I test rode the same model a few months ago on my wife's selfish suggestion (as pillion) expecting it to be unwieldy and boring. I bought it on the spot and rode it home and love it more and more every time I ride it. I tour on it but also commute and most surprisingly go solo on weekend twisty roads alone, in Sport mode and it rides like a sport tourer. Great review and your experience is exactly like mine 👍
My story is similar. Two years ago my girlfriend dared me to test ride the new Goldwing, I was a diehard Harley rider then. The test ride left me speechless with amazement, I traded in shortly afterwards. 17,000 miles later and this Wing is the best bike I've ever owned.
Mike, same here lol. I owned BMW K1600 GA,. I will always say, great machine to ride as long as they don't break down. However, after testing the 20 GW DCT Tour, that was it for me. I love this machine more and more. She is very tight now as she is breaking in. I am 6'4" and I am very comfortable even on the ome seat. Happy riding .......!!!!!
@@gpwisbey I've been getting well over 50 mpg (UK) out of mine since it passed 6,000 miles. Up to that point it was less gradually getting better. It is fair to say that I don't go in for hard acceleration but I do a mix of urban and motorway riding and crack along at speeds I'm not allowed to mention here.
I remember a long time ago before I even knew what a Goldwing was I saw 2 of them at a stoplight that made a big impression on me. They were being ridden by two rich looking dudes and each of them had a fine looking snowbunny sitting behind them wearing some fur coats. As a young man I thought that was so cool.
100%. Just purchased a 22 DCT Tour Airbag. My 3rd Wing. (84, 96, 22) Brilliant! Life’s short. Just buy the bike. Whatever bike. Ride safe and ride often.
It's 40 years since I gave up biking (I'm 70 this month) after a Honda 550/4 K disappointed me when I traded in from my 400T. You have stirred those old dreams of Gold Wings and BMW Boxers up again but will just have to enjoy it all from watching your channel. Love your channel with your informative, knowledgeable and entertaining commentary and the beautiful countryside. I can mount the wooden hills calm and relaxed and dream of what might have been, you're one lucky biker and thanks for letting us in on your world.
I just bought a 2018 Goldwing. I have the DCT. It's so easy to ride around. It's also so comfortable. The weight disappears as soon as you get going. The walk feature is SO useful in parking lots.
@@TheMissendenFlyer I had a Honda Shadow which I thought was a great bike until I stopped by a dealer that had an 03 Goldwing. The dealer sold that bike but had a beautiful bronze/brown 2018. Well I ended up with it. I'm usually pretty strick about not spending a lot of money, so the bike had to be great for me to buy it. So far, the bike has exceeded all of my expectations.
Thanks for the review and your insight. I purchased a 2019 DCT Tour early this year and it is without a doubt the best bike I have ever owned, and I have been riding for 50 years here in the USA. However, I don't agree with your opinion on the seat. After less than two hours my backside is numb and ready to stop for a while to recover. I switched to an Ultimate seat and now I can ride all day without suffering. It's not unusual for me to ride 300-600 miles in a single day when doing a cross country trip. Seats and tires are the same in one respect, if you ask ten people for their opinion, you will get ten different answers. Glad the stock seat works for you. The Ultimate seat is not cheap and will set you back $1,200 but worth every penny especially when my typical cross country trip is 3,000-5,000 miles. My previous bike, a 2001 Valkyrie has 190,000 miles and still runs great (saving it for my son). Cheers.
Gold wing 1800 is an awesome bike. Turbine smooth, great protection, comfy, good handling, and huge. The newest generation (never ridden) with the DCT is perfect IMHO.
Hi Andy being a triumph scrambler man this is a fantastic and very impressive review .Driving into work tomorrow I’ll be keeping my eyes open to see one of these incredible bikes ..... and looking forward to seeing your Wales tour .Many thanks for these interesting reviews .
Bought my 2019 in 2019. DCT Touring model. I have had several iconic bikes in the past 18 years (BMW's, Honda VFR, Vstrom, Kawi Vulcan, Ducati Multistrada). The GW is the tits. This is the bike if you want broad spectrum riding - picking up groceries or crossing the continent. Eats miles like crazy.
Really enjoyed that, TMF, especially since I've at long last been able to fulfil the dream and buy one! I went for the bagger version with the DCT gearbox. I agree with everything you've included in your top 5. I actually bought the bike without even test riding it - I just knew it would be good (having previously owned earlier generations of Goldwings), but I have to say that for me it is the DCT gearbox that is an absolute revelation....it is just sublime! You do have to retrain your brain to stop feeling for the clutch, but once you get through that phase, like when you get your first dishwasher, you wonder how you ever managed without it! The stability and balance of the bike is also amazing. I know the GW won't be for everyone, but for me personally, this is the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering and comfort. Really looking forward to seeing your Wales tour!
@@oldtimer3824 Yes you can...I know that Goldstrike make floorboards and highway pegs for the new Goldwing.....here's a link: goldstrike3d.com/collections/footrest
Wow, what a dream machine. Your enthusiam was bubbling Andy! How Honda have perfected their Goldwing machine over the years. Well ahead of the game with that Boxer 6 engine - hello BMW wake up. Unlike that bloody awful BMW 1800 sack of coal thing I rode with you yesterday, what an amazing ride today. Can't wait for the Welsh Tour. Don't need to guess that Mrs Flyer was a very happy chappie on the Goldwing. Am going to price it now, and maybe the service costs, and maybe depreciation over 5 years . . . . maybe these just might be the very few negatives of this incredible bike?
I don't think Goldwings depreciate much. Even when they are 15 years old with nearly 100k miles they still hold their value. They aren't junk at that amount of use and I'm sure have plenty of life left in them. I wouldn't worry about 5 years but it's always worth considering especially when new.
I just brought my 2021 DCT home from dealership yesterday. Can’t wait to familiarize myself with it and get some seat time. Enjoy your videos. Thanks for costing me 30G. lol
The Gold Wing is great and the DCT is amazing but the 6 speed just got an improvement. Max at Traxxion Dynamics has a fix for the short shift lever on the left side. The DCT doesn't have a left shift lever of course but the 6-speed will be much easier to shift very soon. I got my first Wing 8 weeks ago and really like it.
I traded up my VFR for a DCT Wing. Absolutely agree with everything you say and it’s transformed my riding. The DCT creep function is the clincher and the integrated car play puts is in a class of its own. Yes, a converted fan boy...to the critics. Try one . Even if it’s not for you, it should highlight the benefits. The only downside is the price....Excellent review and looking forward to the Wales tour.
I have a 2019 Goldwing DCT non tour . it's very sporty I put a rack on the back. I love it . It was also less money than the tour with almost all the toys. Now that you really ride one will you buy one? And the number one thing it's a Honda.
As a relative ageing man who rides a GSA, I like the current Goldwing. I never thought I would say that. But the price man.....I really cannot justify it.
That is one e of the problems with wealthy TH-cam reviewers. TMF seems a nice, down to earth chap, but he is a) clearly not short of a bob or two, and b) his channel will probably be paying for his new Goldwing lol.. I could afford one now standing on my head, but it wasn't always so....I had some grim times in my youth and even middle age where I could hardly afford to pay the gas bill. Also, I couldn't justify it, as I don't do touring. I confess, I am sorely tempted, though lol, .
In USA a brand new 2018 or 2019 GW DCT can be had for $20-$24k, Which is the same or less as a fully loaded GSA with side cases. I’ve just proved you can justify it and your wife will be more comfortable on the back. Lol.
I bought my 2018 Wing earlier this year and I constantly look for excuses to ride it. Its such a wonderful machine!! I never did that with my 2006 Wing. That was a great bike but this bike is in another stratosphere of awesomeness.
I agree with all five points that you raised. But there is so much more to like about the bike as I am sure you realise. There are one or two minor niggles but nothing serious. I reckon Honda got it pretty much spot on first time. One thing you didn't mention was the brakes. They are seriously impressive and for such a big bike it stops incredibly well. Obviously it is intended to be a long distance bike but I use mine for everything from long journeys to just popping down to the shops. Drive wise I use both auto and manual modes about equally depending on what mood I'm in. Both work really well. For those worried about the size and weight there is no need to be. It is actually a very easy bike to handle. I am only 5"6" tall and weigh just over 10 stone but have absolutely no problems with mine in any way at all. It is so well balanced that riding at any speed is a doddle. For sure it is not a sports bike but it can be hussled along twisty roads surprisingly quickly. It is easy to ride virtually to a stop and pull away again with feet firmly on the footrests and riding along at walking pace is easier than on a lot of smaller bikes IMO. As you point out the creep mode is brilliant so you never really have to manhandle the bike around and it rolls up on to the centre stand much more easily than a lot of smaller bikes I've owned and ridden. I've had mine for just over 18 months and I'm still growing to love it more and more. It has been 100% reliable since I've had it. Not one single teething problem since it came out of the box up to around 10,000 miles now. I'm really pleased that I decided to go ahead and buy one. They are expensive for sure but I don't feel as though I've been ripped off at all. Quite the opposite. I have an old sports bike as well (1985 Kawasaki 750 Turbo) which I love too but if I was forced to go back down to one bike it would be the Wing. It is brilliant.
I JUST sold my 2018 DCT. I spent almost two years (7,700 miles) trying to fall in love with it, as I had sold my ‘07 to buy it. Looking back, it was a strange experience. On paper, it was superior to the previous generation by anything you could measure, but I just never could get excited about going anywhere on it. I took a chance and replaced it with a 2016 model, I am now the happiest about riding that I can ever remember. You just can’t have everything in one platform, if you want maximum smoothness at 85 miles per hour, it will have to be a “handful” in the parking lot! So they apparently gutted the old one to make it easier to handle (makes sense if you wanna sell a lot) but they really should have given the new bike its own model name, the feel that we associate with all day traveling, is just not there on the new model. Buyer beware!
They are a hell of a machine and I'd definitely have one in the garage, yes they're expensive but you're getting a LOT of bike. Looking forward to your tour videos and hearing what your good lady has to day about it.
I bought a new one in the same colour with DCT in June 2020 (Part exchanged my 2013 K1600 GTL for it with the wifes blessing) I was originally going to buy a K1600 Grand America as I liked the styling over the K1600 GTL but I saw a video where that was compared with the new wing which got me interested and then I saw your earlier review where you rode the red manual version and was pretty much sold on the new wing. Bought it on a Friday, pouring with rain, rode it home pretty impressed with how it handled the rain and then did just over 600 miles over the weekend going around the Peak District on the Saturday Morning, a late afternoon/early evening ride to Scarborough, up to Whitby and back via A169 to Pickering and along to Helmsley with a final leg on the A1 back to Wakefield and then on the Sunday I went over the Yorkshire Dales up to Windermere and spent the day around there before going home on the A65 with a quick stop off at Kirkby Lonsdale. The bike was great on all them roads and both me and the wife prefer it to the big BMW and the DCT box is perfect on this type of bike. Of course there are a few negatives, The DCT box can be a bit snatchy on downshifts at low speed coming to a stop at junctions and traffic lights etc. Filling the fuel tank is a pain and too faffy for what it needs to be and the fact that we can't fit either of our helmets in the side cases or top box is very annoying but might be possible if we didn't have bluetooth headsets on them (Sena 20S). We haven't done any long tours yet this year due to Covid but I suspect we will have to plan the luggage more than we did on the BMW due to the cases being a fair bit smaller and weirdly shaped but other than that I think it's the best bike I've ever owned.
This video is killing me. I've done everything Gold Wing (Maxx on the suspension) and other youtube gold wing channels. Watched it all BUT been afraid to do a test ride. I know I'll end up buying one. Now I watch this video and I might just have to take that test ride. THANKS!!!
The copper/brown color looks brilliant also. It looks like root beer metallic under cloudy weather but a rich copper metallic in the sunlight. Goldwings always look classy.
I've always liked the Gold Wings, but couldn't afford one or warrant having one just to ride on a weekend. The people riding them always looked so relaxed. Nice video.
The ultimate tourer! For anyone whose not intending to go off road, the Gold Wing is way better than a togged-up Adventure bike IF you can afford it! Six cylinder engines are wonderful, whatever they are in! Thanks for that Andy. Time to start emptying your piggy bank!
Ah, The wonderful Goldwing. If I had the money, I'd buy one. You say it is not a commuter but I disagree. When out of lockdown, I ride 60 miles/day, almost all motorway. The GW would be perfect. Cracking review. Looking forward to more GW videos.
I traded my Africa Twin in for a new 2018 Goldwing Bagger DCT. Best bike decision I have ever made. Love the Goldwing for all the reasons you mention and more. Don't have the heated seat since the bagger version does not include that. But I preferred the sleek look of the bagger since I do not ride with a pillion.
Great video, looking forward to seeing how the Mrs liked it. Riding that thing with the DCT is liking riding a bike with an electric motor. Loved not having to clutch in city traffic. Honda has the DCT nailed.
Gday mate i have always had a soft spot for the gold wing , i can remember as a 17 year old on my honda 550ss watching two of the first model take of from the lights like rockets bit of an od ball in those days but have been around forever now only getting better and bigger . I cant for the life of me understand why it isnt a bigger seller in aus than it is with the vast distances there is to cover ,i personally think they are a beutifull bike and if i ever win lotto i will get one pure comfort and you always have the look at me factor you cannot miss them .
The Goldwing has a long history and your review highlights why it's been around so long .I can see you're a bit smitten with this bike ,and why not ! The camera mounted on the side of your helmet gave an excellent view .
I've had a GW sisnce 2014. I think you make the best point at the end, most that criticise have never ridden one. They are great on a tour as long as the roads are decent. I took mine to Greece a couple of years ago alone. Some of the roads in Bosnia & Albania were erm....challemging but what a trip. Not an exciting bike but so comfortable on a tour
Great review as always. After watching your previous review I called at Honda Blade, Abingdon to be advised they no longer sell the Goldwing! I have since contacted two Goldwing Centres who advised they did not have a Tour DCT demo available. Contacted Honda UK but only sent me the Goldwing Centre link! Perhaps if I had a TH-cam channel I could get to test ride one. BMW have already offered a test ride on the new R18, perhaps they have worked out Demo's equal sales. They also return phone calls unlike the Honda salesperson who promised too. Moan over, keep up the good work, and I look forward to your further reviews of the Goldwing.
Of all the automotive combustion engine configurations, there are 2 that have inherently the least vibration, and need no balance shafts or even counterweights: The inline 6 and the horizontally-opposed 6. (And by extension the V-12 which can be considered as 2 inline 6's sharing a crank.) Now if Honda divided the displacement by 2 and slashed the weight, I'd be interested.
You’ve changed my mind about Goldwings. As for the weather, what did you expect? That was an unstable W-NW airflow so the occasional shower and blustery winds should be expected. An app like AeroWeather (which I’m surprised you haven’t got) will not only give you a good indication of the weather upwind (station METARS) but forecasts as well. Back to the review, thanks for the “infamous” clothing segment. It’s jeans and boots that I’ll be buying next and you are constantly showing us a good selection. ps. Mrs Flyer might get a little miffed if you spend too long looking at the “scenery.”
Back in the day (in the US) when the Wing began hitting the streets, in its more less same iteration, the motorcycle magazines reviewers called it The Convertible. In my mind (had one for almost two years ) it’s the epitome of US concrete slabs raker. The Goldwing Its just one of those bikes that one must own and enjoy.
When we describe things we often say they "go like a train" why is that?...I assume we don't mean they arrive late, pull away slowly, won't go up hills or round corners and roll over of they go into a bend to fast! What a marvelous bike... If only I had the money! Thanks for another great video.
Yea every thing makes sence when you ride it, it does make you feel invincible and the weight just makes you feel very planted on the road in the wind. Would love one as a second or third bike. 😊
Wow, what excellent timing! My wife and I are seriously considering the new goldwing, with a visit planned for this Saturday. We are young 30s. My number 1 focus is my wife; she did not like riding the BMW RT or GSA. She liked my old Victory cross country tour more. In regards to the Wing, the engine, comfort, DCT, and walk mode are big deals for me when riding two up. I have my Harley Dyna Low Rider S for the fun bike. Thanks from Texas and looking forward to more vids!
Fantastic review on the goldwing I traded in an xe 1200 triumph scrambler for my 2001 1800 gl with 30,000 miles on the clock . The first thing i noticed was wow this seating position seems low but after getting used to it its perfect . I agree with the wind protection ,i havent experienced anything like it on all the bikes ive owned . I can wear my davida open face with or without goggles and my aria full face i ride all the time now on the goldwing with my visor up . Thankyou very much for your honest review of the goldwing athough your bike is newer than my mint 2001 model i believe Honda have really done their hone work in aerodynamics . Regards Dave from Scotland Caa licenced aircraft engineer and light aircraft pilot
Great video, sounds lovely, looks plush and can see you’re impressed... will it slip through traffic as easily as my tiny sports bike in London? I doubt it but once I can get out of rat race central... I’ll try one! Mortgage to pay off first!
Not actively interested but what a cracking machine! When I can finally persuade my wife to do a bit of touring with me I'll definitely have a look at one of these. Great noise!
I'm not sure what the general feed-back is on your fashion shows, but I want to thank you for bringing attention to the LS2 helmet. I've been a couple of years with my HJC FG-17, and while I really like the fit, it's a little short on some features. I've been wanting a new brain bucket with a flip-down internal sunscreen/visor, as my daily commute begins before sunrise, and concludes in broad daylight. I've been addressing this by using a clear visor in the mornings, and then before setting out on my ride home in the afternoon, switching to a tinted visor that I carry in my backpack. Sure, it only takes moments to switch visors on the FG-17, but it's something extra I have to carry around, and I'm not sure what the wear and tear on the pin-lock mechanism is going to ultimately be like. After watching your review, I went down to my local bike shop and tried on an LS2 Stream Street model and bought it. It was economical, seems to be of extremely good construction (it carries not only DOT and Snell Foundation ratings, but an ECE 22.05 rating as well), and it has a drop-down internal sun visor! Thanks again for the tip!
My dad had one of the original goldwings, 1977 I think. It was 1000 CC's. At first we thought it said gull wing with a wing on it. Later we realized it was a goldwing not a gull wing.
Love the colour! Hoping to get a Gold Wing maybe early next year, just waiting to see what the 2021 model has to offer over the other DCT's. The DCT has really caught my eye, it's getting hard for me to go through the gears in traffic because of some nerve trouble I have in my arm. So a DCT should help me to continue riding.
Just noted your comment about your nerve problems in your arm. I have a similar/same problem and went through all sorts of tests to try and diagnose the issue. Turned out to be arthritis in my neck which has caused some intermittent pinching of nerves. It can become a real problem for me on long tours. I hope yours is not too bad. The joy of ageing !
@@deanshaw2128 Thanks for the heads up. Yeah it's been hard to work out what the cause is. I will look into it, thanks. Yep, the joys of getting older in life🤣
Well done, can’t wait to see the tour VLOG’s. I’ve lusted this bike since the release. I regret selling my 08 Wing, after getting the suspension sorted with aftermarket springs, it was the best handling bike one or two up I’ve owned. I remember keeping up with sport bikes with my pillion in the twisty north GA mountains. We are watching with interest as we consider selling the 1999 Valkyrie for another Wing opportunity. Somehow Honda finds ways to loose 200 lbs on these massive bikes as soon as you let out the clutch. 👍🏻 Mr Flyah!!
I think I speak for all us TMF what socks were you wearing 🤷♂️🤷♂️ 🙄🙄 really looking forward to you’re tour videos and your wife’s perspective on this model. We have this bike, Indian Roadmaster and the BMW K1600 grand America on our list for purchase in may 2021. My wife is starting to struggle climbing aboard the Trophy SE without kicking everything in between the mount and dismount. It’s just a matter of time before the smack on the back of the helmet comes from shaking my head....awesome review as always stay safe out there !!!!!
I've no interest in this bike if I honest but I watched the whole thing because of you. Great review, love your style of review and camera work/ production quality, even in a simplistic style. Refreshingly different. Cheers
Love the bike. Love your kit too! Looking forward to your touring video. There are a lot of Goldwing riders in my area and see a lot passing through. Northern Ontario Canada.
That was great review of a classic bike....you either love them or hate them.......personally I love them a different way of riding.....stay safe....thanks for sharing
I have had at least five GoldWings, from early 1100cc to 1800 cc with colour matched Amerian trailer, that had pneumatic suspension. I would have another tomorrow if I had the money.
Came to this vid late in the day, couldnt help but have a wry chortle when you mentioned the CarPlay in light of later vids. That aside, glad I found it as its one to consider for continental touring
![PURPEECH - นี่ฉันเองคนที่... (It's me) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NuhHd0hOOg8/mqdefault.jpg)
I test rode the same model a few months ago on my wife's selfish suggestion (as pillion) expecting it to be unwieldy and boring. I bought it on the spot and rode it home and love it more and more every time I ride it. I tour on it but also commute and most surprisingly go solo on weekend twisty roads alone, in Sport mode and it rides like a sport tourer. Great review and your experience is exactly like mine 👍
hi can you let me know what mpg you get thanks Glenn
@@gpwisbey I get just over 6l/100km which I believe is around 40mpg
My story is similar. Two years ago my girlfriend dared me to test ride the new Goldwing, I was a diehard Harley rider then. The test ride left me speechless with amazement, I traded in shortly afterwards. 17,000 miles later and this Wing is the best bike I've ever owned.
Mike, same here lol. I owned BMW K1600 GA,. I will always say, great machine to ride as long as they don't break down. However, after testing the 20 GW DCT Tour, that was it for me. I love this machine more and more. She is very tight now as she is breaking in. I am 6'4" and I am very comfortable even on the ome seat. Happy riding .......!!!!!
@@gpwisbey I've been getting well over 50 mpg (UK) out of mine since it passed 6,000 miles. Up to that point it was less gradually getting better. It is fair to say that I don't go in for hard acceleration but I do a mix of urban and motorway riding and crack along at speeds I'm not allowed to mention here.
Tried one few years back, OMG Honda know how to defeat physics, engine smoother than James Bond, also more gadgets. Try one if you can.
Retire by one with your lump sum and tour. Best review of a Goldwing, Honda should give you one!
I remember a long time ago before I even knew what a Goldwing was I saw 2 of them at a stoplight that made a big impression on me. They were being ridden by two rich looking dudes and each of them had a fine looking snowbunny sitting behind them wearing some fur coats. As a young man I thought that was so cool.
Sounds good to me - especially "snow bunnies" - not sure what they are exactly buy I like the sound of them!
TheMissendenFlyer you know exactly what I’m talking about. Lol
Haha 'Snowbunny' thats a new one. And wearing fur coats, do you live in Hollywood?
splodge 57 I live in California near South Lake Tahoe. Lots of snow bunnies up here. Lol
TheMissendenFlyer ask Bruce...
Yes, some of the “scenery” in the country can be quite beautiful, if not a bit distracting 😉.
It really is! Wonderful when the sun comes out ;0)
100%. Just purchased a 22 DCT Tour Airbag. My 3rd Wing. (84, 96, 22) Brilliant! Life’s short. Just buy the bike. Whatever bike. Ride safe and ride often.
I have a 2003 and still love it !! Puts a smile on my face everyday, even when I’m not riding it.
WHAT A COLOUR !!!!!
Honestly, I thought Goldwings were always red... I would buy one for that blue alone...
It's 40 years since I gave up biking (I'm 70 this month) after a Honda 550/4 K disappointed me when I traded in from my 400T. You have stirred those old dreams of Gold Wings and BMW Boxers up again but will just have to enjoy it all from watching your channel. Love your channel with your informative, knowledgeable and entertaining commentary and the beautiful countryside. I can mount the wooden hills calm and relaxed and dream of what might have been, you're one lucky biker and thanks for letting us in on your world.
Thank you for watching Ray - great comment! Best one today....
Every vlog professionally done, every vlog eminently watchable. Well done
Thank you very much - one tries ones best!
I just bought a 2018 Goldwing. I have the DCT. It's so easy to ride around. It's also so comfortable. The weight disappears as soon as you get going. The walk feature is SO useful in parking lots.
Congratulations! Amazing machines aren’t they...
@@TheMissendenFlyer I had a Honda Shadow which I thought was a great bike until I stopped by a dealer that had an 03 Goldwing. The dealer sold that bike but had a beautiful bronze/brown 2018. Well I ended up with it. I'm usually pretty strick about not spending a lot of money, so the bike had to be great for me to buy it. So far, the bike has exceeded all of my expectations.
Rode the Bagger version a while back, it's unbelievable. I'd love one. Epic bit of kit and if I had the money it would be in the garage already.
Thanks for the review and your insight. I purchased a 2019 DCT Tour early this year and it is without a doubt the best bike I have ever owned, and I have been riding for 50 years here in the USA. However, I don't agree with your opinion on the seat. After less than two hours my backside is numb and ready to stop for a while to recover. I switched to an Ultimate seat and now I can ride all day without suffering. It's not unusual for me to ride 300-600 miles in a single day when doing a cross country trip. Seats and tires are the same in one respect, if you ask ten people for their opinion, you will get ten different answers. Glad the stock seat works for you. The Ultimate seat is not cheap and will set you back $1,200 but worth every penny especially when my typical cross country trip is 3,000-5,000 miles. My previous bike, a 2001 Valkyrie has 190,000 miles and still runs great (saving it for my son). Cheers.
Cheers Steve!
Gold wing 1800 is an awesome bike. Turbine smooth, great protection, comfy, good handling, and huge. The newest generation (never ridden) with the DCT is perfect IMHO.
Hi Andy being a triumph scrambler man this is a fantastic and very impressive review .Driving into work tomorrow I’ll be keeping my eyes open to see one of these incredible bikes ..... and looking forward to seeing your Wales tour .Many thanks for these interesting reviews .
My pleasure James!
In my bike wish list now ... all of it!!! Thanks for sharing and everyone comments.
My pleasure!
Bought my 2019 in 2019. DCT Touring model. I have had several iconic bikes in the past 18 years (BMW's, Honda VFR, Vstrom, Kawi Vulcan, Ducati Multistrada). The GW is the tits. This is the bike if you want broad spectrum riding - picking up groceries or crossing the continent. Eats miles like crazy.
Really enjoyed that, TMF, especially since I've at long last been able to fulfil the dream and buy one! I went for the bagger version with the DCT gearbox. I agree with everything you've included in your top 5. I actually bought the bike without even test riding it - I just knew it would be good (having previously owned earlier generations of Goldwings), but I have to say that for me it is the DCT gearbox that is an absolute revelation....it is just sublime! You do have to retrain your brain to stop feeling for the clutch, but once you get through that phase, like when you get your first dishwasher, you wonder how you ever managed without it! The stability and balance of the bike is also amazing. I know the GW won't be for everyone, but for me personally, this is the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering and comfort.
Really looking forward to seeing your Wales tour!
...series starts next Thursday...stay tuned!
DA - can you get front floorboards for the GW?
@@oldtimer3824 Yes you can...I know that Goldstrike make floorboards and highway pegs for the new Goldwing.....here's a link:
goldstrike3d.com/collections/footrest
The gold wing is sometimes mistaken for a low flying aircraft 🤣. One more beer and it's time for bed. Cheers
Wow, what a dream machine. Your enthusiam was bubbling Andy! How Honda have perfected their Goldwing machine over the years. Well ahead of the game with that Boxer 6 engine - hello BMW wake up. Unlike that bloody awful BMW 1800 sack of coal thing I rode with you yesterday, what an amazing ride today. Can't wait for the Welsh Tour. Don't need to guess that Mrs Flyer was a very happy chappie on the Goldwing. Am going to price it now, and maybe the service costs, and maybe depreciation over 5 years . . . . maybe these just might be the very few negatives of this incredible bike?
I don't think Goldwings depreciate much. Even when they are 15 years old with nearly 100k miles they still hold their value. They aren't junk at that amount of use and I'm sure have plenty of life left in them.
I wouldn't worry about 5 years but it's always worth considering especially when new.
A BLUE Airbag model!!! In USA we got the red and black in 2018 and 2019, then 2020 it was Black and Silver. The Blue is awesome.
I’m a 40 year old sport bike rider and former track junky. This video makes me want to buy one.
Surprising isn’t it!
Good review! It’s hard to name only 5 things you like on this bike…it has just about everything you want on a touring bike!
Very true! I'm on my second now (a 2022 model) and still love it....
I just brought my 2021 DCT home from dealership yesterday. Can’t wait to familiarize myself with it and get some seat time. Enjoy your videos. Thanks for costing me 30G. lol
It’ll be worth it!
The Gold Wing is great and the DCT is amazing but the 6 speed just got an improvement. Max at Traxxion Dynamics has a fix for the short shift lever on the left side. The DCT doesn't have a left shift lever of course but the 6-speed will be much easier to shift very soon. I got my first Wing 8 weeks ago and really like it.
Excellent video as always TMF. I had the 1800B for a couple of weeks and it blew me away. Fair to say I'm a convert!
I traded up my VFR for a DCT Wing. Absolutely agree with everything you say and it’s transformed my riding. The DCT creep function is the clincher and the integrated car play puts is in a class of its own. Yes, a converted fan boy...to the critics. Try one . Even if it’s not for you, it should highlight the benefits. The only downside is the price....Excellent review and looking forward to the Wales tour.
I have a 2019 Goldwing DCT non tour . it's very sporty I put a rack on the back. I love it . It was also less money than the tour with almost all the toys. Now that you really ride one will you buy one? And the number one thing it's a Honda.
I have had the goldwing dct since they came out in 2018, and it's simply the best bike I have ever owned.
I can understand that!
It should be everything I hate all on one bike .
After a brief stint of r1150rt ownership earlier this year , I get it .
Lovely machine .👍🏻☮❤
Exactly - until you experience it it just seems so wrong...but it's so right!
As a relative ageing man who rides a GSA, I like the current Goldwing. I never thought I would say that. But the price man.....I really cannot justify it.
That is one e of the problems with wealthy TH-cam reviewers. TMF seems a nice, down to earth chap, but he is a) clearly not short of a bob or two, and b) his channel will probably be paying for his new Goldwing lol.. I could afford one now standing on my head, but it wasn't always so....I had some grim times in my youth and even middle age where I could hardly afford to pay the gas bill. Also, I couldn't justify it, as I don't do touring. I confess, I am sorely tempted, though lol, .
In USA a brand new 2018 or 2019 GW DCT can be had for $20-$24k, Which is the same or less as a fully loaded GSA with side cases. I’ve just proved you can justify it and your wife will be more comfortable on the back. Lol.
I bought my 2018 Wing earlier this year and I constantly look for excuses to ride it. Its such a wonderful machine!! I never did that with my 2006 Wing. That was a great bike but this bike is in another stratosphere of awesomeness.
Brilliant....
I agree with all five points that you raised. But there is so much more to like about the bike as I am sure you realise. There are one or two minor niggles but nothing serious. I reckon Honda got it pretty much spot on first time. One thing you didn't mention was the brakes. They are seriously impressive and for such a big bike it stops incredibly well. Obviously it is intended to be a long distance bike but I use mine for everything from long journeys to just popping down to the shops. Drive wise I use both auto and manual modes about equally depending on what mood I'm in. Both work really well. For those worried about the size and weight there is no need to be. It is actually a very easy bike to handle. I am only 5"6" tall and weigh just over 10 stone but have absolutely no problems with mine in any way at all. It is so well balanced that riding at any speed is a doddle. For sure it is not a sports bike but it can be hussled along twisty roads surprisingly quickly. It is easy to ride virtually to a stop and pull away again with feet firmly on the footrests and riding along at walking pace is easier than on a lot of smaller bikes IMO. As you point out the creep mode is brilliant so you never really have to manhandle the bike around and it rolls up on to the centre stand much more easily than a lot of smaller bikes I've owned and ridden. I've had mine for just over 18 months and I'm still growing to love it more and more. It has been 100% reliable since I've had it. Not one single teething problem since it came out of the box up to around 10,000 miles now. I'm really pleased that I decided to go ahead and buy one. They are expensive for sure but I don't feel as though I've been ripped off at all. Quite the opposite. I have an old sports bike as well (1985 Kawasaki 750 Turbo) which I love too but if I was forced to go back down to one bike it would be the Wing. It is brilliant.
I'm with you on all that Ian - if i had the space and money, I'd definitely have one in my collection.....
I JUST sold my 2018 DCT. I spent almost two years (7,700 miles) trying to fall in love with it, as I had sold my ‘07 to buy it. Looking back, it was a strange experience. On paper, it was superior to the previous generation by anything you could measure, but I just never could get excited about going anywhere on it.
I took a chance and replaced it with a 2016 model, I am now the happiest about riding that I can ever remember. You just can’t have everything in one platform, if you want maximum smoothness at 85 miles per hour, it will have to be a “handful” in the parking lot! So they apparently gutted the old one to make it easier to handle (makes sense if you wanna sell a lot) but they really should have given the new bike its own model name, the feel that we associate with all day traveling, is just not there on the new model. Buyer beware!
Excellent review though by the way.
Thank you - how interesting! As you gathered I loved this bike but then I’d not ridden the older model to compare it with....
They are a hell of a machine and I'd definitely have one in the garage, yes they're expensive but you're getting a LOT of bike. Looking forward to your tour videos and hearing what your good lady has to day about it.
Yep, the new Wing is an amazing motorcycle. 17K miles on mine as I write this, best bike I've ever owned by a wide margin.
Good to hear!
Atlast !!, couldn't wait for these to start dropping."Best motorcycle engine I,ve ever driven"high praise indeed.Nice thumbnail incidentally 👍
Thank you - I have to admit that pic was from the forthcoming Wales tour so a bit of a cheat....but I liked the pic!
I bought a new one in the same colour with DCT in June 2020 (Part exchanged my 2013 K1600 GTL for it with the wifes blessing) I was originally going to buy a K1600 Grand America as I liked the styling over the K1600 GTL but I saw a video where that was compared with the new wing which got me interested and then I saw your earlier review where you rode the red manual version and was pretty much sold on the new wing.
Bought it on a Friday, pouring with rain, rode it home pretty impressed with how it handled the rain and then did just over 600 miles over the weekend going around the Peak District on the Saturday Morning, a late afternoon/early evening ride to Scarborough, up to Whitby and back via A169 to Pickering and along to Helmsley with a final leg on the A1 back to Wakefield and then on the Sunday I went over the Yorkshire Dales up to Windermere and spent the day around there before going home on the A65 with a quick stop off at Kirkby Lonsdale.
The bike was great on all them roads and both me and the wife prefer it to the big BMW and the DCT box is perfect on this type of bike. Of course there are a few negatives, The DCT box can be a bit snatchy on downshifts at low speed coming to a stop at junctions and traffic lights etc. Filling the fuel tank is a pain and too faffy for what it needs to be and the fact that we can't fit either of our helmets in the side cases or top box is very annoying but might be possible if we didn't have bluetooth headsets on them (Sena 20S). We haven't done any long tours yet this year due to Covid but I suspect we will have to plan the luggage more than we did on the BMW due to the cases being a fair bit smaller and weirdly shaped but other than that I think it's the best bike I've ever owned.
Great feedback! Thanks for that....
This video is killing me. I've done everything Gold Wing (Maxx on the suspension) and other youtube gold wing channels. Watched it all BUT been afraid to do a test ride. I know I'll end up buying one. Now I watch this video and I might just have to take that test ride. THANKS!!!
Sorry Robert - be warned, they're very good!
Does look good especially in that blue
I would agree - a very flattering color for the GW.
The copper/brown color looks brilliant also. It looks like root beer metallic under cloudy weather but a rich copper metallic in the sunlight. Goldwings always look classy.
I've always liked the Gold Wings, but couldn't afford one or warrant having one just to ride on a weekend. The people riding them always looked so relaxed. Nice video.
Smashing video again there, I've been a Wing fan forever but couldn't justify or afford one. It's the business.
The ultimate tourer! For anyone whose not intending to go off road, the Gold Wing is way better than a togged-up Adventure bike IF you can afford it! Six cylinder engines are wonderful, whatever they are in! Thanks for that Andy. Time to start emptying your piggy bank!
I am trying to find a way don't you worry Steve!
Ah, The wonderful Goldwing. If I had the money, I'd buy one. You say it is not a commuter but I disagree. When out of lockdown, I ride 60 miles/day, almost all motorway. The GW would be perfect.
Cracking review. Looking forward to more GW videos.
Cheers - lots more to come on this bike!
I traded my Africa Twin in for a new 2018 Goldwing Bagger DCT. Best bike decision I have ever made. Love the Goldwing for all the reasons you mention and more. Don't have the heated seat since the bagger version does not include that. But I preferred the sleek look of the bagger since I do not ride with a pillion.
Lovely country views..
Indeed ;)
Great vid Andy!
Glad you enjoyed it...and the views!
My friend is going this friday to pick up one of these Gold Wings I sent him your video you may be getting a new sub.
Great video, looking forward to seeing how the Mrs liked it. Riding that thing with the DCT is liking riding a bike with an electric motor. Loved not having to clutch in city traffic. Honda has the DCT nailed.
Agreed 100%
Awesome bike TMF! Thanks for the good review!
Glad you liked it!
Gday mate i have always had a soft spot for the gold wing , i can remember as a 17 year old on my honda 550ss watching two of the first model take of from the lights like rockets bit of an od ball in those days but have been around forever now only getting better and bigger . I cant for the life of me understand why it isnt a bigger seller in aus than it is with the vast distances there is to cover ,i personally think they are a beutifull bike and if i ever win lotto i will get one pure comfort and you always have the look at me factor you cannot miss them .
Yes they are quite a bike aren't they....
The Goldwing has a long history and your review highlights why it's been around so long .I can see you're a bit smitten with this bike ,and why not ! The camera mounted on the side of your helmet gave an excellent view .
Much more to come on this amazing machine....glad you liked the view!
I do get an immature pleasure when I watch your videos with subtitles and it comes up with "hi kids, Mr Fly here" 😂 I need to grow up
Nah, growing up is over rated.....
@@TheMissendenFlyer it really is! Keep up the great content, I still buy MCN but enjoy your breakdowns more 🏍️
you forgot to add...hope your well
I've had a GW sisnce 2014. I think you make the best point at the end, most that criticise have never ridden one. They are great on a tour as long as the roads are decent. I took mine to Greece a couple of years ago alone. Some of the roads in Bosnia & Albania were erm....challemging but what a trip. Not an exciting bike but so comfortable on a tour
Great review as always. After watching your previous review I called at Honda Blade, Abingdon to be advised they no longer sell the Goldwing! I have since contacted two Goldwing Centres who advised they did not have a Tour DCT demo available. Contacted Honda UK but only sent me the Goldwing Centre link! Perhaps if I had a TH-cam channel I could get to test ride one. BMW have already offered a test ride on the new R18, perhaps they have worked out Demo's equal sales. They also return phone calls unlike the Honda salesperson who promised too. Moan over, keep up the good work, and I look forward to your further reviews of the Goldwing.
Oh dear, sorry to hear that Robert...not good.
Wow I love that bike and Andy reviews too very articulate!
Jeez. 35 and I'm already such a dad bike enthusiast.
You and me both! (but I'm 20 years older than you so have a legit excuse)....
I paused it at 12:15 and you are correct sir, a lovely country view. :)
I’m glad you concur!
Another enjoyable review. A long-term subscriber and really enjoy your content whatever the subject. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Paul!
Just bought a LS2 FireFly from the M&P ebay store £69.99 ..Still saving for the Gold Wing :-))
Fabulous review thanks. What a lesson in design and engineering.
Thank you kindly!
Of all the automotive combustion engine configurations, there are 2 that have inherently the least vibration, and need no balance shafts or even counterweights: The inline 6 and the horizontally-opposed 6. (And by extension the V-12 which can be considered as 2 inline 6's sharing a crank.) Now if Honda divided the displacement by 2 and slashed the weight, I'd be interested.
You’ve changed my mind about Goldwings. As for the weather, what did you expect? That was an unstable W-NW airflow so the occasional shower and blustery winds should be expected. An app like AeroWeather (which I’m surprised you haven’t got) will not only give you a good indication of the weather upwind (station METARS) but forecasts as well. Back to the review, thanks for the “infamous” clothing segment. It’s jeans and boots that I’ll be buying next and you are constantly showing us a good selection.
ps. Mrs Flyer might get a little miffed if you spend too long looking at the “scenery.”
....best not mention it too her.....
Back in the day (in the US) when the Wing began hitting the streets, in its more less same iteration, the motorcycle magazines reviewers called it The Convertible. In my mind (had one for almost two years ) it’s the epitome of US concrete slabs raker. The Goldwing Its just one of those bikes that one must own and enjoy.
When we describe things we often say they "go like a train" why is that?...I assume we don't mean they arrive late, pull away slowly, won't go up hills or round corners and roll over of they go into a bend to fast! What a marvelous bike... If only I had the money! Thanks for another great video.
Yes good question Gareth!!
The saying actually goes "pulls like a train", for obvious reasons. ;)
Yea every thing makes sence when you ride it, it does make you feel invincible and the weight just makes you feel very planted on the road in the wind. Would love one as a second or third bike. 😊
Agreed....
Fab review! I’m looking forward to seeing the tour of 🏴 . The ultimate tourer?
Stay tuned - first of the Wales tour videos due to be published next Thursday!
Wow, what excellent timing! My wife and I are seriously considering the new goldwing, with a visit planned for this Saturday. We are young 30s. My number 1 focus is my wife; she did not like riding the BMW RT or GSA. She liked my old Victory cross country tour more. In regards to the Wing, the engine, comfort, DCT, and walk mode are big deals for me when riding two up. I have my Harley Dyna Low Rider S for the fun bike. Thanks from Texas and looking forward to more vids!
Stay tuned - lots more to come on the 'wing....
Fantastic review on the goldwing
I traded in an xe 1200 triumph scrambler for my 2001 1800 gl with 30,000 miles on the clock .
The first thing i noticed was wow this seating position seems low but after getting used to it its perfect .
I agree with the wind protection ,i havent experienced anything like it on all the bikes ive owned .
I can wear my davida open face with or without goggles and my aria full face i ride all the time now on the goldwing with my visor up .
Thankyou very much for your honest review of the goldwing athough your bike is newer than my mint 2001 model i believe Honda have really done their hone work in aerodynamics .
Regards
Dave from Scotland
Caa licenced aircraft engineer
and light aircraft pilot
The Goldwing is my absolute dream bike, hands down, nothing even close. 👍🏼
Great video, sounds lovely, looks plush and can see you’re impressed... will it slip through traffic as easily as my tiny sports bike in London? I doubt it but once I can get out of rat race central... I’ll try one! Mortgage to pay off first!
That is a super smooth machine. The red is awesome on that bike.
Not actively interested but what a cracking machine! When I can finally persuade my wife to do a bit of touring with me I'll definitely have a look at one of these. Great noise!
usual stomping ground its amazing and we never tire from it, you have an amazing job
Thank you very much...no convinced it's "job" but thanks for the kind comments!
I'm not sure what the general feed-back is on your fashion shows, but I want to thank you for bringing attention to the LS2 helmet. I've been a couple of years with my HJC FG-17, and while I really like the fit, it's a little short on some features. I've been wanting a new brain bucket with a flip-down internal sunscreen/visor, as my daily commute begins before sunrise, and concludes in broad daylight. I've been addressing this by using a clear visor in the mornings, and then before setting out on my ride home in the afternoon, switching to a tinted visor that I carry in my backpack. Sure, it only takes moments to switch visors on the FG-17, but it's something extra I have to carry around, and I'm not sure what the wear and tear on the pin-lock mechanism is going to ultimately be like. After watching your review, I went down to my local bike shop and tried on an LS2 Stream Street model and bought it. It was economical, seems to be of extremely good construction (it carries not only DOT and Snell Foundation ratings, but an ECE 22.05 rating as well), and it has a drop-down internal sun visor! Thanks again for the tip!
Glad to help - I find those LS2's particularly good value - I have 2!
Nice looking bike fantastic colour. Great review Andy 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
My dad had one of the original goldwings, 1977 I think. It was 1000 CC's. At first we thought it said gull wing with a wing on it. Later we realized it was a goldwing not a gull wing.
Love the colour! Hoping to get a Gold Wing maybe early next year, just waiting to see what the 2021 model has to offer over the other DCT's. The DCT has really caught my eye, it's getting hard for me to go through the gears in traffic because of some nerve trouble I have in my arm. So a DCT should help me to continue riding.
Just noted your comment about your nerve problems in your arm. I have a similar/same problem and went through all sorts of tests to try and diagnose the issue. Turned out to be arthritis in my neck which has caused some intermittent pinching of nerves. It can become a real problem for me on long tours. I hope yours is not too bad. The joy of ageing !
@@deanshaw2128 Thanks for the heads up. Yeah it's been hard to work out what the cause is. I will look into it, thanks. Yep, the joys of getting older in life🤣
Well done, can’t wait to see the tour VLOG’s. I’ve lusted this bike since the release. I regret selling my 08 Wing, after getting the suspension sorted with aftermarket springs, it was the best handling bike one or two up I’ve owned. I remember keeping up with sport bikes with my pillion in the twisty north GA mountains. We are watching with interest as we consider selling the 1999 Valkyrie for another Wing opportunity. Somehow Honda finds ways to loose 200 lbs on these massive bikes as soon as you let out the clutch. 👍🏻 Mr Flyah!!
Stay tuned Mark - loads more to come!
I can really see one of these in my garage in the future 😀
one of those bikes on the dream list , as the price is rather alot . but everybody who's rode one love it. plus DCT too .
They are great bikes, but I like their competition from BMW better!
Another solid video Andy ✌🏻🇦🇺
Glad you enjoyed it
I think I speak for all us TMF what socks were you wearing 🤷♂️🤷♂️ 🙄🙄 really looking forward to you’re tour videos and your wife’s perspective on this model. We have this bike, Indian Roadmaster and the BMW K1600 grand America on our list for purchase in may 2021. My wife is starting to struggle climbing aboard the Trophy SE without kicking everything in between the mount and dismount. It’s just a matter of time before the smack on the back of the helmet comes from shaking my head....awesome review as always stay safe out there !!!!!
After the Trophy the GW will seem like a light weight! K1600 reviews coming in due course - borrowing one soon....
am not one for "American bikes" but i do quite like that .. looks nice .... and TMF like the new Video format .. nice one buddy
Err, its it a new video format???
"My goodness Hello" Well nice country view.... I laughed so heard.
More people than expected commute daily on Goldwings, they are that manageable and fun to ride.
I'm going to commute on mine when I have to go back to the office. The goldwing is a good commuter bike in the US.
@@JonR_1138 Which year do you have?
@@user-cx2bk6pm2f I just bought a 2018 with DCT a few days ago. I'm really enjoying it so far.
Great vid, Andy. Looking forward to the Wales Tour series.
Stay tuned!
Cheers TMF, enjoyed your 5 on that magnificent touring machine.
Cheers Russ - good to hear from you again!
I've no interest in this bike if I honest but I watched the whole thing because of you. Great review, love your style of review and camera work/ production quality, even in a simplistic style. Refreshingly different. Cheers
Thank you very much!
"They see it coming". They'd regret it if they didn't. That thing has the
momentum to slice right through a car that pulled across its path☺
Never Thought I would be saying this but I am going to test ride one of these with a view to buying one. Thanks for you review
It is a fantastic bike - I challenge you not to love it!
TheMissendenFlyer I will let you know sir 🏍👍
Love the bike. Love your kit too! Looking forward to your touring video. There are a lot of Goldwing riders in my area and see a lot passing through. Northern Ontario Canada.
Yes I think it's probably more a Northern Ontario bike than a South Buckinghamshire one!! Never the less, a brilliant machine!
Great video! Love the blue color on the bike - really sharp!
Great vid looking forward to the tour
Starts next Thursday William - stay tuned!
That was great review of a classic bike....you either love them or hate them.......personally I love them a different way of riding.....stay safe....thanks for sharing
My pleasure!
Excellent review as always but even better WOW what a beast Cheers TMF
Looking forward to watching the tour. Great looking bike 🏍💨
Stay tuned - coming the video after next (next Thursday)....
I have had at least five GoldWings, from early 1100cc to 1800 cc with colour matched Amerian trailer, that had pneumatic suspension. I would have another tomorrow if I had the money.
They are amazing aren't they - not sure about the trailer though......
Always nice reports from you
Thank you - appreciated!
Came to this vid late in the day, couldnt help but have a wry chortle when you mentioned the CarPlay in light of later vids. That aside, glad I found it as its one to consider for continental touring
Reasons to watch MF videos:
1. Rain
2. White vans
3. Excellent motorcycle reviews.
Sorry about 1 and 2.....
@@TheMissendenFlyer All part of the charm.
Good video TMF. Look forward to seeing your videos of the tour you did in my neck of the woods Wales.
Coming soon!