2008 Honda Goldwing rider review

[@darrell6642]

2007 Goldwing here. Absolutely zero mechanical issues in two years - zero. 9802 miles on it right now. I bought it two years ago with 1900 miles on it because the owner worked overseas and stored the Goldwing here in the US. I am loving it!!!

[@avijitdatta9655]

How much u paid for it?

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

2016 Subaru Forester here. Owned it from new, done 100,000 miles. Not a single issue.

[@darrell6642]

@@avijitdatta9655 $9500

[@lornarutkowsky1307]

Hi John here how did you like the goldwing be my next bike

[@squid148]

I remember the first time that I road a Gold Wing. It was a test ride at the Motogp in Austin. The first corner that I took knocked my foot off the peg! Besides the lack of cornering clearance, it’s an incredible machine and will definitely go down as one of the best, if not the best long distance touring bikes.

[@Eric-kv1ip]

Old geezer here who rode a 200cc street bike briefly back in the 70s. My only “rides” now are through KZbin. Your narration and video are both excellent. Thanks for posting.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you sir

[@gdmofo]

Get back on man!😊

[@wingandhog]

I love my 08 Wing. Best open road machine I have owned

[@MrBfish]

Great review! Only thing I'd disagree with is that I rarely touch down on cornering. I think it's all about how you are used to riding. I ride on both country roads and highways all the time and find it fits both rides just fine. I get 41-42 mpg almost all the time.

[@paulzumpf3612]

I've had 3 different 1800's from 01-12 and almost never touched down in turns. I run about 10 mph over what the turns are marked. One of my 1800's got mpg's in the 30's. I checked plugs and 1 was black. I changed the injector for that cylinder and got 43 mpg.

[@roadglide]

Excellent commentary. Agree about the virtues of the Gold Wing. This case the Generation 5. 01-17. It’s smooth and comfortable. A joy to ride. You make of it what you want. There are videos as you showed one, of riders taking this bike to it’s limits. The Gen 6 got a little leaner and lighter and is a bit more spirited in Sport mode. Add to this a DCT and it becomes a game changer at every stop light. You can’t out-shift the DCT. Good stuff.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Yes the 2008 GW is a very respectable bike. And for the most part, it has remained technologically relevant.

[@roadglide]

@@blackswanodysseys 100%

[@joelc-gc1hq]

The guy you keep referencing about the character or lack of in the engine ended up buying a goldwing three-and-a-half years later. The character of the goldwing is its smoothness!

[@davidchampagne464]

Great video man. I have a 08 GL1800. I love it been up and down the Alcan to Alaska twice so far. Vary smooth running bike.

[@stephenraemisch9012]

The CB comments were priceless ... hilarious! And SPOT ON!! Who needs this beastly CB anyway? Great Video - well done!!

[@jimcaulk6225]

I've been riding Goldwings since 1977, I actually miss CB, now everyone has Cardo's or Sena's that you have to fight with get them to connect. At least with CB you just turned it on and it connected. (as long as you were on the same channel) Yes, it is nice to be connected to my phone. (we are sooo spoiled) You ought to ride the 1500, then you'll really appreciate how good that 1800 really is.

[@jameshine7840]

I have a 2019 Gold Wing DCT Tour. First of all you don’t have an airplane cockpit of buttons, very friendly user. Secondly you don’t hit pegs on corners, it still weighs 800 plus pounds , but it’s so nimble to throw around. Thirdly with the DCT transmission in the sport mode you become a rocket ship, very fast. The brakes on these newer Hondas are integrated and stops the bike very well. If you haven’t rode a newer version of the Gold Wing you owe it to yourself. The one complaint that people talk about is storage, on my 2019 the luggage is smaller which is okay for me. The newest versions increased the rear trunk storage. Get out and ride the new Gold Wings, you’ll love it! 😊

[@OkieProductions]

I turned my 12 wing into a monster. Installed racetech fork kit, and progressive rear spring, and now she corners like electricity. Gained about 1.5 inches of ground clearance. and it handles the road so much better. wish it would have come from the factory like i have it now.

[@blackswanodysseys]

What you did has always interests me

[@OkieProductions]

@@blackswanodysseys its so worth it. if you get a chance to ride a wing with aftermarket suspension, take the ride. its a completely different bike.

[@BryanDoesCinema]

Nice review, I'm a Tiger 1200 Explorer rider and thinking of switching to Goldwing. Just sitting here at my desk watching videos frozen on a decision.

[@blackswanodysseys]

That’s a big change in riding style. For long interstate miles of straight road this is a great bike

[@Nkogneetoe]

Great video! Just bought a 2009 Gold Wing and this video was very informative! Thank you!!

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you

[@h.wayneb3495]

Helpful review lots of useful information shared, I believe dry weight is 820 lbs add 60 lbs fluids roughly 890 lbs total for my 05 GW and the H D Ultra Limited now roughly 920 lbs fyi with no reverse which is nice in that time of need. Thank you

[@blackswanodysseys]

Yes a comparison weight to HD may have been helpful but I was trying not to compare. The Goldwing has so many positive traits. Thank

[@rjeepster8640]

These bikes are built to let you enjoy the journey. It’s not how fast you get there it’s how relaxing the ride is and taking in the view if you want something fast and nimble, you’re on the wrong bike.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Completely agree. The Goldwing is an outstanding platform for its intended use.

[@treadhead]

SPOT ON , A WING IS THE THING TO RIDE , SHORT OR LONG DISTANT RIDES , POWER WHEN NEEDED , NIMBLE THROUGH THOSE CURVES ----- ENJOYMENT PREVAILS ON A WING !!!!!!!!!!

[@blackswanodysseys]

Hello James, Yes I've heard the new Goldwings have a better cornering clearance, and with the advent of electronics, there are not so many buttons. I've heard storage has been cut back too. I'm planning to ride a 2020 model, with DCT, this summer. 🙂

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you

[@JamesFrost74659]

Hoy, good review. I'm buying my first Goldwing Saturday ! It's a 2007 and I'm really looking forward to it. I currently ride a 2005 Harley Electra Glide. It gets on average 32 miles per gal, hwy miles with premium gas. I've been riding Harleys since 1979 so this it s going to be very intresting.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you James, let us know, here, how your new ride is going

[@jeffkeni]

This was a very thorough review of a Goldwing by a non Goldwing rider. Your "walk-around" by way of drone was pure genius. Why hasn't anyone thunk of that! (or have they?)

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you Jeff

[@omphileneo]

A definite Goldwing noob question here but, how do all those electronics perform when caught in the rain with the bike? Surely the bike is made with that in mind but is it better to avoid the rain or can you just keep riding through multiple rain exposure and they will just hold up? A question for anyone willing to answer. Thank you.

[@blackswanodysseys]

@amphileneo, I haven't any direct experience riding a GW in rainy weather. I know all the electronics are tucked behind the windscreen and fairing, so there is no direct water impact. Also, Honda has deeply engineered the Gold Wing for long miles. There are very few recalls or repair issues throughout the model's history. One item electrical-wise I found in a search was Notorious Sticky Handlebar Switches motorandwheels.com/problems-honda-gold-wing/.

[@JIMWSMITH]

Great review really enjoyed that. Best i have watched up to now.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you Jim. It was a fun video to make

[@jamessherrill3454]

I have a 2008 and have put 33,000 miles on it. Great bike.

[@dsg1654]

Hi. Good long review, but need to clarify a few things. I have a 2008 Airbag, which is what you reviewed. There were 4 main levels of GL1800, ABS brakes came on the top two, and the airbag model was the top model with included better stereo, ABS brakes, navigation, and comfort package. It sold for about $25k in 2008. You can zoom in and out on the GPS on the fly with left handle controls. A great feature of the GPS is that you can push a button on the left hand control and get verbal instructions of your next maneuver. CB radio did not go out in the 80s. Truckers still use it, and it would be a good way to get help on highways. I'm a ham operator, and I'm glad I have a CB on my wing instead of 2 meters or 70 cm radios, which almost seems dead on the highways. Our airbag wings weigh about 920 pounds dry. The rear shock is oil filled, and the preload adjusts spring compression. I had to put more oil in the reservoir to get full extension of the preload, so maybe that bike needs more oil in the rear shock, which might be why you were scraping pegs on some not-so-bad curves. The front suspension changed away from telescopic forks in 2018. Thanks.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Good info. Thx

[@BabyZoomer278]

All the clarifications I was going to add after watching this excellent review. I would also add that gas mileage goes down significantly when you go past 4K rpm. The 'no-touchy while riding' rule for the GPS is obviously the result of over active lawyers - you can hack this to use the reversing switch to allow changes to the nav without pulling over to the kerb (surely more dangerous). I just did a 5000 mile trip in the US on mostly two lane highways with speeds up to 80mph. Excellent gas mileage. Once I hit the big freeways and, um, went a couple of tens faster, the gas mileage dropped significantly. As someone who also owns a R1250GS, I cannot emphasize enough the real comfort of the GL1800 for 6-8 hours riding, stopping only to gas up and grab a quick snack.

[@mosmotorcyclejourney9067]

If you raise the windscreen, that will cut down on the wind noise. I see it's all the way in the down position.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Yes Ive seen this on other Goldwings. I didn’t want to mess with my friends settings. Was surprised the Goldwing didn’t have a motorized windshield adjustment

[@vacavillebill3230]

2008 owner here. I have no issues 10 to 20 over in curves. Not sure why he’s scraping so much. I love my 07 Fatboy but Man this GW is made for the road, I can ride it all day and have plenty of fun on the way.

[@aerialphoto]

I just picked up a 2008 black abs with only 5000 miles. Checked the vin and had the brake recall still incomplete so i dropped it off at the dealer and they are working on it. Cant wait to have it back.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Nice. Let is know how it goes

[@dougprentice1363]

I was behind a goldwing on the tail of the dragon. That dude had no problem with the tight turns. He was going more than double speed signs.

[@robclasen8158]

Were you following me

[@Fraiyia]

Goldwings have a cowl flap lever too - it’s on the left , just under the speaker . I have had 5 goldwings and it’s all I will ride . Usually I have my rock out going on , (no ear plugs ) I hot my thin l Izzy , led zep, def lep, cars , doors , zz, … The bike is not loud but the 4 speaker sound makes up for that .

[@EverettBaland]

Nice review and a great period for the Wings. But some of us have no need of the tech stuff on newer Bikes. Best to focus on and enjoy the ride and not be busy with modern devices. Probably the best powerplant on a vehicle. Yep they even have car hauler (towing systems) for the Wings to pull a car. And CB is still a thing and that's okay. It's quicker than anyone needs.

[@phdep1]

You modulate the GPS underway by using the buttons at the bottom of the left grip. 147k on it with no problems. Wish I could say that about my Road King!

[@seatime674]

I know Gen 5 went from '01-'17 but can you tell me exactly what changes they did in '08 verses '01-07?

[@blackswanodysseys]

I can but it’ll be a little later. Tuesday, maybe sooner

[@seatime674]

@@blackswanodysseys Yes please because im either buying an 06 or 08 within the week..🙃

[@seatime674]

From what I gathered and I could be wrong the '06 started the bigger radiators & fans, bigger alternator, different instrument cluster guages & better speakers...Please please let me know if '08 is even better don't forget about me😅..Merry Christmas...

[@blackswanodysseys]

sea time, I won’t forget you. in the middle of Christmas gathering right now

[@blackswanodysseys]

@@seatime674 Good morning Seatime. I finally had a moment to go back through my research notes. There were no major mechanical updates from the 06 to the 08 model; the motor, drive train, & suspension remained the same. The most important point is that 01 was the first year of a new platform and motor. There are always engineering design kinks only to be discovered later after sales. Thus the 08 model gave Honda 7 years to adjust and modify minor mechanical points. The 06-08 models had only one major recall, the airbag system. No recalls speak volumes about the Goldwing design. Whether you choose to buy the 06 or 08 model you are getting a stellar bike.

[@felixlechat1780]

2023 bmw 1250 rt 30k$ vs 2008 Honda Goldwing 10k$?

[@iwannaapple7190]

Do the turn signals turn off automatically?

[@blackswanodysseys]

Ya know I can't remember

[@toanogreen]

@@blackswanodysseys yes they do

[@caesarpaul451]

I think the suspension is set way too soft, or, it’s not working properly. That touching is very uncharacteristic of the Goldwing. Very fair review.

[@kokobeatz7222]

Couldn’t you put cruise control on and then mess with the nav controls?

[@blackswanodysseys]

Regretfully I forgot to demo the cruise control. I will make a video update later this month

[@wingandhog]

For safety reasons, you have to be a stop to make changes on the NAV. It’s the way Honda engineered it. That’s one reason why I and most other Wing owners use a Garmin GPS or a smart phone. I don’t bother with the built in NAV.

[@kokobeatz7222]

@@wingandhog makes sense.

[@michaeladams8772]

It sounds like you are trying to talk people out of the Goldwing. We Goldwing owners aren’t looking for a Harley or a sport bike. And I love the sound of the motor. It’s exactly what I’m looking for. It was nice riding along with you, though. And I have to agree with another commenter: the drone walk around was pretty cool.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Oh no not at all! Sorry if it came across that way. I think the Goldwing one the best models ever designed. If I were to get a touring bike it would be the Wing

[@blackswanodysseys]

Im going to make a supplement video to correct rhat

[@rd4k04]

Are sure that's the stock pegs that are dragging and not the aftermarket highway pegs? I can lean way further than that before scraping.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Well they look stock

[@rd4k04]

@@blackswanodysseys the pegs below your feet probably are but the engine guards on the front have highway pegs/floor board looking things that definitely are not.

[@blackswanodysseys]

⁠@@rd4k04copy. Definitely not the hwy pegs.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Maybe the foot boards were placed lower

[@tennwingman3350]

I am on my third Goldwing and I like it better than my Ninja 1000. The Wing is a very versatile motorcycle, sporty when you want it, all day when needed and pack up mom and the trailer for cross country. Make the sound better, there are aftermarket pipes but I cheated and drilled holes in the back of the muffler by the outlet and it actually sounds great. Thanks be safe, have fun. I get 40 when not riding hard. If I am being sporty I will get 35-38 depends on the area

[@blackswanodysseys]

I too drilled out the pipes of my Concours 14 👍

[@tennwingman3350]

@@blackswanodysseys The Wing responds well to this. The tips hides the holes.

[@pentachronic]

I wish these big bikes didn’t have those lean angle warning sensors!! Used to have that issue on my Kaw. Vulcan 1500 too!

[@michaelmullen2991]

Those are actually cool air vents, the air is ducted from the front of the bike.

[@tricia_and_chrisholman965]

Those front pegs (do you call them highway pegs?) are an aftermarket accessory so it’s no wonder they’re scraping and your boot is catching the side stand!

[@blackswanodysseys]

Chris, not sure if they are aftermarket.

[@illiniwood]

Damn good review!

[@adrianb1655]

I wonder what’s considered a “good deal” for an ‘08 with around 98k miles while not knowing its history. Sure I could look up online prices but I wanted to ask the community, what would you pay? A 2008 GL1800 comfort navi trim with just shy of 98k miles. I have an ‘88 and love it but it’s starting to have more problems than I think I want to deal with. Oil leak, dated suspension (to be expected) and the ol’ gal and myself are really thinking of a newer one. If anyone wants to chime in, I’d really appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

Not exactly apples to apples but I just bought a 2016 Goldwing F6B Deluxe with 68,000 mi for 8 grand.

[@seatime674]

I'm actually getting ready to buy a black 08 with 36k miles for $8k..If that has 99k miles don't pay more than $6 or $6.5. . Always buy from a private owner so you get history and no tax. NEVER buy from a dealer there's no history, there's tax and fees and they mark it way up..

[@jackanderson1418]

I have a 2008 1800 don't seem to drag as much as the in the vidio, I wonder if he's dragging aftermarket highway pegs? great vidio 103,000 on mine still runs like the day I road it out of the dealer. I did I stall the All Balls steering stem bearings.😊

[@dennisjohnson294]

2006 Honda Goldwing I have awesome thanks for sharing 👍

[@blackswanodysseys]

They are definitely great bikes. Looking ride a 2017 this summer

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you

[@joewilson6566]

Love my 09 put traxxion suspension in mine couldn't be better put over 100k so far planning on another 100k

[@thomascochrane4922]

You think that 40 degrees is not enough iean angle? Have you ever heard of a firm called Harley Davidson?

[@TOURMANBOB]

I truly don't understand how you have so much difficulty with the bike dragging on corners. I have 90,000 miles on a 2003 Wing and have NEVER touched anything even with spirited riding. I also have floor boards on the bike which would potentially make it worse. It has loads of clearance so I don't know what you are doing...

[@blackswanodysseys]

Well maybe you have a different setup than my friends bike. All in all not a defect. Just the way it was designed. Happy riding

[@TOURMANBOB]

@@blackswanodysseys Perhaps his centre stand is dragging or even his side stand. Or he has something installed that severely limits his ground clearance, but for the life of me, I don't know what it would be. I havent even touched my floorboards down and I do some pretty spited riding in the mountains....dunno

[@robclasen8158]

That CB comes in handy when the phones don’t work.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Ywa they would

[@eduardoatillo5287]

Very concise review

[@lornarutkowsky1307]

Hi John here I love the goldwings from 2001 to 2010 the 2012 to 2017 after than I do not the ones after 2017

[@villiamo3861]

Really good review.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thank you sir 😊

[@robertcraft-pj2jp]

I’ve left a many Harley setting still in speed. And I’ve noticed you not riding in overdrive. One more thing, set a nickel on the motor at idle and see if it moves. Just a okay review. Hoosier Wing.

[@DennysPlantBasedJourney]

Love my 2010

[@SuperSquitch]

I did traxxion dynamics suspension. I used to drag my knee yrs ago. I do t drag things anymore. I have slowed down but the stock suspension is so soft I was dragging all the time

[@blackswanodysseys]

Have heard suspension mods really help

[@timothyfarrell602]

You didn't try the cruise control. It's awesome!

[@blackswanodysseys]

No I didn’t. I should’ve. Mostly rode country roads. Was focusing on how it handled the curves, which I really enjoyed

[@10000forks]

FORWARD CONTROLS are touching. not pegs they can be removed or raised. Geeeze

[@maybe5883]

If you haven’t, ride a 2021 or newer six speed and create a comparison video. You may be surprised with the changes.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Actually I just rode a 2020 last summer. Plan to make a comparison video soon

[@solidsnake3861]

i own a fjr 2002 and love it but in the future would love the gw 1800

[@blackswanodysseys]

The FJR is an excellent bike

[@solidsnake3861]

@@blackswanodysseys it is totaly greetings from Bosnia i subscribed

[@SuperSquitch]

I did exhaust. Sounds cool. It’s on KZbin

[@lalo4406]

You have to try the 2018 Goldwing totally different bike

[@blackswanodysseys]

Thx Lalo, yes I rode a 2017 2 years ago. My is to do a long on it this summer. Thatl’ll a later video. Thank you

[@roadglide]

@@blackswanodysseys The 17 model is Gen 5 and the same as the 08. Did you mean you rode an 2018 2 years ago? As that is that is the first year of the new Gen 6 models. W/Sport mode. Mild to Wild.

[@blackswanodysseys]

@@roadglide I was reviewing a 2008. While narrating during my ride I discussed various updates. Since then I realized I may have miss quoted certain dates. Thanks for catching this.

[@roadglide]

@@blackswanodysseys Sure thing. NP. All good.

[@blackswanodysseys]

I have a friend who owns a 2018 with DCT. Did a short ride on it way back when he first bought it. Was intrigued with the paddle shifters. Took some getting use to no clutch.

[@robclasen8158]

I love my CB

[@nathanrotar5012]

I whip the shit out of my 01. I was listening to this saying "what the fuck is he talking about"

[@richbenoit1840]

New suspension on the front is NOT similar to the BMW system.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Really? Its not a three point suspension instead of the fork spring system?

[@jeffkeni]

@@blackswanodysseys They are similar in that they both are NOT conventional telescopic fork. It is better to suggest you search for a 2018 WIng write-up than me try to explain. I would only make matters worse haha.

[@HondaGoldwingChannelHolland]

👍

[@MrZipperhead16]

My old GL1500, same as that GL1800 will drag the pegs all day long, IF I want them to. Thing is you don't HAVE to as it's more than capable in handling. Watch some video of Yellow Wolf doing the dragon on his GL1800 if you don't think the bike will take a corner/curve. Ride that bike for a week and your KTM won't look so appealing.

[@blackswanodysseys]

I did enjoy riding the Goldwing. A very well thought out design. And yes, a pleasure to ride.

[@timchapman6702]

That is identical to my 2015

[@GUE5TPA55]

@16:10 CB is very much alive, sorry you feel that it is dead

[@harriswaller7002]

2018 Major Change

[@billstapleton8833]

2018 Goldwing is totally different.

[@blackswanodysseys]

Yes it is 👍

[@lesterhutchins1621]

Bite you want it 72 years old

[@Ned214]

81! Ride on.

[@leonbeck6254]

Have a 2002 love it. Riding all over the USA. Might go to Canada. 🎅🏼🏍🇺🇸

[@lesterhutchins1621]

An old mans boxer cup maybe

[@chrisneal3909]

The goldwing is a road dawg. Point blank.

[@blackswanodysseys]

A tried and true platform.

[@sixfiddy9300]

The Honda Gold Wings is just that ! The "GOLD STANDARD" in a world full of wanna be long distance cruisers. So, that being said, why do you try to compare it to any other bike NOT in it's league. Example: Little league baseball ⚾️ player -vs- Major league player. 😂