Does Honda do Goldwing demo rides?

[Imapilot]

In the Philly area.  I was planning on a touring middle weight.  ie, st or connie.   But i had a friend mention to try the heavyweights ie. goldwing( already tried the Vulcan Voyager).  

Does Honda test ride the heavy bikes?

[Cablebandit]

Yup.  Just find a dealer and ask.

[spd2918]

Weight is not the issue- its the clearance, length, and suspension.

[Krellian]

Weight is not the issue- its the clearance, length, and suspension.

Comfort, smoothness, gadgets galore!
what have you rode before? ever rode a Wing?

[sleazy rider]

If you're in the market for a touring bike, put the wife on the back.  Guaranteed, you will own a Wing.

[The Shepherd]

I went to a Honda Powerhouse dealership and test rode a Wing for shits and giggles, it rocked!

I can see why people love those things. Buttery smooth and blasting AC/DC into the countryside, YEAHH!

[spd2918]

Comfort, smoothness, gadgets galore!
what have you rode before? ever rode a Wing?

My brother-in-law and I tour.  We sometimes swap bikes when bored and I enjoy with GL1800.  I might even own one down the road.  Everyone bitches about the weight but to me it is a non-issue.  The clearance, length, and suspension limit it for the type of riding I do.

That was the context of my post- that the weight is not biggie but the other issues are.

[sfalexi]

The gl1800 is an awesome awesome bike.  I was VERY VERY close to buying one.  I just felt uncomfortable with that size, weight and seat height for my "all around" bike (wasn't going to buy two bikes, so I needed a tourer AND commuter in one).  

Also, I was afraid I'd be breaking the law too often and/or kill myself.  It was REALLY REALLY easy to ride fast.

Alexi

PS - Wife loved the back.  But that's no surprise.

[ST-DocLizard1]

I test rode an GL1800 before I bought my ST1300. The dealership rule was just a copy of my license and to have it back by closing time. It was the good-looking yellow one and I enjoyed it all afternoon. If I was going to ride two-up, I would have bought the Wing.


Doc

[atadaskew]

Does Honda test ride the heavy bikes?

Just test drive a Honda Accord, but make sure all the windows are down.
Same sensation.

[Orson]

Honda bashing reported to moderators.

[atadaskew]

Honda bashing reported to moderators.

I wuz complimenting the Accord.

[Imapilot]

I test rode an GL1800 before I bought my ST1300. The dealership rule was just a copy of my license and to have it back by closing time. It was the good-looking yellow one and I enjoyed it all afternoon. If I was going to ride two-up, I would have bought the Wing.


Doc

Hey Doc,  What dealer in NJ was that?  i'm in the southern part.  But my local dealer told me they don't like to let the goldwings out to demo.  Makes em harder to sell he said.   So no go from them.


I have contemplated where we draw the line between motorcycle and car.  At some point( i believe its the Spyders)  you loose the soul of the motorcycle.

[sammyseaman]

Hey Doc,  What dealer in NJ was that?  i'm in the southern part.  But my local dealer told me they don't like to let the goldwings out to demo.  Makes em harder to sell he said.   So no go from them.


I have contemplated where we draw the line between motorcycle and car.  At some point( i believe its the Spyders)  you loose the soul of the motorcycle.

Oh shit! If this turns into a conversation about "soul" I predict 10 pages. Many Honda's have sold their soul  

[timbo813]

I have contemplated where we draw the line between motorcycle and car.  At some point( i believe its the Spyders)  you loose the soul of the motorcycle.

I believe it is when they lose the ability to lean.  Spyders and trikes are not motorcycles IMO.  (Yes, I know the law says differently.)   If I reach the point where I can't ride on two wheels, I will look at convertibles.  

[atadaskew]

But my local dealer told me they don't like to let the goldwings out to demo.  Makes em harder to sell he said.  

I think your dealer does not understand the purpose of demos..

My demo ride on my Wing 1800 back in 2002 made me buy the bike.  Waaaay better than the Valkyrie IS I rode in on.  So I traded.

[Imapilot]

I think your dealer does not understand the purpose of demos..

My demo ride on my Wing 1800 back in 2002 made me buy the bike.  Waaaay better than the Valkyrie IS I rode in on.  So I traded.

I guess at $27K they practically sell them selves sight unseen.............

[1KPerDay]

Many Honda's have sold their soul  

And many souls have sold their Hondas....

[1KPerDay]

 The clearance, length, and suspension limit it for the type of riding I do.

I don't see why the length would be an issue, but I agree about the others. After a while you self-calibrate your internal gimbals to "Goldwing lean" and it feels fast again.

[sleazy rider]

How are your engine guards holding up?  Mine had some rash on the bottom when I sold it.    I did end up putting new lower cowls on too.