How do the Kawa and Yamaha stack up against the Goldwings? How do the metrics compare to HD? 2001-2003 Goldwing frame cracking anything to be worried about? My budget is around $5-7k.
Goldwings are Goldwings. If that's what you're looking for, then I don't think anything else really compares. And I love me a Kawi.
Exactly. I got rid of mine because I'd have had more fun running around in a convertible car with no need for gear and a helmet. The Harley handled meh, braking was meh, power was meh but I had to actually ride it which made it waaaaayyyyyyyyy more enjoyable.
I picked up a late 80's Kawasaki Voyager XII with around 35k miles late last summer... so far it has been super reliable and very comfortable on my trips.
I owned a 2002 Goldwing. I sold it to fund my track addiction in 2009. You will never ride a more reliable, comfy and boring bike. You can ride it for 12+ hours a day over and over with no issues. It will behave as expected in every instance. Its a no-drama bike. It will run with minimal attention to care and maintenance. If you get one upgrade the suspension, especially the front forks. The stock ones are inadequate, and Ohlins makes upgrades for them.
The 02 Road King Classic I bought back in February for $5K was great until it started puking oil out of the air filter a couple weeks ago.
