In 2003 I took a test ride on a gl1800 at the Honda Hoot. At that time I was riding a 2003 VTX1800. I loved the goldwing, but I let my peer group and my wife talk me out of buying one. So, began my seemingly endless search for similar perfection.
I bought a 2003 HD Road Glide - it was a pretty bike - silver and black and I added teh ultra classic trunk and stereo to make it a full dresser. Wife and I rode it to the Smoky Mountains, Colorado and all over Missouri and Arkansas. I liked the bike ok, but was always making excuses for it. (Sure it lacks power, but its got that cool sound and its much better now that I've spent $1,300 on the motor - Sure its got an oil leak (after the first 135 mile ride), but its a HD so its part of the charm - Sure it shakes like hell at stop lights and the heat is unbearable, but . . . . .) Sold it to try a diffent bike.
Didn't learn much and swapped up (down) for a new 2005 Ultra Classic in October 04. The 05 Ultra was a terrible fit for me and I couldn't get comfortable on the bike no matter how much I spent on bars, seats and etc. Sold it in April of 05 with 8,000 miles on it for a significant loss.
Purchased a nice Valkyrie Interstate with low mileage on Monday of the same week I sold the Ultra Classic. Road it two days and sold it on Thursday. Steering was too heavy and wife hated it. Did make $1,500 on it though.
Tried another Road Glide from May '05 through the fall of '06. This one was black. New fairing design was better than the old and the bike was ok but still had the same old HD problems as well as a bunch of new sterio related issues. Couldn't keep the trunk (tourpak) tight and I just couldn't get rid of that nagging feeling that there was something better out there. Sold it last fall and started shopping for a used Goldwing.
Well, gave up on finding a used one and yesterday I went and picked up my shiney new '07 orange abs/nav/com/audio. Rode it the 186 miles back home and giggled like a silly school girl the whole way. I'm so happy.
I bought a 2003 HD Road Glide - it was a pretty bike - silver and black and I added teh ultra classic trunk and stereo to make it a full dresser. Wife and I rode it to the Smoky Mountains, Colorado and all over Missouri and Arkansas. I liked the bike ok, but was always making excuses for it. (Sure it lacks power, but its got that cool sound and its much better now that I've spent $1,300 on the motor - Sure its got an oil leak (after the first 135 mile ride), but its a HD so its part of the charm - Sure it shakes like hell at stop lights and the heat is unbearable, but . . . . .) Sold it to try a diffent bike.
Didn't learn much and swapped up (down) for a new 2005 Ultra Classic in October 04. The 05 Ultra was a terrible fit for me and I couldn't get comfortable on the bike no matter how much I spent on bars, seats and etc. Sold it in April of 05 with 8,000 miles on it for a significant loss.
Purchased a nice Valkyrie Interstate with low mileage on Monday of the same week I sold the Ultra Classic. Road it two days and sold it on Thursday. Steering was too heavy and wife hated it. Did make $1,500 on it though.
Tried another Road Glide from May '05 through the fall of '06. This one was black. New fairing design was better than the old and the bike was ok but still had the same old HD problems as well as a bunch of new sterio related issues. Couldn't keep the trunk (tourpak) tight and I just couldn't get rid of that nagging feeling that there was something better out there. Sold it last fall and started shopping for a used Goldwing.
Well, gave up on finding a used one and yesterday I went and picked up my shiney new '07 orange abs/nav/com/audio. Rode it the 186 miles back home and giggled like a silly school girl the whole way. I'm so happy.
