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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | So here it is - ever since the Vision came out, I have been in love with it, but was unable to purchase one at the time because of other vehicle commitments. I took one out for three test rides throughout last Spring & Summer. I recently phoned my closest dealer (Sea to Sky Motorsports in Langley, BC)and he said he was out of the color we wanted. His sales have been very brisk this Spring and only has a couple of Visions left.
A Gold Wing friend of my has decided to give up riding after the near death of his winter riding buddy in the States this winter (car made a left hand turn into his Harley). Yesterday he let me take his Gold Wing for a test ride, as he really wants me to buy it (he's never let anyone ride it before, not even his adult son).
It's in immaculate shape, has all the bells, whistles & chrome you could wish for on a GW. His asking price is the blue book value of it (which of course has no options). In Canada, the out the door price of a new GW (non-airbag) is $32,800 (after a $3000 rebate from Honda). Then you start adding all the expensive chrome stuff.
The stock 2009 Vision Tour Premium is $29,570 out the door.
His bike has 69,000 kms (or 42,000 miles on it). Almost all of that is highway miles, as he takes it down to Indio, California in the winter time to ride.
If I buy his bike, it would be $21,200 (tax included).
I know many of you had Gold Wings and seemed to have really like them. My thoughts were to buy this bike for a year or so, then try to get all my money back when selling it, and buy a new 2010 or 2011 Vision. That's if, I or my Wife, decide the Wing is not really as comfortable as the Vision. She really likes the passenger area of the Gold Wing, but has never ridden on one yet, only sat on it. On the Vision, the bags hit the back of her legs, but we can add the risers to take care of that.
So if you were me, what would you do? Buy a very nice GW, or spend $8000 more to get a Vision later on?
Appreciate your thoughts & collective wisdom.
Reg
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Tourer
Posts: 311
Atlanta Area | Personal opinion... "I want what I want"... That's the way I operate... Life is too short. If I wanted a Goldwing, I would buy one. One ride on a Vision was all it took. I wanted a Vision. I sold a fully customized 07 Ultra Classic on eBay and took a $10K loss on it and bought a Vision.
Two completely different scooters. Each has pluses and minuses. Get what your really want and don't settle for something else because the numbers look better.
Plus, just the sound of the Wing motor running gives me the willies... 
(You asked) | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | In my opinion, the GW is a tremendous bike. I've had three of them over the past 40 ys. Smooth as glass. The only problem I have is that the older I got the less they fit me. I have a bad hip and a bad back. The driver backrest solves one problem but GW cannot solve the hip problem unless they move the foot controls forward. The Vision has large forward floorboards that suit me perfectly. In addition, like the GW, it is large, stable, quiet, powerful, and smooth. If the GW fits you then maybe that's the bike for you. I love the Vision because it has everything the GW has and great leg position. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 99
Kansas City, Ks | 1atom12 - 2009-06-10 8:39 PM
Personal opinion... "I want what I want"... That's the way I operate... Life is too short. If I wanted a Goldwing, I would buy one. One ride on a Vision was all it took. I wanted a Vision. I sold a fully customized 07 Ultra Classic on eBay and took a $10K loss on it and bought a Vision.
Two completely different scooters. Each has pluses and minuses. Get what your really want and don't settle for something else because the numbers look better.
Plus, just the sound of the Wing motor running gives me the willies...
(You asked)
Exactly... Don't settle.. If you want one get one, if the time is not right then don't. I love my Vision and my Dad has a Goldwing. For me there is NO option, Vision all the way. While I was on the Goldwing; for me at least, it was the most UN-Inspiring vehicle I have ever been on or in..
Probably due to the fact that I am and will always be a V-twin guy and the motor on the GW with the lack of, I guess, soul I personally couldn't do it..
All said and done.. It is YOUR money and it will be YOUR ride.. Do what makes YOU happy. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Thanks guys. I have been riding a Suzuki 650 Burgman for the last five years. I love the feet forward position and the Electronic CVT transmission (no shifting - just twist & go). If I was just staying here on Vancouver Island, I would just continue riding it, but my Wife really wants to see more places further afield (wants to go to Yellowstone Park in September), so I need something bigger.
I did find the seat a little uncomfortable on GW (my back started getting sore), but I think that's because I'm used to having a Utopia Backrest supporting my lower back. I am a bit of sloucher, so I really love my Utopia. Once that's on the Wing, the seat should be OK (hopefully).
This Wing is so quiet. I took a used one for a test drive three years ago, and I was so disappointed that there was so much noise coming up the cockpit from the engine, that I decided to stay away from Gold Wings altogether & look for something else. I had always heard people brag about how quiet their Wings were. It must have really needed some engine work, because my friend's was quiet as my Burgman (which is very quiet), so that was a big relief for me.
I liked the electric windshield on the Vision, but my friend says he never changes his GW windshield height ever - just slouches or sits taller. Mind you, I do the same on the Burgman.
He really looked after his Wing and made sure all maintenance was done. It looks better than showroom condition. Also has brand new tires, but no warranty. Not sure if that is a problem with the Gold Wing, as I hear they are very reliable.
Nearest Vision dealer is in Langley, which is a major waste of a day, because it means taking a ferry to the mainland and back. So about a $100 in ferry fare just to get to the dealer & back home if the bike has any kind of warranty issues. Basic maintenance is easy for me do, as I have always done it on my previous bikes.
There are two major Honda dealers in Victoria, plus more up-island. Not having a Victory dealer on the Island is disconcerting (Ok - it sucks!). I've heard rumors that they are trying get one here, but so far haven't seen anything yet.
Pluses & minus' for each. (Sigh!)
At least I have my health - riding either one would not pose a challenge for me, although the Wing is definitely more top heavy, but I really enjoyed the reverse.
Cheers,
Reg | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| If you were getting some "great" deal on the Wing I would say go for it. There are way to many bikes for sale out there to settle for a blue book price.
I don't care for the riding position on a Wing but that was only a demo ride. I would like the bars a little farther back on my Vision. I raise my windshield for highway riding and lower it for back road riding. I love that feature. My '09 has reverse.
Do lots and lots of research on the dealers you are talking about. They will be the most important part of your purchase.
I suggest continue shopping. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | A different view point. Base it this way. You buy the Wing, you're happy with it. 30 days later you are out riding and you see a Vision ride by you. WHAT WILL YOUR THOUGHT BE. If you bought the right bike, your thought should be "look there's a vision" if you bought the wrong bike, your thought will be "OMG look at that hot Vision lemme catch up to it to stare at it some more, etc etc..." if you cant look at it and let it go, then you may have bought the wrong bike. Lets face it motorcycles are as much about emotion as they are mechanics. No one on here can tell you which way to go buddy. but the bottom line stays the same,
make sure you can let the opposing bike go once you make your decision. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I have to agree with VaP as when I found the Vision I knew it was the right bike. I read about it in an article with the 26.5 in seat height and narrow V-twin profile that I had to found out more. After I read about the Vision and didn't think I could afford it at the time, I settled for a GL1500 and put about 800 miles on and I couldn't take it anymore so I pulled the trigger on the Vision. Since that day, there is no other bike. I will admire another machine, some times for the sake of admiring. But I no longer rubber neck and wish I was riding "that one" instead of the one I am on.
So if you are practical to a fault, willing to comprimise, and are looking for a good deal, go with the wing. If you want a true riding experience with man and machine, why are we even talking about it, go get the Vision. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | I have a dealer who can help you if you can get a bike in the states and bring it back to Canada not sure of the laws. He can get you a great price and I can put you up for a night here in MI then you have the ride home to look forward to. Think about it. Archie | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Archie, you must be a very trusting person - don't even know me & you want me to stay in your home. Wow, thanks for the invite!
I saw a used Anniversary Edition for sale in Michigan this winter for a very good price. I am not sure if my bank would let me buy a bike in the States, but with our Canadian Dollar at 90 cents on your dollar at the moment, it's very tempting.
Fortunately, our economy in British Columbia has not been hit as hard as the United States, so most people still have their jobs. Good for them, but it also means there aren't many good deals on bikes.
I could see if there are any deals in Eastern Canada, as Ontario has been hit hard with this whole automotive business of the big three.
How much does your dealer want for a 2009 Tour Premium Vision?
Thanks,
Reg | |
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Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | The Gold Wing is a great machine.
The Vision has soul.........
What do you want? | |
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Tourer
Posts: 537
, FL United States | Which one felt more comfy or you and your wife? Which one can you afford? How far would you have to drive for GOOD dealer support? These are just some of the questions that you need to ask yourself. Now if you are planning on a Vision in the next couple of years anyway then you have already made your choice.
If you still on the fense about which one to buy then flip a coin. Heads for the Vision, rails for the GW. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Well, I am now the proud owner of one very beautifully looked-after 2006 gold-colored Gold Wing. In the end it came down to dollars & cents. At the moment I just couldn't justify the additional $10,000 plus taxes, that the Vision was going to cost me. But it still is my goal to have one - just won't be this year.
Now that I have put three hundred miles on the Wing in the last two days, I still think the Vision is a more comfortable fit for me. I will definitely be ordering an Utopia Backrest, as my back starts to get sore after an hour on the Wing. I am a sloucher, so I had to do the same thing with the Burgman 650. I am also missing the feet-forward riding position - highway pegs may help with that some what. I did spend some time on the 'Wing Stuff' website yesterday & was flat blown away by the vast array of goodies that is available for the Gold Wing. Wow!
I am definitely pleased the Wing has ABS brakes & reverse. Reverse has come in handy several times already, as Victoria is a pretty hilly city - not too much flat land around here. With the linked brakes, I find I can stop the bike fairly quickly just using two fingers on the front brake only - don't even bother with the back brake while riding around town.
Yesterday, I took my wife out for a 90 minute evening ride along the Victoria waterfront. By the time we arrived home, she was all smiles. She loved the big sofa on the back. I'm sure she will be doing a lot more sleeping back there (now that she doesn't have to worry about falling off). She was delighted when she found out she could control her own seat temperature. Happy wife - happy life! 
I will still be hanging around here daily, but now I also have to join a Gold Wing website to educate myself about the new bike. Any idea which one is as good as this site?
Cheers,
Reg | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | There are several GL1800 forums to go to... Then there's the GWRRA...
In the end, you are riding, which is good... Get the feel of having a bigger bike, learn the Wing, then when you get ready for a Vision, you will be able to tell all of the good and bad of both bikes...
Remember, the Wing has been around since the 70's, so it has a large aftermarket following... there are a TON of them on the road... most with lights galore... some even look like a rolling carnival ride...
What's important is you're on two wheels and you did what was right for you... Congratulations!! | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 103
| I have a 2008 GW with 4500 mi. very nice bike. If interested call me 813-363-1528, Bruce | |
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Need your advice