2019 Goldwing

[Circle-5]

Honda Powersports now has the MY2019 Goldwing lineup on their website. New colors – that's about it.

[53driver]

Well, I'm shocked that's the only difference.....
Lol.

[JGF6B]

Still waiting for the quick release trunk (with speakers).

[opas ride]

I am told that many dealers are "stuck", so-to-speak, with a bunch of 2018 models that are not selling...The standard GW,(old F6B) is not moving well at all...In my humble opinion, which is not worth much, the bikes are way over-priced, have some issues,and many riders do not want to give up several thousands of dollars loss on the previous F6B models because the value "tanked" due to slow sales from the on-set....Only time will tell I suppose, but I for one am not willing to spend $24,000 ++ just for a few more "gadgets and some up-grades when my 2013 runs just fine for me!!...Regards and ride safe

[53driver]

I'm with Opas....
The F6B was the most poorly marketed bike in modern history.
No one knows what it is - unless they have one.

The GoldWing Standard is in that same category.
Many people have recently asked me if Isleen was the new Gold Wing!
If Honda starts pulling the old HD marketing schtick where they try to get their constituency to "upgrade" every few years, they got another thing coming - and it ain't cash.
These bikes are designed to be ridden for a LONG time.
And I plan on doing that.
Cheers,
Steve

[jmdaniel]

I'm with Opas....
The F6B was the most poorly marketed bike in modern history.
No one knows what it is - unless they have one.

The GoldWing Standard is in that same category.
Many people have recently asked me if Isleen was the new Gold Wing!
If Honda starts pulling the old HD marketing schtick where they try to get their constituency to "upgrade" every few years, they got another thing coming - and it ain't cash.
These bikes are designed to be ridden for a LONG time.
And I plan on doing that.
Cheers,
Steve

I was asked that a few times while on the Cortez rides, including one time with AzWingrider in Silverton. Too funny...

[VStarRider]

It's a topic that has been around and around, but I think Honda gambled with the new Wing in a way that Yamaha and Harley were not willing to do with their touring bikes.

They see what is happening to HD and their demographics...even though HD continues to lead in market share, even grow in market share, one must ask what is the market these days? 50% market share is great unless the number of buyers in that category are steadily dropping...just like a politician having high polling numbers, but loses because no one shows up to vote.

So, Honda is hoping they will capture a new market to replace the average Gold Wing rider, who, just guessing, is near 60 at this point, and on their last bike or second-to-last bike. In the process, they are gambling that these new buyers will come calling while not pissing off the GW faithful too much. I believe they knew there would be pushback from the veteran GW rider.

I don't know which type of consumer category I fall into in Honda's eyes, but I am 42, and like the new GW, but not enough to replace my F6B at this point. I am concerned about the storage space presently, and about the durability of this new machine long-term (just because it is new).

So, this gamble by Honda is certainly a long-term one that will not reveal itself as a winning bet or not for several more years, I am guessing.

-------------------------

On a related note, I work with several millennials. Like every generation, they have their own unique traits, good and bad and neutral. Three things I have noticed pretty consistently among these 20-35 year olds:

1) Their expression of loyalty is different than my generation (X) and older generations - we tend to be loyal to employers and brands that have served us well, even if there have been lapses in that service from time to time. Millienials hop around between brands and employers, getting what works best for them, as so much has equalized in brands and employers now as a result of understanding their buyers and employees want. I guess it is a successful outcome of competition.

2) Embracing risk and adventure - they still do it - but use a different format. These folks have been raised with access to different stimuli that fulfills that desire, and it often does not involve an engine and wheels, but a career and and travel and technology.

3) Socialization - There is always some online component to it, even if they are in the same room. Bonding through motorcycling or snowmobiling now seems to be isolated to those who live mostly in rural areas (steadily decreasing population).

[53driver]

It's a topic that has been around and around, but I think Honda gambled with the new Wing in a way that Yamaha and Harley were not willing to do with their touring bikes.

They see what is happening to HD and their demographics...even though HD continues to lead in market share, even grow in market share, one must ask what is the market these days? 50% market share is great unless the number of buyers in that category are steadily dropping.

So, Honda is hoping they will capture a new market to replace the average Gold Wing rider, who, just guessing, is near 60 at this point, and one their last bike or second-to-last bike. In the process, they are gambling that these new buyers will come calling while not pissing off the GW faithful too much. I believe they knew there would be pushback from the veteran GW rider.

I don't know which type of consumer category I fall into in Honda's eyes, but I am 42, and like the new GW, but not enough to replace my F6B at this point. I am concerned about the storage space presently, and about the durability of this new machine long-term (just because it is new).

So, this gamble by Honda is certainly a long-term one that will not reveal itself as a winning bet or not for several more years, I am guessing.

-------------------------

On a related note, I work with several millennials. Like every generation, they have their own unique traits, good and bad and neutral. Three things I have noticed pretty consistently among these 20-35 year olds:

1) Their expression of loyalty is different than my generation (X) and older generations - we tend to be loyal to employers and brands that have served us well, even if there have been lapses in that service from time to time. Millienials hop around between brands and employers, getting what works best for them, as so much has equalized in brands and employers now as a result of understanding their buyers and employees want. I guess it is a successful outcome of competition.

2) Embracing risk and adventure - they still do it - but use a different format. These folks have been raised with access to different stimuli that fulfills that desire, and it often does not involve an engine and wheels, but a career and and travel and technology.

3) Socialization - There is always some online component to it, even if they are in the same room. Bonding through motorcycling or snowmobiling now seems to be isolated to those who live mostly in rural areas (steadily decreasing population).

I think you are spot on, mate.
The migration of loyalty from a company to oneself and one's abilities can also be tied to having a personal 401k rather than a corporate pension.
Times be a changin' - again!
Steve

[VStarRider]

I think you are spot on, mate.
The migration of loyalty from a company to oneself and one's abilities can also be tied to having a personal 401k rather than a corporate pension.
Times be a changin' - again!
Steve

Steve, that is a great point that I had not considered as a factor in the diminishing loyalty of newer generations. Greed, in one form or another, observed in their upbringing in the 80s and 90s, landed their thinking in a different spot than yours and mine.

Another point is the diverse economy we live in - you are right - it is more about what YOU do and what YOU bring to the team and how much you value yourself that drives behavior among the younger people. Please do not misinterpret - this is no necessarily selfishness, rather learned norms and survival tactics in how this world does business in 2018.

One more point about the economy that will probably hurt motorcycling - it is a sharing economy - from transportation, to boating, to workspaces - companies like Uber, and Boat Club USA, and We Work all make it so you do not have to invest a disproportional amount of your income to things that get limited use or offer limited value. Tie up $30 grand on a motorcycle that sits in my garage at least 1/3 of the year? It does seem foolish, doesn't it...

[jmdaniel]

I think you are spot on, mate.
The migration of loyalty from a company to oneself and one's abilities can also be tied to having a personal 401k rather than a corporate pension.
Times be a changin' - again!
Steve

This 57 yo Millenial saw that writing on the wall years ago, thank goodness. There was never going to be a pension for me, but the 401K has been berry, berry good...

I've told people for decades that we are all independent subcontractors. I've been downsized, or rightsized, or s**tsized, a couple of times, and the process is the same, and laughable. I was working remotely for both companies, so the notification was a phone call. They come in from your manager, who tells you that HR is on the phone. The HR person then takes over, tells you blah, blah, blah, and asks if you have any questions. The first time I did, the second, I didn't bother.

I actually get a kick out of the young folks these days, when they don't take their jobs as seriously as we may have. We all only have one life to live, and giving too much of that away to a company that will cut you at a moment's notice, is silly.

[olegoat345]

I've seen a lot of "big boys toys" sit for months, some years on end. Same with boats. In the Fl. Keys, I've seen $250,000 boats sitting at a $800,000 to $1.5 million $$, water front home, both only used 2-3 weekends a year...… They're called "Snow Birds" = some of us called them "snow flakes" = others called them "PITA."
I read a few months ago that HD market share was down. True? Anybody know? HD keeps building the same bike year after year, a new one looks almost identical to a 10yo one. The HD rider is getting to old to handle a 800+ lb. bike & HD has done little to entice younger riders. There's no shortage of low mileage used HD's. A friend brought one 4-5 months ago, hasn't got 1,000 miles on it.
It seems like most folks that ride pre 2018 GW's like them much better than the new generation for several reasons. I understand Honda's reason for the changes but will folks be trading their older GW's? So far I'd say, no. My 2 cents of rambling.

[opas ride]

Not to digress, but thinking about bikes and my future riding days, I'll be 79 in January and don't know how much longer I will ride so a new bike is not in my future for now...If I continue to ride it will probably be an Indian Scout with bags and a windshield...(550 lbs vs. 840 lbs) for the F6B..I also do not want to spend a bunch of money, way to much, for another big bike at this point in my life..Although I do get a pension from Ford, my 401K "tanked " back in the recession of 2008/9 as most of it was in Ford stock which is now just hanging on!!...I hope Honda is successful with the new models, but I have not seen one 2018 anywhere around here in Michigan on my last few rides, but always a "butt load" of HD's...As said on earlier posts, the world is changing rapidly and I don't see younger people buying large bikes to ride as they cost so much these days....As some have said, does it really make sense to tie-up $25-30,000 on a bike that most of us can only ride a few months a year??

[VStarRider]

I am becoming a rare breed - 19th year with the same employer, and a pension.

In between my posts, I just rolled up 140+ miles riding through the Finger Lakes south of Rochester. Not many bikes out as it is only 60 degrees today, but, just like Opas noted, at least 50% Harleys. Saw a few adventure bikes, a VStrom and a Triumph and several cafe-racer type bikes.

I'll tell ya, there is a helluva lot of value in an adventure bike ... great performance, ride, cruise and ABS for under $15k in a lot of cases. Maybe that's why they are so popular and every manufacturer now offers at least one model.