to view pdf file of current issue - Wing World Magazine Archives

SADDLE UP WITH ANEW HARTCO PRODUCT• Handmade• Custom Built for Height, Weight & Inseam• All new for 2008• Visco-Elastic Memory Foam developed by NASA1-800-446-7772 or 386-698-4668www.hartcoseats.com2008 Models & Colors Availablehonda.com ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, AND NEVER USE THE STREET ASA RACE TRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. For rider training information or to locate a rider training course near you, call the Motorcycle SafetyInstitute at 1-800-446-9227. Gold Wing ® Honda Satellite-Linked navigation System and performance First are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (9/05)PIT BULL MOTORCYCLE LIFTS• Grease FittingsOn All Moving Parts• Lifts 25” - 1450 lbs.• 6-ton Hydraulic Jack• Roller Bearing Castors• Lifetime Warranty• FREE - Pull Handle• Shipped World-wideYES!HARTCOI N T E R N A T I O N A LAS SEENAT WING DING& AMERICADEFor More Information Call1-888-299-9325Fax: 1-731-644-7433Web: www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.comemail: tony@pitbullmotorcyclelifts.comWe’re The Best!!been around long enough to observe that tobe so. A lot will depend on the ChapterDirector and how he or she guides the group.But one thing you will find is—there is camaraderieand acceptance if you put yourself intoit.And being from the area you are from, I’mwilling to bet the group knows how to ridecurvy roads.We love that area!Also, we like to see riders your age joinus. It keeps us younger.We can attest to that—people often take us to be a number of yearsyounger than we are.We say “Go for it”—take a chance to seewhat the “old folks” are like. We ourselveshave seen some pretty lively people from theBranson-Springfield area!Betty & Ed ThorntonGWRRA #2555Chapter A, IowaMike, I received myWing World today,saw your letter, and feltcompelled to answer. Ithought it would be agood chance for othersin our age group andyounger to realize thata Wing is for ALL ages.I, like you, began riding a Gold Wing as a“younger adult”. My Gold Wing/GWRRAexperiences began when I was 23 and in theNavy in California. I was frequently told byfriends and family that I shouldn’t be riding aGold Wing because it was for “older adults”.I just explained that I didn’t need the speed(although it is there) and that I preferred ridingin style. And when I talked through theintercom, listened to music or kicked back andput my feet up, my other biker friends werejealous. After giving a few rides, some friendsactually went out and purchased a Wing themselves(all were under 30 years old).Like you mentioned in your article, onereason I believe there are fewer young ridersis the discretionary money issue. As a youngadult, a Gold Wing is a costly expense in additionto a house, car/truck, diapers, and manyother things (like trips to Disney). But in manyways, as I found out, it is not the Gold Wing thatis expensive but rather all of the longtrips/vacations you want to take on it, plus theice cream stops, and everything else that addsup. (Smile.)Over the past 10-15 years, I have seen thatchange, though. I believe that more people aregetting bikes and commuting 30-50 miles towork on them. This is made more difficult ifyou have to do it while lying on the tank.Also,the Wing now has so many stylish accessoriesthat it can easily be modified to fit anyone’stastes.I am currently 42 and my family and I havemany friends our age in GWRRA. Some ofthem belong in our Chapter and others arethroughout the state and nation. Our experiencewith the Wing and GWRRA is likely differentthan most; nonetheless, it has been a12 Wing World