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cldryder
Active Member
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Posted: Mon Jul 28th, 2008 02:20 am | 1st Post |
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A little background ....
I own a GL1500 that I use for X-country trips with my daughters. None of my other bikes even come close to the GL for long trips. The radio and intercom are the best I've ever experienced.
I commute on an FJR1300. It has the weather protection I need on cold mornings but is far more fun for everyday riding.
I also have a ZRX1200R. I wish the FJR's motor was as good as the Kaws.
I'd be glad to get rid of the GL1500 and the FJR if HOnda made a good enough newer GL to replace them both.
heres what it would need:
REverse. I'd hate my GL1500 if it didn't have reverse.
Radio/Intercom with MP3, XM radio, a couple aux. inputs, and bluetoorth interfaces. Keep the much better than average audio quality. an interface for a reasonably priced 3rd party CB. current price for these "extra's is ridiculous. make your money on the bike.
Saddle bag capacity at least as good as GL1500. Have you ever considered expandable bags or two sizes. with quick dismount like the FJR you could have 2 sizes for bags.
More ponies and more torque. at least equal to FJR. more is better. No one likes to ride a pig. (Well, maybe HD riders do.) DOn't be afraid to make a motor that revs. Japanese motorcycles are SUPPOSED to rev. My old GL1000 was a lot more fun to ride than my GL1500.
continue with a more sport capable suspension.
do some engineering. You're supposed to be good at it. the wing has FAR too many parts. makes it complicated and expensive and a bitch to service. make your target 1/3 less parts, then beat the target.
my 5 cents mark in MN
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05 FJR1300, 88 GL1500, 98 TL1000R, 03 ZRX1200R, 74 Z1, 78 KZ750, 72 GT380, 76 GT750, 78 GS750, 79 GS750E, 81 GS1100E
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badass
Forum Greeter
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 07:59 am | 2nd Post |
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| I had more money.............
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GL1100 Standard
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Previous bikes in random order:
GL1200 Interstate 3x
Honda Transalp
Honda CB900C
Suzuki Burgman
Yamaha XV920
Yamaha TDM 900
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Yamaha Diversion 900
Honda Shadow 800
GL1100Interstate
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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 11:17 am | 3rd Post |
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Make the driver's cockpit less cramped for people 6' and taller.
Less toys, more substance. Face it, the toys are nice, but they're nothing more than cute, expensive things to break in a few years. They're also a distraction to a low-mileage rider who will spend more time fiddling with the toys than paying attention to the road.
More room for personalization. We like to hang pretty little chrome things all over our bikes. On the engine, around the bags, around the trunk, all over the fairing, etc... There is just no PLACE to put custom stuff on it, and very few suppliers of chrome toys. So they all end up back in the condition they were when we bought them...looking exactly alike again.
More color options, and the ability to special order the colors we want.
The speedometer OUT of the line of sight of the rear passenger. She doesn't need to know how fast we're going...and me getting slugged in the back of the helmet constantly is a safety hazard.
I can put 2 full-face helmets in the trunk of my '80 Interstate with ease, I couldn't figure out how to do it with an 1800...what's wrong with this picture?
Can those UGLY headlights already!
MikeLast edited on Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 11:17 am by MDKramer
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Mike Kramer
Proudly supporting Viet Nam Vets and Legacy Vets M/C
Red is for the blood shed Black is for the mourning
Been riding that 1980 beauty to the left since 1989
Helpful Hint: Traffic lights timed for 35mph are also timed for 70, 105, and 140!
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Popeye
Senior Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 4th, 2008 01:11 am | 4th Post |
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Am I the only one who has no use for the stereo? 
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Patriot Guard.
Patriot Guard Riders
KANWINGS [Rhinos] of KS
GWRRA
'97 1500SE Black/Chr
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TXRLGL1500
Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 01:05 am | 5th Post |
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Ahhhh Popeye:
You are not that only one! However it does give the passenger
the option of listening to something.
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wooddy88
Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 02:14 am | 6th Post |
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| ...I didnt love this old 1500 so much.
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TJ
88 GL1500
91 ST1100
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cldryder
Active Member
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 03:48 pm | 7th Post |
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a few adds:
make the seat height lower. It's much too high on the GL1500. YOu add substantially to your potential user population by accommodating vertically challenged people.
you could also put a decent seat on the bike. It's ridiculous to have to spend the better part of a thousand dollars on an aftermarket seat for a bike that already costs close to $20k and is designed to be ridden all day. (does Honda get a kickback from the seat manufacturers for using crap OEM seats?)
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05 FJR1300, 88 GL1500, 98 TL1000R, 03 ZRX1200R, 74 Z1, 78 KZ750, 72 GT380, 76 GT750, 78 GS750, 79 GS750E, 81 GS1100E
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Rudy
Forum Ferret
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Posted: Mon Aug 25th, 2008 04:05 pm | 8th Post |
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| ... there were no used ones left out there to buy.
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Rudy
'89 GL1500K 96k - http://goldwingtech.info
http://glhelpers.com/members
http://RudysBackyard.com/
http://annualssgwrally.us/coppermine/
SaberCycle: The lesson that just keeps on getting learned.
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