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!
