The Wing as a commuter bike?!

Indianabob · May 14, 2011

As a long distance type rider, I bought the '05 Wing clearly with the intention of riding around America. But our kids started to enter the active teenage years about the same time, meaning, as I was soon to find out, as an involved parent, getting away for any length of time just wasn't going to happen.

For the first time in my life I had a real touring motorcycle but wasn't going anywhere.

So I started using the Wing for my 30 mile (one way) commute to work. The Wing, a commuter? Really?

Turns out it's a fantastic bike for commuting! At least when you're commuting on one of the busiest expressways in the country (I-80/94, aka the Borman).

The power to spare is great for maneuverability.

The size and conspicuity are great for being seen and protecting my lane position -- some drivers can be sort of aggressive around here.

Sitting up allows me to see further ahead than when I'm in my car.

The horns rarely fail to get a driver's attention.

The CB has saved me from getting caught in back ups several times.

I feel the ample rear lighting helps drivers to my brake lights.

The excellent weather protection means I can comfortably ride in 30F weather.

I strap my laptop on the back seat -- the smooth ride has never trashed a drive.

I said I have a 30 mile one-way commute. That's going into work. On the way home, the commute is often double, sometimes triple that!

I know there's no such thing as a perfect bike. But the Wing ain't bad.

FL-510 · May 14, 2011

:agree:

Just Joey · May 14, 2011

I have had people ask me if I owned an automobile. I just smile and say yeah I've got couple of cages at home. I never go to work any other way, rain or shine, cold or hot.:thumbup:

DailyRider · May 14, 2011

Until recently I had a 25 mile comute but it has now expanded into a 50 mile (one way) comute. I ride on I-285 (Watermellon 500) and I-85 to and from work and it's performs great. I did add a brakelight modulator ot help from being rear-ended in traffic. Well worth the cost. It really gets drivers attention.

https://www.kisantech.com/view_product.php?product=200GW

Dave R. · May 14, 2011

They use buses for mass transit in cities and buses for cross country travel. Why not a wing? Just because it's design is geared for long travel, short travel should be just as good. I ride mine to work (27 miles) every chance I have and find it to be a far better commuter than my ST1300 was. I loved the ST but it had a way of getting me home late because it always wanted to find back roads with twisties. Darn thing.

Rustydust · May 14, 2011

Yup. I was riding one my PC800's to work but now they stay home so that I can take the Wing. The Pacific Coast does give a bit better gas milage over my 60 mile trip every day, but the comfort as well as listening to the news on the XM radio makes pulling the Goldwing out of the garage an easier thing to do.

chevelle69 · May 14, 2011

I commute to work on my wing 25 miles one way daily. When it's raining out co workers often ask how I came to work today. I tell them on a wing and a prayer.

Molinoman · May 14, 2011

When I had my two Wings...they were great commuter bikes as well as the "known" highway/long trip capability.

I thought this was known:?.

Dennis

44 dtg Dubai
45 dtg Home for good!

PurpleTj · May 14, 2011

I agree. I have had many of my rides home double.

TNART · May 14, 2011

Yep - My backpack sits on the backseat and the straps loop over the armrests nicely.
Is nice to get out for a 30 mile ride through the hills around Oak Ridge over lunch too.

FUSE · May 14, 2011

Shoot - I've left for work early just so I could ride double the distance to work. I love my wing.

When I bought this new one I told myself I was gonna be a fair weather rider. That was only a thought till I sat on it again and then it was just a crazy idea that will never be.

Hustle · May 14, 2011

people don't seem to understand why I ride a motorcycle in the rain, cold, or Dallas heat - the mother hens ask if I have a car when it's raining, or they just look at me as if I have a cog loose (yes I do!).

You'd think every time they come into work with a frown and here I am with a smile on my face they'd understand...

oh well, they can't help it if they've never had the chance to know anything better.

It makes no difference to me what they say or do - any chance I get to ride , especially a bike as wonderful as the wing, is a good day!

Spozach · May 14, 2011

Sold my car a few months ago and have been riding the wing to work and everywhere else. Finally putting the miles on it deserves. No car insurance payment, only one vehicle to maintain. Im not buying another four wheeled vehicle until I absolutely have to. :yes1:

SteveU · May 14, 2011

Hustle said:
people don't seem to understand why I ride a motorcycle in the rain, cold, or Dallas heat - the mother hens ask if I have a car when it's raining, or they just look at me as if I have a cog loose (yes I do!).

It makes no difference to me what they say or do - any chance I get to ride , especially a bike as wonderful as the wing, is a good day!

I get the same thing as I'm the only one riding to work when it is in the 20's as long as there is no chance of snow. Way I figure it, gives them something to talk about & improves my mood

Most of the other riders at work don't start riding until mid May & are done before halloween, I like to get my money's worth out of my insurance premium lol

Peteswing · May 14, 2011

I ride 50 miles a day 5 days a week rain or shine 12,200 mile since nov/2010 no problems. Only 9 days out of the six months missed due to bad weather.:agree:

goldwingnut · May 14, 2011

36 miles one way to work, it's been costing me between $7.50 -$8.00 a day with gas prices around $3.69 avg. My old (94 Chev) truck gets about 13 mpg which would cost me about $20.00 a day, needless to say it does not get driven very much. I've been commuting on a bike since I bought my first one (03 VTX-1300) in June of 02. I felt like I had upgraded to the cadillac of motorcycles when I bought that first wing (02 Orange) in Feb of 05. What an amazing difference in a V-twin and the flat 6, don't think I could ever go back to a V-twin. I love my wings...

franko905416 · May 14, 2011

Wing To Work

Started last year and rode every Wednesday thru Friday on the Wing.

I worked North of Toronto so i was able to use the paved side roads
and it was great.

:thumbup:

txs, Franko

3weimies · May 14, 2011

Great commuter for my 44 mile trip to work! Much much better on the 'wing that the old VTX1300. Like others say, the ride home often is longer!

neal702 · May 14, 2011

When I was working used it 6 days a week for commute to work, it sure made lunch hours more fun!

Red Darkside · May 14, 2011

commuter bike

Welcome to the club....my commute is 52 miles one way but I'm responsible for 2 plants 50 miles apart. Round trip it can end up being 120 -140 miles depending on the route. Even though the company buys my gas I try to 2 wheel it as much as possible (above 40 and less than 100 degrees), for my pleasure not their benefit.

Halfling · May 14, 2011

Ditto! I commute about 40 miles on the way in to work and very often do much more than 40 on the way home! Funny how it works that way!

:thumbup:

mbuesing · May 14, 2011

I only have 5mi. one way but still ride the Wing every chance I can.
I agree, it is amazing how it can be 20 - 30mi. to get back home.

utahawk · May 14, 2011

I have actually heard people say "oh, a Goldwing is just too big to drive around town, it's an open road bike only".....what the hell do you say to something like that?
So I just tell em "well, you gotta ride through town to get to the open road, don't ya?" Then I just walk away from them. :shrug:

K&GLl · May 14, 2011

I used to always "Wing" it to work. Now my new job is 8 tenths of a mile away and it would not even get to operating temp. unless I took a long round about way to work which then defeats the gas savings. Of course you cannot take away the joy of getting there the long way.

BIG AL 57 · May 14, 2011

utahawk said:
I have actually heard people say "oh, a Goldwing is just too big to drive around town, it's an open road bike only".....what the hell do you say to something like that?
So I just tell em "well, you gotta ride through town to get to the open road, don't ya?" Then I just walk away from them. :shrug:

:yes1::yes1: I aint into a diet myself!

Larry Price · May 14, 2011

I put nearly 200k on my first commuter bike, GL1100, then 180k on my GL1500, currently my GL1800 is at 165k. I commute 112 to 120 miles each day round trip. I travel for business as well on my wing. Then I do an occasional IBA ride or rally when the time works out right. My brief case with laptop fits in the top trunk. An aerostitch keeps dry and comfortable. It's all good, year round riding.

The Wing as a commuter bike?!

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