Hello, new member here. I am about to purchase 2016 Goldwing with a Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar (It is the same one listed as a complete rig on this site). I have never owned a Goldwing (always been my dream bike), nor have I ever owned a sidecar (also a dream to own).
Does anyone else own a Goldwing with a sidecar? What sort of special sidecar things should I look out for when purchasing a motorcycle with a sidecar? I am fairly certain the bike has no major issues besides the TPMS issues that the seller has already disclosed. I am just looking for general guidance on buying any motorcycle with a sidecar.
Thank you!
Paging @miles-ladue to the white courtesy phone.
That said, I recently took possession of Miles' 06 Goldwing with Champion Daytona 2+2 car and can tell you that it's an amazing rig and ride. There are a bunch of GW operators here who have a lot of knowledge base for what to check. Even so, the list is mercifully short since it's a Goldwing and they are as reliable, consistent and forgiving bikes made, even with their technical level of sophistication.
Short list is the quality and mechanical structure of the connections of the car to the bike, the bike's subframe structure. Possibly the electrical connection and additions on the rig should be evaluated. Sometimes wiring is done well, sometimes it's a rat's nest. Assuming that the rig was assembled by Champion, wiring will be better than many but might have some places for improvement.
Next will be choice and quality of the rubber. Miles will tell you to get a Bridgestone BT46 rear tire mounted on the front, but in reverse direction indicated and an automotive, run-flat tire for the rear for a couple of solid reasons. Sidecar tire - meh; as long as it's the right size, not a lot to do there.
If it accelerates well and straight, then stops relatively neutrally, it's likely well set up. Right turns/curves at speed will be your first "walk on the wild side" but with this rig, the only way to get the chair to fly is to be two-up on the bike with no weight in the tub and doing a flying right at 50+mph.
Welcome to the wacky world of three offset wheels!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
I just re-read the ad
That's a nice little rig
(yes Miles, I do actually like and respect Goldwing rigs. It's not their fault they aren't BMWs)
I would do some asking to find out who did the actual assembly and what sort of connection kit they used. Miles will be along shortly to tell you other things to look at.
But with only 20k miles and a steering mod, (and you joining this forum) you are already out ahead of the game.
Okay, Okay, I had to wade through terrible homicide traffic to fight my way to the White Courtesy telephone.
Chris S @cms062407, how may I help you ?
You can either ask me 3 questions here on the open forum, or....ask me unlimited number of questions via my email address... midliferider@aol.com
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
@andrew-baker yep, I do love the bike! It is 99% perfect, I just need to find a way to get rid of the flames haha!
@miles-ladue Howdy, sir. I do not think I have any specific questions. The bike is a 2016 Goldwing with 23k miles, so I would imagine/hope the motorcycle itself is mechanically sound.
I have never owned a sidecar. What sort of things should I be looking out for? After the purchase, how would I go about maintaining the rig, just making sure the connection points stay tight? Do I need to lubricate anything? I genuinely have ZERO knowledge of sidecars; I just know I have always liked the look of them and their practicality, so now I am buying one, haha.
@miles-ladue Howdy, sir. I do not think I have any specific questions. The bike is a 2016 Goldwing with 23k miles, so I would imagine/hope the motorcycle itself is mechanically sound.
I have never owned a sidecar. What sort of things should I be looking out for? After the purchase, how would I go about maintaining the rig, just making sure the connection points stay tight? Do I need to lubricate anything? I genuinely have ZERO knowledge of sidecars; I just know I have always liked the look of them and their practicality, so now I am buying one, haha.
Chris S, I see you chose the 3 questions on the open forum option.
Bad decision to start with, as others can tell you that I can write a dissertation on Honda Goldwing' used as Sidecar rigs.
In answer to your first question....see if there is any service history on the bike. See if any paperwork to prove WHO installed the Sidecar to the bike. Was it actually, and truthfully installed by the professionals at Champion Sidecars in the Los Angeles area, or by some wannabe shop? Check the tires....all three of them, and report back with explicit details....brand, model, size, air pressure, and wear.
The only maintenance to be done to the bike, is oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles, and using only Honda OEM oil filters, and a new drain plug washer at every oil change. There is no fuel filter to replace. See if there are service history of replacing the Air Filter. It truly only needs to be replaced once....if you install a K&N air filter. The engine valves do NOT need to be checked, inspected, or adjusted.... period.....and if you doubt me, you need to find a less worthy Honda Goldwing mechanic. Last thing is, drain and refill rear differential fluid every rear tire change, so every 12,000 to 20,000 miles, all depending on how your rear tire lasts.
As for "lubricating" anything....I am a big fan of slightly opening both handlebar switch clusters, and spraying a lot of WD-40 into the switch clusters, to lubricate, and clean up any stuck switches. Do this every 3.14 years, and it should allow all switches to work perfectly.
I advise.... buying that Honda Goldwing w/ Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar rig....then finding someone within 1,000 miles from you to look it over carefully.
If you were so inclined to tell us....the people of the 3rd wheel.... where you live, we might just know of a qualified person to assist you. Like me....I am willing to travel great distances if Ice Cream and Red Bull are involved.
Addendum: Never assume or presume that a 8 year old motorcycle with only 23k miles could be unharmed.... even a Honda Goldwing. All depends on WHO the previous owners were, who they listened to for advice, and how the motorcycle was maintained and stored.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Oh, and BTW, I do believe that I know why that TPMS light is staying on....on that 2016 Goldwing, but....alas.... you used up your 3 questions you chose to ask, without referring to that particular issue.
Oh, the Humanity !
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
I do love the bike! It is 99% perfect, I just need to find a way to get rid of the flames haha!
I like flames as long as they are on someone else's bike.
The ad says the Yellow is a wrap so a little heat gun/elbow grease action should get rid of the yellow along with the flames.
Here's a 2 minute video on it.
It's silver underneath which is a darn nice color.
I am a yellow and orange bike guy that's owned four silver bikes.
As Drew said, just remove the yellow wrap !
'twer it mine, I would just drive it AS-IS for the next 6 months, get used to it, use the current yellow wrap as a Winter time protectant, then......come next April or May, if you still want to remove the yellow wrap with orange flames, just park it outside, in the direct SUN, on a warm day, let it bake for 2 hours and 34 minutes, then start peeling the wrap off the bike and sidecar.
Keep in mind, all that wrap cost over $ 2,000.00 to install the first time, so be sure you want to remove it, before you start peeling.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Miles, i thought the wrap had to heat for approximately 3 hours 14 minutes and 16 seconds in the northern hemisphere before removal? 🤔
Chris the only two downsides to a Goldwing rig is;
1). Being spoiled for anything else.
2). No one makes fun of you for going to Starbucks.
Oh, and stay away from lightning storms if you like Miley Cyrus cranked to 11 on the intercom. 😉
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Miles, i thought the wrap had to heat for approximately 3 hours 14 minutes and 16 seconds in the northern hemisphere before removal? 🤔
oh, Scott, you failed......failed I say.....to note that I said to do this next April or May.
If one were to do it next March, like on March 14th.....International Pi Day.....
then one would allow it to sit in the sunlight for 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 15.9 seconds.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
@miles-ladue Howdy, sir. I do not think I have any specific questions. The bike is a 2016 Goldwing with 23k miles, so I would imagine/hope the motorcycle itself is mechanically sound.
I have never owned a sidecar. What sort of things should I be looking out for? After the purchase, how would I go about maintaining the rig, just making sure the connection points stay tight? Do I need to lubricate anything? I genuinely have ZERO knowledge of sidecars; I just know I have always liked the look of them and their practicality, so now I am buying one, haha.
Chris S, I see you chose the 3 questions on the open forum option.
Bad decision to start with, as others can tell you that I can write a dissertation on Honda Goldwing' used as Sidecar rigs.
In answer to your first question....see if there is any service history on the bike. See if any paperwork to prove WHO installed the Sidecar to the bike. Was it actually, and truthfully installed by the professionals at Champion Sidecars in the Los Angeles area, or by some wannabe shop? Check the tires....all three of them, and report back with explicit details....brand, model, size, air pressure, and wear.
The only maintenance to be done to the bike, is oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles, and using only Honda OEM oil filters, and a new drain plug washer at every oil change. There is no fuel filter to replace. See if there are service history of replacing the Air Filter. It truly only needs to be replaced once....if you install a K&N air filter. The engine valves do NOT need to be checked, inspected, or adjusted.... period.....and if you doubt me, you need to find a less worthy Honda Goldwing mechanic. Last thing is, drain and refill rear differential fluid every rear tire change, so every 12,000 to 20,000 miles, all depending on how your rear tire lasts.
As for "lubricating" anything....I am a big fan of slightly opening both handlebar switch clusters, and spraying a lot of WD-40 into the switch clusters, to lubricate, and clean up any stuck switches. Do this every 3.14 years, and it should allow all switches to work perfectly.
I advise.... buying that Honda Goldwing w/ Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar rig....then finding someone within 1,000 miles from you to look it over carefully.
If you were so inclined to tell us....the people of the 3rd wheel.... where you live, we might just know of a qualified person to assist you. Like me....I am willing to travel great distances if Ice Cream and Red Bull are involved.
Addendum: Never assume or presume that a 8 year old motorcycle with only 23k miles could be unharmed.... even a Honda Goldwing. All depends on WHO the previous owners were, who they listened to for advice, and how the motorcycle was maintained and stored.
There is no documentation, but I was told it was installed by Champion in California both times. The sidecar was originally on an older Goldwing, which the past owner upgraded to a 2016 and then had it installed on.
As for Goldwing maintenance, I plan to do an oil change, final gear oil change (I believe that is the same thing as the rear diff that you speak of?), sparkplugs, and air filter. I would only use OEM Honda parts and oils. I used the Full Synthetic Honda HP4S in my Africa Twin. Is it safe to assume that oil will also be perfectly fine for the Goldwing?
I live in Northwest Arkansas, in the Bentonville and Fayetteville area and the bike is located in Peoria, IL. I plan to fly up on Friday and ride it back home that same day, about a 7-hour ride. It will be interesting as I have three brand new factors to take into consideration. 1. I've never owned a Goldwing, 2. never owned a sidecar, and 3. never towed a trailer on a bike. It will be all highway miles, so I don't expect any issues since I will be going in a straight line pretty much the entire time...but I am still about 25-30% nervous due to all the new variables.
The seller did send me videos of the GW cold starting and warm starting. Based on those videos, I didn't think anything was unusual. The engine sounded like many other Goldwings, with a slight whine and sometimes a very slight ticking noise.
Oh, and BTW, I do believe that I know why that TPMS light is staying on....on that 2016 Goldwing, but....alas.... you used up your 3 questions you chose to ask, without referring to that particular issue.
Oh, the Humanity !
haha! i'd love to know your solution for the TPMS light on! if I couldn't fix it, I was just going to disable the TPMS system and maybe run some aftermarket valve stem sensors.
