[deepfeet]

I been wanting a Goldwing since I started riding again 3 1/2 years ago. I bought a Suzuki Volusia in 01. Its been a great bike but the fact is I was born to ride a Goldwing. I ride two up 80 % of the time and need the room and power. Want to do some extended trips. Want to keep ahead of them dam buses on the GSP in the summer. Camping, touring,cruising.

I'm tossed between the goldwing and the bmw 1200 touring machine. Last saturday we looked at both, First the beemer then the wing. Their both beautiful. I was suppose to take a test ride this Saturday but we have a ton of new snow. And it 2% outside so it doesn't look like that will happen.

Which one should I get and why. My biggest complaint on the wing thus far is the closeness of the foot peg to the seat. I'm 6'2 260 lbs. I feel a little crampted but I have only sat on it. I plan on getting them lit floorboards that adjust. What about the abs. Is it something I will regret not getting.

What about after market seats. I have a mustang seat on the suzuki and its very comfortable. What the best seat on a wing. What should I look for.

 

[Gary in Indiana]

I agree with you on two points. I think the Wing is an excellent touring bike. I also think it was designed by and fitted to a pygmy. :? There is actually less rider room on the 1800 than the 1500 (or so it seems to me).

There are any number of things you can do to increase the dimension of which you wrote. A different seat (Diamond Hi-Miler for one) will move you back a couple inches and up an inch and a half. Handlebar risers will move your grips up and back a bit as well. Member ddking has posted a number of things he has done to increase his comfort. I think the most recent posting was entitled 'Not just for tall riders' or something similar. I would imagine you could reference it by doing a search here. There's some very good stuff there. 8)

Good luck in your quest. I'm quite a bit taller than you so I can very much relate to your concerns.

 

[Wingman26]

In the February 2001 Motorcycle Consumer News they did an article called Supertouring Showdown, comparing the new GL1800 to the K1200LT. Each category had a winner and loser, listed below.

Engine GL1800
Suspension GL1800
Transmission GL1800
Brakes K1200LT
Handling GL1800
Styling GL1800
Riding Impression GL1800
Instruments and controls GL1800
Attention to detail GL1800
Value Tie
Conclusion was GL1800 won


Performance
GL1800
0-60 3.77 sec
1/4 mile 12.14 sec @105.92 mph
Top speed 123 mph

K1200LT
0-60 4.64 sec
1/4 mile 12.87 sec @103.41 mph
Top speed 115 mph

Motorcycle Consumer News Quality Rating (Higher numbers are better) Aug 2002 issue
Honda +196
Yamaha +133
Suzuki +61
Kawasaki +34
BMW -27
Harley Davidson -197

 

[mrgl02]

I rode them both, created a "pros" and "cons" list on both bikes, talked to a number of people (both K12LT and GL1800 owners), thought some more about it, and ended up with a GL1800.

What hurt the K12LT (in my book)?

Limited dealer network.
Top-heavy.
Harder to handle at low speeds.
Hefty maintenance schedule.
Rear end failures. (which BMW still won't 'fess up to...)
Premium gas requirement.
Reduced luggage space.
Huge "tiller" handlebars.
Didn't want to go into first gear when cold (under 45 degrees).
Shifted like a grain truck when cold.

Although, the K12LT did have nice brakes. And the new models will have an automatic center stand. Phhhhbbbbttttt!!!! :a13:

 

[Bulldog]

Let's see here. hmmm to answer your question on this Goldwing BBS, I guess I would have to go with Goldwing....LOL

Bulldog

 

[ddking]

This might help. Very long with pictures.

http://64.191.30.178/forums/viewtopic.p ... highlight=

 

[Sagebrush]

1800 or KT1200?

I ride with a group that is made up of several different touring bikes. Several are BMW KT1200s. One of the riders of the KT1200 is a mechanic at the local BMW shop so you know he loves his Beemer.

One of his comments to me this summer was that he wished there was as much after-market products available for his bike as is available for the Wing. He dies behind that big fairing in the summer and there isn't a product similar to the Baker or Tulsa wind wings for the KT1200 that would allow him to adjust his airflow.

Another of our Intrepid KT1200 owners would like to trade her Beemer for a Gl1800 because the handle bars are too wide for her and there is no after market solution for her bike like there is for the Wing.

The KT1200 riders all have problems with the Beemer CBs. If you think Honda CBs are poor just get one for the KT.

Another point, last November we as a group took the MSF ERC course. Of the three KT1200s there 2 were dropped, one several times. Of the 8 Gl1800s only one was dropped and that only once. One of our members made a comment that the "Beemers were dropping like flies" I realize that most of that goes to the rider's expereience but some of it may go the the more top heavy nature of the the KT.

Many people when attempting to evaluate a bike tend to overlook how a bike that is made for a mass market and hence must meet the needs of riders from the short to the very tall can be modified to suit a particular rider. IMHO the after market accessories and the ability to get the bike to exactly suit your needs make the decision you're faced with tip heavily toward the Wing.

 

[Ironbutt Ken]

Need assistance, which one do I get??

The only person that can make that decision in you, but only after discussing it with your co-rider. If the co-rider ain't happy ain't nobody happy. Give them both a serious test ride 2-up and then decide.

 

[Guest]

Hey are you the same Deepfeet from the VOL board? You said you currently ride a Volusia and there was a deepfeet member on that one. I used to be a member of that board. I traded my Vol for the Wing. I could echo what others have said but I'll spare you that. What I could add that I don't think has been said yet (although I didn't read the links) is to put the bikes side by side, feature by feature, and compare. The base wing is cheaper, but the BMW has extras that you'd have to pay for on the wing (cb, cd, heated seats/grips, etc). Once you total the costs (or subtract the costs) then you can compare them as equals and decide if those features are worth it for the differences in performance.

It's obvious that I went with the wing. Still love the bmw style and multiple models (you get to pick what options you want like wings used to do) but I think the wing is more bang for the buck in the long run.

 

[J-mac]

DEEPFEET

me and TBB* ride 2-up about 98% of the time, I to looked at the Beamer and for us, there is really no comparison. The 1800 HAS A MUCH LOWER center of gravity and after a long day in the saddle (we have gone as long as 12 hours in the saddle~~breaks every 2-3 hours) I feel the top heavy BMW would be to much effort.

Me and TBB are both 5' 9" (although I weigh more than her) and with the right pegs this bike is astonishingly comfortable.

I read an article (I;m sorry, I didn't copy it) about last years Iron Butt competition and they said of all the BMW's that started the race, 90% where DNF because of mechanical failure~~~~

bottom line is the the GL1800 IS the worlds most comfortable motorcycle. put your wife/girl friend on the back and let her decide, you will be riding the 1800 before ya know it.

just MHO


* Throttle Boss Barb

 

[loren]

by all means make sure to have a test run.

a couple years ago i did a test ride on a st1100. the ride was about 10 minutes and was real nice. i did buy the bike, and came to regret the decision.

simply because i did nt insist on a longer test run.

the rider position after about 30 minutes was very poor for me. a longer test cruise would have shown this oversight on my part.

when i took the goldwing out for a ride, i went for about 40 minutes. then after i asked some more questions and looked at it some more. the dealer offered to have me take it for the day to do some two person rideing.

these extended rides may not be common, but they are avaible ,especialy during the slow season.

also note that the local bmw dealer would not let me take a 1200 out for a test ride. they suggested that i take a friends for a ride, insurance purposes you know.

loren

 

[mrgl02]

also note that the local bmw dealer would not let me take a 1200 out for a test ride. they suggested that i take a friends for a ride, insurance purposes you know.

Exact opposite for me. The manager of the BMW dealership handed me the keys to a K12LT and said "We close at 4pm". This was around 10 or 11 in the morning.

Getting demo rides from the local Honda dealer is a rare event. The Goldwing demo ride promotion doesn't work when the dealer doesn't have a "demo bike". Another dealer, 40 miles away, didn't have a "demo bike" either.

A third Honda dealer will let you ride nearly anything that they have, but they escort you on a sport bike throughout the ride, on a pre-determined route that they choose.

 

[gonzowing]

What about after market seats. I have a mustang seat on the suzuki and its very comfortable. What the best seat on a wing. What should I look for.

Seats are like underwear, what fits me won't necessarily fit you. A seat is a large investment, before you buy one, sit on as many different brands as you can, attend a rally and check all the vendors. If possible, have a factory "fit" a seat to you. It will take more effort, but in the long run it will turn out to be a better investment. And as to your other question, how could you even consider the BMW over the Wing? (I actually rode both before I bought the Wing, wasn't even close for me.)

 

[Guest]

Seats are like underwear, what fits me won't necessarily fit you.

underwear? whats underwear :lol:

 

[J-mac]

ewww,ewwww,ewwwwwww,

way to much info

 

[Tony in AZ]

demo ride? whatz that?

I am 5'7 inches tall, 170lbs wet....

I must admit I sometimes wonder how taller people are sitting on this bike comfortably. It fits me great

 

[SLIDE]

I'm 6'4" and 210 pounds. At first I felt a little cramped but after a while, I don't notice it anymore. My best friend is 6' 8" and rides a GL1800. He says it is OK. I doubt you will get many suggestions to buy the K1200 on this board. The very best advice is to "take the test ride". SLIDE

 

[Jimmie]

I'm 6'4" tall and now weigh in at 215lbs (was 270 untill recently) I traded a 2000 Ultra Classic for the wing. My first impression was the same as yours. Felt cramped. After awhile it does seem to get more comfortable. I changed to a Corbin Seat after 10 months and this helped me alot. Rattle Bars came out with a peg relo kit moving them forward, this also helped alot. V&P risers aslo help but now you can get them from MBL very nice I just ordered a set. Last was the highway peg. I tried all that were available including the unlighted version of the ones you mentioned. They all help but none were comfortable. THEN the ****-O-Peg. DDking has done extensive research and has worked closely with the inventor. They made a hugh difference for me. Now with that said I've grown to be as comfortable as I can be on the wing. I do like the seating position better on the Harley. The power and handeling of the wing along with the acceptable level of comfort make the wing a fun machine for me. Add in the friendships developed on this board and you will not be sorry if you choose to go this route. By the way does GSP = Garden State Parkway because I'm from Jersey myself?

 

[Bulldog]

Jimmie,

Ya gotta come clean with me Man. Did you get better gas mileage after shedding all them pounds....LOL

Congrats on the weight Loss. Takes lots of determination.

Bulldog

 

[DaleC]

Go do a test drive of both. It's a pretty easy decision from there.

DaleC