Ha ha, it's interesting reading posts from guys with opinions that are polar opposite, and probably slightly exaggerated at either end as well.
I've had 2 'Wing's, a 1975 GL1000 in the early 1980's and I still have my 1986 GL1200 Interstate, and know first hand that they're all great bikes. Subaru (as I found out from another member here) designed the engine, not Honda, and that makes perfect sense, Subaru made their name on smooth, reliable water cooled "Boxer" engines, and if you've ever had either engine apart, you'd see the similarities. I often wonder why there aren't more Subaru WRX powered Goldwings out there.
They're not great handling bikes. They're big and heavy, and the early ones had crap suspension. Of course, with their cylinders out in the breeze, they didn't have a lot of cornering clearance either, but going around corners fast isn't their forte. (yes, I've seen the guy on the GL1800 doing the "Tail of the Dragon", but he's a brilliant rider on a GL1800, not an early wing)
Out on the highway, where they were always meant to be, they are a smooth, extremely comfy mile eater. The fairing haters here are guys who think a long ride is a 20 mile round trip to the lake to snap a pic of their bike to post in the "What did you do to your bike today" thread, who have never ridden far enough to appreciate what that big barn door fairing does for you when it's pissing down rain on a 500 mile ride. Yeah, they're the same squeezers that call them "Two Wheeled Cars", as they drive past on their daily commute, in their Mazda's and Toyota's.
I like big bikes, but I'm a big guy and I'm not frightened of big heavy bikes. I've also got a Triumph Rocket III that weighs more than my 'Wing, and has 2300cc's of grunt that propels it from 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, but like a Goldwing, it doesn't really enjoy mixing it with sportsbikes in the twisties.
There's no such thing as a "Jealous BMW owner" though, compare the price of a BMW R90S to a 1st series Goldwing, and you'll understand why. Oh, I've owned 7 BMW's, and still own a 1989 K100RS SE and a 1995 R1100GS, so I'm not talking out of my arse, like some of the "couch racers" here.
I've recently bought a Yamaha FJR1300, which is so good I just donated my Goldwing and Yamaha FJ1200 to charity. The FJR1300 is the best of both worlds, it's a very comfy "500 mile per day" bike that also goes around corners, is a rocket in a straight line, and perfectly stable at 150 MPH. But I digress, Goldwings are what they are, and their beauty lies in their function, not their form. If you're so shallow that you can't see that, then pass it on to someone who'll love it. Cheers, Terry.
