I guess they just had to be like HD, Yamaha made liquid cooled V4s for years and it was a pretty good engine. It is a nice looking ride with lots of nice features but with the V-twin I'm not interested.
Nice looking bike. Priced right, and has a 6th gear overdrive. (I wish honda would have this) But i agree with others above, All of that plastic blocking the air cooled engine?? Sounds like a short life engine.
It does have a few nice things on it. I had the smart key on my 09 Concours and it is great. No messing with a key.
Smart Key System
Simplify every ride thanks to Yamaha’s Smart Key system. The remote key fob only needs to be in the rider’s pocket in order to access the luggage system, start the bike, and ride.
Voice command, sounds nice.
Integrated Infotainment System
With a high-output audio system and a large, high-mounted touch and voice controlled infotainment system, the Star Venture puts the rider in command. Music, navigation, communications and vehicle systems are integrated cleanly into a single system that sets new standards for two-wheeled technology.
Maybe it won't crack like the wing did!!
Advanced Chassis
Designed around a rigid chassis and advanced suspension systems, the Star Venture is built to offer Yamaha’s renowned handling ability when the road turns twisty, without losing the comfort or straight-line confidence expected from a luxury tourer.
The benefits are it has a fresh modern look, and like the HD will probably be known as a cool bike, not a heavy bike like the GW. Has amenities that we have come to think of as the normal. Who would buy a new car if it doesn't have the nav system and integrated electronics? Honda would do well to look at this and get a fresh new look for the GW. Air cooled engine won't matter to those who want the other amenities such as an electrically operated windshield, heated back rest for the passenger, keyless operation, and the likes.
I was excited when Yamaha mentioned a new touring bike. Then I saw it was a V-Twin. No thanks! I ride with a bunch of V-Twin guys, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and mostly HD, they all complain about the heat when we ride. Every time I've ridden a V-Twin I've hated it, far less power, more noise, more vibration, etc. I have no such issues from my Goldwing....just the Day Star out here in the desert.
That being said, I do think that Honda needs to step up their game a bit. The Goldwing is awesome, but extremely dated by this point. They need to step up the electronics, transmission, and possibly the suspension at this point.
(The one thing that really chaps my backside is the lack of a trunk light in a bike this expensive. Gah!!)
When I upgraded to my '85 LTD (still have my 1800), I noticed that Honda included a number of items that are not available on the 1800 to this day such as a trunk light, oil pressure and temperature, switching from KPH to MPH (great for touring through the US) and the likes. Surely these could be included on the 1800 with the newer technology. I do miss the reverse. The GPS on the 1800 is good but an upgrade is hard to do. A stand alone GPS would be an improvement.
I really believe that Mudda Honda has either decided to let their heavy weight tourer fade off into obsolescence, or they can't make the investment required to be competitive anymore. The 'Wing has always been a class leader and seems to be heading quickly towards "also ran".
The old dog just ain't hunting along with some of the new breeds. As a consumer and loyal Honda fan I'm hoping for a whole lot more innovation and market awareness from Big Red in the near future.
It's a nice looking bike. What killed it was that v-twin, air cooled engine. It's simpler, but not really better. Yeah, we got a lot of plastic covering the engine, but then, one must raise the hood to look at the engine in a car. Doesn't make me want to hang for sale signs on my wings.
I had a V-Star for a couple of years and it was a good bike. Lots of pooh-bah here about a v-twin, but there is much to be said about the engine. They don't have to shake you to death like the Harleys do. Even those smooth out at speed. Here is a nice stat on this bike: 2750 rpm at 75 mph in top gear. That should say something about longevity, it hardly works.
I like the smoothness, and quiet, of my Wing, but I would ride that Yamaha
I agree with the seemingly overwhelming consensus. Looked great, until the v-twin motivation made it's presence known. The front end is fresh, but the rest of it just looks like HD to me. I'll be keeping my keys...and holding my breath for a new wing in '18
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This article talks about a new and improved Goldwing coming. This article doesn't make sense about the 2018 Goldwing, especially what I have in red type in their quote:
Check out the 2018 Honda Goldwing review at sukses2018.club. Use our Car Buying Guide to research 2018 Honda Goldwing prices, specs, photos, videos. The well-rounded 2018 Honda Goldwing does just about everything you’re probably looking for in a three-row family SUV. Get in-depth expert information for the 2018 Honda Goldwing including reviews, pricing, features and photos on http://sukses2018.club. New and used 2018 Honda Goldwing vehicles. Select a year to find 2018 Honda Goldwing pricing, reviews, photos, and videos.
This article talks about a new and improved Goldwing coming. This article doesn't make sense about the 2018 Goldwing, especially what I have in red type in their quote:
Looks like they just did some body work to the Royal Star Venture (discontinued in 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Royal_Star_Venture), and removed the water-cooled V-4 engine and replaced it with an air-cooled V-twin. Still just another glorified cruiser like before, and really no different than any other manufacturer other than Honda. Honda has the only "upright" touring bike. Kawasaki's 03 Voyager XII was the last touring bike like the Goldwing, Yamaha stopped their similar one in the early 90's, and I don't think Suzuki's made it through the 80's.
I traded my air-cooled 09 V-Star 950 Tourer (the only air-cooled "street" model that year from Yamaha) for a 95 GL1500A. The 950T had a windshield, saddlebags and passenger backrest standard, but with my feet out in front, it put a lot of pressure on my lower back. I took two big trips on it, but I was completely worn out by the end. I've since been on all the manufacturers new "touring bikes", nothing beats the Goldwing at this point. I didn't start riding till I turned 50.
How can anybody take that site seriously? They show an '84 Aspencade as a possible 2018 model. Sites like that seem dangerous to me. Their stupidity is contagious.
Who writes this stuff? :ROFL:
Hey, maybe the picture of the 1984 really is the 2018. A retro model with all modern features except one, where's the windshield wiper? :surprise:
Can we call it, "Idiot Journalism?". It is so badly written that it could be funny (see above quote).
A little (bad) humor from the Internet that is what the site seems to be, writers grasping at straws to make the site work and to think they actually pay people to 'Blog' that stuff. I wonder who owns the site?
My guess is as good as their's. Got out the crystal ball and this showed up. :ROFL:
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