OK, I know there's going to be trouble but I just have to share. I'm a Goldwing rider. While on vacation in Phoenix, I rented a Harley trike with less than 200 miles on it because I've always dreamt of cruising the desert. Loved the desert, it was in full bloom. The Harley not so much. By comparison, it was much too loud, had a lot of vibration, much harder to steer (no rake), and the ride much stiffer. I missed my highway pegs. Maybe the bike wasn't broken in yet, not sure. It was very well appointed, lots of nice features and looked great, but my right knee was kept quite warm, but not unbearably. I had a blast and really enjoyed the experience but I couldn't help but make comparisons. After my headache went away and the ringing in my ears stopped, I decided I would have to make this post. Made me appreciate the GW more! Commence fire.
Honda v Harley
- Thread starter Shmick
- Start date
spiritdream
One of the Originals
Thanks for the comparison! I haven't ridden either one, but I'm hoping to upgrade (if finances ever allow!! 
), and have been trying to decide between the two. It's nice to get a perspective from someone who's ridden both! :yes:
), and have been trying to decide between the two. It's nice to get a perspective from someone who's ridden both! :yes:
ThirdWheel
The Spaminator
FGN, I know I rag Harleys a lot, but..I really compare them to personal "wants".
I think of Harley more as a sports car type cruiser, with the bike feel, handling and sound. While the Goldwing is the luxury model cruiser, smoother, quieter ride. To each his own. I'll rag the Harley owners later after a few post, because that's the way I am.
I think of Harley more as a sports car type cruiser, with the bike feel, handling and sound. While the Goldwing is the luxury model cruiser, smoother, quieter ride. To each his own. I'll rag the Harley owners later after a few post, because that's the way I am.
- Moderator
- #4
Your right they are not the same ride. I have a HD and my daughter a GW so I ride both. The GW is smoother and quiter. The footpegs have to be added to either trike. Yes the HD is warmer because it is air cooled not water. And if the HD didn't have a rake kit then it's hard to compare, because either of them need a rake kit to handle correctly. It's to each their own. I like the HD and how it sounds feels etc., but i also like to ride the GW at times.
Thanks for the post.... I have never ridden a Harley 2 or 3 wheels. so hearing some of the difference is nice... I know when we were in Florida at the campground the neighbor came over and thanked me for having a quiet trike, seems the people who just left would rattle his teeth every moring warming up their bikes...:yes:
It all boils down to different storkes for different folks... both are good machines.
It all boils down to different storkes for different folks... both are good machines.
- Moderator
- #7
And there lies the issue. Some HD riders do not think ablout their noice. If they would just start up without gassing it and slowly depart the sleep area things might be a bit better. I love the sound of my trike but I also try to remember others may not appreciate it at the location I'm at.
- Thread starter
- #8
Road King w/Lehman conversion.
OK I know I am going to catch it over this,the harleys the bmw,and yes even the 1800 gold wing are all good bikes,but when it comes to touring nothing beats a 1500 gold wing for over all comfort and ride,two wheel or trike.
:yes::yes::yes:
:yes::yes::yes:
I must chuckle a bit when people compare "Goldwing" and "Harley". Harleys come in many flavors, from V-Rods, Sporsters, Dynas, Springers and the touring bikes. Goldwings, at least the 1800's are Goldwings. Some have more options, but a GL1800 is a GL1800 is a GL1800. There are HD touring bikes of different styles, and some are close to comparable, but about the only straight accross comparison would be an Ultra and a GL1800. Those are both good, capable touring mounts, but they are very different bikes.
Now the Tri-glide may change this equation, as it is, I believe, they only motorcycle based trike to be built from the frame out to be a trike. From looking it over and riding it on demos, it seems like an Ultra, but it feels different than a late model bike to trike convertion.
Now the Tri-glide may change this equation, as it is, I believe, they only motorcycle based trike to be built from the frame out to be a trike. From looking it over and riding it on demos, it seems like an Ultra, but it feels different than a late model bike to trike convertion.
When you're running pipes as loud as mine, it's only common courtosy to TRY to keep it down in residential areas. I occasionally rattle the neighbor's windows, but don't make a habit of it -- & IF I do crank it, it's not during "quiet times". So far, I've never had a problem with my pipes which are Thunder Header slip-ons on true duals -- not the loudest set up out there, but loud enough!!
NM
NM
i have no problem occasionally waking the neighborhood, setting off some fancy lexus car alarm or making sure the idiots driving know im there thats why i put straight fishtails no baffles but thats my preference. i also have easy steer on it and it handles fine if i can only keep the damn bearings from going bad but thats not harley thats csc. and in no way would i ever put anyone down for choosing what to ride and the way they like it to look and sound. as long as your out there riding its cool. one thing i do know my passengers have no complaints about the sound and vibration of my harley..lol..just enjoy whatever you ride. be safe
Apples to oranges.......I have owned many Hondas. Previuos bike was a 98 Valk. Have owned a CBR 900, CB750, CB 550, SL 350, SL 125 and an Elsinore 250. Then there where the Yamahas and Suzukis.........though not quite as many.
Before becoming disabled I had ridden Goldwings a number of times, and quickly came to the conclusion that they where for OLD FARTS........
OK, just not this old farts cup of tea!
My feeble attempt at payback for bashing my beloved HARLEY......How dare you.........
Just kidding, I love all bikes.
Before becoming disabled I had ridden Goldwings a number of times, and quickly came to the conclusion that they where for OLD FARTS........
OK, just not this old farts cup of tea!
My feeble attempt at payback for bashing my beloved HARLEY......How dare you.........
Just kidding,
I love all bikes.
John Luciano
One Of The Origionals
It is like riding a motorcycle/trike if you have to ask y we ride you don't get it. Same same Harley , if you have to ask why you ride one you just don't get it and you can''t explain it.
+1, Flame Blue Pearl 2010. I'm surprised it was loud because mine dead stock sounded like a muffled VW. When my dad 1st bought his 09 Triglide he passed me on a 4 lane road and I never heard him go by. Now one of the guys I ride with has a 05 GL1800 and I hear the distinctive honda whine when he passes me. Now sure if its the alternator or what, but it does whine. Vibration, the HD does vibrate more than a GW. It however is much smoother than and quieter than my 06 Ultra which has a Supertrapp supermeg 2.1 exhaust. I was amazed at how smooth the 09 & 10 MY HD's are. I'm also surprised the Triglide was hard to steer because it the rake that a trike kit charges extra for.
- Aug 10, 2009
- 20
- 1
And on the ninth day he created everybody dream, It's called a Stallion
Don't want to get anyone "upset" but---
I am riding pretty regular with 8 friends who ALL have Harleys (2 wheel)
The normal turn around is like this---we ride for a good day or two. When we return my Harley freinds spend a day tightning things up and whatever maintenence or repairs that need to be done before their next ride.
I on the other hand, turn off the key, spray off the bugs and wait till they are ready for the next ride.:yes:
I am riding pretty regular with 8 friends who ALL have Harleys (2 wheel)
The normal turn around is like this---we ride for a good day or two. When we return my Harley freinds spend a day tightning things up and whatever maintenence or repairs that need to be done before their next ride.
I on the other hand, turn off the key, spray off the bugs and wait till they are ready for the next ride.:yes:
I agree !
So tired of hearing that tale
Wife and I have had 8 different Harley's since 1997 (have 4 now) and have
logged over 150,000 miles total for all 8 and never once have been left
stranded on the side of the road broken down and none have leaked oil.
We live 100 feet off a major road that biker's of all brands use because
it leads into Southern NH with GREAT riding roads. It is quite often packs
of 100 will go by during the Summer time months. Never once have we had
a Harley (or any brand of bike) "rattle" our windows. Sorry it just cannot
happen because they DO NOT make the "base" tone that is needed to do
that such of a thing. My 99 Dyna has a big bore kit with cams and yes it
does the THUMP, THUMP thing when at idle and it reverberates the house
alittle BUT that is when it is sitting in my driveway right next to the house.
Bikes riding by do not ride at idle so I have not idea where all these people
come up saying bikes go by rattling their windows.
Now what I will say DOES rattle windows because they can and DO make
that "base" tone of affect is the kids with the boom boxes and amp's.
Kinda like when it is thundering out .....
When they do, it reverberates off the house. I cannot imagine what it must
be like "in" the car.
Rob ....
On the "Honda v Harley" comment ....
Well it sounds like the Harley you rented was not a true Harley trike and was
a badly equipted one at that. Yes the Honda was also not a true trike also,
so you where in a way comparing Apples to Apples. If you rode a stock
2009 0r 2010 Harley Tri-Glide you would not have had some of the problems
you ended up experienceing.
1.) "it was much too loud" - Not on a 2009 or 2010 Tri-Glide
2.) "had a lot of vibration" - Well here you have to compare Apples to Apples
and you cannot between the two. Nature of the beast of a Twin (It vibrates).
Now if you want ... my neighbor works for a company that balances all kinds
of equipment and motors and YES .... he has done Harley's with good results.
Don't ask me why anyone one would
3.) "much harder to steer (no rake)" - Not on a 2009 or 2010 Tri-Glide because
they come raked.
4.) "ride much stiffer" - If you setup the suspension the right way you would not have that problem.
All brands have their minor problems with them and Harley's are no different.
Just the other day I was reading on a Spyder forum
(I'm interested in trying one for the heck of it) ....
Handling Issues ? - can-am Spyder Forums - SpyderTalk.com
and as you can see in some of the posts there that they also have their own
problems to deal with it. What it really boils down to is that a TRUE Harley
rider is what he/she is ! A HARLEY rider plain and simple. They will put up with
whatever problems that go along with it. Then there are the other type of
Harley riders that buy a Harley expecting them to be just like another brand,
take your pick weither it be Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Ducati or whatever .....
Sorry I do not feel bad for the persons that buy a Harley than complain about
them. There are so many demo days at Dealers now I would like to see them
try that back before the year 2000 ! .... LOL .....
You where LUCKY if they even let you sit on the damm bike in the showroom
and most of the time you waited a YEAR or MORE to get what you ordered.
Also today with the Internet there is so, so much more info and forums like
this to ask, read and gather info BEFORE you buy a product.
So as they say ...
Do your homework before you part with your well earned money.
Rob ....
Well it sounds like the Harley you rented was not a true Harley trike and was
a badly equipted one at that. Yes the Honda was also not a true trike also,
so you where in a way comparing Apples to Apples. If you rode a stock
2009 0r 2010 Harley Tri-Glide you would not have had some of the problems
you ended up experienceing.
1.) "it was much too loud" - Not on a 2009 or 2010 Tri-Glide
2.) "had a lot of vibration" - Well here you have to compare Apples to Apples
and you cannot between the two. Nature of the beast of a Twin (It vibrates).
Now if you want ... my neighbor works for a company that balances all kinds
of equipment and motors and YES .... he has done Harley's with good results.
Don't ask me why anyone one would
3.) "much harder to steer (no rake)" - Not on a 2009 or 2010 Tri-Glide because
they come raked.
4.) "ride much stiffer" - If you setup the suspension the right way you would not have that problem.
All brands have their minor problems with them and Harley's are no different.
Just the other day I was reading on a Spyder forum
(I'm interested in trying one for the heck of it) ....
Handling Issues ? - can-am Spyder Forums - SpyderTalk.com
and as you can see in some of the posts there that they also have their own
problems to deal with it. What it really boils down to is that a TRUE Harley
rider is what he/she is ! A HARLEY rider plain and simple. They will put up with
whatever problems that go along with it. Then there are the other type of
Harley riders that buy a Harley expecting them to be just like another brand,
take your pick weither it be Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Ducati or whatever .....
Sorry I do not feel bad for the persons that buy a Harley than complain about
them. There are so many demo days at Dealers now I would like to see them
try that back before the year 2000 ! .... LOL .....
You where LUCKY if they even let you sit on the damm bike in the showroom
and most of the time you waited a YEAR or MORE to get what you ordered.
Also today with the Internet there is so, so much more info and forums like
this to ask, read and gather info BEFORE you buy a product.
So as they say ...
Do your homework before you part with your well earned money.
Rob ....
The Copperhead runs so smooth and quiet I had to install a big sub-woofer and play a "motorcycle sounds" CD so folks would know I'm really riding a Harley!!! :no::no:
Not really!!! I installed a set of Kuryakyn Crusher slip-ons last month and took them back off after less than a week. They sound great at idle but are absolutely obnoxious when running up the revs.
The '07 Heritage I had before the Ultra was super smooth with the counterbalanced crank....the mirrors didn't even vibrate at idle....wish they could do that with the Ultra. I had an old '83 1100 Interstate for a couple years that rode smooth as silk but I never could learn to love that motorcycle. Just felt too cumbersome in traffic. If I could afford it, I would however have an 1800 Honda trike in the stable next to the Copperhead. :yes:
Not really!!! I installed a set of Kuryakyn Crusher slip-ons last month and took them back off after less than a week. They sound great at idle but are absolutely obnoxious when running up the revs.
The '07 Heritage I had before the Ultra was super smooth with the counterbalanced crank....the mirrors didn't even vibrate at idle....wish they could do that with the Ultra. I had an old '83 1100 Interstate for a couple years that rode smooth as silk but I never could learn to love that motorcycle. Just felt too cumbersome in traffic. If I could afford it, I would however have an 1800 Honda trike in the stable next to the Copperhead. :yes:
For sure i did not intend to offend anyone. All my Harley freinds i ride with are ALWAYS talkin smack about my OLD YELLER Honda--but is all in fun---
I had 4 Harley's My last being a 2008 Ultra Classic. Loved the bike. BUT when we moved into the new house I have a Crush n Run Gravel UPHILL driveway. Was not so sure on how that would work out. So I sold the Harley. Bought a Honda Goldwing 1800GL with a Motor Trike Sypder Conversion Kit. Needless to say it scooted right up that hill. It would be a tuff decision on what to buy next. The NEW Tri-Glide from Harley or stick with the luxury , smooth, quiet, MORE POWER, higher torque Goldwing??? hmmmm
If the viberation from a Harley bothers you their is a simple answer. Put a wooden match between your teeth and they won't rattle all the time. I thiught everyone knew this!
If Harley's vibrate so much, you don't have to worry about buying a Vibe Rider for the lady!!
- Moderator
- #29
If you like the vibration and the sound, plus the heat coming off the engine; go with the Harley.
If you like the quiet, smoothness and comfort; go with a Wing.
That's it in a nutshell.
If you like the quiet, smoothness and comfort; go with a Wing.
That's it in a nutshell.
wish i was filthy rich-i would buy one of everything. gw trike, ultra classic, beemer(just for the CLASS factor), dyna to look cool!! i'd even have to get a burgman, or big honda step-through just for grins.
here's hoping my lottery tickets come through for me tomorrow night!
dave
here's hoping my lottery tickets come through for me tomorrow night!
dave
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