Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Ahh, after my last remark on the other page, how I like the look of the new wing, I just thought of another shortcoming after reading about how the GW is a fast bike.
I wonder if they upgraded the transmission to a 6 speed yet. To me, on any cruising bike that would be a deal killer if it still has only 5 speeds. Unacceptable to me in a bike that is supposed to be a cruiser out on the interstate.
Yeah, I know what responses will be and there will be some that say it doesnt need it, well for the cruising cross country bike it portrays to be it does need it.
There are a number of Goldwing owners who wish they had that 6th gear, for me an unacceptable compromise only having 5 speeds. One just needs to read the forums/ this is for people who cruise at
GPS 80 MPH interstate speeds.
Those GW owners wish they had the extra gear and all will tell you in addition how MPG goes in the toilet at those speeds.
Click, just a tiny page of 6th gear talk out of thousands
Ok one more ...
Lets also keep in mind the GW exaggerates the speed the bike is going (like a lot of brands from Japan) and why important to use GPS speed.
The number of gears in the transmission, does not determine what the overall gear ratio (primary, transmission, final drive, tire diameter) is in a given bikes top gear. A bike with a three speed transmission could be designed with a taller overall gear ratio in it's top gear, than a "6-speed transmission". Of course that would make a for a very wide-ratio transmission.