Bike for a pillions day out: Goldwing, K1600GTL or HD ultra?
Discussion
Hello chaps,
Which of the above bikes would you hire to take a pillion for a day out? We will be riding in the spring/summer next year, mostly on scenic roads. I think I want a bike with a significant back rest, verging on a pillions arm chair, to make them feel safe and comfortable.
I have a SV650s and I think the relatively small pillion seat will make them nervous. Also I am much taller and wider than them so they will probably feel like they are trying to cling on to a barrel, whilst struggling to see much...
Which of the above bikes would you hire to take a pillion for a day out? We will be riding in the spring/summer next year, mostly on scenic roads. I think I want a bike with a significant back rest, verging on a pillions arm chair, to make them feel safe and comfortable.
I have a SV650s and I think the relatively small pillion seat will make them nervous. Also I am much taller and wider than them so they will probably feel like they are trying to cling on to a barrel, whilst struggling to see much...
My other half spent 10 days and 2300 miles with me earlier this year on an Indian Roadmaster and loved it. She chose the bike based on pillion comfort.
Id say any of those listed would do the job though (have ridden all in last 3 yrs except the GW) The performance of the BMW is in another league to the others though....it really rides like a smaller sports tourer on a big elastic band with near double the power of the others
Id say any of those listed would do the job though (have ridden all in last 3 yrs except the GW) The performance of the BMW is in another league to the others though....it really rides like a smaller sports tourer on a big elastic band with near double the power of the others
A very good friend of mine has just sold his K1600 for a Gold Wing. He bought the BM brand new in I think 2013 and initially liked it. Loads of power, handled well, but over time the poor build quality shone through. The service he received from BMW was lacking too. He decided after 3 1/2 years with it to change it. It had lost something like 60% in that time and it had full BMW service history and 8,000 miles on the clock. Not a happy chappy. He did a deal on a 2004 Goldwing with 56,000 miles on the clock and so far loves it. He has many bikes, but bought this to do long days/weekends away with his wife on the back. She much prefers it to the BMW too. He also said that after 200 miles on the BM, his bum was getting numb, no such complaints on the Wing. He did his research and found that the model to go for was the American built ones, which ran up until something like 2006 (don't quote me on this as being an exact date). So far so good with it, both he and his wife love it. Even with the high mileage on it, it looks like new and allegedly the engines are good for 200,000 miles plus.
We spent our Honeymoon touring southern Spain on a rented Goldwing last year. We have a Crosstourer but decided to "upgrade" to a GW for the tour. They are remarkable. Palatial comfort, fuel economy was OK and yes. My wife did fall asleep on the pillion. Twice.
Only downside was that I never figured out the sound system properly. Needless to say that as soon as funds allow the Crosstourer will be part-exchanged... GW's are fabulous tourers.
Only downside was that I never figured out the sound system properly. Needless to say that as soon as funds allow the Crosstourer will be part-exchanged... GW's are fabulous tourers.
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