Gold Wing GL1500 Transmission Help

9387 Views 35 Replies 26 Participants Last post by steve worth, Apr 9, 2010

nosvet

Discussion Starter · Aug 2, 2009

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I have to ask. Does anyone else feel that the transmission on the 1500's is noisey? This has been buggin me since day one and now it seems to be getting louder.

I just got this bike about a month ago, and changed the oil from whatever the PO had in it with Rotella Synthetic 5W40 and it now has about 800 miles on the new oil and I swear the tranny is very whiney and I also swear I'm begining to notice a very light valve tap noise.:realshocked:

Now, I understand that shifting is clunky and noisey on these bikes and I;m told the whiney transmission is normal to but I've been riding bikes since I was knee high to a grasshopper and for what this bike costs and what its supposed to be it seems only reasonable to believe that this bike should be mechanically quiet as a church mouse and smooth as a babies butt!

Any, comments, suggestion ideas.

Thanks

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1 - 20 of 36 Posts

William_86

· #2 · Aug 2, 2009

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yes it is loud. very loud (unlike other bikes) but it is normal. just get used to it. transmission is very tight and the kind of gears they used are the reason of this classic goldwing sound. i think the 1800 is even louder

suggestions?:
turn on the radio and enjoy the ride

Bondy

· #3 · Aug 2, 2009

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Check you have not over filled at your last oil change, tranny noise increases if over filled, the dipstick can confuse, check your hand book,

I know , I`ve done this, it was pointed out a few weeks back on this forum,I took oil out to correct level, and noise decreased to " normal " level,

Good Luck. Art.

dean_3326

· #4 · Aug 2, 2009

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Hi nosvet:waving: It takes a while to get used to all the noise. If you could find someone here on the forum who lives close to you maybe you could compare the noises and see if it is normal or not.

We have several members in Georgia, I would bet one of them would be glad to take a look at your bike.
Hey guys, anyone live close to nosvet?

:12red:

Dean

nosvet

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 2, 2009

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Thanks guys,

Well its not over filled, I'm very particular on maintenance and double and triple checked it.

I just can't see why Honda would not have addressed this. Probably because we keep buyin em!!!

dirt devil

· #6 · Aug 2, 2009

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On your next oil change you might try rotella 15-40 (non syn). It will make the trans shift better and reduce the noise.

Wingnumberone

· #7 · Aug 2, 2009

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I haven't noticed any excessive tranny noise in either of mine. The timing belts whine a little, but that is characteristic of a toothed belt drive.

If the mileage in your profile is correct, your bike isn't broken in yet - don't worry.

nosvet

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 2, 2009

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Well mine whines like hell!! I've been a little concerned about it since day one. It seems to have gotton alittle louder since the synthetic oil. Its definately eninge/trans as I can hear it at idle and it just gets louder from there. I'm hoping to maybe get it to a cycle shop. Its just that I'd prefer to get it to someone who is well experienced with the 1500's so I know for sure.

highcountry

· #9 · Aug 2, 2009

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I drive a 78 that is naked with straight pipes, never knew they were noisy until I bought an 83 with stock exhaust. I too thought that something was wrong.

nosvet

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 2, 2009

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Yeah, compared to my Boulevard, the wing sounds like it been ridden hard and and put away wet. If I know nothing about either bike, other then the price tags and just listened to each bike start, run and drive, I'd bet my paycheck that my Boulevard was the more expensive touring bike that cost as much as a car.

53jimc

· #11 · Aug 3, 2009

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My 84 Aspy whines like my wife, all the time and very loudly. I just ignore it. I found some 15w 50 mobile one synthetic and the whine was reduced significantly. I think it's just a trait of the bike. As long a mileage is ok, just let her go. I'm getting 40mpg real mileage and I'm happy with that.
Jim(inSC)

nosvet

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 3, 2009

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That actually brings another question. What's everyone getting? I'm getting just 40mpg on highway driving. Is that normal for a 98SE with 2 up? What's everyone getting for mpg and what kind of gas? Regular, mid-grade or super?

ding dong

· #13 · Aug 3, 2009

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Goldwings are designed to run and do run well on regular gas.The mileage on my 1500, 2 up at 70 mph andabove, is around 37mpg. Below 70 it is about 42mpg. When I pull the trailer at 70 and above the mpg drops to about 27. If and when, which is almost never, thatI ride between 50 and 60mph the mileage can go up to 48mpg. Driving habits determine mpg.

nosvet

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 3, 2009

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Ding,
I followed you all the way until you went to 48mph!

Did you mean that was when you rode single at those speeds?

Currently, most all of my riding is with 2up and at about 60-70 and I'm getting 37 - 40 mpg. But there is generally some slow speed cruising and some mountain roads with lots of curves in that average. I have not had a chance to ride exclusive highway for a complete tank to know what I'm getting. I started using super than I switched to mid grade fuel and now I'm using regular and found no significant improvements in performance or mileage to justify using super fuel grades. Anyone else?

rt66john

· #15 · Aug 3, 2009

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My '94A seems to run better with 87 Octane fuel. If I keep the speeds around 70-ish, I'll get 39mpg one up. As for the transmission, the first 4 gears are straight cut, which are noisier than helically cut gears. Mine whined like a mother until I put louder mufflers on it.

Longboater

· #16 · Aug 3, 2009

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My 07 1800just turned 26000 miles and all but the first 500 miles are using the Shell Syn 5w-40. Yes, the tranmission clunks and the alternator whines and my front tire with equal mileage sings. I'm just a regular band having a ball while eating up the road.Asumming the 1500 is somewhat likethe 1800 you should be just fine.

My advice is like most on this site. Ride the hell out of that bike and really enjoy it.

No need to put tons of pressure on the gear changer. Just a good quick positive shift to 3000 rpm will do fine. 1800s have many complaints on shift forks giving troubles.

Oil changes are usually every 3-4miles unless it's on tour. Really stretch out the miles on tour even 7-8,000. Good miles though, all hot runs not chugging around.

Longboater

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escogold

· #17 · Aug 3, 2009

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Good post. Sustained whining is definitely a buzzkill. I've got all sorts of odd new sonancy cropping up. Strangely it occurred when I switched to my half shell in the hot weather.:? Haven't figured it out yet but I'm workin' on it. Glad to hear from the gang on this. Allays my concerns. All noise aside, my baby isn't perfect but I doubt I'll be trading her in anytime soon. Same goes for my 1200's too. If it ain't broke don't fix it and in the meantime, particularly these days, enjoy the hell out of every ride.:cooldevil:

Hidepounder

· #18 · Aug 3, 2009

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My 83 GL1100A gets 42 mpg riding 2 up and about 48 single at 70mph

Broon452

· #19 · Aug 3, 2009

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I have a GL1000 which can get about 45mpg (thats British gallons not American) when riding about 65-70mph but the 1100 I just rescued out of a garden (after 2 years and cost £300)gets 45mpg at 85-90mph on a 30mile run from home to work in Glasgow.
Both bikes have transmission noise but the best solution I have found is to wear earplugs

dan filipi

· #20 · Aug 4, 2009

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Whine? You should hear my 1100 in third under a load, you'd be very happy with your 1500 noises afterward.

MPG, low 40's 2up and camping gear, 65-70 mph

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

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