New Gold Wing owner here

Shamrokpwr · 11-22-2007, 3:22 PM

Hey y'all,

Greetings from Augusta Ga. I am a transplanted Yankee, down here they call me a damn Yankee. Yankees come down to visit, damn Yankees stay

Anyway, I just last week bought a 2005 Honda Gold Wing 1800. It's a diamond, ie: pristine. Years ago, I first had an Indian Chief, I think it was 1200cc, the next one some 7-8 years later was a small Honda, I dont recall the model. My last bike, ummmm 10 years ago, was a Triumph Trident, I think that one was 750cc if memory serves.

Here, for the last several months, I have been riding arund Augusta on a scooter I purchased. Its a honey, gets almost 75 mpg, and can, if pushed, reach 80mph, which I never do....well OK, just once to see if it really could get there...it did, and I immediately slowed down to a more reasonable 55mph. I have ridden the GW several times this past week, and to be honest, am not near 100% comfortable with it. Its a huge machine, and perhaps I bit off more than I can chew. I find that I am very nervous on turns, and for that matter, starting from stop. Yesterday, I put it down in a cul-de-sac, no damage to either the bikd or me thankfully. I think that my mistake was that I let it slow down toooo much. Ive given it some thought, and am fairly sure that was the problem. Should have given it a little more throttle, and it probably wouild have pulled me through the turn. Ive determined that I am not going to go into traffic with it until I am totally comfortable. I thought that if I take it out every day in the neighborhood, making lefts and rights, starting from stop etc. it will eventually come naturally, and I will become comfortable. On the open road, I am totally comfortable, very responsivel, and a smooth ride.

Any experience anyone would care to share with me will be most appreciated. By the way...I just turned 71 two weeks ago, am 6' tall and weigh 210. I walk several times a week, and work out in the gym three times weekly, so I am in pretty good physical shape. I was able to stand the bike myself after the drop.

Thanx for responding, and have as I said, a very happy Thanksgiving.

Paul

Bigdaddy75 · 11-22-2007, 5:08 PM

wow 71! Welcome mate. And good luck with your riding.

Shamrokpwr · 11-22-2007, 7:31 PM

ThanQ Big Daddy, any advice for me in response to my questions, other than of course, get a set of training wheels....

tymeshare · 11-24-2007, 8:28 PM

wow

...71 and ride'n a wing..RIGHT ON!!

. every bike has a neutral point in its balance and a minium speed at which that balance is no longer valid. sounds to me like ur large enough for the bike and..like you said..you need to get used to it. Keep doing what your doing..u'll get it! We also have a section here where we talk about rider errors, you might want to check it out and get sum pointers.

oh yea...i almost forgot..

Shamrokpwr · 11-24-2007, 11:00 PM

Hey Tymeshare....thanx for the welcome and the advice. I today ordered a DVD that someone else recommended, Ride Like A Pro...I watched the demo on Youtube, and the deal was sealed. In addition, I found a local Motorcycle Safety Course, and I plan to enroll Monday,in the next class they offer. I have already checked out the forum you mention, and found some points that I didn't know, and others that I did. All education is of value imo.

Again..thanks for your friendly advice and welcome.

lanbrown · 11-25-2007, 12:15 AM

Paul,

I was going to suggest the MSF course. Then you can take the advanced class if you wanted as well.

The DVD might help, but I think the you will get more out of the MSF class.

kg6aml · 11-26-2007, 8:43 PM

You're getting good advice from the folks here, and are wise to enroll in the Motorcycle Safety course. Even experienced riders learn new things from the course; I took it a second time a few years ago, just to check that my skills and reflexes were still at a safe level.

I am glad to see that you are still riding safely at age 71. At 74, I have decided that it's time to get off my Honda Magna V4, and to make way for the younger riders.

jj_long · 11-26-2007, 9:08 PM

wish my dad would have made it to 71 but it would have been nice to have had him make it to 63... he would ride with the youngsters ya know 30 years old but a heart attack got him at 62. i miss him but if you find anybody to ride with of any age you will find yourself looking after your riding buddy as much as they will look after you. you will learn from your friends who ride and the people here are giving good advise, find a local riding class at a local shop, harley davidson offers some nice classes and there you will meet someone to ride with. enjoy your bike and as your skills will improve, you can never predict what a driver in a car or truck might do they are your worst danger out there so take your time and let the dummies go.

Shamrokpwr · 11-27-2007, 9:28 AM

Thanks to both kg6aml and jj long. I am truly warmed to find that so many people take the time and trouble to offer advice and inspiration. Sorry on the loss of your Dad jj, sounds as though he was a wondferul person, you were blessed to have him for the time which you did. Kg6, I am sorry too to hear that you are apparently retiring from biking. I believe that one is only as old as one chooses to be, at least in mind and spirit. Diet, exercise, and moderation can work wonders for the physical you as well. Of course, the decision is yours, I wish you well, and again, thanks for the post

Paul

Surffrog · 11-30-2007, 7:50 AM

Shamrokpwr. Fair play, fella. I'm seriously impressed. I've always liked GW's, but I'm only 5' 7 and weigh 70kg's. Had I dropped a GW, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't of be able to pick it up.
Great to have you on board. You got to tell us what riding an Indian's like. There's just nothing like them these days.

Shamrokpwr · 11-30-2007, 9:59 AM

Hey Frog....

Actually, you COULD right the bike. Like many things in life, there's a technique to it. Go to www.ridelikeapro.com....after watching the clip on youtube which they have a link to, I ordered the DVD, and have not been dissapointed. In the DVD, a slight woman rights what appears to be a Harley touring bike, by hereself, once from the left side, once from the right, with very little effort..as I said, technique.

As to the Indian, I was just 20 years old at the time, in the US Army, and was bullet proof, as many of us thought we were. I loved the ride, the buddy seat was enormous, and I wish that I could find one today. I dont understand why they did away with it. Both Harleys and Indians had them. It also had full running boards, a left hand shifter, and the clutch was beneath the left heel, which I found uncomfortable and clumsy. I cannot for the life of me recall what I did with the bike. Must have sold it I imagine. I thought I would just hop onto the Wing and take up where I had left off. Wrong. This is why I am taking a motorcycle safety course mid-December, and study the DVD almost daily.

Best of wishes to you and yours for the coming holidays, may this Christmas be the best one ever for everyone here. I have not often found such a group of warm, caring, and involved individuals, and I am glad that I have..

nedro · 11-30-2007, 12:16 PM

There are some great people who ride goldwings in the Georgia area (I say area because if you are riding a goldwing, your riding area becomes much larger). I'm sure many would want to help you gain some experience. If you PM me, I'll send you a link.

As for falling in a tight slow turn, don't let it get to you, it's not the easiest thing to do right off. good thing they have those engine gards eh?

The GL handles great for a big girl. I often pass up all kinds of sportbikes and motards up in the hills around my "Area".

robert mcvey · 11-30-2007, 2:06 PM

well done the old fella, i hope i am still riding at 71 all the best you must be a hardy bugger.

Shamrokpwr · 11-30-2007, 4:53 PM

Hey Nedro....thanx for the post. As to the turns, not toooo tight just yet, easy does it, my motto. I have a couple of websites and forum boards, but could always use more. Ummmm, you're not dealing with anyone's definition of a puter wizard here, please tell me what a PM is, and most probably, I will be glad to do it.

Surffrog · 12-02-2007, 8:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamrokpwr

Hey Frog....

Actually, you COULD right the bike. Like many things in life, there's a technique to it. Go to www.ridelikeapro.com....after watching the clip on youtube which they have a link to, I ordered the DVD, and have not been dissapointed. In the DVD, a slight woman rights what appears to be a Harley touring bike, by hereself, once from the left side, once from the right, with very little effort..as I said, technique.

As to the Indian, I was just 20 years old at the time, in the US Army, and was bullet proof, as many of us thought we were. I loved the ride, the buddy seat was enormous, and I wish that I could find one today. I dont understand why they did away with it. Both Harleys and Indians had them. It also had full running boards, a left hand shifter, and the clutch was beneath the left heel, which I found uncomfortable and clumsy. I cannot for the life of me recall what I did with the bike. Must have sold it I imagine. I thought I would just hop onto the Wing and take up where I had left off. Wrong. This is why I am taking a motorcycle safety course mid-December, and study the DVD almost daily.

Best of wishes to you and yours for the coming holidays, may this Christmas be the best one ever for everyone here. I have not often found such a group of warm, caring, and involved individuals, and I am glad that I have..

Thanks for that, Shamrokpwr. I'll be sure to look it up. Cheers on the Indian story. Wishing you a good christmas, too.

nedro · 12-03-2007, 12:33 AM

PM is a private Message. I don't see it up for you. Check out GL1800Riders.com :: Index
They should be able to help you out quite a bit. If this is against the rules, please delete it. Thank you.

Shamrokpwr · 01-11-2008, 9:01 PM

OK, here I am again, Happy New Year everyone. Mine was quiet, I believe that NYE is amateur night, so I tend to ride it out at home.

Anyway...here's another question for you. This is with regard to the passenger getting on, and off, the Gold Wing. The driver back rest collapses forward, leading me to believe the passenger gets on first, and off second. My wife finds it difficult to get her leg high enough to get on and off comfortably, so I told her to stand on the passenger running board; is that sound advice?

The Safety Course went very well, albeit the second day was spent in a chilly rainfall. I relearned some stuff I had forgotten, and learned some stuff that I never knew. Worth every penny of the tuition, and the time investment, I feel much more secure and confident riding the Wing now

I will be watching for responses to my questions, and thanx in advance.

Paul

Surffrog · 01-13-2008, 4:37 AM

Happy Year to you and your family, Paul. Re the questions, I can't help there but I'm sure someone here can. Have you checked out the Goldwing section in this forum? If anyone's gonna know, they will.

tymeshare · 01-17-2008, 4:10 AM

Once your side or (electric) center stand is down you can exit the machine in any fashion you like..the running boards are made to handle up to 240lbs...your "little lady" won't hurt a thing....

Shamrokpwr · 01-17-2008, 9:53 AM

Thanks tymeshare....I wasn't so c oncerned about the running boards, I was more concerned with the safety of her getting on or off before or after I get on or off, and depending on the side stand for stability while doing so. I gather that you are saying that she will be OK relying on the stability of the bike on the side stand while doing either.

Paul