jeffmevans

I'm new here so please forgive me if this is "old news" for you guys, but I need some help. I shook hands on a deal to sell my 2005 Suzuki SV650S because I wanted to buy a Gold Wing. That Suz SV650S is an awesome bike, and was perfect for learning to ride on and taking the M-license test, but at my weight of 220 lbs the tires get a little splashy if I add a rider.

I'll get to the point...I call my dealer to prep an '08 Red Airbag bike, and while I'm waiting for him to call back to let me know if he can deliver it, I google "2009 Honda Gold Wing" and I stumble across this:

2009 Goldwing Info - Rumor?

I noticed "ELECTONICALLY" misspelled missing the "r"
twice in the package area...

###############################################*
Honda Motor Company today announced its plans for the
new 2009 GL-2000 Goldwing touring bike. The new
Goldwing will replace the industry-leading GL-1800
Goldwing which went into production in 2001.

The 2009 GL-2000 Goldwing will feature a larger 2.0
litre (2000 cc) 6-cylinder engine matched to a new
6-speed transmission. Honda claims the new engine will
produce 165 horsepower and 157 foot pounds of torque.
"This new powerplant and transmission should provide
the kind of power and torque Goldwing owners have come
to expect" a company official says. With the new
6-speed transmission, the 2.0 liter engine turns only
2,500 rpm at 70 miles per hour.

The new Goldwing will increase the safety of its
riders with standard ABS brakes on all 2009 models. A
rider airbag is also available as an option on the
level 4 model.

The 2009 GL-2000 will be offered in the following
configurations:

Standard features on all 2009 GL-2000 Goldwing models:



- New 2000cc 6-cylinder engine with 6-Speed
transmission
- Linked ABS brakes (front and rear)
- Dramatically improved suspension with adjustable
pre-load front and rear
- 6.9 gallon fuel capacity
- Adjustable seat (can be raised/lowered up to 1.5
inches) and rider backrest can be moved
forward/backward.
- Adjustable windscreen (electronically adjustable is
optional)
- Cargo capacity has been increased to 45 liters per
saddlebag and 65 litres for the trunk.
- Heated handgrips and heated seat
- L.E.D. tail/brake lights and lighted trunk spoiler
- New instrument cluster includes speedo/tach/engine
temp/voltage/ambient temp/gear indicator/tire
pressure/trip computer (see below)
- DC Accessory Outlet in dash glovebox
- Trip Computer displays: Miles to Empty/Avg Miles Per
Gallon/Current Miles Per Gallon
-Intercom features improved audio quality and
passenger volume/on/off switch
-Honda Warranty 3-year Unlimited Miles (up to 4 year
optional extended warranty)


BASE MODEL - includes comfort package (heated
handgrips and seat), ABS brakes front and rear,
85-watt 4-speaker stereo with MP3/iPod connector.

COMFORT PACKAGE - includes BASE model features +
electonically controlled windscreen, Homelink remote
garage door opener, integrated anti-theft device.
$20,499

PREMIUM PACKAGE- includes all comfort package features
+ 120-watt 4-speaker stereo with MP3/iPod
connection/optional XM/SIRIUS radio/Bluetooth
capability, Electronic tire pressure monitoring
system, integrated NAVI navigation system with
Bluetooth remote programming capability using
MapSource and compatible laptop, integrated
fog/driving lights, HID Xenon headlights.

SAFETY PLUS PACKAGE - includes all PREMIUM features +
Rider SRS Airbag restraint system, rear-end collision
proximity alert system, electonically controlled
cruise control.


In addition, the completely re-designed Goldwing
offers owners lower maintenance costs with easier
access to regular maintenance areas such as air
cleaner, oil drain plug, oil filter and oil dipstick.
A quick-remove engine protector plate has also been
added to guard the oil pan from potential damage
caused my road debris.

The new Goldwing is expected to appear in dealer
showrooms in September 2008 and will be offered in the
following colors: Pearl White, Pearl Yellow, Pearl
Orange, Illusion Blue, Black, Titanium and Illusion
Red.

###############################################

Ok so here's me the newbie back again...So if I would have gone in and bought this $24000 machine only to come home and find this I would probably be very pissed. I didn't...I called the guy who wanted to buy my bike and called off the deal.

Can anybody tell me if this is true or not. Or partly true? I know about the Ohio factory stopping GW production and Honda building these in Japan starting soon. Doesn't it seem logical that they'd be ready for a total redesign and that a new factory would be the best way to do it? Why bring all the stuff needed to make GWs half way around the world only to make the same one? I know it's a great bike...great enough to fleece me for $24K...but it's also had it's share of recalls and probs... and even as an inexperienced rider I noticed that front suspension was pretty sloppy.

Seeing this ad is wrecking 2 rider's summers, mine because I can't decide to get this '08 bike now which is nice and I like the way it looks...or wait for the new one...and the dude who (still) wants my Suzuki is bummed, his bike got ripped off and he's waiting to buy mine.

Somebody please help with info...

Jeff

DUX

The Wing is probably due for a change, although I don't know if it will be a major re-design.

Are you going to do lots of long-distance touring, including a lot of highway, or are you just looking for a good two-up bike for normal day trips? The Wing is a great bike, but it's also a little large for every-day use.

Before you throw down that much cash on the Honda, you should also check out BMW. The LT has had great reviews recently, even beating the wing in some of them.

My wife and I test-rode just about everything with two-up in mind. To my surprise we wound up with the GSAdv. One-up it's and incredible bike. Two-up it has proven to be the perfect bike for my wife. The Wing would be more like a lounge-chair, but the Adv is really comfortable for her. The long suspension has proven invaluable for her injured neck. We've done two-up highway, twists, and DIRT.

If you do go for a test-ride, make sure to ask them to put the top case on the back. I have an extra pad on mine that makes an even better backrest for her.

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seamus

Jeff, post 14 in that link leads you to the source of the "press release". It appears to be one person's wish for what Honda would release.

As for knowing what Honda has in store for the GL, only Soichiro knows. And he ain't talking...

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CBR929RE

I don't see them changing the GW for another few years atleast. its basically still the top dog couch on 2 wheels with only recent psuedo challenges from the likes of the Kawasaki zx14 based concours.

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if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.

nhfirefighter13

If there's one thing I know about Honda it's this:
They don't say jack about new models or specs until they're just about ready for the showroom.
Rumors are just that...rumors (usually made up by people who want others to think they have some sort of secret inside source of knowledge.)

__________________


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"If thou hast not a sword, sell thy cloak and buy one." -Luke 22:36

Baketech

You're just 'chelous of my RC-71....




71...72...whatever it takes...

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nhfirefighter13

Darn...ya got me there.

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"If thou hast not a sword, sell thy cloak and buy one." -Luke 22:36

jeffmevans

Thanks for what you guys had to say. It seemed too good to be true, and what manufacturer makes standard all the stuff they like fleecing people for?

I do want to check out the BMWs but can't figure out where they sell 'em. I had a grocery list of probs w/ my 2005 545i Sedan, so much they gave me $5000 and a 7 year ext. warr. to keep me out of lemon law court. I bet the dealer can set me on the right track.

I'll probably end up buying that big Honda slob though, just for the styling and ammenities.

DUX

There's something to be said for that.

Any brand can have issues. I had a cracked frame on my new RC-51 and had to fight Honda tooth and nail. In the end, I wound up with a new frame that did not include a VIN number and Honda refused to extend me the courtesy of an extended warranty. I had to pay for it myself after the bike was disassembled and put back together.

__________________
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.

-Reggie Leach