[Marc]

So, do you think the RT will lure current or potential Goldwing buyers?

If so, why and if not, why don't you think so.

[3wheeldemon]

Yes, some that are starting to feel to old to handle the weight of a two-wheel Goldwing. Instead of spending 10-15K in a trike conversion they could get a decent resale price in the GW and buy a RT.

Any Golwind fan than is still comfortable hanling a two-wheel bike will look down to a BRP product because of the perceived (o real) superior quality of Honda. My 2 cents...


3WD

This post has been edited by 3wheeldemon: 04 September 2009 - 09:39 AM

[Marc]

I wonder how most owners get to riding a GoldWing. I assume they buy smaller bikes to start and continue to work their way up to the Wing. I think that's an advantage the RT will have. I would never suggest a newbie start out on a Wing, but I would not have a problem suggesting a new rider jump on an RT.

[Director]

Marc, on Sep 4 2009, 10:56 AM, said:

I wonder how most owners get to riding a GoldWing. I assume they buy smaller bikes to start and continue to work their way up to the Wing. I think that's an advantage the RT will have. I would never suggest a newbie start out on a Wing, but I would not have a problem suggesting a new rider jump on an RT.

Yes, I think most Gold Wing owners tend to be more experienced riders. It would be rare to see someone who is brand-new to the sport on a Wing. I agree that it would not be an issue for a new rider to hop on an RT, whereas it would be to wrangle a Gold Wing.

I think the RT will in fact steal a lot of sales from Honda.

Cheers,

Bruce

[wolfshead1]

Director,after riding the RT I agree.Imagine a full tourer for 26K,imagine the first owners male and female.Imagine all the old studs like me wanting off the heavy wings and Ultra's.I think BRP will soon be a family word.

[Twodog185]

A Goldwing with 1800 CC motor, proven, is a formidable contender. IMO, if you took both bikes, rode them equally, pulling same weight, across the same terrain, the Goldwing motor would have less stress on it per CC. Also, the driveshaft is a much more realiable type of drivetrain.

If I was looking for a touring cadilac, and I found a Goldwing with 100K, proven records of maintenance, the miles on the motor would not be a consideration. I'd be looking at other aspects to make sure the "goodies" were working.

If BRP doubled the CC and installed a driveshaft, I'd trade mine in regardless of the downside money I'd have to put into it.

[Marc]

Twodog185, on Sep 4 2009, 01:02 PM, said:

If BRP doubled the CC and installed a driveshaft, I'd trade mine in regardless of the downside money I'd have to put into it.

Maybe that is what is on the drawing board now...2013

[ScottyD]

Due to an accident a couple years ago, I can't ride 2 wheels anymore. I tried a Goldwing trike and HATED it. To say it rode rode and cornered like s*** would be a compliment. Plus the fact that a 3 year old "wing with 60000 miles was within a few hudred dollars of the RT's price. No brainer, the RT wins hands down. I won't be getting one for awhile though. I only have 6000 on my spyder now. I got another 94000 to go before I will be ready for a new one...lol

[doctor]

Director, on Sep 4 2009, 11:12 AM, said:

Yes, I think most Gold Wing owners tend to be more experienced riders. It would be rare to see someone who is brand-new to the sport on a Wing. I agree that it would not be an issue for a new rider to hop on an RT, whereas it would be to wrangle a Gold Wing.

I think the RT will in fact steal a lot of sales from Honda.

Cheers,

Bruce

I think it will make buyers who are on the fence about a three wheeler goldwing, would consider the price of the rt over a converted goldwing trike. You can have over 30,000 in that goldwing trike pretty quick.

[TharkunRT]

$30K.........only if you purchase the entry level Goldwing, and the low end of trike conversions, and find a cheap builder/painter.
More like about 35K minimum to 45k, plus a trailer and hitch....$50k +++.......I have been researching building a wing trike and gave it up at the cost of it.

[B1TTEN #509]

Honda Trike (GL1800 Lehman Kit) New average $37K. Storage around 180 liters and what blows my mind 115 HP, 125 ft lbs torque. BRP did their research, listened to the owners and priced it right. They IMO where looking at the Gold Wing market

[BLACK WIDOW]

Marc, on Sep 4 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

So, do you think the RT will lure current or potential Goldwing buyers?

If so, why and if not, why don't you think so.

I don't think you will see a lot of interest with the die hard Goldwing rider (I consider myself as one of those) until the engine options start coming out. The RT (as fine as it is) is really just a highly accessorized Spyder as we know it. A different engine would increase the appeal to all my Goldwing buddies.IMHO I know that is coming

[widowmaker2011]

BLACK WIDOW, on Sep 6 2009, 09:35 AM, said:

I don't think you will see a lot of interest with the die hard Goldwing rider (I consider myself as one of those) until the engine options start coming out. The RT (as fine as it is) is really just a highly accessorized Spyder as we know it. A different engine would increase the appeal to all my Goldwing buddies.IMHO I know that is coming

Agreed.

Also having been a wing rider myself, I think the one thing that will hold some back would be the motor, not just the power , but the swiss watch smoothness of the wing motor. While all descriptions have the re calibrated 991 being quite smooth for a v twin , the Goldwing is in a class by itself motor wise. Incredible power everywhere in the rpm range and the mechanical music it produces is stellar. While you may get a wing rider thoroughly impressed on the showroom floor , the level of excitement will drop a notch when comparing drivetrains on the road. HAving a friend with a wing who has dusted me by WIDE margins in impromptu roll-ons, you cannot discount the power of a wing. Will a wing rider be able to step up to a spyder 3 wheel experience while stepping backwards in the motor dept? Not sure.

This post has been edited by widowmaker2011: 06 September 2009 - 09:20 AM

[mjw930]

Having a Wing, Spyder and V-Rod in the garage I think I can speak with some authority on the subject. IMHO wing riders who are looking for a more stable ride, aka those who are on the fence comfort wise with a 900 lb 2 wheeler will gravitate to the RT vs. a trike conversion. I seriously doubt the die hard 2 wheel "winger" will consider the RT if they are perfectly comfortable on 2 wheels.

In my house the Spyder is my wifes ride. She is small, 5' nothing and about 100 lbs in full riding gear. On 2 wheels she never could get 100% comfortable, always worrying about dropping it or worse, controlling something that weighs 4 - 5 times as much as her. On the Spyder she is so comfortable that we just finished a 1500 mile riding vacation and she's ready for more. Me, OTOH, although I really like the Spyder do not find it a suitable replacement for the riding dynamics of a 2 wheeled bike. For me the only way I would consider it would be if I had a physical reason that made me feel less than comfortable on 2 wheels.

So, to sum it up, the RT will take Goldwing sales for those who A) are not physically comfortable on a 1300 lb (fully loaded) 2 wheel motorcycle or B.) those who can afford to have another 2 wheeled bike in their garage but want to ease and comfort of 3 wheels for the longer hauls.

As for the drivetrain issue, that subjective. I can't argue with the smoothness of the GL-1800 but not everyone thinks that's a huge differentiator, me included. Some, like me, miss the mechanical nature that I feel should always be a part of the motorcycle experience that the Wing's drivetrain lacks. I'm probably in the minority but my feelings are just as valid as those who think the Wing's drivetrain is the epitome of motorcycle evolution. As for the shaft vs. belt, that too is subjective. Me and a lot of my friends have hundreds of thousands of miles on kevlar belt driven bikes without any significant issues. In fact, belts are a lot easier to replace on the road then a rear drive, just ask any BMW owner ;)

This post has been edited by mjw930: 07 September 2009 - 09:00 AM

[Marc]

Great post, thanks for the insight. I think the big advantage the RT will have over the Wing is bringing new people to the Touring segment. That also fits in with BRP's original mission...not trying to convert 2 wheeled fans necessarily, but trying to bring to riders to the open road.

Everyone is different, but I don't see myself ever owning a kickstand again.

mjw930, on Sep 7 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

Having a Wing, Spyder and V-Rod in the garage I think I can speak with some authority on the subject. IMHO wing riders who are looking for a more stable ride, aka those who are on the fence comfort wise with a 900 lb 2 wheeler will gravitate to the RT vs. a trike conversion. I seriously doubt the die hard 2 wheel "winger" will consider the RT if they are perfectly comfortable on 2 wheels.

In my house the Spyder is my wifes ride. She is small, 5' nothing and about 100 lbs in full riding gear. On 2 wheels she never could get 100% comfortable, always worrying about dropping it or worse, controlling something that weighs 4 - 5 times as much as her. On the Spyder she is so comfortable that we just finished a 1500 riding vacation and she's ready for more. Me, OTOH, although I really like the Spyder do not find it a suitable replacement for the riding dynamics of a 2 wheeled bike. For me the only way I would consider it would be if I had a physical reason that made me feel less than comfortable on 2 wheels.

So, to sum it up, the RT will take Goldwing sales for those who A) are not physically comfortable on a 1300 lb (fully loaded) 2 wheel motorcycle or those who can afford to have another 2 wheeled bike in their garage but want to ease and comfort of 3 wheels for the longer hauls.

As for the drivetrain issue, that subjective. I can't argue with the smoothness of the GL-1800 but not everyone thinks that's a huge differentiator, me included. Some, like me, miss the mechanical nature that I feel should always be a part of the motorcycle experience that the Wing's drivetrain lacks. I'm probably in the minority but my feelings are just as valid as those who think the Wing's drivetrain is the epitome of motorcycle evolution. As for the shaft vs. belt, that too is subjective. Me and a lot of my friends have hundreds of thousands of miles on kevlar belt driven bikes without any significant issues. In fact, belts are a lot easier to replace on the road then a rear drive, just ask any BMW owner ;)

[billybob]

that is a good honest review from a person that has both

[redspida]

I have ridden GoldWings for 15 years and have over 325,000 miles riding bikes. My current ride is an 08 SM5 Spyder. I just did a 3,000 mile tour up the west coast, taking the same route I've taken for years with the GoldWing.
I can say IMHO That the Spyder towed my camp trailer fully loaded (approx. 500lbs) better than the Wing ever did. Anyone who's ever had a fully loaded trailer pushing you down a hill at 65 on a 2 wheeler will love how much more in control you are on a Spyder.
I think BRP is headed in the right direction. Keep in mind that the GoldWing only has about 118 HP and 1800cc's , the Spyder RT is rated at 100 HP and only 998cc.. The only concern I have is with the range. On the Spyder every 2 hrs at HWY speed (140 miles) I was going to reserve (ie light came on) on the Wing I could do 3 hrs at the same speed.(210 miles) both pulling the trailer. I'm hoping they improved the range with the gearing and minor engine changes. My trailer and bike setup is on the BRP sight in the photo's section. Red Spyder and Red tent trailer at Mount Shasta KOA.

[Marc]

redspida, on Sep 7 2009, 03:57 PM, said:

I have ridden GoldWings for 15 years and have over 325,000 miles riding bikes. My current ride is an 08 SM5 Spyder. I just did a 3,000 mile tour up the west coast, taking the same route I've taken for years with the GoldWing.
I can say IMHO That the Spyder towed my camp trailer fully loaded (approx. 500lbs) better than the Wing ever did. Anyone who's ever had a fully loaded trailer pushing you down a hill at 65 on a 2 wheeler will love how much more in control you are on a Spyder.
I think BRP is headed in the right direction. Keep in mind that the GoldWing only has about 118 HP and 1800cc's , the Spyder RT is rated at 100 HP and only 998cc.. The only concern I have is with the range. On the Spyder every 2 hrs at HWY speed (140 miles) I was going to reserve (ie light came on) on the Wing I could do 3 hrs at the same speed.(210 miles) both pulling the trailer. I'm hoping they improved the range with the gearing and minor engine changes. My trailer and bike setup is on the BRP sight in the photo's section. Red Spyder and Red tent trailer at Mount Shasta KOA.

Welcome to SpyderTalk....and thanks for the first-hand perspective.

[Tarantula]

doctor, on Sep 4 2009, 08:41 PM, said:

I think it will make buyers who are on the fence about a three wheeler goldwing, would consider the price of the rt over a converted goldwing trike. You can have over 30,000 in that goldwing trike pretty quick.

How many people actually want a Goldwing Trike? that is the question? If there was such a demand don't you think Honda would develop their own? I've only seen a handful of them and most of them are on sale on ebay.

[Marc]

Tarantula, on Sep 7 2009, 05:38 PM, said:

How many people actually want a Goldwing Trike? that is the question? If there was such a demand don't you think Honda would develop their own? I've only seen a handful of them and most of them are on sale on ebay.

I think it's a bigger market than you think. With that said, I don't think that's the market that the RT is going after, just part of it.