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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 02:36 pm | 21st Post |
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You know, I've had a couple Harleys in my younger day, and there were 3 things I could never keep while I had one.
1.) A case of oil in my garage
2.) My tools cleen
3.) Up with anything that didn't say Harley Davidson on the tank
I ride with Harley riders every weekend, and these guys take exceptional care of their bikes, yet I keep a full tool kit in one saddlebag, and a 20' tow strap in the other...why? Because they're necessary, and not for my bike. 
This season I rode road guard on a run with a Patch-holder from the club who was on his brand new, all stock Heritage Softtail. At the 3rd stop on the run, he walks up and asks me if he should consider the Stage 2 big bore kit for his bike, I ask him why...he says "Because, I can't keep up with you"
28 year old 1100cc Wing vs. 6 month old 1200cc HD. Hmmmm...
Yeah...give me 2 of those "superior" HD's please. LOL!
Don't get me wrong, I like the look of an HD, and with the exception of the fart-knocker who has open headers and feels the need to let everyone within a 1 square mile know it regularly, I don't mind the sound...But the fact remains, and I see it every weekend, you simply cannot shake a machine that hard, and that much, and expect it to remain in one piece for very long.
Mike
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Mike Kramer
Proudly supporting Viet Nam Vets and Legacy Vets M/C
Red is for the blood shed Black is for the mourning
Been riding that 1980 beauty to the left since 1989
Helpful Hint: Traffic lights timed for 35mph are also timed for 70, 105, and 140!
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Littlejohn
Very Active Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 02:45 pm | 22nd Post |
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| To understand the difference between both bikes you really have to ride 100 miles on one and then step right onto the other. I own a fully dressed GL1800 and my mate used to own the local N Ireland Harley dealership. We go for the odd rideout together, swapping bikes now and then. I rode his Electraglide Ultraclassic 100 miles around the North Antrim coast road and to be honest was glad to get off it. I just loved the look of the harley in electric blue. When we stopped at junctions however my mate on my wing had a huge smile on his face whilst every bone on my body was vibrating. I love the style of the Electraglide but the ride is a real off-put due to the vibration created by the engine. The GL1800 is so smooth you can put it on cruise control and ride it with one finger on the bars. Totally different experience. The wing wants to go around sharp twisty roads whilst the Harley has to be physically ridden round them. I used to dream of one day owning a Harley Electraglide Ultraclassic until I bought my GL1800 Wing and having ridden the Harley a few times I wouldn't think of actually buying one. The Harley is really special to look at but not a great riding experience and on the road will not come anywhere near the riding experience of the GL1800 Goldwing.
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Candy Red 2003 GL1800A3
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Monk
Active Member
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Posted: Wed Aug 6th, 2008 04:11 pm | 23rd Post |
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I have never ridden a Harley, so I can't comment on the ride or comfort. Last month I took a 4,000 mile trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Mount Rushmore and back to Arkansas with my friend who owns an Ultra.
I noticed that he had trouble keeping up on the twisty roads, especially when there was a lot of elevation change. The Chief Joseph Highway was the best example. We made one stop at an overlook where he told me he was too busy shifting gears. With the 1800 there was no need.
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1994 GL1500 - 2001-2006
2003 GL1800 - Dec. 2006 - Oct. 2007
2008 GL1800 - Nov. 2007 to Present
Retired and riding Arkansas
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Del Que
Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 07:31 am | 24th Post |
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I thank you all for your comments and I hope there are many more to come. I guess since this is a Goldwing forum, I am not surprised to hear some negative comments about the Harley. Most of the negative comments are centered around engine vibration, and I can't deny that the Harley, by it's design, vibrates, and the Goldwing, by it's design, does not. I also freely admit that the primary source of my infatuation with the Goldwing is it's incredibly smooth delivery of power at any RPM. In that respect, the Harley cannot compete. But I feel like I need to stand up and defend my bike a little. People say they fall apart and beat themselves to death, and maybe it will someday. But so far, after 32,000 miles, it has been perfect. Zero problems. The ride and comfort are excellent, even at the end of a long day. Maybe I should knock on wood, bragging on it like this, but if you ignore that characteristic engine vibration for which they are so famous, it has been absolutely perfect. It starts and runs excellent, all the time, every time, hot or cold, any weather, any conditions. I have ridden it in the rain, in the cold, in the mountains, in the HOT plains of Nebraska where it was over 105 degrees for three days in a row, at 75 mph ALL DAY LONG. Nothing bothers it. You can say what you want about the Harleys, but this has been one magnificent motorcycle and I find it hard to believe that mine is the only one and the rest of them are junk. Harleys may have a little bit of a bad reputation to overcome, but I can tell you they are much better than they used to be in years past. They are good bikes now. They are a traditional design, and may not be as refined as the Goldwing, but they are not junk. The Electra-Glide is a pure pleasure to ride and I still look forward to it every time. For the first two years I owned it, I thought there was no other motorcycle in this world that I would rather have. Now, after riding a new Goldwing a couple of times, I concede that there may now be TWO motorcycles in the world that I could love. But it is not a done deal. There are things I like better about both of them. It is not an easy or obvious choice, especially since the Electra-Glide is mine and paid for, and the Goldwing is not. To use an analogy, it's like I am married to the Electra-Glide and I love her, but I have recently had an affair with the Goldwing and I can't get her off my mind. Do I love her more, or is it only a passing thing? Only time will tell. If I was independently wealthy, there is nothing I would like better than to own them both for a year or so and make up my mind, but that is not an option. So I have to learn about the realities of the Goldwing in other ways, one of which is this forum. So I appreciate all your comments, even if some are negative. In the end, I will do as I damn well please. But I will do so well informed, partially thanks to you good people on this forum. I thank you.
Rick
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Live To Ride -- Ride To Eat
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Silverfox
Forum Diplomat
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 09:28 am | 25th Post |
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I have never ridden a Harley, and don't know anyone that owns the particular model that you have, but I do ride with some guys who have Harleys and they are all just as clean as my Wing, if not cleaner. Two out of three of them, would I doubt,even consider buying a Wing, since their Harleys give them what they want. And this is the point of my post, what we ride is nearly always about what we want. Who am I to say that my Harley, BMW or Hyabusa friend is wrong for riding that sort of bike and that they should ride Wings?
The only true way to find out which bike will suit you best is to go and ride one and get a proper feel for it, so I would also recommend that you rent an 1800 for at least a day and get a proper feel for it. If afterwards, you feel that the Harley that you have is still perfectly suited to your riding wants, then don't bother spending the cash, but if you feel the Wing to be more what you desire, then don't hesitate, change!!!
As for the 1800, I love it and got to owning one, by way of impulse buy, having test ridden it, after having various Wings since I was 22. I was very happy with my 1500, and had no real complaints against it, but both Helen and I knew, as soon as we rode the 1800 down the road on that test ride that we were going back to put down a deposit on it. 
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Pete
Calhoun Pictures.. Click to View..
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handyrandy
Very Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 10:36 am | 26th Post |
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The only things Harleys are good for is showin off and disturbing the peace! 
Goldwings Rule!!
Just playing around, welcome to the board!
Last edited on Thu Aug 21st, 2008 03:03 pm by handyrandy
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81' GL 1100 Standard with Vetter 5 fairing with lowers, radio pod and Hondaline suitcase bags and trunk.
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98Wing-487
Senior Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 11:17 am | 27th Post |
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Del Que,
It's nice to hear an honest opinion of one's own Harley. I love the looks of a Harley but just can't shake the thought of buying something that shakes so much and has a reputation of being unreliable. I haven't ridden a Harley in nearly 20 years so I can't compare it to my '98 1500.
Everyone I personally know that has a Harley has had trouble with them. Full rebuilds, top & bottom. Most had problems in the 20 - 30,000 mile range. They all ride lots of miles and none of them will ever ride anything else. Loyal to the bone. One friend of mine has put over $12,000 into a bike he paid $20,000 for in 1998. My bike is a '98, has 36,000 miles on it and all I've done is change the oil, brake pads and tires. (knock on wood).
You are literally comparing apples and oranges. Wish I could help you more with a comparison. Wings are big and bulky, but man are they smooth and quiet.
Good Luck!!
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 12:30 pm | 28th Post |
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This is always a hot topic it seems!! I have had just about all brands of bikes, and still have an old Harley, and really like that 1200 Sportster. But I like all bikes, if it is a motorcycle, I most likely would like to ride it. .
From mechanical problems and electrical problems.......the modern Harley and the modern Wing are somewhat comparable.....just different.
The Harley during the 1970 to 1986 year or so.......was awful....you could count on it having serious problems. I can remember taking the jugs off of more than one in a parking area......in the yard......to replace the rings and sometimes take the engine out and replace the worn out pistons.....the engines just did not last. I had a brand new sportster......with 6500 miles on it that required a complete rebuild, then I purchased an 1974 Electra Glide and was going up a hill one day and by the time I got to the top of the hill with the throttle wide open I was going 30 mph.....the whole top of the front piston had blown off and separated. It had 4200 miles on it....and was made by AMF.........
Then came better times........but along with them still very bad decisions by the engineers who developed the engines.....the engines of the 1990 era that you hear so much about having to do a top end job on......actually deals with the overhead cam end rod bearings. They would go.......in the 30,000 mile range......it could be counted on.........this has been changed, actually now the end of the rods are now the bearings.....a whole different design. Then there was the cam chains.......had to put kits on them........then there was the nylon bushings in the transmissions........never did figure that one out......why in the world they did that.
The modern Harley.......from about 1998 and up.....though is a pretty good bike. Yes it is air cooled.....the top end change you still hear about is an option........a power upgrade......not a requirement......some of the transmissions developed a whine in low and sixth gear.......was due to a design trial with a bevel cut gear........
I know a whole lot of modern Harley bikes that are approaching 100,000 miles with no major needed engine work. I also know of a couple that have failed under 40,000 and when you take the engine apart.....you can see how the heat has burned the pistons and scored the cylinder walls. The tops of the pistons always have close to 1/4 inch of baked on carbon.......and I think that is what happens......they get hot...sitting in traffic......or an owner hotrods one a bit and carbon gets between the rings and the cylinder wall......in any event there will be this big amber burned spot on the cylinder wall......the the piston sometimes even has chunks broken out...it is an air cooled motor.....and does depend upon the use habits of the owner.....and conditions it is ridden under. So they are much better.......but not like a water cooled engine........simply because all air cooled engines ........Harley, Triumph, BSA, all of them can simply be expected to have problems.
The wings have had problems too.........the most outstanding one is the frame situation that occurs on some of the bikes. That is not a real common one.......but it has happened with some........and that is just as serious as a blown engine.....and just as expensive........
The both have electrical problems.....about the same....there is not much difference in that.
The Harley is kinda the American heritage.......louder pipes and has that slow easy gait that only a thumper engine can give . There is no more enjoyment in the world than on a cool fall day to ride the back roads and watch the color change of the leaves and just ease along and listen to a well tuned Harley put you in a different world. As for the fellows having tatoos.....no helmets.......the whole traditioanal thing, hey I have no problem with that.....that whole attitude is what originally developed this country.....the rebelious spirit...the sense of freedom and telling the government what it can do with .
The wing on the other hand is for those of us who invest in a motorcycle and want to have it for a long time. We know we can ride it to 200,000 miles with only a few minor electrical issues for the most part(yep there are exceptions to that one too)
It is powerful........it is quiet and reliable. Most of us who ride them have gained years of experience with bikes......so we tend to try to do risk management, we wear helmets, and protective gear.....we ride the bikes during the week not just on the weekends.......we are the experienced group......we know what can happen on the road.....and try to manage it. So you have two different mindsets.
I have a few Harley riding friends.........they are all good guys.......they are not going to steal your children or hold up the local bank They are just loyal to their bikes....their mindset.....and are just a bit more rebellious than the rest of us.
To get into a discussion like this is okay I suppose......as long as we can do it and not stomp on anyones feelings..........motorcycles are quite the enjoyable experience.....and we should keep it in that light.......all mechanical things will have problems.....some just more than others.........hey I just had a very serious problem with my clutch assembly on my Wing.....it was a factory error........so there is no sure things.
The bikers spirit and attitude is alive and well whether you ride a Harley or a Wing......there are snobs on both sides......but they are the exception.
I like all bikes.......and all bikers for the most part........does not matter to me.
Kit
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GPS GURU (NOT)
The Goldwing GL1800 is by far the best motorcycle ever designed in the world. Just to take a test ride on one is a dangerous thing, as you will just have to have one.
Returned to the Darkside, Khumo Run Flat 195/55/16
Test pilot days are over. The Khumo is the real deal.
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98Wing-487
Senior Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 02:55 pm | 29th Post |
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| Well put Kit....
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dingdong
Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 03:03 pm | 30th Post |
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Check out this comparison on Youtube, might surprise you. Tom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB1gtpKS2Wc
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dingdong
Tom
Yellow 76 gl1000 The Bumble Bee
Member, Wild Rhinos, Oklahoma Chapter
Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
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Del Que
Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 05:35 pm | 31st Post |
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Kit,
What are the frame problems and electrical problems you spoke of on the Goldwing?
Thanks..... Rick
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Live To Ride -- Ride To Eat
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 06:55 pm | 32nd Post |
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Del Que wrote: Kit,
What are the frame problems and electrical problems you spoke of on the Goldwing?
Thanks..... Rick
Well unfortunately some of the Honda 1800 frames had a few problems. This deals with the 1800 only. Does not concern any other model. But the aluminum frame would occasionally crack in one or more places. The breaks were in areas such as some bikes had to and still have to be mostly stripped......and the frame positioned so a good weld can be made. A lot of the bikes recalled......never developed the frame problems......some did......a few still do......so it is not an epidemic just something to be aware of. But it is an expensive thing........if for say you are hooked up with a trailer hitch and the frame has problems.......and get stuck with the bill for repair.....but Honda has so far honored all frame repairs.......it is just a big hassle and you are without your bike for quite some time......and if you do get caught with a trailer hitch.....it is all your tab.
Electrical.........Harley or Goldwing......they all have alternator situations.....switch problems.......shorts.......that kind of thing.......really see no difference between the two in that regards.
However the frame problem is now cured........any bike past 2005......so far......I have not heard of any situation with any of them...have saw no recalls......no bulletins.....so I think that one is in the past.
Kit
____________________
GPS GURU (NOT)
The Goldwing GL1800 is by far the best motorcycle ever designed in the world. Just to take a test ride on one is a dangerous thing, as you will just have to have one.
Returned to the Darkside, Khumo Run Flat 195/55/16
Test pilot days are over. The Khumo is the real deal.
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wrongway
Senior Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 07:16 pm | 33rd Post |
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Hi Rick. Welcome to our little forum. I'm an unbiased Goldwing owner. In cars, trucks or bikes I've never been what people refer to as "brand loyal". I've also never owned a harley.
Recently I traded in my 1998 goldwing 1500 with 116,000 miles, on a new (to us) 2005 goldwing with 25,000 miles.
I do ride with harley riders and I've never in my life seen a more "brand loyal" group of individuals. My boss has a 2008 ultra and he also falls into the "brand loyal" category.
When I bought my 2005 1800 goldwing, if we were buying a bike based on looks alone my wife and I both agree that we would have bought the ultra.
However, we seem to love touring and based on the following things we chose the goldwing:
- Longevity - we wanted a bike that we could ride for at least 100,000 miles without engine work. We have too many friends who have had engine rebuilds at 60,000 miles or less.
- Comfort - Not comfort of the harley but comfort in our trust of the honda product.
- Seating - we did sit on an ultra at the dealership a year ago and the passenger seat area is a lot smaller than on the goldwing. The salesman told us that we could purchase a trunk relocation kit that would move the trunk back 3".
At the end of the day if we were financially able to trade every 3 years we may have gone for the harley, who knows.
We never did go through the exercise of riding the harley for the reasons given above.
I think this is a completely unbiased opinion and hopefully you'll come to a conclusion that makes you smile a lot because I must say that the goldwing 1800 makes me smile a lot with it's handling abilities and the unlimited availability of instant power.
Enough said.
Enjoy 
____________________
Greg (wrongway)& wife Bonnie
Previous bikes from recent are:1998 Goldwing SE,
2001 Valkyrie Standard, 2005 Vulcan 1500, 2000 750 Shadow....30 year absence....350 Honda, 175 Bridgstone, 305 Honda, 125 Kawasaki
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Punty
Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 07:40 pm | 34th Post |
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Well put Kit
Mana for you
best wishes
Punty
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“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” - Joseph Campbell
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 10:33 pm | 35th Post |
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Shhhhhhh......MANA..........I had best hurry up and put a lock on the lid......there is a mana thief loose on here somewhere.......but has fully eluded capture so far. Kit
____________________
GPS GURU (NOT)
The Goldwing GL1800 is by far the best motorcycle ever designed in the world. Just to take a test ride on one is a dangerous thing, as you will just have to have one.
Returned to the Darkside, Khumo Run Flat 195/55/16
Test pilot days are over. The Khumo is the real deal.
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Sandy Eggo
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 12:20 am | 36th Post |
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Whichever bike you choose, realize that each has it's own "image". The Harley rider is typecast as a rebel, hence the black tee shirt, all the leather, etc. The Goldwing rider is typecast as an old man that can't ride past a Dairy Queen without stopping.
Like it or not, you'll be typecast either way.
____________________
'88 GL1500
¡Viva Los Cargadores!
IBA #33900
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98Wing-487
Senior Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 12:37 am | 37th Post |
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Sandy Eggo wrote: Whichever bike you choose, realize that each has it's own "image". The Harley rider is typecast as a rebel, hence the black tee shirt, all the leather, etc. The Goldwing rider is typecast as an old man that can't ride past a Dairy Queen without stopping.
Like it or not, you'll be typecast either way.
Yep...
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stickyfingers
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Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 01:09 am | 38th Post |
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| I have owned a few of both, and comparing the two using the same rules is silly. Obviously,HD can't be that bad, if you judge by the amount of bikes you see on the road and at meets. Not too many years ago when I would take a cross country trip, I would see packs of Wings, single Wings, small groups of Wings, and always a few at almost any motel. I just got back from NFL and I can tell you that all thru the NE USA and Canada, the HD's outnumbered the Wings by a huge margin. Second in line were the sport tourers, and I even saw a lot of BMW's. Way more that I used to. I went to a charity poker run last weekend. Yep....two hunnerd and fity bikes. Guess what. TWO Wings. Myself on my 06 and one other guy ona 1200. There were a few North Star scoots there and a shadow or two and VTX, but we were totally put to shame by the HD guys. The only thing was, when we left the parking area I had to keep looking at my tach to see if my scoot was running. Ha ha. HD KNOWS how to market their product, clothes, and bling. Honda does not have a clue. I ride what I ride because that's what I chose to ride. It has nothing to do with image, or the opinions of folks on forums or anywhere else. If a guy buys a scoot and wants to ride it a few miles on the weekend....his money, his choice. Plenty of Wingers and HD's both do that. If they wanna travel on a moped...more power to 'em. Just ride, wave and be friends. I have met plenty of brand snoots in my day, and I'm sorry, I just don't have the time for that sport. Not at my age.....too busy having fun anyhoo.........
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2006 GL1800
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SC
Senior Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 01:24 am | 39th Post |
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Sandy Eggo wrote:
I'd stick to the Harley. From the number of posts that show up on this forum where people try to justify their purchase of a Goldwing by comparing it to a Harley, it's obvious many people suffer from "Buyer's Remorse."
Yup
Buyers remourse = change of image
HD or Honda 
up on 2 is up on 2 
Just remember the good guys ride a Honda 
____________________
CAUTION: expressed opinion may lead to chaffing, a FOIL HAT and or FOIL UNDERWAEAR are highly recommended for your protection
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schmidtap
Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 01:33 am | 40th Post |
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| Since I've never owned one, can't say much. I would love a HD, but for now I have my 77 1000. In looking at both bikes and the Yamaha Venture, I'd say the deciding factor for me so far is both bikes fully loaded the HD 30K the Wing 19K
____________________
Andrew P Schmidt
1977 Honda GL1000 Goldwing (AKA the Money Pit)
Patriot Guard Riders - Standing For Those Who Stood For Us
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