2018 Gold Wing Traxxion Suspension Upgrade // Install & First Reaction

[Pumper]

wow...I have owned over 40 bikes in my days. I can say that every one of them no matter how good they are from the factory always can use improvements.
Development money is huge, when producing a new model. That said, no matter what manufacturer you are you will look for ways to minimize development money.
That said Honda is no different than any other bike manufacturer. They use inferior products and cheapen the product, but yet make it reliable and safe. Planned obsolescence, replacement OE parts have a minimum of 300% mark-up, so when the inferior parts wear out. They make huge dollars.

For instance the Legacy models use one loaded fork the other side is not, wtf Honda. All in the interest of saving money. When I bought my F6, it was one of the most ill handling bikes I had owned. Yep, I spent 3k on it and now I will tell you this is the very best machine I have ever ridden or owned. That includes many years of track racing and enduro's. If you do not demand much from the bike, it rides great, but when you want it to perform a different story. I was running a sweeper at high speed, the bike was shifting all over...not safe, today with the upgrades, I can run the same sweeper and hold my line, while increasing speed...



You do not have to spend a penny more than what you paid, but it is personal choice and the drive for a safe and fun bike when you push the limits.
Have a great day!

Pumper

[VStarRider]

I wonder how much the manufacturers bother investing in things that they know often end up being replaced by their buyers. For example, seats. Knowing how fickle everyone's can is, even with the same measurements, do they spend $____ on designing the seat or just "wing it" and throw something on there knowing their buyers will accept having to pay for a $900 upgrade in order to "personalize" the bike.

Suspension, though, should not be considered part of the "personalization" process of a bike, IMO. How many people actually do suspension work, vs. replacing a seat or adding lights?

[Kokomo Kevin]

I agree with you, but many folks just dont have a lot of experience with really bad suspensions. I know I rode my legacy Valk quite a few years before I decided to go full progressive front and back when I got a little bonus at work, man what a difference it made at the time. Night and day! Now I find my 13 with @10K miles just does not compare in ride quality with the Valk. Still contemplating either going to full progressive or just bite the bullet and head down to Woodstock GA for the full Monty. I just hate the front end on this 13, and like OPAS I find that every rut and road dimple here in Indiana gets transferred up into my hands and shoulders. Decisions, decisions.

[Rickc]

I have not put a bunch of miles on the bike since the Progressive monotubes were installed but the more I ride the more I like them. they did smooth out the road some and I seem to corner better. I can still get some abrupt jolts like when I go over a bridge right by my house. It takes it better but still need to slow down which is just common sense anyway.

[tenxxx]

My 2013 rides like a rock on rough roads. Not acceptable for a $20,000 bike. Especially Not acceptable for a $30,000 full wing!
NONE of the other bikes in this price range are like that. I hear no complaints like what I hear on wings.
That being said,, the bike is, for what its worth,, one hell of a machine. Its a pure BRUTE!
Despite the rough ride I like it better that any other bike I've ever owned. I'm a grin and bare it kind a guy.
When anybody ask's what its like, I never mention the rough ride. I tell em its in a class of its own. And thats the truthhhhh.
Its ok to bitch a little,, isn't it?