Lifetime Honda guy just trying to get info on Triumph

[Jag]

An article from revzilla.com
A bit long winded!!

Does the new Gold Wing have a big problem?
Lemmy
Apr 20, 2018
Multiple motorcyclists asked me about the longevity of Honda’s new front suspension after seeing a video by Max McAllister, president of Traxxion Dynamics, an aftermarket suspension outfit. You might want to watch if you’re interested in reading this article and going full nerd on their new fork for a few minutes. Take a peek:



Very long article you can read the rest on
REVZILLA.COM

 

[Claviger]

Don’t dismiss Max’s opinions!!! He’s one of the greatest motorcycle suspension minds in the industry!

After reading the article I could not and would not ever recommend a GW without an accompanying front end rebuild from Traxxion. Max is dead on, bumpers are there to save the suspension not to be part of it. It was a cheap way for Honda to make it plush with a too soft spring and survive with a too tall bumper.

Garbage engineering at its finest.

 

[1olbull]

Where 'bouts in TX are you? I don't have extended seat time on a Goldwing, but my brother has had several through the years. I rode them occasionally....ehhhh. He now rides a HD Ultra Classic Heritage Special Mega Super Duper Whatever Whatever Limited Etc...he likes it. Says it's smoother on the highway than the GW. I call BS! Here's my take on them...

The Goldwing is like a Cadillac Escalade..all the bells and whistles and you get to your destination in quiet comfort. Don't you dare put a bag of sackcrete in the back.

The HD is like a F350 4x4...shortbed. Loud, top heavy, handles like a tank in mud. Nice stereo with 12" subs behind the seat. You know what I'm talking about...there's one in every other driveway.

But the Rocket...ahhh yes the Rocket! 1970 GTO 455HO w/ram air...windows down and and a bench seat. Smooth lines and enough guts to spook you if you're not paying attention. People gravitate to it at drive ins and gas stations. You'd do well to be a people person because you'll spend lots of time answering questions about it.

My brother and I rode Central Texas to Branson, MO in 13 hours...just over 600 miles in one day. Me on the R3 (with a Corbin seat) and him on his Harley. When we got to Arkansas he kept asking if I wanted to trade bikes for a while.

Great to read this!!!
I just went with a new Corbin solo on my R3R and in 11 days heading out for Stearns, KY.
This shall be my first big, over 150 mile, ride on it.

 

[1olbull]

Don’t dismiss Max’s opinions!!! He’s one of the greatest motorcycle suspension minds in the industry!

Ahhhh, but remember a large part of their business is for Wing front suspensions, which have always been suspect and puke seals like diarrhea!

 

[Claviger]

Yeah, last generation wing only had ONE fork leg that did the damping... really Honda? Lol.

 

[TheKid]

I have ridden a few, seen a million, but the 2010 Rocket III Touring is the sharpest dresser I have ever seen. And it is a torque monster. Shift to 5th and let her spit

 

[barbagris]

Max is dead on, bumpers are there to save the suspension not to be part of it. It was a cheap way for Honda to make it plush with a too soft spring and survive with a too tall bumper.

And exactly what Triumph did from the factory too.

Rockets are NOT vaguely comparable to a GL1800 imo. If a V-Twin floats your boat - then look at Victory. Quite a few R3 owners have a Victory Vision for daily use.
And DO NOT expect the dealer backup for an R3 you can generally expect from Honda. If that matters to you.

Not to say I don't like Rockets - far from it. But go into everything with your eyes wide open.

 

[Claviger]

Triumph did nothing even remotely close to the fubar engineering that is the new GW front Shock.

But no the R3 is not faultless from the factory imo.

 

[barbagris]

But no the R3 is not faultless from the factory imo.

Nor, I suspect, are V4 Ducati's.

 

[EasTexRIII]

Howdy Chevy327! Welcome from East Texas
What part of The Republic do you hail from?
I had a 327 in a '62 Step side pickup and another 327 in a '69 Camaro. Those were some good un's