Honda or Harley?

[msocko3]

90 in 2nd really.??? I am truly impressed,

Thats twisting the engine pretty high, when I 1st left the light it was on the rev limiter before I could even think of hitting 2nd gear, the buggers a hoot to ride. My wing gave me a surprise when I went to get a jump at a light so I could catch the other lane, I found out it has a rev limiter and will hit it pretty darn quick.

[msocko3]

Msocko at least you are giving both a fair shake. The majority of riders that say my bike is better than your bike has never even ridden that bike, let alone owned it. Yes I am a Gold Wing fan, I have ridden but not owned a Harley, among a LOT of other bikes. If Harley ever made an engine that runs as smooth as a Gold Wing I would buy it.

I think a lot of it is people by nature are passionate about their choices, what they own is the best thing since sliced bread in their eyes. There is nothing wrong with that, we should be pleased with what we own and ride. Myself I love anything with 2 or 3 wheels, I'll ride it just because its something different and a new experience.

[JBise]

You are correct the Honda engine will outlast the Harley quite easily plus it does have more HP and TQ to the rear wheel vs the Harley, but Harley does publish its torque numbers in the specs for each bike. The 2013 Triglide is advertised at 100ft/lbs @ 3,250 rpm which is measured at the crankshaft. Fuel mileage is a wash, a 2 wheel Harley bagger will get better fuel mileage than the Goldwing. My 2012 GL1800 is getting between 39 - 41 Mpg, my 2006 Ultra Classic with a 120" engine which will spank a Goldwing will get 41 mpg. When the same 2006 Ultra Classic had the 95" engine making almost the same HP and TQ as the Gl1800 in it I would get 43 mpg on average. My 2005 Electraglide Classic with the plane jane 95" stage 2 build would get 45 - 48 mpg.

My dads 2009 Triglide will get 35 - 36 mpg stock or as it is modified, I believe folks with triked Gl1800's are getting around 35 mpg which is a wash.

In the end I still firmly believe a person needs to ride what puts a sloppy grin on their face. I love both Harley and Honda, I own both and love them both for what they each bring to the table. When I say my 06 Ultra will spank a Wing, I've proven it. One hapless GL1800 wing rider didn't use all his senses when he took me on at a traffic light. The lope of the engine and tuned and quiet 2.1 exhaust should have told him something. When all was said and done I had him by 10 bike lengths when I cleared 2nd gear which was when I let off the throttle because I had passed through 90 mph and was getting into areas one didn't want to be riding fast.

Stock vs Stock, Wing has it...06. ultra 120" not stock...Hey I see Harleys MPG on recent bikes says 54MPG, Where is that bike? Harley salesmen wonder the same?

[msocko3]

Stock vs Stock, Wing has it...06. ultra 120" not stock...Hey I see Harleys MPG on recent bikes says 54MPG, Where is that bike? Harley salesmen wonder the same?

I agree stock vs stock the Harley is a pooch which is why I like my sleeper, they never know what hit them. The only thing HD has which will even come close to sniffing 54 mpg is the Sportster, the baggers will get around 40 - 45 mpg.

[Phatbag]

I've had both Harley and Honda touring bikes. While I believe the Goldwing is the superior machine, for me, it lacks the soul of the Harley. But I would pick the one that best fit my overall needs...both are excellent.

[John Luciano]

My buddy has a 2006 Duce. On a flat out race trying to catch a 950 Honda sport bike and a 1600 Kawasaki, he said he held it wide open at 95 and it would go no faster. Never hit the ton mark. The Kawasaki topped out at 125 and the 950 pulled away at 140. Is he lying?

[Lakeman]

One thing I like about the Harley is the size, I think a triked GW is bigger than a Smart Car.

[msocko3]

One thing I like about the Harley is the size, I think a triked GW is bigger than a Smart Car.

It all depends on the trike kit, comparing the Hannigan kit for the Harley touring vs their Gen II Goldwing kit the Goldwing is only 17" longer and 3 1/2" inches wider, not that much when you think about it. The Goldwing in 2 wheel form is longer than the Harley touring to begin with so I would imagine the trike would be a touch longer also.

[Lakeman]

17" is a LOT!

[msocko3]

17" is a LOT!

Naw, just about the length of a loaf of bread. The stock 2 wheel GL1800 is longer, and wider than an Ultra Classic. When I rented a Wing last year before purchasing I got back on my 06 Ultra Classic and could have sworn I was sitting on a Sportster, it was that small feeling. Now since I've been switching back and forth between the 2 I don't notice any difference except the Wing is quieter and rides smoother.

Dimensions depend on the trike kit. A DFT kitted GL1800 is only 8" longer and 3" wider than a DFT kitted Ultra Classic, or half a loaf of bread longer.

[americanbadass]

Naw, just about the length of a loaf of bread. The stock 2 wheel GL1800 is longer, and wider than an Ultra Classic. When I rented a Wing last year before purchasing I got back on my 06 Ultra Classic and could have sworn I was sitting on a Sportster, it was that small feeling. Now since I've been switching back and forth between the 2 I don't notice any difference except the Wing is quieter and rides smoother.

Dimensions depend on the trike kit. A DFT kitted GL1800 is only 8" longer and 3" wider than a DFT kitted Ultra Classic, or half a loaf of bread longer.

M3....you must be eatin French bread....the bread at Walmart ain't that big!

[Lakeman]

It seams to me that on a GW you have about 8 feet of motocycle in front of you. The GW is BIG!

[kimber45]

My GL1800 CSC is longer, wider, smoother,stops better,starts better,has more storage room,is cooler temp wise,corners better, quieter, better sound system and my Wife LOVES it!!

[msocko3]

It seams to me that on a GW you have about 8 feet of motocycle in front of you. The GW is BIG!

They just look big, once you put a tape too them they are not as big as they look. The only thing I've found going between my Harley Ultra Classic and my Gl1800 is the Gl1800 sits higher, the bars are wider and out a little more in front of me than they are on the Harley. As for the length between the two, I've never even noticed it, even while maneuvering in parking lots.

[Lakeman]

Kimber45, longer, wider, smoother, stops better, has more storage room, corners better, quieter, better sound system and my wife LOVES it!! That's my wife's Lincoln LS and she LOVES it!!
Thats not what I want, I want to at least feel like I am on a motorcycle!!

[Eagle Man]

Wow! A trove of information in the above posts. Let me just say this. I ride my trike EVERY day to work and on weekends as well. I ride in the dark, daylight and in all types of weather. I depend on my trike as a means of transportation, every single day. In 120K miles, I have not taken my trike to the dealer for anything but routine maintenance.

The skinny of the above is this: I would love to ride a Harley for the 'cool' factor alone if for no other reason. They look and sound great. Fit and finish is 2nd to none. But the practical side of me is willing to accept a ride that is something, 'less', depending on who you talk to.

Being a photographer, as a serious hobby, I have learned that 'less' is usually more, in the final image.

So......I choose to ride a Honda Goldwing, triked out with a CSC Cobra XL kit.
This package is what works for me, and based on past experience, alows me to keep more money in my 'pocket', than in my bike/trike.

Life is much larger than the things we own.

Eagle Man

[ductman]

wow!! I am in the market for a new to me trike the only one i have been on is the tri glide i did not much care for it .... was like a old honda atc 90 from the 70's short and tipsy i will ride so others when i get the chance to.
to the op it is like they say what floats your boat!

[Casper]

Having owned three GW trikes, one Harley TG trike and on my 30th Harley now ( 2013 Ultra) and the wife has a 2007 GW trike in the garage...for me, the wing offers everything except comfort! The foot position and seating position kills my knees and hips...tried all the options for foot comfort and nothing helps.
I love the foot forward of the Harley. If I every trike for Me, I'll trike my Ultra, most likely with a CSC Daytona kit, I like the looks of them, but open to looking at them all when the time comes.
As for the Honda, they are bullet proof, run forever, low maintenance, regular fuel...nothing bad about them, IF THEY FIT! My wife loves it...fits her fine.