Topic: GL1200 prices

[Prospect]

It's incredible how cheap those bikes go for. I know they're complicated and considered difficult to work but you can get a lot of bike for next to nothing. Gl1200 for $1000-1500 running!!   If I had the space I'd be all over them. I rode one on Vancouver Island and loved it.

Example

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-touring/revelstoke/for-sale/1590532621

Edited for correct link

[RAFster122s]

If you say so, link to an RD400

[Prospect]

Thanks. Corrected

If you say so, link to an RD400

[RAFster122s]

They typically sell for more whenever I have seen them. I prefer the naked wings in summer...

[Prospect]

The thing about them is that there is little demand for them and if you buy one you're going to have a hard time selling.

[RAFster122s]

Unless they have a trike rear end on them...then older guys who can't handle a big MC will gravitate towards them. But demand for GoldWings is much lower than it used to be.  A bike of a different generation I think.
They eat miles like very little other bike and you can ride 600-700 miles a day and not feel like you rode that far and can do it back to back without the fatigue from riding.

[Prospect]

I find that the wind noise and lack of fairing on my bikes gets me fatigued. I like to do long days and I think the Goldwing would be great. Plus, I usually like to take extra clothing, camera, tools etc. The large storage space would be great to have. The upright riding position is a plus too.

[BenelliSEI]

I find that the wind noise and lack of fairing on my bikes gets me fatigued. I like to do long days and I think the Goldwing would be great. Plus, I usually like to take extra clothing, camera, tools etc. The large storage space would be great to have. The upright riding position is a plus too.

“Lash” bought a new one last year and he loves it!
My shop mate Gary has a ‘75 GL1000 he restored a few years ago. “Never sell it”.....

[Prospect]

I've been working on this beauty last couple of weeks. The sandcast motor is making some progress too. I think I'm going to put on the full Vetter package on this one including the vetter bags. I found an original exhaust and installed it as those were rotted out. The rear brake is proving to be a challenge and I'm waiting for Honda orings for the coolant system. I rebuilt the carbs with randaks kit about 3 years ago. Hoping to try and start her soon. Hopefully no major surprises.

[RAFster122s]

Nice one Prospect, I am a sucker for the Sulfur Yellow early Wings.

[BenelliSEI]

I’ll be interested to hear how the water pump goes. My buddy and I tried to rebuild his. In the end, it took a new water pump to really cure the drip! We took it for a long run a few weeks ago. Super nice ride!

[MauiK3]

I loved my candy blue green 75 Wing. Great bike

[Don R]

 I've read the 1200's are the fastest wings too. Valkyre's are pretty cheap for a 6 cylinder Honda. A friend has a half million miles on his. Only wore out the splined end of the driveshaft so far. He takes the blame for not servicing it.

[Kelly E]

I now prefer the first generation Kawasaki Concours over the Goldwing. It's got great weather protection, large saddlebags, excellent range and a great motor. The best part is the handling which is way better than the Wing. It is also plenty comfortable, I've ridden it for 11 days straight and could have done another 11 days. In 2019 I rode the 1400 miles to Sturgis in two days on my 94' Concours.
Overall it is lighter than a Wing and they sell for $1000 to $1500 all day. If you want a bike to cover a lot of miles and still be able to have fun in the curves a first generation Concours fills the bill. The best ones are from 94' to 05'. They are easy to work on and service.

[MauiK3]

Yikes, the early Concours is listed at 158 hp and 100 ft lb torque
Quite an engine.

[Prospect]

Yup. It has to be greased with a special Molly paste. I just bought a small 8oz tube for $70. It's a huge job to get to the u-joint and drive shaft splines.

I've read the 1200's are the fastest wings too. Valkyre's are pretty cheap for a 6 cylinder Honda. A friend has a half million miles on his. Only wore out the splined end of the driveshaft so far. He takes the blame for not servicing it.

[Don R]

Yup. It has to be greased with a special Molly paste. I just bought a small 8oz tube for $70. It's a huge job to get to the u-joint and drive shaft splines.

I've read the 1200's are the fastest wings too. Valkyre's are pretty cheap for a 6 cylinder Honda. A friend has a half million miles on his. Only wore out the splined end of the driveshaft so far. He takes the blame for not servicing it.

  He was on the road, a couple states away, he limped back to a familiar shop and was able to buy a new (used) shaft from an employee with a parts bike that got him going, later he changed out the rest of it.

[Flyin900]

I have restored many and currently own a number of Standard GoldWings. I have a rarer 1984 GL1200 Standard that is a two owner bike that I have owned for 12 years. It is my favorite long distance ride with the Corbin seat. They built less than 5000 units of the GL1200 Standards world wide, as everyone buying a Wing at that time gravitated to the Interstate and Aspencade models.

I think I suggested the Honda Moly paste from a Honda dealer on the Naked Wings forum as an option, since it is 77% Moly and designed for the big Valkyries and other models that were eating their rear shaft splines. It is in a tube too and will do a number or Wings, plus it is much less than $70.00.

The early 75-77 models are quite fast, as they use a higher lift and duration cam set and different carburation than the later model 78-79 series, which were retuned more for low end and mileage. Much like the evolution of the CB750 motor over the years.

Here's the 76 that I restored and sold a few years back that was a combination of the Bicentennial model for the US market that had the special gold aluminum rims and more chrome bits around the bike. The motors were supposed to be a select "blueprinted and balanced" series for this special model, yet there are various yes and no thoughts there.

[MauiK3]

My 75 Wing would get 45 mpg and more flying through the desert in northern Oregon, southern Washington. Lots of power, turbine smooth.
I’ll admit to a newbie screw up when I bought it. I accidentally shut the lid on the top box with the keys in it.
It took quite some time to carefully take it apart to retrieve the keys.
Great bike, too bad the parts support is spotty or I would look for one to freshen up.

[Flyin900]

Yes it is interesting about the gas mileage. Both my current Wings get 50+ MPG up here. Our gallon of gas is 16% larger in volume than the US gallon, so probably about the same when converted.

Regarding the parts availability, there is good support for these bikes and as noted cheap to buy them across the board model wise. Lots of new and reproduction parts available for them has been my experience.