2018 Honda Goldwing Tour – $23,000 (Crozet)

2018 HONDA GOLDWING TOUR $23,000
MINT CONDITION ▪ VERY LOW MILEAGE ▪ CONVERTIBLE TO BAGGER
Save $6,000! A new 2022 Tour model is $28,500.

Kelley Blue Book “list price” for this unit in “good condition and expected mileage” at a dealership averages $23,845. This unit is in “like-new condition and very low miles”, plus it has desirable extras. Garage-kept.

Purchased new on 11-18-2020 with only 3 miles on the ODO and now with only 1,011 miles, this machine is still like new. I thought I would be traveling cross-country since I retired early, but almost immediately things changed and I now need to stay close to home to take care of family. My riding from here on out will be locally, and I don’t need a Ferrari x Cadillac of a bike to do that.

Every accolade you have heard about this new iteration of the Goldwing is true. This bike is a master-stroke of engineering and comfort. If you’re seriously shopping for a Goldwing you know the specs so I won’t go into any of that. What is not reflected in the specs or reviews is the quiet comfort you experience in the “bubble” created by the fully-adjustable windscreen and faring bodywork. I have never ridden this bike with ear plugs and while this beast has a nice throaty note at road speeds, once on the highway it settles into a purr at 75 MPH in top gear…I can barely tell that it’s running.

I’ve ridden Skyline Drive end to end and back (210 miles at 35 MPH) on the same day and once in 4th gear and “tour” mode I never had to switch gears. The massive 125 lb/ft of torque coupled with the 125 hp meant that this bird only requires that you twist your wrist and you are at the speed you desire. I mentioned Skyline Drive also because it is full of twisties. You will be impressed with the agility of this bike. Its low center of gravity makes it surprisingly flickable.

I have added a few items to the bike that I think you will agree to make it a bit better than stock. First, I’ve installed neoprene grips to the handgrips, which seemed pretty skinny to me. I’ve added flip-down highway pegs that are 4-way adjustable and frame-mounted. A battery-charging pigtail is now tucked up into the bodywork for trickle charging if you desire. A slide-on kickstand foot pad has been installed to create a larger footprint for parking unpaved surfaces and I have upgraded the passenger seat grab rails to the newer model that rise up and away from the passenger seat and are much more functional (one of the few changes 2018 owners requested of Honda). Also included is the three-piece Goldwing luggage kit.

Probably the most valuable upgrade has been the installation of the quick-change kit that’s been installed under the top box. I prefer the looks and sportiness of the bagger version of the Goldwing over the tour model, but there were a number of additional technical features that the Tour model had that I did not want to live without. For instance, the base Goldwing did not have much if any chrome on it. It was close to being a blacked-out version. I love chrome, so I paid up for the chrome Tour model and chose to install the Traxxion Dynamics quick-change kit, which allows owners to switch between bagger and tour in short order. I made the switch to bagger immediately and have never ridden the bike with the top box installed. It’s much nicer to just swing your leg over the saddle without catching your foot on the luggage. Beyond that, the bike looks very sporty as a bagger. I added a chrome luggage rack atop the new tailpiece and its shape and elevation/position looks like it was engineered to be there.

Now for full disclosure…this bike has been on its side…once. It was parked in a gravel parking lot at a local brewery where I work. While I was bartending some numb nut decided it would be OK if he tried the bike on for size. While playing wannabe rider he rolled it forward off its kick stand. At least he had the decency to find me and take responsibility (there were many witnesses). His insurance paid to have the bike trailered to the Honda shop in Harrisonburg, VA, where any affected plastic or metal was replaced with Honda parts. I had them also do a test ride and state inspection while there. It’s back to like-new condition and to be clear, I was not on the bike, it was in N and it was not operating when this occurred.

Speaking of insurance, the bike came with a 3-year factory warranty. I purchased an extension warranty taking it to 8-years. It appears that both of these coverages are assignable, but I’d have to pay a small fee and submit paperwork to make that happen. I have priced the bike assuming this will occur. If we hit a glitch then I will reduce the price accordingly, but the factory warranty should still have a year left on it.

I took pictures of the bike in bagger form-factor. Then I reinstalled the top box and took additional photos. I will leave it in tour status for now. If after inspecting and riding it you are prepared to purchase I will go through the conversion-to-bagger process with you. I have documented how to do so and placed orange tape in areas where key components are so you don’t get lost under the seat. Max at Traxxion Dynamics claims that it takes only 15 minutes to switch between Tour and Bagger once you install his kit. Your expectation should be more like 30-45 minutes. Still, what an awesome advantage to be able to switch. It’s revolutionary!

There are a few other bikes like mine out there for sale that are cheaper, but look at the mileage. AND they don’t have these other features and extended warranty. If you have questions drop me a text, email or call. Please do not offer me trades or to purchase it sight-unseen. My opinion is that these offers mean that you are fishing and not serious. Real interested parties will arrange to come and see the bike and meet me.

Final words…this is not a small motorcycle. It is 1833 cc’s and over 800 lbs. If you have little to no experience with bigger bikes, then you will have to “date” this girl. By that I mean leave the macho BS at home, approach her with respect and take things slow. If you do so you can have her eating out of your hand in short order. I want you to remain happy, healthy and in one piece. Save the jack-leg stunts for off-road bikes. Oh, and don’t show up without a helmet, your motorcycle driver’s license and your insurance card. If you do not already have a motorcycle license bring a buddy who does to do any test-driving. I live two miles from exit 107 on I-64. You will find it convenient to get here as well as to take a varied test ride. Hope to see you soon.
-Mark