Background: Myself, always a motorcyclist but Maureen had been on two half-hour stints around Lancashire and had then undertaken pillion on a BMW K1200GT SE for a 2,500 mile trip to France taking in the Millau Bridge. Having survived that on such a performance machine, she’d now fallen in love with a GL1800.

I mulled it over for a couple of days, rang Barry and took the offered test ride. As Lancashire County Council’s Motorcycle Training Officer, there were very few roads that I hadn’t been on in the County during my 23 years in the job. I therefore subjected the ‘Wing with Maureen ‘in situ’ as pillion, to a whistle stop tour of West Yorkshire and the moors Road from Colne to Keighley via Howarth. At the end of this, I, let alone Maureen, had a grin from ear to ear. So we returned to Appleyards and sealed the deal.

“I’ll take it now” I said (hoping to rid myself of the BMW, which although an excellent machine in its own right as a sports tourer was no match for the comfort and smooth power delivery of a Gold Wing). But no, a full service had been undertaken ensure everything was tip top! I had to wait for a full 24 hours and endure yet another return journey on the BMW before I finally brought “Roxy”, as she is affectionately known (refer to the VRN: DU07 RXY) home to Lancashire.

One evening, about 3 weeks later I happened to go to St.Annes Bike Meet held on each Monday evening, and there I met with some of the GoldWings North West riders; I was immediately struck by their friendly approach, and the rest is history. Thanks guys & gals, from Maureen and myself for making us so welcome. John Clark

If ever you get the chance come over and see the GooldWing Light Parade. Our next one is in Southport UK for Sep 2012. Any Winger is welcome to join in the ride or watch, along with the public of course. You may get a ride in the Parade if you introduce yourself as a Winger even if you can’t bring your own bike.

You can see details on the GoldWing Light Parade Website, including photos of previous Parades and access GoldWing club websites too via links. We have recently been on the Llandudno light parade and what a fantastic time we had. Jean

Time to upgrade and there is only ONE bike, 2012 GoldWing, $AU 50,000 arrives late January but nobody knows any thing about it – only that they are going to be red, blue or black. Bad colour for a tropical hot sun but man I am in love again. The States have good info, but just found you guys – thank you so much. I am like a sponge for info and this homework is great.

Left UK when I was 21, Nottingham. Ride safe, take care. Douglas B

At the age of sixteen I got my first bike,a Suzuki AP50,then went on to get a Honda 125 superdream. I had that bike for 5 years and loved it to bits. Met my now wife in 1986, got wed in ’88, went on to have two daughters who are now grown up themselves. In the early years of family life money was very tight, so no motorcycles allowed,. Anyway, in 2001 a friend of mine said he was going to take his direct access course, and I had never done a my motorcycle test so I got to thinking the same way as him. In December 2002 I managed to pass my test first time, well chuffed I was. In Jan 2003 I got my first large capacity bike, a VFR 800 V-TEC.

And the list goes on: 2 x GSX 1400s, Honda VTX 1800, Kawasaki ZZR 1400, Suzuki GSXR 1000, Honda Pan European. And now I have the bike that at the age of ten I said I would have one day, a brand new 2008 model Caliente Red GL 1800.

And I am over the moon with it – very very happy. And I also must say that, as an average working man who works very long hours, I feel very very fortunate to be the proud owner of the best motorcycle ever produced and built by man. Got it on 12/03/09 From the new Honda dealer in Rochdale, Burkey.

About 5 years ago my oldest son decided that he wanted to get a motorbike. My wife freeked out and told me that if he was sitting a motorbike test that I should also do a refesher course with him to make sure that he was alright. This I did and I instantly caught the bike bug again, so I bought myself a Yamaha 650 Dragstar and a Honda CBR 650.

After about 6 months I went down to see the Blackpool Light Parade and when I saw the Goldwings I was Hooked. So I started looking for a Goldwing and I was very impresed with the Honda Goldwing Trikes that I saw because I have always wanted to go and ride around Europe on a bike and I thought that a Trike would be more comfortable to ride on over long distances at my age (21 going on 60 ) so I bought a 1500 GL trike and I set off.

This was 2 Years ago and I took the ferry from Plymouth to Santander in Spain and then I rode down to Madrid in the one day and then on to Bellamadena in southern Spain where I met up with with my wife and kids and my grandchildren who had come over by plane. It was such a funny feeling knowing that they had got there in only a couple of hours and that it had taken me 3 days.

But those 3 days were just magical riding all that way seeing all the different sights and waving to all the people who were tooting their horns at me and winding down their wiondows and saying Hola,,,,Nice bike, I felt that I was in charge of the whole world and that I could go wherever I wanted to go ……it was such a great feeling to just go wherever you wanted to go and when you wanted to go that the next year I did it again, on my way to the Spanish Treffen I went Via Monte Carlo and had the most wonderfull time riding through France from Calais to Lyon and down to Monte Carlo ,St Tropez and Nice and on to the Treffen in Spain and onward again down to Salou were my family were.

When they flew home I rode home over the Meilu Viadut and up into Paris for a week and through the channel tunnel and the back up to Scotland.

This year 2009 I hope to convince my wife to ride with me and experiance the pleasure in traveling on the worlds greatest touring bike – The Honda GoldWing – God Bless & Ride Safe…….:-)