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Have you traded a Harley for a Goldwing, or vice versa?

BruceRPA

BruceRPA

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Man, I sure hope that this doesn't end up in Back Alley politics :rolleyes: but I have come to the point that I am considering getting rid of my 2001 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic and replacing it with a Goldwing. After being forced to trade my 2000 Ultra on my 2001 because of an electrical problem that the dealer couldn't fix that almost got my wife and I killed on several occasions, I just got my bike back from the dealer after five weeks of throwing parts at another electrical problem that they couldn't fix. It was only after I suggested that they check a very basic circuit that the problem was isolated and corrected. After five weeks and $550 I am on the road again, having wasted the heart of the summer riding season. Also, right after we got this one we were way out in the middle of nowhere several hours from home and a completely different electrical problem left us stranded. I had to get a trailer and tow the bike home. OK, enough complaining, I just wanted to explain part of why I am considering changing brands. The point is that my wife and I ride together (she sits in the back and tells me where to go. She also gives me directions! :D ) and we have lost confidence in not only this bike (again) but the dealer and Harley Davidson in general. :sigh: HD did absolutely nothing for us in either case. It's sad but that's the way it is. I have never bought into the "if it's not a Harley it's junk" BS. A bike is a bike and any rider is my friend. On the contrary, I know that the other brands are more reliable, especially Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki. It's sad that a US made brand can't keep a long time repeat customer due to the lack of reliability. OK, enough of that rant. I could go on and on but I will spare you the details.

I am interested to hear from those that have owned a Harley "Dresser" and have traded to a Goldwing. I would like to know what your experience on the wing has been like as compared to the HD, especially riding two-up. I test rode a new Goldwing yesterday and I liked it quite a bit. It is similar, yet different. I am particularly interested in your experience with reliability and service issues and how different the water cooled engine and heat (or lack thereof) affect you and your passenger.

I appreciate your comments and opinions.

Thanks!
 
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I have a couple of friends that have been hardcore bikers. Twin brothers in fact. One has been on a chopped custom Harley for 20+ years, but he also has a vintage BMW. Last time I was over he had his Harley taken apart in his living room. He's single and loves "working" on bikes. His brother is still riding his 1975 bought new, full dress Goldwing.

The Goldwing brother is always giving Harley brother crap about not getting out enough to ride because he is always working on his bike.
 
I am a fan of both the evo and later Harley's and old and new Goldwings. Problem is I cannot afford either.
 
My old boss and I have riding together for years.
He has a 1982 Honda Goldwing with 100K+ on it.
It just keeps going.....and going.....and going.....
His 700 pound Honda Goldwing absolutely dwarfs my 365 pound, single cylinder 1982 Honda FT-500.
Gotta love Honda for building LONG LASTING reliable bikes!!


Steve
 
grumpy said:
I am a fan of both the evo and later Harley's and old and new Goldwings. Problem is I cannot afford either.
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Yeah, what he said. :)

However, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who moved away from a Goldwing because it wasn't reliable.
 
Yeah, reliability has never been Harley Davidson's strong point. Never had a minutes problem with my Kawaski Vulcan. The water cooled engine is plus point in MHO. And I loved that the Vulcan had a driveshaft instead of a chain. If I were going to buy a big bike, I would take the Goldwing over a Harley anyday!
 
Fall is usually the best time to look for a USED bike, as far as price is concerned.
People who are looking to sell a motorcycle, usually do NOT want to store it over the winter.

Steve
 
stuartk said:
On the other hand, I bet there are a lot more old Harleys still on the road than bikes from some other brands.
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I'll take that bet.

In the other 99% of the world, Honda motorbikes are the preferred method of transportation for millions. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of Honda two-wheeled vehicles puttering around Asia.
 
While I currently own an FLHX, I have had the opportunity to ride a '05 Goldwing. Simply put....if I were to venture out on a long trip (excess of 1k miles) I'd opt for the Honda hands down.

I love my Street Glide as I did my previous FLHT, both were and have been dependable, but I do fel the ergonomics of the "Wing" are superior, YMMV though !

Given what HD 'has not done' for you I don't blame you one bit, and besides the value of the Goldwings hold up mighty fine !!
 
I have neither but an acquaintance in town has both, not sure of the years. He loves the Harley that he has had for many years and it has been rebuilt almost completely. He uses it around town and shorter excursions. The Goldwing he bought used just a couple of years ago with a blown engine and replaced it. He uses it on the long trips that he takes several times during the summer.

He is less comfortable on the Harley for long trips and b/c of the age is treating it more gently. The Goldwing he does not like for short runs as much as the Harley and finds it more comfortable to ride for long hours. Prior to the Goldwing, he'd take the Harley from here to Florida and 1 time to California so not sure if his current view is for real or to justify having both to the wife. He's in his 60s.
 
Spasticteapot said:
I'll take that bet.

In the other 99% of the world, Honda motorbikes are the preferred method of transportation for millions. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of Honda two-wheeled vehicles puttering around Asia.
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I wasn't specifically talking about Honda, but they've only been around since '48.
 
Thanks for the comments folks. I do appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts and opinions. I am curious about how the heat from the Goldwing's radiators impacts the rider and the passenger, especially in slow traffic. It must be better than sitting on top of an air cooled engine. Reminds one of that popular old time Christmas song... ? As much as I like the Harley, having to put up with the excessive heat in the summer is getting old. Not that I am you understand :D . Actually I am 57 going on 40 :rolleyes: .

When we ride we are generally out all day and cover 200 to 500 miles. We have taken several 1,500 mile trips and still hope to be able to do so for several more years at least. We usually ride alone. At least it is rare that we ride with others. It's just our preference and the way that the timing works out for us. It has been years since we rode with the H.O.G. club although we have participated in club meetings and occasional events in the not too distant past. I know that there are other motorcycle clubs in the area so I don't expect to be loosing that experience, just changing clubs. Once again, I am far from what some may perceive as a hard core biker or wan'na-be biker. No dress-ups here. Dressed for the crash and the weather, yes. It's just me and my wife out for the day enjoyin' the ride the same as every other rider.

So, if anyone that has owned both bikes can contrast and compare their experience as well as offer what they like and dis-like about the bike itself(the Goldwing), I sure will appreciate hearing about it.
 
Harley to Goldwing , isn't that like going to the dark side ? Have a friend who sold Harleys for years now sells Honda's , both have their benefits.
 
No Sturgess for you Ultra-hog?:D Bet your wife wouldn't like it. My buddy just got back from there last week. He's 53, and didn't take his wife. Still waiting for my copy of all the pics he took. He had to download all the pics at a Walgreens before he got to his house.
 
I've ridden a little of everything over the years. H.D., Triumph, Norton, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc... All have their good points.

Harleys have that certain rough elegance, and that wonderful rumble. The English bikes were fun, and certainly have their own soul, but the damned electrics were a constant pain. The Japanese bikes just... worked.

To me, you get to a certain point in life where you do the things you do for your own reasons, and pleasure; and I'm at the point where one of my greatest pleasures is "things that work properly". I can't ride anymore, but if I were going to ride two up, the Goldwing would be at the very top of my list.

Good luck with whatever you decide UH...
 
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fotno said:
English bikes were fun, and certainly have their own soul, but the damned electrics were a constant pain. The Japanese bikes just... worked.
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I had a Yamaha 650 twin (XS650F) while a buddy had a Bonneville 750.

The Triumph felt a bit better on twisty roads until I replaced the tires on the Yammie, then they were about the same.

My 650 was more reliable, and was overall a better bike (IMO anyway). It was an improved copy of the classic British vertical twin.

The Bonneville was prettier though. :)
 
Ultra-Hog said:
Thanks for the comments folks. I do appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts and opinions. I am curious about how the heat from the Goldwing's radiators impacts the rider and the passenger, especially in slow traffic. It must be better than sitting on top of an air cooled engine.
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I had a couple of water-cooled bikes, and mostly didn't notice much difference in terms of the amount of heat I felt.

The bikes I had seemed to be a bit cooler during normal riding.

The only time you could feel a difference was at a long stoplight or in really low-speed traffic. You'd sit there and suddenly the fan kicks on and you get a blast of warm air. But, the water-cooled engine never gets as hot as an air-cooled one, so the maximum amount of heat you feel is lower.

I know that if I were riding a bike as daily transportation in traffic I would want a water-cooled bike. It means you don't have to worry at all about your engine overheating.
 
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