[Squirrely1]

Hello, I have a friend that will sell me a very nice 1982 GL1100 Interstate with the 85mph speedo. This bike has low miles (at least i think...) 33k miles. It also has a matching trailer.
I have read the 1983 has a 150 mph speedo and better or at least different gearing. I have ridden alot of motorcycles but this will be my first goldwing.
So...i was all excited and now im not sure a 1982 is right for me. Will i notice a big a difference in the 1983. I dont need a 100mph goldwing but it also sucks having something that feels like it needs another gear. ......Thanks

 

[Bike...and Dennis]

Sometimes putting a bigger tire on a bike can improve that. Mostly, I think you should buy the bike and enjoy it.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Squirrely1]

Thanks!

 

[Sprocketrocket55]

85 mph Speedo was enforced with the 55 mph speed limit. Cars same way back then. Gearing is the same.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

 

[AZgl1800]

speedo don't matter, just watch the GPS

 

[DaveO430]

85 mph Speedo was enforced with the 55 mph speed limit. Cars same way back then. Gearing is the same.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

No, the 83 is geared different from the 82, which was also geared different from the 80-81. I like the 83 for the better gearing, cast aluminum wheels, anti-dive forks, linked brakes and longer seat.

 

[Squirrely1]

DaveO430....thats what i was afraid of.

 

[dingdong]

Here's the actual ratios:

1980 & 1981:

Primary reduction: 1.708
Secondary reduction: 0.973
Final reduction: 3.091
Gear ratios:
1st: 2.500
2nd: 1.667
3rd: 1.286
4th: 1.065
5th: 0.909

1982:

Primary reduction: 1.708
Secondary reduction: 0.973
Final reduction: 3.100

Gear ratios:
1st: 2.500
2nd: 1.667
3rd: 1.250
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.829

1983:

Primary reduction: 1.708
Secondary reduction: 0.897
Final reduction: 3.100

Gear ratios:
1st: 2.463
2nd: 1.667
3rd: 1.250
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.829

 

[DenverWinger]

My 1980 (with 85MPH speedo) turns 4000 RPM @ 60MPH. Redline @ 8500 RPM, that calclates to 127.5 MPH, pretty sure it will do it, too, I've had it as fast as 112MPH (7500 RPM) with throttle to spare. The gears in the 1983 will get you just a little faster, but how fast do you need to go?

The bike will sing along happily at 75MPH (5000 RPM) all day long, the 4 cyl Wings like RPMs.

 

[dingdong]

When I had my 83, purchased new, back when the speed limit was 55, except on level roads, I spent more time in 4th gear than 5th. So I usually did have an extra gear. Lol.

 

[Pure Texas]

The 82 would be a better fit with a trailer with the shorter gearing,it seems to turn a lot of rpms but very few ever had engine issues,my 82 would turn way past redline but never had an issue,I think the83 was the best of all the non 6 cylinder motors.,in my opinion,I would like to have a standard one.

 

[Squirrely1]

Pure Texas. Thanks.

 

[Pure Texas]

Mistake,should be 82 better for pulling trailer.

 

[Squirrely1]

Pure texas....Will a guy still be able to run at interstate speeds?

 

[Pure Texas]

O yeah,these motors don’t back off for rpm,my 1500 runs 3500 at 75 but I have run it miles n miles in 4 gear and never noticed it Wasent in 5, on my 85 LTD,I complain to honda about it struggling pulling my loaded trailer,they said just run it in forth,it’ll be fine,some of these motors have 3,4,5 hundred thousand miles and still perform great,just keep good oil in them,
on my 82:I trimmed the intake ports to match the head and that motor turned 12,000 rpm

 

[Squirrely1]

Wow! So do u still feel the 83 was the best of them all?

 

[Pure Texas]

Best of the motors 1000/1100, then the 1200 came along as all new and the 87 has the tip o the hat,it had all the refinement of the 1200 pre years,that just my opinion,I’ve had on since 75,

 

[Squirrely1]

What do u think makes the 87 the best? Because of the 1200 and all the benefits of the prior models? I understand the 83 is some better than the 82. Outside of what u said about the 82 being geared lower than the 83.

 

[Pure Texas]

The 1200 was only made 4 years,the 84 had alternator issues and mirrors sucked ,you could see your arm,85 had rear wheel bearing flanges and all the issues were corrected in 87, the bearing issue was fixed in 85.

The 83 is bascly 82 but with nicer wheels different tranny ratio and a few other small things, been too long to know all them

 

[Squirrely1]

U are very knowledgeable! I have the opportunity to purchase a 1982 with a matching trailer ftom a friend..super nice shape. One or two lil cracks in the edges of the hard bags... lots of chrome added. Timing belt done...everything works...on a one to ten id give an 8 for condition. Mileage is at 35k miles. Spare tire for the trailer. He wants 2800 based on condition. What do u think ? I want to make the right choice on which year to buy for sure.