Who is a former Goldwing rider?

[Rednaxs60]

We like our 2014 RTL very much. Great in stop/go traffic, traffic seems to be increasing every year and no new infrastructure being putting in place. Still have my retirement Goldwing - '85 Limited Edition FI model. Like riding two wheels. Have owned an '08 1800 - sold a few years back and a '95 1500 as well - sold to make room for the Spyder.

Had been looking at and researching the Spyder for a while, don't want a conversion, still an old bike and costly. Sonya's brother was doing the same. Wanted one that was designed to tow, Spyder is the only one on the market, and my joints and health are still in good condition so looked a t a three year window to my 70th birthday for the change.

A riding friend blind sided me when he bought a 2018 F3 Limited in the spring of this year. He was needing a driver when he went to pick up his Spyder after having it serviced. He arranged for a demo day - I got to ride a 2020 RTL. Quickly learned it was like riding a snowmobile, and enjoyed an afternoon on it. Borrowed the F3 for the Mrs to ride as passenger and she liked it.

Started to look for one and through the friend of a friend network found our 2014 RTL with 9000ish Kms. Did a test ride and Sonya liked the RTL over the F3. It had everything we wanted, and I was made an offer I couldn't refuse. Sold the 1500, and brought the Spyder home to its new home - spring of this year. Some 9000 Kms on it since bought. It's also the white Pearl colour to match the trailer I have.

My '85 Goldwing is not going anywhere soon, it's my retirement project - you know the what can I do to it today to make it more user friendly, need something to tinker with. Did a full paint job and engine rebuild over the past 2 years, and have a few more small projects to do to it.

As an aside, I mentioned that Sonya's brother Dave was looking at the Spyder as well. When I brought the RTL home and showed him it, he was mildly jealous. Let him have it for a weekend so he could get a good feel for the Spyder. He and his Mrs rode it for the weekend and decided it was definitely a good option for themselves. She liked the stability and safety feeling, as does Sonya. Dave's wife saw that he really wanted a Spyder so she told him to get one and sell his 1800. Missed out on a 2014 RTL by a week, but I borrowed my friends 2018 F3 for him to try. They both liked it. The Mrs preferred the F3 over the RTL as a passenger, opposite to what Sonya preferred. Arranged a meeting between Dave and my riding friend, they came to an agreement, and now Dave own's the F3.

Will keep the 2014 RTL for a few years - maybe, who knows, cross Canada trip planned for next year on it. Like the F3 as a solo ride, but the F3 Limited is a good option for later. Just did a full oil change on Dave's 2018 F3 and it's a lot less time consuming than the RTL.

Cheers

 

[Bangorbob]

I've owned a 2000 and 2005. Had to give up the 05 cus I needed a knee replacement. Beautiful rides, just plane heavy. Road Roadstars, Venture, and V star 1300. Getting older, weaker and arthritis moved me to the 2016 RTS I currently ride. I also now have a CTX700, but will probably be saying good bye to it soon. Spyder much safer and wife doesn't worry when I'm out riding.

 

[OldAge]

I'm another member of the club. Have owned GoldWings since 1989. Still own 3. ( I know,I know) I sold my trike this summer and just acquired a 2015 RT and immediately put it to sleep for the winter. I still have a 78, not running at the moment, an 1800 and my old faithful 86 which has been my winter bike ( in Florida ) for years. Due to arthritis in my hands, have decided the bikes with clutches have to go so am starting to thin the herd. Hope the Rt keeps me on the road for a while longer.

 

[rick_w]

I have ridden GoldWing's for many years. We currently have a 2021 Goldwing Tour. We use it as a parts demo bike and I ride it.
We also have several Spyders. I rode our 2020 RT on a 5000 mile trip this Summer and just back from a 4000 mile trip with the new Wing.

If riding together we always take a Spyder. Just so much easier. I also find that the Spyder is a lot easier when going into National Parks, etc. You don't have to be concerned about parking it, etc. You can pull off about anywhere and take pictures easily.
I do still enjoy riding 2 wheels though and the new Goldwings are so easy to ride.

If you are to a point where you are slightly uncomfortable for any reason on a heavier bike or ride 2 up most of the time the Spyder is a great alternative. You will not regret it.
Pictures below are from a trip this Summer on the RT and a trip this Fall on the GoldWing.

 

[Joel The Biker]

I had a 2002. I loved that bike! It was a rocketship!!! And so comfortable! It was customized and awesome with tons of lights at night. I only sold it because I could occasionally smell anti-freeze and was not able to locate the source because access to the top of the motor was so difficult. I still would have bought my spyder, but I would have kept the wing. Once I drove a spyder, I was hooked! No worries about tipping over(bad left knee) and it is fun and comfortable.

 

[spyder01]

Had a 03 Wing for 15 years,loved it but I found that it was sitting a lot the last couple years bc my life was just getting too hectic.I made a complete lifestyle change,sold business,house,moved to another state and decided that I was gonna ride a lot more,but the GW had to go. I had been interested in Spyders since they first came out,so I drove that bike down to Motomember in VA and came back with a 17 RTL.I feel that as a touring bike/trike its just more fun and easier to drive in every kind of weather and road condition.

 

[PeterKelly]

I am soon to own one of each too.

I have a 2021 Gold Wing DCT in Vancouver and am awaiting delivery of my 2021 RT Limited in the next week or so her in Southern California where I spend winters.

At almost 73 years old I find the GW a bit tricky to handle at parking lot speeds and on gravel etc. if I enjoy the Spyder as much as I hope to I will probably swap it for another Spyder after next riding season

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I had a 2005 Goldwing when I made the switch. About 2012, 2013 time frame I decided it was time to go to three wheels before something happened that would make me wish I had done it sooner. I dropped my 2005 Goldwing 6 times in 2 years. Two with my foot in a pothole, once in the garage when I forgot to put the kickstand down, once when my foot slid on gravel scattered on a paved parking lot, and twice when I was suffering from heat stress after a Goldwing rally. I ran off the pavement into gravel as I was leaving a rest area. That was really embarrassing because an Oregon State Trooper showed up after the first drop, helped me get things back up and connected (I was pulling a trailer) and watched me make the second drop within 50 feet of taking off!

I also began to not feel safe on the 'wing. In Utah I was going around a long easy curve on Interstate 15/80 at about 75 or 80 mph when I got to thinking that if ANYTHING went wrong, like an animal crossing the road, or if I hit a rock, or who knows what, I was a goner. A feeling of vulnerability while on two wheels really settled in. Later, after my first several thousand mile trip on my 2013 RT when I stopped for gas on the Intestate in Idaho and was walking into the travel center, I suddenly realized I was feeling a whole lot safer on the RT at 80 mph than I ever did on the Goldwing at 70 mph. For me, the Spyder truly re-instilled the joy of riding.

I was going to trike my Goldwing using a conversion from a wrecked 'wing. What I found was front end wrecked 'wings were selling at something like $6k to $8k from an insurance company sales yard. If I added $1k for shipping, $1k for a new rake kit, and $1k for painting plus the $12k market value of my 'wing I would easily be in it for $21k plus. That was before I factored in who knows how many hundreds of hours of labor to take the conversion off the wreck and put it on mine. There would be no significant salvage value for all the left over parts and pieces from the two bikes.

It made a lot more sense to pay $15k for the 2013 RT with 650 miles, especially considering the Spyder was designed from the ground up to be three wheels rather than being cobbled together to be three wheels. In the end I got a much better 3 wheeler for about $10k less money. I saw that as a no brainer!

I've done some dumb things in life, but switching from the Goldwing to the Spyder is not one of them! :thumbup:

 

[Longtimer]

I have never drop any of my GW and been riding them since 1984 (knock very hard on wood) came close a few times. But riding two up and loaded it was getting a little more challenging and not as fun and I always said if I hurt myself thats one thing but if I hurt her thats whole different story. So I got a Spyder in 2020 and love it and she does too on the trip we just took she enjoyed it more and we rode every day for two week then we took on the GW a year ago. I still have my GW and still ride it solo but two up it always the Spyder and ride it solo more then the GW. Like I said before I should be in jail because it has to be illegal to have this much fun riding the spyder now days at my age I just feel safer and more relaxed and enjoy the ride and she does too

 

[dbcrum]

Really surprised at all the current and former wing riders. Never rode a GW, but mine's a similar story. After owning it for 9 years, dropped my Rocket III Touring with the wife on back in a parking lot. Nothing hurt but my pride. What made it even worse was, I couldn't pick it up by myself! Had to have the wifes help. That was the moment of truth. Sold it and had a '20 RTL in less than 2 weeks. Lovin' it, but do miss my Rocket. It is still the most awesome machine I've ever ridden. No regrets on the switch though, and the wife loves it!

 

[cptjam]

Have an 18 Gold Wing Tour. Love it.
Have a 17 ST1300, new. Love it.
Have a 20 RT, Ann loves it.
Spent 5 weeks with a quartet of 2022 units: RTLTD, F3LTD special series, a Ryker 900, and a Ryker Rally. Ann really likes the Rally. Might have to order one.

 

[Flamewinger]

I've owned 5 Goldwings from a 1983 to a 2004. I switched due to my 5'1" hight and after 36 years I found the Wings to be getting bigger and taller. Love my F3 Ltd.

 

[T.P.]

.

Well--- does a Valkyrie count?????? Took off the cop fairing and put on a Bullet style faring, hopped it up a bit. It was great.....

YES they do, I had a 2001 Interstate and a 1998 Tourer at the same time. Still have the Tourer.

T.P.

 

[pam135]

ex goldwing rider

When I decided last June that my 920 pound Goldwing was getting to be too much for me to be comfortable with I traded it in on a new RT. From what I have read on this forum, it seems that a fair number of us here were Goldwing riders before coming to 3 wheels. For me it was an in-garage tip over that trapped my right foot and boot, and try as I might I could not get free. After a lot of horn honking and yelling my wife came to my aid, and with her help was able to get my foot out from under the undamaged Goldwing. While I initially planned on just getting a lighter bike like a Triumph T120, I also wanted to be able to continue to have my wife come with me as my passenger, and she had no interest in the small pillion seats on many bikes. So at her urging I gave the Spyder a try and immediately decided that I wanted one. What made you decide to give up the Wing and come to the world of CanAm?

bought a new 2007 rode it 4 years 40000 miles had it converted to trike california side car rode another 40000 miiles had rear end collision from another bike in florida after repairs I sold it.Bought a 2014 used rtl rode it 16000 miles sold it and bought 2021 f3l that I currently ride

 

[Wahrsuul]

I'm expecting to go to a 'Wing trike before long. We didn't look at them too seriously due to price difference, but the wife just isn't a comfortable on the RTS as she originally thought, so she never rides on it anymore. She loves when we borrow my brother's 1800, but is still concerned with being on two wheels. So if I want to keep riding, gotta make momma happy.

 

[Pooch]

I'm expecting to go to a 'Wing trike before long. We didn't look at them too seriously due to price difference, but the wife just isn't a comfortable on the RTS as she originally thought, so she never rides on it anymore. She loves when we borrow my brother's 1800, but is still concerned with being on two wheels. So if I want to keep riding, gotta make momma happy.

You both will like it fine. I came off of a 2008 Gold Wing Motor Trike Adventure kit with Independent Rear Suspension, 4-1/2* rake. Loved it. HATED to let it go... hurt me deeply. That baby never failed me in any way. I had it for 6 years...so smooth...so powerful...so reliable...
I can't do my own maintenance and my old maintenance/mechanic person got out of the business so I had no one else to take it to except the Motor Trike manufacturer in Troup, TX - 300 miles from me. Not do-able. So went with next best thing - 2021 Spyder RT Ltd. The dealer is only 46 miles from me.
Word of advice: do your research... don't buy a trike with a kit that is not made anymore... finding parts for the trike kit can be a super hassle.
Good luck. The trike forum I am still on is triketalk.com and the guys are very friendly and helpful. I'll look for you over there... "paws" is the name.

 

[sarecco1]

I had a brand-new 1985 GL 1200 and then a 2006 GL 1800. These were awesome machines! Fast smooth handling was great. But the balancing when coming to a stop especially with someone on the back had always been a pain! Having to worry about falling also was a concern . My reason for going to three wheel spyder... Increase my enjoyment with less work. Simple as that! Also I felt safer on three wheels. Do I miss my Gold Wing, no, it was a great machine though! My first attempt was a 2011 STS spyder it did not have all the things I was looking for. It lacked the horsepower, the overdrive gear it desperately needed, seat height was too high to be able to change directions easily & the nanny control YUK. But I had fun for couple of years on it. Now looking at models over 2017 that corrected every one of these things! My hats off to canam for stepping up their game!

Steve from New York,
if you hear of anyone selling a 2018 or 2019 F3 sport please let me know

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'm expecting to go to a 'Wing trike before long. We didn't look at them too seriously due to price difference, but the wife just isn't a comfortable on the RTS as she originally thought, so she never rides on it anymore. She loves when we borrow my brother's 1800, but is still concerned with being on two wheels. So if I want to keep riding, gotta make momma happy.

Just curious, what makes your wife uncomfortable? Is it how her body fits on the seat? In that case the 'wing very well may be more comfortable for sitting on. But if the sideways pull while going around corners and a feeling of being thrown off is the problem going to a 'wing trike won't solve that.

 

[Drwerner]

I hated giving up 2 wheels. I've had a dozen or so bikes over the years most recently BMW GSs, my last a R1200GSA LC - best bike I have ever owned. It took me and my wife all over the east coast and Midwest on and off road. A simple slip and fall at a motorcycle event, coincidently, tore my patella tendon and what should have been a simple operation repair turned into 2 botched surgeries and 3 to follow those to leave me with a permanently disabled knee and no ability to ride a 2-wheeler. Not wanting to give up "the lean" I purchased a new Goldwing Tour DCT and had it sent to Tilting Motor Works (http://www.tiltingmotorworks.com) to get their tilting, reverse trike front end installed. It was a beautiful piece of work.

The Goldwing is lightyears ahead of the Spyder. The fit and finish is superb. Puddle lights come on as you approach the bike to light both sides. The glovebox and all the bags automatically unlick when you are near the bike and automatically lock when you walk away. The ignition is keyless. The color screen is larger and nicer. The power from the 6 cylinder is amazingly strong and smooth. The comfort for driver and passenger was excellent. The sound system was amazing. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the bike locks upright at slow speeds and unlocks to allow a leaning motorcycle experience, it was not for a disabled person. I miss the BMW and Honda, but then I miss my old leg, lol.

I like my Spyder. So does my wife. It's just not a motorcycle. It took 500+ miles to get comfortable on it. After a couple thousand miles, it still seems weird, but I am happy to be back on a bike again. The long floorboards are awesome, and I don't need to shift with my left foot (I can't) - so it works for me (and my wife). I've done a lot to it to make it mine (I did the same on the GW) - so I have had both bikes apart and back together. I say that so you know I speak from experience. I still have a Triumph T100 Black - but that is now for friends to ride. The Spyder is comfortable, very stable and still fun. I've had convertibles (that were faster) - but the open air of a bike is better. I am glad to have it. The lack of tip over worry and ease of riding under any conditions make for a pleasant worry-free ride. I have ridden rear wheel trikes and they are just not for me. If Honda made a front wheel trike like the Spyder, however, it is likely that is what I would own (that is if BMW didn't make one, lol).





Best of luck in your decision, all that said, you can't go wrong with the Spyder. PM me if you have more questions.

Happy Holidays! David

 

[FrogmanDave]

I had one that was a 2008 model. I currently ride an ST1300 which I will sell once I take delivery of my new RT. Btw, the ST is much more fun to ride than my GL was. I still own a couple of scooters. The most recent is my 2020 Honda PCX. For around town there is no better bike to ride. Light, nimble, and has plenty of power to ride anywhere but the interstate.