I've been wanting a touring bike for awhile now. I've looked at the Electraglide Ultra Classic. It's nice and it's a Harley. I've also looked at the Honda Goldwing. It's really nice, lots of luxury features. I know the Goldwing doesn't compare to the Harley in cool factor, but surpasses it in features. It also costs about $3,000 less. The reason I'm getting a tour bike is so the wife will enjoy riding more and we can go long distances comfortably. She likes them both but hasn't ridden on either one. Need opinions on both.

 

Goldwing all the way if your going to tour way smoother bike and nothing comes close to it in the touring comfort factor

 

Your only other option is the BMW.Both the Honda and the BMW have a nasty habit of not leaking oil. Of course you could buy the Harley,they are good bikes,of the last 10 years of production 80% are still on the road..........the other 20% made it home to their garages. From a 1970 Suzuki T-500 2-stroke owner

 

the Wings are nice bikes and tend to last a good long time. My dad just took his '86 with his Wife from Indy to Panama City. And its no way near as nice as the ones they are making today. But you do lose the Cool Factor of a Harley.

 

Obviously you never have owned a Harley.
I see more 20 year old Harleys on the road vs. 20 year old imports.

MikeyB

 

I've had a 99 Road King since new, and have been wondering about keeping it, too.

Though Harley has made great strides in reliability, the engine is actually fairly modernized, and they finally got multi piston brake calipers, if it's strictly a question of which is more practical I would still get the Goldwing for comfortable 2 up cross country touring.

The creature comforts are better, the power is better, the weather protection is better, the handling and suspension are way better. Though Harley's have improved, I don't think they have caught up to Honda when it comes to long term dependability.

That said, Harley's just have a robust feel and a cool factor that none of the competitors can match. Mine's also held value well, but people who paid more than MSRP can't say that, and I think the HD market will continue to cool in the future.

BMW's are also worth looking at. I particularly liked the PD version of the GS or the GS adventure. With a sensible tire choice you could ride cross country and still be able to check out some of the interesting non-paved areas, plus the huge gas tank would be neat. I had a buddy with an R bike, though, and I wasn't too impressed with the way he was treated. The bike had a very annoying surge when cruising at a steady pace, and he was told that there was no problem and he was just too sensitive...

 

I have owned 5 Harleys. Get the Gold Wing.

 

That statement holds quite a bit of weight being a previous Harley owner. I love my Dyna it's just too small for what I want to do. I just like fact that I get all the creature comforts of a car while still being exposed to outside air and being on two wheels. I really want the reliability of the Goldwing and the advance engine and suspension. I still like the Harley cool factor though. Keep the opinions coming. I trust what you guys have to say.

 

A real Harley person would never say that..Get the AMERICAN made bike. I have owned 5 Harleys and currently own a Fat Boy. I would NEVER buy a import bike.

 

I think you misspelled a word in your post so I corrected it for you. I also hate to be the one to educate you, but the Honda is made in Ohio (which, last time I checked is in the USA). Also the "Hardley" isn't as American as you like to think.


Buy the bike because you like the bike, not because of the name or because of where you believe it was made. I'm not a Goldwing fan because IMO if your going to need heat, radio, huge amounts of storage....... why not just get a convertible? However I've never known anyone that has owned a GW that didn't love them. The main reason why I give "hardley" owners a hard time is because of people like "nobull60" who slam other makes because they don't want the truth to get in the way of their opinion. Prime example: My Dodge was made in Mexico, engine cast in Brazil. GF's Honda Civic and Acura TL was made in Marysville OH. But to most the Dodge is American and the Honda is foreign. Buy American, get the Honda!

 

Rumor has it that H-D might unveil a new water-cooled bagger in the next model year.

 

What!? I need to see this.

 

thats because it took them 20 years to finally get the Harley running in road worthy fashion

 

Hmmm, and the imports?? Rusting away in a junk yard.

MikeyB

 

yeah, them honduhs have edit for language reliabilty.

HD is all about image. If you don't care, get the Honda.