Harley vs Goldwing vs my C50

[4dtvman]

You might be an expection to the rule ( not to manny of them)

[919Hooligan]

Originally Posted by Dave Nadeau

I realize that they are indeed apples to oranges..but I like both so I can pick what I eat so to speak..I really did enjoy the softer ride and the more weight of the Harley over bumps etc. Like I said the jury is still out......can't wait till next week to try to get a GW road test under my belt.

If you enjoy a soft, smooth ride just wait till you ride the Goldwing.

[BowDown]

How can people handle a goldwing? I mean doesn't it feel real heavy? It's a huge bike. The C50 seems like alot of bike when navigating through parking lots or moving the bike around the garage. I couldn't imagine a goldwing?

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by POE-BOY SAMICH

LOL.



Re: the Harley Street Glide.
I rode an '07 FLHX Street Glide on a demo ride recently and I wasn't happy with it. The buffeting over the small windshield was really bad at anything over 55mph.[/url]

I noticed the same thing on the Street Glide I test rode. Funny thing is, it went away if I rode without a helmet, or even with anything but a full coverage helmet. The buffeting seems to be coming from the wind hitting the chin part of the helmet, I found the same to be the case on my V Strom.
I'm not trying to start a helmet debate here, just pointing out what I noticed.
Seems anytime I ride behind a windshield with a full coverage helmet, I get wind buffeting.

[IntruderCruiser]

I don't post much on here anymore -- but on seeing this thread, I just had to weigh in a bit

I have ridden all types of bike over the years --

1) Goldwing --- a very good handling bike for its size -- the weight is hardly noticable when moving and has room for all sorts of bells and whistles. It offers the best protection from the elements

2) Harley -- is also an excellant handling bike (we are talking touring models) the weight again is not noticable (even with a full tank mounted so high). The complaint about buffeting -- well -- it affects everyone a little different. As a side note, my LC has a Rifle Raven Fairing which would be similar to the Street Glides short windshield --- and I have no buffeting issues.

Back to the Harley -- in the buffeting complaint a friend has an Ultra Classic and has tried all sorts of things to remedy it, shorter windshield, cutting some hole in the windshield (reminescent of Windjammer fairings and my Rifle fairing) -- and the other day we figured out,if he took off the face shield (3/4 helmet or wore a half helmet with no shield) he had no buffeting -- so it appears some air is coming in and catching under the face shield causing his problem. I have suggested he try my full face helmet to see if it makes a difference. Because, I don't have a buffeting issue when I ride my Harley Electra Glide ---it has a tall windshield which will shortly lessened by 3 inches or more (hate looking through it)

All in all the Harley gets my vote as the best touring bike

[azkober]

Originally Posted by SoCalCruisin

Dave, Have you considered the Yamaha Royal Star Venture? If you haven't, give it a look. Lot of value for your money, including a 5 year unlimited mile warranty with roadside assistance, and a great riding bike. With the interest you've expressed in either the HD or the GW, you should check it out.

If you're after smooth ride, plenty of torque and killer looks try the Royal Star Tour Deluxe. V-4 power, thousands and thousands less than than either HD or Wing, 5 year unlimited mileage warranty and lots of fun to ride.

[4dtvman]

It's funny reading this it comes to me now. During the late fall I bought a full face helment and found a lot more wind on my chin and around my neck. I uselly ware either a 1/2 helment during hot summer and 3/4 during colder days for my ears.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by Rickster

I noticed the same thing on the Street Glide I test rode. Funny thing is, it went away if I rode without a helmet, or even with anything but a full coverage helmet. The buffeting seems to be coming from the wind hitting the chin part of the helmet, I found the same to be the case on my V Strom.
I'm not trying to start a helmet debate here, just pointing out what I noticed.
Seems anytime I ride behind a windshield with a full coverage helmet, I get wind buffeting.

I was wearing a 1/2 helmet when I demo'd the Harley.

I'm not sure what caused it, but I can't imaging the buffeting being WORSE if I'd had my full-face.

My recommendation for anyone considering a Street Glide:
Demo the thing a few times; Change helmets for each demo and make sure you will not have the buffeting that I experienced (sounds like others have experienced similar too).

[Rickster]

One other thing I noticed about wind buffeting, is it has been a non issue on any bike I have ridded that had lowers installed. I haven't tried a Street Glide with lowers, so I don't know if it would help there or not.

[Dave Nadeau]

When I tested the Street Glide I was whereing a open faced helmet with a pull down shield. On my C50 with a windshield I had awfull buffeting with my half helmet. Espessially with the visor on. I put on lowers and it went away. I now can ride at 80 with no issues what ever. This time of year like today for instance I rode to work with my open faced with my shield down and no issues even at 80 mph. The lowers make a HUGE difference. If you have buffiting get lowers...

[Dave Nadeau]

Well I finally found the time to ride a new Goldwing...it is an 07...loaded with all the bells and whistles. I did like it only it took a few minutes to get used to not having running boards like on the C50. I did enjoy it but it was a hand full and low speed just like Dr Bob said it would be. I imagine that I could get used to it. I did run it on all kinds of roads and got it up to about 60 mph. Fifth gear will run down to about 35 with no problem and runs like the wind if You grab a hand full. Sweeping corners are fun even with not being used to it. It does take the bumb out of the bumps and rough roads

My next test ride will be with the HD Electaglide classic. I really like running boards..... Then I will make my pick for the futrures and THEN take the wife to see what se perferss comfort wise...My rule is allways be nice to the VP of finance and entertainment.

Originally Posted by Dave Nadeau

Well I had mentioned before that I think my next ride will be a Goldwing or a Harley. Just this last Thursday I took the day off and when on a 125 mile round trip ride to Sheldons HD in Auburn Mass. I got there and they had out front about a dozen or so HD and Buells. On the tag location each had a sign stating not for sale, "test drives only". Well it did not take me long at all to get in and get showen a former rental. After the demo they let me use a 07 Street glide in the blue deniem color. In my opinion the worst color I have ever seen on a bike. Kind of like the old grey primer on hotrods and with the same finish but in blue.
When I first sat on it it was shaking so much I thought it was a dirt compactor. I actually thought what a POS! I revied it up and it smoothed right out. That was about 1500 to 2000 rpm. Took it for a 45 minute ride, could have been longer as I got lost . It was smooth or smoother then my C50. I must report that it is very nice...way differnet from my C50, TONs of torque and very manageable. Just heavier then I am used to. I would have no problem living with this bike and I kind of liked the shaking. After a couple of stop lights I did not notice any shaking at idle. To say the least the bike has charictor (sp) and soul. It makes the C50, which I like seem boring. After the ride they tried to sell me the 06 ultra I had seen with 9500 miles for $18,500. BUT the salesman did not have room on his couch if I bought it cause that is where I would have to live when I got home. Now I am not brand loyal at all and I will test the Goldwing weather permitiing next week when I am off.
People %%%%% all the time about the poor quality of HD. I think it is in the past. The Goldwing has a lot going for it no doubt but it will run me a couple of grand more. I don't care about cruising at high rates of speed. The HD had running board and the Goldwing dosn't. I would have to have the service done on the valves every so often and HD has hydrolic lifters. I can see having mech lifters on a price leader like the C50 and its bretheren but not on a machine that cost close to 20k.
Oh on a final note , on the way home the C 50 seemed like a 10 speed and the bumps felt, well a little sharper.

[dcstrng]

Dave -- Can’t address the Wing, I assume being an apposed multi that it’s pretty smooth, but your experience with the Harley mirrors my own… My Nomad is smoother at very low RPMs and doesn’t come close to the cement-mixer mode of older Harleys, but isn’t quite as smooth as my mid-90s Ultra (Evo engine) at highway speeds… Neither, however, is bothersome… just the usual visceral, single-crank-pin V-Twin low-frequency melodies…

Have no experience with a C50 either although it is clear from the writings of many on this form that it is a pretty satisfying scoot – that said, generally, the technology on my Nomad is higher than the Harley in some areas, but the quality and hardiness goes to Milwaukee… Generally, I think moderns scoots are so far ahead of what all manufactures made twenty years ago that, unless one has logged several miles on the modern versions it is pointless relying on former reputations…

Cost… never paid more than $10K for a scoot in my life… one can always find a bike priced close to what yer willing to pay, if you’re patient…

[Dave Nadeau]

Well the research is done!! Ordered a new 08 Electra Glide Classic today. I'll have it in November. I just found out today that it will have an electronic throttle..no cable. Can't wait to try it. Did road test an 07 yesterday for an hour. Very nice and very close to the Street Glide. I liked it to but need room for my stuff when traveling. Did not like the pegs on the Wing.

[4dtvman]

Grats on your new bike. So Dave what are you going to do with you C50.

Me and the wife just did a trip of 1300 to Quecbec City last month and riding 10 to 12 hours a day bets any one up even a Classic or Gold wing. Loved Quecbec you should try it next year with your new bike. We took 5 night 6 days and on the way back went threw Lake George and the Mohaw trail on the way home. Of course she brought enough stuff for a month.

Don't fort PCTURES of new BIKE.

[Dave Nadeau]

My daughter and her husband are going to buy it...they want to get into riding. He and I got our bike licenses together.

[Rickster]

I found the buffeting on the Road Glide to be very bad also, but the motor didn't feel any different than my Road King. Strong and smooth, with gobs of torque.

[4dtvman]

electronic throttle are used on larger boats and are made by ZEF. Kinda of expense and with alot of failures. First the controller uses a A to D converter ( That not the bad problem but on the other end) and the electronic fuel injection uses a D to A where most of the problems come in. The analog signal controlling the fuel injection.
Zef being making them for over 10 years and there geting better. I don't know about 1st year production.

It seems that HD is taking some big steps but there base support is not embracing all the changes. Example VROD ( NIice German/ Jap bike) I've seen more for sale than out on the road. Did see one yesterday with a younger rider.

[Dave Nadeau]

Carlos,
Well the throttle is not wireless but cableless from my understanding. There is a wire, from what I am told that goes through the bars. I imagine is a kind of potentimerer setup. Does make the bike look clean though. They are only on the Touring models this year. I imagine its cheaper then cables and easy for them to set up. Who to the back yard mechanic. Bet they are in all the models in a few years.
Did you guys have a good time in Canada? I amd thinking of the Maine cost or Nova Scotia next summer. Wifes new job is in the way for now but I'll see.

[4dtvman]

A digital signal will be sent down that wire to the other end which will be d to a (digital to analog converter) will handle the rest but no cheaper than cables. I've always like the classic my cousin has one in NJ. Another guy that I know out in the cape has a metical blue ( don't care for the metical colors). The dark green color has always been my favorite.

Yes we had fun. All the people were REALLY NICE and went out of there way to welcome us to there country. Kinda of boring riding from the boarder to the city all you seen was farms and more farms on flat land.

[wildwolf]

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

It seems that HD is taking some big steps but there base support is not embracing all the changes. Example VROD ( NIice German/ Jap bike) I've seen more for sale than out on the road. Did see one yesterday with a younger rider.

I've seen a lot of V-rods out on the road and like them myself.