Manual preference

You don't say which bike, but I think the Official Service Manual is the best by far, no matter what machine.

Depends on the job and the resources you have. I have both the Honda manual and the clymer. I haven't gotten the haynes yet, but plan too eventually. The Honda manual seems to be written more for the pros, assuming the user knows a lot that they may not... the clymer seems more down to earth, even suggesting alternatives for specialty tools sometimes, but you lose a little bit of that "in depth" technical junk that you sometimes need. My theory is, you can never have too many sets of instructions...

You didn't mention what Goldwing you have Mike. But as a GL1800 owner I think the Honda manual is best. It has everything in it, and a very comprehensive electrical (ETM) section too.

If you only get one, go for the OE manual and ETM. The ETM alone is worth the money if you're doing any electrical diagnostics. It can be pretty handy for installing electrical accessories too.

dizzy said:

If you only get one, go for the OE manual and ETM. The ETM alone is worth the money if you're doing any electrical diagnostics.

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I agree. For the 1500 and 1800 Wings (I'm not sure about for earlier models, and the OP doesn't say what Goldwing he wants a manual for) the ETM also shows photos and locations of all the connectors and relays.

Try eBay for a factory manual. You can also buy the manual on CD cheaply on eBay.

I have all three manuals but use the Honda manual for almost everything. I just like to look and compare all three before doing something new.

Sorry about not listing the model I ride but I thought it was in my preferences. I haven't been on the forum in a while so my preferences were removed. Anyway, I wasn't really asking which manual was better for a specific model or year, just asking in general and I think I have the information I was looking for from some good replys. thanks. I have an 1989 GL1500 and am looking to do several things in the next few weeks.

I agree with the other guys, nice to have a few manuals.

I like the big OEM hard book, not CD, for around the house/shop, and sometimes may carry the smaller Clymers on the bike on trips just in case I need it.

Also Clymers says to put the fork seals on an 1100 in upside down. Maybe looking at 2 different manuals for the same job a person would catch that? Maybe both are wrong?
I was lucky I read it on the forum here before I read the Clymers to do the job when I did mine!

Official Service Manual

ONLY buy a factory manual from ebay if the price is considerably less than the Helm manual. It's amazing how many guys buy the Helm manual and then ask double what they pay for them.

Helm charges $65 for the manual. Ebay ones go for up to twice that. Buyer beware...

I do my own work on my 1800 2001 ..the Honda service Manual is the one I use ...and Fred's cds of course ..a great combo

Silicon Sam said:

ONLY buy a factory manual from ebay if the price is considerably less than the Helm manual. It's amazing how many guys buy the Helm manual and then ask double what they pay for them.

Helm charges $65 for the manual. Ebay ones go for up to twice that. Buyer beware...

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The Helm's manuals are licensed reprints of official Honda manuals no longer in print.

But you have a point in dealing with Evilbay sellers or anyone else for that matter.:readit:

I prefer the "GoldWingFacts.com/forums/2-goldwing-technical-forum" to any other manual ever written.