Test rode a new bike and have made a purchase!

[redjay]

They have brand new 2013 and 2014's for sale locally. Must be a tough sell here in Ontario.

[recumbentbob]

Originally Posted by redjay

They have brand new 2013 and 2014's for sale locally. Must be a tough sell here in Ontario.

Same here in southern Indiana.
Not a very good seller around here.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Dave

I was seriously looking at one but the deal killer for me was no ABS. How hard would it have been for Honda to port it over from the Goldwing. Especially for the price they're asking for the F6B.

Because even with the goldwing, to get ABS one must get the next to highest trim line which is around 28K. If they offered it with the F6B, they probably think it would take away from GW sales. If I am paying 28K for a bike, it'll be a K1600, not a goldwing. Honda has left the bike pretty much the same for 15 years. That's way too long in tooth, at least for me.

[CBO Vaquero]

Originally Posted by ponch

Because even with the goldwing, to get ABS one must get the next to highest trim line which is around 28K. If they offered it with the F6B, they probably think it would take away from GW sales. If I am paying 28K for a bike, it'll be a K1600, not a goldwing. Honda has left the bike pretty much the same for 15 years. That's way too long in tooth, at least for me.

Why mess with success! The GL1800 platform is a very successful bike and other than the 2012 restyle it's still awesome. I had a 02 GL1800 and loved it, sold it and that was a mistake. Now that I have the F6B it's like getting back my old friend. Rode 611 miles this past Saturday, me and the wife did another 121 on sunday and Monday I got in another 343 miles average mileage is right around 51 mpg. Ultra smooth and killer looks I get complimented everywhere I go with it.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by CBO Vaquero

Why mess with success! The GL1800 platform is a very successful bike and other than the 2012 restyle it's still awesome. I had a 02 GL1800 and loved it, sold it and that was a mistake. Now that I have the F6B it's like getting back my old friend. Rode 611 miles this past Saturday, me and the wife did another 121 on sunday and Monday I got in another 343 miles average mileage is right around 51 mpg. Ultra smooth and killer looks I get complimented everywhere I go with it.

It all depends. Once you ride a bike that's more refined, it changes expectations and as time goes on and a bike gets more long in tooth, I would expect sales to go down. In the case of the ST, they didn't make it every year and I think they skipped a year with the GW too. Wonder why? I don't understand the reticence in investing in improvements. Even HDs have made huge strides. Not saying it's a bad bike, but why buy a Crown Vic when a 750IL or S8 are available and it's in the the same price neighborhood?

[redjay]

Ponch, how would you improve on the Gold Wing ?

What does it not have that you would want ?

[ponch]

Originally Posted by redjay

Ponch, how would you improve on the Gold Wing ?

What does it not have that you would want ?

Make it 150-175lbs lighter, have 6 speeds, ABS standard, an electrically adjustable windscreen, RbW w/traction control, bluetooth integration, removable GPS port, quick detachable luggage, and a user interface that doesn't have 100 buttons and is easy to use and navigate.

[redjay]

Pretty hard to make a 1800cc 6 cylinder touring bike 150-170 lbs lighter.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by redjay

Pretty hard to make a 1800cc 6 cylinder touring bike 150-170 lbs lighter.

Didn't say it had to be 1800 ccs. BMW does just as well or better with power and torque with 1650ccs and it's that much lighter. If BMW can do it, Honda can. It's that they won't.

[CBO Vaquero]

6 speeds? It only needs 2, 2nd gear from start to 30 mph and 5th from there. Everybody don't need ABS so it's an option. Electric windscreen, removable bags, traction control? Your BMW side is starting to show.....

[ponch]

Originally Posted by CBO Vaquero

6 speeds? It only needs 2, 2nd gear from start to 30 mph and 5th from there. Everybody don't need ABS so it's an option. Electric windscreen, removable bags, traction control? Your BMW side is starting to show.....

Like I said, once you've had refinement, it raises expectations. FWIW, 6 speeds works out. I know of a couple people that have toured two with a K bike at speeds up to 140, not that I advocate that, but it's possible. ABS is a must. BMW has had it standard on all models since 2007. I wouldn't buy a bike without it after having it. All I can say is most don't know what they are missing. FWIW, I think Honda could build a competitive bike as they have the R&D and $$ to do it and more so than any other japanese bike manufacturer. Thing is, when an Ultra Limited comes with more features, honda really needs to step up to the plate. They've had 4 years now.

[redjay]

Originally Posted by ponch

Didn't say it had to be 1800 ccs. BMW does just as well or better with power and torque with 1650ccs and it's that much lighter. If BMW can do it, Honda can. It's that they won't.

I was asking how you would make the Gold Wing better presuming we were still talking about the Gold Wing platform ie a 1800 six.
A completely redesigned bike would not be a Gold Wing.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by redjay

I was asking how you would make the Gold Wing better presuming we were still talking about the Gold Wing platform ie a 1800 six.
A completely redesigned bike would not be a Gold Wing.

That's not necessarily true. BMW still makes a R1200RT, but it's a completely different bike from mine parts wise. Better in every way too. Same could be said going from a 1500 GW to an 1800 GW. Different bikes nearly completely.

[redjay]

Improvements to the current Gold Wing would increase the price of an already very costly motorcycle.

I don't think Honda has to keep up with improvements to an Ultra.
Different customer base.

[CBO Vaquero]

Originally Posted by ponch

Like I said, once you've had refinement, it raises expectations. FWIW, 6 speeds works out. I know of a couple people that have toured two with a K bike at speeds up to 140, not that I advocate that, but it's possible. ABS is a must. BMW has had it standard on all models since 2007. I wouldn't buy a bike without it after having it. All I can say is most don't know what they are missing. FWIW, I think Honda could build a competitive bike as they have the R&D and $$ to do it and more so than any other japanese bike manufacturer. Thing is, when an Ultra Limited comes with more features, honda really needs to step up to the plate. They've had 4 years now.

I'm not getting into this.....your starting to sound like a broken advertisement record for beemer.