Buying Question . . .input wanted

1533 Views 24 Replies 20 Participants Last post by peterbilt, Nov 2, 2009

SCDiver01

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2009

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Have a question regarding buying a "new to me" Goldwing 1500 . . .sold my '95 two years ago and had to get another . . . . here are three choices I'm looking at and wanted to see what thoughts you might have . . . . .

1) 1995 Aspencade with 48,000 miles - original owner, new tires, CB, drivers backrest, service records . . . asking $6,500

2) 1994 SE with 80,000 miles, 2nd owner includes trailer (fold-up style), overall clean, few scratches, asking $5,800

3) 1996 SE with 60,000 miles - owner history not known - current owner bought early in 2009 and put ~1,000 miles on it. Some extra chrome and lights, arm rests and back rest, oversize windshield . . . asking $6,900

Two are red (SE's) and the other is pearl green . . . . . . either one is fine so no issue there.

Thoughts on these options?

Thanks

Andy

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Bamaeagle

· #2 · Oct 28, 2009

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Well you are going to get alot of different opinions on this one. I would try to look at all of them and hear them run. I would not let the milage make my decision as none of them are too bad. I myself would try to make a decision on one of the SE's (only because I like them and I like red).

Bike...and Dennis

· #3 · Oct 28, 2009

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Aspencade. Original owner & records mean a lot.

William_86

· #4 · Oct 28, 2009

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do you have maintenance records of the 96?

Mohawk

· #5 · Oct 28, 2009

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I with the 95 Aspencade with the Original Owner and paperwork.

48,000 miles is just broke in.

Sweet Ride

SC

· #6 · Oct 28, 2009

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We all know Gray is the fastest color, I would wait and find a Gray one

Original owner & records mean a lot

SCDiver01

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 28, 2009

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Thanks for the input . . . . unfortunately as I have found with most of the bikes I've bought over the years, only one - the 96 - is somewhat local. The other two (the 94 SE and 95 Aspencade) are long-distance buys. I've done OK with one exception doing that in the past but if there are none locally, you need to look farther.

Actually of you figure the cost of getting the bike home in addition to buying it, here are the options:

1) 1995 Aspencade with 48,000 miles - original owner, new tires, CB, drivers backrest, service records . . . $6,800

2) 1994 SE with 80,000 miles, 2nd owner includes trailer (fold-up style), overall clean, few scratches, $6,200

3) 1996 SE with 60,000 miles - owner history not known - current owner bought early in 2009 and put ~1,000 miles on it. Some extra chrome and lights, arm rests and back rest, oversize windshield . . . $6,900

Thanks

Andy

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SC

· #8 · Oct 28, 2009

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SCDiver01 wrote:

3) 1996 SE with 60,000 miles - owner history not known - current owner bought early in 2009 and put ~1,000 miles on it. Some extra chrome and lights, arm rests and back rest, oversize windshield . . . $6,900

owner history not known

Beware, flood damage and or salvage bikes are everywhere

Why would you is my question :?buy a bike put a few things on it and re sell it :gunhead:

I smell fish

Wait anothermonth or 2 and get a better deal, Xmas just arround the corner and everyone has empty pockets

:waving:

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IdahoRaider

· #9 · Oct 28, 2009

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I would look into the Aspencade, or wait for something else.

Wingerman1963

· #10 · Oct 28, 2009

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Hi Andy,

I would personally go for the 1996 SE, Firstly this year model as gearbox modification and some minor cosmetic alertations were carried out which did not change much thereafter until ceasing production in 2000. Problems with this model year is the LCD display blacking from the outside and the clock running too fast in wet conditions ie 1 minutes every 6 seconds lol. But I can live with that, otherwise a good model. As long as you give it a good service and it runs smooth you cannot really go wrong. Hope this helps. I'm trying not to be too bais in my opinion even though I own one too. Mine cost a lot more in UK, so whatever the price over there they all seem like great buys lol.

AQUAMAN

· #11 · Oct 28, 2009

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A diver and a biker, cant be all bad, be safe.

AspectTwo

· #12 · Oct 28, 2009

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For sure GRAY IS the fastest color!

But if you have to go another route, original owner and records can't be beat!

oharaLTD

· #13 · Oct 28, 2009

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#1 no doubt.

doublej

· #14 · Oct 28, 2009

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95 Aspencade..I personally wouldnt purchase a used bike that had been pulling a trailer.

Bike...and Dennis

· #15 · Oct 28, 2009

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doublej wrote:

I personally wouldnt purchase a used bike that had been pulling a trailer.

Amen to that.

AspectOne

· #16 · Oct 29, 2009

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As a 1500 owner now I can wiegh in on this... buy the one with the trailer... use any left over money to change belts and do maintanance, pulling a trailer won't hurt it if the clutch is still good and you will ave a fully set up wing thats really just coming into her prime.

My 88 1500 has a trailer on order and I just had it gone over with a fine toothe comb...84000 miles in great shape and ready to go another 84 now. ( hopefully ) so bottom line is this

if the motor is tight, trans is smooth and rear end is free and in good shape almost all the rest of the bike is easily and econimcly replace/rebuildable with out too much hassle.

84GrayWing

· #17 · Oct 29, 2009

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AspectOne wrote:

As a 1500 owner now I can wiegh in on this... buy the one with the trailer... use any left over money to change belts and do maintanance, pulling a trailer won't hurt it if the clutch is still good and you will ave a fully set up wing thats really just coming into her prime.

My 88 1500 has a trailer on order and I just had it gone over with a fine toothe comb...84000 miles in great shape and ready to go another 84 now. ( hopefully ) so bottom line is this

if the motor is tight, trans is smooth and rear end is free and in good shape almost all the rest of the bike is easily and econimcly replace/rebuildable with out too much hassle.

I agree, you are getting the SE goodies and a trailer. 80K isn't much according to the 1500 guys. Good luck in your decision.

Jeff

clouddragon9

· #18 · Oct 30, 2009

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I would want to see / hear / inspect each of the bikes before purchasing anything. All things being equal, I would rather have the 1995 with known maintenance history than either of the other two.
If the 95 is too far away to visit, I would take the advice of SC and wait a bit - the deals will be coming soon...

Motorcycle Pete

· #19 · Oct 30, 2009

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I have to agree with the known maintenance history/one owner approach.

You still want to inspect it in person, if possible, and get as much info as you can think to ask for, but...I've learned the hard way...older bikes with multiple owners typically means multiple opportunities for abuse and neglect that probably aren't documented.

I wouldn't let the trailer stop me- yes, the clutch can take it, and a pilot with a trailer and possibly passenger probably rode it very conservatively, and maintained it well.

All things being equal though, I'd take the least number of owners, the most maintenance that is documented, and the lowest miles, the latter being the least important, assuming the mileage isn't outrageous.

So...in a less verbose version...OharaLTD nailed it...#1, no doubt! :cooldevil:

PS- You ALWAYS want to ask if it has been garage kept...not just by the current, but the prior owners...it makes a huge difference, with older bikes (says the guy with two sitting outside, growing some lovely Oregon moss...

)

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Broke Winger

· #20 · Oct 31, 2009

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The 94 seems like the best deal to me. If you don't want the trailer you can always sell it to recoup some of the money spent.

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