Page 24 - RidingOn156 SPRING 2022

2022

GoldWing

Bagger

Gold made the statement that average guys like us would probably
Always believe in your soul never notice the difference, however, after his ride he admitted
You’ve got the power to know he was simply wrong. You do notice the differences straight
You’re indestructible away.
Always believe in
About the bike itself, I like that phones can connect straight
Excerpt 1983 single by English band Spandau Ballet to the bike. I don’t like that the panniers are smaller than
mine. All Wings from the late 80s have had the reverse gear,
2022 GoldWing Bagger something you are really thankful for when the bike weighs
in at 350kg dry, and the new ‘Bagger’ is no different with a
John Weismantel and myself have been riding motorbikes system that allows reverse at a walking pace, plus, forwards
together for 15 years now. We have during that time, developed also! This would be of great benefit when you are shifting
a tag team approach to reporting a road test. Such was the around a confined space like a carpark or even a garage. The
most recent invitation from Richard Sossen at Hawkesbury big question is would I upgrade to one? Hmmn, I guess it’d be
Motorcycles to sample the new GoldWing Bagger. a no. The price ($45K on road) is way too much for me. I’d also
prefer a bike with a quick shifter (similar to the type used by
After instruction from Richard with regard to all the electronic the BMW K1600), and I believe Honda should have gone this
trickery on the Bagger we charted out a test route which way. But that’s me.
included city and country riding. I will admit to being very
intimidated by the amount of gadgetry, at first. Later though Ok, so then it was
during my ride over the test course I found that I managed to my turn to ride
operate pretty much everything without mucking any of it up! the ‘Bagger’ (basic
motorcycle with
John went out first shadowed by me so that I could ensure I panniers). I thought
followed the same paths. These are his thoughts:- the bike was heavy to
start with, but... not
The front suspension is better when compared to my 2017 so, this was actually
model. The DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) in manual mode is the front end geometry
good but I feel it could do with a little more refinement in Auto keeping me directed
to make it smoother. Maybe this ‘harshness’ I felt eases over upright and propelled
time? As soon as I got on it, I said to myself “it’s a GoldWing, forward. As a matter
and it does everything it should and a little better than mine”. of fact, the front end is
I thought the seat was comfortable and it isn’t difficult to learn in another galaxy when
all the settings on the switch blocks. I like the electric screen, comparing it’s dynamics
although I’d prefer it a bit bigger. to a standard system
as found on my 1996
Ian and I discussed the new Honda GoldWing Tele-lever or dinosaur. It’s very stable
Double Wishbone front suspension prior to our test ride. He

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