I had posted my brief review in the V Twin Gnarley Bar and it's really more appropriate here.
Yesterday at the Honda shop I was asked if I'd take their demo GW out and put a few miles on as they can't sell it until it reaches 2,000, needless to say I obliged. This one was a 6-speed manual sans trunk version with the short shield however they'd just added a trunk as an accessory. For reference I've owned an earlier GL1800 and the bike I was on that day was my Africa Twin.
Sitting on the bike brought back just how low the COG is on these bikes and this one definitely felt lighter and easier to upright off the stand. Seat and seating position is vastly improved over the previous version with more knee room and the seat not so shallow. Seat/bar/peg relationship is relaxed and comfortable. The engine itself is very quiet with a deep, throaty, exhaust note. The steering felt just slightly heavy and numb, not nearly so much as on a BMW K1200GT but I noticed it nevertheless and don't recall it on the previous Wing. It's one of those things you just adapt too.
For me the suspension on this bike is nothing short of amazing the way it absorbs bumps, this is the smoothest riding street motorcycle I've ever ridden. It was interesting to watch the top front suspension links rapidly moving up and down absorbing irregularities in the rough road while the ride was so smooth.
What more can I say about the power and torque? If you've ever ridden a 1800 Wing you already know there's lots of both and it comes on very smooth with no snatchy throttle or flat spots in the curve. The new 6-speed transmission seems geared perfectly with a nice spread between gears. On the previous 1800 Wing I was often trying to shift to a nonexistent 6th gear, the motor put out so much torque it really could have benefited from a taller gear. No longer an issue on the new Wing in 6th at indicated 60 mph it's loafing at 2,000 and at 3,000 you're purring along at 85. Redline is 6,000.
I hopped on an Interstate road to see how it felt at speed riding about 25 miles at 85mph with a spurt over 100 through some gentle S curves and it was absolutely stable even in sections of cracked up pavement, felt almost like riding on air. The windshield felt perfect anywhere from low to about 1/2 way up which is where I ended up leaving it which allows indirect air to my body and head with no buffeting and it's pretty quiet too. As it raises up much above 1/2 it generates negative pressure which pushes your head forward which is tiring to fight against.
Back on a curvy primary road and even with it's low COG I am aware of it's mass and slightly heavy steering and compensate by picking the correct line through curves and riding smoothly, which I should do anyway it's just on a large bike it becomes more important.
It was 93 yesterday and engine heat was quite well controlled really no more, if as much, reaching me than on the Africa Twin. The seat itself felt a little warm but I'm not sure it was heat from underneath warming it or just from me sitting on a big vinyl seat on a hot day?
Am I buying one? Not sure, suppose I could trade the Road King on one. Where would this bike fit for me? I seldom carry a passenger so I'd want the version without trunk and probably with the DCT 7-speed since I like the DCT so well on my AT. Base Wing 6-speed is $23,500 with DCT adding $1,200 so $24,700 list price. (DCT also features a reverse gear.) Oddly it doesn't come with center stand but it's only a $90 option so check that box too. For now at least I'm exercising motorcycle purchase restraint though.