honda gold wing in a 97 safari?

[fshrgy99]

I am thinking of driving south to buy a honda 1500. It sure would be nice if I didn't have to haul a trailer. Anyone ever try to fit a gold wing in the back of a safari? What's the biggest thing you've ever carried?
Dennis in Kitchener

[WoodButcher]

I've had 4x8 sheet goods in my van standing vertically down the center and they were close, they need to go in at a slight angle so you don't have 48" at the door opening. I would say no, it won't fit. Before this van I had a '70 ford econoline, '87 chevy beauville and a '72 sportster. She fit in both w/o alot of room to spare, I can't imagine fitting in that bike into my current van and the goldwing I think sat higher.

[chevymaher]

I had a 125 yamaha dirt bike in mine and it dont fit unless you compress the front shocks to get it in the door.

[paintdrying]

trailers are cheap. that would not be good, and near iimpossible to get in and out, the van will not handle right. This is dangerous. I would rent a whole truck before trying this. Gold wing is to heavy.

[redfury]

I think the front fairing and windshield would be your problem more than the weight. Getting the goldwing INTO and OUT Of the van would be the larger issue IMHO

[vangogo]

I know a guy that had an old Saab 99, and stuffed his Motoguzzi 1000 in the back (seats folded and hatch not able to close) then drove from Boise to Seattle...in the middle of winter...so as far as stuffing a GoldWing into an Astro...Ive seen worse XD

[fshrgy99]

trailers are cheap. that would not be good, and near iimpossible to get in and out, the van will not handle right. This is dangerous. I would rent a whole truck before trying this. Gold wing is to heavy.

I think the wing is about 850-900 lbs.

[meetthespeakers]

I just bought a 82 cb900f last november, and I was extremely happy I rented the uhual motorcylce trailer, made life so easy. $15 for the day. Hard to beat for the ease of just loading it up on there. And that trailer is so light you don't even know it's back there. You just have to supply your own ratchet straps.

[icebrrg3rd]

I know I posted this elsewhere, but I had a Yamaha XJ650 in the back of mine. Only had to remove the quick-release windshield & mirrors.

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I suppose it depends on the size of the Goldwing. Earlier years they were smaller and the fairing and other parts would come off easier. Newer ones are larger & more bulky, with more securely attached accessories. I would be inclined to agree with the others that suggest a trailer. Heck, find one on craigslist, use it, then re-sell it. That way you can have it for a longer period if you don't have a specific bike and are coming south to browse.

-Andrew

[fshrgy99]

I had a heavy duty hitch installed on my old van, unfortunately it was welded on so it can't be removed. My new van (the 97) is IMO a better van as it has a sway bar in the back and ride is so much more stable but the hitch is much lighter.
Also, the cost to rent a covered trailer at uhaul is under a 100 bucks, but I have to tow it down and back (probably an 8 hour drive each way) so that will use more gas. Still, I think that's the best solution as I'm pretty sure the hitch should be good for about 1500 pounds (bike and trailer). And when I consider the savings in the purch price of a 94 wing the extra $$$ is peanuts! Now I have to find 2 things, the time and the bike! If I can I'll post a pic or two 'if and when'.
Dennis in Kitchener