1800 Ride Quality: seats and suspension

[Hyder4lunch]

First time poster here.

I've been searching around this and other forums for awhile but can't seem to find the info I'm looking for so here goes...

We had a Yamaha Super Tenere but my wife could only stand about 1.5 hrs on it, so we started looking for options that would increase her ride time (would like to take some multi day trips). When we were thinking about switching to a Goldwing we rented a 2014 and went riding. Did an 8 hour day, 400 miles. She didn't need to get off of the bike the entire time, even at gas stops (unheard of)! So it seemed the solution to longer rides was a Wing. Our search began and we settled on a 2002 w/ 90K miles, "can't be that much difference year to year, right?". At first our ride time improved but soon discovered that 2 hours was about it for her. We've been considering doing an RDL, but wondered why things were so much better on the stock '14? I did some looking. Maybe a new seat is the answer? A complete replacement seat for the '02 is around $256 which seems like a steal. Later years (I don't exactly recall which, maybe '06?) the price jumps to $1200. Some of this is the electric heat option, but I don't think that's the whole story. Which brings me to my question. Did seat composition/build change significantly between the early years and later one's? Do you know when the changes happened? We are considering a 2010 but want to know about the seats first. I know there are a lot of aftermarket options and covers. We have tried several but still no appreciable improvement. (The stock seat height is a bit low for my preference so I know that relegates me to custom or covers but I could deal). For now lets focus on stock seats.

The other thing is suspension. The forks and rear spring seem to be shot (bottoming and harsh) and given that the two of us without luggage exceed the GVWR that's no surprise. A suspension rebuild is an option, new custom forks and rear spring, but before dropping $1200 on that we wonder if maybe suspension components too may have improved with newer models. Again the rented '14 seemed much better. Any info would be helpful.

I'm pretty sure the 2010 Audio Comfort w/ 50K miles is going to be improved over our '02 w/ 104K, but are we going to be in the same boat in a couple years or not? Would it be better to do custom suspension and seat on the '02 or upgrade to the '10 (or newer?). Or do we just need to suck it up and build the bike we need? I really miss being on the road for multiple weeks at a time...

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[DaveO430]

The suspension is probably just tired. You could get a rear shock from a 12-17 model, they have a stiffer rear spring, or put a progressive spring on your shock but it's probably worn out and put progressives or other aftermarket springs in the forks and improve the ride dramatically. As for the stock seats and prices, the only difference, 01-10 except maybe the pattern is the heater option. The 12> seat won't fit.

[Asphaltmaniac]

First time poster here.

I've been searching around this and other forums for awhile but can't seem to find the info I'm looking for so here goes...

We had a Yamaha Super Tenere but my wife could only stand about 1.5 hrs on it, so we started looking for options that would increase her ride time (would like to take some multi day trips). When we were thinking about switching to a Goldwing we rented a 2014 and went riding. Did an 8 hour day, 400 miles. She didn't need to get off of the bike the entire time, even at gas stops (unheard of)! So it seemed the solution to longer rides was a Wing. Our search began and we settled on a 2002 w/ 90K miles, "can't be that much difference year to year, right?". At first our ride time improved but soon discovered that 2 hours was about it for her. We've been considering doing an RDL, but wondered why things were so much better on the stock '14? I did some looking. Maybe a new seat is the answer? A complete replacement seat for the '02 is around $256 which seems like a steal. Later years (I don't exactly recall which, maybe '06?) the price jumps to $1200. Some of this is the electric heat option, but I don't think that's the whole story. Which brings me to my question. Did seat composition/build change significantly between the early years and later one's? Do you know when the changes happened? We are considering a 2010 but want to know about the seats first. I know there are a lot of aftermarket options and covers. We have tried several but still no appreciable improvement. (The stock seat height is a bit low for my preference so I know that relegates me to custom or covers but I could deal). For now lets focus on stock seats.

The other thing is suspension. The forks and rear spring seem to be shot (bottoming and harsh) and given that the two of us without luggage exceed the GVWR that's no surprise. A suspension rebuild is an option, new custom forks and rear spring, but before dropping $1200 on that we wonder if maybe suspension components too may have improved with newer models. Again the rented '14 seemed much better. Any info would be helpful.

I'm pretty sure the 2010 Audio Comfort w/ 50K miles is going to be improved over our '02 w/ 104K, but are we going to be in the same boat in a couple years or not? Would it be better to do custom suspension and seat on the '02 or upgrade to the '10 (or newer?). Or do we just need to suck it up and build the bike we need? I really miss being on the road for multiple weeks at a time...

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Did you have the shock preload adjusted differently for the two bikes? I'm 140lbs and had mine set at 10ish but now I run zero preload and what a difference during the day and at the end (literally) ha!

[Hyder4lunch]

The suspension is probably just tired. You could get a rear shock from a 12-17 model, they have a stiffer rear spring, or put a progressive spring on your shock but it's probably worn out and put progressives or other aftermarket springs in the forks and improve the ride dramatically. As for the stock seats and prices, the only difference, 01-10 except maybe the pattern is the heater option. The 12> seat won't fit.

Did the seats change significantly in 2012?

[raven41951]

Things to look at are the suspension and the seat. At 16 years old, the foam gets brittle and feels harder when sat on. I have read that wing front ends are peak for about 20K then need rebuilding. I have not ridden for a year due to surgery but expect to be back on the road this season so my '16 is still fairly new so I don't have first hand knowledge.

Even if new, a "new" seat could be 10 or more years old already and the foam degrades with time regardless, albeit less so when not exposed to daily use and the heat of the sun. Check into reupholstering the existing one. I looked into Traxion suspensions prior to purchasing my 1800 and when necessary I will probably have that installed rather than rebuild the oem suspension.

[DaveO430]

Did the seats change significantly in 2012?

Enough that it won't fit yours.

[newday777]

Howdy Hyder4lunch
Yes your 02 has a worn out seat and suspension at 17 years and 90,000 miles.

Yes there is a composition difference in the seat foams of your 02 and the 14 you rented, as Dave said, the 2012-2017 will not fit properly on your 02(different shape to the side cover profiles). A 2010 seat will fit your 02 and be more comfortable than your 02 if new or very low miles on it. Big people squash seat foam so that effects your comfort as well as time in weather. My 08 seat was worn out at 80,000 miles and I'm under 195 lbs.

Your suspension needs a total go through. If the fork oil hasn't been changed every 20,000 miles your fork legs and tubes could be beyond service specs by now and need replacement besides the springs. The lower legs get egg shaped at the bottom inside. There are bore micrometers to measure for how worn they are. The fork tubes wear also, pitting and the chrome wear off in the high wear spots.
The rear shock if it hasn't been serviced my not have full preload usage if the oil is low in it. The stock spring/whole suspension was set up for Japanese sized people and was anemic from new.
In 2012 Honda beefed up the fork tree and rear shock for better ride comfort.


All in all, if you can afford to buy a newer wing with lower miles you will most likely be better off than trying to fix your 02 to feel like the 2014 you rode.
The 2010 you mentioned if it has been serviced properly(get maintenance records!) could be a better ride but at 50,000 miles if it wasn't properly maintained, shortly could be in the same boat you are in now.
If you are looking at used wings and find one with Traxxion Full Monty suspension upgrade(@ $4,500 upgrade), that is going to give a far better ride than stock suspension or Progressive springs in any wing year model.

https://traxxion.com/goldwing/

There are some very good deals on used (with very low miles) 2014-2017 wings as well as new leftover 2016/17 at deep discounted prices now as many have gone to the new 2018/19 wings, thus lowering the values of the earlier wings.

[AZgl1800]

I bought a 2002 bike with a hard Corbin seat on it....
detested that thing.

a friend had a 2010 seat with only 85 miles on it... yes, 85 miles.
He had the bike triked immediately so the seat had to come off to make his wife happy.

we traded straight across, he got the higher valued Corbin seat to sell, and I got the much more comfy OEM 2010 seat on my 2002.

the 2010 seat has a narrower front profile, and fits my posterior to a Tee.

oh, my 2002 has Traxxion springs front and rear....
way solid, but it tracks straight as a string pulled tight.
IMO, it is too hard for normal soft ride comfort... at speeds under 60 mph, I feel every jolt.... would rather have the stock suspension.

I rode a stock 2009 and loved the feel of that bike.

[GoldWingrGreg]

To me the OP is complaining about a worn-out seat and suspension. At that mileage, it defiantly would be.

[Asphaltmaniac]

I bought a 2002 bike with a hard Corbin seat on it....
detested that thing.

a friend had a 2010 seat with only 85 miles on it... yes, 85 miles.
He had the bike triked immediately so the seat had to come off to make his wife happy.

we traded straight across, he got the higher valued Corbin seat to sell, and I got the much more comfy OEM 2010 seat on my 2002.

the 2010 seat has a narrower front profile, and fits my posterior to a Tee.

oh, my 2002 has Traxxion springs front and rear....
way solid, but it tracks straight as a string pulled tight.
IMO, it is too hard for normal soft ride comfort... at speeds under 60 mph, I feel every jolt.... would rather have the stock suspension.

I rode a stock 2009 and loved the feel of that bike.

If you weren't so far away I'd swap my stock forks for your traxxion forks...ha!

[Hyder4lunch]

Thanks Newday 777, this is exactly what I was looking for.

Howdy Hyder4lunch
Yes your 02 has a worn out seat and suspension at 17 years and 90,000 miles.

Yes there is a composition difference in the seat foams of your 02 and the 14 you rented, as Dave said, the 2012-2017 will not fit properly on your 02(different shape to the side cover profiles). A 2010 seat will fit your 02 and be more comfortable than your 02 if new or very low miles on it. Big people squash seat foam so that effects your comfort as well as time in weather. My 08 seat was worn out at 80,000 miles and I'm under 195 lbs.

Your suspension needs a total go through. If the fork oil hasn't been changed every 20,000 miles your fork legs and tubes could be beyond service specs by now and need replacement besides the springs. The lower legs get egg shaped at the bottom inside. There are bore micrometers to measure for how worn they are. The fork tubes wear also, pitting and the chrome wear off in the high wear spots.
The rear shock if it hasn't been serviced my not have full preload usage if the oil is low in it. The stock spring/whole suspension was set up for Japanese sized people and was anemic from new.
In 2012 Honda beefed up the fork tree and rear shock for better ride comfort.


All in all, if you can afford to buy a newer wing with lower miles you will most likely be better off than trying to fix your 02 to feel like the 2014 you rode.
The 2010 you mentioned if it has been serviced properly(get maintenance records!) could be a better ride but at 50,000 miles if it wasn't properly maintained, shortly could be in the same boat you are in now.
If you are looking at used wings and find one with Traxxion Full Monty suspension upgrade(@ $4,500 upgrade), that is going to give a far better ride than stock suspension or Progressive springs in any wing year model.

https://traxxion.com/goldwing/

There are some very good deals on used (with very low miles) 2014-2017 wings as well as new leftover 2016/17 at deep discounted prices now as many have gone to the new 2018/19 wings, thus lowering the values of the earlier wings.