Decided to get a 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT

[Greg]

Congrats to both Cathy and JB.  Beautiful machines and great motorcycles.

[JBCrabbypants]

But now that we have a new GL, pillion duty will be transferred from the 2013 650 Burgman I bought barely two months ago, to the Wing....so now, I will probably sell
the Burgman and go back to 'sniffing around' those Royal Enfield 650's again.

[Dan]

Happy for all of you, Cathy and JB/Teresa.  Those new Wings are really nice looking.  Because of Honda's rules and my desire to try the CB1100 I was unable to test ride one at Americade last year as I could only take one bike out.  I really like the slimmer look of this new model.  My friend John came back from the test ride that day and from the look in his eyes I thought he was going to buy one as soon as he got home.  Happy trails!

[Greg]

They say that “it’s different on a Harley,” but there is something magical about riding a Gold Wing.  I don’t know if it’s the smoothness, the power, the handling or the comfort, or what it is, but it is the whole package, and why Gold Wing owners keep coming back.  This newly redesigned Wing looks very nice, indeed.  Cathy, you are going to love your new Wing.

[CathyN]

They say that “it’s different on a Harley,” but there is something magical about riding a Gold Wing.  I don’t know if it’s the smoothness, the power, the handling or the comfort, or what it is, but it is the whole package, and why Gold Wing owners keep coming back.  This newly redesigned Wing looks very nice, indeed.  Cathy, you are going to love your new Wing.

I have put about 80 miles on it since I picked it up Thursday evening.  It has been different that’s for sure.  It has been fun riding it.  Very comfortable.  Lots to learn with all the tech.  Been busy with a lot of commitments this past weekend.  

[CathyN]

Also, got myself a new helmet.  I ordered this at the BMW Rally last month.  Had them install the NCom unit since I decided to buy the Goldwing.  

[jdbrot]

Wow!

[Greg]

I love that helmet.  Very visible.  I had a couple Nolan helmets.  They make good stuff.

Cathy, once you get used to the bike and its weight, you’ll find that it is capable of handling that you might have thought possible.  I found that that a combination of counter steering plus weight shifting to the inside of a curve will make that big boy bound around some amazingly tight curves. It’s as much sport bike as it is touring bike.

[JBCrabbypants]

Yes, they are seriously great-handling machines in the curvy bits.

[Expat47]

Also, got myself a new helmet.  I ordered this at the BMW Rally last month.  Had them install the NCom unit since I decided to buy the Goldwing.  

May I ask what you paid for the helmet? They're asking almost $400 for that model over here without the N-com and in white. There's a premium if you want the hi-viz.

[CathyN]

Also, got myself a new helmet.  I ordered this at the BMW Rally last month.  Had them install the NCom unit since I decided to buy the Goldwing. 

May I ask what you paid for the helmet? They're asking almost $400 for that model over here without the N-com and in white. There's a premium if you want the hi-viz.

I paid $400 at the BMW Rally. No tax or shipping.  They shipped from Aurora but it took 6 weeks.  They were b/o’d.  Had to wait to get them from Italy.  Normal price is $439-$459.  The NCom unit B901 r was $250.00 plus tax. Nolan’s fit my head and are very comfortable for me. This is my 3rd one.  The Helmet House was the best price I found. But since I was at the Rally I bought there.

[CathyN]

So I said goodbye to my Swing today.  My brother Jim come and picked it up this afternoon.  It served me well.  At least I can still visit the old steed when I want.

[redeye]

So I said goodbye to my Swing today.  My brother Jim come and picked it up this afternoon.  It served me well.  At least I can still visit the old steed when I want.

Nice photos, and the sentiment is completely understood. Seven years later, there are still times I miss my Silver Wing. Like yours, it served me well.

[Expat47]

I paid $400 at the BMW Rally. No tax or shipping.  They shipped from Aurora but it took 6 weeks.  They were b/o’d.  Had to wait to get them from Italy.  Normal price is $439-$459.  The NCom unit B901 r was $250.00 plus tax. Nolan’s fit my head and are very comfortable for me. This is my 3rd one.  The Helmet House was the best price I found. But since I was at the Rally I bought there.

That's about the same price here and we're hit with 24% sales tax. (not a typo). I've ALWAYS had Nolans and love them but the price is getting to be a bit much!

[jdbrot]

Glad it is still in the family, onward and upward.

[Expat47]

I paid $400 at the BMW Rally. No tax or shipping.  They shipped from Aurora but it took 6 weeks.  They were b/o’d.  Had to wait to get them from Italy.  Normal price is $439-$459.  The NCom unit B901 r was $250.00 plus tax. Nolan’s fit my head and are very comfortable for me. This is my 3rd one.  The Helmet House was the best price I found. But since I was at the Rally I bought there.

That's about the same price here and we're hit with 24% sales tax. (not a typo). I've ALWAYS had Nolans and love them but the price is getting to be a bit much!

Taxation update!!!

Most of the helmets sold here are in the €50-€100 range. Just enough to keep the cops off your butt.
Of the helmets actually expected to provide protection €200 is the average number.
IMHO, €400 is about the starting point for something worth while.

So, in light of all these facts they've (finally) figured out they're lowering the sales tax to 13%
Life is good!

[Greg]

A good helmet is worth the money paid for it, for the protection it provides.  I always have to laugh at these guys who ride a certain brand of motorcycle that calls for maintaining the appropriate “image,” yet choose to wear those stupid looking beanie hat “helmets.”  Apparently not much to protect?  I liked my full face helmets.  My last helmet was a Shoei with the flip front chin bar.  I still have it, just  “in case” I have an opportunity to use it again.

[JBCrabbypants]

Rode the new GL over to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming last weekend, it seemed to do this 'touring' thing reasonably well...

[Expat47]

Rode the new GL over to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming last weekend, it seemed to do this 'touring' thing reasonably well...

I just can't imagine what you must have had to endure riding a touring bike on a tour through the mountains. 

[CathyN]

JB,  nice pix of the new bike and Teresa.  I am jealous of your roads.  Bob and I are going out to Galena, IL by the Mississippi River tomorrow.  Looking forward riding to NY next month.  I plan on updating my photo with a more scenic background as soon as I ride to one. ☹️

[CathyN]

My brother took this video of me pulling up to the front of his house the other day.

This video will not transfer over looks like it is at the bottom of this post twice. Not sure how to do this.  It is 33 seconds.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Greg]

Rode the new GL over to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming last weekend, it seemed to do this 'touring' thing reasonably well...

I just can't imagine what you must have had to endure riding a touring bike on a tour through the mountains. 

We’ve ridden over the Bighorns a couple times, and the Gold Wing was a pleasure to ride.  It took those tight curves with aplomb and ease.  That GL1800 was an amazing machine for both touring and sporty riding, and now, the new edition is apparently better at both.  The ease with which it takes those curves is incredible, and there is power to spare, going up those steep inclines.  We rode through the Bighorns on our way home from the very first Maxi Scoot rally in Minnesota.

[Maggie]

https://flic.kr/p/2gV9gbq

[CathyN]

https://flic.kr/p/2gV9gbq

Thanks Maggie for posting this. 

Also, thanks Don and Joan for offering your help. 

This was taken pulling up to my brothers house.  It looks like I was scratching my helmet but I was looking for the button to retract the visor.  It is a new helmet.  What can I say.

[jdbrot]

Looks great.

[sonuvabug]

AWESOME Cathy!

[Virginian]

Great stuff Cathy! You're a good person.