[draboo]

First off, thanks for the welcome back in the newbie forum!

Second, I m looking at a 1988 model. It has 24,000 miles. ( I realize, after 25 years, it should be 124K, but it ain't a misprint!) I m having trouble finding out a fair retail value for this motorcycle. From what I can see and gather from the owner, it is in wonderful shape. Attached to it is a California sidecar, painted to match. Rig was purchased from a dealer as is.

I am wondering how much the motorcycle is worth alone. Checking NADA and Blue Book, they don't give any specifics for a bike this old, with low mileage.

Many thanks to all! Looking forward to my second GW.(first was a 79 model)

Brad
Sutherlin,OR

 

[satan]

I think alot of that would depend on market and such... About $4k usd would be the top of market here for an '88, but you may be able to stretch $500 or a bit more for perfect running low-miles -- If you're looking to sell the bike seperately, you'd wanna factor in the plastic cuts from the sidecar mounting, which would likely get you back to or slightly below best market pricing.

Prices do vary regionally, so accuracy would depend on what the value was to be used for as well as where ...

 

[ivan]

Draboo
I see that your in Oregon this link is for 1988 Goldwing in Salt Lake city but it might help, with a ball park idea.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=23931773&cat=144&lpid=&search=goldwing&ad_cid=7

You might have to copy and past that link

In the Salt Lake Area you can find a 1993 for around the $5,000.
Hope this helps.

Ivan

 

[lionelgo50]

Got this from Nada motorcycle put in your zipcode, click on honda, click on for 1994 & older click on 1988 then click on Goldwing

1988 Honda

GL1500 GOLDWING


Pricing
Excellent$4760 Very Good$3140 Good$1525 Fair$640 PoorN/A Don't make a $4760 mistake, get a Motorcycle history report before you buy.

 

[draboo]

Is the '88 model year prone to final drive problems? Someone mentioned the possibility of needed upgrading to a '90 or later final drive for reliability.

 

[Andy Cote]

Welcome to the board.

I've owned my 88 for 5 years now, 27,000 miles (she had 49,000 when I got her) and would not sell for $5000. That's really the issue when buying and selling used stuff. What it's worth to me vs. what it's worth to you. I don't use "book" values as you can't buy it from the book. When buying, I look at as many items as I can and don't rush to buy the first one. One of the members here, GSMclean, has a tool on his webpage (goldwingdocs.com) that allows you to search multiple craigslist and cycletrader ads. Doing this will give you an idea of what is out there for competition and alternatives.

Value is also affected by condition. Does it have a known history, maintenance records, fading or damage? Accessories usually don't add too much unless they are the exact ones that YOU want, then it can make all the difference.

Even for something as fantastic and reliable as a Honda Goldwing, at 25 years old, you need to be prepared for repairs and that usually means doing them yourself - something other postings and posters here will be more than happy to guide you thru.

I don't recall hearing of issues with final drive. The original final drive and rear wheel on a 88 differs from 90 and later but neither is a common problem. The 88 had a known hesitation issue for which there was a recall or other upgrades available. Again, search thru the technical articles on this site and goldwingdocs.com.

My assumption is at 25,000 miles that she is a garage queen. While that's sometimes good, things like rubber hoses, belts, grease, etc. don't age well and may have been ignored. Unless documented as recent, expect to change all fluids, filters, tires, oil, final drive lube, driveshaft grease and timing belts. A weekend's worth of fun! (well may a couple weekends).

GOOD LUCK!

 

[77Pinto]

I would have a hard time finding a buyer for my 88 that would give me what I think I could replace it for (did that make sense?).

A VERY good condition and VERY well maintained bike is CRITICAL to its 'value'.

There are 88s out there that might worth far more than 98s.



Bill

 

[satan]

Is the '88 model year prone to final drive problems? Someone mentioned the possibility of needed upgrading to a '90 or later final drive for reliability.

Nope...

The '88 final drive is as solid as (and interchangable with) the rest of the line and will last several hundred thousands of miles with anual (or better) fluid changes and spline lubrication (at tire changes). There were no significant changes in the 1500 final drives across the full build-life.

In, '90, the drive flange, wheel, and rear brake rotor all were changed. If there's any swapping here it would be to get the 5-pin drive-flange and associated wheel (with ot without a rotor change) -- the drive system's rubber shock isolators in the rear wheel are replaceable in the '90-up where they are not in the pre-'90 wheel...

Nothing about the final drive would ever give me pause, provided that it's had proper maintenance.

 

[ivan]

Just a thought do the 1988 suffer from the 4th gear issue.

Ivan

 

[newday777]

They have had it too it if there have been floorboards on the bike and the rider kept his foot on the shifter pedal.