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Trapper
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 11:27 pm | 1st Post |
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| A little help from the pros please. I am 60 and a few months ago purchased my first gold wing a 1500 after years of riding. I love the ride and do not intend to go to anything else even if I have to trike it which I rather 2 wheel. I have a short stride and cannot get comfortable, especially with mama on the back, when I stop, go and turn, it just seems to be top heavy. A friend suggested I try the 1800 before going to the expense of a trike. He says it has a lower center of gravity and eliminates a lot of the top heavy feeling. Please give me some imput.
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thessler
Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 01:04 am | 2nd Post |
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Hi trapper
I never had a 1500. I went from an 1100 to the 1800, just like mentioned the height difference and the low speed handling are amazing ! Just stop in at a Honda shop and sit on one you'll see. Good Luck Tom
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wrongway
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 01:15 am | 3rd Post |
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I do lots of miles on my 1500 and we ride with a couple who have the 1800.
I have a 28 inch inseam (and that may be exagerating but that's what my pants are).
We've trading bikes for a whole day several times and here are my observations.
What I liked about the 1800:
- the 1800 definately is lower and I feel like I can toss it around easily through corners etc. It almost felt like a toy compared to the 1500.
- the 1800 has more power and it's definately obvious when you've gone through a small town while staying if 5th gear and then accelerating up to the highway speed.
- my wife (the boss) said that she had more room from front to back of the seat but the seat felt narrower on the 1800 and she felt like she was leaning back too far.
What I didn't like about the 1800:
- the handlebars were in a very uncomfortable position for me and my arms got tired and it hurt between my shoulder blades.
- the ride wasn't nearly as soft and smooth as the 1500.
We've travelled thousands of miles together and as far as fuel consumption the 1800 consistenly costs around $2.00 more at each fuel stop so not really a big deal.
I guess in the end, I'm fortunate enough to have ridden the 1800 for quite a few miles and if I can get past the urge to own a more current model goldwing, when mine gives up the ghost I'll look for another 1500.
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Greg (wrongway)& wife Bonnie
Previous bikes from recent are:1998 Goldwing SE,
2001 Valkyrie Standard, 2005 Vulcan 1500, 2000 750 Shadow....30 year absence....350 Honda, 175 Bridgstone, 305 Honda, 125 Kawasaki
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derekhendry
Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:12 am | 4th Post |
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| Hi Trapper i went from 1500 to 1800, i am 6ft 3in tall so did not have a problem as such but i can tell you the 1800 is lower to the ground, its suspension does not really raise the bike when adjusted either. While i agree with Greg that the 1500 suspension is a better comfier ride, the 1800 handles better, stops better and is still a quite comfy ride in itself. I found the consumption to improve over the 1500 as well. What i would do is go and have a test ride and see how you feel is best.
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GL1800 2004 US spec White.
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wexman
Admin
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:31 am | 5th Post |
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| The 1800 is way more fuel efficent than the 1500 ,The 1800 is injection and the 1500 is carbs ,For someone short on the leg the 1800 is the way to go ,but if you are over 6ft then the 1500 would be a more comfortable ride ,, Ciaran
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 11:01 am | 6th Post |
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What WrongWay said..........said it just about perfect. The other thing is with the 1500 you can ride around with your helmet strap undone.....on the 1800 you are constantly picking up your helmet Kit
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Most of the time, the cure for the Goldwing wobble is a set of Bridgestone Tires.
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Trapper
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 01:37 pm | 7th Post |
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Thanks for the feedback folks. The 1800 is definintely something to consider but do not want to lose my comfortable ride. I do not understand the helmet strap deal from kit please explain. Anymore information will be appreciated. Thanks
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:46 pm | 8th Post |
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The 1800 is a sport bike with storage bags. It is on steroids. Crack the throttle on one and your hemet stays behind.....unless you have that strap securely fastened.
If riding in freezing weather you need a roll of gorilla tape to keep your big smile from freezing and showing off your missing teeth...... Kit
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Most of the time, the cure for the Goldwing wobble is a set of Bridgestone Tires.
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Oregonwinger
Guru
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:48 pm | 9th Post |
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I think he means that the 1500 is a Caddy ride, and the 1800 is a Corvette ride. Definitely not as smooth. But the pluses more than make up for harder ride. My wife hated it at first, but with the new Bridgestones, she said it's much better. I can't tell much difference. the front is pretty stout, still. Progressive's
The 1500 with an 1800 engine sure would be something. A ton of torque, and not just because it's 300cc larger.
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Bob Anderson
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Oregonwinger
Guru
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:49 pm | 10th Post |
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| That, too, Kit
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Bob Anderson
http://webpages.charter.net/catmek/andysjoint.html
RollaHome camper
2006 Nav, Cabernet Red
2 Schwinn Varsitys
For Sale 90 SE engine; perfect at 41k 600.00
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Popeye
Senior Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 04:19 pm | 11th Post |
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Trapper, I'm not going to give up my 1500SE until one of us dies, and I know it's top-heavy.
You can learn much about the 1800 by sitting on one while on the sidestand. Straddle it and then, carefully, bring the bike upright.
Don't pull on it like a 1500 or you may find yourself in a sideways roll...it just stands up...a very low center of gravity.
I often sit on one when I go to the dealer & near pulled one over on me. Also, You can lay them on their side & stand 'em up fairly easy & without damage.
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KANWINGS [Rhinos] of KS
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'84 Shadow 500 Red
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Matt G
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 04:29 pm | 12th Post |
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| the 1500 and 1800 are 2 different animals, as others have said. I like the 1800 around town, but the 1500 on the road. The only time I really like the 1800 on the road is when I have to get there fast, it will cruise at 85 all day and not breath hard, the 1500 is happier at 70-75.
____________________
Current Goldwings:
1984 GL1200 "fugly one"
1988 GL1500 "Wings of Freedom"
2001 GL1800 "Red 18"
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Trapper
Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 05:29 pm | 13th Post |
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| Thanks everyone for the imput and welcome more. Now the only problem is convincing Mama I need another big boy toy, any help with that would be appreciated.
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BlackGW
Senior Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 06:20 pm | 14th Post |
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Here is some mana.
Use some of it to convince her....
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1983 BLACK GL1100 Interstate
1983 Brown GL1000 Interstate, now NAKED
1982 Honda Ascot FT500
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Phil
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:23 pm | 15th Post |
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1800 every time - I swapped my 1500 for an 1800 and whilst I dont want to upset the 1500 riders the 1800 is far and away more easier to handle. Concurr with the statements about about the 1800 being far more manouverable then the 1500. Also I have a 29" inside leg and the 1800 is much much better then the 1500. You wont be disappointed if you get one!
Phil
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Yellow GL1800 2003
Yellow Ducati 750SS 2001
skype; yellowing03
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Trapper
Member
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 12:42 pm | 16th Post |
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| Thanks Phil that is exactly what I wanted to hear.
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wrongway
Very Active Member
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 05:44 pm | 17th Post |
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So Trapper..............are you getting the 1800??????????? Very curious here as I have a very short inseam so the 1500 can be a handful, especially near the end of a day when I'm tired anyway.
____________________
Greg (wrongway)& wife Bonnie
Previous bikes from recent are:1998 Goldwing SE,
2001 Valkyrie Standard, 2005 Vulcan 1500, 2000 750 Shadow....30 year absence....350 Honda, 175 Bridgstone, 305 Honda, 125 Kawasaki
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Hawker22
Guru
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Posted: Tue Aug 12th, 2008 11:36 pm | 18th Post |
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Never drove an 1800--absolutely scared to---sat on one, even before I got my 1500. Did not much care for how it fit me. When I got my 1500, I found it to be actually less top heavy and a bit more manouverable than my 1200--no more power, but certainly lots of low end torque. I never seem to have much trouble passing thru a speed zone or small town in OD and pulling strongly back up to speed.
Will I ever move to the 1800?? Hope not, but I am not holding my breath.
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Hawker22(Ken)
Per Ardua Ad Astra
1997 GL1500SE--White Cloud
Skype--Skyhawk22
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Geordiemuppet
Guru
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 03:41 pm | 19th Post |
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| Go on, you know it makes sense.
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