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Feetup
Member
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Posted: Thu Sep 4th, 2008 07:34 pm | 1st Post |
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I love the Gold Wing, always have, but I find the GL1800 is far too complex. There is a great deal to be said about the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) theory.
I understand you need to meet legislated demands, but short of that, unnecessary complication is counter productive. This is one of the biggest reasons prospective GL buyers are purchasing Harley Davidsons.
Also, there is no need to have an engine larger than the 1200 cc. With fuel prices steadily rising a newer version of the GL1200 would be a good seller. I personally will not buy an 1800 for that reason, but if a smaller capacity, lighter, less complex version was offered I most definitely would. I could easily afford a new GL1800, but I bought a carefully used GL1200 instead because it was simple enough that I could understand it.
Tim J
Last edited on Thu Sep 4th, 2008 07:35 pm by Feetup
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Tim Johnson
'84 GL1200I
'75 GL1000
'02 GASGAS Trials
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Rudy
Forum Ferret
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Posted: Thu Sep 4th, 2008 11:55 pm | 2nd Post |
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| Well said feet.
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Rudy
'89 GL1500K 96k - http://goldwingtech.info
http://glhelpers.com
http://RudysBackyard.com/
http://annualssgwrally.us/coppermine/
SaberCycle: The lesson that just keeps on getting learned.
A DBA is a Computer Programmer who has simply gone SQL.
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 03:51 am | 3rd Post |
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GPS GURU (NOT)
The Goldwing GL1800 is by far the best motorcycle ever designed in the world. Just to take a test ride on one is a dangerous thing, as you will just have to have one.
Returned to the Darkside, Khumo Run Flat 195/55/16
Test pilot days are over. The Khumo is the real deal.
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Blackdog
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 04:28 am | 4th Post |
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"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson, (attributed); US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882)
WHAT I RIDE: 2008 Honda GL1800, 2002 Indian Chief, 1997 Suzuki Bandit
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Silverfox
Forum Diplomat
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 08:50 am | 5th Post |
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I would consider buying a different bike if Honda made this retrograde step as the only Wing they made. 
I would be perfectly happy for them to re introduce the 1200 that you hanker for, so long as it was issued alongside the complex 1800.
On average all the Goldwings ever issued return somewhere in the region of 40 mpg, so the change to a 1200 engine would require work to make it return way higher mileage per gallon to make it worthwhile in respect of fuel prices.
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Pete
Calhoun Pictures.. Click to View..
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SC
Senior Member
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 10:40 am | 6th Post |
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How about a 2,000 cc ONE CILINDER wing 
Simple one cylinder, one spark plug, one carb 
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CAUTION: expressed opinion may lead to chaffing, a FOIL HAT and or FOIL UNDERWAEAR are highly recommended for your protection
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wexy
Admin 2
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 01:31 pm | 7th Post |
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| Make it a mono cycle .. one cylinder,one plug,one carb and one wheel
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Looks like Miss Tanygaer has taken over possession of my Tango 1800 ,so I have to be nice if I want to borrow it 
http://www.goreybikes.com
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SC
Senior Member
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Posted: Fri Sep 5th, 2008 03:43 pm | 8th Post |
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wexman wrote: Make it a mono cycle .. one cylinder,one plug,one carb and one wheel
Saddle bags = pockets
Windshield = sunglasses
Tour pack is a six-pack rack coming out of
I’m all in  except for the six-pack rack
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CAUTION: expressed opinion may lead to chaffing, a FOIL HAT and or FOIL UNDERWAEAR are highly recommended for your protection
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lostinflorida
Senior Member
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Posted: Sun Sep 7th, 2008 12:25 am | 9th Post |
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If I'm doing my math right, 40 mpg and $4.00 gas is $0.10 a mile. That would mean only a C note to go 1000 miles and enjoy every minute of it. I like my 1200, if I could I would upgrad to a 1500 or an 1800, but still keep my 1200.
I would be nice to get on something a little lower miles and go. Why not just do a stripped down 1800 that is a little easier to work on and cheaper to build.
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PGR member
IBA member #32000
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gold99
Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 8th, 2008 12:11 pm | 10th Post |
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| Go get your self a Rune now theres a bike.
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cldryder
Active Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 15th, 2008 12:05 am | 11th Post |
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TRy this:
a 1200cc horizontally opposed 4 (maintains that trademark engine config and adds nostalgia to boot)
engineer a chassis with a LOW seat height. add several inches adjustment to the bars/seat/pegs triangle. your customers will finally have a bike they can adjust to their body size without spending a fortune on aftermarket stuff. (they'll like that!)
make the electronics modular with an open architecture so customers can buy as little or as much "gizmo's" as they want from HOnda and easily integrate aftermarket items like radar detectors and cell phones.
make the luggage quick detach in 2 sizes, regular and "jumbo". jumbo is GL1500 capacity or larger.
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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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RePete
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 17th, 2008 04:11 am | 12th Post |
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Hmmmm...not only do I NOT find my 1800 overly complicated or too loaded with gadgets, I love adding more electronics. The things I add do not glitter and sparkle but instead add to Hondas already well thought out, well engineered motorcycle.
For instance, to eliminate the problem of the "live" intercom, picking up ambient sound from all around thru the helmet mics I installed "Mic Mutes". Now the cb transmit toggle on my left control group shuts down the intercom when we are not speaking and want to hear our music with less "polution" from the mics. I installed a PTT switch one the bottom of the rear speaker pod so my bride can have the same control. So touching the switch brings on a world of quiet compared to the outside wracket.
I also added a Garmin "Zumo" GPS to replaced all the other mounted audio gadgets I used to have. Now I have a great weather proof GPS, a very good built in 4 gb MP3 player, an XM sattelite radio and (with the addition of a Kennedy Cell Set module) a blue tooth interface hard wired into what the Honda engineers already built into the bike. This means I can make or receive calls thru the gps unit which communicates with the cell phone in my pocket. All I need do is touch the screen (when safe to do so) to make voice activated calls directly into our helmets. Both my bride and I can speak and hear these calls. Also very handy is the advantage of pulling into a strange town and doing a quick lodging search on the GPS. After finding a place to stay the phone # is usually highlighted on the screen. A quick touch of the screen and it dials away and you book your room. Another option on this fine "add on " unit is the ability to download "audio books" directly to the gps unit in MP3 format. When cruising down a long highway it's great to eat up the miles listening to a 8 hour novel through the helmets. All this in one compact simple to use while riding unit that plugs into the bikes stock audio system with very little fuss.
Do I enjoy spending 2 1/2 hrs changing out an air filter ? Nope. But I found it interesting that after 40,000 kms it didn't need to be changed anyway, because it's so damned big it takes forever to plug up. Or the annual coolant change, removing the overflow tank and hoses and all the other picky things including getting the air out of the system ? Not really. But after buying Fred Harmons excellent Gold Wing maintainence DVDs and purchasing a shop manual, I've saved a small fortune in shop bills just for basic up keep. The more in depth operations like valve shim replacement I'll leave to my local shop, along with other maintaince that I think is more safety related.
My point here is that while some may find the bike hard to work on (it's true enough) because of the overly complicated workings, others revel in the potential of the aftermarket conveniences and improvements available to make this machine even more tour friendly.
Guess it's like anything else. Some like it simple and some like me say, "bring it on!" More power, please. And that includes both the engine AND the alternator !  
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Life ! Grab it by the ears and give it a big, wet, sloppy kiss right on the mouth !
PW
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William_86
Senior Member
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Posted: Mon Dec 1st, 2008 02:24 am | 13th Post |
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| as far as i know. the gl1800 gives even better mileage than the old 1200!!!!!!!
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85' GL 1200 Interstate - My Picture Thread
Useful links: Manuals, Randakk's
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lostinflorida
Senior Member
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Posted: Mon Dec 1st, 2008 01:49 pm | 14th Post |
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I do like my 1200, but the idea of having a little more "umph" when riding long distances makes the idea of a 1500 or 1800 nice.
I could even say a 2000 cc Goldwing with a couple more gears to drop the rpm's in high gear would probably be a big seller amongst the real long distance riding crowd.
If I'm traveling some distance and riding loaded 2up, on the interstate I'm pushing 4000 rpms to keep up with the flow.
Being able to drop it back down to 3000 + would be great.
Yeah, the 1800 looks very complex, but look at what it is.
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IBA member #32000
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Geordiemuppet
Senior Guru
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Posted: Mon Dec 1st, 2008 02:28 pm | 15th Post |
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Honda manufacture many motorcycles and there must be one their for all tastes/requirements/pockets.
The Goldwing, as Honda's Flagship tourer has always been at the cutting edge of technology. My 1200 Aspencade had a digital dash etc which didn't appear commonly in cars for many years later.
The wing is what it is - a rather overpriced and overly complicated machine which, when everything works, provides the ultimate in motorcycling comfort, convenience and gimmicry for the discerning tourer/posuer.
For those who do not want such refinements/complications, Honda offer a different model which has excellent fuel economy, simple electronics, simple mechanics and none of the style of the wing. It is called the Honda C50
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'04 GL1800 in the Fastest Colour.
http://www.rblr.co.uk
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pinkpork
Senior Member
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Posted: Mon Dec 1st, 2008 05:22 pm | 16th Post |
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wexy wrote: Make it a mono cycle .. one cylinder,one plug,one carb and one wheel
Here yer are,,, this should do,,
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nsu quickly, suzuki 50, yamaha fs1e, yamaha 250yds7,
triton 750, trident750t150, norton commando 850 roadster,
honda750 f1, honda 750 f2, honda gl 1100, bultaco 250, kawasaki 500 h1, jpn commando ,25yr gap
2001 gl 1800 love it
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Kit Carson
GL1800 Guru
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Posted: Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 02:07 am | 17th Post |
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PinkPork, that is the darndest thing, never seen anything quite like that. Kit
____________________
GPS GURU (NOT)
The Goldwing GL1800 is by far the best motorcycle ever designed in the world. Just to take a test ride on one is a dangerous thing, as you will just have to have one.
Returned to the Darkside, Khumo Run Flat 195/55/16
Test pilot days are over. The Khumo is the real deal.
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norton
Very Active Member
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Posted: Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 03:19 pm | 18th Post |
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I wonder what the shocks are on there for?
Someone PLEASE post a video of that thing being ridden.
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John Davis Jr.
Member
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Posted: Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 08:00 pm | 19th Post |
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I have owned quite a few Gold Wings and I find as long as you know how to change the oil, they need very little else. What ever else they may need as they get older, TAKE IT To A DEALER. I put 70000 miles on my first GoldWing without even changing the plugs. GoldWings are the most dependable machines I have ever had the pleasure of operating. Therefore I don't care how complex they are, let the dealer handle the complex items.
PS I take much better care of my latest GW.
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John D.
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kyboy67
Member
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Posted: Thu Dec 4th, 2008 01:27 am | 20th Post |
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Feetup say's
" there is no need to have an engine larger than the 1200 cc."
You have got to take a spin on the 1500,you don't know what your missing.........
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Tony
Spend the money on a good seat,and enjoy the WHOLE ride,not just the beginning.
1994 GL1500 Aspencade Pearl Atlantis Blue
2002 1500 Vulcan Classic Pearl Black
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