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Letting Go

~ DAY OF CHOICE ~

Occasionally John Bauer and I ride together when his schedule allows him to show up at the same riding event as I do. He is an excelent rider and I can confidently ride with him two second close, which is my highest compliment to the rider ahead of me.
I usually joined GWRRA VA Chapter A Runs even though one of my mounts at the time was just 'half a Wing". The SilverWing 650 had a Gold Wing top trunk, fairing, lightbars and was custom painted two toned blue. At a glance, many riders thought it was a Gold Wing when parked among other Wings. A closer look at the transposed V engine and smaller clamshell saddlebags revealed that it was not.
One day in '88, at the first Poker Run of the season, I happened to see John at registration. Since we were used to riding together, John and I decided to ride the 165 mile route together again. John led aboard his latest Gold Wing and I followed on my quick NightHawk 650.
Halfway through the run, I got into sightseeing along those winding Virginia country roads. The weather was absolutely perfect and most welcome after two months of rain and dreary grey skies. It was early spring and we enjoyed seeing the new lush greenery everywhere. The morning air was exilerating and heavy with the scent of tree blossoms that were dotted along the way. The immaculate landscaping of the huge estates we passed seemed to be in competition for a spot in House and Garden magazine.
I suddenly noticed that John was way ahead of me, playing with the twisties again, his tan Wing almost out of sight. My '83 Nighthawk is really a serious preformance bike incognito but I had to work to catch up with him. When I finally did, we were in a great series of curves with twisties in between. It was fun on those roads but watching John handle that 1500 Gold Wing was just awesome!
It lightly danced through the curves at speed and went through the sweepers as if the Wing was on rails. It took really sharp turns effortlessly. I had no idea that a huge Gold Wing had handling capabilities like that. I'm not easily impressed but Johns ride was more than impressive that day, he was guiding the Wing as if he had been riding it for years.

When I finally caught up, John decided to stop for a break. With a sheepish grin, he sincerely apoligized for getting so far ahead. Proudly looking over his mount, he said "I just got it from the showroom and this is the first chance I've had to wring it out and see what I can expect out of this Wing." Until that day I had only seen Gold Wings, as John would describe it, as 'driven gently'. I began to realize that it was possible to have some fun with a Wing if I wanted to.
I was considering a touring bike because the NightHawk 650's sport suspension was just too stiff for a long rides to Americade. The Progressive suspension and Corbin seat I added didn't lessen the pain much. The SilverWing's top crusing speed was 65 with no power in reserve.
The main problem with the tourers was choice. I had driven each of the 'Big Five' demos sevearal times at Americade, other events and local motorcycle shops. I really liked the Venture's powerplant, eager to pull hard in any part of any gear, with a major surge in power requiring only minor wrist movement. It seemed nimble enough but the seat was just too high. The Gold Wing was nice but seemed too tame for this sportrider. The Cavelcade felt too heavy for me and the Voyager looked like everything on it was an afterthought. After watching John handle that huge Wing with ease, I decided to take up a friends offer of trying out his Gold Wing when I got home from the Poker Run.
Since another test ride on a GoldWing was necessary to see what the bike was really capable of, I chose local favorite roads. My steep quarter mile driveway is a good test of the Wing's manuverability on questionable surface. Almost twice the weight of my NightHawk, the big bike suprised me with how easily it handled on the gravel driveway and around winters leftover potholes. The smooth-as-satin ride that the Gold Wing is famous for seemed to put me more at ease with each mile it covered. It was hard to believe I was riding such a huge bike - it actually felt lighter than my overburdened SilverWing.
On familiar roads I began to notice all the colorful new foliage, marveling at the quick seasonal change in scenery and became absorbed into sightseeing again. Used to traveling those roads at speed, I banked into the tight 'S' turns easily. In the middle of the second turn, I suddenly realized I was aboard a massive Gold Wing - not the quick NightHawk! The Wing went through the turn at speed I wouldn't ever consider with a large tourer beneath me, and much to my surprise, it didn't even feel heavy or awkward. Hmnn, I liked that! I flicked the throttle to the next set of turns. I was truly impressed. The Gold Wing preformed so much better than I ever expected!
With absolutely no question in mind, I drove up my treacherous driveway with new confidence in the bike. When I turned it off, I looked down at the tank. 'Gold Wing'. I had just made my choice and really didn't feel as if I had to compromise on handling and preformance at all.
Special thanks to John for showing me that the Gold Wing is so much more than the armchair interstate cruiser I thought it was.

I met her ~ I had no idea!
Phone Call

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REACTION X TWO Close Encounters of the Very Worst Kind!