SteveMac
MOgang Member & Monster Member,
Just got back from our first weekend on the Wing Trike. Got to visit with many of our Spyder Ryding friends, who really felt the need to bust my chops about MY backwards trike! :roflblack:
All in good fun though! We had a blast in Farmington MO. They were all there for the Spyder Palooza and we crashed the party.
A few of those folks asked me about the differences between the Spyder and the Wing, and I also had some PMs asking about the differences. As in most things there are pros and cons to each. None of which detract from the fun factor. But I will try to provide my honest feedback, free of charge. There is a money back guarantee if you are unhappy with the result.
:joke:
Disclaimer: I am comparing the 2003 Wing on a 2009 Champion Kit to my former ride, a 2010 Spyder RT with Elkas but no RonBar. So RS-S and ST-S folks don't be alarmed and leave the flamethrowers in the OFF position.
Fun Factor:
Pretty even match. Although I think it is a "state law" somewhere that you are supposed to prefer your newest ride. So I will.
Rider comfort and ergos:
A nod goes ever so slightly to my RT. Primarily because I had custom built my own highway pegs and dialed them into my own personal specs. I also preferred my Corbin seat as it had more "posterior vacancy". However, I prefer the bar reach and width on the Wing. After I get a backrest and new custom highway pegs, I think I will be equally comfy on the Wing.
Passenger comfort and ergos:
ConnieMac likes both, but that big ole Wing passenger seat has won her over. We had arm rests on the RT-Corbin, and I may add some to the Wing, but for her,,, the Wing gets the nod, with or without armrests.
Smoothness of ride:
At slow speeds in town, the RT wins. The single front tire on the Wing is more reactionary to road imperfections and was disconcerting at first. It was fine after I got used to it, but definitely different than the RT. At running speed both machines are very smooth. However, the Wing gets a better grade. I think maybe the driveshaft makes the difference over the belt drive. Or perhaps it is the lower RPM range of the Wing, but at running speed 30+mph I'd give the nod to the Wing. Cruising at 60mph at 2500 RPM does have its perks.
Cornering on dry road condition hard- twisties:
My RT setup with the Elkas would win in this category. But in its stock 2010 shock config it would not outperform the Wing. We ran the same roads this weekend that we formerly did on the RT and I was just as fast in 90% of them. However, there were a couple of curves that had me wondering if the single front tire would keep hugging the road. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how well the traditional trike did. I was expecting to see a bigger degradation in handling when compared to the RT. I think the lower COG on the Wing is what helped close the gap some. I always felt, even when I owned the RT, that I would like to sit down into the machine more. A lower COG is definitely a confidence booster.
Cornering on smooth sweepers:
Not a lot of difference, but I'd give a nod to the Wing. It just has such smooth power and is a tremendous pleasure to hit the sweepers. There is zero sway with the solid axle Wing.
Corning on ANY rain soaked curve:
Spyder wins hands down. Although we didn't ride in the rain on the Wing, there is zero doubt in my mind, that on a wet road, I'd prefer two in front. I will just have to adapt and go a bit slower on the Wing when we do get caught in the rain.
Electronic Controls and Stereo:
The Wing wins this category. Honda has these controls setup for ease of use especially when wearing gloves. They have been at this a while and it is apparent. Very easy to initiate and cancel turn signals. And the Wing stereo is magnificent. Cruise control works equally well on both. However the power windscreen on the RT is preferred, I never changed the height much anyway, so the point is moot.
Powertrain:
An 1800cc 6cyl, shaft-drive definitely wins the day. The Wing is just incredible in the low end and smooth as butter in the upper range. I found that I down-shifted far less with the Wing. Even two-up and triked, it will pull like crazy with a twist of the throttle and no lugging, even at very low RPM. Also with our combined weight, the Wing is effortless at take off from a dead stop. And especially so on an incline. And the "sound" of the Wing just exudes power. I love the sound and won't change a thing on the exhaust. (EDIT) how could I forget the reverse gear. I much prefer the mechanical reverse of the Spyder over the Wing's electric version. I will just try to park conveniently on the Wing.
Fuel mileage
Mark Lawson told me to expect an 8mpg boost with the Wing. I was skeptical. But sure enough, he was almost spot on. I usually got in the low 30mpg range on my RT. This weekend, I averaged 38.7mpg on the Wing. So obviously the Honda comes out on top here.
In the final analysis. Both machines are FUN! Each one has its own areas of superiority. If I were asked to choose, I'd say that I would prefer a combination of both. I'd love to have the two front wheels of the Spyder on the Goldwing power train and electronics. But since we don't currently have that, then I will simply say that I am VERY VERY happy with my current ride. But that doesn't mean that the Wing is better in every way. Just in many ways... For me. :doorag:
So enjoy your ride. Whatever your ride may be. And be sure to give your buddies a hard time if they ride something different. After all, "it is all in good fun!"
:yes::yes::yes:
Here is a "selfie" of me and ConnieMac enjoying the weekend with our friends!
All in good fun though! We had a blast in Farmington MO. They were all there for the Spyder Palooza and we crashed the party.
A few of those folks asked me about the differences between the Spyder and the Wing, and I also had some PMs asking about the differences. As in most things there are pros and cons to each. None of which detract from the fun factor. But I will try to provide my honest feedback, free of charge. There is a money back guarantee if you are unhappy with the result.
:joke:
Disclaimer: I am comparing the 2003 Wing on a 2009 Champion Kit to my former ride, a 2010 Spyder RT with Elkas but no RonBar. So RS-S and ST-S folks don't be alarmed and leave the flamethrowers in the OFF position.
Fun Factor:
Pretty even match. Although I think it is a "state law" somewhere that you are supposed to prefer your newest ride. So I will.
Rider comfort and ergos:
A nod goes ever so slightly to my RT. Primarily because I had custom built my own highway pegs and dialed them into my own personal specs. I also preferred my Corbin seat as it had more "posterior vacancy". However, I prefer the bar reach and width on the Wing. After I get a backrest and new custom highway pegs, I think I will be equally comfy on the Wing.
Passenger comfort and ergos:
ConnieMac likes both, but that big ole Wing passenger seat has won her over. We had arm rests on the RT-Corbin, and I may add some to the Wing, but for her,,, the Wing gets the nod, with or without armrests.
Smoothness of ride:
At slow speeds in town, the RT wins. The single front tire on the Wing is more reactionary to road imperfections and was disconcerting at first. It was fine after I got used to it, but definitely different than the RT. At running speed both machines are very smooth. However, the Wing gets a better grade. I think maybe the driveshaft makes the difference over the belt drive. Or perhaps it is the lower RPM range of the Wing, but at running speed 30+mph I'd give the nod to the Wing. Cruising at 60mph at 2500 RPM does have its perks.
Cornering on dry road condition hard- twisties:
My RT setup with the Elkas would win in this category. But in its stock 2010 shock config it would not outperform the Wing. We ran the same roads this weekend that we formerly did on the RT and I was just as fast in 90% of them. However, there were a couple of curves that had me wondering if the single front tire would keep hugging the road. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how well the traditional trike did. I was expecting to see a bigger degradation in handling when compared to the RT. I think the lower COG on the Wing is what helped close the gap some. I always felt, even when I owned the RT, that I would like to sit down into the machine more. A lower COG is definitely a confidence booster.
Cornering on smooth sweepers:
Not a lot of difference, but I'd give a nod to the Wing. It just has such smooth power and is a tremendous pleasure to hit the sweepers. There is zero sway with the solid axle Wing.
Corning on ANY rain soaked curve:
Spyder wins hands down. Although we didn't ride in the rain on the Wing, there is zero doubt in my mind, that on a wet road, I'd prefer two in front. I will just have to adapt and go a bit slower on the Wing when we do get caught in the rain.
Electronic Controls and Stereo:
The Wing wins this category. Honda has these controls setup for ease of use especially when wearing gloves. They have been at this a while and it is apparent. Very easy to initiate and cancel turn signals. And the Wing stereo is magnificent. Cruise control works equally well on both. However the power windscreen on the RT is preferred, I never changed the height much anyway, so the point is moot.
Powertrain:
An 1800cc 6cyl, shaft-drive definitely wins the day. The Wing is just incredible in the low end and smooth as butter in the upper range. I found that I down-shifted far less with the Wing. Even two-up and triked, it will pull like crazy with a twist of the throttle and no lugging, even at very low RPM. Also with our combined weight, the Wing is effortless at take off from a dead stop. And especially so on an incline. And the "sound" of the Wing just exudes power. I love the sound and won't change a thing on the exhaust. (EDIT) how could I forget the reverse gear. I much prefer the mechanical reverse of the Spyder over the Wing's electric version. I will just try to park conveniently on the Wing.
Fuel mileage
Mark Lawson told me to expect an 8mpg boost with the Wing. I was skeptical. But sure enough, he was almost spot on. I usually got in the low 30mpg range on my RT. This weekend, I averaged 38.7mpg on the Wing. So obviously the Honda comes out on top here.
In the final analysis. Both machines are FUN! Each one has its own areas of superiority. If I were asked to choose, I'd say that I would prefer a combination of both. I'd love to have the two front wheels of the Spyder on the Goldwing power train and electronics. But since we don't currently have that, then I will simply say that I am VERY VERY happy with my current ride. But that doesn't mean that the Wing is better in every way. Just in many ways... For me. :doorag:
So enjoy your ride. Whatever your ride may be. And be sure to give your buddies a hard time if they ride something different. After all, "it is all in good fun!"
:yes::yes::yes:
Here is a "selfie" of me and ConnieMac enjoying the weekend with our friends!
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