Originally Posted by Mickey D

What are you up to here buddy? Trolling for Blue Rondel patriots to stir up some shite? Trying to get the Teutonic legions to start marching and saluting? Careful, the Rondel Youth will report you to list Police! Don't you know its forbidden to critic BMVee? You need a permit to do this!

But on the other side ... I don't think too many HUBB'ers give a Rat's Ass about your Gold Wing either ... they just think you're cracked is all.

No worries, continue on anyway, enjoy the trip. I doubt anyone would try to talk you out of going on the Wing. Should be a good laugh!

Have you ever seen a Gold Wing after it's flipped on down the highway?
I hope you never, ever have an off on that monster. They do not crash well. That alone would give me pause about owning a Gold Wing.

I recognize the many faults BMW GS's have, but having witnessed TWO crash in front of me ... at speed .... I must say GS's crash very well for a big, heavy bike. Both times riders went to hospital, bikes were fine, ride- able.

Being from Scotland I'm not sure you've ridden your Wing in truly high temps with high humidity. If so, Where?

I've ridden my buddies Wings ... both times it was in the mid 80's. Not really hot by our standards. First thing I noticed being behind that motorhome-like shield/fairing was the massive about of heat coming up and the TOTAL lack of AIR FLOW. Not enough fresh cooling air. In slow going I could see this being nasty.

A well set up GS will go about anywhere on most roads and a skilled rider can do quite a bit of nasty off road. No, the GS would not be my 1st choice as a dirt bike but sometimes traveling you end up having to ride on really crap roads, lots of mud, ruts and such. The GS can do it if you can.

Have you thought about what your plan is for the Wing in those conditions?

I'd do a quick run down to Spain or Portugal during a serious heat wave.
July or August may be a good time. You should be able to ride there from Scotland in a few days on the Wing. 700 mile days easy. I'd be interested to know how you get on in 100F plus heat. Next try out some dirt roads (plenty in Portugal) where you can only go about 25 mph. Let us know how you get on. Now imagine riding ... ALL DAY ... going slow, in even higher temps .... now add 90% humidity. India, parts of Asia, parts of Africa all can offer such conditions.

Those GS's sure can have issues, but if your Wing goes down my guess is you could be stuck a while awaiting parts. While you're waiting for your son to graduate ... I'd take off on some shorter trips.

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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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.

Originally Posted by T.REX63

What tire options do you have available for the Wing? Anything "knobby-like", M+S?

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