I have read the MCN review of Honda Goldwing 2012 gl1800. I found it interesting and informative.
I have just bought a new 2012 Goldwing myself and thought I would write my own review. Firstly I am new to Goldwings. Been hankering after one for some time and have now taken the plunge. My previous bike was a triumph rocket 111. I mention I am new to Goldwings just to convey the point I come with an open fresh mind without any ideas of what they have made good or destroyed from the past.
In short I am brand new to the bike and come with an open mind. Size and Handling. Many will view a Goldwing and dismiss it on the point of size. It’s as simple as that. However, it really is quite startling how easy it is to ride and manage a Goldwing.
It is NOT a difficult bike to handle throw around and or manoeuvre. It is startlingly easy. Too be frank I have ridden bicycles that are more difficult to ride. I was shocked to the core just how much you can throw this machine around. It goes exactly where it’s pointed with out any surprises. The quality of ride I feel has to be the best bike ride on the planet.
It’s the first bike I've had with no sign of spine jarring or anything un-pleasant at all. A pure dream to ride, it really is a great dimension to this bike. Power and delivery of power. The six-cylinder engine is a well-tried and tested platform. Honda have used this again in the 2012 model for one simple reason. It works perfectly. It’s not broken why fix it.
The delivery of power through the whole range and the ease at which it delivers the power….smooth as silk is I feel as good as it gets. I’ve never had a bike that delivers power through the whole range as silky smooth as a Goldwing. Gear change. Silky smooth, accurate no mistakes…it’s great. Seating and Comfort. Ten out of ten for both pilot and co pilot. Just great a fabulous comfortable bike.
You can eat the miles on this bike eat them up easily and still be comfortable. Brakes. For a bike of this size (any size actually) the brakes do the job. I ride mine hard from time to time and like everyone else need stopping power. You have it, and also the stopping power is delivered in a controlled fashion. Screen. Some have whinged about the lack of a motorised screen.
I guess nowadays this is asked for. For me, to be frank I find that once I found the position I want, the screen is left in that place. Accordingly the lack of a motorised screen for me is no big issues. None the less it’s easy and quick to change position if you so wish from time to time.
Lighting. I had additional front lights fitted to mine. I find the lighting up to the job with the option of altering the angle of lighting very useful. Lights work, they do the job.
Sat Nav. Works perfectly and works quickly. I have many sat navs that seem to take forever to trace satellites. Mine on the gold wing seems to be almost instant Intercom. I love an intercom on a bike and have fitted one to every bike I’ve had for years. To be able to talk clearly and easily to co-pilot is great.
Music systems. Not much to say, works does the job, IPOD connectivity etc. Works fine. All the normal options, mute volume etc. Not much to say other than it works. Quality of sound is good. Lets not forget it’s a motorbike and not your lounge listening to classical performances.
Styling. A lot of mentioned that they do not like the re-styled re-end. Personally I come new to the Gold wing and don’t view it as changing the past but bringing in the new. I really don’t have a problem with it.
Panniers/Luggage holding. It’s about as good as it gets and as big as it gets. Too be frank when touring never have enough but this is as good as it gets. Central locking actually is great, quick easy effective.
Now… the bad points. I am delighted that I can think of few. I have to say welcome to the world of 2012 and blue-toothed bikes (bikes of this budget quality) really, really should be blue toothed. This is a big let down by Honda. Big let down.
Overall impressions. I think this bike depending on what you do for pleasure tear around town or long tours is the business.
The Goldwing is great at both.
It is a startling easy bike to ride around town and for long tours I just don’t think it gets any better. The power, the smoothness, the delivery of power through the range is as near to perfect as possible. This coupled with just the most comfortable ride is just incredible.
In parts because it is just so good, it runs the risk of running of becoming a little bit too easy to ride. It just works so well. If I had a complaint, it’s a stupid complaint, it’s just that the bike is so smooth so easy to ride it’s actually a “Bit Scooterish” Bizarre that may sound but this is not a monster of a bike to control it’s a real pussycat.
I’m no pro writer; these are my own scrawlings with my own experience of a new wing. Anyone who says they don’t like a gold wing or don’t rate them as a great machine could not have ridden one.
You may argue about price and that is a matter for us all to debate. No argument it’s a lot of money. However, the pleasure and life expectancy the mileage these machines can do, for many make it a must have. Other machines will come and challenge and that’s the way of the market place, that’s how things get better.
However, don’t go writing the Goldwing off just because BMW are testing it and challenging it. Goldwing? Yeah….it’s a class bike. Not for everyone that’s for sure. However, I can’t think of a machine I’d rather own.
