IDK Cruiseman, you’re right in the very neck of where I will be next week riding from Lubbock. Will be going up along the St. Croix River up 95 to Taylor’s Falls directly west of you at the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. I’m riding with my brother in law from Taylor’s Falls and a friend of mine from Princeton, Wisconsin. All Goldwings and we will be going up the North Shore of Lake Superior and up into Canada across to the upper peninsula of Michigan and back down to Barron, Wisconsin. I’m so excited for you to see that area. Lots of beautiful riding and I go up there every year. As you know, it is a far cry from the flat lands of West Texas. I plan on taking 4-6 weeks up in there. At any rate… I hope you found your trip enjoyable. So many beautiful places to ride up there. Duluth is the North Shore of Lake Superior and has forever been a shipping channel throughout the Great Lakes. I grew up there, but, have lived in West Texas for 43 years. I’ll be coming back across the Mac bridge and it’s always a little bit of a memory. Ride safe my friend. Oh, and an edit here, my Goldwing DCT Tourer is absolutely positively the only luxurious motorcycle on the market. Lol, but, just the way I feel. Been on Goldwing’s since I bought one in Midland, Texas in 1981. Never has been a better bike than Goldwing. Never ever been stranded due to a mechanical issue in 42 years on a Goldwing. I just hope I have not jinxed myself lol.
My home state. Western Wisconsin has some of the most beautiful motorcycling roads of any state. Especially the southwest part of the state which is call the Driftless Region because the big glaciers missed it. As a result the area is hilly and beautiful. the state and county roads are great riding.
Hey Cruiseman, Really great to have you in MN and WI!! That long line you were in (Duluth) was because the Lift Bridge was up and there was probably a ship passing through the channel. I think a 1000' footer was due about the time you were there in "Canal Park" where Grandma's is located. It sometimes takes up to 30 minutes of wait time; but much less for fishing and sailing vessels. If you would have been one block over, you would have missed that traffic and seen Grandma's and the best of Canal Park (including a great lake walk (about 3 miles) along Lake Superior and five large hotels and shops. You can park and watch ships come through the canal (and almost touch them). Maybe next time! If you cross the lift bridge, there is a five mile peninsula called Park Point with beaches and a small airport at the very end. I am from the MPLS area and was in Duluth last Tuesday. The gem of MN riding is from Duluth to Grand Marais along highway 61. Rugged Lake Superior vistas are common for about 100 miles. I live about an hour from Dennis Kirk in MN. I just bought new helmets there, but I had never seen the inside of their warehouse...very impressive. Keep the videos coming!
I have been on the River Road several times during our Legion rides. The go-pro does not do it justice. It is really beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing. Glad you had a good ride.
One time I travelled to Virginia from PA. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel had been closed to motorcycles due to severe storms but I took a chance and went that way hoping by the time I got there it would be open. It had opened to motorcycles about an hour before I got there, but it was still windy as all heck, and it was middle of the night. I remember the street lights glowing off the huge waves in the water. It was scary but thrilling at the same time. That was the first time I had travelled that route on a motorcycle. Done it plenty of times in a car. A very different experience. On the way home, it was the complete opposite, calms seas, light breeze, and plenty of sunshine. It's beautiful if you ever get the chance
Excellent vid ! Been on good old route 53 many times on our way to a fishing camp in northwest Ontario (not on the bike). Have spent the night in Rice Lake, and will be doing so again in July on our return from the fishing trip. As others have mentioned, WI is a gorgeous state for biking, all sections from the Mississipi River to the North Woods. I've experienced the joy of crossing the Mackinac Bridge several times on the bike, including the lane with the metal grating. I'm not particulary fond of heights, so my method of crossing was "don't look down, and try to keep the front wheel from wobbling". Hope you can get back on your Wing soon !
Thank you for taking us along on your ride in Wisconsin. I figured out why your map route didn't transfer over because in Texas Saturday is May 27 and in Wisconsin, Saturday is May 28th. 😉
I lived in Duluth for just about 40 years, and I can tell you that you did not miss much by skipping Grandma's. Yes, it is a destination for lots of people going to Duluth, but it ain't what it used to be 30 years ago. Food is pricey and not that great... Glad you had a good ride. I agree that the ride up Hwy 61 along the North Shore is really great for bikes. If you get back sometime, give it a try.
I'm jealous of your trip. We will be riding through there via Tennessee in June on our way to the pacific. I can't wait! The Mackinaw bridge connects the Upper peninsula of Michigan to the lower part, ands yes it's an experience.
Mackinaw bridge is solely in Michigan - citizen’s of Michigan are often referred to as the Yoopers (meaning living above the bridge) - the rest of Michigan’s citizen’s are called Trolls as they live below the bridge. I heard a rumor that there were people who drive other people’s cars over the bridge as they are scared of the height (never confirmed this). Riding in the rain with the wind blowing over this bridge is very scary!
You were in Duluth and you didn't visit Aerostitch???? It'd be great for you to go there and video a shop tour. I was there many years ago (actually been there twice).
Mackinac Bridge is not metal and connects the main land of Michigan to the U.P. Nowhere near the Wisconsin border... but Mackinac is a beautiful bridge
@@cruisemansgarage My one time across that bridge there was construction and I got stuck in stop and go traffic on the metal grate. Not fun, but made for some good stores.
Thanks for sharing Cruiseman. What is your opinion of the Show Chrome large windshield mounted on their bike? It seems like wind protection would be very good but some have reported buffeting because of the bottom extension of the screen.
I used the Honda Navigation on a recent trip for the first time. I’m not sold on it either. I updated it a few weeks ago. It didn’t show many of the rivers or lakes along the way and totally ignored a T intersection and didn’t indicate a left or right turn for our destination. Luckily there was a road sign at the intersection to follow. How did you find the stock seat on this bike compared to your modified seat? Sounded like it wasn’t an issue for you. The seat on my 2021 GWT has to be the most uncomfortable motorcycle seat I’ve ever had. I’m trying whatever I can to make it more comfortable, short of buying an aftermarket seat. Pretty hard to enjoy the ride when you have to stand up every 15 / 20 minutes to relieve your butt discomfort.
Excellent video. I'm in the USA from time to time, but I don't know the area around Wisconsin. Could you show the route here. Screenshot, Google Maps? My 2023 Gold Wing will be delivered on June 17.
Cruiseman...so great to have you in the area. You are such an inspiration...for you to get on a plane, fly to mpls...goodness knows how you got to Rice lake...then get on a bike and ride such a cool route...all in the wake of the idiot who backed into you. Really think it is all ultra cool. Really like your pause just to pay homage to the wing and what a great machine it is. If behavior never lies, you enjoy spending time alone...time I personally relish. Again, you have inspired me. Hopefully someday our paths will cross. Blessings all around.
Greetings, When you were heading out on your ride you mentioned Map Routing. My 2016 Wing doesn't have on board Navigation, no love loss from what you say, and many others. I have a Garmin Smartdrive 61 I've been using now for the last couple of years, upgrade from a NUVI model. Anyway, I'd love to learn how to plan routes and upload to it instead of a piece of paper with the route on it tucked under my seat in front of me. Pulling over to check it is a bummer. Did that a few times yesterday on our 198 mile ride. EZ Moto Tim is about the only RU-vid on Garmin Base Camp, and it's not easy to follow, for me. I'm guessing Base Camp is the only software that does routing. I don't ride with my iPhone on the handle bars. Any suggestions?
Honda needs to work on making Test Rides available like BMW Motorcycles. You can walk into any BMW Dealer and ride any bike you want. Try to do it with Honda. The answer will be "Your test ride will be on your way home after signing the purchase documents". That is a total Horse S....t in my book. Also, the image of Gold Wing being the old men's bike just make people shy away from this Model.
Question , I'm 5'7 with a 28-inch inseam . My question is will I be able to get my feet on the ground. The nearest honda dealership is about 40 miles , however it's cali traffic that keeps my wife and I from going there and sitting on one . Perhaps you can save us the trip.
hi I am having trouble with my goldwing disconnecting from helmet while I ride and lossing carplay. If I stop and restart bike it comes back. Helmet is fully charged. Connections to phone no problem. Also if I use text function it immediately cuts out helmet from bike. Any ideas
Why do you have a USA flag on your bike? Not sure what country you are in? I find this very bizarre. Does having a flag mean something? Strange Yankees.
