Traxxion upgrade?

[BrianRich]

I'm interested in hearing feedback from any members with a 2018+ Gold Wing that have had the Traxxion suspension upgrade installed. An appreciable improvement? Does it help the comfort of the ride for the co-rider? Was it worth the cost? My wife really feels the bumps from things like railroad tracks and pot holes, and while she doesn't complain much, I hear that grunt she lets loose when we hit the bump, and I know that it hurts a bit, which bothers me, so I've been thinking of the Traxxion system as a solution, but would appreciate hearing from anyone that has already done it, and what they think of it. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[Auburn]

I haven't been on the forum for some time. I see this is a bit old, but since I ride 2up and have the Traxxion suspension upgrade on my 2021 6 speed manual bagger. This bike was bought specifically to do long distance rallying and trips. I thought I would answer this.

Simply it is worth every penny. The suspension transforms this bike into what it should be coming from the factory. I bought the bike brand new in August of 2022. I had the dealer order the shocks as part of the deal, but I would be installing them. I called Traxxion and gave them the specifics on what I was going to do with the bike, 2up, weight of us, and all the gear and addons that were going to go on the bike.

If you choose to install yourself, there are a couple of specialized tools need that Max points out in his 3 part video series for the install. [YouTube]

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[/YouTube]

Here is a picture on delivery day

The bike currently has 47K miles on it. 39K of those miles were this year from April to September.
Here is the bike at Traxxion for shock service just after completing a SCMA 4 corners ride and Iron Butt Association 48 states challenge in 9.5 days.

Drug both of the pipes riding the Dragon when hitting a small bump in a few corners on the way to Traxxion. It turns out when they checked their records for the set of the rear shock they had marked the wrong groove for the rear shock manual spring preload set up. The results were the shock was set up with not enough preload on the spring before the adjuster range is used. I had called them from somewhere in Nebraska to set up the service because the bike would have about 36K miles on it by the time I got to their shop. I had the preload maxed out and though the spring was too soft. Glad they diagnosed the issue and came clean that it was their mistake. In their defense, I think some people tend to overestimate the loading. Where they admitted we nailed the loading exactly.

Here is shot riding the Dragon.

The ride home after the suspension service was another step up from what it was before. Noticeably better in every way, twisties, highway you name it. No more bottoming out.

[BrianRich]

Thank you for your interesting informational reply, gives me much more to think about. From the sounds of your travels, you are quite a long-distance tourer, good for you. I normally average around 18K-20K miles per year, a lot of it attending what used to be GWRRA rallies and are now EWMA or Wing'D Rider rallies around at least the eastern part of the USA. I'm still debating doing the upgrade, a lot of my hesitation is due to the cost, I am retired and one of those called "on a fixed income", which I say is wrong, as it is NOT fixed, it's broken, with our economy in the mess it is in now. Oh well. We're all dealing with it together. Take care, ride safe.

[Auburn]

I fully understand. If you do end doing part of it, do the rear first. If you're handy with tools, you can change out the shock yourself. Only need the spring compressor tool for that one because you need to transfer some of the parts off the OEM shock.

[GoldWingrGreg]

I have a few customers who didn't trade their 5th gens in when they got their 6th gens. What they discovered is that a 6th gen is not a comfortable 2 up touring machine, so they kept them both. They use the 6th gen as a lunch runner, and if doing a solo tours. For 2-up tours they use their 5th gen.

[Auburn]

I have a few customers who didn't trade their 5th gens in when they got their 6th gens. What they discovered is that a 6th gen is not a comfortable 2 up touring machine, so they kept them both. They use the 6th gen as a lunch runner, and if doing a solo tours. For 2-up tours they use their 5th gen.

The 6th gen tour model definitely has less space for the passenger. We have the bagger model, and I have built my own rack for the back including the support system. This allowed me to change the space for the passenger to fit her ergonomically with a proper back rest (not the OEM unit which is terrible). Also did custom arm rests to fit her. After 39K miles this year, I have a few adjustments that I am building to make the ride even more comfortable for her.