...isn't a car.

I just bought this:

Sat on a Gold Wing once. I need longer legs for a bike that large.
Very nice. Honda is hard to beat.

Nice!

It's two years older than the BMW it's replacing.

Looks like a pretty big bike! What size is the engine?

Congratulations!

quote:

Originally posted by ShiroKuro:
Looks like a pretty big bike! What size is the engine?

1,833 cc (111.9 cu in
That is the size of the engine in some autos.

Sweet!

Vroom vroom!

quote:

1,833 cc

When we still lived in Japan, Mr. SK had a Yamaha.... bike, not piano. I am pretty sure it was 1200cc, and I thought that thing was huge!

quote:

That is the size of the engine in some autos.

Indeed. We are currently driving a Honda Fit, which I think is only 1300 cc!

Well, actually, this is the previous generation. It's a 1500. Still bigger than some cars I've owned.

This is my third Goldwing.

My first "big" bike was a 1972 BMW 600.

Next was a 1991 Kawasaki Voyager -- basically their version of the Goldwing. It was horrible. Poorly designed, poorly executed, and left me stranded five times in the three years I owned it.

Next a 1989 Goldwing 1500 similar to this one. Nine years of trouble-free service, then it started blowing fuses and I could only narrow it down to wiring mods the previous owner made to tow a trailer with it.

Then a 2004 Goldwing 1800. First brand new bike I've ever owned. After the 1500, it was kinda disappointing. Not as smooth and didn't carry as much. It was fast and handled nicely, but I was more interested in carrying capacity. Sold it after two years.

Next up was the 2000 BMW K1200LT I've been riding for the last 14 years. 12 years of commuting has pretty much done it in. Still, it's the best BMW I've ever ridden and a marvelous touring bike. Now it has a fuel leak and needs some major engine work. And needs a new battery because it's been sitting for a year. Nevertheless, I jumped it yesterday and it started right up. I'll hate to see it go.

Several years ago, my neighbor was moving to California and had a 1996 Goldwing 1500. I knew I wanted another one at some point, so I bought it. He needed cash and I paid a tad more than it was worth. I still have it, but it needs work (battery, mufflers, tires). It will be one of my first retirement projects.

I saw this one on craigslist and pounced on it. The guy had three other calls right after mine, but I was first. Saw it. Rode it. Bought it.

quote:

a Yamaha.... bike, not piano

Still, Yamaha's logo on their motorcycles, generators, stereos, and whatever else they built is three tuning forks.

quote:

Originally posted by CHAS:
Sat on a Gold Wing once. I need longer legs for a bike that large.
Very nice. Honda is hard to beat.

I always found the seats uncomfortably wide and splayed my legs too much. The previous owner of my first Goldwing was about 5 foot 4. He had had the seat modified to take out some of the padding and make it shorter.

The guy traded it in on a BMW R1100RT. He practically needed a step ladder to get on it.

I passed up the BMW R1200RT because I couldn't put both feet on the ground. It is otherwise an awesome motorcycle. Saved myself $25K.