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[Ironhorse]

The BMW was a blast to ride. Up until then I had only ridden V-twin cruisers, so to me it was like a rocket. The bike itself is gorgeous and has some cool features. Stock suspension is better than any aftermarket suspension I've ever had.

Some turn-offs:

- Touring tires still have low tread life. I can't afford tire changes every month.
- Onboard GPS sucks, and no Android Auto capability.
- The maintenance frequency and cost would be an issue.
- The tour pack capacity is very small compared to HD.
- As you mentioned, it feels like you're sitting on top which is something I'd maybe get used to with saddle time.

Pretty much all the same reasons for me too.

Even with Legends cartridges up front and Ohlins shocks in the rear my HD doesn't ride anywhere as near as nice as either the BMW or the GoldWing do in stock form. And the Honda has different ride modes, Tour, Sport, Econ and Rain.  I use Tour most of the time, and Rain for rain.  Sport mode is wicked crazy fast.  It firms up the suspension and changes the power band.  It's too much for my reflexes,....LOL!. And yes, the BMW was like a ROCKET when you roll the wrist!  I do like the Honda "Boxer" motor as it keeps the center of gravity really low.  Combined with the under the seat fuel tank the Honda is really stable, even at slow speeds.

One thing HD does have over the BMW and Honda is storage. The cavernous sized King Tour Pack and the deep saddlebags of the HD will spoil you.  But I figured it out, When riding alone the 'Wing is enough with a tall bag on the back seat and a bag on the trunk rack.  When my wife comes along I use the trailer. And since it's a Honda I don't have to carry a lot of tools and a quart of oil like I do when touring on the CVO. No more wrenches and Locktite to tighten things after a full day of riding.

The GPS on my 2018 GoldWing is functional, but quirky, however it has Apple CarPlay so I can use my on iPhone navigation apps. Eating up tires is a downside to all that HP and TQ that comes with the BMW. Twisting the wrist has consequences,....LOL!  On my Honda I got just shy of 11k on my last set of Bridgestones with dual compound tread.  I'm running Shinkos now with all one compound soft tread.  I'll probably get 8k out of them, just enough to make it to Sturgis and back.

As for maintenence, what can I say it's a Honda.  I do my own oil changes and tires and that alone is a big savings.  The airfilter was changed twice, once by the previous ownder and most recently when it was in getting a recall done. Same with the coolant flush. But over on the GoldWing sites riders talk about going 90k before changing plugs or doing valve adjustments which aren't too hard.

But as I said before, for me the biggest thing is reverse gear. No more looking for spots that allow for easy back walking in or out. Just park.  And being well over 100lbs lighter than the HD makes a difference. I don't use the ride height adjustable windscreen as I'm old school (just old) and prefer to look over it.  But my wife likes it as when raised it cuts down on the wind when she's back there.

Don't get me wrong I still love me 2006 CVO Ultra. I know the newer ones are much better with the partially watercooled M8s.
However for me it's the last Harley I'll ever buy. 

[kojak]

Sorry bmw’s and Hondas ain’t Harley’s.

[Ironhorse]

Sorry bmw’s and Hondas ain’t Harley’s.

So very true, and I for one am glad for that.  I imagine the world would be boring if everybody rode the same kind of motorcycle, ate the same food and spoke the same language, like the same music, watched the same movies and so on.

[TN]

My 2009 FLTRSE3 is still sound and itching to hit the road. Not much it can’t do, let’s take a ride and I’ll see if I can keep up. 

I bought my 24 FLTRXP because of the earlier technology. The police bikes come stock with RDRS, cruise control, oil cooler with fan, heated grips, jiffy stand switch/hill hold, 114 1st gen M8 motor and 130/80-17 front tire with 180/65-16 rear tire which I prefer over the low profile tires. 21K + TT&L

I could have done better on the price, I ordered it a few weeks before the great reveal of the 24’s last year plus I was hoping to develop a relationship with local dealer. 

The fleet rep from the MOCO in my area assisted me with above and beyond attitude/info that I didn’t expect from my historical dealings with corporate which helped seal the deal.

[Scott7d]

So very true, and I for one am glad for that.  I imagine the world would be boring if everybody rode the same kind of motorcycle, ate the same food and spoke the same language, like the same music, watched the same movies and so on.

Well said. If it were practical and I had the space, a BMW 1600 or 1250 RT would be in the garage right next to my Harley. I don't get hung up on the whole brand vibe/culture thing like some do. But that doesn't mean I still don't love my HD.

[blacktop]

Been down the Goldwing road and never again, ain't got no soul. Cheers. to all who love them though, just not for me.

[HOGMIKE]

Tried most of them over the years, 2006 Desmosedici, BMW S1000R, 4 cyl gold wing, Honda CBX, BMW RT, BMW 1600, 1958 BSA, 1965 Triumph, etc etc.

Always had my 1965 FLH through it all.

First “new” bike was a 1977 XLCR that didn’t make it for a year and sold it back to my dealer.

Through the 70’s and 80’s we had a little side business restoring Harleys and Indians. Had many older bikes 1917 to 1965 mostly.

My LAST new bike is the 2019 CVO, I’ve got too much $$$ invested in it to trade for a new bike, and there’s nothing in HD lineup that will compare what I now have. Not interested in all the electronics, even the 2019 has more than I need or want.

My oldest bike now is 1946, newest is the 2019, but my favorite is now my mostly stock 2000 Heritage! Go figure!

JMHO 

[Grizzly]

When I first purchased my '08 Anniversary CVO Ultra I figured it would be my last bike that I buy... And it appears it will be.

I loved the colour except for the lowers which I quickly corrected to the right colour IMHO, and got rid of all the red & orange on the bike as I thought it clashed with the copper.  I went through 3 tank badges until I found the best one and had a custom seat made for it.  I also added a few other touches along the way of course.

Now it is perfect for ME, so why would I look for another?  With over 160k on the dial she runs like a dream (touch wood), I know many have had problems with the 110, but thankfully not I.  I'm really not interested with all the latest technology they have incorporated, which I find distracting.  I bought a bike to ride and that is what I do - I rode a whole lot in the day, but now not so much, but still a fair amount.

My bike is fit for me, and I hope I stay fit enough to ride her for years to come.

Take care & ride safe,
Mike

[Ironhorse]

Tried most of them over the years, 2006 Desmosedici, BMW S1000R, 4 cyl gold wing, Honda CBX, BMW RT, BMW 1600, 1958 BSA, 1965 Triumph, etc etc.

Always had my 1965 FLH through it all.

First “new” bike was a 1977 XLCR that didn’t make it for a year and sold it back to my dealer.

Through the 70’s and 80’s we had a little side business restoring Harleys and Indians. Had many older bikes 1917 to 1965 mostly.

My LAST new bike is the 2019 CVO, I’ve got too much $$$ invested in it to trade for a new bike, and there’s nothing in HD lineup that will compare what I now have. Not interested in all the electronics, even the 2019 has more than I need or want.

My oldest bike now is 1946, newest is the 2019, but my favorite is now my mostly stock 2000 Heritage! Go figure!

JMHO

I always liked that 1977 XLCR, but I never rode one so I couldn't speak from experience.  What didn't you like about it?
You had a Honda CBX, now that was some engineering!  I should have bought one, but I was too wrapped up in my KZ100LTD. I should have gotten a 78 ZI-R, that was a thing of beauty to me.

One of the guys I ride with loves his 2000 Heritage, but gets a kick out of his Sportster.

[HOGMIKE]

I always liked that 1977 XLCR, but I never rode one so I couldn't speak from experience.  What didn't you like about it?
You had a Honda CBX, now that was some engineering!  I should have bought one, but I was too wrapped up in my KZ100LTD. I should have gotten a 78 ZI-R, that was a thing of beauty to me.

One of the guys I ride with loves his 2000 Heritage, but gets a kick out of his Sportster.

I really wanted the 1977 low rider but my dealer didn’t have one. The XLCR was probably closer to my last 1958 XLCH that I had for a few years trying to keep running. Magneto ignition . The CR had electric start and I thought it looked pretty cool at the time. The 77 had the smaller mufflers than the 78 style and made a better  Exhaust note.

The suspension sucked, the seat was hard, didn’t handle very well, not a very comfortable ride but it WOULD do 100 mph. My dealer wanted to buy it back when he found out it was a one year bike. The 78 was different and less desirable at the time.

I had no regrets doing the deal and I think it was the ONLY time I got my money back from our dealer (RIP) LOL 😂
He was actually a good guy and a lifelong friend.

[Ironhorse]

I really wanted the 1977 low rider but my dealer didn’t have one. The XLCR was probably closer to my last 1958 XLCH that I had for a few years trying to keep running. Magneto ignition . The CR had electric start and I thought it looked pretty cool at the time. The 77 had the smaller mufflers than the 78 style and made a better  Exhaust note.

The suspension sucked, the seat was hard, didn’t handle very well, not a very comfortable ride but it WOULD do 100 mph. My dealer wanted to buy it back when he found out it was a one year bike. The 78 was different and less desirable at the time.

I had no regrets doing the deal and I think it was the ONLY time I got my money back from our dealer (RIP) LOL 😂
He was actually a good guy and a lifelong friend.

Did you keep the "Siamese Exhaust" system on it?  I always thought that looked cool. The other issue I heard was that it threy off heat like and oven.

[HOGMIKE]

Did you keep the "Siamese Exhaust" system on it?  I always thought that looked cool. The other issue I heard was that it threy off heat like and oven.

Yeah kept it stock, tried a different set of shocks, Koni I believe, but didn’t help much.
I got hot, but as long as you kept moving it was tolerable! LOL