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Gold Wing - or - Gold Wing Tour?

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Notsluggo

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2019 Tour 6MT
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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
EDIT #2: I have made a deal on a 2019 Tour 6MT. Just waiting on the weather to take possession. Thanks to all for your input / insight.

I had a 2004 Wing and am strongly considering getting back into Wings.
I'm looking at 2019 models (low miles and you can save a few $$) - but wonder, have any of you bought one over the other and regretted your choice?
I am aware the Gold Wing DOES NOT have heated seats (and was disappointed to learn that none of them have the lower-case heat flaps the former Comfort model had).
EDIT: the Gold Wing also has a tour sized windshield.
TIA
 
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#3 ·
The GW really opens up the riding range compared to the fragile Harleys. I've used the heated seat and grips quite a few times when slush was building up on the crash bars. Top box is necessary for long haul to stash stuff being used during the 3 or 4 week ride. Also gives support to a Saddlemen pack on the rear seat.
 
#5 ·
I do not do long travels and still could not say enough on getting the Tour. For me, it's a life saver to have the extra space when it's needed. Even just stopping to do some food shopping. I use all 3 all the time. I even added LED lights to all 3. Since owning the BMW Grand America, I will never ride one without. Happy and safe ride.......!!!!!!
 
#6 · (Edited)
I think the trunk is a good idea if travelling with a passenger. I tour 100% solo and ride 95% solo so decided I don't want a trunk. I never had heated seats and have never felt that cold there. Both models have heated grips and those are good. The Tour model has 3 electronic suspension setting while the Goldwing has 33 but manual. Unfortunately the trunk is difficult to remove and/or install, however there is a kit but expensive. I decided Goldwing. I think it just looks better.

On the other hand, if you are touring solo like I am, there are far better solutions than wasting a lot of space with trunk and armrests. I use a saddleman tailbag that sits on the passenger seat, holds much more than the trunk and comes off the bike in about 1 minute so I can take everything into the motel at once.

Luggage on for cross-Canada trip:

Luggage off for 3 day trip
 
#7 ·
I got crazy one day and bout a 2018 tour at first I was overwhelmed by the electronics, drive settings and how responsive it was compared to my 1500. Honestly wasn't sure I would keep it but after a year any opportunity to take it out was a treat. Loved it so much I bought a 2021 a couple weeks ago and the only difference is the trunk size and needed more black to match helmet. I did test drive the 2nd generation wing and honestly I wasn't wowed and kept the 1500. Anyway just finish moving over some accessories off the 2018 that I bought but others I can't like passenger arm rest, trunk rack and brake light.
 
#8 ·
EasternSP said:
The GW really opens up the riding range compared to the fragile Harleys. I've used the heated seat and grips quite a few times when slush was building up on the crash bars. Top box is necessary for long haul to stash stuff being used during the 3 or 4 week ride. Also gives support to a Saddlemen pack on the rear seat.
Click to expand...
Fragile Harleys? I guess the Harley's I've ridden all over the country for the last 23 years (as well as numerous other makes) without breakdowns must have "robust" Harley's.
 
#9 ·
b206driver said:
Fragile Harleys? I guess the Harley's I've ridden all over the country for the last 23 years (as well as numerous other makes) without breakdowns must have "robust" Harley's.
Click to expand...
Harleys are much better then what they used to be and better support but they do have breakdowns or engine work more then wings. M8's still have enough issues that kept me from buying a used limited. Found this in 10 seconds 2019 M8 114 Engine failure !!!
Your turn find me a 2018 or 2019 wing motor replacement.
 
#11 · (Edited)
fastback40 said:
Harleys are much better then what they used to be and better support but they do have breakdowns or engine work more then wings. M8's still have enough issues that kept me from buying a used limited. Found this in 10 seconds 2019 M8 114 Engine failure !!!
Your turn find me a 2018 or 2019 wing motor replacement.
Click to expand...
I don't care if it's a $3500 Harley engine or a million dollar aircraft engine.....all are subject to failure at some point. That includes a 2018 goldwing with less than 3,000 miles were a valve contacted a spark plug.
 
#13 ·
fla_rider said:
I have the 2020 Non-tour. I am a solo rider and enjoy all the extra space for cargo, such as tents, chairs, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, clothes, etc… yes I gave up a heated seat.
Click to expand...
Your not giving up much without the heated seat..its nice to have in mild temps like in the spring and fall, but honestly in cold weather, heated pant liners are far superior. I wouldn't buy this bike because of the heated seat..it's just not that good IMO.
 
#14 ·
For me, it came down to the following:

1. If you want an airbag - Tour. No other option (not an issue for me).

2. If you ride 2 up quite a bit, the Honda Passenger Throne is probably more comfortable (2 up is less than 5% of miles for me).

3. If you always change your seat, then you can get an aftermarket that is heated (I always get a new seat, never found a good OEM unit).

So I went with the non-Tour, and saved a lot of money. I added a rear carrier and a Shad SH58X to give me voluminous carry capacity in a flexible shape (58L, 48L, 42L, or 0L). I figure I ended up saving around $3500 total, after all the mods I did (saddle, rear carrier, top case). And got something that for me is 100% ideal. I personalized the bike to my likes, and didn't pay for anything I really didn't want/need.
 
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#15 ·
I bought the bagger. It is lighter (especially up high) and I also do not ride a passenger. The Shad top case is large but easily taken on and off as your travel needs demand. I was going to buy a ride off centerstand anyway so that really was not an added expense. I wanted a wider windshield so I got the F4 20" and I would have purchased that anyway also. I also came from a 2004 and am completely satisfied with my decision to get the bagger model. My only thing is the color. I am partial to Red but if you buy a 2019, that is the color available. The Gray is sort of growing on me.
 
#16 · (Edited)
See @ShanghaiDan's post #14. Although there are riders who pride themselves on fitting everything they might possibly need for a 3-month, cross-country ride into a thimble, I am not one of those. If you are a devotee of storage self-discipline, then the 2019 Tour will be a good choice. If you are not one of those, you will find the 2019 Tour trunk constraining. For me the similar-sized 2018 Tour trunk is so small as to be virtually useless. I like to use my bike not only for pleasure riding but for routine chores, like running to the market for a few items, and my trunk won't hold much more than a dozen eggs and a couple of greeting cards. And on day rides, the trunk seriously constrains what I/we would like to bring along. So, to answer your question, get either a non-tour and add your own trunk (and also a custom, heated seat if that's important to you), or look for a later model with the bigger (for "bigger" read "useful") trunk. (Note that there's an optional 2018-19 trunk lid available from Corbin, but 1) it's expensive; and 2) it's from Corbin, which had its customer-service policies written by, and it agents trained by, Tony Soprano.)
 
#17 ·
I just purchased the 21' non-tour DCT. It was my understanding that only the heated seat, load, and trunk were the only things that the non-tour lacked. Living in Florida, the heated seat was not important. But,...there are a few more options that the non-tour lacks. The non-tour does not come with an essential harness for the CB. I am having Electrical Connection make the missing harness and the Trunk and installation kit is about 2K. Not a deal-breaker. But after spending 25K less the dealer fees, taxes, etc. I figured that I would not have to spend so much on aftermarket parts like a center stand that is a standard feature on the tour.

The seat is probably less comfortable than a dirt bike. But to answer your question, if the trunk, center stand, heated seat, load settings, and CB are not an issue...go for it. I am very happy with my bike and love the light grey color. It seems that the non-tour for each year since 2018 has a better color scheme than its counterpart. Good Luck with your quest in buying a new wing.

Marc S
FL
 
#18 ·
msseb01 said:
I just purchased the 21' non-tour DCT. It was my understanding that only the heated seat, load, and trunk were the only things that the non-tour lacked. Living in Florida, the heated seat was not important. But,...there are a few more options that the non-tour lacks. The non-tour does not come with an essential harness for the CB. I am having Electrical Connection make the missing harness and the Trunk and installation kit is about 2K. Not a deal-breaker. But after spending 25K less the dealer fees, taxes, etc. I figured that I would not have to spend so much on aftermarket parts like a center stand that is a standard feature on the tour.

The seat is probably less comfortable than a dirt bike. But to answer your question, if the trunk, center stand, heated seat, load settings, and CB are not an issue...go for it. I am very happy with my bike and love the light grey color. It seems that the non-tour for each year since 2018 has a better color scheme than its counterpart. Good Luck with your quest in buying a new wing.

Marc S
FL
Click to expand...
I too live in Florida and see no need for a heated seat. Bought a 2022 non tour DCT. I love it more every time I ride it. Yes adding the centerstand and foglights that would have come on the tour model. But still cheaper and since I ride solo 100% of the time, I see no need for the trunk. I had already been riding without the trunk on the R1200Rt I sold prior to this purchase.
 
#19 ·
b206driver said:
I don't care if it's a $3500 Harley engine or a million dollar aircraft engine.....all are subject to failure at some point. That includes a 2018 goldwing with less than 3,000 miles were a valve contacted a spark plug.
Click to expand...
That's awesome you are that rich that money is no object....I'm not as lucky as you so dependability means more to me.
 
#20 ·
fastback40 said:
That's awesome you are that rich that money is no object....I'm not as lucky as you so dependability means more to me.
Click to expand...
Just to add on your post, one of the main reasons I moved to a GW and first time for me in 30 years of riding, was dependability. This is for me now a big thing. Reading so many reviews and talking to people/riders, just did for me.
 
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