Looking for Wingmen

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki

Well-known member
So as I’ve mentioned in other threads, I’m a mature rider looking for my “last bike.”

I’m also planning on going on the road for a long time - leaving this year, with a tentative start in May - and essentially living on my bike seasonally; sitting out winters and then riding on, for quite some time. I am retiring and divorcing and Big Mamma is keeping the house, so it’s “**** this. Bye 👋🏻” time. Always wanted to try being a bike tramp so no better time to scratch that itch.

And I feel like I’m finally “mature enough” to get a Wing.

And that a Wing is probably a useful platform to set up for that kind of extended touring.

If you have one, had one, are buying one, selling one, whatever, please drop by and share what you can share. ✌️
 
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Great bikes. Had a 2001 for 16 years. The 1800's are very capable of eating up a lot of miles in ok comfort for the rider, but there are better touring bikes out there. For passenger comfort, nothing can match it. They are reliable, but can be a pia when something goes wrong. Changing an alternator or fuel injector is a huge job. Same goes for an air filter.
The 2019 Tenere 1200 was a better tourer imho. The ergos are much better. You can't stand up on a wing.
 
goldwing-X2.jpg


2012 GL1800

Handles a lot better than the wet weight would lead you to believe. Flat 6 engine with its low centre of gravity has a lot to do with it.

As for comfort, if you're coming from the cruiser world, the chair position will feel very familiar. If you're coming from a naked, adventure or sportbike, then having your feet in front of your butt, instead of beneath it, will take some getting used to.

I believe 2012 was the first of the Japanese-made Goldwings after being made in the USA for quite a long time.

I don't believe a GL is an old person's bike.

But then again, an old person *would* say that, wouldn't they...? :unsure:
 
It's the ultimate touring bike.
Not adventure touring but a bike to tour long distances in comfort and luxury.

A pair pulled up to the Shed and parked facing me while I was seated on one of the low chairs. They were all decked out in additional lighting and I got the distinct impression The Empire had arrived.
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I’ve had a couple, (still have an original ). Seriously comfortable and handle better than you’d expect. Element protection is great too.

But they are big and not too sporty. If you’re comparing to an HD tourer, you’ll get more of everything (except respect from HD owners) on a GL.

The big Star is nice too, but it’s gonna be harder getting service for a vagabond.

I’m with @Wingboy, the big ADVs, whether it be a l+ SuperTenere, Vstrom, Multistrsta, or GS. You get the touting comfort, better performance and handling, wider capability and rock solid dependability and easy service with the first two.
 
My BMW rt needed a rear tire asap.i took it to my local Honda dealer who said they could do it right away. Owner told me i could take the trade in Wing out for an afternoon with my wife. My wife loved it. Kept the BMW for 2 years, collecting dust. Sold it for what at i paid for it.
 
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What is the most number of consecutive days have you ridden?
Are you going exploring back roads or taking the interstate between 5 star hotels?
Have you considered a trailer?
Have you told your children/grandchildren that you intend to piss away their inheritance?
Don't get me wrong. Go for it!!!
 
Hated the thought of owning a Wing. Wanted to start doing week+ long trips with the Squeeze so swallowed my pride and got an old 1200. Best decision ever. We toured all through the eastern states chasing twist roads. Scraped pegs on Deal Gaps. Looped a Great lake or two.
All the lockable storage space made touring easy. We carried a soft sided cooler bag in the top box. Most days we'd stopped for a picnic lunch. Grab a tall boy out of the cooler and start making some sandwiches. Traveling on my own meant space to squander and I showed up at Ride for Sight one year with a saddlebag full of beer on ice.

Older GL1200s can be had cheap. I would have no hesitation taking one on a ride to distant sites. If in the unlikely case of a break down you can just buy another one, as they are as plentiful as they are inexpensive.

I have since stripped 2 different GL1100s and gone to the drag strip. Managed 12 second runs on both.
 
Thanks all for taking the time to reply. You’ve all given me some good things to think about and starting points for conversations. Here are a few answers to help keep the conversation going:

- I am debating right now whether I want to go with a Sport touring setup vs. a full-on “touring” Wing. My last bike was a 1200 Bandit with full hard cases that I would load up. The CBF1000 is a bike I also like, bit not as abundant. For now this conversation here is just about Wings only.

- Possible substitutes: see above and below.
> In terms of touring will only look at Wing for many of the reasons already listed here such as working on it myself, proven longevity, plentiful supply of parts and replacement bikes, etc.
> Re: adv, already considered, researched, sat on many of those options and the class in general but am passing. Personal preferences include not liking the high centre of gravity, being short and struggling with height (no, I don’t want to lower the bike or use a paper thin seat or “just get used to it” - too set in my ways to revamp and adapt my riding to something I’m inherently not comfortable on). So that eliminates much of the dual purpose and super pro categories as well).

- Time spent touring - on bikes a week at a time; on foot, canoes, and sailboats up to a month at a time; travelling overseas up to a year at a time. Now? I dunno? I’ve lived and travelled all over Canada so good chance I eventually hop a ship or plane to connect with another country (not USA).

- How long gone? I’m not really planning on coming back to this region, and if I end up leaving Canada, I may not return (another reason for considering Wing; it’s international ubiquity, maintenance in countries where hammer and string are your repair options, etc.)

- No trailer. If it doesn’t fit on the bike it doesn’t go.

- No kids. Family mostly dead. No pets. Nobody to account for, ask permission from, or give inheritance too.

- Sleeping rough. Part of this is the desire to not use hotels etc. I’m a lifetime backcountry guy, so I’m geared up and used to living outside in all conditions (even -30 like today). Plus I was lucky enough to have had a career that involved a lot of travel and paid expenses, so I don’t need tp do the hotels/restaurants thing again because that’s not new ground.

- By mature I mean not just my age, but my riding maturity. Always liked Wings, even when younger, but always also thought “that’s for later.” Well, it’s later now…

- Ive heard similar things that it has performance and isn’t stodgy. That just reinforces its spot on the Top 3 List for me.

- Back roads or Highways? Both, but I’m not in a hurry and want to see everything I missed all the times I was driving in a hurry to get there. Have driven across the country 4x and not once exited to see the bush plane museum, so this time I have nothing but time.

And so hope that helps and keeps the conversation going.

This has been a useful exercise. In writing this response I’ve already pulled a lot closer to a decision…🙏

Hope to hear more!
 
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Anybody here have experience with the F6B? How it compares to earlier versions of the “traditional” style Wing? Maintenance?
 
Sukiyaki said:
I am debating right now whether I want to go with a Sport touring setup vs. a full-on “touring” Wing.
Click to expand...

Personally, I like bikes that are capable of a decent lean angle.

Depending on the MY, most GLs will top out around 40°. A sport-tourer should be capable of at least 45°, which is more my jam.

I've ridden a BMW R1250RT, it started scraping pegs around 48°. I like that.
 
I enjoyed my two CBF1000s but I'd never recommend for your use.
Screen Shot 2026-02-02 at Feb, 2 2026 5.35.45 AM.jpg
The range is too small and it sucks gas.
The windscreen is too narrow so you don't get the weather protection for long rides....too few farkles available in North America.
Liked it would strip down to almost a sport bike and sooo much torque as was a detuned Fireblade. Lotsa fun.

I'd stick with the full on touring for your use. More space, more comfort.
Wings are mostly bullet proof, go forever and you can likely find a really nice rig used instead of starting from scratch.

Maybe something useful here.
 
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Lightcycle said:
Personally, I like bikes that are capable of a decent lean angle.

Depending on the MY, most GLs will top out around 40°. A sport-tourer should be capable of at least 45°, which is more my jam.

I've ridden a BMW R1250RT, it started scraping pegs around 48°. I like that.
Click to expand...

I understand. I’m less concerned about zip and zing these days. Got much of that out of my system.

Given I will have at least the weight of a full grown adult in gear to pack, there won’t be much “sport” to any “sport touring”
 
MacDoc said:
I enjoyed my two CBF1000s but I'd never recommend for your use.
View attachment 77547
The range is too small and it sucks gas.
The windscreen is too narrow so you don't get the weather protection for long rides....too few farkles available in North America.
Liked it would strip down to almost a sport bike and sooo much torque as was a detuned Fireblade. Lotsa fun.

I'd stick with the full on touring for your use. More space, more comfort.
Wings are mostly bullet proof, go forever and you can likely find a really nice rig used instead of starting from scratch.

Maybe something useful here.
Click to expand...

That’s very helpful, thanks! The 31” seat height appealed to me most. Now I can cross it off the list. ✒️
 
I'm short too - 30" inseam so I hear you. Can't say from personal trying but the Wing has low seating
The modern Honda Gold Wing (2018–2026) has a seat height of approximately 29.3 to 29.4 inches (745 mm).
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BTW OP are you looking new or used?
The ST1300 might be a contender.
The ST1100 I owned certainly had the most quiet ride at 150 kph - this bubble of still air. Useless panniers and top case, horrid fuel mileage tho giant tank.
Like sitting over an oven in traffic.
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Oddly the cops I talked to liked the ST1100 over the ST1300 when the force switched up.
 
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