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15 Jun 2010
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / USA
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneworldbiker
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I have also taken it on dirt roads and she handles well. She has also completed the west Highland way in winter. (still not washed her)
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What tire options do you have available for the Wing? Anything "knobby-like", M+S?
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Thomas
"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"
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15 Jun 2010
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
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The wing is definitely the way to go simply beause of its lower height. I test-rode a friends 'fully schmick' GS11 yesterday, fully intending to purchase it, but that up in the air feeling is just weird.
I know what you mean about the thumper attitude too OWB - strangely enough I didn't notice this trait on GS12s that I have ridden in the past.
I ride a Burgman 650 - what many regard as a mini-GoldWing. It gets me everywhere including outback Australian desert tracks and the pot holed ruts of Russia and Kazakhstan.
Most importantly it shares many of the features I admire in the Wing - excellent wind protection with that big barn door fairing, nice smooth comfort that allows you to trickle down to low speed for the ruts and corrugations or sit on extended high speeds for freeways, Japanese reliability and build quality, protection from engine heat on hot days because of all that bodywork between you and the motor.
So many riders make the mistake of thinking you need an offroad capable bike for RTW. The reality is that 90+% of your riding will be on bitumen/aspahalt so get a bike that is made for that environment. Any bike, and I really mean any bike, can handle the remaining 10% of travel offroad (of which a further 90% is gravel anyway) providing you are prepared to take it a bit easier in the really rough stuff.
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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Last edited by farqhuar; 16 Jun 2010 at 01:15.
Reason: typos
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15 Jun 2010
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lochmaben, Scotland
Posts: 67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar
The wing is definitely the way to go simply beause of its lower height. I test-rode a friends 'fully schmick' GS11 yesterday, fully intending to purchase it, but that up in the air feeling is just weird.
I know what you mean about the thumper attitude too OWB - strangely enough I didn't notice this trait on GS12s that I have ridden in the past.
I ride a Burgman 650 - what many regard as a mini-Burgman. It gets me everywhere including outback Australian desert tracks and the pot hold ruts of Rusia and Kazakhstan.
Most importantly it shares many of the features I admire in the Wing - excellent wind protection with that big barn door fairing, nice smooth comfort that allows you to trickle down to low speed for the ruts and corrugations or sit on extended high speeds for freeways, Japanese reliability and build quality, protection from engine heat on hot days because of all that bodywork between you and the motor.
So many riders make the mistake of thinking you need an offroad capable bike for RTW. The reality is that 90+% of your riding will be on bitumen/aspahalt so get a bike that is made for that environment. Any bike, and I really mean any bike, can handle the remaining 10% of travel offroad (of which a further 90% is gravel anyway) providing you are prepared to take it a bit easier in the really rough stuff.
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At last some have got the point..... Its low down and handles well... LETS ALL have another cold one and throw 2 beeeeeemers on the barbie....lol
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15 Jun 2010
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lochmaben, Scotland
Posts: 67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T.REX63
What tire options do you have available for the Wing? Anything "knobby-like", M+S?
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Have got standard 180-60 R16 on the rear and standard 130 on front... I have used A car tyre on the rear and would use again on dirt/gravel as they are ok for roads as long as you are sllllllooooowwwww. but exellent on the loose stuff due to the bikes wt of 417kg but 524kgs laoded with my RTW goodies... also have 2 20l gerry cans.. one each side sat on pillion foot rests.
B4 you ask yes its bloody heavy and I can pick it up on my own:confused1:
But thats half the fun??????? isnt it....
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16 Jun 2010
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: colombia-ecuador
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Crawford-Lochmaben-Medellin
Well once the visit is over I,ll get you to take some Aguardiente back for my dear old Dad in Crawford!
Al Colombia
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16 Jun 2010
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by albert crutcher
Well once the visit is over I,ll get you to take some Aguardiente back for my dear old Dad in Crawford!
Al Colombia
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Have you ever noticed how the world suddenly srinks... Only 20 mins up the M74 LOL
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