I've had my new 2012 for one month now. These are some observations based on 5000 miles of use. Most observations apply to previous years as well.
Color: WHITE
Model: AUDIO COMFORT NAVI XM ABS
-1 The goldwing tranny is clunky. Too bad. It detracts from an otherwise fine bike.
-1 The barn door of a windshield does not allow enough air over the top for cooling in the summer. I know it has a vent but it's useless. I will have to look into a shorter ws.
-1 Bike needs electrically operated ws like the ST1300.
+1 The TPS (Tire Pressure System) saved my bacon. This feature works!!! About 2500 miles into my trip I had a rear puncture. Usually I've had no problem plugging tires, but this time the tire kicked out 5 plugs and each time the TPS warned me so I could pull over safely. I was able to limp into Monticello Utah on the sixth plug to have the tire replaced. The owner of Hondaland was really helpful and did a great job.
+1 Clear coat wheels. Easy cleanup.
-1 Clear coat scratches too easily on wheels.
+1 This baby is well balanced. When I take my hands off the grips in cruise control it tracks straight as an arrow.
+1 Bike is very stable in winds.
-1 Way too much effort required to change air filter.
+1 Plugs will be easy to change.
+1 Oil & filter change is a snap.
+1 Smooth surfaces for easy cleanup. Honda did a good job putting a lot of smooth surfaces on the bike to cover crooks and crannies.
-1 Throttle takes too much effort.
-1 Bogus Trunk open message when it is closed. The latch mechanism needs to be redesigned or allow adjustment. The trunk open message should stay on for no more than 5 seconds instead of staying on and blocking the screen.
-1 Trunk operation sucks. When new, the trunk lever opened the trunk easily. Now I have to press down on the trunk to open it, otherwise I'm afraid I may break the lever.
All in all the gw is a fine bike that I can live with.
Color: WHITE
Model: AUDIO COMFORT NAVI XM ABS
-1 The goldwing tranny is clunky. Too bad. It detracts from an otherwise fine bike.
-1 The barn door of a windshield does not allow enough air over the top for cooling in the summer. I know it has a vent but it's useless. I will have to look into a shorter ws.
-1 Bike needs electrically operated ws like the ST1300.
+1 The TPS (Tire Pressure System) saved my bacon. This feature works!!! About 2500 miles into my trip I had a rear puncture. Usually I've had no problem plugging tires, but this time the tire kicked out 5 plugs and each time the TPS warned me so I could pull over safely. I was able to limp into Monticello Utah on the sixth plug to have the tire replaced. The owner of Hondaland was really helpful and did a great job.
+1 Clear coat wheels. Easy cleanup.
-1 Clear coat scratches too easily on wheels.
+1 This baby is well balanced. When I take my hands off the grips in cruise control it tracks straight as an arrow.
+1 Bike is very stable in winds.
-1 Way too much effort required to change air filter.
+1 Plugs will be easy to change.
+1 Oil & filter change is a snap.
+1 Smooth surfaces for easy cleanup. Honda did a good job putting a lot of smooth surfaces on the bike to cover crooks and crannies.
-1 Throttle takes too much effort.
-1 Bogus Trunk open message when it is closed. The latch mechanism needs to be redesigned or allow adjustment. The trunk open message should stay on for no more than 5 seconds instead of staying on and blocking the screen.
-1 Trunk operation sucks. When new, the trunk lever opened the trunk easily. Now I have to press down on the trunk to open it, otherwise I'm afraid I may break the lever.
All in all the gw is a fine bike that I can live with.