Eric & Bridget at Knutsford Honda

During 2010 Knutsford Honda, despite having opened its doors as a new Honda Dealership little more than two years ago, has already become HondaUK’s top seller of GoldWings – outselling all other UK Honda Dealers this year.

Knutsford Honda has also already become the biggest stockist of GoldWing Accessories in UK, holding in their large, open-plan upstairs showroom the biggest stocks and by far the largest displays of chrome and other accessories for GoldWings anywhere in UK.  There are accessories for Classic as well as more recent model GoldWings and their sales and servicing also covers all GoldWing models.

The owners of the business, Eric Warburton and his wife Bridget, can be justly proud of what has been achieved in this short time and when I spoke to Eric recently it was clear that he has no intention of resting on his laurels.  Eric plans to continue building the GoldWing side of his business even further.

To that end Eric has now taken personal charge of its management and he intends to recruit more and more specialised GoldWing-oriented staff in coming months to achieve his aim.  Eric also sees very clearly the value of building and maintaining good relations with the UK GoldWing community rather continues………

Bargain at £15,999

In a surprising development HondaUK have imported 16 US-spec GL1800s for sale through their UK dealers and four of them have been grabbed by Knustford Honda.

These bikes come in a choice of black or Topica Metallic Gold and they are absolutely standard US-Spec 2006 Model Year bikes. They have ABS but no airbag or satnav.

And they’re on offer at a staggering £15,999 with a full two year Honda Warranty, so nearly £7,000 below the list price for a 2010 model UK Airbag model.

What’s the snag – well there really isn’t one. The bikes were manufactured in late 2005 so they have been stored in crates since then before coming to UK and so it would be sensible to ask the dealer to change all the fluids before you ride them – and the dealer will have to put the bikes through an SVA Test anyway before they are sold to you, which means a few minor adaptations to make them comply with UK lighting and other regulations.

But for Wingers who want to use CB radio on their bikes this batch of GL1800s represent stunning value for money.  Knutsford Honda have only two of them left (one each colour) so if you fancy a new GL1800, don’t hang around. Ring Sean or Mike on 01925 752600 before you miss out!

Postscript: Both of these bikes have now been sold but try phoning anyway; they might be able to get you another one from somewhere.

Collection & delivery available

Dave Partridge, a long time Winger and one of the founders of Shropshire Wings and a qualified engineer/mechanic, has kitted himself out to offer servicing and repairs for any model of GoldWing on a full time basis.   He is using the name AwingAway for his business.

He plans to set his charges significantly lower than you would pay a to have the same work done by a dealer, with the added convenience of having your bike collected  and delivered back to you after the work is done.  And for some jobs, when his workshop facilities are not needed, he will even come and do the work at your home.

No job is too small or too big.  Among the jobs he has tackled recently are major services and engine changes but he will also do smaller scale jobs, like tidying up DIY wiring which isn’t right, to make it safe and reliable.  Although he plans to concentrate on GoldWings he will do servicing and repair of other bikes too.

Dave works to high standards and he promises to treat your pride and joy as if it was his ow; he’s a firm believer in ”if it’s not right it’s not ready”.

His base is in Shropshire but will travel widely to collect bikes for servicing or repair, although of course there has to be a charge for long distances.  He will also transport bikes which don’t need any work done in his specially equipped, secure and weather-proof trailer.

For details of his services and charges you can visit Dave’s Website, email him at dave©awingaway•co•uk or ring him on 07795 095043.

Click on the image for an enlarged view

Autocom, manufacturers of high quality motorcycle headsets and intercom systems, hit a bad patch recently but they have been rescued and are now part of a larger Group of companies and they are trading normally – and they are releasing new products too.

Some Wingers prefer Autocom headsets to the the standard Honda/J&M types.  The are a number of differences between the two systems, one  being that Autocom use electret (i.e. powered, miniature-sized) microphones rather than the larger, self-powered (and arguably old-fashioned) dynamic mics on which Honda/J&M still rely – mainly because they are restrospectiovely compatible across all GoldWing models.

Autocom has many loyal biker followers, based on a reputation for excellent noise suppression as well as audio quality.  Bikers who migrate to a GoldWing (or should it be ascend to a GoldWing?) having used an Autocom system on a previous bike will often want to stick with it, not least because of their investment in the headsets.

Autocom headests are not directly compatible with a GoldWing’s intercom system but a simple adapter can be purchased which goes in series with the headset, to convert to a Honda 5 pin DIN connection.  This adapter allso provides the necesary power supply for the Autocom electret microphones.

So Autocom headsets can be used with the GoldWing’s normal (i.e. Honda) intercom system via this simple adaptor arrangement, but thius means buying extra parts, so some riders prefer to continue using their complete Autocom Intercom system with their Wing instead.  In this case the Autocom system, which is designed to accept and “talk to” a variety of other audio devices, does most of the work and it just “listens in” to the GoldWing’s intercom, in order to pick up and pass on to the rider’s headset things like Navi system voice instructions and such other audio output from the bike which the rider wants to make use of.  The bike’s FM radio and, if fitted, CD changer will also be relayed to the rider via the Autocon system in the same way.

Although on the face of it adding a full Autocom intercom system to a GoldWing is an unnecessary complication, it does open up one or two interconnection options which are otherwise more difficult to contrive on a UK -spec GoldWing.  For example CB radio and a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone can be made more easily to an Autocom system than directly to a GoldWing’s own intercom.  An Autocom intercom system’s “brain” is designed to accept mixtures of audio input and output safely and easily and it’s often just a question of buying the appropriate additional connector lead.

For many Wingers, Autocom’s rescue from the brink of what might have been closure is therefore very welcome news indeed.  Their Website is active and can be viewed here.  Their new phone number is 01480 494444.

Polishing Gary Stubbs''s immaculate GL1500 trike

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE FOR AN ENLARGEMENT

A new service for bikers, a really good, professional cleaning, is being launched by a Lancashire biker who is also a professional, full time vehicle valeter.

Shane Hutchinson, based in Garstang, North Lancashire has operated his own vehicle valeting business, Lancashire Valeting, for many years and he drives a purpose-fitted van containing a full range of kit and materials to provide an excellent mobile service.

Shane recognises that many bikers enjoy cleaning their own bikes but not everyone does and not everyone can, especially when it comes to achieving Shane’ s exceptionally high standards and thoroughness.

And his prices are very attractive, starting from continues………

Eric & Bridget, Owners of Knutsford Honda, have bought Pricedright too

Pricedright Ltd, which started only a couple of years ago but has become the UK’s premier mail order GoldWing Accessory business offering keen prices, stock  on the shelves all the time and a rapid dispatching service.  Now it has been bought by Knutsford Honda.

This is part of their strategy to become a full service GoldWing Specialist Official Honda Dealer.  They are based on the A50 just East of M6 Junction 20 at the site of the former GoldWings International.  The Showrooms have been extensively refurbished so it’s not just a case of GoldWings International being re-born, Knutsford Honda are taking things to a whole new level.

Pricedright’s extensive stock is to be transferred to the Knutsford Showroom as soon as practicable and specially converted accommodation is being built to house an expanded Clothing and Accessory Department.

The new Department will be completed and stocked up fairly soon but Knutsford Honda will also be taking a big chunk of their accessory stock to the Blackpool Light Parade (coming soon, it’s only the weekend after next) and so for the opening offers which there are sure to be, Blackpool is the place to go.

Sean Davis and his Team will be on site at Pontin’s from Friday lunchtime (September 4th) and over the weekend.  They are also bringing along their Chief Techician Paul, who will assist with fitting lighting and accessories on request.

Indoor accommodation is available at Pontin’s for fitting accessories and lights to your bike, so this opportunity to buy stuff at special offer prices and then fit it or have it fitted is going to be very useful.

If you wish to pre-order any accessories and maybe claim your place at the head of Paul’s queue for fitting at Pontin’s, ring Knutsford Honda on 01925 752600.

You can still place internet order using Pricedright’s website.  Knutsford Honda plan to continue the Premier Dealer status which Pricedright have enjoyed with Big Bike Parts and Add On, so they should be very competitive.  They will also be continuing to stock Pricedright’s range of heated clothing and Draggin jeans etc.

So save your pennies  – this year’s real GoldWing bargains are going to be at the Blackpool Light Parade!

Sean Davis - keen to buy GoldWings

Sean Davis, General Manager of Knutsford Honda, is very keen to buy GoldWings for cash as well as to part exchange them, as they try to build up their stock.

Distance is no object either and Sean will consider collecting your bike from anywhere in UK.  Absolutely any GoldWing will be considered, any model any age – even bikes which have been unused and in storage.  If you have a GoldWing you’re not using, this is your chance to turn it into cash.

If you have a GoldWing for sale Sean or his Salesman, Mike would be delighted to hear from you on 01925 752600. continues………

This Hesketh caught my eye

Near the display of GoldWings at Fleetwood Tram Sunday a Hesketh caught my eye.  It was being displayed by a recently established local motorcycle service and repairer business called StreetRod.

Rob Angel, who used to run the workshop for Raceway Motorcycles, a Dealer in Fleetwood, has decided to go it alone.  Rod will be buying and selling the odd motorcycle but his main aim is to provide specialist servicing and repair facilities, for example to plastic fairings and specially fabricated exhaust components. He was showing a  few examples of damaged fairings which had been repaired and were ready for filling and painting, a much cheaper option than replacing with new.

His services might therefore be useful to a Winger who is restoring continues………