Quote Originally Posted by Az Wingrider View Post
I doubt very seriously that two uncommanded downshifts have done any significant damage. I also doubt that the recent service contributed to the problem. As I said in the previous post I always try to be very firm in my 4th to 5th gear shifts. As I understand it the shift fork is the first thing to be damaged from this. If you get significant damage the repairs are very expensive. The engine and transmission have to be removed from the bike, then the transmission can be separated from the engine and finally the transmission is disassembled and rebuilt. I have a friend that owns an independent Honda shop and he usually quotes between $3500 and $4000 for the repair. There are very few bikes that get to that point, just be careful with your shifts and it seems to be a minor irritant.

I know this all sounds very scary but if you are aware of the possibilities you shouldn't have a problem. I have been around the Goldwing community for quite a few years and I only know of two bikes that became unrideable because of this problem. Both had well over 100,000 miles on them. One owner decided to buy an engine and transmission from a low mileage wrecked Goldwing and have that installed in his bike. He claimed the cost was about the same as having his transmission rebuilt and he ended up with a complete low mileage power train. The other owner parked his in the garage and bought a new Goldwing. He claims he is going to take the bike apart himself and have the trans rebuilt. The pertinent fact is both these bikes were well over 100.000 miles. The one that is still parked in the garage was about 180,000.

This kind of a long post but I still bought a f6b and I have know about this problem for a long time. It is only a problem on a very few bikes and something you can usually live with if you are aware of it.
I think that the pertinent question would be at what point should a person possibly look into having it looked at "BEFORE" someone has to fork over $3500-$4500? Like before the warranty has expired. That would be the dilemma most would have on their minds. Do you take it in after one experience, or wait until it's past the warranty period? I've experienced it once in 24,000 miles. Have 2 years left of warranty. If I were to experience it one or more times again, I'm going to be thinking.