Barrycuda

I WAS going to introduce him to you...but. Now,I am so not sure...

Mike...I SWEAR I am working on your pics...

Lesson number one: take pics or it did not happen. Lesson 2: most all of us can help you spend your money on personalizing your RSV. BTW: St Augustine and that part of Florida isnonenof my favorite places in the state. welcome.

Monty, Mine also came today. Thank you so much!!!!!

Nice to have a weekend where all went smooth isn't it!?!?! Cool.

Bobby: Thank you for the kind words. I enjoyed meeting you and the gang at Patti and Dons. I have ZERO intentions of leaving the site. I enjoy the camaraderie, friends, insight and humor. You guys are simply awesome. No worries there. Iron Ranger: You are correct about the bike, looks sweet. However, I am afraid, unless the sweeten the lot with a 2012 GW, I am standing firm with my 2 bikes. I did some HW on the warranties they tried to get me to buy, the years and models in general. Next time you are in the area, hit me up. I live very close to there and would love to meet you. Barry

That is an interesting tactic. Glad it worked.

Thank you working cow...

Patti, Thanks for chiming in and for looking at my crazy post. The wife who DOES ride, but not so often was not available for my ride. Therefore unable to get her honest feedback. She is a long legged beauty ( wife not bike) and fits well on RSV. Makes me look better too... But yes, she should be part of the process. That said, she was asked to participate but had previous engagements. As for now, I am standing pat on keeping the bikes I have. Tomorrow they will blowing up my phone trying to get me to commit. Since they have committed to X on trade in, my plan is to do same deal, same money with a 2012-13 model. Since they won't go for that, then we are done dealing. Funny thing is, every time I ride that RSV, I say to myself, why am I not riding her and enjoying her more?

No doubt on all fronts. I will keep riding my current rides, while saving some pennies. I will then try at some point in the future to deal with a private sale so I do not have to deal with the dealer and its nonsense. Cash is easier to negotiate when in hand. but I am OK waiting for the right time, the right bike. my bikes are right for me at this stage. glad Y'all helped me come to my senses

YamaDuck, Brian and the gang: after some strong and SANE advice and reasoning, I will NOT trade my bikes and get a GW and make payments. WHAT was I thinking?? You are correct that if the GW isnt being ridden all over the pace its wasting money in the garage. I was drawn in about the allure and greatness of the ABS and reverse etc. but fiscally it makes sense to keep both bikes at the moment, ride them to hell and back, love them, meet more VR people and keep my own identity and personality. WHEW !! I feel like my hypnotic trance is wearing off. I can do so much more with the money and keep my bike as precious as she should be. I have not been fair to my RSV and I am sorry!! :crying::crying: Please forgive me.... As for those who made time to reply, THANKS for your valuable time in keeping me from making a mistake at this time. I don't know down the road what is in store, but I agree I believe the time is now to ride what I own.

Brian I totally hear you and appreciate your input. to answer your question the best I can, the GW would be: To do all of the above mentioned. On days I ride around, its all terrains, highway, country, all weather. I have easily put 120+ miles on a "local" run. I go across state lines in may and make several intrastate trips. Now, with kids, a job that isn't user friendly and such, I simply do not have the time to do cross country treks like others. I am not a "go to the store' rider. I try to hit as much as I can and make my own overnight and weekend trips/routes. I keep going back and forth. when I ride the GW, I was very impressed. its not perfect but pretty nice from many aspects. Obviously only I can decide whats the best course of action. Other factors include: amount of yearly time to ride, and ride distances, cost of upkeep, ABS, payments again, one bike vs two to upkeep, how are GW holding value and prices? the RSV has more individuality, luggage space and you guys here can practically guide me through any fix. The wife does not care, however bounce back and forth on what else can be done with this money.

That's highway robbery!! Sad, after 8 years, you are not treated as a loyal customer and INDIVIDUAL which no one cares about. It is amazing how a lot of these companies not only are going with this ludicrous format, but think it is acceptable.

Brian, you are correct about being patient and not jumping on the first deal. Although my last few posts make me seem very impulsive and possible an air head and unorganized, I do not just throw that kind of moolah around, even if I had it under the sofa. It took a few months before landing my RSV, which has done NOTHING to make me stray from her. I do like the ABS, low center of gravity and reverse of the GW. there isn't much NOT to like on the RSV and have learned how to fix things and met amazing people from this site. For ME, perhaps I have not given the RSV enough time ( less than a year) but it has already shown its reliability on long distances with bad weather. wondering if I have given the RSV a fair and sincere shake. That said, I do not NEED a GW therefore lets see what deal they can do.

After reading your posts, and having some time to digest, I will continue to look unless these guys come a bit closer numbers wise. the '12 GW have bigger luggage compartment, and without ABS is about the same cost. NAV system, by many GW owners isn't pleasing and attach their own. I like the ABS option on a bike. Good thing is I have a reliable RSV here to enjoy if and until something develops. as always, I appreciate all feedback.

Looks nice!! best thing is you have kept the RSV

Rick, the guy did say its a 2012. In order for me to get a wing I have to trade in both bikes. I can't afford a GW otherwise. After reading some posts, I agree i may be too far apart money wise on this 08

That's why I LOVE this site. I get the honest truth. Perhaps this bike is not for me at this time. Does ABS make THAT MUCH of a difference? I do like the GW but hate being bent over. what about this : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GOLD-WING-1800-NICE-EXTRAS-FLOORBOARDS-WARRANTY-CLEAN-REVERSE-MORE-/380679252237?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item58a240690d

Don, read my latest thread, and take your mind off your new potential bike and chime into my conundrum . But do wanna know if you have a new bike also??!!

OK, here is my story/ question: yesterday, I go into the dealer for an oil filter and see this maroon GW on the lot. Never ever seen one there and I have been going there a bunch of years. Guy tells me its an '08, has 15000 miles on her, one ownder who traded in for some $10k scooter of some sort. I have been infatuated with GW, for its reliability and reverse gear. And I don't necessarily mind the style. Anyway, it was pouring so we made arrangements to test ride the wing today. I never ever was on one before. (sat on Buddy's ONE TIME in Tennessee). these guys give me the keys, I used the reverse gear,backed up and off I went. Spent better part of 5 hours with her, putting on 250 Florida miles. it rode in the rain, and sun, and on the interstate and crowded, slow roll parking lots. I made U turns and circles. She handled wonderful. Balanced, nimble, agile, she was not top heavy. I lowered the air suspension and was flat foot with L leg and brake on, but not totally flat unless I moved away from backrest. Speakers were amazingly loud. I am a music freak and was unhappy with no aux port installed. dealer said bc of NAV system, has to be hardwired, to avoid conflict with satellite She was nice, OH...I forgot, ABS brakes!!! There visually seemed to me that the trunk and saddlebag space was smaller than RSV and was perplexing considering its supposed to be a touring, long distance ride. I have a chance to get this wing, but the catch is I will have to trade in BOTH my 03 RSV with 30k and my 2000 vulcan also with 35K for the wing and still owe about 8K. I am back and forth and therefore asking for any and all serious input, because I am not independently wealthy and wish to make the right choice. Is the GW worth more overall in maintenance, value and potential resale than my 2 bikes? My goal is to ride, not worry about breaking down. maybe cut costs overall. the "newness" of the GW and the reverse and ABS is a big thing. is it the biggest?? IDK The GW has 15,250 miles, Fuel injection, one owner, ABS, reverse, premium sound, NAV system, heated grips and seat ( which do work) in a maroon color Below is a pros/cons that is MY thinking for first RSV/Vulcan RSV/Vulcan PROS: Both Bikes PAID FOR, extra lights, lowering kit (which I need),butler modification to seats, Easy carb Synch, bulletproof motor, relatively low miles ( 30,010), aux port for MP3, 6 disc CD, diamond cut, 2 windshields, AMAZING VR group that has been wonderful, easy RAM mounts and access to XM/GPS, only year my 2 tone color, demonstrated reliability in inclement weather and long distances, great comfy seats, it's unique and modified to my tastes Cons: RSV 10 years old,Vulcan 13 yrs.old, no reverse, rear shock leak/cost of replacement cassette, carbuerated, no ABS, top heavy, can drop fairly easy if not careful, increased potential for worn/rusting parts ( ignition, wiring, fuel etc), speakers below average, fuel filter change and potential fuel pump failure, both bikes = double the space, double the maintenance, the insurance, fuel costs. currently needs tires, more moving parts to go wrong, digital fuel gauge which is temperamental and definitely not accurate GOLDWING PROS: newer year ( 2008), Premium sound package, Fuel injected, ABS, Reverse gear, adjustable vented windshield, new dunlop E3 F and R, NAV system, heated grips and seat (good for potential selling point down the road), premium sound, one owner bike, not dropped, LOW miles at 15250, newer head lights and bright tail lights, instrument cluster on RPM, fuel which MAY be more reliable than the digital readout on RSV CONS: monthly payments, no AUX 3.5mm wiring hook up(needs to get done), no CD player, short brake and shifter pegs, no trunk rack, doesn't look 'cool", no trailer hitch. NAV stinks, and can not use while in motion. needing to add on some GPS and XM, no floorboards Sorry this is so long but I wanted to be as thorough as I could. I sent in my info for financing and the place is closed until Tuesday, this gives me some time to read, and digest all of your wonderful, realistic input. I will get dirty and fix things,if i have to but I just dont have that much knowledge and confidence on bigger things on the RSV. with the GW, I am unsure of there main issues as well. I am all ears. thanks for your input decisions like this drive me nuts!!!

Mike, isn't the stock rear tire size 150/90/15 ?

I am only at the 14,076th page of just the contents....

I am not an expert, but didn't wanna leave ya hanging. Recommend going back over to see if anything became loose. Also, check to see if any fuses were blown. If still no luck or if nobody helps figure it out, reach out to Steve, aka M61A1MECH. He may be more apt to give you more answers. Barry

+1 for that idea...

+ 1 trillion on Shania Twain... :173: