you already have a gold wing....you just havent realized it :-)

http://www.silverwing600.com/t2621-super-mods

Goldwing No, Integra Maybe, if sold in North Amer. and is priced reasonable.

I've actually owned the 2008 model Goldwing. It was a nice bike, but I'm not sure that I really consider it an "upgrade" over the Silverwing. They're different, and fill different wants/needs. The Goldwing was nice, but I'm happier with the Swing.

Vic

I agree, nice bike the Gold Wing but here in the UK many are spoiled with acres of useless chrome bling, body panels painted like a 1980's poodle rockers album cover, more red lights than an Oriental knocking shop, and the obligatory fat lass on the back.

My other bike is a Goldwing.

Man is not monogamous by nature. At least with toys and tools (said for the benefit of she who must be obeyed?)

I plan to get a Goldwing. I am also going to look hard at the Honda NC700X vs. the V-Strom 650 vs. other Adventure Tourers / dual purpose bikes. And at least for now I plan to hang on to the Swing.

The Goldwing has to be a GL1500 because my BIL said so.... and offered to help me evaluate and even tweek what I get in his club's garage. I figure I don't want new/expensive until I learn not to drop the bike at stops. Eventually, I do want a yellow GL 1800 with ABS (contrary to BILs directives but first a learning bike - just like the Swing was my intro to riding at all. The main problem - with the gas price hikes motorcycle riding is on the upswing and a really cheap price is usually a scam. Every time I find an attractive bike my BIL says "too expensive, you can do much better.... ". Well, he did get his at a pretty good price.... and i can wait....

Oh, the GL will be for riding to Philadelphia and other 3+ hr each way destinations. The Adventure bike is for riding down my back hill.... or down the highway until I reach a place I can go off road. But it has to handle 80+ mph on the highway for a couple hours straight. I'm almost tempted to just get a dirt bike and truck it... but I also am looking at commuting with it.

The Swing is likely to stay... it is a great ride down the local twisty roads, might be a trainer for my daughter, for sentimental reason, and if I can get the stability / windshield (Tall Givi) right might remain my work commuter. Half of my 25 mile work commute is on the highway and keeping up with traffic or getting away from the dump trucks means going 75-80+. The Swing does it but not comfortably. It is smooth and comffee only to about 60-65 mph. (Yes, the limit here is 55, but you don't expect the law makers in D.C. to abide by the law...). So, I am planning to try the original windshield before trying the AirFlow and then see what I really want to ride.

But, the Swing is good enough that there is a very good chance that there will be no changes until the end of summer.

This is my Goldwing loaded for solo camping as I crossed the North Cascades Pass last June, the weekend after it was opened.

Dale, Our loss will be Goldwing's gain, but you'll still be a Winger. If you mount your GPS on your helmet, Kim can navigate from the pillion. As Roy said, "Happy trails to you."

I guess it's all a matter of opinion.I thought my Deauville and i would never part but,time takes it's toll on all of us, and physically i couldn't ride it anymore.I find the Silverwing(after 2yrs of ownership) even better for my needs, and can now throw it around the bends with all the confidence i had in the Deauville.Personally i never wanted a Harley, BMW or Goldwing. As for upgrading to a Goldwing no thank you, i would never be able to ride the Yorkshire Dales single track roads on a monster like that

The Goldwing is not my cup of tea.
It's more of a two wheeled car than a motorcycle
Too expensive and two heavy
I once thought of getting one of the original GL1000's
but never had the money back then to splurge on one.
Now it has grown by two cylinders ,800 cc, and a several hundred pounds
The appeal is lost on me

I have a Goldwing that I have ridden a little and a Silverwing that I ride a lot - my Goldwing needs some work - then I will ride it a lot more. I ride my Silverwing quite often with Goldwings - mostly GL1500s and GL1800s. During 2012 I have been averaging over 500 miles plus each week (last three weeks over 1000 with last week 1400). The roads have been from Southern California to Norther California - Pacific Coast to Nevada - local, county, state, freeway (with quite a bit posted as 70mph) - 350 feet below sea level to 8000 feet in elevation - painfully bumpy (but no gravel/dirt) to wonderfully smooth - calm to 30mph winds - on bike for up to 12 hours with occasional breaks. I have stock suspension, Air Hawk, AF214 Givi, and 24gm Dr Pulley Sliders - wouldn't want to do my rides without the foregoing - except for the suspension that clearly needs some improvement. The SWing has performed flawlessly and has been a great joy - with the following exceptions:
- winds over 15mph impact my top end performance (like to run 80mph indicated on freeways and remote roads in good shape).
- bumpy straight roads impact speed dramatically and beat me up.
- bumpy twisties require significant speed reduction as compared to smooth twisties as the SWing skits around if the pavement is not smooth.

If the roads are not less than 15mph and roads are relatively smooth, the SWing is an equal match (not better - just about equal) for the Goldwings that I ride with (in terms of keeping up - not necessarily comfort); however, in high winds or on a bumpy road they leave me in the dust (plus I am danged uncomfortable). It is hard to go slow on a bumpy road when you have been riding for hours at high speed - the end result is that bumpy roads beat me up. There are not many bumpy roads in California that I choose to travel (i.e., they can be avoided) - but sometimes I get caught on one and to turn back would mean a very long detour.

In summary, for me, the SWing is no match for a Goldwing when the route involves bumpy roads or high winds. When I ride solo I pick the roads - and they are not bumpy - and the wind is easily taken care of by dropping speed a bit. I agree 100% with what LarryInSeattle has stated in his prior post. And Ishkatan, my assessment with my SWing and stock windshield regarding wind was just as you stated BEFORE I got and AF214 - now wind (at less than 15mph which covers most of California weather) is a non-factor, so go buy your AF214 as you won't be sorry.

Tour with a Goldwing - kick about with a Silverwing - and try not to mix what they are each best at. So, if you want to do both - have 2 bikes! Also, IMHO I can't say that one is better than the other as they are each the best but for different usage.

Yesterday I rode my silverwing 170 miles to visit a friend in the shadow of Mt rainer. The day before I rode my goldwing 200 miles to the Canadian border to visit a GWRRA chapter maintenance party. I was smiling both days to be fortunate to have both.

Prolly

Typing on this phone is not easy.

Take it off your Silver Wing then.

Lord willing, Pat and I will be taking an all summer motorcycle trip starting June 11th after our grandaughter graduates from High School. I finally retired April 1st. This will probably be our last real long distance ride and are just going to mosey along and enjoy it. Probably be back home around September. No firm plans but will be seeing Ashville, Barber Motorcycle Museum, Texas Hill Country 3 sisters ride, Alamo, Rt 66 from Tulsa to LA with Grand Canyon and London Bridge among others along the way. ( we have ridden Tulsa to Chicago ) From there it is just whatever grabs our fancy. We have managed to ride to 44 states and much of Canada so far by taking limited short vacations each year. We will be riding our 1989 GL1500 Gold Wing and pulling a Leisure Lite camping trailer. I agree with the other Gold Wing owners that have commented above. The GW and SW are both great machines but each is suited for a different purpose. I will probably be downsizing the GW when we return because at my age the old girl is just getting to be a bit much for my physical condition. We will hate to see it go as it seems like part of the family because it's been around so long. I have always had a smaller motorcycle for general running around on so the GW has less than 70,000 miles on it today. The SW is a great all around machine but can't match the GW for long distance touring no matter how much we would like and want it to.
One thing I would like to make clear is that long distance touring can be done and accomplished on anything from a moped to the biggest cruisers out there as long as a person reliazes the limitations of what they are riding. And most importantly you will have fun no matter what you are on. Touring and long distance riding has a lot to do with attitude. Start with a smile and end with great memories. Thanks for listening...Dick

We will appreciate the ride reports and pictures.

Honda_Silver wrote:

When will you be riding these??

I can't put a firm date on these as our travel each day will be whatever we feel like doing. The main objective is to see the sites and country along the way.

Dickie, I love your attitude. Have a fabulous trip.

Dickie,

Less than a month away now. As you know, the planning is just as important and fun as the trip itself.

Are you gonna make it up to the Northwest? If you do, I would love to buy you and your wife a dish of NW ice cream and a world famous cup of coffee.

Larryinseattle,
Yes we will be passing thru Washington state if all goes well. Just can't put a date or time when that will be. Thanks for the offer....

When you get closer.... I would enjoy meeting you and yours.

Since I live in the Evergreen State also, albeit on the dry side, and also have a Goldwing and a Silverwing, I, too would be up for a meet and greet.

Rob