Wingstuff did it right on the latest design sent to me about 3 weeks ago; the T-Bolt is now provided with that 2nd nut/washer to make the pre-installation simple and easy. The total installation from out of the box was 15 minutes and most of that was hunting my 12 mm socket for the front hanger bolts to remove/replace. The first versions were poorly designed with having to make your own bends BUT they fit perfectly now, and the install can easily be done by anyone that has any mechanical abilities. With all products we always see improvement and revisions made to offer a better product. Thumbs up to the latest version Wingstuff. My 2018 Gold Wing DTC and I are both ready for some more road debris to try and dodge around.......... Happy & safe riding G/W Riders
I put the Wingstuff pan on my 2021 wing. I was not concerned with price but I was uncomfortable attaching a pan to the engine case. The wingstuff pan is more flexible and mounts to frame which I think would offer better protection even if it is less beefy. I could be wrong, but who knows?
I went with the Wingstuff pan. The rear T-bolt was longer, and included a second nut. You secure the bolt first, then put the pan in place. Time will tell how many have engine leak problems with the Traxxion pan. I'm also concerned that mounting their pan to the motor would transfer more shocks and impacts to the motor case.
Take a look at Max’s follow up video on the concerns some had/have voiced. He did take some of the edge off of those who asked about the slight drizzle after install and the unnecessary worry about the one time install of the brackets. I’m now over 1000 miles with the engin guard and an oil change. No issues and I’m a happy camper. Glad to see the Wingstuff item is good value to those who ham them. As with all motorcycles accessories there are many choices.
I would NOT use engine case bolts to mount the belly pan. If it hits smaller objects, it will stress and apply tension to the engine case. Besides you have to do this at every oil change. No thanks.
No question about it Traxxion. For what we have invested in our steeds, the quality, engineering, and design is 2022 technology. Wingstuf, markets the same thin pan I had on my 1998 Aspencade. With Honda exposing the casing weakness and another ouch point in engineering and exposure- a given of course- Max accepted our request for help and designed, engineered and funded engineered multi year research to solve a recognized shortfall in need of eliminating a recognized shortfall. Then he did what he always does, he pushes the envelope and produces a winning solution. The cost difference between alternatives less than one bling light we but on our GW to look pretty. Thank you Max for always giving us a choice, and yes it is my choice and money and safety. Just my preference. I’ll get it back in spades when I buy up. That is ROI.
I wish I would have seen your video much sooner. I bottomed out and cracked my 2022 Gold Wing's engine case back in June. 667 miles on the bike. What a nightmare. Bike was at the shop for 3 months. Sat outside quite a bit. Not cool. No updates on progress unless I stopped in to check. Got so aggravated by the absolutely horrible experience that I sold them the bike back.
Hello Cruiseman my name Is Karl living in Perth Western Australia I started watching your channel about 3 weeks ago Goldwing Vs Bmw very good review. Just watched the engine protection video . many years ago ( 1982) I was on my way from Austria to Australia Via the US and Canada. First from NYC to Niagra Falls In a small $299 Subaru all the way across Canada to Jasper . where I had friends from there I went with 2 Canadians on a gs750 Suzuki and Honda CB 750 via Edmonton to Calgary down to Montana riding mostly Pillion on the Suzuki. Then I asked Fred if I could ride for a while as we are doing mostly freeways. he said yes so we carried on approximatly 30 min later doing about 110kmh( 70mph ) we got thrown for ward I looked down no revs and all the lights on. I pulled the clutch nothing all this time Fred was screaming on the back ( lots of bad words ) I managed to hold the bike and not drop it.... we measured the black strip approx 60meters (65 yards ) straight and then a big S for about 50meters (55 yards). so what happend. As you do stupid things when you are young we had fixed my sleeping bag to the rear fender ( no carrier ) with Occy straps. Fred must have pushed it back and the straps pulled the sleeping bag into the rear wheel and stopped it. the rea tire was flat spotted down to the Canvas but still held air. IN the meanwhile Terry on the CB750 returned , we were out of Great Falls Montana by approx 18 miles ... so we were riding on the emergency strip at a slow pace. then there was same road debris looked like a 6 inch piece of steel. we missed it ...a few seconds later Ka clunk behind us I turned around and Terry shrugged his shoulders . when I looked again he was missing so we stopped and we saw him coming pushing the Honda .. he had hit the steel on the road and it punched a hole into the sump...... So it was Saturday afternoon about 12 miles out of town both bikes broken.....when on a side road a man on a Yamaha 650 with sidecar stopped he asked what is going on...we told him... He said OK have my beer I will be back .....30 min later he returned and gave us a sixpack of Coors and said I have a 2ton truck with a cycle ramp coming .... ten minutes later a F250 arrived and we loaded up the bikes ... the Suzuki only needed a new tyre so a quick fix... this man took as back to his place He and his friends took the Honda apart took the sump to a welder who closed the hole and rebuilt the cooling fin. then re-assembled the bike. and made sure it worked . " OH boys to late to carry on " so we were invited to stay overnight Dinner and Breakfast. Then the gang followed us for 10 miles checked the bikes over . it's all ok boys have a good trip.... The Yamaha drivers name was Karl Becker Great Falls Montana I will be forever greatful for the help. after this we carried on to Yellowstone and then back to Canada. I ended up buying a Kawasaki Kz1000 with Vetter 3 fairing and proper luggage Carrier with adjustable backrest . I went Calgary Jasper prince Rupert Skagway Whitehorse Dawson Hwy on top of the world Alsaka Fairbanks Anchorage Whitehorse Alaska Hwy to Edmonton to Jasper Down the Ocanagen Valley to Vancouver. sold the bike and flew to Australia. Do I believe in Engine protection ....sure do . I have now subscribed My first and only one keep up the good work Thank you Karl Jakob Perth WA
After watching videos of the installation of each and reviewing what I thought the sturdiness of the materials would be - I went with Traxxion. I also preferred Traxxion's mounting choices - seemed better thought-out.
I went with Wingstuffs pan. I liked how thick the traxxion one is but not connecting it to the engine i'd be worried how much shock would transfer into the case as you mentioned. If you use the wingstuff one you might want to add a rubber strip between the lowest fairing point and the inside front of the wingstuff plate just to stop it rubbing on the plastic.
Had a similar problem on my 2018 wing. Sheard the casted gear shift connection to the engind case. Over $11,000.00 to fix and It has been in the shop sinse September 1st 2021. [about 6-months] waited a very long time for all the parts to get in. During the repair, they discovered that they need a special tool that they didn't have and that has been on back order for 30 days now. Thanks for they informative videos!
I just received the new Wingstuff in black - haven't installed it yet but am very pleased with how substantial it feels. Just my opinion, but I actually like the idea a little additional flexibility vs too rigid - seems like smaller objects would 'bounce' off it better rather than jar the engine bolts. But either one I'm sure is much better than neither one!
I’d agree. Little stones hitting the engine would be worse than hitting the protective grill. If you hit a massive bit of metal it would be hard to offer complete protection. The bike is so low to the ground out of factory.
I went with the traxxion. I only had the bolts out for 10 minutes and had a small amount of oil seep out. I cleaned it off, and it has not leaked any more oil. I'm very satisfied with the traxxion, and the plate is fairly beefy and substantial. I have no doubt it could absorb a good impact.
I had a beautiful blue 2018 and running 80 down the interstate didn't see a truckers chain till the last second. As with your experience, I thought I may go down, and however didn't and the front tire held up. However, the case by the oil filter sustained extensive damage and the transmission housing also sustained extensive damage. With the impact, I know damage could have been minimized and maybe even survived. I understand the limitations of aluminum however some protection is always better then no protection. I now drive a beautiful black 22 and the first thing I ordered for it was a belly pan. (My opinion) I think the belly pan is a better choice because it provides distance and space between the engine and bike for blunt force hits it has play to help absorb energy. Safe rides out there!!
I agree, with trax the engine absorbs the energy of the impact. Years ago I was forced to hit a high curb on my Honda VTX 1800 and cracked the engine case, It was unprotected. I choose to keep everything away form the engine with the Wingstuff.
I wish I could remember the name of the movie, Alien vs Predator I think. There is a great and funny line which equates to the engine guard. Why have a condom...better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Better to have the engine guard and not need it than not have it and BAM, you needed it. Then there goes your engine! You did a great job in presenting this without being biased one way or the other. Thank you sir!!
Chris what are you talking about? A trip to Alaska on the Alcan Highway is the ultimate North American ride. A bucket list trip. I couldn’t think of a better bike to do it on than a Goldwing. I’ll let you know in August when I get back. God willing I don’t get eaten by a bear or stomped by a moose. lol South Florida to Prudhoe Bay… However I will not be riding it up the Dalton. I plan on renting an adventure bike for that trip out of Fairbanks. Although others have done it on a Goldwing. By the way I have the Traxxion belly plate, the Alcan version. I don’t leave it on all the time for my normal riding here in Florida. I just leave the mounts on and remove the plate.
Thanks for the review. I bought the Traxxion model this winter and am waiting for warmer weather to install it. Looks like a quality product and I’m sure it’ll provide all the protection that I expect from it. It looks more than sturdy enough to be able to use a motorcycle jack with it installed. I’m hoping anyway. I don’t have a jack and have been putting off buying one because the underside of the GoldWing doesn’t look very jack friendly. I’m hoping the addition of the case guard will change this for many maintenance procedures, although I realize that I will have to remove it for oil changes. Not a big deal.
very good report on the both companies products. both products provide the needed protection needed. YOU provided an open honest review of both. Thank you for your help in this needed product for our motorcycles.
Thanks for the review, I understand your take on the two. Bottom line, I have at least one decision to make: Do I add a pan or not?. If the answer is YES, then my next decision will be as to which one I go with. The first decision is still down the road a bit.
Pissed off.....no way! life too short for that ! 😁 I don't have any belly pan, around here it's more Deer, elk or cattle that I have to worry about...lol. The odd big rock(basketball size) here and there, well not that many of them really. I do get what your saying tho , I've seen broken cases before from hitting something on the road, knock on wood...it hasn't happened to me yet .200 beans is cheaper than an engine case plus labor. Thanks for the vid, be well!
Great review of both, thank you. I wish the U.K. would catch up with aftermarket products for the Goldwing, shipping obviously adds a fair bit to the cost of both. However, reading the comments on yours and other videos it does appear that there have been numerous cases of damage costing in the ten’s of thousand’s, surely then this is a problem (safety problem, oil on rear tyre) and Honda should be at the very least be coming up with an accessory to solve the problem but IMHO should be fitting a guard as standard (apologies to Wingstuff & Traxxion 😊). I am picking up my new Tour next week and I am going to talk to the dealer about any warranty issues that maybe connected to fitting either make (something that never seems to get spoken about). Thanks again and all the best from the U.K. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Hi Chris, Since this review was for a 2018 Gold Wing, my comment is about a 2013 Airbag GL1800. I bought a Show Chrome belly pan for my wing and so far I’ve had no issue with road debris, knock on wood. I would however like to comment on using a hydraulic motorcycle lift with my Show Chrome belly pan. As you probably know it’s a two piece model that make oil changes a lot easier, however when it comes to lifting my wing I found with my lift the left side pad if placed an inch forward of the bottom of the centre stand legs most of the weight is pushing up on the stand and not the belly pan. There is some upward pressure on the front part of the belly pan from the right pad of the lift, but like I said most of the lifting against the left pad is onto the centre stand. I heard you say you don’t recommend using a hydraulic motorcycle lift, however would using the centre stand legs as a contact point for your 2018 put less pressure on the two belly pans you tried. Just a thought. Keep up the great work, Chris. Love your reviews and tips and tricks.
I had the chance to see the Traxxion installed and I will admit…..100% solid. It looks a bit more reliable in the event you miss something on the road that could fly under the block. Just not sure if possible to lift the bike with the plate under. I use my Harbor Freight lift a lot. Don’t want to dress those brackets against the block.
Good comments. Commuting to work on highways led to being struck by all kinds of junk in my F-150. Flying lumber, scrap iron and even tires on rims. The lesson is for all motorcycle riders is to leave lots of visual space between you and the vehicle in front. This way you can dodge most debris in time. It would be nice if someone could make a decent case guard that allows access for easy oil changes without removing the guard. Need more research on this.
I did finally find your opinion on the 2 pans somewhere between 21:00 and 22:00 minutes into the video. Thank you. I agree. Never apologize for your opinion. Even to both your friends involved. Its just your opinion.
Hello Cruiseman! I enjoyed your video on the engine guards for the 2018 GL1800! They each give people options, which is good; I appreciate the comparison and your honest opinion! Loyal.
I saw the thumbnail, and heard the first 30sec and immediately liked. good luck on the love hate messages !! I gotta put my belly pan back on my GL1500
Never heard of Dairyland Insurance before. Been with Geico since I got my first bike last year. Did an online quote with Dairyland and they saved me $1K over the Geico policy with the exact same coverage. Thanks for mentioning them!!
The initial install of the Traxxion took more like an hour and a half to install because of the plastic that you have to remove to mount the front mounting bracket.
Traxxion I would always buy,but my problem is that shipping it from the U.S.A to germany cost as much as the case guard itself which makes no sense, but apart from that Traxxion is bulletproof.
Maybe Honda believes that statistically the number of riders that experience a problem as a result of not having a belly pan, is relatively small and insignificant based on the number of bikes sold. Thats usually how these things are looked at. That gives life to the after marker stuff like Wingstuff or Traxxion where somebody decided there was a need and made a product to address it. I tore up my coolant tank loading my 2015 on a trailer because I didn't have a belly pan. That one instance made me a believer. Never again. I'll always spend a few bucks for the security of a belly pan
Years ago, I bought the Tulsa Belly pan for my 2005 GL1800 when I first got the bike because I heard that the coolant reservoirs that were placed next to the center stand mount were getting hit on the GL1800s riding over speed bumps. I don't go over a lot of speed bumps, but wanted the protection anyways. I do see a need for a belly pan/engine guard to protect the engine on my 2018 Tour DCT and I am still considering if I should get one down the road.
I have the Traxxionnand am very happy with it. Recently changed my oil and noticed some minor scratches. Assumed it was doing its job. Cleaned it it up and ceramic coated it. Took it on a ride and my top speed was 4 mph higher than an earlier test. So, I am a happy camper with my Traxxion. I think either one will provide adequate protection. I disagree that the Traxxion makes it more difficult to change the oil and 21:30 . filterOnly seven screws. 23:37 ,
Had the same experience going to work one morning with my ‘07. Real close to the same spot on the engine. Didn’t take out the oil plug or filter. Insurance paid out, I was kinda thinking I was getting a new bike but it was repairable. Belly pan didn’t really provide any protection. I have an 2018 now and been thinking about this.
I would purchase the Traxxion belly plate, but I’m living in Australian and the shipping costs + Australian $ value at the time of making the purchase comes to around $500+ which to me is a problem. Still, thank you for your information on the subject.
Hit a pothole with the Traxxion guard that would have destroyed the Wingstuff pan. (Scuffed the Traxxion guard) Both provide protection, but glad I had the Traxxion model. We've also lifted the bike with the guard to put on Centramatics with no issues. We also had to drill out the holes to make the small screw installation easier.
I have the Wingstuff Belly Pan installed on my 2018 Non Tour. The only issue I have had with it is that in a sharp turn (15 mph) the mount on the insdie of the turn dragged on the pavement. I thought is was the foot peg but when I gor off to look the metal on the bracket was visibly scraped away. It looks to me like the Traxion does'nt stick out like the Wingstuff unit does. It's not protrude out a lot but it did make first contact in that turn.
The thin sheet metal pans are just a useless nuisance. I bought one from Chromeworld for my '13 "Wing. Not sure of the brand. I have seen two 'Wings with the engine block cracked by hitting debris. And more than a few with the oil filter knocked off. Mine was easily penetrated by a 1/2" wood drill. It went thru the thin metal pan and speared my carbon cannister. I absolutely agree with you on the need for some kind of protection, but more substantial than these sheet metal pans.
Be Advised: This near exact scenario happened to me NYE 2023 and I ended up going down due to the oil leak puncture coating the rear tire. Low speed though. No belly pan at the time. Hadn't decided on one at this particular time. Guys this can happen to anyone.
I just got a Goldwing and I'm planning on getting the Traxxion plate. Was your Wing mechanic the guy at Honda West, who retired to Colorado? I think his name is Marshall. I love my 2022 non-tour Wing. After 2 weeks and 3 days, I've put 1,684 miles on it. Larry in Fort Worth
I've watched another video evaluation on these two, and for me they apply well to 2018+, my problem is my bike is a 2005. I went to Traxxion's website to search for one that would fit and it's not made. I liked the beefiness of Max's product even though it has to be removed to change the oil. I'm never in a hurry when I do service work as I don't want to forget anything so that is not a negative in my mind. Cruisman, have you evaluated similar products for the '01 - '17? By similar, I mean an economy minded product vs. a more expensive version? Thanks for the review - well done.
Gauge of material, fit and finish and method of attachment are criterion I would use to make a buying decision. Both meet that criteria. The Traxxion is obviously more robust. It’s fit and finish is impeccable. It’s attachment points have me concerned with it being attached to the engine. The Wing Stuff is enough for general peace of mind and will be good protection. I’m investigating feedback and reviews. I had a hunch you would not pick a winner. The question really is, which would you buy with your money?
let me see: buy an engine guard branded from an online retailer or by an engine guard from an engineering company like Traxxion? Is this really a debate, cruiseman?
Anything that might save you 13k in repairs, being stranded god knows where, and ruining a vacation. 150-300 dollars is a small price to pay to prevent these kind of problems.
7:30 Not the topic of your video but all that debris on the road also dictates a full face helmet. It sucks in the summer but I always ride with my neotech helmet latched, and if I'm on the highway the visor is down, maybe just a small crack for some air flow. I also know a person in an open cockpit racecar just doing a track day who got hit in the head with debris on track and it killed him.
Haven't Googled this but do they make engine case guards / belly pans for all of the "big" street touring motorcycles... examples: Kawasaki voyager, Yamaha venture, Harley road and street glides. I've only ever heard of engine case guards for the Honda goldwings. Is it because Honda mounted the engine lower to the ground than other manufacturers or is it something else to where cracking engine cases has been such an issue with the goldwings to cause the aftermarket to make case guards / belly pans? Road debris isn't going to be picky and only go after goldwings so you'd think that you'd hear more about other motorcycles getting belly pans / guards.
Harley Road & Street Glide has the actual bike frame protecting the engine case, the Gold Wing design make the engine part of the frame and has no extra protection. Another reason why its much easier to use a engine lift on a Harley is, you can position it anywhere rather than specific lifting points on the Gold Wing
Hi. Sorry to ask on a different subject, but can one adjust the handlebar levers up or down on the 2018+ Goldwing? I am familiar with the outwards/inwards adjustment scale of 1-5 but want to push the levers down a notch. Thanks for the help.
An engine guard is not a critical debate. The problem I have with Traxxion is when they use the classic *"invent the disease to sell the cure"* marketing. When Honda spends 10 years engineering a system for a motorcycle, and Traxxion re-engineers an "upgrade" for that system 2 months after the bike is released, is nonsense at best and unethical at worst. And proving the efficacy of a product via your customers post-purchase bias (I spent $2000.00 dollars of my hard earned money... of course I love it!) is NOT objective evidence of either function OR value. But Traxxion is adept at creating a customer loyalty that steps over critical thinking. You will never convince Traxxion customers that the company is anything but pure perfection. Of course they have some great products, but like with any company - if you don't employ caveat emptor, you're not looking out for your *own* best interests.
@@talltimo I finally got the Homelink but have yet to install it. It should be a standard option on a bike this expensive or at least a LOT easier to install. If they had placed the buttons and had a plugin port in the side bag it could have been a 10 minute install and setup. Oh well they didn’t ask me😂
I've been trying to get a wingstuff pan but they are not available. I do see that Traxxion is available but gosh just don't want to pay that much, however just from viewing both pans I would have to say that the Traxxion has a bit more protection, so we'll see. Thanks for the review Cruisman, as always very detailed and perfect..
Honda engineers probably didn’t engineer the engine to be a direct mounting point for anything, other than what they mounted to it. Is the engine strong enough?, maybe, nobody knows. The one thing that is for sure that when an object is in direct contact with another object it can, depending on material, transfer a large portion of force to the second object, like a croquet ball. The wing stuff version is not directly in contact with the engine, and that small gap will allow force to be dispersed prior to transferring energy to the engine. How much force?, nobody knows. One other thing to consider is how does the Traxxion change the vibration frequencies of the engine? IMHO feel the Traxxion integrates to much with the engine design, with unknown possible conflicts, without providing a clear increased level of protection over the Wing Stuff.
Side Question you've had both old and new Goldwing's would you happen to know the differences as to why you don't seem to be able to convert an F6B to a trunk. Similar to what Traxxion has with there conversion for the 2018+ Thanks for any advise
You’ll find them on some trucks and jeeps and cars that are serious off-road vehicles. Most passenger cars have a small plastic plate from the front bumper areas going back about a foot or so. It’s usually more of an air damn than protection
@@danielkleiner9560 I’m not sure I understand your parallel, but from my perspective the automotive and motorcycle industries are in sync in that neither of them really protect the underside of the engine. I would think that’s because the don’t see enough failures from damage to the underside of the motors to create a concern for them. However, that is what the aftermarket is for. To come up with ideas that fit gaps in manufacturing or augment the manufacturing with an improvement. If you’ve never had an issue, you likely won’t worry about it too much, and it’s the inventors job to convince you that it’s an probable issue. If you’ve had the issue like I have, it’s a welcome addition and you don’t need to be convinced
As a technician, those plastic and, in Ford’s case, carpet skid pans are there just to make our jobs harder. But most trucks, some vehicles with a premium price, have nice solid metal pans. I’ve permanently removed plenty of plastic “skid pans” from Honda automobiles many times. Most cagers rip them on concrete parking lot stop things (and curbs).
I got so much from this video but I have a request also this coming summer if possible could you try and do a in depth review on the BMW K1600 Grand America I would really like to hear your thoughts when you compare it the gold wing
I installed Traxxion as soon as they were available and never looked back. Near bulletproof! Good job Chris on the reviews! Thank you for all you do!
Wingstuff did it right on the latest design sent to me about 3 weeks ago; the T-Bolt is now provided with that 2nd nut/washer to make the pre-installation simple and easy. The total installation from out of the box was 15 minutes and most of that was hunting my 12 mm socket for the front hanger bolts to remove/replace. The first versions were poorly designed with having to make your own bends BUT they fit perfectly now, and the install can easily be done by anyone that has any mechanical abilities. With all products we always see improvement and revisions made to offer a better product. Thumbs up to the latest version Wingstuff. My 2018 Gold Wing DTC and I are both ready for some more road debris to try and dodge around.......... Happy & safe riding G/W Riders
I put the Wingstuff pan on my 2021 wing. I was not concerned with price but I was uncomfortable attaching a pan to the engine case. The wingstuff pan is more flexible and mounts to frame which I think would offer better protection even if it is less beefy. I could be wrong, but who knows?
I went with the Wingstuff pan. The rear T-bolt was longer, and included a second nut. You secure the bolt first, then put the pan in place. Time will tell how many have engine leak problems with the Traxxion pan. I'm also concerned that mounting their pan to the motor would transfer more shocks and impacts to the motor case.
I was not aware that they were providing the extra nut for the T-Bolt. Thanks.
Take a look at Max’s follow up video on the concerns some had/have voiced. He did take some of the edge off of those who asked about the slight drizzle after install and the unnecessary worry about the one time install of the brackets. I’m now over 1000 miles with the engin guard and an oil change. No issues and I’m a happy camper. Glad to see the Wingstuff item is good value to those who ham them. As with all motorcycles accessories there are many choices.
I would NOT use engine case bolts to mount the belly pan. If it hits smaller objects, it will stress and apply tension to the engine case. Besides you have to do this at every oil change. No thanks.
No question about it Traxxion. For what we have invested in our steeds, the quality, engineering, and design is 2022 technology. Wingstuf, markets the same thin pan I had on my 1998 Aspencade. With Honda exposing the casing weakness and another ouch point in engineering and exposure- a given of course- Max accepted our request for help and designed, engineered and funded engineered multi year research to solve a recognized shortfall in need of eliminating a recognized shortfall. Then he did what he always does, he pushes the envelope and produces a winning solution. The cost difference between alternatives less than one bling light we but on our GW to look pretty. Thank you Max for always giving us a choice, and yes it is my choice and money and safety. Just my preference. I’ll get it back in spades when I buy up. That is ROI.
I wish I would have seen your video much sooner. I bottomed out and cracked my 2022 Gold Wing's engine case back in June. 667 miles on the bike. What a nightmare. Bike was at the shop for 3 months. Sat outside quite a bit. Not cool. No updates on progress unless I stopped in to check. Got so aggravated by the absolutely horrible experience that I sold them the bike back.
Hello Cruiseman my name Is Karl living in Perth Western Australia I started watching your channel about 3 weeks ago Goldwing Vs Bmw very good review. Just watched the engine protection video . many years ago ( 1982) I was on my way from Austria to Australia Via the US and Canada. First from NYC to Niagra Falls In a small $299 Subaru all the way across Canada to Jasper . where I had friends from there I went with 2 Canadians on a gs750 Suzuki and Honda CB 750 via Edmonton to Calgary down to Montana riding mostly Pillion on the Suzuki. Then I asked Fred if I could ride for a while as we are doing mostly freeways. he said yes so we carried on approximatly 30 min later doing about 110kmh( 70mph ) we got thrown for ward I looked down no revs and all the lights on. I pulled the clutch nothing all this time Fred was screaming on the back ( lots of bad words )
I managed to hold the bike and not drop it.... we measured the black strip approx 60meters (65 yards ) straight and then a big S for about 50meters (55 yards). so what happend. As you do stupid things when you are young we had fixed my sleeping bag to the rear fender ( no carrier ) with Occy straps. Fred must have pushed it back and the straps pulled the sleeping bag into the rear wheel and stopped it. the rea tire was flat spotted down to the Canvas but still held air. IN the meanwhile Terry on the CB750 returned , we were out of Great Falls Montana by approx 18 miles ... so we were riding on the emergency strip at a slow pace. then there was same road debris looked like a 6 inch piece of steel. we missed it ...a few seconds later Ka clunk behind us I turned around and Terry shrugged his shoulders . when I looked again he was missing so we stopped and we saw him coming pushing the Honda .. he had hit the steel on the road and it punched a hole into the sump...... So it was Saturday afternoon about 12 miles out of town both bikes broken.....when on a side road a man on a Yamaha 650 with sidecar stopped he asked what is going on...we told him... He said OK have my beer I will be back .....30 min later he returned and gave us a sixpack of Coors and said I have a 2ton truck with a cycle ramp coming .... ten minutes later a F250 arrived and we loaded up the bikes ... the Suzuki only needed a new tyre so a quick fix... this man took as back to his place He and his friends took the Honda apart took the sump to a welder who closed the hole and rebuilt the cooling fin. then re-assembled the bike. and made sure it worked . " OH boys to late to carry on " so we were invited to stay overnight Dinner and Breakfast. Then the gang followed us for 10 miles checked the bikes over . it's all ok boys have a good trip.... The Yamaha drivers name was Karl Becker Great Falls Montana I will be forever greatful for the help. after this we carried on to Yellowstone and then back to Canada.
I ended up buying a Kawasaki Kz1000 with Vetter 3 fairing and proper luggage Carrier with adjustable backrest . I went Calgary Jasper prince Rupert Skagway Whitehorse Dawson Hwy on top of the world Alsaka Fairbanks Anchorage Whitehorse Alaska Hwy to Edmonton to Jasper Down the Ocanagen Valley to Vancouver. sold the bike and flew to Australia.
Do I believe in Engine protection ....sure do . I have now subscribed My first and only one
keep up the good work
Thank you Karl Jakob Perth WA
After watching videos of the installation of each and reviewing what I thought the sturdiness of the materials would be - I went with Traxxion. I also preferred Traxxion's mounting choices - seemed better thought-out.
Traxxion gets my vote. Much, much more substansial than the wing stuff one!
I went with Wingstuffs pan. I liked how thick the traxxion one is but not connecting it to the engine i'd be worried how much shock would transfer into the case as you mentioned. If you use the wingstuff one you might want to add a rubber strip between the lowest fairing point and the inside front of the wingstuff plate just to stop it rubbing on the plastic.
I went with Traxxion. No issues on the install and it took me about 45 minutes as I took my time. Thanks Chris great review.
Had a similar problem on my 2018 wing. Sheard the casted gear shift connection to the engind case. Over $11,000.00 to fix and It has been in the shop sinse September 1st 2021. [about 6-months] waited a very long time for all the parts to get in. During the repair, they discovered that they need a special tool that they didn't have and that has been on back order for 30 days now.
Thanks for they informative videos!
I just received the new Wingstuff in black - haven't installed it yet but am very pleased with how substantial it feels. Just my opinion, but I actually like the idea a little additional flexibility vs too rigid - seems like smaller objects would 'bounce' off it better rather than jar the engine bolts. But either one I'm sure is much better than neither one!
Exactly! I went with the Wingstuff for that reason.
I’d agree. Little stones hitting the engine would be worse than hitting the protective grill. If you hit a massive bit of metal it would be hard to offer complete protection. The bike is so low to the ground out of factory.
I think they're both great products, and that either one would do a great job of deflecting anything that might get kicked-up off the road.
Hint: in the case of the T bolt on the Wingstuff belly pan a flat speed nut may be useful to hold the T bolt in place.
I went with the traxxion. I only had the bolts out for 10 minutes and had a small amount of oil seep out. I cleaned it off, and it has not leaked any more oil. I'm very satisfied with the traxxion, and the plate is fairly beefy and substantial. I have no doubt it could absorb a good impact.
I had a beautiful blue 2018 and running 80 down the interstate didn't see a truckers chain till the last second. As with your experience, I thought I may go down, and however didn't and the front tire held up. However, the case by the oil filter sustained extensive damage and the transmission housing also sustained extensive damage. With the impact, I know damage could have been minimized and maybe even survived. I understand the limitations of aluminum however some protection is always better then no protection. I now drive a beautiful black 22 and the first thing I ordered for it was a belly pan. (My opinion) I think the belly pan is a better choice because it provides distance and space between the engine and bike for blunt force hits it has play to help absorb energy. Safe rides out there!!
I agree, with trax the engine absorbs the energy of the impact. Years ago I was forced to hit a high curb on my Honda VTX 1800 and cracked the engine case, It was unprotected. I choose to keep everything away form the engine with the Wingstuff.
You can't beat these reviews whether you're "for or against" Also, very good pt about supply chain issues and replacement parts.
I wish I could remember the name of the movie, Alien vs Predator I think. There is a great and funny line which equates to the engine guard. Why have a condom...better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Better to have the engine guard and not need it than not have it and BAM, you needed it. Then there goes your engine! You did a great job in presenting this without being biased one way or the other. Thank you sir!!
There is also a video from Moto Matt showing a 2019 Honda Goldwing engine rebuild. And the reason for the rebuild...an underside impact!!
Chris what are you talking about? A trip to Alaska on the Alcan Highway is the ultimate North American ride. A bucket list trip. I couldn’t think of a better bike to do it on than a Goldwing. I’ll let you know in August when I get back. God willing I don’t get eaten by a bear or stomped by a moose. lol South Florida to Prudhoe Bay… However I will not be riding it up the Dalton. I plan on renting an adventure bike for that trip out of Fairbanks. Although others have done it on a Goldwing. By the way I have the Traxxion belly plate, the Alcan version. I don’t leave it on all the time for my normal riding here in Florida. I just leave the mounts on and remove the plate.
Have a fun and safe ride!
Thanks for the review. I bought the Traxxion model this winter and am waiting for warmer weather to install it. Looks like a quality product and I’m sure it’ll provide all the protection that I expect from it.
It looks more than sturdy enough to be able to use a motorcycle jack with it installed. I’m hoping anyway. I don’t have a jack and have been putting off buying one because the underside of the GoldWing doesn’t look very jack friendly. I’m hoping the addition of the case guard will change this for many maintenance procedures, although I realize that I will have to remove it for oil changes. Not a big deal.
very good report on the both companies products. both products provide the needed protection needed. YOU provided an open honest review of both. Thank you for your help in this needed product for our motorcycles.
Thanks for the review, I understand your take on the two. Bottom line, I have at least one decision to make: Do I add a pan or not?. If the answer is YES, then my next decision will be as to which one I go with. The first decision is still down the road a bit.
I have the Traxxion but im going to try the wingstuff one just to see.
I installed Traxxion's engine case guard a couple of days ago; easy to install and is very "substantial" in engine case protection. :)
Thank you for the helpful review. I purchased the Traxxion protection. No problems..Quality construction!
Traxxion gets my vote for being more bullet proof.
I went with the Wingstuffs pan because it covers more area than the Traxion one.
I installed the traxxion protection, its substantial and well made. 2021 Goldwing tour
Just ordered Wingstuff
Only 48 hours to arrive
To Toronto Ontario Canada 🇨🇦
👏👏👏
Pissed off.....no way! life too short for that ! 😁 I don't have any belly pan, around here it's more Deer, elk or cattle that I have to worry about...lol. The odd big rock(basketball size) here and there, well not that many of them really. I do get what your saying tho , I've seen broken cases before from hitting something on the road, knock on wood...it hasn't happened to me yet .200 beans is cheaper than an engine case plus labor.
Thanks for the vid, be well!
Great review of both, thank you. I wish the U.K. would catch up with aftermarket products for the Goldwing, shipping obviously adds a fair bit to the cost of both. However, reading the comments on yours and other videos it does appear that there have been numerous cases of damage costing in the ten’s of thousand’s, surely then this is a problem (safety problem, oil on rear tyre) and Honda should be at the very least be coming up with an accessory to solve the problem but IMHO should be fitting a guard as standard (apologies to Wingstuff & Traxxion 😊). I am picking up my new Tour next week and I am going to talk to the dealer about any warranty issues that maybe connected to fitting either make (something that never seems to get spoken about). Thanks again and all the best from the U.K. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Hi Chris, Since this review was for a 2018 Gold Wing, my comment is about a 2013 Airbag GL1800. I bought a Show Chrome belly pan for my wing and so far I’ve had no issue with road debris, knock on wood. I would however like to comment on using a hydraulic motorcycle lift with my Show Chrome belly pan. As you probably know it’s a two piece model that make oil changes a lot easier, however when it comes to lifting my wing I found with my lift the left side pad if placed an inch forward of the bottom of the centre stand legs most of the weight is pushing up on the stand and not the belly pan. There is some upward pressure on the front part of the belly pan from the right pad of the lift, but like I said most of the lifting against the left pad is onto the centre stand. I heard you say you don’t recommend using a hydraulic motorcycle lift, however would using the centre stand legs as a contact point for your 2018 put less pressure on the two belly pans you tried. Just a thought.
Keep up the great work, Chris. Love your reviews and tips and tricks.
I seriously like your unbiased opinion- thanks my friend.
I had the chance to see the Traxxion installed and I will admit…..100% solid. It looks a bit more reliable in the event you miss something on the road that could fly under the block. Just not sure if possible to lift the bike with the plate under. I use my Harbor Freight lift a lot. Don’t want to dress those brackets against the block.
Good comments. Commuting to work on highways led to being struck by all kinds of junk in my F-150. Flying lumber, scrap iron and even tires on rims. The lesson is for all motorcycle riders is to leave lots of visual space between you and the vehicle in front. This way you can dodge most debris in time. It would be nice if someone could make a decent case guard that allows access for easy oil changes without removing the guard. Need more research on this.
I installed a Wingstuff today. The mounting brackets were NOT pre-bent.
I did finally find your opinion on the 2 pans somewhere between 21:00 and 22:00 minutes into the video. Thank you. I agree. Never apologize for your opinion. Even to both your friends involved. Its just your opinion.
Appreciate the strong detail on both Chris!
Thank you sir. Informative video. Insightful comments. 2021 DCT here. I know which protection I will go with.
Hello Cruiseman!
I enjoyed your video on the engine guards for the 2018 GL1800! They each give people options, which is good; I appreciate the comparison and your honest opinion!
Loyal.
I saw the thumbnail, and heard the first 30sec and immediately liked.
good luck on the love hate messages !!
I gotta put my belly pan back on my GL1500
Never heard of Dairyland Insurance before. Been with Geico since I got my first bike last year. Did an online quote with Dairyland and they saved me $1K over the Geico policy with the exact same coverage. Thanks for mentioning them!!
The initial install of the Traxxion took more like an hour and a half to install because of the plastic that you have to remove to mount the front mounting bracket.
That's true. I should have mentioned the parts that have to be removed.
Traxxion I would always buy,but my problem is that shipping it from the U.S.A to germany cost as much as the case guard itself which makes no sense, but apart from that Traxxion is bulletproof.
I’m a Traxxion guy through and through
Never a Traxxion. I don’t bolt a item like this to the engine.
Traxxion for me. Just need to install it. Much stronger material.
Maybe Honda believes that statistically the number of riders that experience a problem as a result of not having a belly pan, is relatively small and insignificant based on the number of bikes sold. Thats usually how these things are looked at. That gives life to the after marker stuff like Wingstuff or Traxxion where somebody decided there was a need and made a product to address it. I tore up my coolant tank loading my 2015 on a trailer because I didn't have a belly pan. That one instance made me a believer. Never again. I'll always spend a few bucks for the security of a belly pan
Plus, Honda is trying to keep the cost and the weight down.
Years ago, I bought the Tulsa Belly pan for my 2005 GL1800 when I first got the bike because I heard that the coolant reservoirs that were placed next to the center stand mount were getting hit on the GL1800s riding over speed bumps. I don't go over a lot of speed bumps, but wanted the protection anyways. I do see a need for a belly pan/engine guard to protect the engine on my 2018 Tour DCT and I am still considering if I should get one down the road.
Went with the first WingStuff and then replaced with TRAXXION. Substantial protection.
Want to sell your Wingstuff pan?
I want this bike but why doesn't Honda protect the engine underbelly ??
I have the Traxxionnand am very happy with it. Recently changed my oil and noticed some minor scratches. Assumed it was doing its job. Cleaned it it up and ceramic coated it. Took it on a ride and my top speed was 4 mph higher than an earlier test. So, I am a happy camper with my Traxxion. I think either one will provide adequate protection. I disagree that the Traxxion makes it more difficult to change the oil and 21:30 . filterOnly seven screws. 23:37
,
Max at Traxxion just did a ‘Bash Test’ series (specifically Pt 3) of available engine guard plates. The Wingstuff product failed.
I probably do the Traxxion one if I put one on.
Had the same experience going to work one morning with my ‘07. Real close to the same spot on the engine. Didn’t take out the oil plug or filter. Insurance paid out, I was kinda thinking I was getting a new bike but it was repairable. Belly pan didn’t really provide any protection. I have an 2018 now and been thinking about this.
I would purchase the Traxxion belly plate, but I’m living in Australian and the shipping costs + Australian $ value at the time of making the purchase comes to around $500+ which to me is a problem. Still, thank you for your information on the subject.
Hit a pothole with the Traxxion guard that would have destroyed the Wingstuff pan. (Scuffed the Traxxion guard) Both provide protection, but glad I had the Traxxion model. We've also lifted the bike with the guard to put on Centramatics with no issues. We also had to drill out the holes to make the small screw installation easier.
Can I ask which lift or jack did you use?
Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸
I have the Wingstuff Belly Pan installed on my 2018 Non Tour. The only issue I have had with it is that in a sharp turn (15 mph) the mount on the insdie of the turn dragged on the pavement. I thought is was the foot peg but when I gor off to look the metal on the bracket was visibly scraped away. It looks to me like the Traxion does'nt stick out like the Wingstuff unit does. It's not protrude out a lot but it did make first contact in that turn.
Interesting
The thin sheet metal pans are just a useless nuisance. I bought one from Chromeworld for my '13 "Wing. Not sure of the brand. I have seen two 'Wings with the engine block cracked by hitting debris. And more than a few with the oil filter knocked off. Mine was easily penetrated by a 1/2" wood drill. It went thru the thin metal pan and speared my carbon cannister. I absolutely agree with you on the need for some kind of protection,
but more substantial than these sheet metal pans.
Both are good choices. Some protection is far better than no protection. 😊
Great review, thanks for the honest assessment on both products.
I purchased the Panical Belly Pan and will comment once it arrives and I install it.
Be Advised: This near exact scenario happened to me NYE 2023 and I ended up going down due to the oil leak puncture coating the rear tire. Low speed though. No belly pan at the time. Hadn't decided on one at this particular time. Guys this can happen to anyone.
Just needs a hole to drain oil, then would be great
Thanks for this… looking to get my first wing and I’m definitely getting one of these on it!!! Fellow north Dallas rider.
I just got a Goldwing and I'm planning on getting the Traxxion plate. Was your Wing mechanic the guy at Honda West, who retired to Colorado? I think his name is Marshall. I love my 2022 non-tour Wing. After 2 weeks and 3 days, I've put 1,684 miles on it. Larry in Fort Worth
@@larrypeplinski593 No, not Marshall.
Why didn’t Traxxion cut a hole in the pan for oil changes?
I've watched another video evaluation on these two, and for me they apply well to 2018+, my problem is my bike is a 2005. I went to Traxxion's website to search for one that would fit and it's not made. I liked the beefiness of Max's product even though it has to be removed to change the oil. I'm never in a hurry when I do service work as I don't want to forget anything so that is not a negative in my mind. Cruisman, have you evaluated similar products for the '01 - '17? By similar, I mean an economy minded product vs. a more expensive version? Thanks for the review - well done.
Gauge of material, fit and finish and method of attachment are criterion I would use to make a buying decision. Both meet that criteria. The Traxxion is obviously more robust. It’s fit and finish is impeccable. It’s attachment points have me concerned with it being attached to the engine. The Wing Stuff is enough for general peace of mind and will be good protection. I’m investigating feedback and reviews. I had a hunch you would not pick a winner. The question really is, which would you buy with your money?
thank you it will be traxxon for me 300 vs 13k
I went with the Wingstuff which, due to COVID, I've yet to install it yet.
let me see: buy an engine guard branded from an online retailer or by an engine guard from an engineering company like Traxxion? Is this really a debate, cruiseman?
Anything that might save you 13k in repairs, being stranded god knows where, and ruining a vacation.
150-300 dollars is a small price to pay to prevent these kind of problems.
I agree
7:30 Not the topic of your video but all that debris on the road also dictates a full face helmet. It sucks in the summer but I always ride with my neotech helmet latched, and if I'm on the highway the visor is down, maybe just a small crack for some air flow. I also know a person in an open cockpit racecar just doing a track day who got hit in the head with debris on track and it killed him.
Haven't Googled this but do they make engine case guards / belly pans for all of the "big" street touring motorcycles... examples: Kawasaki voyager, Yamaha venture, Harley road and street glides. I've only ever heard of engine case guards for the Honda goldwings. Is it because Honda mounted the engine lower to the ground than other manufacturers or is it something else to where cracking engine cases has been such an issue with the goldwings to cause the aftermarket to make case guards / belly pans? Road debris isn't going to be picky and only go after goldwings so you'd think that you'd hear more about other motorcycles getting belly pans / guards.
Harley Road & Street Glide has the actual bike frame protecting the engine case, the Gold Wing design make the engine part of the frame and has no extra protection. Another reason why its much easier to use a engine lift on a Harley is, you can position it anywhere rather than specific lifting points on the Gold Wing
Hi. Sorry to ask on a different subject, but can one adjust the handlebar levers up or down on the 2018+ Goldwing? I am familiar with the outwards/inwards adjustment scale of 1-5 but want to push the levers down a notch. Thanks for the help.
Yes go to Heli Bar. For replacement 900 buck I think. Stock handlebars no adjustments at all.
An engine guard is not a critical debate. The problem I have with Traxxion is when they use the classic *"invent the disease to sell the cure"* marketing. When Honda spends 10 years engineering a system for a motorcycle, and Traxxion re-engineers an "upgrade" for that system 2 months after the bike is released, is nonsense at best and unethical at worst. And proving the efficacy of a product via your customers post-purchase bias (I spent $2000.00 dollars of my hard earned money... of course I love it!) is NOT objective evidence of either function OR value. But Traxxion is adept at creating a customer loyalty that steps over critical thinking. You will never convince Traxxion customers that the company is anything but pure perfection. Of course they have some great products, but like with any company - if you don't employ caveat emptor, you're not looking out for your *own* best interests.
Thanks - didn’t get anything out of it - but thanks?
I think that tie downs would be essential for transport
I’ve had a Homelink on order since 10/2/21. So supply chain issues SUCK
I did the $8 momentary switch install instead - probably even easier than the Honda homelink and a whole lot cheaper!
@@talltimo I finally got the Homelink but have yet to install it. It should be a standard option on a bike this expensive or at least a LOT easier to install. If they had placed the buttons and had a plugin port in the side bag it could have been a 10 minute install and setup. Oh well they didn’t ask me😂
Anything is better than nothing. I went with Traxxion and it was simple after viewing a few videos.
The $300 they want for a flat piece of metal, is enough for me to NOT buy the traxxion
Let's be real
what is the thickness of each? Wingstuff is 3.2 mm I believe but what is Max's?
I will measure and report back.
I've been trying to get a wingstuff pan but they are not available. I do see that Traxxion is available but gosh just don't want to pay that much, however just from viewing both pans I would have to say that the Traxxion has a bit more protection, so we'll see. Thanks for the review Cruisman, as always very detailed and perfect..
appears that they are now available
@Doug Vann Yup got the email but too late. Went with the traxxion one instead and so glad I did.
You're not pissing anyone off.
I don’t like the cutouts in the wing stuff’s plate. It looks to me like it would make it weaker in some scenarios
Honda engineers probably didn’t engineer the engine to be a direct mounting point for anything, other than what they mounted to it. Is the engine strong enough?, maybe, nobody knows. The one thing that is for sure that when an object is in direct contact with another object it can, depending on material, transfer a large portion of force to the second object, like a croquet ball. The wing stuff version is not directly in contact with the engine, and that small gap will allow force to be dispersed prior to transferring energy to the engine. How much force?, nobody knows. One other thing to consider is how does the Traxxion change the vibration frequencies of the engine? IMHO feel the Traxxion integrates to much with the engine design, with unknown possible conflicts, without providing a clear increased level of protection over the Wing Stuff.
Side Question you've had both old and new Goldwing's would you happen to know the differences as to why you don't seem to be able to convert an F6B to a trunk. Similar to what Traxxion has with there conversion for the 2018+ Thanks for any advise
I think it is because there is no subframe on the F6B for a trunk to be mounted. The Tour models have a separate sub-frame for top box mounting.
My question is, why doesn't Honda install a plate to protect an exposed engine case? Seems like a terrible oversight on their part.
We could ask the same question about a dozen other things Honda does not provide. It usually boils down to cost.
Just out of curiosity, do most automobiles have some type of plate that protects the engine?
You’ll find them on some trucks and jeeps and cars that are serious off-road vehicles. Most passenger cars have a small plastic plate from the front bumper areas going back about a foot or so. It’s usually more of an air damn than protection
@@leadfooty then why is there not the same concern for one's auto?
@@danielkleiner9560 I’m not sure I understand your parallel, but from my perspective the automotive and motorcycle industries are in sync in that neither of them really protect the underside of the engine. I would think that’s because the don’t see enough failures from damage to the underside of the motors to create a concern for them. However, that is what the aftermarket is for. To come up with ideas that fit gaps in manufacturing or augment the manufacturing with an improvement. If you’ve never had an issue, you likely won’t worry about it too much, and it’s the inventors job to convince you that it’s an probable issue. If you’ve had the issue like I have, it’s a welcome addition and you don’t need to be convinced
@@danielkleiner9560 Most automobile engines are much higher above the road.
As a technician, those plastic and, in Ford’s case, carpet skid pans are there just to make our jobs harder. But most trucks, some vehicles with a premium price, have nice solid metal pans.
I’ve permanently removed plenty of plastic “skid pans” from Honda automobiles many times. Most cagers rip them on concrete parking lot stop things (and curbs).
Fair enough.
I got so much from this video but I have a request also this coming summer if possible could you try and do a in depth review on the BMW K1600 Grand America I would really like to hear your thoughts when you compare it the gold wing
it was aluminum, I had one on my 08 wing
im sorry ... but if you buy a 30K++ bike you would expect that it would had have kind of protection for the motor under belly..... RIGHT!!!
Just like everything else on my bike.... Traxxion all the way!
Floorboards. Why pegs when even HD has fb's
Will not keep from dragging exhaust off, that what takes place on the new gold wing