Passing along information and the experience I've gained from a lifetime of motorcycling. For more than 50 years I have been fascinated with all things motorized. From mini-bikes to dirt bikes, airplanes to ATVs, and most of all, motorcycles.
Although I enjoyed owning and flying Mooney aircraft, and learning aerobatics was fun, it is still that deep, inexplicable connection and satisfaction that comes from motorcycling that has me completely captured today. Half a century ago it was waiting my turn to ride a cousin's mini-bike. Today, I still feel that child like anticipation every time I swing a leg over one of my adventure bikes. The bikes may change, the excitement never does.
My goal with this channel is to provide another perspective on what we all experience as riders. Please take nothing I say as gospel. It's just my view at that particular moment. There's a good chance my opinion will evolve as well.
Thanks for stopping in. Please have a wonderful and safe ride.
Perhaps consult some riding experts to assist in your "scraping". IMHO you are relying solely upon lean input and not employing additional techniques. Good Rides
8,400 miles and all is well. I did replace the front brake reservoir under warranty. When dusty, you could see evidence of it not being perfectly sealed. It had seepage that was easily overlooked when clean. I'm not aware of any cam issue. I have not been keeping up with any reports lately, so I don't know if there is something I should be looking for. Certainly, nothing obvious. Once I finally get settled from a move across state borders, I'll post a new 890 video with all the updates.
You really should think about your prior videos on the DCT. Think about erasing them. Those videos do not make you, or Honda look good. Imho. I have 400,000 miles on GoldWings from 1977 forward. Ive owned 4 and buying a 5th one. In all those miles and years, not one break down. They handle like a dream. All of them. Your expirence on smaller engine, motocross size frames, is not the same.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I respect your 400K miles of experience on a single model of bike and hope I also find the GW to be worthy of those type of miles. So far, I've never found any model that held my interest past 100K miles. My 1200cc Yamahas were gone by 120K. After 40K on my 1290cc KTM, I'm pretty sure it will never fail to entertain me. That one is likely to make multiple hundreds of thousands of miles. My guess is you made it to 400K+ by always riding within your capabilities, and never at your skill limits. At least that's been the philosophy that has kept me safe for 50+ years of riding. As far as not making the GW look good, making it look good was never my intention. My goal, as always, was to be honest about what I was learning as a first time GW owner. Good, bad, neutral, what was the experience. As far as me not looking good...guilty there, too. I am what I am, and that's all I have to offer. I don't have any interest in trying be acceptable to the masses. Just looking to provide an honest opinion from an experienced riders point of view. No doubt, my perspective is colored by many years of riding big bore Adventure bikes. Thanks again for offering you experienced words from a long-term GW owner. I do appreciate it. Stay safe out there. At some point I'll be posting several updates on the GW, and the other bikes. There's a lot of new discoveries to report. Right now, I'm too bogged down in settling in after relocating to a new state.
I don't wish to go keyboard warrior on you, but imho you are pushing the bike out front if your ability. Far too much speed in blind tight corners with the likely potential of tree leaves, or wet leaves on the ground. I have 400,000 miles on multi GWs and other bikes, and I'd nit do what I see you do in the first 2 minutes of your video. For months and years, you need to figure out everything that can go wrong, and drive in that knowledge envelope. Be Safe.
Interesting to me, I didn't know looking through the windshield was a thing. I've been riding touring bikes for decades and my replacement shields are always purchased at nose level, maybe I'm doing it wrong. Thanks for the video.
------------------------------ waiting for Hondo .....to implement E- shift .on GW's ....imo engine too good for just bike ....can we add a liter , turbo , lightweight rear engine car , lines similarly to forever young 911 but better ....nsx is jet airplane money.....thx
Honda offers a 12V receptacle that you can install, there is a factory wire supplied under the fairing you can connect it to. You will need to drill a hole, use a step bit so you don't crack the crapy plastic.
I have been riding ADV bikes for the last 30 years and decided to go gold wing 6 speed tour and I love this thing. I'm 57 years old, But I do own a 22 KLR for riding to work. I bought the 23 Goldwing for touring and man is it great for that.
I don't think I could ever give up my adventure bikes. It's who I am. But the GW has been a great addition to the fleet. I'm looking forward to giving it the touring duties on the next big trip.
Hey there, I’m wondering after having it for a few weeks, if you still think the 14” version is big enough? How much of an improvement did you get over the stock one with a clip on deflector? Thanks for the help! Update: just got mine installed and I’m riding 80mph with my visor up and no earplugs. ‘Nuff said!
I am still very impressed with the screen and just how well it works for me. My 890 is my dirt bike, but the screen makes it so relaxed on long distance riding. No more getting beat-up by wind at higher speeds. Sturdy enough that it stays in place on washboarded out dirt roads. Haven't done any jumping, so can't say how it handles hard landings, but for regular dirt riding I don't even bother to lower it. Still looking over it enough to handle anything I'm doing. I'm completely satisfied with the screen. I do miss my old Vanasch GPS mount. It cannot be used with the screen. I've come up with a way to make the crossbar work as a mounting base. It's acceptable, but not ideal.
Transitioned from 2 wheels(last one a Goldwing) 6 years ago to a 2016 Spyder RT-S. It's allowed me to extend my riding time at my age(85). Coast to coast once and working on one more this year. Love the Spyder. Had a few problems over the years but all were solvable. Also more visibility for the cagers. No regrets at all. Nice to hear that she enjoys it.
The 2018+ Wings are beautiful bikes. I do not own one but do ride an 08 GL-1800 GoldWing which I love riding. I also ride a near classic Harley Electra Glide which has become part of the family over the past 22 years and I will never let go. Enjoy your new ride and keep on eye on the myriad of distracted drivers out there.
I had the DCT on an Africa Twin and came to dislike it. In normal mode it changed up to quickly but in Sport just irritatingly low gears. I would have been happy had it changed down when I wanted it to accelerate but, despite all the clever electronics, it didn’t. We parted company after a year and 2,000 miles. I missed the GSA it replaced……
Interesting. My GSA buddy also had an African Twin DCT sandwiched be GSAs. He enjoyed his and encouraged the DCT to me for the GW. For me, I've been able to make friends with the DCT only because I have the ability to kick it down a couple of gears when it's time to go. Letting it do the changes only in auto would not work for me.
@@dirt_dad_stuff I had a foot change which was excellent but defeated the object of the DCT. The other issue was having no clutch meant re-learning stopping the bike on slow manoeuvres. Some have rigged a rear brake on the left handlebar to give some control. I got caught out very badly (my fault entirely) when I engaged Drive and in backing the bike with my feet tweaked the throttle. I was lucky not to drop it. Scared me! Very top heavy bike too which the GSA isn’t. I have an 890 Adventure (non S) which is an excellent bike. Still hanker for the GSA…..
Yikes, that situation would get my attention, too. I've been doing my low speed maneuvers in manual. Don't need any surprises from the DCT. My buddy went back to a GSA. Once bitten it's always with you. My 890R will likely stay around as long as my love of dirt never fades.
Maybe someone needs to report it, i dont know were to Report it to but it needs to be done. These companys Need to take care of issue like that. If not sooner or Later people well start no buying there items. Ps. Does the company even know ?
I have a 2024 Sea to Sky that I bought at the end of Feb. Not sure of rhe year of your Can Am, but I just rotate my right hand forward for a quick second to kill the cruise and then roll back on the throttle. Very easy with mine, but that would not be the same previous models. Can I ask what is mounted on the left handle bar? Ia that a drink holder and something else? I am looking for a drink holder and phone mount for my new ride. If it is those, can you provide a link for what you have? Love your qife's new ride. I bought mine for similar reasons as I just sold my 2020 Harley Road King. I have a neck disk issue and was not feeling xomfortable with the Harley's weight and handling it at slow speeds in less than idea situations. Love the new ride and have been putting in a lot more riding rime as it does not affect my neck and I ust feel like I can enjoy the ride a lot more and relax qith the Can Am. Glad she is enjoying hers!
Good to know they fixed the cruise control for 2024. That will be welcomed news if/when we update her machine. Yes, that is a drink holder on her left bar. That setup also allows a Ram mount to add a phone holder. Unfortunately, I can't find the details of who makes it. I can tell you MotoMember in Purcellville, VA sets-up nearly every RT they sell with that combination. I bet if you called their Parts department they could get you exactly what we have from them. They are a great dealer and as ridiculously helpful as you could ever ask. Glad to hear the Spyder is working out for you, too. It's been a real winner for my wife.
I have a 2012 Goldwing and it is my 3rd. Never have I had an issue with the turn signals not turning off, as a matter of fact, I think they turn off too soon and I have to keep flipping the switch to keep then on long enough. Be safe, have fun.
I bought a 2022 DCT Tour in Blue and loved it. But 7 months and 8000 wondeful miles later later I sold it to buy a Indian Chieftain Darkhorse. The Indian is great but I missed the goldwing so much that I've just bought a New old stock 2023 Goldwing and Pick it up at the end of the week. I must say I never once left the handbrake on but then there is a huge red light on the dashboard to remind me it's engaged so as long as you actually look at your dash before moving off its not something you have to worry about. I adjusted my parking break as it wasnt very efficient. Its easy to do and should be done from both the brake and at the cable if you want it to be right. Use cruisermans videos and you can do all your own servicing with ease.
Congrats on your return to the Gold Wing. No doubt there is a light on the dash for the parking brake. But, if you don't look at the dash, it won't help. Clearly, I don't look at the dash that much.
I always have the fog lights running. They do a reasonably good job lighting up immediately ahead of the bike. They are are very short range lights and go off when you hit the high beams.
Time to a add more lighting both on the front and back making sure you have a modulator on some lights front and back. The fogged up windshield was a surprise though. It would be interesting to do a comparison on the the same route using your KTM bike at night. Nice video from Ontario, Canada.
Thanks, yes I would be curious how the KTM lights actually perform in corners. Once I get fully comfortable at this night stuff I may just give the KTM some dark time.
You have to drill a hole through the front wall of the glove box to pass a USB cord and plug into a hub. Feel around and you’ll find the best location to drill.
You are right. Riding at night and in the rain unnecessarily adds to risk. I have precious cargo aboard: my dog in a sidecar. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her because of my carelessness. And, it is always best to release the parking brake before accelerating to cruise speeds! Lol!
I have a black ‘23 Gold WIng and both trim pieces around the instruments and buttons below the windscreen are a muted, dark gray, not silver. The part is probably silly expensive-aren’t they all-but you could order the “dark” part to replace the highly reflective trim causing the problem. On a bright sunny day I tried to capture the sun at an angle to reflect the trim into my windscreen. There is a slight reflection at just the right (wrong) angle, but nothing like you’re experiencing.
in other words.you dont know what the hell you want.you just buy bikes because you can.oh well, its your money & your channel.YOUR RULES. just sounds like a silly way of paying tons of depreciation for something you dont even want to begin with.
I feel as though the wife feels safer and at ease on a trike than on a two wheel bike and this is due to the dangers she may feel on two wheels and has not really told you because she wanted to enjoy that life style as you. Due to my limitation i also prefer a Spyder than a two wheeler and riding on any weather would be less stressful. The Spyder RT are expensive but i would buy used and upgrade it to my satisfaction.
I am really surprised that a one time event taking off with the parking brake on wore it enough to become ineffective. I'm not familiar with the setup, but the contact area for the parking brake must be TINY.
I've only driven away with the parking brake on once and it wasn't far because it really put a drag on the bike... since then, it's must muscle memory now... part of my startup routine. Same bike, same color as yours. I'm with you.. not a fan of riding at night.
I'll be satisfied if I only do it once. I use the parking brake so rarely that it would need to be a forced creation of muscle memory. I've done that in the past. I once had a Mooney airplane with manual landing gear. I created muscle memory to grab the gear bar about every 30 seconds on final approach. I may be able to do something similar on the Gold Wing. Of course the consequences of screwing it up in the plane were much more severe than the Wing. Dark riding...planning to give it a shot on Monday morning to see how it goes. I'm still trying to work out the left channel audio thing you mentioned to me. So far, no obvious solution. Still looking. Thanks again for the heads-up.
Down by your left knee is where the cig lighter goes. It's all marked out on the backside of the plastic on where to drill, it's even prewired! Why they just didn't put it on the bike from the factory, I don't know.
All the 5 Goldwings I’ve ridden had the same cruise control cancelation the Spyder has. The only difference is I would touch the front brake lever to cancel and now I just turn it off then back on again for when I need to activate it again.
Agree about the lack of power ports - unsatisfactory. I never used the parking brake - I just parked where it wasn’t necessary. Get a REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT tag! Also, search for the mod to make the fuel door access manual, rather than that side pocket thing. And learn the convoluted procedure to open the bags and trunk without a key fob.
Sport tourer for sure. It’s not the Gold Wing of yesteryear - it is a small bike. You’re going to discover all kinds of new things about this bike in the beginning. Learn the DCT re-calibrate procedure and do it somewhat regularly. I kind of miss mine, so when you’re ready to sell it in 2 weeks let me know 😁
