1800 vs 1500

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I owned a 1500 which I loved.

had a chance to ride an 1800 one day more than 250 miles through twisties and long straights.

I was impressed with the feeling of lightness, more nimble, seemingly more aggressive power. And holy smoley, those lights!!! I can see way down thar :waving: and the brakes are a lot better than the 1500.


Downside, my legs need a more forward position, and definitely have to add highway pegs like I have on the 1500.

Seats are different too, you must ride both, and then make up your mind. No two of us sit quite the same on a bike.

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I have to chime in here and say that I test drove an 1800 last year. And man-o-man was it a monster. Quick, nimble, smooth with a seemingly bottomless throttle. I told folks it was like riding a demonically possessed electric scooter. But if your like me and can't afford that sort of a price tag... 20K+... I started looking at used bikes that were within a comfortable range. This brought me to the 1500's. I got mine for less than 6K with about 32K miles.

Now that I have my 1500, I am VERY pleased. In my opinion, it's a bit more "stately" than the 1800's... while it does still have that smooth, quiet acceleration I love. Because my primary goal for touring is the photography... I find it carries my laptop, cameras, tripods and other goodies nicely. On the really long rides... none of my Harley ridin' buddies can ever hold there own. They're okay around town... but I can ride further, faster in more comfort than anyone I know who rides a Harley.

If you get a 1500... do three things. (1)Change the timing belts. (2)While your in there install a timing advance wheel. (3)Get a belly pan. It helps a lot! It's a totally different machine with the belly pan. It's the best $40 I ever spent on my machine.

They're like different children from the same mother.

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rgbeard wrote:

I love a 1500, but I'd be hard pressed to kick an 1800 outta the garage. I've spent time on both, and they're both great machines.

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I've always been a 1500 fan. I've been told several times not to ride an 1800 unless I was ready to buy one, but I found it wasn't true. I rode one and I'm still happy with my 1500.



But, don't get me wrong. I'd love an 1800 just fine if I had one. It really is a great bike. It feels smaller and more nimble. (probablybecause it is. ) I could seriously enjoy one.



But all the things I like in my motorcycle are nicely met in my 1500.



When I first got back into motorcycling, I had a 550 with a small sport windshield. A friend of mine suggested that the bike would look better if I took the windshield off. I did, and within an hour I put it back on again.

I added some soft saddle bags so that I could carry some stuff with me when I rode.

I was limited in how many miles I could ride before I got too sore to ride.



I like a big comfortable touring bike that gives me some protection from the elements so that I can ride farther and in more weather conditions. I like big and comfortable. I like luxury. I like to be able to carry rain gear, warm weather clothing, cold weather clothing, spare clothing, and even some extra clothing for my passenger. I like to carry some tools for possible break down, (mine as well as someone else's).



I want to be able to go out and ride, and ride and ride and ride and possibly go for a couple of days or moreand be able to just settle in and enjoy it.



Comfort, I got music, I can carry food and drink, I can't think of much more.



I can do that very well on any of the Goldwings, but the 1500 is the biggest and most comfortable. That's why I like it best.

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rhughes wrote:

us385south wrote:

If you get a 1500... do three things. (1)Change the timing belts. (2)While your in there install a timing advance wheel. (3)Get a belly pan. It helps a lot! It's a totally different machine with the belly pan. It's the best $40 I ever spent on my machine.

They're like different children from the same mother.

what purpose does the belly pan serve

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The belly pan serves several purposes, keeps the bottom of the bike easier to clean, protects the bottom from the occasional speed hump, and helps the airflow under the bike at highway speeds. Is in my opinion worth the money.

I have owned the 1500 too, and I agree it is a great bike, with a great ride and a lot of storage. But since buying the 1800, I have fallen in love with the brakes, the handling, the lighter feel, and the better fuel ecomomy and brighter (but uglier) headlights. I think the 1500 looks more of what a true touring bike should look like, kinda like a Caddy Deville, wereas the 1800 is more like a CTS, a hair smaller, sportier and better performance, but still a Caddy.



Gene:waving: