2018 Honda GW available w/7spd DCT

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I could but an Civic without a roof and doors for me? nah.

oldwingguy wrote:

I could but an Civic without a roof and doors for me? nah.

... and the Civic is thousands of dollars less expensive

You guys act shocked, its always been expensive to buy a Goldwing.

Its not like a flagship bike is going to be reinvented to be safer with the latest tech and suddnely drop 10 grand LOL

Gustafa having owned G'Wings since 1987 the price is not a shock, but IF I were to ever have another it would be used and let the first guy take the dollar hit in value, much as I did when I purchased my first Silverwing. Considering all the goodies crammed into this newest model I'm surprised it's not more $$$$$

I'm embarrassed to say that I spent more than that for a Harley Road King Classic (loaded plus upgrades)--back in 2008.

Nice bike, but not that nice.

oldwingguy wrote:

Gustafa having owned G'Wings since 1987 the price is not a shock, but IF I were to ever have another it would be used and let the first guy take the dollar hit in value, much as I did when I purchased my first Silverwing. Considering all the goodies crammed into this newest model I'm surprised it's not more $$$$$

We think alike, thats how I buy my cars and thats how I'd buy this one.

DerrillW wrote:

oldwingguy wrote:

I could but an Civic without a roof and doors for me? nah.

... and the Civic is thousands of dollars less expensive

meaning for money spent vs probable use I'd like the doors and roof included

But and a big but to each his to please ones self,  heck I spent 5K+ on a zero turn mower and like it, a lot.

Weather (& by default wind) protection for the riders lower body looks to be greatly reduduced over recent models, which (on a long distance cruiser motorcycle) seems a regresive step to me

As a GL1800 owner, I love the new GW. It is faster, sleeker, has more tech stuff and finally comes with an electric windshield and a DCT transmission. And here is the big thing, it is supposed to be 80 pounds LIGHTER than my 2005! And keeping the price close to the last model? Incredible. If I had the disposable income, would snag one in a heartbeat!!!

Many of the best motorcycle/scooter manufacturers are working hard to approach the benefits, comfort, and riding advantages of the Silver Wing. When the Swing becomes a relic (as is beginning to happen) some will start to realize what Honda started back in 2001, and exert a big head slap!

bikehiker wrote:

Many of the best motorcycle/scooter manufacturers are working hard to approach the benefits, comfort, and riding advantages of the Silver Wing.  When the Swing becomes a relic (as is beginning to happen) some will start to realize what Honda started back in 2001, and exert a big head slap!

I think that Honda should be slapping their marketing heads and wonder why they discontinued the Swing. IMHO I feel that American Honda dropped the ball when they stopped advertising the Honda brand in the USA. They used to do great advertisements when they introduced Honda motorcycles to the US public. Again just my 2¢.

Easyrider I tend to agree but it's the bottom $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that rules, market value, customer base ect. I remember well the glory days of Honda Homecoming in Marysvillle, a great rally, get-together gone by the wayside like so many others. One could go on the tours, watch bikes being assembled, engines being manufactured, all gone now in favor of the profit margin on autos and SUV's.

I really like the look and spec of the 2018 Gold Wing and I'd be pretty pissed off as an owner if I'd bought a 2016 or 2017 model. I go past a nearbyHonda car dealership on a daily basis, and if I was raiding my piggy bank for a new set of Honda wheels for the price of that lighter DCT Gold Wing, I'd be in that Honda car showroom taking a look at the new Honda Civic.

[quote="Easyrider"]

bikehiker wrote:

I think that Honda should be slapping their marketing heads and wonder why they discontinued the Swing.

I couldn't agree more. Honda is totally missing the boat and pretty much conceded the maxi-scoot market to Suzuki. Instead of introducing an economical, practical platform like the Silver Wing, they waste a bunch of engineering resources on the Goldwing to try to turn it into a sport tourer. And make marketing experiments like the NM5 Bat Bike.

We tried out a new GL1800 DCT and my wife didn't like it immediately. We had an Ultra that we put over 110,000 miles on and the Goldwing is way too cramped for space to be a decent two-up touring machine.

In the end, neither the Goldwing Tour DCT, nor the Ultra were "right" for us anymore. We wanted to go back to riding our own bikes when we tour. And the Silverwings made the most sense. We had 2002's and loved them. We managed to find one slightly used one, and another brand new one still left in stock. And we like our new Silverwings as much as we liked the 2002's. Combined on the road, they have more luggage capacity than even the Ultra, and my wife especially is really enjoying being on her own bike again.

SHE was the one that wanted to get Silverwings again. The Silverwing appeals to her and she likes it. Notice, Honda, your missed market opportunity is not the younger generation that is largely not interested in motorcycles - it is the ladies. Haven't noticed there's more women riding these days? Get the ladies interested and their guys will follow because just about every woman has one. The Silverwing is a model that gets the attention of women riders because they look at it and go, "hey, I could ride that". Instead, Harley is getting the bulk of women riders because they build models like the Softail that are low to the ground that girls look at and go, "hey, I could ride that". So guess what the guy that belongs to that girl gets when she gets her new Harley?

Honda seem to have got things right with the new 2019 and available now Forza 300. It's lighter and much better looking than that butt ugly current Forza that's been available for the last few years.

It has an adjustable electric screen, traction control, better instrumentation, decent underseat storage bodywork mounted folding mirrors with built in indicators, and full LED lights, what's not to like.

I've toured extensively on 250 and 300cc MZ's and the Honda CN250 Helix, and downsizing and going back to small capacity touring again has been on my mind for the past few years.

Old Limey has recently bought a SYM Cruisym 300 and that and it's stablemate the Joymax 300 seem very good alternatives too, along with the Yamaha XMax 300.

There is no doubt the new 300-class scoots are pretty nice. However, the weight and extra displacement of the 600-class makes it a more capable touring machine. We just got back from Alaska - 8,000 miles in one month. Touring weight with rider, our luggage and gear was probably about 800 lbs for my bike and 750 lbs for my wife's bike with camping gear and everything to live on the road for a month. We started with fresh tires and didn't even replace a tire. I can't see a 300-class doing that.

Easyrider wrote:

bikehiker wrote:

Many of the best motorcycle/scooter manufacturers are working hard to approach the benefits, comfort, and riding advantages of the Silver Wing.  When the Swing becomes a relic (as is beginning to happen) some will start to realize what Honda started back in 2001, and exert a big head slap!

I think that Honda should be slapping their marketing heads and wonder why they discontinued the Swing. IMHO I feel that American Honda dropped the ball when they stopped advertising the Honda brand in the USA. They used to do great advertisements when they introduced Honda motorcycles to the US public. Again just my 2¢.

I remember seeing a commercial for the CB750 when it first came out. They started the bike and balanced a Quarter on the gas tank to prove just how smooth it was.