It sure don't matter how fast it will go if it won't turn or stop......or buck you off when you hit rough pavement......
I used to piecemeal my suspension with parts from different manufacturers then I went basically with Progressive brand to keep it simple...my Bumblebee is floating on Progressive brand suspension front and rear.
I was never rich enough to go with Ohlins.....
Yep, and not alot of GW upgrades available, but, I do have the aftermarket fork springs, the tapered steering bearings do track better, I have new Ebc HH pads to put on, front and rear, which are said to be a noticeable improvement on the GW.
I still need to see if the rear shock is stock or not either, as again, it handles great.
I didn't get this from the original owner, who apparently put all the mods on it, there have been a few good suprises so far.
The Centramatics balancers supposedly smooth things out alot too, which I belive, as bad as the vibration and bar shake was if I took my hands off of the bars, with the bad steering bearings, it still rode well.
My front brake is just the front, or linked barely enough to notice, and is lacking.
The rear brake pedal, brakes front and rear, and very good, this is a completely different animal, vs my life long dirtbike and sportbike riding style.
I can't call it a cruiser either.
It's as if I sat down in a comfortable office chair with handlebars and footpegs, that I can quickly lean it or flick it side to side through corners, only limited by ground clearance, with plenty of torque, and a smooth ride with near perfect handling, the suspension feels as if it's on rails, while the bike just floats along...all while listening to the radio, and still being able to clearly hear what's going on around me.
The sportbike rider in me won't die(I just have dirtbike bars on the 1k now, lol), but this old Goldwing is a totally different experience.
I think that they stereo-typed as the 'old and retired guy' bike, but that was because this was the majority of the market that could afford a new one, with the time to ride it, vs a younger group that missed out on knowing just how good this machine is.
In that regard, the Goldwing ranks at the top of the all-time best bikes list, along with the Hayabusa, not just in their own cult followings for their own reasons, but that both bikes are actually very similiar in the fact that they are both extremely versitile motorcycles.
They are type-cast as one thing, but actually do many things well.
I've always ridden as many bikes as I had an opportunity to, and there's been several bikes that I got new or used that I'de never ridden prior, going on my best judgement of what I could compare a bike to, I'de decide if I wanted to risk buying one.
Usually, I like them, sometimes I don't, but never regret the experience.
The GW, I just waited for the right one, and went and got it, lol, and I'll see what happens.
Fortunately, I've been amazed, as this bike is so good on so many levels.
Cutting edge? lol, I don't know if it ever was, but it is just one of those motorcycles that was done right.
Go test ride one from a Craigslist ad, check them out, they are a great riding experience, regardless whether it's the right bike for someone or not.
I can't give up sportbikes, and will have one as long as I'm able...and my other bike will from now on be a Goldwing...I am that enamored with this thing...love at first ride...the pig just needed some lipstick...and now I'm going to shamelessly parade her about...
lmao