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New 2021 Gold Wing EXTREMELY rough suspension

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#24 ·
#25 ·
Feral Space Cat said:
Hi,

Just bought a brand new 2021 GW standard 6 spd. I’ve put about 190 miles on it and it’s absolutely terrible. The suspension is unbelievable rough on anything but perfect roads. Suspension seems to be bottoming out on the stops even on small potholes in the road.

I ride daily for work and the roads here in Oakland, CA are bad but none of my previous bikes (2 FJRs, Several BMWs, vstrom or Concours 14) had suspension issues like this. The bike actually started front end vibrating cross the Alameda tunnel…. The GW feels like there is absolutely no suspension and it’s just ridding on hard rubber blocks.

I’ve heard of upgrades to the suspension, but on a brand new bike?!

Absolutely disappointed in this bike…. Both Yamaha FJRs where 100% better even after 50,000 miles on the first one and 30k on the second.
Click to expand...
i think your preload adjuster is the culprit. Mine was set to full compression from the factory and it rode like a rock. I adjusted to 9 clicks from minimum and the ride is much more comfortable. The adjuster is located behind the right side cover. Check your manual for how to adjust. It’s easy.
 
#26 ·
Something is wrong. Please have your bike checked out.

Everyone does their own thing on air Pressure. I would say
F 35-38
R 38-40
***I feel higher pressure is like riding rocks

Sport Mode puts a stiffer preload on the front. Which is noticeable
 
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#32 ·
virginiawing said:
If its that bad bottoming out maybe the front preload is adjusted to the lowest weight setting. Worth a look for sure.
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You can't adjust the preload with the front shock..only the rear shock has adjustable preload..however the damping is adjusted a bit in both shocks with the ride modes.
 
#33 ·
Feral Space Cat said:
Hi,

You’re right it’s too soft. Every bump slams the suspension against the stops even over small cracks.

I’m waiting for the dealer to open on Tuesday to see what they say. But between the terrible seat, the TPMS that’s been going off and on regardless of tire pressure and the nonexistent suspension I’m utterly disappointed.

I heard the rumors that the 2018 suspension was trash but never thought 3 model years latter it’s just as bad if not worse.
Click to expand...
I am 6'1" and 240lb. This is the nicest riding bike made. I have ridden every Sport Tourer and Tourer on the market. Your opening comment above couldn't be further from the truth from my experience, I don't ever notice the small stuff and RR tracks are comfortable to ride over on my bike. I am able to do 750 mile days in comfort, I could do longer but that is where I choose to cut it off. My suspension is setup for one person and luggage. You might want to explore that.

Not sure what the problem is with your bike, but I would take it back to the dealer and explain it to them and take another GW for a ride for comparison.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Roadie said:
You can't adjust the preload with the front shock..only the rear shock has adjustable preload..however the damping is adjusted a bit in both shocks with the ride modes.
Click to expand...
My ignorance of the suspension shines brightly! So there is absolutely no way to adjust the front shock preload on Goldwing Tour or Non Tour. Just damping via modes. Only the rear shock has Preload adjustability via electronics if Tour Model or Hand Adjustment via manual turning on the Bagger? How can 1 shock fit all riders from 135-300 lbs? Seems Honda should have incorporated front preload adjustment options
 
#36 · (Edited)
Got it, super bad assumption. I see that Max takes the riders weight and possibly the normal load into consideration when installing his front shock. I guess the importance of the damping rates far exceed that of preload?

The confusing thing for me is how so many different riders can have a different experience or opinion of the bikes stock suspension regardless of load. Seems many light to heavy riders have expressed their positive opinions of the stock suspension, and then the next post contains members stating the suspension stinks horribly and they took the bike to Max or Fred as soon as they can. I would comprehend the variance if guys were going to the track or riding the Dragon with the Yellow Goldwing but we are talking normal everyday riding over city streets. My only issue with the suspension is the way it is upset by throttle input, especially in Sport Mode and compounded by roads other than perfect. I try and provide minimum throttle input over bumpy sections of a road.
 
#37 ·
virginiawing said:
Got it, super bad assumption. I see that Max takes the riders weight and possibly the normal load into consideration when installing his front shock. I guess the importance of the damping rates far exceed that of preload?

The confusing thing for me is how so many different riders can have a different experience or opinion of the bikes stock suspension regardless of load. Seems many light to heavy riders have expressed their positive opinions of the stock suspension, and then the next post states they took the bike to Max or Fred as soon as they can. My only issue with the suspension is the way it is upset by throttle input, especially in Sport Mode.
Click to expand...
My 2003 had full Traxxion suspension tuned for the weight of my passanger..I would had not ridden a older model wing without Traxxion suspension after experiencing that setup...but this new model has a much nicer suspension from the factory than the old model did...I love the plush ride...its not perfect and if I rode two up most of the time like I used too I would be in more of a hurry to upgrade this bikes suspension.
I did ride to Georgia and rode Traxxions 2018 demo bike...after the demo ride Im still not in a hurry to upgrade my bike...I really like the plush ride of this bike and really don't want to give that part of the ride up...I'm thinking the demo bike needed softer springs because it was not as plush as OEM..but no doubt would be a better choice for two up riding, especially with a passanger over 150 lbs. Ive ridden two up with a 150lb passanger and I thought this bike handled it pretty well on twisty roads at legal speeds.
 
#38 ·
The Wilbers front shock has manual preload adjustability and a hooked wrench is provided to do so. I haven't needed to adjust mine as it came properly sprung and preloaded for my weight, but if I sold the bike to a heavier rider it could be adjusted to suit.
The Wilbers rear shock also has manual adjustability along with the hydraulic adjustor, the manual adjustment would require removing the shock from the bike, but still better than having to buy a new spring if your needs change.
Both shocks keep the 3 damping setting feature, with more noticeable differences from one setting to the next than stock.
 
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#39 ·
virginiawing said:
The confusing thing for me is how so many different riders can have a different experience or opinion of the bikes stock suspension regardless of load…My only issue with the suspension is the way it is upset by throttle input, especially in Sport Mode and compounded by roads other than perfect. I try and provide minimum throttle input over bumpy sections of a road.
Click to expand...
See my post above about how putting a centramatic balancer on the front made a dramatic difference in front end damping feel. Not explaining, just observing. And I think the hair-trigger throttle is the problem rather than the suspension in the bucking on bumpy roads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#40 ·
Desde España ; I have been with my GW 1800 standard Bagger 2021 with a deep case for three weeks; and he avenged several motorcycles: Africa twin dct atas 2018; Cb1100 ex all with suspension changed by my Ohlins .. and weight 125 kg, 1.90 mts .. and my lady 65 kg… the bike is impressive on the road; in BAD ROADS .. here in Spain. something strange happens to you in that model…. the front suspension can even go without hands ... on bad roads ... neither moves nor stops. Something is wrong with your model
 
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