New Goldwings arrived

[the Ferret]

Sure.....I took it on expressway, straight two lane, curvy two lane, divided St Route 4 lane with traffic. Very nice bike. It was fun watching the little knuckle joints inside the fairing bobbing up and down on the wing. For me the new Wing is still too big (although much better for me than the old 1800 Wing which I couldn't even ride due to size), too heavy, too complicated, too touring oriented and too expensive. It was very smooth, and very powerful, and it handled really well, but seating position was just too sit up and beg and not sporty enough for me. I don't do music, or phone or GPS or anything while I'm riding so there was a lot of screens and buttons and switches that were just superfluous for my needs. Further once I set the suspension on my ST it has basically stayed the same for the last 10 years. I haven't needed modes, like my brother says " I don't need a computer to tell me to slow down in the rain". I liked the self cancelling turn signals and digital gear indicator on the Wing, but forgot to try out the cruise, heated grips or heated seat.They would undoubtedly be nice to have as well. The Wing also sounded very throaty and I actually found that distracting and annoying. The only time it was quiet is when you were off the gas and coasting. On the Wing the electric windshield was basically useless for me. I would only run it in the lowest position. When I raised it up even a little I was looking through it which I didn't care for....I don't raise the one on my ST high enough to look thru either, but there is a whole lot of adjustment before that point). When I got in from the test ride I talked it over with the dealer for a bit, walked over to a new FJR sitting on the floor, climbed on it and felt immediately more comfortable with the ergos and weight of the bike. I little forward lean and pegs a little higher and back. After I left, I re-rode the exact same loop I just rode on the wing, with my ST and found I preferred it over the wing. Looking down it was simple, no buttons other than the switches, no screens, nothing I didn't need and most of the stuff I do need. The wing was better on the expressway, but my ST was better for me everywhere else. I came to the realization I'm more a SPORT-touring guy than a sport-TOURING guy. The ST/FJR falls in the first group, the Wing, even this new one, into the second group imo.

As far as Wings go, I think it's a revelation in that genre. I just don't personally fit in that genre just yet.

I should probably add that a bunch of guys over on the ST forum are buying these new wings and don't particularly share my opinions. They have even nicknamed the new Wing an ST1800.