I posted on another thread (Bike Show) that my Brother in Law had his almost new Goldwing in for service whilst I was visiting him in Japan and that it was bad timing. We fly out from Narita in the morning for home and I actually just had a ride on it. He got it back a couple of days ago. Conditions were not particularly good for a test ride: first time carrying a pillion in 50 years, extremely windy, stayed in ECON mode and Tokyo traffic.
I have ridden his previous model Goldy but it was about 3 years ago and conditions were the opposite: outside of Tokyo, riding solo and calm weather so a comparison is not valid.
My impressions are: very smooth except that in ECON mode it upshifts very early and there is some resonance. The exhaust note is very nice, especially on overrun. The electric screen is very nice to have as I could adjust it easily when the wind changed between the buildings and open spaces. Balance is very good and was easy despite the pillion weight and the wind. I had no problems stationery or when moving. The DCT works extremely well and is very smooth from a standing start. I did find myself looking for the gearlever to downshift as I like to use engine braking. I did use the "downshift" paddle a few times. It is difficult to judge the power as we never went over 75kph and the engine was almost always under 2000 rpm but there is plenty of torque from 1500 rpm. Luggage space is OK but I would prefer a larger Top Box. We started out with me as the pillion so that I could try out the back seat. It was comfortable but I would prefer the armrests to be a little longer. He had the seat heater on and within a few minutes my backside was too hot.
After about 10 minutes we changed over and I felt pretty comfortable within just a few minutes. Low speed steering was easy and precise with the new front end. Tokyo roads are generally very smooth so I did not get a chance to really test out the suspension. It was set to "2 people" and I found it firm but comfortable, just as I like it. The front brake us very goid with a firm lever with a cery shirt travel. The rear brake pedal felt very much like my NT, a little soft but responsive if you need it to be. We crossed a very high bridge and despite the heavy bike and two full sized men it did move around a bit. There were a couple of sphincter tightening moments on the bridge as we touched the edge of our lane during a very strong gust. I believe that my NT would have really struggled to stay upright in that wind.
Question: would I buy one?
Answer: too early to say. I would need to try it in its intended role as a tourer outside the city. It is really outside my riding budget but if it was brilliant on the highway and I really wanted it, the treasurer said that I could have one.
Perhaps I should try to arrange a proper test ride back home.
Macka
I have ridden his previous model Goldy but it was about 3 years ago and conditions were the opposite: outside of Tokyo, riding solo and calm weather so a comparison is not valid.
My impressions are: very smooth except that in ECON mode it upshifts very early and there is some resonance. The exhaust note is very nice, especially on overrun. The electric screen is very nice to have as I could adjust it easily when the wind changed between the buildings and open spaces. Balance is very good and was easy despite the pillion weight and the wind. I had no problems stationery or when moving. The DCT works extremely well and is very smooth from a standing start. I did find myself looking for the gearlever to downshift as I like to use engine braking. I did use the "downshift" paddle a few times. It is difficult to judge the power as we never went over 75kph and the engine was almost always under 2000 rpm but there is plenty of torque from 1500 rpm. Luggage space is OK but I would prefer a larger Top Box. We started out with me as the pillion so that I could try out the back seat. It was comfortable but I would prefer the armrests to be a little longer. He had the seat heater on and within a few minutes my backside was too hot.
After about 10 minutes we changed over and I felt pretty comfortable within just a few minutes. Low speed steering was easy and precise with the new front end. Tokyo roads are generally very smooth so I did not get a chance to really test out the suspension. It was set to "2 people" and I found it firm but comfortable, just as I like it. The front brake us very goid with a firm lever with a cery shirt travel. The rear brake pedal felt very much like my NT, a little soft but responsive if you need it to be. We crossed a very high bridge and despite the heavy bike and two full sized men it did move around a bit. There were a couple of sphincter tightening moments on the bridge as we touched the edge of our lane during a very strong gust. I believe that my NT would have really struggled to stay upright in that wind.
Question: would I buy one?
Answer: too early to say. I would need to try it in its intended role as a tourer outside the city. It is really outside my riding budget but if it was brilliant on the highway and I really wanted it, the treasurer said that I could have one.
Perhaps I should try to arrange a proper test ride back home.
Macka
What there be any major difference in the Wing between Japan and Oz?
