I don't believe anyone can tell you why to make the change, especially on an LT owners web forum. Suggest you ride both bikes, decide which one speaks to you and make your decision.
Bill,billy1 said:I have ridden GW for 25 years. I sold the 2005 GW 3 years ago and tried to kick the MC habit but can't. SO I am looking and have discovered BMWs in my looking and just not sure about the transisition. I know the ride of the 1800 and have no expereince with LT. Not sure how to get a test ride. Also why would I want to make the change?
Bill
Paragraph breaks make large posts easier to read....rvint said:I recently traded a 2004 GW for a 2003 LT-C. I did the same thing that you’re doing now, (had reservations, asked friends and posted the question on forums) and I got the same response everywhere. Had I listened to what others told me versus what my heart was saying I’d still be riding the Wing and wondering. No one could understand why I wanted to swap the Wing for the LT and like you, at the time I hadn’t ridden an LT either so the initial attraction was just that, I simply loved the look of the LT over the Wing.
I found a dealer who had a 03’ with about 30,000 fewer miles on it than my Wing and after we came to an agreement on the numbers, I took it for a spin and the difference between the two bikes was immediately clear yet I knew right then what I wanted. Despite what I was told, I thought (and still do) that the LT handles better. I also think that the LT has a smoother overall ride, especially when going solo and/or in top gear.
To me, (6’-04” & 190 Lbs) the LT feels far more open and seems like it holds more cargo but the latter could just be my imagination. Although I absolutely love my LT, it does have a down side. First, (and when it comes right down to it, it’s my only real complainant) it’s really top heavy. Dropping it is an easy thing to accomplish, especially when trying to lift it onto the center stand. On the other hand, picking it up is not so easy!
I believe they went to an electric center stand in 04’ or 05’ so maybe something to keep in mind as you shop around. I believe that the most noticeable difference is the power. The LT just doesn’t have that thrust and torque that the GW does but to be fair, you’re also reducing your displacement by 600 CC’s!! Depending on your riding type/style, you can remove the trunk on the LT and it handles a lot better without making it appear as if something has fallen off the back of it and when the time comes for a trip, just put the trunk back on.
I’ve owned two Gold Wings throughout the years and it never dawned on me until I jumped to the LT but I always found myself buying things for the GW to make it look better yet I’ve bought nothing cosmetic for the LT and don’t expect to, it’s just a beautiful machine the way it is.
Finally, my wife also prefers the LT over the Wing. She says that the LT is more comfortable and quiet and she doesn’t feel “trapped” as she did on the Wing. If you can get a dealer to agree, take the LT out for a while first and vary your riding environment as much as you can. I’m sure you’ll find the pro’s and con’s to making the switch but if I had it to do over, I’d make the same trade again in a second.
Good Luck!!
billy1 said:I have ridden GW for 25 years. I sold the 2005 GW 3 years ago and tried to kick the MC habit but can't. SO I am looking and have discovered BMWs in my looking and just not sure about the transisition. I know the ride of the 1800 and have no expereince with LT. Not sure how to get a test ride. Also why would I want to make the change?
Bill