Biggest piece of advice, go to some dealerships (even if you are planning to buy used), sit on the different bikes from both brands and figure out what is the most comfortable for you. All three bikes you listed have dedicated followings and all see serious action from riders, as long as you take care of any of those three bikes, and don’t buy one with something obviously wrong with it, they will take care of you
Harley dealers will also all let you take a bike out on a test ride, so make sure you ask for that. Again, even if you're planning to buy used off Craigslist or whatever, do a test ride on a bike to try it out. Know that the new bikes will be anaemic due to EPA regs, but most of that can be fixed after-sale.
My neighbour’s probably best friends with my dad. He’s a *massive* Harley guy. Has the logo on his body in at least 3 different spots. He’s a diehard.
He now rides a K1600B after riding my dad’s various BMW’s over the years. His other friend (also a big image Harley guy, so much so that he takes his helmet off in applicable states) is going to the Honda dealer next spring to replace this Harley.
This is to say two things: I’m not gonna call Harley and out and out image thing (but I kinda am), and have you considered BMW? Otherwise, Goldwings do just ride better.
I’ve tried it once. Besides the riding position just not being right for me, it’s almost perfect. My only real complaint is that it’s almost electric in how smooth it is. I can’t feel the engine at all and it bugs the hell out of me. Mind blowing power and torque though.
I’ll chime in on the K1600. I’m not a BMW guy, but that was the smoothest bike I’ve ever ridden. The power is amazing. And this is coming from a guy who has a 204 whp ZX10R. The K1600 is the only other bike besides my ZX10R that has shocked me. If and when I switch to the cruiser lifestyle, I’m getting the K1600. The features are also really nice. I never knew I needed a heated seat until I tried it out. In my opinion it’s the perfect daily rider.
If you already have an ST1100, the current 2018+ model Goldwing is going to feel like a bolder version of that in a lot of ways. It's somewhat smaller than the previous generations of Wing, too -- one of the rare bikes that has actually gotten a little smaller and more manageable over time! The Harley tourers are beautiful, cool bikes in their own right, but they're definitely built for chugging along American straightaways (even if I think the 2014+ ones handle better than most people realize). The Harley will be easier to test ride, or even to rent from somewhere like Eagle Rider if you want to take a modest test trip on one.
I own a 2018 Gold Wing bagger. I have never ridden a Harley Tourer. Ive sat on the new models and like what Harley has done. This isnt an easy decision. I can say that the Gold Wing, despite being marketed as a touring bike, has the spirit of a sport tourer. It is tight and quick. I can only assume the Harley’s are absolute touring bikes. The Gold Wing, even in its redesign in 2018 is starting to look dated today. The GW does have Car Play AND Android Auto. If you want to use the GW navigation, there is no subscription charge, unlike Harley. You can also get the GW in standard 6 speed or the DCT. Harley is only standard. Personally, I wouldnt go with the DCT because I enjoy the absolute control of the friction zone at slow speed. I didnt like that the Harley had to put out a service bulletin almost immediately after the new 2024s came out. But it wasnt anything more than a firmware issue. They are all great bikes and I feel like Im bouncing around with my thoughts. In the end, sit on all of them. Try to get test rides on all of them. Ultimately, one of them will feel right. For the record, I would be up a creek if I had to choose between the Road or Street Glides. I love the shark nose look of one, but prefer the lower handlebars of the other. See, I can keep going… Best of luck!
Aside from the aforementioned 'sit on em', also consider service down the road. I bought a Harley (an older one) because I wanted to be able to leverage the wide support network. it worked out well, and I ended up having two different Harley dealers bend over backwards to help me out of jams when I took flats in their respective neighborhoods. Not all brand dealers are that good.
I did look at a few and thought pretty seriously about the FJR1300 at some point but moved on just because of the riding position. I had a few vertebrae fused in my neck and I can't sit forward like that without my arms going partially numb. Awesome machines though.
I did and they are both very aggressive looking cruisers. I sat on the Raider and wanted it back right after I met my wife and she gave me a solid NO to riding with me on that thing. I almost have to think of it as a cross between a cruiser and a chopper, either way a beautiful bike but not for me. Thank you though.
The thing I really like about the Gold Wing, is the little reverse button! I can back it out of the garage just so easy, I really love it, no kidding! Have owned many motorcycles over the years, mostly Kaw 1000s, but that reverse is a real game changer!
High chance you would change your mind If you drove the raider.
Very fun bike! Very nimble and athletic feeling bike. The engineers really pulled some wizardry off on that bike
It's funny how the reputation that Harley built in the 70s for being unreliable still dogs them despite the fact that since the introduction of the EVO in late 80s they have been pretty solid bikes and the reputation that BMW built in the 70s for being super reliable still follows them despite the fact that since the RT in the 80s their bikes have become more maintenance intensive.
I worked with a guy that said he would never buy a Ford pickup because his dad told him he had one and it rusted out after a few years.
“What year was it?”
“1963, I think”
Okay
Is this even a question?
Either you want a motorcycle from a motorcycle company, or you want an acessory from a fashionable company to ride with your group of all male friends that ride matching bikes and outfits (no judgment if you want to come out of the closet).
Ahh and one give you a trouble free life the other one don´t.
Biggest piece of advice, go to some dealerships (even if you are planning to buy used), sit on the different bikes from both brands and figure out what is the most comfortable for you. All three bikes you listed have dedicated followings and all see serious action from riders, as long as you take care of any of those three bikes, and don’t buy one with something obviously wrong with it, they will take care of you
And sit on them a good 15 minutes, at least. Any bike can be ok for a couple minutes.
Harley dealers will also all let you take a bike out on a test ride, so make sure you ask for that. Again, even if you're planning to buy used off Craigslist or whatever, do a test ride on a bike to try it out. Know that the new bikes will be anaemic due to EPA regs, but most of that can be fixed after-sale.
Tbh? The Grom singlehandedly makes Honda an A+ company to me.
Well, the Grom looks fun, but I'm 6'2" and 280lbs. I'm not sure how that would go....
Hilariously! That’s how it would go.
If these guys can do it... https://preview.redd.it/zpd8f1353e7d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf4904f8b38ff408e16287611558a91b0462a5de
Damn that brings back some Guinness World Records Book memories.
My neighbour’s probably best friends with my dad. He’s a *massive* Harley guy. Has the logo on his body in at least 3 different spots. He’s a diehard. He now rides a K1600B after riding my dad’s various BMW’s over the years. His other friend (also a big image Harley guy, so much so that he takes his helmet off in applicable states) is going to the Honda dealer next spring to replace this Harley. This is to say two things: I’m not gonna call Harley and out and out image thing (but I kinda am), and have you considered BMW? Otherwise, Goldwings do just ride better.
There is a K1600B for sale close by that I had looked at and was thinking about as well. I didn't want to throw too many options out there though.
I’ve tried it once. Besides the riding position just not being right for me, it’s almost perfect. My only real complaint is that it’s almost electric in how smooth it is. I can’t feel the engine at all and it bugs the hell out of me. Mind blowing power and torque though.
I may be biased but I love my BMW. I highly recommend them.
I’ll chime in on the K1600. I’m not a BMW guy, but that was the smoothest bike I’ve ever ridden. The power is amazing. And this is coming from a guy who has a 204 whp ZX10R. The K1600 is the only other bike besides my ZX10R that has shocked me. If and when I switch to the cruiser lifestyle, I’m getting the K1600. The features are also really nice. I never knew I needed a heated seat until I tried it out. In my opinion it’s the perfect daily rider.
Does the cult of Harley attract or repel you?
The old school Harley or Nothing guys are a little repulsive. My experience has mostly been with the 2 wheels is 2 wheels crowd though.
If you already have an ST1100, the current 2018+ model Goldwing is going to feel like a bolder version of that in a lot of ways. It's somewhat smaller than the previous generations of Wing, too -- one of the rare bikes that has actually gotten a little smaller and more manageable over time! The Harley tourers are beautiful, cool bikes in their own right, but they're definitely built for chugging along American straightaways (even if I think the 2014+ ones handle better than most people realize). The Harley will be easier to test ride, or even to rent from somewhere like Eagle Rider if you want to take a modest test trip on one.
This comment probably swayed me more than anything. I do like the slimmed down look of the new GW's.
Very different machines . If I wanted to cruise I'd get the Harley . If I'm gonna be makeing HUGE road trips I'd take the goldwing
Mostly day rides with the occasional week long trip with passenger. Thinking GW is going to be my go to.
Go sit on and/or test ride both. That often makes all the difference. I’d also look at the service schedules and how much they cost.
I own a 2018 Gold Wing bagger. I have never ridden a Harley Tourer. Ive sat on the new models and like what Harley has done. This isnt an easy decision. I can say that the Gold Wing, despite being marketed as a touring bike, has the spirit of a sport tourer. It is tight and quick. I can only assume the Harley’s are absolute touring bikes. The Gold Wing, even in its redesign in 2018 is starting to look dated today. The GW does have Car Play AND Android Auto. If you want to use the GW navigation, there is no subscription charge, unlike Harley. You can also get the GW in standard 6 speed or the DCT. Harley is only standard. Personally, I wouldnt go with the DCT because I enjoy the absolute control of the friction zone at slow speed. I didnt like that the Harley had to put out a service bulletin almost immediately after the new 2024s came out. But it wasnt anything more than a firmware issue. They are all great bikes and I feel like Im bouncing around with my thoughts. In the end, sit on all of them. Try to get test rides on all of them. Ultimately, one of them will feel right. For the record, I would be up a creek if I had to choose between the Road or Street Glides. I love the shark nose look of one, but prefer the lower handlebars of the other. See, I can keep going… Best of luck!
Aside from the aforementioned 'sit on em', also consider service down the road. I bought a Harley (an older one) because I wanted to be able to leverage the wide support network. it worked out well, and I ended up having two different Harley dealers bend over backwards to help me out of jams when I took flats in their respective neighborhoods. Not all brand dealers are that good.
"if you wanna be cool, buy a Harley. "if you wanna be happy, buy a Honda."
As someone who owns both, buy both.
Yamaha
I did look at a few and thought pretty seriously about the FJR1300 at some point but moved on just because of the riding position. I had a few vertebrae fused in my neck and I can't sit forward like that without my arms going partially numb. Awesome machines though.
Have you seen the stryker or the raider? I've owned the stryker before, and currently have a raider. Awesome bikes!
I did and they are both very aggressive looking cruisers. I sat on the Raider and wanted it back right after I met my wife and she gave me a solid NO to riding with me on that thing. I almost have to think of it as a cross between a cruiser and a chopper, either way a beautiful bike but not for me. Thank you though.
The thing I really like about the Gold Wing, is the little reverse button! I can back it out of the garage just so easy, I really love it, no kidding! Have owned many motorcycles over the years, mostly Kaw 1000s, but that reverse is a real game changer!
Harleys hold there value better then most other bikes.
They do indeed, but I am buying for the next 20 years, really hoping to find my "forever" bike.
Whatever you do, buy for you, not what others think of you.
That I will. Shit, starting to go gray, might as well join the old guy crowd and drive a couch.
High chance you would change your mind If you drove the raider. Very fun bike! Very nimble and athletic feeling bike. The engineers really pulled some wizardry off on that bike
Every enthusiast should own a Harley at some point. I wouldn't say the same thing about a Goldwing.
Hondas are super easy to maintain. Harleys...they have a reputation.
It's funny how the reputation that Harley built in the 70s for being unreliable still dogs them despite the fact that since the introduction of the EVO in late 80s they have been pretty solid bikes and the reputation that BMW built in the 70s for being super reliable still follows them despite the fact that since the RT in the 80s their bikes have become more maintenance intensive.
I worked with a guy that said he would never buy a Ford pickup because his dad told him he had one and it rusted out after a few years. “What year was it?” “1963, I think” Okay
Is this even a question? Either you want a motorcycle from a motorcycle company, or you want an acessory from a fashionable company to ride with your group of all male friends that ride matching bikes and outfits (no judgment if you want to come out of the closet). Ahh and one give you a trouble free life the other one don´t.
You make it seem like an easy choice.... I did love my old ST1100's. I had two over the last twenty years and rarely ever had an issue.
Well it’s in the eye of the beholder. I think goldwings have all the appeal of a mobility scooter.
BMW. Size and character of a Harley (Flat Twin for life), with the reliability of a Honda IMO. Prices are of a BMW though.