Most would find the racing fork oil too heavy for touring bikes. Many have changed to the SE Heavy with favorable results. Here's a write-up on how to do that easily on any non-cartridge fork.

 

I posted a few weeks ago about my front forks being mushy, diving in corners and stops, and I also posted what fixed it. Changing the fork oil to the SE Heavy and running 10lbs of air pressure in the front has completely fixed my problem. I mean, these are big bikes. If you want a sport bike feel, go buy a Buell for the twisties. They are a dime a dozen now. But I am totally satisfied with the handling of my bike now. The SE Heavy Fork oil, 10lbs of pressure in front, 20lbs in rear and progressive touring link make my bike handle better than my old Honda Shadow ever did. And by my quick calculations, there is over 300lbs weight difference. My buddy on his Goldwing can flat out leave me in a good set of curves, but when we hit the straight aways, all he can see is the *** of Milwaukee Iron. Thats what our bikes were made for. Good luck to you.

 

Why do I bother?

 

Because you're good people and several of us on here value your opinions

 

I read each one of your posts and greatly value your opinion. You seem very knowledgeable and know your stuff. I was just posting what worked for me. Even though I am completely satisfied with the way my bike handles and performs now, somebody else might get on it and think it rides like crap. My GoldWing buddy hates my bike, not because its a Harley, But because of the difference in handling. But for ME mine works now and that is good enough. I appreciate your information and the solutions you presented make perfect sense.

 

Don't get me wrong here -- I totally love my 103ci RK Police and have moved on from my insane high speed race replica days -- but the only way you are pulling away from a GW is because he hasn't twisted the throttle.

Those 6 flat cylinder opposed engines have way more horsepower/maximum high speed, and comparable if not more torque than any HD motor. That was true of the motor I had in the Honda Valkyrie I owned years ago, and they are much, much more powerful these days.

Something doesn't add up here.

 

+1

I have an 07 Goldwing as well. I suppose a well tuned/hotrodded 103+ motor in a dresser would outrun it in a straight line. Certainly not a stage 2 SE though.

GWs lack character (IMHO), but not power and handling.