Harley Davidson Electric Glide for Goldwing trade in? For serious Riders Only!?

S

scottp104

New member
I have owned Harley's since I was 16 year old. Now I just turned 50. I have my beautiful 2006 HD Electric Glide with thousands of extras, including the zeppelin seat. I have never considered any other bike until now. I am looking at a 2008 GL1800 Goldwing. Every Goldwing rider swears by them.

Here is my problem: I use to get tired after a few hundred miles. Now it like 50 miles and I need a beak. My wife is older and we have to stop now more often. I never in my life would think I would consider any other bike but a Harley. My spirit of riding wants to keep going but my body says enough plus you can't tell the wife "no we are not stopping" cause I care for her comfort also.

I am in the Northeast and ride pretty much all year round. I got around 37K on it right now. I didn't ride this winter cause we had a bcth of 2 snow storms of 26 inchs that kept snow on the ground for 3 months and kept me from riding! I really need some input from fellow riders cuase I am so torn here. Givin up my bike will break my heart. I know this question has been asked before. I am not upgrading to an ultra because my bike Electric glide (FLHTCI) has everything but the rear speakers and the CB which I don't care about. The cons of my bike is the vibration over 65 mph ( no six gear until 2007 ) which I am tacking about 3500, and the constant tightening of just about everything every year. I had a buddy who use to build bikes for a hobby, won awards, and got featured on cover of magazines. He use to work on it all the time but now he is very sick with Lyme desease and he is will not get better. I can do small things, oil changes, plugs, electrical, but nothing major. If I need serious work, I have to pay top dollar at a dealership. I have a buddy who rides a goldwing and he swears by it and never gets tired after long rides.

Please be honest and I would like to hear from all riders, not just Harley enthusies or Goldwing riders. Thank you for all your time and input. It will help me make a very hard decision.
Thank you for your post guys. I read all six (06/09/2011) and that is interesting that two stated you dont have to tighten things... I swear at leat once every month and hear 'CLINK" because I loss a screw someone while traveling. Winshield screw gone, underneath the fairing there were two screws gone, my rocker box bolt was so loose it started to leak oil.

I did forget to mention that amoungst the extras is a power commander and straight vance hines true duels to keep the bike cooler. I wounder if this could contribute to the vibration?

I wish I can own both but I can't. I appreciate the GW rider's input as well. My buddy just called me from Americade where I am heading tomorrow after work and he stated he bought a new mustang seat that cost 1500! But for the value, the GW has something to offer for your buck.
 
I find the Goldwing to be a bit confining. I don't like the position of the foot pegs...but highway pegs could be added. You can always rent one for a day to see if you like it.
 
I find the Goldwing to be a bit confining. I don't like the position of the foot pegs...but highway pegs could be added. You can always rent one for a day to see if you like it.
 
I currently own an 08 Goldwing and it has pros and cons. I think the seat is uncomfortable, there is a lot of cheap plastic on the bike, bag space could be bigger and a few smaller gripes. However, that aside, you have a LOT to gain over the HD. This is what the bike has that the HD does not: Integrated NAV/GPS, ABS, air bag, reverse, 120HP (STOCK!), digital suspension, 80 watt sound system, and a few other smaller things.

I had a HD Dyna and sold it because it lacked in a lot of other areas. The best part about my Dyna was that it was the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden, although I spent tons of cash upgrading the seat and doing other things.

You will see that all the Harley zealots will get defensive and start talkin crap on here but re-read my post and youll get a better idea of what the Goldwing offers that the HD doesnt. The best part is that you can get it at a MUCH cheaper price than the HD and it offers so much more. With HD it is always aboust spending more money on it to make it something it isnt. THats why I gave up on my Dyna. Funny thing is you need to do almost the same things on all the Harley bikes, mainly the engine, to get it up to par. The comparable Ultra Classic with the 110ci Engine is $36k and you can buy a loaded GW for about $26k. Keep in mind that the Goldwing will still put out about 30 more HP to boot!

Excellent question to get unbiased opinions.

Now watch all the HD people go on the defensive.

Its about being smart with money and making educated decisions.

Additionally, I was in the market for a power cruiser because I didnt want to ride my GW to work everyday. I did tons of reading, did some test rides and bought a Suzuki M109R Limited. The closest competitior was the Harley Nightrod Special. IMO, the Nightrod is absolutely ugly and handled like crap. I rode it 5 miles and thought it was terrible. Also, the bike wants you to be in the higher RPM range in order to perform properly. I got the bike brand new and out the door for $14.5k and 1.9% financing through Suzuki. This bike competes directly with ALL Harleys that dont have bags and smokes them all in just about every way.

Again, intelligent buying through research.

GL
 
I`ve owned both and they are both very good bikes.There are some insecure children on both sides of the fence here who will probably show up any minute now to start bashing one bike or another.The 08 and later deckers have the reversed triple trees that make handling even more stable.That along with the 160 rear tire and the bigger engine might be more comfortable for you on the long haul.
The Wings have a lot going for them too.
Whatever you choose I hope that you have many more happy years on the road
 
I currently own an 08 Goldwing and it has pros and cons. I think the seat is uncomfortable, there is a lot of cheap plastic on the bike, bag space could be bigger and a few smaller gripes. However, that aside, you have a LOT to gain over the HD. This is what the bike has that the HD does not: Integrated NAV/GPS, ABS, air bag, reverse, 120HP (STOCK!), digital suspension, 80 watt sound system, and a few other smaller things.

I had a HD Dyna and sold it because it lacked in a lot of other areas. The best part about my Dyna was that it was the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden, although I spent tons of cash upgrading the seat and doing other things.

You will see that all the Harley zealots will get defensive and start talkin crap on here but re-read my post and youll get a better idea of what the Goldwing offers that the HD doesnt. The best part is that you can get it at a MUCH cheaper price than the HD and it offers so much more. With HD it is always aboust spending more money on it to make it something it isnt. THats why I gave up on my Dyna. Funny thing is you need to do almost the same things on all the Harley bikes, mainly the engine, to get it up to par. The comparable Ultra Classic with the 110ci Engine is $36k and you can buy a loaded GW for about $26k. Keep in mind that the Goldwing will still put out about 30 more HP to boot!

Excellent question to get unbiased opinions.

Now watch all the HD people go on the defensive.

Its about being smart with money and making educated decisions.

Additionally, I was in the market for a power cruiser because I didnt want to ride my GW to work everyday. I did tons of reading, did some test rides and bought a Suzuki M109R Limited. The closest competitior was the Harley Nightrod Special. IMO, the Nightrod is absolutely ugly and handled like crap. I rode it 5 miles and thought it was terrible. Also, the bike wants you to be in the higher RPM range in order to perform properly. I got the bike brand new and out the door for $14.5k and 1.9% financing through Suzuki. This bike competes directly with ALL Harleys that dont have bags and smokes them all in just about every way.

Again, intelligent buying through research.

GL
 
You'll find the 'Goldie" a heckofalot smoother.
'Stock' riding position is more comfortable as well.
Don't know how to compare it with your custom seat though.
 
I am 54 myself and have been riding since I was a teenager also. I ride an '02 Roadglide and never have fasteners come loose nor di I experience much vibration at any speed. I have so far put 60,000 miles on the bike with no problems. makes me wonder what the problem could be with your E-glide. I can still put in 800-1000 mile days easily. That being said, The wing is a great touring bike but if you are needing a break at 50 miles on your current bike I wouldn't think a new bike would make much difference. Just re-read your post. Are you saying that your motor is turning 3500 rpm at 65? That dosen't sound right to me as mine is just hitting 3000 at 70 mph.
 
I currently own an 08 Goldwing and it has pros and cons. I think the seat is uncomfortable, there is a lot of cheap plastic on the bike, bag space could be bigger and a few smaller gripes. However, that aside, you have a LOT to gain over the HD. This is what the bike has that the HD does not: Integrated NAV/GPS, ABS, air bag, reverse, 120HP (STOCK!), digital suspension, 80 watt sound system, and a few other smaller things.

I had a HD Dyna and sold it because it lacked in a lot of other areas. The best part about my Dyna was that it was the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden, although I spent tons of cash upgrading the seat and doing other things.

You will see that all the Harley zealots will get defensive and start talkin crap on here but re-read my post and youll get a better idea of what the Goldwing offers that the HD doesnt. The best part is that you can get it at a MUCH cheaper price than the HD and it offers so much more. With HD it is always aboust spending more money on it to make it something it isnt. THats why I gave up on my Dyna. Funny thing is you need to do almost the same things on all the Harley bikes, mainly the engine, to get it up to par. The comparable Ultra Classic with the 110ci Engine is $36k and you can buy a loaded GW for about $26k. Keep in mind that the Goldwing will still put out about 30 more HP to boot!

Excellent question to get unbiased opinions.

Now watch all the HD people go on the defensive.

Its about being smart with money and making educated decisions.

Additionally, I was in the market for a power cruiser because I didnt want to ride my GW to work everyday. I did tons of reading, did some test rides and bought a Suzuki M109R Limited. The closest competitior was the Harley Nightrod Special. IMO, the Nightrod is absolutely ugly and handled like crap. I rode it 5 miles and thought it was terrible. Also, the bike wants you to be in the higher RPM range in order to perform properly. I got the bike brand new and out the door for $14.5k and 1.9% financing through Suzuki. This bike competes directly with ALL Harleys that dont have bags and smokes them all in just about every way.

Again, intelligent buying through research.

GL
 
You'll find the 'Goldie" a heckofalot smoother.
'Stock' riding position is more comfortable as well.
Don't know how to compare it with your custom seat though.
 
You'll find the 'Goldie" a heckofalot smoother.
'Stock' riding position is more comfortable as well.
Don't know how to compare it with your custom seat though.
 
Back
Top