Said goodbye to my Indian

[Luap McKeever]

After 40K+ trouble free miles, I sold my Indian Challenger. It was a great bike, but ever since I inherited the 2007 Goldwing from my uncle, I soon found out that for a 19 year old motorcycle, it was so much better in so many ways than the 6 year old Indian.

Now, I'll just patiently wait until Moto Guzzi builds a big 'ol big block touring rig..."patiently" being the keyword. Until then, I reckon this Wing will still be going strong. I mean, it only has 85K on it. This bike is that good.

[TN Mark]

There are a few beautiful 1400’s for sale.

Just sayin.

[Ncdan]

I have my doubts that MG will ever build a big touring bike again🤔

[SIR REAL ED]

After 40K+ trouble free miles, I sold my Indian Challenger. It was a great bike, but ever since I inherited the 2007 Goldwing from my uncle, I soon found out that for a 19 year old motorcycle, it was so much better in so many ways than the 6 year old Indian.

Now, I'll just patiently wait until Moto Guzzi builds a big 'ol big block touring rig..."patiently" being the keyword. Until then, I reckon this Wing will still be going strong. I mean, it only has 85K on it. This bike is that good.

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your Goldwing Luap.  It is difficult to find anyone who has had trouble with their Goldwings.

Since you obviously know how to take care of a motorcycle, I expect you will get at least 500,000 miles out of that bike.

[SIR REAL ED]

I have my doubts that MG will ever build a big touring bike again🤔

I suspect you are correct Dan.  I read on this forum that Moto Guzzi only sells 6,000 bikes per year.  If true, would the market for a big Moto Guzzi touring bike ever exceed 1,000 bikes per year?

I would expect that any new Moto Guzzi models will rebadged bikes made by other OEM's.

This is the only Moto Guzzi forum I have ever visited.  While a great group of people, who are very knowledgeable & entertaining, the number of complaints about Moto Guzzi, it's dealers, & mechanics voiced here, does not make WildGuzzi a great sales site for the brand.

I suspect that Piaggio has already figured out that Moto Guzzi's destiny is to always be a niche brand of motorcycle.  Perhaps like Harley, the new factory/museum is evidence they realize there is a sizable chunk of money to be made from the trademark itself, rather than from manufacturing.

Kinda like Disney Land as some on this site have pointed out.

[kballowe]

Luap - what are you going to replace that Indian with ?  It seems to me that your bike inventory is down, and needs to be replenished.

Don't worry.  If you start to have withdrawals then I can drop you off a loaner until you decide.

 
 
 

[Luap McKeever]

Luap - what are you going to replace that Indian with ?  It seems to me that your bike inventory is down, and needs to be replenished.

Don't worry.  If you start to have withdrawals then I can drop you off a loaner until you decide.

 
 
 

not replacing it with anything at all. The Goldwing does everything the Challenger did, and much more easily and comfortable to boot.

[MikeP996]

Rocket 3 might be a fun experience!!!  :)

[Bulldog9]

After 40K+ trouble free miles, I sold my Indian Challenger. It was a great bike, but ever since I inherited the 2007 Goldwing from my uncle, I soon found out that for a 19 year old motorcycle, it was so much better in so many ways than the 6 year old Indian.

Now, I'll just patiently wait until Moto Guzzi builds a big 'ol big block touring rig..."patiently" being the keyword. Until then, I reckon this Wing will still be going strong. I mean, it only has 85K on it. This bike is that good.

Gold Wings really are hard to beat.

[PJPR01]

Indeed they are…that’s why I added a 2021 Goldwing Bagger to the fleet a few years ago…amazing bike!

[kballowe]

not replacing it with anything at all. The Goldwing does everything the Challenger did, and much more easily and comfortable to boot.

Yes, but MORE MOTORCYCLES is better !!!

Say it !

 

[Luap McKeever]

Yes, but MORE MOTORCYCLES is better !!!

Say it !

 

Good point. I've always digged the Griso's so you just never know. That’s a niche I don’t have covered right now. If the right one were to pop up, I would be inclined to snag it.

[faffi]

Gold Wings are very versatile https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PR46Lyv91yY

[PJPR01]

Long distance days in full comfort....hard to beat the Goldwing!  The Norge is great for touring, but the Goldwing is another level entirely!

[Bisbee]

Everyone seems to love their Goldwing. I am , though, intimidated by the size, weight and massiveness of the creature. Perhaps a test ride could change that. And maybe I am just not enough of a manly man to handle it.

[PeteS]

Our 2004 Goldwing served us well. I traded it two years ago for my V85 after my wife was unable to ride. It was my two up bike for the long haul but I rarely rode it alone. Don’t miss it too much but it was great in the cold weather for sure, one year we left for Bike Week while it was snowing and I survived.

Pete

[Turin]

Does anybody else build anything that competes with the GW besides HD Indian and BMW?

[TN Mark]

No, no they don’t. Frankly, the H-D tourer sort of competes with the Wing in comfort for rider and passenger plus ergonomics. But no BMW does.

[PJPR01]

The BMW K1600 GT or GTL would be the closest and worthy competitor of the Goldwing...they are frequently compared in side by side tests.

Both are very comfortable tourers...

[SemperVee]

 Have a love hate relationship with my Goldwings... I would go into a turn and a fraction of a second later the Goldwing dense tonnage would follow me!   Truly.  From the Original GL1000 with kickstart in 1977  I got new for $2800 out the door in SoCal and outfitted iwth Kerker exhaust and Lester mag wheels and Windjammer fairing to the massive GL1800 I took for a ride before getting my K1200LT BMW. *NOW that was a massive sport bike in touring costume. 

[Huzo]

No, no they don’t. Frankly, the H-D tourer sort of competes with the Wing in comfort for rider and passenger plus ergonomics. But no BMW does.

Isn’t that 1600 six a contender ?

[PJPR01]

Isn’t that 1600 six a contender ?

That's what I posted above Huzo...the K1600 GT or GTL are contenders to the Goldwing...see a couple posts up.

[PJPR01]

Have a love hate relationship with my Goldwings... I would go into a turn and a fraction of a second later the Goldwing dense tonnage would follow me!   Truly.  From the Original GL1000 with kickstart in 1977  I got new for $2800 out the door in SoCal and outfitted iwth Kerker exhaust and Lester mag wheels and Windjammer fairing to the massive GL1800 I took for a ride before getting my K1200LT BMW. *NOW that was a massive sport bike in touring costume.

They are not as flickable as the Norge, the newer ones (2018+) are significantly lighter than prior generations, but you still have to be very conscious about carrying that weight into the corner much more so than the Guzzi's, plus they scrape a lot sooner on the footpegs...but once you figure it out, they are very enjoyable even in the twisties.

[PeteS]

They are not as flickable as the Norge, the newer ones (2018+) are significantly lighter than prior generations, but you still have to be very conscious about carrying that weight into the corner much more so than the Guzzi's, plus they scrape a lot sooner on the footpegs...but once you figure it out, they are very enjoyable even in the twisties.

I upgraded the suspension on my 2004. Traction Dynamics on the back, Racetech Emulators in the front. Made a huge difference in handling and no more scraping hard parts in the turns.
Installing the rear shock also involves refilling the oil reservoir for the electric preload. Before there was no movement below 6 out of ten. After refilling movement would start right at the bottom. Even if you don’t swap the shock, best check to see that the oil reservoir is full.

Pete

[Huzo]

That's what I posted above Huzo...the K1600 GT or GTL are contenders to the Goldwing...see a couple posts up.

Sorry Paul.

[Moparnut72]

My son just visited for a week with his 1600 Beemer. What a monster. I was given the option to ride it. No thanks. All I had to do was drop it and do $1,000 or more in damage, probably a lot more. I told him if he dropped it the insurance company might even total it. No crash bars and it didn't look like there was even a place to attach them.
kk

[Ncdan]

Gold Wings really are hard to beat.

Yep and it really does not matter what year model you’re talking about as they all have been great motorcycles.

[SIR REAL ED]

My son just visited for a week with his 1600 Beemer. What a monster. I was given the option to ride it. No thanks. All I had to do was drop it and do $1,000 or more in damage, probably a lot more. I told him if he dropped it the insurance company might even total it. No crash bars and it didn't look like there was even a place to attach them.
kk

Very true.  More than a few bikes get totaled in slow speed crashes.

One of my friends had his Ducati fall off the side stand at zero mph, the result was $3,000 in damage!!!  If you have ever priced out a stock muffler, you can understand the popularity of aftermarket exhaust systems.

A friend and I stopped into a small restaurant for lunch one day.  Very gusty winds.  We were riding a DR650 & a DRZ400.  I commented "It doesn't matter how we park these bikes.  It will be a miracle if they don't blow over while we are eating lunch."

Sure enough, both were on the ground when we came out.  No damage.

[Ncdan]

Everyone seems to love their Goldwing. I am , though, intimidated by the size, weight and massiveness of the creature. Perhaps a test ride could change that. And maybe I am just not enough of a manly man to handle it.

Give one a test ride someday. You will be amazed how nimble and light the bike actually feels. The center of gravity on these bikes is very low and you simply do not feel the weight unless you get it extremely off-balance.
That being said, they are a little difficult if you try to move them around in your garage or basement by pushing them
Personally, when I have to move a large bike like that and I can find area, I simply sit on the seat, started up and use the bikes on power to move it around.

[TN Mark]

I'd love to see a Honda Goldwing 'bagger' version with hard saddlebags and a windshield.

Forgo some of the fancy electronics but keep things bluetooth, reverse, cruise control and anti lock brakes. IMHO, it would be a great seller. As in 'Take My Money' popular. The full touring version for those who want it and the Bagger version for the rest of us.

Sort of like a very updated Honda Valkyrie Tourer from years back.