Dodge Owner Forums

Sportsmans Paradise => Powersports and Bed Toys => Topic started by: Buzzy on May 04, 2010, 06:22:22 pm

Title: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 04, 2010, 06:22:22 pm
Ok so I couldn't stand it any more. I have been wanting a bike for a long time but just couldn't see paying the price tag for what I really wanted. I have always wanted a Goldwing. So I started shopping for used ones with the intention of financing it thru the credit union. And then I went to look on Ebay and I found a few brand spanking new 2008 Models left over and sitting on the dealer lot in Shawnee Oklahoma and in Arkansas.
They were full blown "Airbag" models and fully loaded and $7k cheaper than buying a new 2010 model. In fact, I saw used 2008's selling for what I bought this one brand new!

So off we went 475 miles to Shawnee Oklahoma to buy it. The color is Dark Cherry Red but looks more like a cross between Plum and Black Cherry. We get there at 9am when they openned and looked around a bit. I looked at the one we chose based on the colors we though they were but in person, the 2008 colors look a lot different than the pictures we found on the internet. But in the end we kept the Dark cherry.
I tell ya what, even though they told me these Goldwing 1800 motors are "Bench Broke" meaning there is no break in period, this bike still got a work out coming home. With 475 miles of 99% interstate to go, I was 80 mph right from the start and never let up till I got to Dallas and hit traffic. Soon as we crossed the Texas state line (wife was in the truck following), the wind kicked up and the skies turned black and blue. The trees along the highway were not just bending over in the wind, they were swirling around like you see when a tornado is near and the winds are swirling.

The winds were at least 30-40 mph all the way to Dallas. Once I got thru Dallas, about 10 miles south of I-30, the gravel and dust on the shoulder were sweeping across the highway sandblasting me. I bet that bike stayed leaning at a 10-15% angle towards the right the whole way. At one point the gust got so bad that I had to pull over and collect my self. It actually blew me over almost to the left shoulder and center divider. I used the counter steering method most of the way and that seamed to help from getting blown around in my lane. Leaning didn't do squat and just made me bounce around my lane a lot. As if the wind wasn't enough, across the flat plains south of Dallas, I could see massive rain showers! So I kicked it up to around 90 mph for the next 150 miles or so. Surprisingly, the bike was a little more stable and din't buck in the crosswind as much. I seemed to just miss the bands of showers right as the started to cross the Interstate. I would catch a few sprinkles and duck behind the windshield but it only lasted a minute or two.

And then it happened! I could see the edge of this massive 300 mile wide system and I saw the sunlight hitting the highway on the other side! Only one problem, there was another band of showers that was beginning to cross the highway and there was no way to avoid it this time. I ducked behind the windshield and braced my self for what I thought would happen. It started POURING down big time! I slowed to around 60 and couldn't see crap thru the windshield but I could see enough to continue on. It lasted about 5 minutes then let up. To my surprise, only my arms got wet! A few more miles and I was finally in the sunlight! We stopped for fuel and a cig break and continued on home. What a friggin Ride! Why can't I ever find deals on stuff near my home??

Anyway, i do not have pictures yet. I will get some tonight after I wash the layer of bug shit of the front and get it cleaned up. But I did take a few pictures while still in Oklahoma before all Hell broke loose!

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikefrontside.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikefront.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikeside.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikeback.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikeseat.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikedash.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bike1-1.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bike2-1.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bike3-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: lilfroger on May 04, 2010, 06:28:11 pm
Did your wife laugh that the sales person was named Dawn also?



Hope you love your new toy.  The two of you should have some wonderful experiences on that :up:

Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 04, 2010, 06:48:21 pm
Yeah I told her and said that it was just meant to be. Was kind of a selling point from me to the wife! lol
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: mayfair on May 04, 2010, 06:54:46 pm
I see a temp gauge. Is it water cooled?
Best of luck with it brotha !! :cheers:
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 04, 2010, 07:17:41 pm
I see a temp gauge. Is it water cooled?
Best of luck with it brotha !! :cheers:

Yes sir it is a water cooled 1832 cc horizontally opposed 6 cylinder engine and a 5 speed transmission with electric reverse.
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Mitch on May 04, 2010, 07:24:22 pm
Wow! A Goldwing! That is the Cadillac of bikes! That's a really nice new ride. Glad you got threw all that stuff yesterday ok. It never opened up here, though it did get pretty dark. I am really gonna miss Texas.
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Tom Courtright on May 04, 2010, 07:54:43 pm
yea.. talk about a cushy cruiser...
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buford445 on May 04, 2010, 07:58:27 pm
I DON'T Care WHAT your Excuse is :pics: :pics: :lol: Glad you like it, Stop by some time on your way to the Hill Country :up: :up: :up:
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: aka_chewy on May 04, 2010, 08:06:18 pm
You sure you didn't buy a car?   :eek:  That thing looks plush
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: kenz on May 05, 2010, 02:55:56 am
You sure you didn't buy a car?   :eek:  That thing looks plush

 :lol: :lol:


Real bikes don't have windshields.  :poke:  ;D

Congrats man, nice ride. Enjoy.  :up:


Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: noplugs on May 05, 2010, 04:16:23 am
Wow, nice but damn, those things cost how much new?  :eek:  Crap , you can get a car for that... hmmm or better yet all of Richs mods..  ;D
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Cumminalong on May 05, 2010, 12:39:31 pm
Wow, nice but damn, those things cost how much new?  :eek:  Crap , you can get a car for that... hmmm or better yet all of Richs mods..  ;D

A new one is around $27K - $28K. Glyn found a SMOKIN' deal on these left over '08's.
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 05, 2010, 03:46:03 pm
Wow, nice but damn, those things cost how much new?  :eek:  Crap , you can get a car for that... hmmm or better yet all of Richs mods..  ;D

A new one is around $27K - $28K. Glyn found a SMOKIN' deal on these left over '08's.

Yep, a dealer in Shawnee Oklahoma has several left over 08' Airbag models for $19,499 ( black) and $19,799 for all other colors. Add another $119 in misc. fee's and you are out the door for $19,918 and you pay taxes in you own home state when you register it.
The cheapest I found a left over 08' here in Houston was $21,995 and that was the ABS model not the Airbag model which is $2k more. There is also a dealer in New Jersey who has a similar deal but only in Black I think.

Anyone looking to make the plunge any time soon needs to jump on this deal, they won't last long!
Oh and by the way, they have "left over" brand new 2007 Honda Auqua Trax 3 seater jet ski's Turbo and Non Turbo models for 50% off !! You can buy 2 brand spanking new 3 seaters Turbo's and double trailer for around $12,500 total out the door.
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: RedRam05Baby on May 05, 2010, 04:36:29 pm
Congrats man, even Harley guys I know wish they had a goldwing.

I see you have reverse too! What does the "airbag model" mean?
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 05, 2010, 04:45:49 pm
Congrats man, even Harley guys I know wish they had a goldwing.

I see you have reverse too! What does the "airbag model" mean?
The airbag is just what it implies. There is an airbag in front of the driver. 4 sensors on the front detect a front impact and deploy the airbag in .015 of a second. Here is a video showing it in action.  And yes, it has electric reverse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDjMfrllxhI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDjMfrllxhI)
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Methos on May 05, 2010, 04:50:07 pm


I see you have reverse too!

Ok, I know next to nothing about bikes so I'm sure this is a stupid question.  Is having reverse unusual?
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 05, 2010, 04:52:32 pm
and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC1f65r5E1Y&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC1f65r5E1Y&feature=related)
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 05, 2010, 04:55:22 pm


I see you have reverse too!

I am not sure what other bikes have it. So far I have not needed it but I have tested it out. This bike Weighs over 900 lbs. Add two riders and gear and you are talking about a 1300 lbs or so. The slightest incline would be a bitch to back this sucker up with just leg power so I can see where it will come in handy.

Ok, I know next to nothing about bikes so I'm sure this is a stupid question.  Is having reverse unusual?
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: mayfair on May 05, 2010, 05:28:24 pm
WOW that's really cool Buzzy !!
Best of luck with it :up:
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: NickC on May 06, 2010, 12:31:45 am
Awesome bike Buzzy! :punk:

I had a guy running me through the gagets and gizmo's of a fully loaded model a few years back at some big chili cook off i went too.

Some of the features he was showing me were just amazing!

I bet that'l make for some REAL good times, but be safe on that thang!
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 06, 2010, 01:18:10 am
Here are a few pics from the cell phone till I find my memory card for the camera.

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikefrontside.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikefront.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikeside.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikeback.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikeseat.jpg)

(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd180/energinerbuzzy/bikedash.jpg)
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Southern Belle on May 06, 2010, 04:27:17 am
nice looking bike there buzzy!
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Kilch123 on May 06, 2010, 05:18:27 am
That is a sweet bike!

Been looking at them or an Ultra Classic...

Lots of  :$: but very sweet bikes!
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: kenz on May 07, 2010, 01:33:41 am
Very nice pictures. I love the color. My buddy has an older wing and he just loves it. Mileage could be better, but there's alot of bike there. As for the airbag, to me anyway, in a big crash one would probably 'expire' anyway. Just be able to leave the lid open instead of closed. The main objective is never have to test the airbag at all.  :up: And as a seasoned biker once told me, 'never assume the other guy sees you'. Saved me many a time.

That is a sweet bike!

Been looking at them or an Ultra Classic...

Lots of  :$: but very sweet bikes!

I would still vote for the ultra.  :43:



Ok, I know next to nothing about bikes so I'm sure this is a stupid question.  Is having reverse unusual?

With full dressers of this size, pushing them backwards is mighty difficult. But I think reverse is only on the big ones. I do know they make a kit to add reverse to the side car for harleys.
Title: Re: Another "New Bike" thread.......lol
Post by: Buzzy on May 07, 2010, 03:10:03 am
Yeah Kenz, my buddy and I talked about that before I went up there. We came to the conclusion that those crash test were done at around 35-45 mph. As you see in the vid, the dummy with the airbag just barley escaped major head trauma, any faster and it would have been lights out. We both agreed that a 50+ mph frontal crash would be the same outcome or maybe even worse with the airbag.

Based on that conversation, I decided to look at the next class lower goldwing which is the ABS model. I figured the airbag would not be of benefit unless I drive a lot in the city and I like the controls layout better without the airbag. The controls for the radio, CB, intercom, GPS, ect are right in front of you on the upper part of the tank. With the airbag there, they moved all the controls to the fairing and you have to reach down and take your eyes off the road to do anything. You still have the CB, volume and CG/Radio channel select on the bars but anything else, you need to reach down.
You also loose one of the storage compartments on the fairing (right side).

But they only had one ABS and it was silver. All the rest of them were Airbag models. I am kinda glad it is there, but I do not have any faith that it will do any good unless you are on a 35 mph road.
I could have bought one of the 2010 models but saving $7000 was worth loosing a glove box and moving controls around.

And just for the shit of it, I found a back road and tested out the ABS. I played with it from 45 mph stopping pretty hard. After I felt pretty confident that I could control it to a dead stop, I stomped on both brakes hard! You can NOT get those wheels to lock up on a dry road! Wet may be a different story but If you ever had to stop a bike fast and lose traction, you know what I am talking about by HARD on the brakes.
I do not feel the need to try that again and I tell you what, that 900 lb beast stops FAST!

I took the wife on the first ride today, first time she has been on it. We rode for about thirty minute and  I really could not tell that she was back there. We then took a few mild S curves at low speed and I still could not feel a difference with or without her on the back. That bike is very well balanced. And it is more agile at speed that that Vstar 1100 I has a couple of years ago.
Don't get me wrong, I still know it's 900lbs when I stop at lights or have to back it up but anything over 10 mph it is effortless and responds quickly to my every move.
I rode my buddy's Ultra Classic and that thing, while a Very sexy ass bike, rode like a tank in the corners. I would own one in a heart beat if the deal was right but I am just comparing the two.

Over all I am very impressed with this bike. The only things I do not like are the handlebar height and distance, the tiny diameter grips and that annoying message after you open the saddle bags. The sensors are way to sensitive and you have to tap the lids to make it know it is shut.
The grips I fixed today with a set of Kuryakyn ISO grips. They are the clam shell design and allows me to still have the heated grips but are much larger diameter. I also ordered a set of Kuryakyn handlebar risers that will move the bars up 1.5" and towards me 1.75". That should take care of the sore back from being damn near straight armed while trying to sit straight up and using the backrest.

On the short list are a set of highway pegs so I can reposition my legs on long trips. A luggage rag and bag. And a heal/toe shifter so I wont find that little space between 4 and 5th gear where there is no gear. It has happened twice so far because my boot doesn't fit very well under the shifter and factory pegs.