Author Topic: Goldwing owners here? HELP ME! I have a couple questions (Read 8657 times)

Steve F · « **on:** April 01, 2011, 05:25:35 PM »

I'm seriously in the market for a decent USED Goldwing, something in the area of '93 through 2000 (something that I can reasonably afford these days). I've been hunting through the Craigslist listings for Illinois, Wisconsin Indiana and Iowa for the past week, and it's not easy to see what is standard on these things and what is considered a feature on a Higher end model. First, is the Aspencade considered a lower model, or what about the Interstate? Are the "SE" models from only the '90-something year and up? What models included the reverse lever? Some sort of a list, starting at the lower end and working up to the super-duper models would be helpful. I guess I'm a Goldwing illiterate and in need of some ejjikayshun.
Steve F

edbikerii · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2011, 05:30:50 PM »

I have a 1986 Interstate GL1200. No reverse on these models.
Interstate was the base model, Aspencade was one model up, then came SEI which had FI, but I guess they all do now.

I really prefer the old GL1200s because they were lighter, more "retro" styled, faster (four carbs instead of only 2), and MUCH easier to work on than the 1500 and 1800 models.

There were many "stator failures" on the 1200 models, but that is typically due to connectors getting gunked up on the stator and shorting out, taking the stator out with it. If you get a 1200, check the stator before buying, and then immediately re-wire the stator to eliminate the connector.

Magpie · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2011, 05:34:01 PM »

Hi! Here's one of the experts on Goldwings information that you'll find useful at http://www.goldwingfacts.com/goldwinghistory.htm and scroll down to your model.
Cheers,
Cliff.

Steve F · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2011, 05:39:27 PM »

Ed, thanks for the info about the sttor going bad 'caus I was looking at a 1200.
Magpie, thanks for the link, which I'll take a look at later.

Magpie · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2011, 06:33:52 PM »

See if you can find a good GL1800, it's a fun big bike. Cliff.

GammaFlat · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2011, 06:58:55 PM »

I have access to a GL1200 with 35K miles (Father In Law). He wants to sell. Let me know if you're interested. It's in NW Indiana (near Chi-town).

Steve F · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2011, 08:46:22 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on April 01, 2011, 06:33:52 PM

See if you can find a good GL1800, it's a fun big bike. Cliff.

On my way home from work this afternoon, and noticed a VERY WHITE older 'Wing sitting at the local Honda dealer, it stuck out like a sore thumb it was soooo white. It looked like it was in really good shape upon a closer inspection, was a '97 with 44K on the clock. Not bad. Naturally, the sales rep comes out and introduces himself, tells me a bit about the bike, and that they just got it in on Thursday, was a little weird that they would have 3 bigger bikes on the lot at the same time. 2 Goldwings and a Valkyre. I looked around and didn't see the other 'Wing until he pointed it out. An '03 GL1800A in damn near showroom condition with only 12K miles.

It was dropped off this morning by the owner, I guess on consignmnet and it wasn't even entered into their computer system yet.
Long story short, I took it for a quick test ride, and gave him $200 to hold it. I have to talk to the credit union on Monday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Steve F

Magpie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2011, 11:04:53 PM »

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!! With ABS too. Read some more about it http://www.roadrunner.travel/article-5998.php We love ours. It's a rocket, well very quick for it's size and feels like a sport bike after 10 mph. When I first saw ours I wondered how anyone could ride something that size, now I know - it's a great bike. See if you can get the service history on it too. I hope it works out for you!
12k miles, it's barely broken in. Cliff.

edbikerii · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2011, 09:22:04 AM »

Excellent! I'm sure you'll love it.

Enjoy

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2011, 09:28:53 AM »

Go for something like an '82 1200 like Ed said!!!

Or around that time frame before they went up higher than 1200cc's.

That is what i was looking for when I was looking for a wing.

HondanutRider · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2011, 10:23:28 AM »

Quote from: Magpie on April 02, 2011, 11:04:53 PM

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!! With ABS too. Read some more about it http://www.roadrunner.travel/article-5998.php We love ours. It's a rocket, well very quick for it's size and feels like a sport bike after 10 mph. When I first saw ours I wondered how anyone could ride something that size, now I know - it's a great bike. See if you can get the service history on it too. I hope it works out for you!
12k miles, it's barely broken in. Cliff.

That GL1800A sounds like it could be a really good deal. I also have the identical year and model since new. I've put a trouble-free 97,000 km on it so far, and it is by far the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. There was a major recall on those year's to redo a frame weld...that would still apply to be done if it wasn't and if it was one that was affected. Other than that recall and new tire mounts, no one but I has ever worked on this bike - and it never has needed anything but regular maintenance schedule.

333 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2011, 10:55:26 AM »

My next bike will be a '75 or '76. I don't want a bike without a kick starter.

Steve F · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:05:52 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on April 02, 2011, 11:04:53 PM

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!! With ABS too. Read some more about it http://www.roadrunner.travel/article-5998.php We love ours. It's a rocket, well very quick for it's size and feels like a sport bike after 10 mph. When I first saw ours I wondered how anyone could ride something that size, now I know - it's a great bike. See if you can get the service history on it too. I hope it works out for you!
12k miles, it's barely broken in. Cliff.

Apparently, not all '03's came with ABS, and I'm not sure if this one does....Hmm how do you find out just by looking at the VIN#?
***EDIT*** Found this bit of info on the web, and it appears that this particular bike does NOT have ABS. The link: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130942

HondanutRider · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2011, 05:59:19 AM »

Quote from: Steve F on April 03, 2011, 06:05:52 PM

Quote from: Magpie on April 02, 2011, 11:04:53 PM
Good for you!!!!!!!!!!! With ABS too. Read some more about it http://www.roadrunner.travel/article-5998.php We love ours. It's a rocket, well very quick for it's size and feels like a sport bike after 10 mph. When I first saw ours I wondered how anyone could ride something that size, now I know - it's a great bike. See if you can get the service history on it too. I hope it works out for you!
12k miles, it's barely broken in. Cliff.
Apparently, not all '03's came with ABS, and I'm not sure if this one does....Hmm how do you find out just by looking at the VIN#?
***EDIT*** Found this bit of info on the web, and it appears that this particular bike does NOT have ABS. The link: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130942

I looked at the link that you found and you know, not everything on the web is true

At least at this forum, you can rely on people knowing what they are talking about.

I believe that the VIN of GL1800 with the "A" following it denotes that the model included ABS. The following is a quote from the specifications listed in the Honda Shop Manual for my 2003 GL1800A:

MODEL IDENTIFICATION
This manual covers 2 types of GL1800 models:
• GL1800 – no ABS
• GL1800A – equipped with ABS
Be sure to refer to the procedure for the appropriate version of the GL1800.

Also note that for only a few years did Honda Canada offer a non-ABS version of the 1800 Goldwing. (I think it was only for 1 or 2 years.) Stateside, the line-up has always included a non-ABS version. My shop manual came from the states. Also, trivia-wise there is no 2011 model of the 1800 Goldwing. With the plant in Marysville ceasing motorcycle production, the new Japanese plant has just started producing a newly released 2012 model (not announced so-far in Canada but in the US), which has a few new design changes.

Steve F · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2011, 02:14:05 PM »

Here's a HONDA service bulletin about the frame weld recall, where it spells out the models that are affected, and it differentiates which vins have ABS and which don't. It is the 8th digit that determines, a "0" is without and a "4" is with. This bike has a "1HFSC470" in the VIN. Bummer.
http://www.ridersrally.com/sb/sb18.pdf

HondanutRider · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2011, 02:42:24 PM »

Steve,

You had originally posted that it was a GL1800A model that you were looking at, which would indicate that the bike was the ABS version. If it has ABS, then the lower fork ends have an insignia that says "ABS" and the rotor on the right front (and the rear) will have a toothed ring that is the ABS sensor exciter. The non-ABS model, besides having the VIN difference as noted, will be called a GL1800 and will not have either the insignia on the forks or the exciter rings.

Just checked, and my Canadian 2003 GL1800A has a VIN of 1HFSC475... It definitely has ABS.

Steve F · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2011, 08:24:19 PM »

Quote from: HondanutRider on April 04, 2011, 02:42:24 PM

Steve,

You had originally posted that it was a GL1800A model that you were looking at, which would indicate that the bike was the ABS version. If it has ABS, then the lower fork ends have an insignia that says "ABS" and the rotor on the right front (and the rear) will have a toothed ring that is the ABS sensor exciter. The non-ABS model, besides having the VIN difference as noted, will be called a GL1800 and will not have either the insignia on the forks or the exciter rings.

Just checked, and my Canadian 2003 GL1800A has a VIN of 1HFSC475... It definitely has ABS.

Yeah, you know you're right. Somehow the dealer put that on the sheet as the model number. I'll have to point that out the next time I see him. I'm wondering if he thought I wouldn't notice and/or check into it. I'm also wondering if he got the NADA retail pricing from the GL1800A listing. I checked the difference between the ABS and non-ABS and it was on the order of $220 in the NADA book, and KBB didn't say.

Peterbylt · « **Reply #17 on:** April 05, 2011, 02:04:28 PM »

You've got to watch out for Goldwings they multiply when your not looking. I bought one and now I've got three.

The Naked wing is a 75 GL1000, the Gold Vetter dressed is an 81 GL1100 and the Light blue is an 85 GL1200A, The A is for the Aspencade package, Radio,intercom, CB, digital dashboard.

If you are going to ride Two up touring I recommend the GL1200 lots of pulling power, very comfortable for the Driver and passenger lots of luggage space.
For single person touring I perfer the the GL1100 It's a little lighter, Handles better in the twisties and I like the Vetter fairing and Luggage better than the Hondaline.
For around town the GL1000 is better. The fastest 1/4 miler of the bunch and gets lots of attention where ever I go.

Peter

78 k550 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2011, 07:58:49 PM »

go for the Gold HAHA.

I have a low # 75 that has 140,000 on the clock.
I also have a 84 standard.
Like said before the 75 is a great bike the air ride on the 84 is nice.
The 75 will kick the 84 anyday.
If a good price get it.
If you want one to modify one get a 75-83.

Paul

6adan · « **Reply #19 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:41:10 PM »

Peterbylt you are so right about the GW multiplying, I got a 79 for my wife and I to ride insted of my 750 and then found a 81 1100 that was even better for us. I took the 79 and built a Cafe type out of it, now I am restoring a 75 and have picked up a 76 LTD too redo also.I also plan on restoring my 70 JDM back to original and have a 73 CB750 I want to Cafe also.

faux fiddy · « **Reply #20 on:** April 06, 2011, 11:48:24 PM »

What good is this bike to buy if there is no kickstart, and detuned a bit for the '78 model.

What would the wingnuts say good about it? I could prolly buy it , it runs and is reasonably priced, older but maybe not old enough?

Steve F · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2011, 03:21:29 PM »

Well, I got her! Picked her up last Saturday and have been riding a bunch. All I gotta say is WOW! This is the first modern bike I've owned since my '82 CB650C, and this thing has guts! Holy crap.

Magpie · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2011, 05:19:17 PM »

A couple things; it will get to the rev limiter very fast in first gear, you can break the rear tire loose easily on wet roads and you can easily join a not so exclusive club of us that have had it go over on it's side while trying to get it on the centre stand. Don't try to stop it. It's easy to pick up though if you know the way to do it. No need to ask how I know this. Congratulations on you Goldwing. It is an amazing motorcyle.
Cliff.

78 k550 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 14, 2011, 05:20:59 PM »

Sweet.

Paul

Steve F · « **Reply #24 on:** April 14, 2011, 05:42:11 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on April 14, 2011, 05:19:17 PM

A couple things; it will get to the rev limiter very fast in first gear, you can break the rear tire loose easily on wet roads and you can easily join a not so exclusive club of us that have had it go over on it's side while trying to get it on the centre stand. Don't try to stop it. It's easy to pick up though if you know the way to do it. No need to ask how I know this. Congratulations on you Goldwing. It is an amazing motorcyle.
Cliff.

That's some good advice, and I'll try to keep her vertical if you know what I mean. Thanks.

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Author Topic: Goldwing owners here? HELP ME! I have a couple questions (Read 8657 times)