Why Can't I Get My 2024 Honda Goldwing Back Together? | Cruiseman's Garage

I find an assembly plant issue on my 2024 Honda Goldwing, and this is not the first issue I have found with quality control.
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[@jameshales6958]

I’ve had both my inner cowls out three times on my 2023 and no issues. Thanks for sharing this irregularity as it may help someone else down the road.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Fascinating. Just traded my Goldwing in for a 2024 tour. I won’t be checking mine as I get my dealer to do all the work on mine under warranty. They fitted some extra lights for me and the power amplifier and other parts like upper and mid deflectors. Educational to see however thank you.

[@robertwhitemoto]

If it wasn’t seated correctly in that tab and it’s been sitting like that all this time, it probably warped that plastic such that it remains 1/4 off.

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@robertwhitemoto could be

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

You're a better man than me, taking apart your brandnew Gold Wing. I am convinced quality is going down all across the board. Where I work we use M-B Sprinter vans. The previous generation was much better built than the latest generation is.

[@ArtD2368]

Amazing how even you get confused on engineering sounds like a ride back to southern Honda you can always need a good ride

[@MarksGarage17]

Hi Chris- I give you tons of credit. I just went out into the garage to check on my 2024 Gold Wing Tour DCT and the whole alignment of the inner cowl assemblies. Looks OK I have had projects over the years where that one thing leads to more work. You might have to publish a mid- month Crown & Comments! Or at least have some Crown… Thanks for all you do….

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@MarksGarage17 Crown…mmmmm

[@mrc9699]

Well Chris, you've successfully changed my mind about the new 2024 GW. I had a deal in the making, trade was appraised and was about two days from finalizing it. I've now decided to put it off indefinitely. I've been a GW owner with many miles behind me so this decision didn't come lightly. I'm a DIY'er like you and just the thought of pulling the plastics to change the air filter and install accessories . . . well, just don't want to get into that again. Keeping it simple is just easier for me as I am not a young man anymore. Hope everyone else enjoys their new Wings, they're great machines but have become way too complicated for me.

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@mrc9699 I would not go so far as to avoid buying a Goldwing because of this one-off issue.

[@Johnrider1234]

Indian roadmaster darkhorse

[@mrc9699]

@@Johnrider1234 John, I also have a 21 Chieftain Limited in my garage. In comparison to my 2015 GW, the Chieftain is so much easier to work on. Truth be told, the Indian is my favorite hands down, otherwise I would have gone ahead and bought the new 24 GW.

[@Johnrider1234]

@@mrc9699only gold wing or roadmaster for me

[@WindsurferHD]

I too have owned four Goldwings and I agree sir. There’s just way to much plastic and labor costs at the shops is very expensive to be taking off and removing all the plastic just to maintain this machine. I actually love the thought of owning something like the CB500X

[@philszeman7685]

Thanks for the info as I am picking up a 2024 tour dct next week and I will be checking the fit real close.

[@freddybgoldwinging2605]

Glad you figured it out! Little things like that can be very frustrating to deal with!

[@goldwingmoments]

My 2021 is aligned straight and I have never had an issue removing or installing the pinner cowls. Al least you got it figured out. Thanks for sharing.

[@GoldRyderOne]

Wish I had 1/10th your knowledge of Gold Wing motorcycles. I have no idea if I have a similar issue or not. The only way we will find out is when I hit something that removes the entire front end. I am surely not the guy to do that job. Thanks for sharing.

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@GoldRyderOne please don’t hit something to remove the front end

[@billdonohue2389]

Max says to leave that push pin out of that inner cowling. So I’ve left mine out.

[@donreed1133]

I feel for you Cruiseman. I fought with the plastics on my GL1500 front dash plastics. It was an old motorcycle when I got it and probably a previous owner had put it together and failed to fit all the tabs in properly. Now with my NC750x I can see the front cal is off a little bit!!! I’m trying to live with it as I assume something is bent or plastics were not formed exactly right. I’m glad you were able to get your GW back together properly. When I got my GL1500 back together correctly it eliminated the plastic squeaks that would drive me nuts! Thanks for your videos.

[@MartyGalbraith-ls8oc]

Congrats Cruiseman, I don't think I could have figured that out in a year, let alone a couple of hours

[@tomvoncharon6359]

I also have had fit and finish problems with my new '23 dct purchased less than a month ago. The very lower engine cowl pieces were not snapped and coming together properly. It was quite obvious and I noticed it immediately when I started taking it apart to add tie-down brackets. I ended loosening the crash guards an a number of other pieces to wiggle things around so things would line up better but still not exactly right. I also found the lower right bolt of the lower center cowl started but cross-threaded in the body clip nut. Additionally and maybe more importantly, the 2 screws that attach the fronts of the side engine covers weren't even there and obviously never had been. Most importantly, I found the oil level to be a FULL QUART ABOVE the upper indicator mark! Check your oil PROPERLY per owners manual, immediately. (And everyone wants to pass the blame or simply ignore it. I don't care who's at fault! I'm just reporting the problem!) My question is...what next?! This is Goldwing #6 for me since my 1985 Interstate and I have never seen issues like this before, right out of the box. All that said...I still love it.

[@kidi8124lunch]

Your bike was put together on a Friday before a long weekend. The factory rats wanted, probably started their holiday early. Glad to see it's going back together so you can ride. I have had lots of issues with the Cardo, iPhone and the 23 wing playing well together, I really don't need the stress at my age. Be safe Chris

[@stephencarr7173]

The Goldwing is not assembled in the USA anymore. They are done in Japan.

[@kidi8124lunch]

@@stephencarr7173 Is it a factory? Do they have holidays? And yes they moved the building of the Wing back to Japan a couple of years ago I can't remember when. I blame our government for letting jobs go overseas.

[@steveknode4517]

I had the same issue on my 2018. One side almost jumped in to place and the other side I fought. I can’t remember which side was the problem. I probably spent 2 hours as well.

[@Im-a-machine]

Your calm demeanor with the overall fit & finish on the brand new GW is way better than mine. I would be dropping F-bombs like crazy. I'd definitely have to hit The Crown Royal to bring my blood pressure down. I'm still looking forward to see what Honda does for the 2025 model. Keeping my fingers crossed for substantial upgrades so I can buy one. Thanks for all that you do!!

[@LS-uv9gg]

To my eternal regret, I strayed into BMW territory for 3 awful and bank account decimating years. I was never so relieved when I went back to Honda and got a brand new 2012 NC700XA, so this makes me ill to admit, but compared to how parts and plastics are attached, the BMW was brilliant, and my NCX is horrible. Mine is a nightmare jumble of delicate plastic origami pieces with a billion fragile clips and tabs, desperately trying to not have any bolts. With the BMW, it was all wonderful individual torx bolts, not a tab or clip in sight, super easy and satisfying to take apart/put back. To this day, just like yours, I have a nasty misaligned plastic part in my Honda's front left cowl that I can't for the life of me, get back into proper position with a tab into a slot, deep inside and out of reach, leaving a giant ugly gap super visible beside the instrument cluster.

[@robertmercer9117]

Sorry for your frustrating experience. If that can happen to you, it intimidates the heck out of me and discourages me from doing all of the costly mods you normally enjoy doing.

[@SecurityBob]

Chris. Have 2019 and have had the inner cowls in and out I'm guessing 3 times and no issues whatsoever even added the panicle radiator guards that fit flush. I assume the dealer would record this defect and 0:10 at some later record your complaint and do a inspection investigation and inspect their other bike especially if they have sequential VIN numbers. How about Mac as he has an identical bike bought on the same day. Just a thought.

[@stevemoore9951]

GREETINGS FROM THE PPRC GREAT VIDEO, DON’T YOU JUST LOVE A PLASTIC BIKE 🏍️ 🇺🇸🍺

[@berticusmaximus8381]

This is why I hesitate to buy a GW. I had a PC800 and the Tupperware was just a PITA. I like to do my own maintenance so this seems like a real pain.

[@waynebasso3791]

If it was installed incorrectly, is it possible the tab became deformed when it was pressing against the slot instead of being in it and that is why even after re-installing it, it was slightly off?

[@robertlorentz3670]

It would be interesting if the Honda dealership would put it back correctly after service or just force it together WRONG. MY guess, WRONG!!!!! Great job Cruiseman 👍

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@robertlorentz3670 New bike. Never been serviced at a dealer.

[@robertlorentz3670]

Actually, I was making a reference to any bike that went in for service. Fortunately, you have the ability to fix it, 99% of riders would not. I know your bike is new 😊😊

[@peterdrolet3592]

Cruiseman you just have to accept that these bikes are like children…. No two are the same! Oh sure the new bike has issues but you’ll get through the long days and have good times together (queue up Cats in the cradle)

[@claudelarocque3655]

What I don't understand is that you did a video on the Indian, Harley and Goldwing. In your own words the Honda came in last and you still went out and bought one. What does that say about an dividual??

[@Danat-Monat]

That’s crazy they Missed that! Not to change the subject but do you know if Honda will be bringing back chrome to the Goldwing ? Luv ur videos

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@Danat-Monat I have no idea.

[@rickdixontn]

If it's off on your bike, it's off on thousands of others. They generally don't catch or fix these type of things for years or until then next redesign. For me, it's something I would never discover as I would not be taking those types of parts off and reinstalling on my 2021 GoldWing. Great work though.

[@David-yp4fl]

🌿 LOVE FROM MISSISSIPPI USA 🇺🇲

[@michaelsloane1034]

I wonder if ordering that part is worth it

[@joe2479]

Maybe it's a much deeper misalignment within the dash assembly? But the headlight cluster seems to be level?

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@joe2479 I am wondering the same thing.

[@azmotorcop]

2022 has never been an issue. I’ve had mine out about 5 times

[@obwan7217]

I'm not sure why you would want to remove these all these parts and panels...I've installed all sorts of lights/accessories on my 2023..I fish the wires with a large zip tie.I've never had to remove inner cowl cheese grater on mine..I suppose it could be installed incorrectly from the factory on mine but I'll not take it apart to see...

[@whatsupeh1]

Well, that kinda sucks. But you got it sorted. I knew you would. Are you planning to modify your seat again? I went for a six hour, (actual ride time), ride the other day. I was probably standing on the pegs, at least a third of the time on my ‘21 GW Tour. I’ve been tolerating the stock seat since I bought the bike new in early 2021. I have just over 21,000 miles on it now. I finally got fed up to the point where I was thinking of giving up the GoldWing. I’ve tried several different options to make my ride more comfortable, short of opening up the seat. Only one worked to a small degree. I finally broke down and ordered an Ultimate Seat. I’ve heard great things about them. They’re definitely not cheap, but desperate times call for desperate measures. It may take a month to get it and another month or so to give it a good try. I’ll let you know, if you’re interested, what I think of it.

[@timbarnett3898]

Wouldn't not being parallel create a wind deflection to one side at high speed. Think about air moving through uneven space at over hundred miles per hour. That could possibly caused a crash a high speed?

[@timhawkins2502]

Every time I change oil on my 87 wing I think WTF! It takes me around 1.5 hours for a .5 hour change, mainly because of the lower scoop fairing----

[@flexjay87]

I do not fit the demographic of new Goldwing owners, but i was gifted my first Honda in 1971, and still own a Honda ST. I read a very Apropos definition of many products now days : " Complexity is the enemy of reliability "

[@thehexter1]

In the immortal words of Doc Brown, “There’s the problem, it says Made in Japan.” 😂 Even Honda can slip up. I would have taken it back to Tennessee and traded it back for your old bike! 😉

[@thehexter1]

@@roadglide Geez, just kidding. Perhaps you are not aware of the line in Back to the Future 3. 😄 There are always misses in QC, even for the high end models. Such is life.

[@roadglide]

@@thehexter1 It sounded better in that movie. 😂

[@jamzholm]

How can someone let Honda know about this or speak with the shop you purchased it at about this issue and ask if they have also seen this prior and what did they do?

[@bikerguy5829]

Just like Honda cars, Quality drops every year

[@dhc8guru]

You’re expecting too much from a $30k bike. 😂 I’d say that the design is such that it’s difficult for it to be assembled properly on the line and the assembler is just “making it work”. You like not the only one with this issue. I’d talk to your local Honda mechanic and see if they are seeing this same problem on other bikes.

[@LTVoyager]

As fast as they slap these things together in the factories, it isn’t surprising that something like this happens now and then. After touring the Jayco camper factory a year ago, I now understand all of the stripped screws and shoddy assembly. They almost literally throw these campers together and give the workers incentive to do so. They have a certain quota for number of vehicles per work shift, something like 12 the day we toured the small motorhome assembly line. As soon as 12 vehicles are done, the workers can go home. The day we toured, they had 12 vehicles “done” in like 6.5 hours and were ending their shift that started at 6 AM shortly after noon. However, their rework bay was chock full of vehicles. What a stupid way to run an assembly line.

[@dmstrang]

Could you tell me if the electronics connect better to the bluetooth helmets ? I have to reboot several times to get the speakers on the helmet to connect. I know you have had the same issue with your old Goldwing. Thanks

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@dmstrang no better on the 2024

[@rickstory3356]

Has anyone had an issue with the head light mine only working on one side these are LED headlights I’m told they are not repairable you need to replace the hole headlight cluster $ 2800. Is the price Canadian anybody else have this problem thanks good video cruiseman

[@bobberguy1]

$2800? I recently purchased a '03 VTX 1800C with 17,000 miles for $2800. Changed all fluids, new tires, battery and ride daily. $80/year for liability insurance. If I crash it I scrap it.

[@chiefjoseph8154]

You have to remove the gas tank on the Indian Challenger to change the air filter. On mine I had to remove tour pack, side panels, seat and then tank. Who engineered these?

[@cruisemansgarage]

Someone who does not own one.

[@markturner-nb1ho]

Why is your bike color different from my 2024

[@joegallagher9654]

I need help getting a better seat on my 2024 …l what do you suggest..l.also is there anyway I can get the handlebars closer to me ?

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@joegallagher9654 check out Heli-Bars.

[@RanGer-498]

Had the sane issue but after watching my uninstall video i realized it was my mistake.

[@paulmarley754]

The inner cowl Does Not need to be removed to remove the hidden rivet. It can be accessed by holding the front of the inner cowl away from the body. Remove bolts at the front as-well as the rivets of the inner cowl, it will allow the front of the inner cowl to be pulled far enough to get to the hidden rivet.

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@paulmarley754 this is true

[@timbarnett3898]

Why I can't get my 2024 Honda Gold Wing together? Join the club! I'm having same issue with my 88' not getting it together! How to fix ignition switch when ignition switch not available?

[@charlesdurham167]

I have a 2023 goldwing and my left side saddle bag won't open unless I use the emergency key. Have you heard of this problem?

[@cruisemansgarage]

I have heard of the lids being difficult to open. Do you hear a click when you press the release button? If you do, try pressing in on the lid while pressing the button to see if that helps it to release. If there is no click, then there is an issue with the switch (most likely) and that would be a warranty issue.

[@alexwilsonpottery3733]

American QC at the factory?

[@1967Rick]

Wouldn’t this be under warranty? But kudos for doing it yourself!👍

[@EddieSprouse]

I have a Harley and I've had two Goldwings, my biggest complaint with the Gold Wing is there so much plastic. It's really not an easy bike to work on to get through all the plastic to the parts you need to work on. My Harleys much easier to work on but I still prefer the ride and performance of the Goldwing to the Harley any day of the week. I know it will never happen but I wish Goldwing would go back to how they were in the 1980s when it was more metal material that you were dealing with instead of so much plastic. They make such a good bike and the going does look good but customizing the overall look of the bike is pretty much useless.

[@reg26]

I have noticed in your videos that it looks like you have insulated your garage door from the inside. Can you steer me in the right direction as where you bought the materials or kit? I just purchased a home in Oak Point TX ( moving from NY) and I want to AC my garage. Been a long time subscriber. Love your videos but havnt bout a Goldwing YET. Still riding my 2015 R1200RT

[@cruisemansgarage]

I can no longer find the product I used, but this is the one I would most likely use if I needed to do it now. amzn.to/3Wnncf2

[@reg26]

@@cruisemansgarage Wow thanks for that Cruiseman :=)

[@stephencarr7173]

This should be a dealer repair, but that is a major delay to your ride, so it would seem an easy thing to do it yourself, except it isn't. Looking at the left cowl that didn't fit, then the huge teardown to try to re-install it, would have had me pissed. As with everything you do on this bike, it always involves taking it half apart to get to the subject of what you're doing, and if I had a complaint to Honda, that would be it. You can't do it yourself unless you are very skilled, and you can't reasonably take it to the dealer because the take too long and are too expensive.

[@timkeane7469]

Glad I don’t tour on a plastic motorcycle.

[@danielkleiner9560]

If you just yank and tug those inner panels and rip them out without paying attention, you'll knock the alignment of the lower center cowl out of position. No need to blame Honda, the mistake is made by not being careful in how you take things apart. The whole reason it doesn't line up is because the top horizontal edge of the center cowl no longer is mating with the air guide properly and if you simply look in through the radiator opening you'll easily spot it. This problem takes a whole 4 seconds to fix, and you don't have to take the whole bike apart. You just reach in through the front radiator opening feel the upper edge of the center cowl where it meets the air guide and pull the panel forward until the top of it lines up correctly and snaps into place.

[@stephencarr7173]

You are making an assumption that this was done during disassembly, but you have no reason to. My thought is it was probably from the factory, since it is a new bike, and the plastic has had time to take the shape of the mis-installation.

[@danielkleiner9560]

@@stephencarr7173 by your statement, you are making an assumption, as well.

[@stephencarr7173]

@@danielkleiner9560 not an assumption on my part. My reply is in direct reference to what you have clearly stated, which is, the panels were "yanked. Kick rocks.

[@danielkleiner9560]

@@stephencarr7173 kick rocks?

[@Axr24have]

Huh. Maybe built on a Friday.

[@MsDenver2]

Why do Honda have to make the design so complicated, I would not like to try doing what you’ve done 😊

[@martypetty9727]

Hecho en China??

[@jurgenniklaus4046]

Should be covered by warranty

[@HDlife518]

How many times did you say cowl? lol

[@cruisemansgarage]

@@HDlife518 too many. Had a bad night.

[@utahbones3094]

Go buy a Harley and you’ll have something to complain about.

[@phillipvazquez284]

Go back to honda