First time on a 'wing

[01xj]

Anyone ridden a 'wing? I know a few on here have one. My s.o. and I are going to Florida and her uncle has given me the OK to take his GL1800 out. Our itinerary basically consits of just riding around and do a little touring of Florida. Anyone ridden one before? I feel pretty confident in my riding in general- but an 800lb bike is a little intimidating.

Every thing I read say that as soon as the bike is under it's own power you don't feel the weight, however I'm a little concerned being 5'4" with a 28" inseam. Is it as easy as they say? I don't very often ask to ride others peoples bike so other than a few harleys and my old cruiser, I've mostly been on sport or standard bikes.

[nhbubba]

Paging jasnmar.

I still giggle when I fall in behind him on than 900 lbs monster on Dave's rides.

[VTRumble]

My father has one, and he's about the same size. He hasn't had any trouble with it, but he was coming from an old Yamaha venture that was a little taller. Having reverse takes care of the biggest hassle with a bike that size, I rode it once and had a great time - I see how those guys do so many miles in a day. It did take some getting used to but I was only on it for half an hour or so. Definitely try to get a few miles solo just to get a feel for it, you'll have a great time on it.

[01xj]

The plan is for me to take it out and get comfortable with it. Try some emergency stopping and low speed manuevers, then have her get on and do it all over again. It's not so much the bike itself that has me worried, more like having an "oh shit" situation on a bike I'm not completely familiar with, that weights twice what I'm used to plus a passenger. They live in a quiet neighborhood so we should have it pretty easy.

[nhbubba]

I would aim to find a parking lot and do slow speed drills. Figure 8's, u-turns, etc. Basically MSF (or ARC) stuff.

I've not ridden one, but the part that everyone brags about is the torque. That and Honda near-perfect fueling. I watch guys park those things in 3rd gear and just roll around parking lots with power available whenever they need it, and no problem modulating with just the throttle. Meanwhile my DL bucks like a bronco when treated that way. I need to slip the clutch for those maneuvers, which adds a lot to it.

Watching John Colandrea casually slap his knee to the ground and hold it there for loop after loop at a brisk jogging pace while instructing the ARC is a real eye opener.

[jasnmar]

Yes, I have one. it is my primary ride.

At speed you'll have no problem. They are a dream to ride at speed... Just watch your lean angle. The peg feelers will scrape first to let you know when you are getting close to the limit.

Low speed is a whole different ball game. I'm 5'11" with a 36" inseem. I don't have trouble touching with both feet. There are times I can't "flat foot" both feet. It's not so much the seat height as it is the width. While the weight isn't terribly high at 900 lbs it is a lot of weight. You'll need to get ahead of it. Any time you are planning a stop pick a side and intentionally lean it that way (but don't lean it much, mostly you get off on that side...). Your foot will need to come down behind the pegs. Also be aware that both the front and rear brakes actually operate the front brake, so at low speed application of either brake will apply to the front, which if you aren't prepared, can pull you down. Also be aware that they have tons of low end torque. Most of my low speed practice starts in 3rd gear at idle. No, really. 3rd gear at idle (don't touch the throttle) will keep you going fast enough that it's almost impossible to crash, but you can explore low speed lean angle. Unless it is absolutely necessary, don't go slow.

Someone mentioned reverse... Yea, it has one. I use mine about 3 times per year. Here's the procedure. Bike running. Put the bike in neutral. Press down the reverse button (right handlebar). Wait for the R light to come on. When you want to go backwards press the starter button. No, really, the starter button. The reverse is electric and it uses the starter motor to operate. When you want to stop going backwards release the starter button. It will not go backwards fast enough for you to pick up your feet.

Oh, it also has auto cancelling turn signals. Enjoy the hell out of those.

You can ignore most of the buttons switches and levers. You might get bored on the highway (especially in Florida) and decide to play with them, but the mostly aren't necessary to operation of the family truckster.

I don't know what your "regular bike" is, or if she rides with you, but whatever it is, after this, she'll hate it.

[01xj]

Yes, I have one. it is my primary ride.

At speed you'll have no problem. They are a dream to ride at speed... Just watch your lean angle. The peg feelers will scrape first to let you know when you are getting close to the limit.

Low speed is a whole different ball game. I'm 5'11" with a 36" inseem. I don't have trouble touching with both feet. There are times I can't "flat foot" both feet. It's not so much the seat height as it is the width. While the weight isn't terribly high at 900 lbs it is a lot of weight. You'll need to get ahead of it. Any time you are planning a stop pick a side and intentionally lean it that way (but don't lean it much, mostly you get off on that side...). Your foot will need to come down behind the pegs. Also be aware that both the front and rear brakes actually operate the front brake, so at low speed application of either brake will apply to the front, which if you aren't prepared, can pull you down. Also be aware that they have tons of low end torque. Most of my low speed practice starts in 3rd gear at idle. No, really. 3rd gear at idle (don't touch the throttle) will keep you going fast enough that it's almost impossible to crash, but you can explore low speed lean angle. Unless it is absolutely necessary, don't go slow.

Someone mentioned reverse... Yea, it has one. I use mine about 3 times per year. Here's the procedure. Bike running. Put the bike in neutral. Press down the reverse button (right handlebar). Wait for the R light to come on. When you want to go backwards press the starter button. No, really, the starter button. The reverse is electric and it uses the starter motor to operate. When you want to stop going backwards release the starter button. It will not go backwards fast enough for you to pick up your feet.

Oh, it also has auto cancelling turn signals. Enjoy the hell out of those.

You can ignore most of the buttons switches and levers. You might get bored on the highway (especially in Florida) and decide to play with them, but the mostly aren't necessary to operation of the family truckster.

I don't know what your "regular bike" is, or if she rides with you, but whatever it is, after this, she'll hate it.

Thanks for the rundown. I'll probably skip reverse and just cognizant of where I park. Regular bike is a street triple and she has a ninja 250.

Is the bike manageable with one foot down with a passenger? I don't think I've used both feet in the last 10,000 miles.

[gumby]

Sounds like you're going to FL sooner than later, otherwise I'd recommend a follow the leader session with jasnmar.
Whether it's on a spirited DucDave ride or a few laps at a NHMS trackday, Jason tames the 'wing.

[01xj]

We're going in July. I'm signed up for a few TTD but they're at Thompson.

[jasnmar]

Thanks Mike!

The fact that you aren't used to using both feet is to your advantage. You will need to get ahead of it. It is a heavy bike. Yes, it absolutely can be handled with one foot... You'll want to make sure you are finding the "high side" (as much as that is possible in Florida) having it intentionally fall that way, but not fall very far. Keep the weight over the wheels.

On the plus side... It has great drop protection. I don't know how anal her uncle is about scratches on the crash bars, but worst case they can be replaced for $200ish. I use mine to change the rear wheel and laying it on its side is something of a party trick.

Instructions to passenger: don't move. Don't lean one way or the other, ever. Shifting weight is much harder to deal with than static weight. Since she also rides I'm probably being a bit strict here. Actually a smooth weight shift would be fine, but the herky jerky stuff my wife likes to do isn't helpful

Honestly try not to go slow and you'll love it. When you have to go slow, always be planning your stop.

[01xj]

At my height I'm used to finding a neutral place to park. More than once I've put my downhill foot and had that extra 1-2" drop scare the crap out of me. The g/f is a good passenger, no issues there. Her had had bikes the whole time she grew up and she's been my passenger for 5 years I've been riding.

I've never even seen the bike so I'm not sure what condition it's in. Hopefully replacing anything doesn't even come into play. I'm sure I'll be more confident once I"m there. Just doing a little research since I know people like yourself can help me out with the first hand experience versus the "ah you'll be fine" crap.

[golden chicken]

One of my favorite GoPro captures ever:

[DucDave]

I looked but can't find it...had a video of Jasnmar demonstrating how to pick up a Wing that has toppled over...all by himself. Impressive, it was!

[nhbubba]

Instructions to passenger: don't move.

This reminds me of this:

Lemme bump your legs out of the way, but don't move. Just give me room.

If I had a SO and she rode with me I'd probably look to flip my beloved 'strom for a 'wing. That saddle alone..

But it is way, way more machine than this man needs for solo work at this point in life.

- - - Updated - - -

I looked but can't find it...had a video of Jasnmar demonstrating how to pick up a Wing that has toppled over...all by himself. Impressive, it was!

Wasn't that on facebook?

[stoinkythepig]

I don't think you'll have any trouble with it. They are really easy to ride.

[jasnmar]

Picking it up really isn't all that hard. It's mostly just knowing the trick... The guy in the video below does it right (mostly, he'd of had an easier time if it were in gear).

Other things coming to mind... The 'wings suspension is a bit mushy if stock. I'd recommend setting the rear preload to 25 and just leaving it (that gives you slightly more ground clearance as well). The preload is electric. The bike has to be running, but in neutral to set it. Nothing to do with the front suspension. It is what it is... Speaking of front suspension, however (unless her uncle has "customized it") there's an antidive valve on the front. Try to stay off the brakes when going over bumps or it's a bit harsh (but it won't hurt anything).

First gear is really short. There are a lot of people who don't even use first gear unless pulling a trailer. The red line is at 6000 on the tach. The rev limiter is at 6500. If you are jumping on it in first and hit the limiter it feels like you hit something when it drops out. Try to avoid that .

Fuel capacity is 6.6 gallons. There is a fuel gauge, but there's also an idiot light. Mostly once the idiot light is on constantly you have a little over a gallon left (~40 miles).

Assuming it has the stock windscreen, there is a vent in the lower part of the screen. As strange as this seems opening the vent will actually reduce buffeting for the passenger.

I'm sure I'll think of addition pointers and will try to post them up.

It's a bike, ride it and have fun. (it just happens to be a big bike )

[01xj]

I seriously doubt I could go 40 miles without seeing a fuel stop, but just to be on the safe side- what's your range per tank? I'd prefer not to rely on an idiot light when I'm unfamiliar with the area.

[jasnmar]

My running average is 200 miles / tank. 230 doesn't scare me, but I am seriously looking for fuel at 230. I'm also overly cautious about fuel. Most I've put in it is 6.21gallons.

[nhbubba]

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/jasnmar/gl1800

[carsick]

What's the fuel mileage for a track day? I've never calculated any of my bikes on the track, I just know the unit of measure is smiles per gallon.

[butcher bergs]

I seriously doubt I could go 40 miles without seeing a fuel stop, but just to be on the safe side- what's your range per tank? I'd prefer not to rely on an idiot light when I'm unfamiliar with the area.

I borrowed on for a few days last year. The weight can definitely be felt at parking lot speeds and the fuel light is good for 30+ miles with passenger. I say "30+" because I have no idea when it came on and when I did notice, it was about 30 miles to the closest gas station.

Nice bike. Not my personal cup of tea, though.

[jasnmar]

I didn't write it down, but from memory an ARC + trackday on the GL I was at about 32MPG.

[Garrett]

I'd rock a first gen wing with no shame.

[jasnmar]

There are some awesome early wings on http://www.ngwclub.com/ .

[gumby]

We're going in July. I'm signed up for a few TTD but they're at Thompson.

Perfect.
Try to join us on a DucDave/Seacoast ride this year that jasnmar is going on. http://www.batmanmoto.com/Docs/Seaco...A_Schedule.pdf
Not only does Jason know every detail about Goldwings, he is simply a down-to-earth guy.