Harley vs Goldwing vs my C50

[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.

[rmiller]

I hear you brother but I took the plunge and bought a new 07 Goldwing last night. I went from 800 cc on my Suzuki C50 to 1800 cc on the Goldwing, $185 a year for insurance to $679 per year on the Goldwing. My insurance company told me that my premium is still cheaper than owning a Harley. It is only money, now I have to get a second job to afford my habbit.

[S83]

Talk about comparing apples and oranges......

[4dtvman]

RMiller congats on the big wing, some day I would like to get one maybe I'll buy your because I never had any vechicle NEW. Can't see departing with that much money or can't see making payments.

DAVE:
Now we will never get to ride togther for that first ride. We live so close but now your so far.I hope you get what you like. Both the HD and Honda dealers are close to your house. But the Wing to me would be a better for long trips and get a small bike for around town ( like going to work in the summer). Ive seen guys add floor board to wings. But you got to love that rev.

Good luck buddy

[Dave Nadeau]

Originally Posted by S83

Talk about comparing apples and oranges......

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.

[Dave Nadeau]

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

RMiller congats on the big wing, some day I would like to get one maybe I'll buy your because I never had any vechicle NEW. Can't see departing with that much money or can't see making payments.

DAVE:
Now we will never get to ride togther for that first ride. We live so close but now your so far.I hope you get what you like. Both the HD and Honda dealers are close to your house. But the Wing to me would be a better for long trips and get a small bike for around town ( like going to work in the summer). Ive seen guys add floor board to wings. But you got to love that rev.

Good luck buddy

God Carlos, you make it seem like I am a traitor to the metric cause or something......I'll be down your way this coming summer. The HD dealer near me is very small and does not carry a lot of variety in stock. The dealer that I did find out in Auburn has a ton of bikes. The Honda dealer, Just never got along with them. Will try to get a test ride though from him or another near by dealer......New bike is still 12 to 24 month out. I just plan ahead and we have a wedding to pay for first. I am still riding dayly if the weather permits.

[Dave Nadeau]

Hey Carlos,

Weren't you looking for something like this....
N.F. Sheldon Harley-Davidson and Buell - Serving Greater Worcester, Auburn, and all of Central MA.
Pre-owned 1996 Suzuki VS1400GL Intruder
Odometer: 11585 Miles

A decent metric cruiser. Price just reduced to $2000!
View Large Picture
Stock No.: 11583
Price: $2000

[4dtvman]

Dave that I tell you I been shooting wedings for 26 years and 4 years ago I gave up my hassblad and went digtial. Let me know if you could use my service. Not to blow my own horn but I'm GOOD (and cheap)

[S83]

Was just joshing a bit...

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts between the HD and GW when you get a chance to ride the GW.

[Dave Nadeau]

Thanks for your Carlos offer but the Bride to be and her Mom has that all taken care of. My job is to 1) wear the Tux, 2) Not make a seen, 3) Remind the Groom that there ARE no returns WITH OR WITHOUT the sales slip....LOL

[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.

[Dave Nadeau]

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.

Actually I have looked at it but the dealer won't allow a road test!! Go figure...they want your money but no test. Not ridey no money...

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by Dave Nadeau

Actually I have looked at it but the dealer won't allow a road test!! Go figure...they want your money but no test. Not ridey no money...

LOL.
I've heard others here post that if you are serious about buying, dealers who initially say they won't give a test-ride, decide to give you one if you really push.

I have never tried that, but I certainly will, next time I'm in the market.


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. Even worse, the vibration at slow speeds and stops NEVER went away like yours did during your test ride.
Word to the wise: there may come a time when revving the enging doesn't stop the vibrations, so make sure you're happy WITH the vibrations before you purchase.

Here's my write up on the demo's I did: http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...emo-rides.html

[Dave Nadeau]

I am 5'11" and noticed no buffeting...On my C50 I have lowers and there is absolutly no buffetiing. The HD that I THINK I want is the Electraglide classic. I have not ridden that as of yet but I keep looking.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by Dave Nadeau

I am 5'11" and noticed no buffeting...On my C50 I have lowers and there is absolutly no buffetiing. The HD that I THINK I want is the Electraglide classic. I have not ridden that as of yet but I keep looking.

You better make up your mind because after the "I DO" there will be no more bike buying.

[stp1971]

Well that is not really true if you are marrying a girl who likes to ride bikes. In fact she is already sold on the Wing with me. Once we get some bills caught up I may buy a Wing. Sure does sit more comfortable than the LC.

[blackie1491]

Hey, you have enough toys now.

With a house and a wedding, your toy buying days are over.
When the Honey to do list is complete ( 37 years and I still have not done),
then you look at toys.

[4dtvman]

I've been in the wedding business for over 26 years and I didn't want to burst his bubble but you said it for me. They will learn.

My son's friend is a big HD buff and him and his girl have broken up twice once before the kid and once after all because of THE BIKE and before they moved in together she rode with him all over.

When I got married it was the apartment, then the kids then the house, then go out with the kids, then send the kids to college.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by Dave Nadeau

I am 5'11" and noticed no buffeting...On my C50 I have lowers and there is absolutly no buffetiing. The HD that I THINK I want is the Electraglide classic. I have not ridden that as of yet but I keep looking.

Strange...I'm only a hair shy of 5'11" myself. We had such different experiences on the same model.

Good luck.

[BudTheGrey]

Originally Posted by 4dtvman

You better make up your mind because after the "I DO" there will be no more bike buying.

Not true! Sometimes there's MORE bike buying because she wants one o her own! Ok, it took 15 years for us to get to that point, but she never begrudged me time on the bike, and once the kids were big enough to left home alone, well, she "asserted her independence" -- starting with a Savage, now with a Shadow Aero..