverse on the R3 works just fine the wife gets off and pulls on the luggage rack.

Nateskate you said, easier to handle than the GW. It's smooth, comfortable and great looking. My wife even likes the back seat better. I've never been on a modern GW but from what I've heard about them that's one heck of a complement.

 

[Jamie]

Reverse on the R3 works just fine the wife gets off and pulls on the luggage rack.

I've never been on a modern GW but from what I've heard about them that's one heck of a complement.

One heck of a complement I suppose you refer to any woman who pulls on the luggage rack to help you move backwards

Jamie

 

[Lester532]

One heck of a complement I suppose you refer to any woman who pulls on the luggage rack to help you move backwards

Jamie

I wasn't thinking of it that way, but it fits.

 

[Gunshots]

Make it a GoldBling

J&M makes a handle barm mounted CB/Weatherband/Intercom/MP3 amplifier (or I plug XM Radio into it). I think about 600 bucks + helmet headset and you pick up all the audio goodies your sold with the wing. Well except the 6 disc changer and pillion dvd player.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Pulled Pork............................

....................My wife quit pull'in mine about 15 years ago............

 

[azbbqer]

I don't think I'm going to miss the intercom... don't care about reverse. I know for sure that I won't miss the GW wobble. My bike was a brand new 08 with everything except the air bag. The bike would shimmy back and forth from 35 to 50 mph. The dealer installed two new front tires and one rear tire in an attempt to get rid of it. Frustrated I called Honda. Their answer, "it's a normal operating condition". I said "hold on, a $22K bike and it's OK for it to shake from 35 to 50?" "yes sir, it's normal". I have several friends with Wings. They all shake.

I'm happy to be on a bike that doesn't.

This is too late to solve the problem, but...
The wobble thing sounds like the same problem the Suzuki Intruder/Boulevards have.
They have soft head bearings, from the factory. They all get those wobbles sooner or later and change the bearings with after market. No more wobble! Sometimes it would be so bad you HAD to hold the bars with both hands.
Anyway, it gave you a good reason to "upgrade" your ride.

 

[Nateskate]

The trouble with Goldwings

Here's the truth about Goldwings. According to Honda customer service, it is a normal operating characteristic for the current series Goldwing to have a shake, or more accurately, shimmy, from 35 to 50 miles per hour. This shimmy can be felt in the bars, in my case with both hands in place, within this range. I felt it while driving home from the dealership. I didn't think this was normal so I called a friend of mine with a late model wing. When I told him that I bought a new bike his first question was, "did you get rid of the shake yet?" He had solved his problem by having the dealer install tapered head bearings. Others I asked said to get a different brand tires. The local GW club members said to install a fork brace.

I returned to the dealer six times for two new front tires and one rear all of which Honda covered under warranty. It still continued to shimmy from 35 to 50. One of the technicians said to me where others could not listen in, "my father-in-law has a new wing. He has new tires, a steering damper, tapered bearings and a fork brace. His bike still shakes. It can't be fixed."


It shakes, it's ugly and the seat is set up for 6' tall and under. Combine that with the fact that the Japanese car companies are eating America's lunch and I'm out. (I run a Chevy dealership) No more Japanese bikes.


The only problem is that the leading American bike shakes more than anything on the market... Hence, Triumph.