Goldwing to HD : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

bluejerry · 11-20-2009, 12:56 PM

Hey folks need some help. I currently own a 09 Goldwing and have been un-comfortable on it since I bought it. I have never owned an HD but have done a few Demo rides. I like the cruiser seating position of the EG vs. the wing.

Ok so here is my question, Have any of you gone from a GW to an electra or ultra? What were your thoughts on comfort and distance riding? I am 5'6" and the reach of the wing is killing me in the Arms and A$$.

Jerry

Trotter · 11-20-2009, 01:06 PM

Man if you think your Ass is soar now, wait till you go to get rid of the Wing ..

NJKen · 11-20-2009, 01:18 PM

Ive ridden both my 06 ultra and my buddies 08 wing. I prefer the seating position on my ultra hands down. I'm 6' 235lbs. The wing is a more refined bike and offers a ride quality very different from harley. The harley has much better style and comfort for me. They are both fine bikes but built for different people in my opinion. Before you make the jump you should rent a bike and put a few hundred miles on it. That should help with the decission.
All in all for me, Ill keep harleys forever over a wing.
Ken

Milehog · 11-20-2009, 01:33 PM

Don't rule out the Victory Vision. While the styling is, shall we say, bold, the more I learn about them the more I like them.
To build on what NJKen said, renting is cheaper than guessing.

DavidT · 11-20-2009, 01:38 PM

I agree, you should definitely check out the Victory Vision. Most Vic dealers enourage test rides. You could probably even arrange for an extended test ride. No need to drop money for a rental.

Mtclassic · 11-20-2009, 01:56 PM

I have buddy who has an 05 Road King and bought a new Gold Wing last year. His Road King is a very nice bike with an AMS 96" build. He never rides the RK anymore because he says the GW is so much better. I think he tried selling the RK but in this economy he still has it. Maybe secretly he wants to keep it I don't know. I do know I have not seen him on the RK since he got the GW. Funny thing is when he bought the RK in 05 he went whole hog Harley image ie shaved head ear ring yada yada. Somebody said he is now hanging out at the DQ LOL.

Barney Biker · 11-20-2009, 02:11 PM

PM sent

Barney Biker
07 EG

honorsdaddy · 11-20-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejerry

Hey folks need some help. I currently own a 09 Goldwing and have been un-comfortable on it since I bought it. I have never owned an HD but have done a few Demo rides. I like the cruiser seating position of the EG vs. the wing.

Ok so here is my question, Have any of you gone from a GW to an electra or ultra? What were your thoughts on comfort and distance riding? I am 5'6" and the reach of the wing is killing me in the Arms and A$$.

Jerry

You should be able to fix that reach issue. I cannot believe you'd be stuck with the factory position on the bars.

Going from the Wing to the Ultra, you'll give up a LOT of storage, power and amenities. Thats just simply a fact. There are things the Ultra doesnt even offer, let alone have as an option. Also, the reach to the bars on the Ultra MAY work for you, but you're going to have to lower it - i doubt you'll even be able to touch the ground at 5'6".

Somebody mentioned the Victory Vision. Excellent option really and seems to about split the difference between the two. More power than the HD, less than the Wing. Closer to the ground than the HD by a long shot. Almost as many amenities as the Wing, definitely more than the Ultra. Storage capacity slots right between the two as well.

plongson · 11-20-2009, 03:38 PM

Who'da thunk...Ya come to a Harley forum and they tell ya to stay with the 'wing...

I got to tell ya though, I love my Road King...I just keep putting miles and tires on it!!

Ragnar · 11-20-2009, 05:22 PM

I have owned Wings in the past, and I've owned an EG Classic since 2000. IMHO, the eglide is the most comfortable long distance bike I've ever been on. And as far as storage goes, you can get tons more stuff in/on the Glide than the Wing. The load limits on the Wing are ridiculously low, and because it's plastic, stuff will break. Also, that "trunk" and those "saddlebags" just don't hold that much stuff.

True enough, if you're looking for a heated nose-warmer or a talking dash that greets you, you won't find it on the HD. But if that's what you want, you should probably be looking at a car anyway.

Candyx · 11-20-2009, 07:55 PM

I know one thing for sure if you sell the goldwing and purchase that HD you'll be able able to throw away that neck tie that came with the goldwing............

TRazzo · 11-20-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honorsdaddy

Going from the Wing to the Ultra, you'll give up a LOT of storage, power and amenities. Thats just simply a fact. There are things the Ultra doesnt even offer, let alone have as an option. Also, the reach to the bars on the Ultra MAY work for you, but you're going to have to lower it - i doubt you'll even be able to touch the ground at 5'6".
.

You will give up some power and amenities but when comparing storage in cu inches there isn't much difference, and I prefer the HD bags because they top load. I am 5'6" tall with a 30 inch inseam, and I bought the street glide over a wing because of seat height. I have added the Ultra seat and don't have any problems with my feet touching the ground, and I have sat on Ultra's and honestly don't notice that much difference in the way my feet touch, and the extra shock length on the Ultra gives a better ride 2 up. I wish I would have gotten the Ultra to start with because I have added most of the Ultra stuff anyway, and I am into the bike way more than if I would have bought the Ultra to start with. The difference I have is in about 5 minutes I go from an Ultra to a Street Glide and have a sporty ride (which I do during the week). There are ways to lower a wing, and it isn't that expensive, but the bars may be a different story. If I had known about that before I bought the SG I prolly would have gotten the Wing. I would like to have bars further back on my SG but it is very expensive on an 08 with ABS. I know the pain in bars that don't fit you, my VTX was that way when I first got it. Many $$ later it fit like a glove.

prpl96 · 11-20-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejerry

Hey folks need some help. I currently own a 09 Goldwing and have been un-comfortable on it since I bought it. I have never owned an HD but have done a few Demo rides. I like the cruiser seating position of the EG vs. the wing.

Ok so here is my question, Have any of you gone from a GW to an electra or ultra? What were your thoughts on comfort and distance riding? I am 5'6" and the reach of the wing is killing me in the Arms and A$$.

Jerry

I just sold my 08 goldwing after buying a 06 ultra in april. the wing sat all summer b/c you couldnt get me off the harley. Much more comfy for me. And I like the looks and sound much better

wurk_truk · 11-20-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtclassic

Somebody said he is now hanging out at the DQ LOL.

reg26 · 11-21-2009, 05:07 AM

I here of so many guys on the forum talking about there bars being to far away and wanting a new set to get them closer but dont want to spend the money so they just live with it. With a little work and NO expense if you just adjust them back a half inch or so it makes a huge difference and its free