No new Goldwings?

[rajflyboy]

I just heard today that Honda is no longer making Goldwings.  

I haven't heard of this before today.  

What do you think Honda will do with the "Wing" in the future?  I'm sure they will build another before long.  

[schmii]

moving the factory from U.S. to Asia.  They don't have a new ST for next year either.

...

new model in 2012?

[rajflyboy]

moving the factory from U.S. to Asia.  They don't have a new ST for next year either.

...

new model in 2012?

Thanks for the info.   I was totally unaware of this.   I hope the new Goldwing rocks.

[FJR1300]

It won't be as good as a Harley.

[Scratch33]

It won't be as good as a Harley.

Dammit.

[rajflyboy]

I'm sure Honda will come up with an awesome machine.   The Goldwing is a beloved motorcycle.   Whatever it is >> It will certainly be a "Prime Time" well built machine with leading edge technology.  

The current 1800 has mostly 10 year old technology now.   Time for the upgrade and also cheap labor in Japan.

[Flyer]

moving the factory from U.S. to Asia.

Yes, you will soon be able to buy your new melamine-encrusted 'Wing at the new WalMart at Ground Zero.

 
Oh go ahead; throw me in PO.

[Andrew]

Good riddance, one less manufacturing plant here in USA,

Once all the jobs are gone I bet we can have cheap labor here again.

OK now send this to PO

[Jmac_bandit]

they're just following harley to India  

[Scratch33]

All we need is a hundred "Car tire on a Wing?!" and "Do you carry when you ride?" threads per week and it'll be just like a Gold Wing Forum...

[mugwump58]

Old news, keep up will ya

[Snowbird]

Well, polyester has gone out of style and I think some Dairy Queen locations have closed, so the GW's market is dwindling.

I don't think Honda can compete with Harley. The GW might be a "better" machine, but if I was going to choose, I'd choose an FL touring model over a GW. Shudder. Ugh. I could not bear to ride either a GW or an FL. That's just me.

[FiremanBob]

This is old news, and IIRC they are moving production back to Japan, not to the clip joints in Communist China, so the quality will not be a problem. Price might rise, though.

It's a shame. I have to believe that a strong business case could have been made to manufacture more of the product line in the US, rather than less.

[Redbandit14]

This is pretty old news. They are moving to a more automated factory in Japan a. The workers at the U.S. bike plant are being absorbed into the car plant nearby.

[Snowbird]

Well, it is not old news if, as the OP said:

I just heard today that Honda is no longer making Goldwings.  

Moving production and ceasing production are two different things.

How about a clarification beginning with the word "heard," and the phrase "no longer making?"

[wvrider]

yep old news. actually they havent made any really NEW Goldwings in perhaps 3 years. Not much further innovation went in to the last couple models after the airbags and they have inventory from 08 on to sell so if you want one you can find plenty of new ones. Just pick your color and accept whatever year it is and ride out...good bikes. I do currently ride an FL (trying my flavor of the current time) but if someone made a touring or sport touring designed rig with communications, cruise (for our stinkin interstate system), radio or interface for same and luggage all under 750 lbs and less than 16k dollars...oh and grunt filled character laden motor (inline 4s can step aside as they just seem to be so neutral unless you flog them) that gets 50 mpg on regular gas...I am all in.....but THAT aint gonna happen. New Wing will likely be still at 900 lbs, still a 6 cramping the rider triangle and still get rave reviews (cause it will be nice)...

Phil

[sammyseaman]

Well, I hope they get a new Wing out by the time I'm 80. That's how fuckin' old I'd have to be to buy one of those tanks  
They've got 39 years.

Continue  

[SLK50]

  GW negativity usually comes from those that haven't owned one.  

  I owned one for about 13 incredible years and almost cried delivering it to it's new owner.

  But, just as Baskin-Robbins has 39 flavors, I was ready to try something different.

[blackbeltrider]

Winnebago has to re-tool their assembly line, first.

[sleazy rider]

WinneWingabago has to re-tool their assembly line, first.

FTFY!

[sammyseaman]

  GW negativity usually comes from those that haven't owned one.  

  I owned one for about 13 incredible years and almost cried delivering it to it's new owner.

  But, just as Baskin-Robbins has 39 flavors, I was ready to try something different.

 
I've never owned one (and never will) but have ridden 3. A buddy's 1000 that was stripped and set up like a cafe racer. It was fun.... kinda. My ex father in law's 1200 that was about as fun as a 3hr marathon of The View. And another buddy's 1800 which was surprisingly fast but that is all that was surprising or fun  

[county]

Well, you take a motorcycle and add a "landing gear" that deploys under 5 mph so you don't hafta put a foot down and add a reverse and add a trailer hitch and color matched trailer and you got one fine motorcycle.

[Redbandit14]

Well, you take a motorcycle and add a "landing gear" that deploys under 5 mph so you don't hafta put a foot down and add a reverse and add a trailer hitch and color matched trailer and you got one fine motorcycle.

Goldwings have landing gear? When did that start?

[motomem]

Gold Wing landing gear.

Owned a 1500. Boring but I could ride 800 miles, enjoy the scenery and still enjoy a night on the town.
I would buy another 1500. It's the '69 Caddy of the motorcycle world.

[rajflyboy]

I rode an 1800 back in 2003 for a day during a test ride Honda was running.    I was very impressed with the bike.   Power and Handling were much better than expected

[scrmpyjack]

All of this does not matter to me .  When it is time to replace my 06 Goldwing.  I am going back to aTriumph .
I have lost intrest in the Goldwing experiance.  And   HD.  All they are intrested in is, selling an image and black T-shirts.  Its your money.  I give a rats butt.

I am going back to keeping it dependable and simple. And as usual, All gear all the Time  

[rajflyboy]

All of this does not matter to me .  When it is time to replace my 06 Goldwing.  I am going back to aTriumph .
I have lost intrest in the Goldwing experiance.  And   HD.  All they are intrested in is, selling an image and black T-shirts.  Its your money.  I give a rats butt.

I am going back to keeping it dependable and simple. And as usual, All gear all the Time  

and what kind of triumph would you want to purchase?    

[rgbeard]

  GW negativity usually comes from those that haven't owned one.  

I own at least one at any time.  I also make a little side business by buying/selling them.

I can't imagine being without one.

SportTourer?  No.  sportTOURER, Yes.  

I use them for work, and find the GL-1200 of them all to be the most useful variation of the beast.

[scrmpyjack]

I am researching the Tiger the Trophy and the kawasaki C14.  I have 51,000 on the Wing .    I find that I lost touch with what I love most in life.  I will not miss the radio the GPS or the weight of her.

Cheers

[rgbeard]

Goldwings have landing gear? When did that start?

There's a few companies that have made it - many have gone under - high costs of production and liability insurance.

[Rincewind]

My dad is a Gold-winger for 30+ years.  He's been holding onto his 2007 waiting for a new model.  Last rumors I heard was that they may not even change the new Wings when they begin their Asian production run - just start back up making the GL1800's again.  Honda does not seem to be on-the-ball to maintain their dominance of the Luxo-Barge class.

Regardless I'm using this opportunity to strongly suggest he look at the BMW K1600GTL.  If only I could find a pic or accessory to show the bike towing a trailer, he might be sold.  The 160HP figure is particularly appealing to him.  

[Snowbird]

There's a few companies that have made it - many have gone under - high costs of production and liability insurance.

Now, I would gladly ride that or any other similarly equipped motorcycle if the only thing between me and riding was an inability to steady myself at stop.  

[Scratch33]

If only I could find a pic or accessory to show the bike towing a trailer,

Why not visit a few BMW forums and ask around?  

[Rincewind]

Why not visit a few BMW forums and ask around?  

I've been casually searching/lurking the question - it doesn't seem like anyone has a hitch out yet for the new K1600-bikes.  I expect there will be a lag until an aftermarket hitch/trailer becomes available, and that will be following the lag of when the bikes themselves will be available.  Bushtec and Dauntless seem to be the popular choice for BMW riders, though my dad's a big fan of Hannigan.

[Attack Pug]

I bought my Wing on a whim when the new 1800 came out in 2001. 9 years is the longist I've ever kept a bike.
It IS a great bike but having a sporty bike to go along with it is a must !