These are incredible bikes. But they really were geared completely too low and should have came with a proper automotive gear ratio for the 5th gear overdrive. Consumers need to stop allowing high power Japanese motorcycles to be under geared for North American highways. If it was geared correctly, it would turn 2,000 rpm at 70mph and would likely get 58 mpg, not 46 mpg. All the Goldwing models including the 5th and 6th generation GL1800 bikes were notoriously under geared without any overdrive gear. I am only leaving this comment because we must speak up. As consumers we must complain about the low gear ratios, othwewise they will continue appeasing oil companies (and car companies) by not having any overdrive. The only conclusion that I can come up with, is some type of intentional collusion and sabotage, whereby all Japanese motorcycles have reached a quiet agreement to gear their machines 50% lower (shorter) than necessary in order to cause 50% more engine wear and maintenance, and also prevent 60 or 70 mpg gas mileage.
had one of those with a Motorvation Royale, just black, but same bike!
These are incredible bikes. But they really were geared completely too low and should have came with a proper automotive gear ratio for the 5th gear overdrive. Consumers need to stop allowing high power Japanese motorcycles to be under geared for North American highways. If it was geared correctly, it would turn 2,000 rpm at 70mph and would likely get 58 mpg, not 46 mpg.
All the Goldwing models including the 5th and 6th generation GL1800 bikes were notoriously under geared without any overdrive gear.
I am only leaving this comment because we must speak up. As consumers we must complain about the low gear ratios, othwewise they will continue appeasing oil companies (and car companies) by not having any overdrive.
The only conclusion that I can come up with, is some type of intentional collusion and sabotage, whereby all Japanese motorcycles have reached a quiet agreement to gear their machines 50% lower (shorter) than necessary in order to cause 50% more engine wear and maintenance, and also prevent 60 or 70 mpg gas mileage.