8 months in on a 2018

[Redwing822]

Just a couple observations, for what it’s worth....

Still have a Honda VTX1300C that I’ve owned for 8 years. Have always done my own work and maintenance. It’s a simple and easy bike to maintain but at the end of the day, it was meant to be a cruiser and that’s what it does well.

Bought the 2018 wing last December and what a fantastic machine it is. Honda didn’t do themselves proud with the seat and the gps, and it turns into a Sherman tank below 5 mph, but it’s amazing how they got this thing to handle almost like a sport bike. Compare it to the VTX and it’s hard to believe it was made by the same company.

That said, in my opinion, the wing has more in common with a Honda Accord than pretty much anything else out there on 2 wheels. I bought the factory service manual, thinking I could handle about anything on my own with it- and while it helps, this thing is DIFFICULT to work on. Nearly everything is buried under a lot of tedious and hard to remove Tupperware, and nearly EVERYTHING is controlled by computer and can bus. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great bike and a technological marvel, but how many computers are controlling this thing? Engine, nav/audio, ABS, front and rear controller, TPMS, smart key controller, transmission (if you have DCT). Maybe more, because I’m still learning. You can get to the battery, fuse box, oil filter and coolant reservoir pretty easily; if you need to go much further beyond that, you are hours into removing windshield, overlapping layers of plastic covers, fairings, saddlebags...