[Newfie TLR]

The Bride and I decided to try to sell the Trumpet and buy a Wing, or maybe trade it in on one.

I know they are pretty well the ultimate in long distance 2-wheel comfort and of course the Honda fit & finish and longevity, but what about any quirks? Anyone have any experience or stories to tell me?

[ND4SPD]

A friend tells me they can do wheelies.

I have about 250mi worth of seat time in one. It's an amazing machine for a boat anchor. Quite the healthy motor as well. I wouldn't even hesitate about getting one if I were in your position.

[OSIRIS]

The only thing I can think of right now was that some of the earlier ones needed part of the frame re-welded...this being on the early 1800s. You might want to check around on that, but they're awesome bikes. The 1800 is the one you want though...probably feels close to your Tiller 2-up in weight. My dad has about 70000 miles on his 2001 and was just under 100K on his 98.
I'm not sure there is a better bike out there for what you seem to want.

And they can do wheelies

[phobiaphobe]

make sure you put about 4800 marker lights on it and pull a trailer.

[Mojave954]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

make sure you put about 4800 marker lights on it and pull a trailer.

Sidecar or retractable training wheels. Don't want that thing tipping over.

Instructor at the motorcycle safety class had one. Said, "If I can do this stuff on this thing then there you guys should have no problem with your bikes." Never saw him wheelie it but he did lay it on its side then righted it again, by himself. Impressive. Oh, and he was draggin' the floor boars and the exhaust through the cones.

[nedro]

I own an '04. We're still not sure if Honda has sorted out the frame cracking issue, even on the '05s. That said, mine hasn't cracked yet and I load it down and ride it has hard and fast as I can in the twisties. Yes it can wheelie, but I've never actually tried lofting it up. I'm afraid of the landing. But as far as wheelies go, when launching hard you will either spin the rear or lift the front. It's pretty easy. Even if you're rolling under 20 MPH you can lift the front.
How tall are you. I'm 6'1" and if I were any taller, I'd be uncomfortable on it. I think they make them for little old men.
Have you considered a ST1300? They are very nice!
The one improvement I made on it was that on Saturday I put new tires on it. I bought the new Dunlop EliteIIIs front and rear. The originals could have went another 2K but they were getting greasy at full lean. The front is the same size, but I put on a 70 searies tire instead of the 60 that came on it originally. The extra ground clearance was a God send. Nobody passed me up in the Santa Cruz mountains all day. And I passed a couple of 929s that were obviously being ridden by tools. I only touched down the left side once. I can lean it over so much now, you get that feeling in the middle of the turn where if you do minor adjustments the tire slips away from you and comes back instead of moving you up and down in the lean (not sure if I explained that correctly). These new tires kick but.

[Newfie TLR]

Hey Phobe, these things look cool with enough lights to blind ya. Also, no trailer!! The glorious province I live in is considering a move to ban them.

To any of you mentioning these things doing wheelies:



Every one of ye!!

[nedro]

You'll want to get some aux. lights from Electrical Connection. Don't buy them from Honda!

[sheepofblue]

An alternative that handles better and is lighter

[nedro]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

An alternative that handles better and is lighter

But not as comfortable.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by nedro

You'll want to get some aux. lights from Electrical Connection. Don't buy them from Honda!

These are fog lights, not marker lights. They go in the round pods at the front of the left and right cylinder heads.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by nedro

But not as comfortable.

True but still pretty plush

[Newfie TLR]

Hey Nedro, I am curious as to what about it you'd find uncomfortable if you were any taller?? I thought these things were perfect for taller riders!

I'm 6'3" and that statement worries me a little. Would you expand on it a bit?

[phobiaphobe]

My 56 y/o father just bought an ST1300 and couldn't be happier with it. He claims to have been pulling wheelies on it though this can't immediately be verified.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

My 56 y/o father just bought an ST1300 and couldn't be happier with it. He claims to have been pulling wheelies on it though this can't immediately be verified.

You can believe your father on that one. It's not like when he told you about needing glasses if you keep doing that.

[TheTruth21]

My 48 yr old father has an 03 wing and I use to race my car at a local drag strip and he his wing down the track a few times with decent #'s and claims to have pulled his tire up a little. I told him he was a derranged old man.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by TheTruth21

My 48 yr old father . I told him he was a derranged old man.

What does that have to do with wheelies?
BTW, When's Conq gonna shut us down for all of this talk?

[Chain]

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

Re: Who here owns a Gold Wing?

Does a busa with Helibars count? I just ordered a set to go along with my Genmar riser. I'll be 2-3/8" higher than stock. I figure I'm stuck with the bike, might as well make it comfortable.

[/threadjack]

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

An alternative that handles better and is lighter

I've ridden one of those quite a bit and I hated the stock seat, and with the aftermarket seat (Don't recall brand) he had, it was even worse. Besides, those are pretty short bikes and probably not as comfortable as what I have now, but that's just my opinion.

[nedro]

Originally Posted by Chain

Does a busa with Helibars count? I just ordered a set to go along with my Genmar riser. I'll be 2-3/8" higher than stock. I figure I'm stuck with the bike, might as well make it comfortable.

[/threadjack]

Only if the frame cracks!

[NinerPilot]

I think the height thing that Nedro speaks of is the windshield. The OEM one even at the full up position is a bit short of full coverage. There are other ones available though. THey are sweet machines, and Ill have one before it is all said and done. I have racked up a thousand miles or so on a Wing as well as 500 or so on a BMW K1200LT, and I prefer the wing.
Chris

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by NinerPilot

I think the height thing that Nedro speaks of is the windshield. The OEM one even at the full up position is a bit short of full coverage. There are other ones available though. THey are sweet machines, and Ill have one before it is all said and done. I have racked up a thousand miles or so on a Wing as well as 500 or so on a BMW K1200LT, and I prefer the wing.
Chris

K series blow

[nedro]

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

Hey Nedro, I am curious as to what about it you'd find uncomfortable if you were any taller?? I thought these things were perfect for taller riders!

I'm 6'3" and that statement worries me a little. Would you expand on it a bit?

I have long legs and arms. If they were normal, I'd probably be around 5'11', but alass all of my apendages are longer than normal.
So the hieght of the windshield is not the problem. I'm refering to my elbows getting in the way on tight radius slow turns like U-turns. Go sit on one and move the handlebars lock to lock and see how it feels. I got used to it so it's no a big deal, I just go MX on the bars and everything is O.K. But if you're always tucking in your elbows, it could get interesting in a hurry.

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by nedro

but alass all of my apendages are longer than normal.

that's not what I heard

[nedro]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

that's not what I heard

Your girlfriend dosn't want to hurt your feelings.

[Northern RR]

I have to get a few words in here...I don't have much seat time on either, but I have ridden the wing and the ST1300...If you are coming from the trumpet either one of these fine machines will do, but the way it sounds, I think that you would be happier on an ST, they are faster, lighter and still handle VERY well for a big bike(not that the wing doesn't but...) they have all kinds of room on them as well as detachable bags and a host of aftermarket touring accesories like a big box for the back and lots of other cool things...
I would say it is for sure worth the trip to tilbury to look at them...and the ST is cetrtainly worth a second look IMO...but either way it is nice to hear that you will be back on two wheels with that knee

[Newfie TLR]

I rode a 2001 last night for about 50 KMs (some alone, some with Wifey on the rear throne) and all I can say is Oh My God, this thing is awesome.

I have never ridden anything like that. How something so big can be so easy to handle is an absolute engineering marvel. I know it's no 'Blade or a nimble 600 or anything, but Holy Jeez, this thing is so easy to drive.

OK, here's some points on what was touched on above:

• Handlebars - I went lock to lock, with no discomfort or touching any part of my body at all. I will say that the bars felt a bit uncomfortable in regards to position, but that may be due to my many years and thousands of miles of sport bikes.
• Motor - This thing pulls from anywhere like a team of scared horses. I quickly learned the most comfortable way to take a sharp corner (Ie: Intersection) is with a little clutch in 2nd gear.
• In spite of my 6'3" 300# frame, I felt very comfortable on it (except for the arms as above) and while I wasn't on it very ling, there was no cause to shift anything. I do question the floorboards though, or lack there-of.
• The ST1300 is kind of in the same class with my Trumpet, but a head above, yes. When we were shooping for the Sprint, we rode the ST1300 and found it similar to what we bought, but with the typical Honda traits. And also, what turned her off from it was the $5000 increase in price. No, the ST1300 isn't in any way an option.
• Same for the Beemer RT, not an option. That bike bows to the Wing, IMHO.
• Windshield - I can only assume it's the stock one, but it was in it's lowest position and perfect for me. I could see over it but could feel no wind. I was riding with the visor full open and only if I streched could I feel any wind catching it. I don't know what it would be like in rain, but anything I rode last night up to 120 KMs / hr it was perfect.

I went and picked it up while Wifey was doing the dishes, and took a short tour before I picked her up. When we left, we weren't to the end of the court we live on and she says "Wow, I could get to like this". I said "No **** Sherlock".

Basically, and here's the end. The Triumph is going in the paper this weekend, and if there's no satisfactory bites I'll list on E-Bay with a reserve of $9500 Cdn (~$7300 USD) including about $1000 (or more) worth of accessories. If it sells, I will have a WIng soon. If I have to trade it in to the Stealer, I will have to think harder about it.

Well, wish me Happy Selling.

[Northern RR]

Glad to hear that you got to ride one, they sure are nice aren't they I would talk to rick up at hudson, he gave me way more than my 929 was worth(hence why it is still there) I found him quite good to deal with, just play your cards right and he should come your way a bit. Hopefully every thing works out

[colryn]

I'm jelous Newfie. I think I am even more jelous that the wife joined you. My wife would not have done it. She hates my bike.

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by Northern RR

snip..I would talk to rick up at hudson, he gave me way more than my 929 was worth...snip

I spoke to him yesterday. He has a Wing, but doesn't want anything to do with the Triumph on a trade.