A Harley Rider Rides a New 2018 Goldwing DCT 

I’ve just watched this over breakfast. When it finished I said “I’d love one of those bikes” and my wife said ‘You can get one Hon”. How’s that for the ultimate ‘like’.

How to sell a Harley - big ad campaigns, loads of playing on the heritage and made in America. How to sell a Honda - "here's the key - bring it back when you're ready to buy it".

Dude you don't have to switch brands. You can have a Harley and a Honda. Nobody is forcing anyone to have only one type.

Having both is the best option. That way you can ride the Honda while the Harley is in the shop.

Remember their slogan years ago, "You meet the nicest people on a Honda".

It's always interesting how these kind of videos bring out the best and worst in riders comments! Not a thing wrong with a Goldwing...or a Harley. It's simply personal preference. I've owned 3 GW's and now on my 5th Harley...and I loved them all!

I've been driving bikes for almost 65 years and didn't EVER have a reliable one until I bought a 1966 Honda Dream, which never gave me any trouble and ran like a modern car. That sold it for me, and have had Yamahas and Hondas ever since. Although the 2018/19 Wing is a superb bike, I haven't yet worn out my "old" one (2003 GL1800 with 123,000 kms). And since my riding days are coming to an end through old age, I won't consider myself truly OLD until I can no longer handle the Wing safely. Thank you Honda for building a full line of bikes from the 50cc up that are some of the best in the industry

I test drove a Goldwing a few years ago (lifetime Harley rider) and thought it was damn amazing to be honest. VERY well balanced bike that flowed through corners like few others could in that class. Great Bikes, no doubt!

I just sold my 2010 Goldwing. I thought I was done riding until I test rode the 2018 DCT Goldwing. I will be getting one really soon. I loved it.

Riding since 1969 (Hondas, Kawazakis, MotoGuzzi), coming back from a 6-month cruise (all expenses paid, compliment of the US Navy) in 1996, I bought my first (and only) brand-new bike - a Harley Electra Glide Classic - loaded. I had it 9 months including 2 months of warranty-covered repair/convalescence (for the bike) time. Sadly and/or strangely enough, except for some electronic niceties, it rode worse than my 1982 Honda GoldWing (which I still have), the finish was not as fitting for such a pricey motorcycle; it had poor attention to details and a lot of the parts/pieces looked like "add-on" (i.e. did not seem to have been designed with/for the bike in the first place). It sat lower which I liked (I was 5' 9" then), vibrations on long cruises got old after a while (I was getting older, I understand), acceleration, cornering/maneuverability/braking was worse than my old GoldWing. My biggest gripe was having to "stay in touch" with my HD dealership (don't get me wrong - they were nice to me, Oceana/VA Beach, VA has a huge Navy presence!) but I did not expect a new motorcycle ordered while at sea to suffer several electrical failures (radios, gauges, front brake AND engine leaks!). I sold it and bought a used 1991 Anniversary Edition GoldWing (which I still have after 88, 000+ miles). Tastes are personal, and I respect my fellow bikers' choices. HD's are "different", I like tradition and "classic" vehicles like the best of some of us (still have my first Mustang, a 1970 convertible) but ... (engineer talking here), HD is "slightly" behind the times. Incidentally, my HD had cost me more than all my current used Honda classic bike collection (10 motorcycles)! You guys ride safe, Ciao, L

This biker traded his '15 Ultra in on an '18 Gold Wing! Best bike I have ever owned!

Come on powerball!

You were blown away by good wing. Like your honesty loved your vlog

"This is 1000 times smoother than my Harley" ..I can feel the pain😭😭😭

Truly a GREAT video! I only have one question: Was it smooth?

Harley: over rated, over priced, for years.

Interesting review. So what do you think, was it ...smooth? I pick mine up Tuesday. Cant wait. Ride safe out there.

I own a 28 yr old GL1500. All my friends own Harleys and Triumphs , and ya, i get alot of flak now and then. However, when the 2018 harley is in the shop getting ANOTHER charging system replaced....and my other friends 2017 Harley is getting electrical probs AND a wobble from the rear in corners.......not to mention dumping 4k every time you drive past a dealer ship.....i just smile...start my bike, and ride ride ride. I'll always love a Harley. But i dont think i would trade in my sewing machine for a new one. (shout out to MSFB there )

Nice. When you had to take off quick from the light and when you had to pay the toll, they lack of dicking around shifting gears sold me on the DCT.

Horsepower? Technology? What are these things? ........no chrome air pump underneath? How will everyone hear me now? -Harley person

You forgot to take the 50 cents from the front storage lol

Too bad they cost like an Accord or CRV.

The engine is more efficient so the lost of fuel capacity shouldn’t be a mark against the motorcycle.

Harley is dying because they are stuck in the 40's. They need to adapt to a new demographic of riders. People want "gadgets" look a new cars and pickup's. Keep making old school bikes for people that want that but also make an ultra modern, quiet, smooth bike with technology to keep the brand alive.

This is, by far, the most unbiased review I have ever seen! Thanks for taking us along, Happy Jack.

I think you'll convince yourself to buy one this summer.

"You can't sit at a light and rev the engine" yes. He's a harley rider.

Hey, don't feel guilty...Sonny Barger..the Capo di Capo of the Hells Angles, admitted in his autobiography that he was not fond of HD, and his "secret love" was a Honda ST100. I understand it is difficult though if all your friends ride HD, and you have ALL the tats, apparel buttons and baubles though. Me? I have no brand loyalty. I had 3 HD's ..2 deckers and a pan chopper...never did get it. Ride what ya love to ride :-)

Harleys are good too, I like almost all bikes

Riding a motorcycle myself, pulling in the clutch and shifting is what I love most about riding bikes.

Funny discussion....all bikes are great, otherwise we would all ride the same. Cheers from a ˋ94 Triumph rider

Met a guy in Nebraska that had a 1989 Goldwing, same as mine BTW... I walked over to take a look at his bike, and the Odometer said 237 THOUSAND miles...He said all I do is change oil on time, and lube stuff that needs it.... Never left him stranded anywhere he claimed...I believe him, I've ridden Honda's for 45 years...Biggest problem I had was getting speeding tickets...lol

I was fortunate to be the head mechanic at the Honda dealership in town when they unveiled the Valkyrie. When I drove it, it felt amazing. I want to believe that the frontend technology from that bike trickled down (or up) to this style Goldwing. I've had my own shop for some time now. I kinda miss getting to ride all the new machines that come out in the new model year. I'm a Honda fan for life because of it.

I took a test ride on the same bike and I was instantly hooked. So much so that I worked to find a dealer that would take my 2018 BMW K1600GTL in on trade. I eventually found one that was willing and I LOVE the new Gold Wing. It's far and away the best bike I've ever ridden and I've owned a couple dozen different bikes and ridden even more. I got the 7 Speed DCT auto trans because I have arthritis that prevents me from riding very far on a bike with a conventional clutch. The Wing is definitely much more of a sport touring bike than earlier Gold Wings. It eats up miles with no effort and in Sport mode it's incredibly quick. I can't imagine ever buying another bike. I can't ride sport bikes but this thing is as quick as I'll ever need it to be. Try one if you're looking for a touring or sport touring bike. You won't be disappointed.

“I guess you can’t sit at the light and rev up your engine.” ...Yep, he’s definitely a Harley rider.

Harley man calls a goldwing a sport tourer.......classic.

People are brain washed into thinking Harleys are good they are 30 year old technology and over priced

Range comes up short but it feels good to get off the bike for a bit. I went out of town on mine last weekend and did a little over 900 miles on a Friday/Saturday ride and it was needed to get off and get gas.

It is completely unbelievable that Honda made the trunk too small to easily fit a full sized helmet, let alone two large helmets and some additional items! It is completely unacceptable to have to go to the after-market for ANYTHING for a $30,000 motorcycle. I will not buy the a Gold Wing until the storage space issue is fixed.

I just bought a ‘22 Goldie with a DCT last week. It’s an AWESOME bike and the DCT is an awesome transmission.

I enjoyed your review so much, I felt like driving myself...

Touch screens do not need to be on a motorcycle. That's about one of the worse ideas I ever heard of. It's bad enough they put them on cars, but they are not safe on a bike. Too many distractions on vehicles these days and people can't keep their minds on DRIVING like it should be. I see it everyday and it's getting dangerous to drive with all the distracted drivers out there.

"I am sure they don't want me to take their bike all day." Unless you go back with a cheque in your hand...

I have owned 6 Goldwings and every one of them have been faster, road nicer and cost less in maintenance than ANY Harley ever and does not require checking chain guides every 15K or do you have to tighten things up from rattling loose as well as no chain or belt tightening and my favorite is the capability of over 200,000 miles WITHOUT the worry of a rebuild of the engine.

Are you aware, that the first time you put it in Sport mode, then cranked the throttle, the bike was still in Tour mode. If the "Sport" mode display is still blinking, its telling you that you have to let off the gas, then back on to change Modes. Once you do that, the blinking mode stops and the new mode is displayed solid (no blinking). So, when you discibed it as having more power.....it didn't. The second time you cranked it (when you exited the Hwy), that was the first time you experienced Sport mode and Yes,, it is a huge change over Tour mode.

I would love to have one of those. Love the DCT auto idea. Goldwing has always been my dream bike

11:26 "That got up and went." A new experience for a Harley rider? :)

Best thing you ever did would be to leave HD! The Gold Wing is amazing and the more people that leave hd for better bikes will Force hd to build a competitive bike

15:42 there is not comparison between a heavy piece of iron high maintenance with not 🥚 🥚 to this amazing Japanese technology smooth with reverse too. Motor that will last so so many miles . Harley’s so overpriced heavy gutless low quality

Smoother than your Harley? Lol. A dump truck driving down the side of a glacier is smoother than a Harley. Not hating, fans, just saying. I learned to ride on my Father's 1972 Honda CB350. Very common bike. My first was a 1984 Honda Magna. Then I owned a 1998 Suzuki Intruder 1400 so I know what a big V-twin feels like over a Honda and even my Father's CB350 was very smooth. He used to show me things like putting a cigarette on the tank on end and revving the engine, and it wouldn't fall. My Intruder? At idle I couldn't make anything out on the mirrors they shook so bad. It's all in what you're looking for I guess. A goldwing? Dear God I'd love to own one, they're just too expensive for me.

Seen a lot of comments on Harley vs Japanese brands. Fact is Harley prices it's product to market where age 40 and above who are financially secure buy it as as a leisure ride. Honda and other Japanese brands have a wider product range that starts from 250 cc entry level to higher capacity bikes thanks appeal to a bigger market. In my country India, Enfield bullet is considered a modern classic, but Harley and other Japanese brands have made their presence in the smaller CC engines to grow the market. Being a motorcycle users myself, I personally own a Bajaj Avenger a small Cc Urban cruiser, an Enfield and my extended family owns old British motorcycles, I am not charmed by technology in motor vehicles. You cannot do roadside repair, parts are mostly replaced not repaired, and the vehicle is obsolete when software support for the control unit is stopped. That's why electrical and mechanical controls are better than electronic controls.

I'm sure you figured out by now that the transmission mode doesn't take effect until the mode name stops flashing. It's an instant change when you're are sitting still, but if you change the mode at speed, the transmission will look for a safe transition point and will let you know it is still working on the problem by flashing the mode change. As for the smaller tank, keep in mind that the engine went through a complete redesign for 2018 and is more efficient. Yes, the tank is a gallon smaller, but you're range is close to the same. I've owned three Harley's and two Indians and the 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT is, by far, the best thing I've ever ridden. If I ever choose to go back to a V-Twin, it would certainly be a heavyweight Indian. I would never go back to Harley. All three of my Harley's, two of which I bought new, were maintenance nightmares. One of my new Harley's simply went dark while accelerating into a busy intersection. It was like someone reached over and turned the ignition to Off. The central computer had fried. The bike, new, had about 250 miles on it.

the flat-6 in these is like a velvet freight train. truly a world class power train. I've always loved the GL 6 cylinders.

Great video man. I actually just bought a 2019 goldwing yesterday. I went from a gixxer 1000 to a goldwing and I was even impressed with the power and handling of it. I have a manual transmission though. I want to try the DCT and I dont think I would mind it although i do enjoy working the clutch i have noticed that the shift level is really close to the fairing which is annoying. I love my sport bikes. I've been riding for 16 yrs but it's just to hard on me and I want to do long rides with my wife so it was time to change. A comment about the gas tank size. Its 1 gallon smaller but gets 20 to 25% better fuel mileage so it works out to be about the same overall distance.

Hahah, cool perspective. Go Naults! Been on that road a thousand times in my life, and hopefully one of these days it'll be on a new Wing

I loved your honest review and thoughts. Btw I’d say smooth all the time. I was thinking it as you rode !!

Nice honest review. Glad to see a real motorcycle owner review a bike. Get a little tiered of the professional reviews. Thanks Happy Jack. Safe travels and Have a great day!!

Let me suggest you have the salesman walk through the controls with before you ride it.

Goldwing is the Cadillac of the touring bikes !

Harley Parkinsson. Substandard technology for the 2100 century.

Very Cool wheel. Looks like a BMW from the front. Thanks for the test ride. Ride Safe.

I’m getting one of these thx to u. Lol

Enjoyed your video! I just got home from my local Honda dealer, ordered one today in blue with the manual transmission. Been riding my 99 Valkyrie long enough ;) I tour two up, and I think there's just enough storage with a luggage rack/waterproof bag to be OK. As long as your significant other can pack lite...

When you stopped to pay toll, it then switched to sport mode. It will not change mode when rolling. This Harley rider bought one. Love it. Do miss highway pegs.

Awesome video and review! Time to trade in my 2006 navi, for the 2019 model DCT.

I own a 2018 BMW K 1600 GT. Wife wants a new Goldwing with the DCT if course. I think we'll make a cool riding duo this summer.

11:20 "Oooh... Wow...alright. Not gonna do that again. That got up and..., that got up and went!" 😅😅😅

7 gears? sport mode? your riding a spaceship not a bike.

Me and the wife played a drinking game, had to stop at Smooth #8 🥴 Nice ride Bro' Your enthusiasm feels sincere. 👍🏽given!

"It keeps beeping at me I'm doing something wrong." Love it lol.

I wouldn't scoff at a chance to ride the new Wing but these bikes have never "done it" for me.....and there's no way I'm ready for an automatic shifting motorcycle.....

There's more bells and whistles on this thing than I have in my truck.

Went from Roadmaster to goldwing tour DCT and never looked back, love it. Like you, it took a while to forget about the clutch.

Great video. I'm looking at Gold Wings and found your review very informative. Also... I grew up in Londonderry but moved to the mid-west 20+ years ago. Although we get back to visit family, it is always nice to see NH and know the roads you are riding on. It's been a few years... did you end up getting a Gold Wing? I want to check out other videos on your channel. I don't know which HD you have/had. I have a 2023 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT.... i do miss the clutch that I had on my dirtbike as a kid but it is really nice to just enjoy the ride that much more. The DCT is so smooth and it learns your habits over time too. Thanks again. Stay safe and Go Pats! I was a fan as a kid in the 70s when they were not good... I will always be a Pats fan.

Thanks for the video. I will buy that one now. You helped a lot. I was between bmw k1600b and this one. Since it is my first bike ever....automatic will be the perfect choice. Take care.

Dash on that thing has more buttons and crap than my car.

Would love to demo this one day. The Goldwing is no joke and has a ton to offer. Glad you got out to scout some roads.

If you think the Goldwing is fast you should try a sportsbike or a super naked. Regrettably riding Harley's doesn't give you any appreciation of what a motorcycle can do.

No true, daily rider, long distance rider, finds thiis comparison even comparible. The harley is follow-the herd-only, 30 miles a weekend riding only....no true comparison in any realm of the game..price, nimbleness, speed, reliability. All a joke.

Don't move on you can have a wing also... there's nothing like the sound and the feeling of riding a Harley Nothing Compares also nothing compares to putting 1200 miles on a wing in one shot they both have their place

Nice review! The Harley must feel like a Model T in comparison. :)

It is like showing a cave man how a phone works

. . . . and you even paid them $0.50 to rent it for 20 minutes! 😂

Brilliant commentary . Really enjoyed your video . Definitely miscounted a few smooths 😊👍🏻🇮🇪🇺🇸

I like when he said you cant rev it up at the light... Wont sell to Harley riders as they cant rev the hell out of it 🙄

Let me guess........it's SMOOTH?

I just can't trust a bike with no clutch lever. I'm too used to having that safety net, and if anything happens to the engine I can pull in the clutch and try to lessen the damage to the motor (partial seizures or cam chain tensioner issues etc.) On a clutchless bike, ok, the ride with DCT might be super sweet, but no amount of computer controlled wizardry can tell it to pull in an internal release and stop the motor from locking up on you. I mean, how do you push the bike if it locks? At least with a clutch lever, you pull it in, and can (exhaustingly) push it forward onto a trailer or recovery. I'll stick to riding levered bikes, but would not say no to _just_ a test ride of the DCT for curiosity purposes. Regards. Dawg ( _*edited for spelling errors!_ )

hand controls are much more safe than touch screen.. Good on you Honda

Mine is 2021 sorry I left that out. Also the gas capacity really sucks. I just did Wisconsin to Tennessee and found it lacking.

I have had Harleys loved them love the sound paint jobs were great gold wings are ugly and I like a actual manual so I went with a yamaha eluder better handling v twin sound good looking paint

First video of yours i have seen. Good video and a badass bike you tested. If this scared you come take my R1 for a spin. Still scares the hell out of me lol. Ride safe man!

When I retire I will absolutely have a Goldwing to tour on. My last bike was a Honda ST1300...their true sport tourer. Brilliant bike. That said....I'm also a huge fan of the BMW K1600 GTL...basically BMW's version of a Goldwing. That said....the BMW has gobs more power...but a Wing is hard to beat for an all around ultra touring bike.

Might we start calling you Happy HarleyI can't wait to try one of these new Gold Wings! I am going to start calling dealerships and see where I can ride one. Take care my friend and Ride Safe

What a beautiful machine..the perfect bike..the sort of bike you would buy one day,get on it and ride into oblivion🙏👍💪

Harley need to fix their idling problem. Everytime their bikes are stopped at an intersection they are throttling manually to keep them running making loud noises.

Gallon of gas is mute. The range is the same with a 90 pound reduction in weight.

Its about time you rode a real bike instead of that lawnmower motor on a western flyer named Harley.

Nah, can't do an automatic MC. It goes against the excitement of riding and controlling a bike.

It seems like you would have familiarized yourself more with the bike before taking it out! Even I know where most of the controls are and how to use them! Kudos to the dealership for letting you test drive one. Our Tucson dealer salesman told my wife "don't touch that!" At which time she walked out! I still haven't found a dealer that will let me drive one. News flash! A Honda, built in Ohio, has more American parts (100%) than a Harley Davidson! This I know from working for the Japanese company (sunstar) who made their brakes until '07.