Stuart’s GoldWing Blog

The 2005 Light Parade

The rates for accommodation at Pontin’s have been agreed and the good news is that our special 2008 rates will apply for 2009 early bookings!

So no increase in price at all — providing you book before the end of May.

We are still not quite there, because it will take another two weeks or so for Pontin’s to get these special rates programmed into their bookings computer. So firm bookings cannot yet be made.

Meantime you can make a provisional booking by ringing Pontin’s Blackpool (not their HQ) on 01253 340100 and your requirements will be noted and kept on file.

Further details are being put on the BLP website as I write this, so check there for further information.  The BLP website has been extensively updated recently so have a good look around – there’s all sorts of new information, and not only about the 2009 Light Parade.

It’s going to be a great weekend!

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.

With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.

Each day you’ll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags.

Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I’m at this level.)

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.

Blackpool Light Parade

Sorry that I haven’t been able to get the details of the 2009 arrangements for the BLP Weekend on to the website yet.  I hope to do so within the next week, if not earlier.

The 2009 BLP will be a three night weekend based at Pontin’s, as in 2008.  You will be able to stay for just two nights if you wish.  You will be able to stay for extra nights too if you wish.

There will be a broadly similar programme to last year’s Event, which successful and popular.  Friday Evening will be Best Lit Bike Competition and Comic and Disco party as usual, Static Display and Parade and a big Tribute Band on Saturday, Sunday Evening Musical and Dance Show.

So if you need to book a day off work to stay on Sunday night please do so, you will not be disappointed.  Don’t try to book Pontin’s yet or you’ll get charged brochure prices.

The first heat of Blackpool’s International Firework Competition will continues………

Thirsty Bob

I am very pleased to announce, as its Provisional Chairman, the formation of a new independent GoldWing Club:

GOLDWINGS NORTH WEST

A strong contingent of former members of Lancs & Lakes will be founder members of this new Club – we are the doers and organisers, indeed all the organisers of the spectacularly successful 2008 Blackpool Light Parade are involved.

We want to create something new and different as a GoldWing Club, something which will appeal to the wider GoldWing community in the North West of England, not just those who were members of Lancs & Lakes last year.  We are not just a breakaway group continues………

Here to solve those niggles/problems you have with a wing…….

Question from Jones: I have a 2002 GL1800 and have a problem with the radio. I was riding down the road and decided to switch my radio on as I was getting bored on those long straight roads and all I can pick up is foreign languages. Why is that?

"I still think your SatNav's broken, Nigel - this isn't how Snowdonia usually looks!"

Mr Wing-it says: You’re in France.

Question from Andrew: I find I can start my GL1500 no problem, warm it up and put it in gear , but  on releasing the clutch the bike does not move forward.  Can you help?

Mr Wing-it says: Try taking it off the centre-stand.

Question from Martin: I find when I ride two up with my girlfriend on the Wing I feel and hear a slow rhythmic tapping, but when solo it disappears.  What can that be as it is driving me crazy?

Mr Wing-it says: Get rid of your girlfriend.

Question from Heath: I’m on tour in Spain on my 1800 and I’m having a break from farming.  I’m really enjoying the sun and the roads.  I just realised that I forgot to repair the tractor before I set off and I’m worried.  What should I do?

Mr Wing-it says: Forget the mundane job and continue enjoying the buzz of riding a Wing.  I’m sure the family back home will be thinking of you as they plough up the Potatoes’ crop with their bare hands.  Safe Winging !!!!!

Salesman shaking the hand of a motorcyclist who is coming to terms with having just parted with his life savings

Buying your first GoldWing is quite an investment for most bikers, because even the older ones are not cheap – indeed if you come across a GoldWing which is surprisingly cheap, you should take a careful look at it to try to find out why.  GoldWings are expensive when they are new but they depreciate relatively slowly, much more slowly than cars which cost the same, as Steven Fox’s excellent Article illustrates.

Since almost all GoldWings are kept in good mechanical and cosmetic condition (but beware the auxiliary electric wiring, about which more later) they eventually stop depreciating, when they are about fifteen or so years old, and then their value depends almost entirely on the condition – plus any rarity value  or special appeal which continues………

Outgoing L&L reps Frank Goodman & Pete Rogers, shown here preparing to eject a troublemaker at last year's Blackpool Light Parade awards ceremony

The Regional AGM that could have been another Bun Fight at the Marriott Hotel was held on January 11th and turned out to be a much quieter affair than might have been anticipated – it was over in not much more than half an hour.  And the Christmas Party the night before went well too.

There was one sulky table when it was announced who had won Winger of the Year and the same table remained seated when everyone else stood to applaud the outgoing Regional Committee for their hard work, but everyone else seemed to have a great time.

The retiring Reps, Frank Goodman and Pete Rogers were visibly unburdened as they finished their bit at the AGM.  They had been determined to finish their job with integrity and to provide a civilised opportunity for a handover, which they achieved. continues………

Not all Wingers are as shy as this!

It easy enough to understand that people can get hooked on GoldWings, in that many owners keep their bikes for a long time and generally keep them in good condition, which is why GoldWings are usually a good second hand buy, even when they are well over 20 years old.  They can still provide comfortable and reliable touring.

In a series of Articles I will be covering various aspects of buying a GoldWing, starting with an exploration of the reasons why people buy GoldWings, especially their first one.

Is it the huge visual impact and presence which these stunning bikes have?  Even the early, un-faired models are impressive on the eye and will often attract a crowd of admirers wherever they are parked.  So is it mainly the visual appeal – or can it also be for more practical reasons: the bike’s exceptional comfort, its ability to tour effortlessly over long distances and carry a lot of kit, its riding appeal or its array of features and gadgets?

It can of course be a mixture of all these things but what was the first thing that caused Wingers to buy one?  So I decided to ask around and find out.  And I got some interesting answers. continues………

Randy Rodriguez

This Article was written by the Captain of the Central Florida Motorcycle Drill Team for the Community Newspaper which Randy edits in Titusville, Florida, which he has kindly allowed to be reproduced here.

A tale of refusing to grow up

“You don’t stop laughing and enjoying life because you get old. You get old because you stop laughing and enjoying life.”

I first heard that in high school. I don’t know who said it originally, but I thought it was profound then, and now that I’ve attained an age where many have stopped laughing, I find it to be simple truth. Some people cling to their problems so hard, they have nothing left to live and laugh for. continues………

Steven's 1996 Pearl White GL1500SE

Let me start by stating that the views in this article are my own and I am not writing this for personal gain etc, it is just I felt that I needed to put pen to paper  and quash myth’s about Goldwing’s , so here goes:

I ride a GL1500 SE in pearlescent White produced in 1996 (yes, 13 years old).  No matter where I travel and stop the bike attracts people and crowds, like all Goldwing’s do to be honest!  I’m sure that other owners will agree that one of the first statements you hear from inquisitive people is “Lovely bike mate, I bet that costs a fortune?”

Well, the answer is frankly no it doesn’t!  It is like this, I work for the N.H.S. as a Support Worker and I would like to dismiss the first myth about owning a Goldwing in that you do not need to be a Manager , C.D. of a company, Lottery winner etc  to ride one.  If you earn between 14,000 and 30,000 a year, which is approximately 70% of us, then it is easy to and without breaking the bank. continues………