Goldwing thoughts? Seeking advice...

[danbrew]

hey friends, i'm certain there are some goldwing fans & prior owners here. most of you probably know that I've put my 02 LT up for sale. I'm not riding it much after buying a 2004 GS Adventure almost two years ago. The two have peacefully coexisted in the garage for the last few years, but I just ran out and did an impulse buy of a KTM Adventure & thought one of them had to go. Not for money reasons or even space reasons - but just logic. I wasn't riding the LT. I have a lot of great memories of the LT and am still kind of somewhat questioning my decision to sell (but not enough to say no if somebody walked up and said "here's eleven grand...".

i happened to notice that somebody posted here with an interest in trading an 01 Goldwing for an LT. i've swapped emails with the guy and he's sent some pretty cool looking pictures of a Goldwing. I know nothing about them. What can you guys offer from a 'Wing perspective? Things for me to think about? Are there favorite Goldwing sites out there that are better than what I might find via Google? I'm asking here because I respect and admire the opinions of this user community - and feel like I have a lot of pals here. I may (or may not...!) be leaving the LT community, but I won't be leaving this community...

Any pointers, thoughts, comments would be appreciated.

thanks - danbrew

[ansonk1200lt]

I believe I answered the same question here before, but in case you missed it, here are my two cents. I believe Rider did a comparison and they were right on. I owned three Goldwings (the GL1200 and GL1800) and two K1200LT before, so I have more than a "text book" perspective. Exactly like the Rider findings, the LT is more like a over-grown sport bike when it comes to "carving" the canyon, while the Wing is okay. I scraped the foot pegs too often on the turns with the Wing, as I lean the bike into turns like sport riding. That did not happen with the LT, since it rides higher. The Wing has greater HP and torque. The Wing offers the most wind protection, which is a plus in cold weather but a negative in hot climates. The rider feels like he is riding on top of the LT whereas the rider feels engulfed in the Wing. Seat height is great on the Wing for inseam-challenged riders, while the LT rides higher and often places riders with less than 30" inseams on their tippy toes. The Wing handles better on very slow, parking lot manuevers. As to which is better, that is strickly personal. Both have reverse drive, a reasonable good sound system, and plenty of after market stuff for those not $$$ challenged. The passenger on the LT rides a bit higher. The luggage system on the Wing is more spacious. Both bikes are excellent for long hauls, and much of the difference really depends on rider preference. Neither will disappoint.

[Keith]

Just did the same Dan. Like you I have an 04 GSA and the LT has been parked. I got home last night from 2 weeks in the Sierras on the GS. Turned on my phone to hear that the LT was gone!
I've ridden a GW and would guess that all the riding you're not doing on the LT, you would do less on the GW.
If I had an extra bike parked, I'd rather it be the LT.

[rodgtc]

Make sure the frame has been checked and or repaired on the 2001 Wing. Wing gets worse gas mileage and tires don't last long. Don't get me wrong the Wing is a great bike with lots of power and a smooth rider with two dealers in every town for service work.

Good Luck

Rodger

[rodgtc]

Try GWRRA.org web site and check out their bulletin boards. Lots of info. and nice guys. Check their bulletin and compare prices.

Good Luck
Rodger

[KayGee]

http://www.gl1800riders.com/

[dmatson]

Have fun on the KTM, I have one and they are a smile machine. If I had to choose between the GW and the LT it would be the LT no doubt. They are great bikes but I don't think you will enjoy it like the LT especially if you ride it aggressively.

[Jim]

Dan,

When I was thinking of buying my LT, the new body style wing had just come out and we looked at it also. They weren't giving demo rides, so I rented one for a weekend. Ended up with the LT for a number of reasons. You might consider doing the same thing to see if it is the bike for you.

Even if you get the Wing, I don't think it is different enough from the LT to get you off of the GS after the newness wears off. Like Keith said, if you aren't riding the LT, you probably won't be riding the Wing.

Get a sidecar rig. :D