Who's BUYING the new 2018 Goldwing?

[Phantom]

Call me a chicken.....

I have a few serious concerns regarding this newly created engine. It is NOT the same engine that has proven itself to reach 500,000 miles.

My Concerns ...

These NEW Aluminum cylinder sleeves (Excess Heat and friction are not ideal for aluminum including aircraft grade aluminum) Is this Hondas way to shorten the life of a Goldwing to just 125,000 miles so that they can be rebuilt with new sleeves or maybe sell more Goldwings?

The Cylinders are now about a 1/2 inch closer to each other, engine is now just over 1inch shorter, less metal to disperse the heat, potentially increasing the cylinder head temps? Potentially compromising the aluminum even more so? I know that there is a thermostat to keep the radiator fluid circulating, but will they be running more often now? The radiators are also smaller. Are the 90lbs that were shaved off enough to reduce engine heat?

Throtle by wire .... is it jerky or smooth? Two of my 4 wheel vehicles have this ... the German vehicle performs flawlessly like if it was cabled, the Japanese vehicle is Jerky and ultra sensitive, after 5 years I still don't care for the system.

Newly designed transmission with 6 manual or 7 DCT gears ... will it last or disintegrate? First and Second year owners will be the R&D for Honda.

Exposed exhaust pipes coming off the engine (No longer has the heat shields, maybe because of the aluminum sleeves, they need to disperse engine heat away from the engine more so? did the old heat shields trap heat?)... Although they are double walled pipes will there be extra heat on your feet during hot summer days?

Honda has ALREADY created "optional" wind deflectors for this new Goldwing .... do they know something that we don't? I have never needed wind deflectors for my older Wing.

All of the electronics ... There are ALWAYS some glitches in the beginning and I for one cannot stand the fact that you must go to a dealer for continuous program upgrades as the years pass on by. I used to have a BMW 540I with a newly designed instrument cluster for that year, It kept failing in certain areas where there would be blank vertical lines on the read out, It was replaced under warranty twice, however if you were out of warranty, it was a $2,000 replacement cost PLUS Labor.

I know that there is a 3 year warranty with the option to add a 5 year extension ..... However if I wanted to sit around at a dealerships service waiting room several times during the year, I would be looking at another motorcycle brand where they have huge showrooms with clothing and accessories where I could waste 2-3 hours.

I have great faith in Honda's engineering, they have always been outstanding, how ever the DCT is currently on a recall with 2 other Honda products and their recent paint issues has caused me to just step back wait this one out for a year or two.

just my 2 cents

[ths61]

...

I have a few serious concerns regarding this newly created engine. It is NOT the same engine that has proven itself to reach 500,000 miles.

My Concerns ...

These NEW Aluminum cylinder sleeves (Excess Heat and friction are not ideal for aluminum including aircraft grade aluminum) Is this Hondas way to shorten the life of a Goldwing to just 125,000 miles so that they can be rebuilt with new sleeves or maybe sell more Goldwings?

...

I think Honda is going after a different market with the choices they have made. How many sport riders put 6 figures on the odometer before they are onto their next scoot?

I am interested in seeing it in person, but have no desire to be part of their test market. I should be good for another 4 or 5 years.

[Phantom]

I think Honda is going after a different market with the choices they have made. How many sport riders put 6 figures on the odometer before they are onto their next scoot?

I am interested in seeing it in person, but have no desire to be part of their test market. I should be good for another 4 or 5 years.

I agree with you. However the TOP Speed of 111mph will turn away many sport riders.

To reduce weight, they installed a Lithium battery.
Replacement cost is $300-$400 versus $80-$100 for a lead acid battery

[ths61]

I agree with you. However the TOP Speed of 111mph will turn away many sport riders.

To reduce weight, they installed a Lithium battery.
Replacement cost is $300-$400 versus $80-$100 for a lead acid battery

Don't Lithium batteries have issues in cold weather ???

[Jimmytee]

I agree with you. However the TOP Speed of 111mph will turn away many sport riders.

To be honest, I really enjoy riding pretty aggressively and this doesn't really concern me. I really don't find myself drag racing people and 111 mph is flying . Heck 60-70 mph is flying on most of the roads I ride.

I've had my F6B up to the 125 cut off a few times but that was just to take it up there. Wasn't racing anyone.

Wouldn't be surprised if the top speed will be able to be adjusted with other programming in the not too distant future.

[willtill]

I need to go look for a crated F6B for a good price, and stick it on the shelf.

Tony did point out some good points in his post several replies back. NEVER by a first year production bike. It'll have issues... even a Honda...

[LA Weld]

I need to go look for a crated F6B for a good price, and stick it on the shelf.

Tony did point out some good points in his post several replies back. NEVER by a first year production bike. It'll have issues... even a Honda...

Yep +1
I dusted off Gloria this afternoon for a 2 hour run about to think things over. While in the saddle I thought of the new Wing and how I am in no hurry to change seats. I have a few more goodies on the shelf to dial this one in to my taste and will. The new Wing is a techno wonder that I can see as a contender, but as stated earlier: IT WILL HAVE ISSUES, and I do not want to be the test dummy.
90 LBS is probably what I should lose so my Gloria fits me JUST FINE!

I plan on looking again in 50K miles and see where I am at!

Lets see, Progressive Suspension(on the shelf), Dales Rack (going to Seattle in a week), Extra Dark Madstad 13"(just for the right occasion), DARKSIDE, and a Bushtec Darkstar. Should keep me busy till 2020.... Oh the warranty will be done and a Guhl Tune!

[tpwood]

I bought my 2016 F6B as my last retirement bike, I'v been riding since 15 and now 60, I know current 1800 is the best developed engine Goldwing has ever had, I've had a 1200 and a 1500 also in the past. When I was buying the F6B, I seriously considered a Indian Chieftain, but chose the B for the reliability and longevity. I know 20 years from now when I have 300K on the B, it will still be running like new. I don't quite care for the look of the new Goldwings, to many angles for me, and just noticed a Big issue for me, looking at the engine, there is no place to put highway pegs! I've been riding with highway pegs since my first Honda CL100 (my first bike) put an engine guard on it and then put the pegs on. I ride my pegs about 90% of the time. I like the tech and I think it will compete very well. But this ones not for me.

[Jimmytee]

I bought my 2016 F6B as my last retirement bike, I'v been riding since 15 and now 60, I know current 1800 is the best developed engine Goldwing has ever had, I've had a 1200 and a 1500 also in the past. When I was buying the F6B, I seriously considered a Indian Chieftain, but chose the B for the reliability and longevity. I know 20 years from now when I have 300K on the B, it will still be running like new. I don't quite care for the look of the new Goldwings, to many angles for me, and just noticed a Big issue for me, looking at the engine, there is no place to put highway pegs! I've been riding with highway pegs since my first Honda CL100 (my first bike) put an engine guard on it and then put the pegs on. I ride my pegs about 90% of the time. I like the tech and I think it will compete very well. But this ones not for me.

Engine guards are there, just hidden under a black plastic cover. One of the Honda reps in another thread was reported to say they've joked about those covers will most likely be removed to mount highway pegs.

[DarkKnt]

To be honest, I really enjoy riding pretty aggressively and this doesn't really concern me. I really don't find myself drag racing people and 111 mph is flying . Heck 60-70 mph is flying on most of the roads I ride.

I've had my F6B up to the 125 cut off a few times but that was just to take it up there. Wasn't racing anyone.

Wouldn't be surprised if the top speed will be able to be adjusted with other programming in the not too distant future.

A journalist on another forum said the speed limiter is set at 210KPH, slightly higher than the F6B. On another note, I went to the local dealer here in Vancouver yesterday and he confirmed that the DCT was only avail on the Tour. Also, the starting price for the Goldwing would be 27K. That is a hefty increase over the F6B, which can be had for about 21K at the moment. The Tour, on the other hand is basically the same as todays full 'Wing, at about 33k. I wish they had stuck with the original concept of the F6B; strip it down to the bare necessities and offer it cheap.