Don't know about the new Gold Wings but the old ones went forever. I had a couple of Harleys and several Hondas. Hondas were much smoother on trips. Maybe you could have one of each...now that would be the way to go.

 

I'd forget the cool factor and get the six-cylinder Goldwing. Wait - I have a 22 year old Nighthawk that still runs as good as new, and is most certainly not in any sort of junkyard. This year alone, I've had four people offer to buy it from me. So much for that missing "cool" factor....

It's a free country, get out and enjoy it on the bike of your choice.

 

Isn't the cummins/dodge considerd cool? The HARLEY-DAVIDSON of the TRUCK WORLD? get our point? more than just a BANKS decal.
TOMMY (Former nothing but chevy man!!! H-D CTD FOREVER!!!

 

In my eyes the CTD is the Harley of the truck world. I don't know how Furd got rights to the name for their trucks. Dodge is the big dog on the block IMO. I'm getting swayed more and more toward the Ultra Classic just for the simple fact I'm more comfortable on it. It seems the Goldwing was meant for smaller guys. I wish you could get the handling and luxuries of the Goldwing on an Ultra Classic...or at least reverse.

 

Could not have said it better. What color are you getti'n?
TOMMY

 

Black. Is there any other color?

 

Nope!!!!!!!!!

 

the key here is not which is the cool bike or the one you would like better, the wife is the one to satisfy. In that case it is Goldwing all the way. I don't think anyone matches the passenger comfort of the wing. Certainly not a harley. I love Harley's but you are talking wing world.

 

Actually, I think my RoadKing's floorboards and chassis are pretty similar to the ultra, and I find it a bit cramped on long rides. It seems like magazine reviews complain if a 5' tall person can't stand flat footed at a stop light, but the result is bikes that don't fit taller people that well.

Anyway, a set of highway pegs helps.

Also, I understand that a set of progressive springs, heavier fork oil, and progressive rear shocks does wonders for the suspension perfomance on the touring HD's. In my opinion their suspension is the last area that they haven't brought up to modern performance standards.

I still think it might be a good idea to rent one of each for a couple of days before you decide... In the end though either machine is likely to make you happy.

P.S. Black is the only choice...

 

Actually, The Road King is the FLH (bagger) chassis with a Heritage Softail front forks.

I have had many relative newbies to H-Ds confuse "Old Blue" for a Road King.

 

Yeah, that's very common with the Twinkie riders....

My old Evo is a keeper....

MikeyB

 

I have both. 98 Road King Classic with fuel inj. First trip with it rode 8800 miles going to Cali and roaming around out West. Plenty of 600 and 700 mile days, very comfy with an aftermarket Corbin seat. Went over tallest pass in Cali, Tioga pass and it never coughed or sputtered. Did great (fuel inj) Rode it to Maine the year after and Decided I wanted a dedicated tourer, with good Radio and lots of room. Was going to buy used (Harley bought new). Ultra was way too expensive so bought a used GW with 9500 miles. I have the "older model" --6 cylinder with reverse, not the one with the "newer" frame. I like all the gadgets and wind and rain protection on the Wing, and have rode it out west and to Maine and Canada and it is a very comfortable utilitarian bike, which I like. I have not rode the "newer one" but have talked to some who got the newer one. One of the wives liked their previous model, said it was more comfortable, and had more wind protection. I like both HD and GW. I can take my windsheild off Harley and it looks good with my solo seat, and ride it around local, or go cross country. Whenever I tour, I take the Wing. Bottom line, both are good bikes, its whatever you like. But for strictly touring, personally I would go with Goldwing, don't buy a bike that does not have multiple dealerships in every state unless you feel very lucky all the time. I don't know why this has to be a brand vs. brand mine is better than yours thing. Guess its just human nature. Good luck and let us know what you purchased.

 

i have a tour glide, it is a much more comfortable bike for me to fit on. i am 6'1" 240 lbs. every time i get on a jap touring bike i feel real cramped. but i did screw it up the other day. i let the battery get low and i push started it. i drove it around for 10 minutes or so and then stoped by a friends house. i reved it up to 2k to charge the battery. i went behind his house to tell him something and kind of forgot about it for 30 minutes. if it was a jap bike it would have been fine. i cooked the rings and poped a head gasket and maybe the pistons also. it was a dumb mistake on my part and i will fix it.
the main thing is buy what you want. i have ridden over 300k miles on jap bikes, most of them way over 100hp. i had all of them, and i have enjoyed most of them. but i find i don't enjoy the cramped feeling of the sport bikes anymore. but i am old and fat now, that was half the reason i bought the harley.

 

I wanted to buy American but the downright arrogance of the sales people ( I won't say what dealer) turned me and my son off on HD for the next 34 years so I did not buy HD. I certainly hope not all HD dealers are like that one was.

 

Did you go to the one in Fayetteville, NC? I had issues with those buttheads.