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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 12
| I have sold my Wing with the thoughts of going to the vision. How many of you that have made the change from a Wing to the Vision are happy with no remorse. What do you miss from the Wing? | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | bikerbill48,
I was not a Goldwing owner but I do like my Vision.
You might check out this thread. http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4511&sta... and
this one http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4844
and this one http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4125
My advice it is get a test ride on a Vision near you! Where do you call home?
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2010-01-04 10:11 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm with radioteacher on this one, ride and see for yourself. I was riding a GL1200 from Sep 2005 to Oct 2007. Tried to ride a GL1500 and found it to be worse on me than the GL1200, too top heavy, too tall and too wide. I was ready to "graduate" to a GL1800 when I read about the Vision in February 2007. I was only considering going with the GL1800, an older model because of finances, however the Vision had me struck from the time I read about through today. Low seat height, roomy floorboards and narrow V-Twin profile means I have a very comfortable ride and my knees and butt appreciates it every (s)mile. I rode away and never looked back November 17, 2007 3:45pm but what does that matter? | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 113
East Ohio | I started my touring bikes with a 79 goldwing 1000, it had a sidecar for my kids, they out grew it both in number and size so it was sold, 12 years later with the kids out of the house, we bought a gw 1500, enjoyed it for 2 years til we saw the vision, i liked it, the wife did not, we test rode it and a gw 1800, bottom line i did not like the feel of the 1800 at all, neither of us liked the gw dealer, we purchased the vision have nearly 20000 miles in 2 years ( a lot for us), took a 3000 mile trip which I wasn't sure if she would make the trip home with me or possibly a one way plane trip for her. The 1st comment she made when we got home was that ' not anytime soon, but she would do that again', by the following Friday she said, if we could leave tomorrow, she would go, we really do enjoy this bike
Go Super Steel
Edited by ebayjoe 2010-01-05 5:59 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Northeast Ohio | I rode a 2001 GL1800 Gold Wing for a handful of years and it was a spectacular bike. Rocket fast, dead smooth, and very reliable. It had all of the right "things", except it had no soul. It was a perfect Japanese motorcycle. It was so good, it actually got boring to ride. On long road trips, I could get off it after a long day without soreness or pain. Around town it was pretty big, especially since I'm not a big guy. I always wished that I could take the trunk off my Gold Wing for around town riding to save some weight and make it less big feeling and looking.
At one time, I had my Gold Wing and a Kingpin, and I just rode the Kingpin much more because it was more fun around town, and it had the soul my Gold Wing sorely missed. The problem was that my Kingpin was only good for about 100 miles before I got a little sore/tired. This made long trips impossible for me. Also the cost of bags and windshield were prohibitive.
For me the Vision is the perfect choice, the rear trunk will be installed only for trips, giving me the "sporty" look and lighter weight I'm looking for. The Vision is only 5" longer than my Kingpin, so I will have a familiar "feel". After a test ride, the Vision is the perfect compromise for me, as I don't have the room to own two motorcycles. Is the Vision as smooth as the Gold Wing? No. Does the Vision have as much storage as the Gold Wing, No. Even with those two "problems", I'm happy with my choice of a 2010 Vision. Now I've been waiting for my new Vision since September, so I don't have any long distance miles to verify my assumptions.
Whichever direction you decide, good luck and ride safe,
Steve DiFranco | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| I've owned two Goldwings in my riding career, a '98 GL1500 that I put around 64K miles on between 2/99 and 7/02 when I purchased my '03 GL1800 which I put on around 78K miles on until I traded it for the Vision in April of '08. While I do miss the awesome power and smoothness of the Goldwings flat six boxer engine the Vision has enough real world power that just about anyone would need. My primary reason for seeking out the Vision was simply comfort as my knees are starting to go bad after more than 25 years of being a machinist and standing on concrete floors all day without any special matting and the Goldwing is very limited on how you can position you legs. Your knees are either bent in almost a sportbike or at least sport touring position or your legs are spread eagle to get around the fairing and onto highway pegs or boards. This description of comfort only applies to the GL1800 Goldwing as I NEVER had a problem with comfort on my GL1500 (when Honda redesigned the Goldwing from the GL1500 to the GL1800 they gave the rider a much more sportier riding position to give the passenger a couple of extra inches of room) but the GL1500 lacked the performace in both power and handling of the GL1800. The ability to move my feet around on the Visions floorboards combined with a regular toe shifter combined with amenities not found on the Goldwing such as power adjustable windshield, true ipod integration, and a trip computer are the main things that led me to change. On a general comparison I would say that the Vision has about the power that the GL1500 Goldwing had with even better creature comforts combined with the awesome, near sport bike like, handling of the GL1800.
I would never go back and the Vision just keeps getting better. My ONLY regret was that I bought a first year Vision, I broke my own rule about such things and I should have continued to watch the forums and wait for the 2010 because it looks like Victory addressed ALL the concerns and problems from the two previous years of which none are a major issue, just minor inconveniences. | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 21
Omaha, NE | I rented a 2008 Gold Wing in Northern California with my girlfriend last October. The comfort on the Vision was sooo much better for both of us. I did not have ANY room to move my feet on the Wing. As far as handling, the Wing felt more top heavy than the Vision. I think the aerodynamics on the Vision are better too because there was more buffeting from the wind on the Wing. Remember, the Vision has the electric windshield also. The one thing that I was impressed with on the Wing was the power...it was smooth as opposed to what I would call raw power from the Vision. One thing for sure, you will be the center of everyone's conversation when you stop with it. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | I'll look at your question from the opposite view - I've owned Gold Wings and now have had my Vision for 2 years. What would I miss if I left the Vision for the Gold Wing:
I'd miss having 6th gear while touring and the comfort of cruising above hwy speed at only 2500-3000 RPM. I'd miss the large floorboards for comfort while touring and adjusting riding position. I'd miss the seat and seat position which allows sitting down into the bike, not on it. I'd miss the low speed handling of the Vision, even with the trunk on. I'd miss the ability to fully use the GPS versus the somewhat crippled method used by Honda. I'd miss the electric windshield. I'd miss the big V-Twin (I also have the cam upgrade) growl and soul despite the smooth power of the inline 6 of the GW. Overall, I would sum it up as missing the feel of motorcycle touring on a real motorcycle versus the highly competent Gold Wing experience which is, nonetheless, simply not as good for me.
Obviously, this is very subjective, but is how I view the experience after having owned both bikes and many others. It's a bit Ford vs. Chevy, but maybe more accurately BMW vs. Lexus. Both terrific feats of engineering, but with different approaches to the actual driving experience. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | The GW, BMW, HD touring bikes and the Victory Vision all do the same thing, but they all do it a little different. I have friends that have the GW, the HD and BMW and they all really like them. I've ridden thousands of miles with these bike, I've led them, I've followed them and at the end of the day we all got to the destination at the same time. All I can say, the Victory Vision is the bike for me...this may sound corny, but I believe it has more soul than the others. Hope you get back to riding soon. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | Nut shell version rode Gold Wings for 27 years starting in 1981. I have had all the different models and put more than 750,000 miles total on them including two 1800's one for 50,000 miles and one for 27,000 miles. I bought the Vision and I am in love. The only thing that GW wins on in my estimation is the Rider to passenger communication. My wife now just hits me instead of yellling at me when I do something stupid.
Jokes aside I found the almost undefinable it that I have been looking for since 1971 when I bought my bike a 350 Honda that made me 10 foot tall and bullet proof. I have ridden many bikes and none gave me that feeling to quite the level the first one did till I got on the Vision. I would not trade it for any other motorcycle bar none and if you knew how I like to trade things that is saying something.
Ride it fall in love then join the club and if you get up Michigan way holler and we will go for a ride. Archie | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 105
Columbia, TN United States | I had a sweet 2004 Kaw Vulcan Nomad, I loved it. A retired detective friend of mine, we used to motor officers together back in the early 80's, got a wing and wants to ride out west this year. I had been looking at wings while trying to sell my Nomad. I felt the wing would be my best bet on a long trip like that. I rode an 03 wing and I felt like I was riding a tricycle. The handle bars were in my chest and no where for my feet. I tried the older models, they do have an inch more for the driver that the new style wings, and they fit well and rode great. I had had the Ice Blue Vision set as my desktop from the first day I found it, but I knew it was not in my budget any time soon, so it was a dream machine for me. I sold the Nomad on Monday. I was looking around on the net and thought that I would see if I could find a used Vision. I did, and called the dealer. I found out that there was an 09 in Blue Ice that I could buy for 17995. That was only $4k more than the used one.I traveled the 80 miles to the dealer, to test ride the vision. I took a test ride and fell in love, but I had to sleep on it first. I did pick it up the following Tuesday, a week ago today and have ridden almost everyday since. It was 16 degrees Saturday morning when I left. I am 5'10" and it fits me well. I am looking forward to taking long trips on it. It is so smooth. I noticed that crossing railroad tracks do not jar my teeth like the Nomad did. I am very satisfied and am glad that I did not rush out and buy a wing.
Good Luck in your quest. Pick the bike that fits your needs, do not worry about what others think you should ride. They are not you.
Edited by TheLoveDoctor 2010-01-05 7:42 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Simplest answer for you Let the following friends answer that question.
What does your back say to you
What do your feet say to you
What do your legs say to you
What do your arms say to you.
When you get off both bikes, which model makes you feel less weary, and more energetic.
You'll have your answer one way or another. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Newnan, GA | The Goldwing is a great bike. That being said, the Vision handles better than the Wing and has better comfort features. I sold My GL1800 and now I'm franticly trying to pay off my wife’s car so that I can afford to get a Vision. There is a guy near Gainesville, Fla that has a nice bike with Stage 2 Exhaust for a good price. Good luck to you and God bless. http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4297&posts=4&start=1 bikerbill48 - 2010-01-04 9:50 PM I have sold my Wing with the thoughts of going to the vision. How many of you that have made the change from a Wing to the Vision are happy with no remorse. What do you miss from the Wing? | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Newnan, GA | TM "My primary reason for seeking out the Vision was simply comfort as my knees are starting to go bad" I truly feel your pain! | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Mongo
I went from Wing to Vision for the same reason. Knees, and hips, are feeling the years. The wing was truly beginning to scare me. After riding some distance on the wing without the ability to shift around a bit, when I came to a stop light and put my gear down, on occasion I would "feel the pain" and my sticks would almost lock-up. I was truly afraid that one day they either wouldn't hold me up, or would be permanently stuck in the down position. I am glad to say that is no longer a problem on the Vision. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | glighto11 - 2010-01-18 10:26 AM
Mongo
I went from Wing to Vision for the same reason. Knees, and hips, are feeling the years. The wing was truly beginning to scare me. After riding some distance on the wing without the ability to shift around a bit, when I came to a stop light and put my gear down, on occasion I would "feel the pain" and my sticks would almost lock-up. I was truly afraid that one day they either wouldn't hold me up, or would be permanently stuck in the down position. I am glad to say that is no longer a problem on the Vision.
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Goldwing to Vision?