Test rode the 18 GW, Eluder and the K1600B today

So it was a nice day. Rode my F6B up to a dealer to ride the 18 Wing Tour. It was a blue 6 spd manual. They didn't have a DCT for me to try. They had one in a crate and said he'd call me when it was ready for an extended test ride. Not sure what that means to them as the very short test ride I got to do on the Wing and the Eluder was just a tease. I took the Wing out first. Rode only like 5-8 miles in a loop. I was able to get it up to above 70 in one portion, but it was a short ride over all. I like what I got to try. It is definitely lighter picking it off the side stand. It definitely has the impression of a smaller bike becuase of the obvious things like the fairing. It feels pretty nimble. But that's about it. When I got back there was also a Yamaha Eluder there to ride. Same loop. I could see the apeal in one respect. Definitely a different animal with the V-twin. But in my short ride I did hit the rev limiter without even trying. It seemed very smooth over all. Definitely ,though, wouldn't be my pick. But I like the styling.

I left there and went to another dealer who sells Harley and BMW motorcycles. I had stopped by there during the week a couple weeks ago and said I'd be back. The guy got the bike out of the show room and said "I'm turning you loose", with no other instructions. I took the bike immediately onto the interstate and just trying to get aquainted to this new ride. I noticed it did seem to get buffeted around a bit easier than my F6B does from trucks etc... I went about 20 miles to an area where I knew I could cut loose a little in some twisty roads. The bike is a hoot. Has a good deal of power as most already know. However, that power, while being smooth and fairly broad, isn't as linear as our flat 6s. It required a bit more judicious shiffting to keep her sweet. But when you do that, she gets up and goes in a hurry. Without even really trying, I felt the front wheel pop up through the first 3 gears. I tried to repeat a little but the traction control took over. :cool:
My biggest issue with the K1600B----- I wanted to really love it. However, having been on it for a hour or so, I realized that ,for me, the handlebars really needed to come back a bit, and I guess on this B, the seat is a little lower than say the GT which puts a little more bend in my knees than what I would find comfortable for an all day ride. My left knee was starting to complain . This B had the optional forward floor boards, which are nice, sort of. With the handlebars where they are, putting your feet on the floorboards feels a little awkward to really be a comfortable alternative.
There is a riser kit from Helibars that will bring the bars back 1.25" and up 1". That might be the solution. They cost $89 which isn't too bad considering I paid $800 for my handlebars on my F6B. But then there is a whole lot more to those than some blocks and scews basically.

I headed back with over 65 miles tested on the B. Turns out , I could have been out for as long as I wanted. Here I was thinking I needed to get back. He said I could go bacl out if I wanted. I was ok. Sat on a GT and I think it felt better in the seat foot peg relationship, but I think that's because the seat is a little taller.

I got on my F6B and you know I immediately thought, boy, this bike is sure comfy.


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Very good reviews, paticularly wanted to know of the new wing and BMW..I have thought of the new wing dct but the f6b is just a very good motorcycle. Tough to beat the big girl with outdated electronics. Thanks for the feedback it is very appreciated

JimmyTee, thanks for the reviews. Sounds like you had a full day of it. I was disappointed to find out the BMW's have no tip-over protectors.

I could really dig the K1600B if I could get it comfortable. The power and cornering clearance would be intoxicating. The growl the engine makes when putting it through it's paces. ;) Since I posted this, I'm thinking it would take an RDL seat and the handlebar risers to make it so.

I've had similar experiences with BMW dealers. Years ago, when I wanted to test one of their bikes, I asked the salesman what route I should ride. He answered 'I don't care, just have it back here by closing time'.

That was their attitude. I didn't know until I got back that they were open until 7. I could have been out another 2-3 hours without so muchas a blink of an eye from them.

Nice write up Jimmy.
I would like to ride that BMW as well, just to see. I would think the ride position would be like the FJR I had. It was fun to ride and pretty fast. I liked the traction control. Just twist the throttle and go. But the FJR to me was a pain in the shoulders from the riding position and a pain in the ass, the seat became hard after awhile.

I want to ride the new Goldwing too ofcourse. I keep reading so much negativity about it. I just want to see for myself. I want to like it.

The F6B is by far the most comfortable ride so far, and I liked my Valkyrie almost as much.

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Originally Posted by nvmyf6

Nice write up Jimmy.
I would like to ride that BMW as well, just to see. I would think the ride position would be like the FJR I had. It was fun to ride and pretty fast. I liked the traction control. Just twist the throttle and go. But the FJR to me was a pain in the shoulders from the riding position and a pain in the ass, the seat became hard after awhile.

I want to ride the new Goldwing too ofcourse. I keep reading so much negativity about it. I just want to see for myself. I want to like it.

The F6B is by far the most comfortable ride so far, and I liked my Valkyrie almost as much.

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I didn't get the same opportunity with the 18 Wing that I got with the K1600B. Only rode it for a tease, but what I did ride impressed me. Now I rode the 6 spd, and I was promised an opportunity to ride the DCT for a longer ride when it is available. The GW Tour has familiar ergos though, and so I don't imagine comfort will be much of an issue in that regards. As far as negativity on the new GW, most of the criticisms have been around the GPS. I haven't really tried to use the GPS, but from what I read, some are resorting to mounting Garmins on their new 18 Wings, which is a shame. Hope is that Honda will address these issues and maybe the lack of Android Auto in a firmware update.

Both my F6B and my Valkyrie are very comfortable, but got to be realistic there too, because neither is stock. I have taller risers and Ultimate seat with back rests on my Valkyrie, plus highway pegs. I have Helibars, Corbin with back rests and Ergo III highway pegs on my F6B.

thanks for the info
great read

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Originally Posted by Jimmytee

I didn't get the same opportunity with the 18 Wing that I got with the K1600B. Only rode it for a tease, but what I did ride impressed me. Now I rode the 6 spd, and I was promised an opportunity to ride the DCT for a longer ride when it is available. The GW Tour has familiar ergos though, and so I don't imagine comfort will be much of an issue in that regards. As far as negativity on the new GW, most of the criticisms have been around the GPS. I haven't really tried to use the GPS, but from what I read, some are resorting to mounting Garmins on their new 18 Wings, which is a shame. Hope is that Honda will address these issues and maybe the lack of Android Auto in a firmware update.

Both my F6B and my Valkyrie are very comfortable, but got to be realistic there too, because neither is stock. I have taller risers and Ultimate seat with back rests on my Valkyrie, plus highway pegs. I have Helibars, Corbin with back rests and Ergo III highway pegs on my F6B.

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Yes, I hope they figure out the GPS issue. Also I read about a suspension issue with the electronic suspension, with what feels like the rear wheel bouncing. I'm not sure what that's all about.
I still want to ride one, see for myself.