ok, I can come up with the following explanations for the buttons. I wonder if I'm right and what I'm missing:

Radio station
volume
CD
CB
heated grips
heated seat
windshield height
GPS control
helmet to helmet bluetooth control
ipod control
heat (blowing hot air onto the driver?)
electric jacket control


uh... that's all I can come up with. What am I missing? Radio station presets?

 

I drove a Honda ST (the gold wings more sport oriented little brother) and one feature I absolutely loved was the power windshield. All the big tour bikes like the Concours, Goldwing, BMWs and FJR have copied this from the Goldwing now. You could raise of lower the windshield something like 12+ inches with the touch of a button. In 3 seconds you could be completely out of the wind to completely in the wind or anywhere in between. It's really nice because on a hot day driving in the city you can put the shield down and then, with a touch of the thumb, raise it when it cools or you get on the highway.

I have to agree with the OP though, a lot of the electronic features of the Goldwing are more gimmicky than functional. Do we really need power mirrors on a motorcycle? I can understand the power operated kickstand though with a bike this heavy. It is all that weight though that makes me think bikes like the Concours and ST are better though unless you are touring 2 up all the time. I've driven a Goldwing and it is nice on the highway with incredibly smooth with seemingly unlimited power for passing but it's not much fun and a lot more work than most bikes to drive in the city. IMO too much weight makes for less fun riding.

 

Wings have heated seats, not blowers. They also don't have electric adjustable windshields. BMW is the only mfr. with an electric shield. Victory offers a kit you can add post purchase.

One button is missing from the Wing.....one that disables all other buttons, so the rider can focus on the damn road.

 

Just an FYI...Kawasaki Concours has an electric windshield for the last couple of years.

 

I had a GW once and decided I was too young for it. Wouldn't mind getting another one when I'm old enough.

SugsPa

 

I think the Goldwing really is a 'Mobile Gin Palace'.....

 

If you really want to talk about something, ask what one of those cost.....

The landing gear post isn't all that funny. There's an outfit out of New Orleans that makes wheels that come down at speeds below 15 mph, so you don't tip over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOhP1HTZQwY

 

Here's their pricing:

http://powersports.honda.com/2012/go...g/options.aspx

 

As the other guy said - some ST1300s have the electronic height adjustment. Not sure about the wing. But the Wing has an airbag option!

 

The 'Wing doesn't have an electric windshield. Honda ST1300's from '04 up all have electric windshields. The electric shield was availible only on the ABS model ST in '03.
As stated previously, the Kawasaki C14 also has an electric windshield. I don't know if the Yamaha FJR comes with one or not?