Gold Wing Q and A: (Hey! I didn't make these questions up. Ok?)

• Q: "Wow! Do you fight crime on this?" A: Yes. Absolutely.

• Q: Where's the drink holder? A: Hey! I don't drink and drive, dude.

• Q: Where's the windshield wiper? A: You're looking at him.

• Q: 1.8 liter engine?? I think that's bigger than what's in my car! A: It is.

• Q: Upon seeing the four louvered vents facing the rider in the fairing - "How clever! Air conditioning! Must be marvelous on a hot day! A: Yup. Marvelous.

• Q: Why don't you just buy a convertible? A: Because you can't lean a convertible into a turn.

• Q: Now that you're riding that tanker, can we practice in-flight refueling? A: Nah! I'll just tow you in when your tank runs dry.

• Q: Can you crank up the stereo so I can hear some tunes, too? No Grateful Dead, ok? A: No problem, dude. How 'bout some Robin Trower or Steely Dan?

• Q: How loud do you play the tunes? A: (I'll let Uncle Bob answer this one.) "Dude, it was kinda surreal! I'd be riding behind him (and you thought the ST had a big ass. This thing has 4, count 'em, FOUR brake lights! I still see them burned into my retinas when I close my eyes!) and every so often he'd start jumpin' around on his seat. At first, I thought he got a bee up in his jacket. Then we stopped at a light and I thought I had pulled up next to a '79 Camaro or something -- classic rock blaring, head banging to the tunes. That was when I put in my plugs and cranked up my own tunes!"

When I do get comments about the automotive-like qualities of this bike, I have to agree. With its superb engine, precise handling, feature laden cockpit and built-in stereo, it's like driving half a Lexus convertible. 

It's the first time I've truly been comfortable on a bike. The test drive made me realize how hard my VFRs and ST1100 really were on my fused spine. That's when it dawned on me how much I've been anticipating the adventure & camaraderie of the upcoming Spring ride and yet dreading the exercise in pain control it would require of me. It became clear that I had a real problem admitting that my health and age had brought me to this, a Gold Wing. What I was craving was a Super Blackbird as my mind kept writing checks my body couldn't cash. So logically, I finally got over it as I'd rather ride more than ride less due to pain but I was still having some emotional doubts as I drove it out of the dealership one evening. 

The breakthrough came as I was flying down the road in complete comfort, feeling and hearing that sweet engine, listening to Credence Clearwater Revival on the stereo with the cruise control on, and I broke out laughing due to sheer joy. My transformation was complete! I became a Wing Nut. In the following six months, I did TWO major rides and racked up 11,000 + miles. It usually takes me a whole year to hit my 10,000 mile annual average. 

Links:

• Click here to learn more on Honda's Sport Touring webpage.
• University Honda, our favorite Honda dealer in Seattle
• Review of the 2001 Gold Wing, Part 1, at Motorcycle Daily
• Review of the 2001 Gold Wing, Part 2, at Motorcycle Daily
• Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA)

At first glance, the new Gold Wing does seem excessive. It's big, heavy and packing an engine larger than some economy cars. At times, it's more akin to half a hot rodded Acura convertible than a motorcycle. There are many ways to ride across the wide open spaces of this country and the Wing does it extremely well with power and comfort to spare. Think of it as "luxury touring". 

The engine and the handling are the real magic here. When I first saw the Honda ads billing this as a "superbike", I was very doubtful. I figured the Honda marketing guys were smoking crack for lunch. But every time I come into a turn hot with the engine redlined in 2nd, cranking hard on the brakes, and then diving into the turn while hitting the gas, the brilliance of Honda's design becomes clear. When you add the fact that you are tossing an 881 lb. wet bike around a twisty road while trying not to grind the footpegs off, it can be just as exciting and challenging as riding a true sport bike. Once you've experienced the eerily smooth, massive power of the flat six, most other bike motors can seem dull and rough. Here are the specs:

• 1,832cc flat 6, fuel injected engine

• 100 ponies at the rear wheel

• 100 lbs of torque

• BIG, all day comfort

• 145 liters of storage

• Rigid aluminum frame

• AM/FM/CB/Weather band/6-disc CD changer/MP3 jack

• Cruise control and heated grips

• 40 mpg (average)

• Push button adjustable rear suspension

• ABS and linked brakes

• GPS mount (aftermarket)

Duncan's 90% rule: So after owning 2 VFRs and an ST1100 and having a serious love of riding fast and leaning way over, why did I buy such a boat? I toured on such bikes because I wanted the proper equipment for the twisty roads. But the fact that most rides are 90% flat and straight, I was paying a heavy price, comfort-wise, with my spine and its scars from three surgeries. The Gold Wing is approaching the problem from the other direction - a bike that is superb for traveling and yet sporty enough to enjoy the twisty stuff. Believe me, though, when I say that if my spine could handle it, I'd be on my 2002 VFR with hard bags. But for now, I'm riding a bike that is very appropriate for 90% of the riding I do.

I'm going to get a t-shirt made that says, "Member of the 1800 Club. There's no replacement for displacement!" Inga, my wife, wants to add: "I'm old. It's Gold."

"Big Bottom. Big Bottom. Talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em!" -- Spinal Tap

"Fat bottomed girls! You make the rockin' world go round. Get on your bike and ride!" -- Queen

"What? The alcohol content of the beer in the next state is higher??? Cool. I'll make the beer run!" -- Scott Bruce Duncan  */:-) 

• Progressive Suspension fork springs: These firmed up the front end and help to keep the footpegs and body fairing off the pavement.
• Hondaline Driving Lights: These do a fine job of illuminating the sides of the road on dark nights along with making me a lot more visible during the day.
• Firecreek Accessories Windbender electric windshield: I tried the stock windshield and then the tall Hondaline windshield and I still couldn't get the right combination for my height and riding style. Being 6'3", I needed something taller than stock to reduce the turbulence but the taller Honda windshield still created a lot of noise and buffeting. At the same time, when I go into the twisties, I want the windshield as low as possible. With the windshield not being electrically adjustable meant having to pull over for a manual adjustment. I still can't figure out why Honda didn't address this. With the cost and weight of this bike as they are, what's the harm of adding a few more pounds and a few more dollars? Then I ran across an ad in the GWRRA magazine for an electric windshield. I checked the various GL forums and the reports were very favorable. Being maufactured by a gent in Yakima, Washington, I made arrangements to ride over and have him install it as I do not have the skills to dismantle the Wing. I figured this upgrade would be an improvement but I didn't figure on it being perfect. The design, the quality and the functionality are all utterly brilliant. With the windshield all the way down in sport bike mode, it's perfect for hot summer slow speed rides through towns or for yanking and banking through mountain twisties. Raised up, the windshield provides smooth, quiet riding. Just hit the toggle switch and dial in the perfect height for the riding at hand. Check out the Firecreek website to see a demonstration video. If you need to know more, drop me a line. I can't say enough good stuff about Tom and his product.
• Hondaline 6-disc CD player: It integrates with the handlebar controls allowing me to select the disc & track and it works flawlessly.
• Hondaline Rear Speakers: For a rich full sound.
• Hondaline Heated Grips: Essential equipment for cold & wet weather riding
• GPS mount: CycoActive in Seattle makes a nice holder that bolts onto the left handlebar
• Customized seat: Rich's Custom Seats in Seattle modified the stock seat to move me back a bit, give me more room to move around, firm it up and installed a back rest. I instructed them to not modify the passenger seat as I don't ride anyone on the back.

Recalls:

• ECM Black Box: To correct an overheating problem with what Honda calls "parade mode", they issued a new Engine Control Module that alters the mix at low RPM speeds. I can't figure out if Honda's "parade mode" description is disingenuous or naive but in the real world, it's called stop and go in rush hour traffic or crawling through Zion National Park behind a bunch of RVs on a hot summer day.
• Frame: Apparently, someone on the factory floor decided to change the welding procedure to save money. Oops! As a result, Honda has had to reweld a bunch of frames to correct it and fortunately, my frame was made after this fiasco.