[jobe05]

There seems to be some nice looking, low mileage 2001 to 2003 1800's for sale around the country lately at reasonable prices, Im thinking of pulling the trigger........

How can I tell by looking at poorly taken pictures if a wing is ABS or not? I know the "ABS" emblem on the front near the forks, but is there any other tell tale marks or signs to look for? Some pictures I am looking at don't always show a good enough pic to see the emblem.

 

[jobe05]

Sorry Chromo, Keeping the 1500..... Timmy will be moving up from the 1200. I would like to keep the 1200 LTD as it only has a little over 20K miles on her and I have done all the major repairs and maintenance, but she may have to go just due to space.

I started looking for 1500's as I like the ride, room and feel of the bike, however doing my own maintenance and mechanical work on the wing, less plastic, easier tire changes would be awesome! However, thats all I've got........ Never rode an 1800....... Sat on one once, it seemed to be sized nicely for me and my wife. A good ride may tell a different story........ Space for storage?, US385, no one could ever have saddle bags as well organized as yours..... I came home from N5 and headed to Walmart. I couldn't find the exact bin that you had, but $125 later on different size boxes and bins..... I gave up!....... I will pull the trailer....

Thanks Saltmar14, thats exactly what I was looking for. I had read someone elses post (on another forum) saying something about a dash light but had no idea what he was pointing out, your pic and description covered it well, Thanks!

 

[jobe05]

The two things I'd like to have on the next bike are a CB and ABS like I had on my '01. Not deal breakers if they don't have one or the other though.
I wasn't overwhelmed instant love for the 1800 when I got it but it didn't take very long to see that this is a big improvement over the earlier bike. EFI makes a big difference especially in cold weather and at high altitudes. The much stiffer frame eliminates the frame flexing you can feel in carving curves with the 1500. With the oldest 1800s now reaching 12 years old they aren't all that much more expensive than the last couple years of the 1500 which makes them a better buy to me. No problem with parts and a lot more farkles available for the 1800 too.

Exactly my thoughts. The LTD had me spoiled with the CB and EFI, kinda hard getting use to carbs / choke after that. That initial start up, warm up period seems to last a lifetime........

CB is an almost must for me, when riding with others or my son (Which is most of the time), this is our primary communications, and it saves a lot of hassles. Luckily, CB's came on lots of models so Im not locked into just one.

ABS.....?? Never had it, probably won't know the difference if I did unless I need to stop fast in the rain or in slippery conditions, but then I'll do what I do now........ don't ride or slow down. Not a deal breaker here.....

 

[jobe05]

Well I went and did it..........

Got a 2001 GL1800 ABS model with a ton of chrome and extras, along with the Candy Red Color, it's a sharp looking bike and under 40K miles. Its an out of state purchase so Im picking it up next week sometime. Will post pictures when I get it home, but here is one that the owner sent to me.

 

[jobe05]

You dont see the pic? Ill add as attachment

 

[jobe05]

Congrats John, Now you gotta come too IA first weekend in June. No excuses. :raspberry::waving:

Im in Tellico the first weekend in June....... or sometime around that time.....

 

[jobe05]

Cool Beans!! Spoiler alert!! There will be a 1500 for sale within the next 6 months, lol...

Nope.... My son is graduating to the 1500 and we are going to be selling the 1200 LTD....

I hate to, I love that bike since the first time I had seen one on the showroom floor in 1985. And I have done everything to this thing, belts, fluids, plugs, hoses, and new tires just last fall. Going to hate to see it go but space just doesn't permit 3 wings in one garage.

 

[jobe05]

Wingmaster sold his wing and now has a noise maker....... He will have to ride in the way back if he goes. Of course then theres the stopping every 15 miles so the old man can shake off the shaking numbness the bike will leave him with.........

Not feeling that one......

I like riding with Dusty.... He rides a little fast but he is a good rider. I learned a lot riding with him going to Atlanta last year..... Or the year before, I forgot when, He's a great guy!

Fly.....?? ...... Really?? You mention his name as a draw?? :ROFL::ROFL: Just kidding! Love that guy! It would be great to be able to ride with everyone and to take that much time and be up there but Im just not sure it's going to possible, although I haven't ruled it out yet.

I also have a guy I went to school with coming down from NY in July, we are planning a ride from Tellico to Front Royal. I want to go to NY this summer, N6, My son is moving to California (The one in Pa) so we are planning a trip out there this fall, flying more than likely but would love to take the wing on one of those trips and let the wife fly out...... Oh yea....... The wife is planning a family vacation with the kids at Disney Land for a week at the end of May............. So really, if time and cash isn't an issue, I could do it.......... :?......... :sadguy:

 

[jobe05]

Congrats John! You're going to love the new ride!!! Now, put a CT on the rear and test it out!!!(195-55-R16 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 ZP @ 29.5 lbs)

Is your wife coming with you to the 4th Annual Cherohala Chill Out this year? My wife is!

P.S. we enjoyed the wine very much and we need a "restock"!!!

I think she is coming and bringing the 2 fur balls with her. Bounty Hunter and his wife will be there also. I might try to get there a day or so early to get a couple spots on top of the hill near the maple tree thats up there, it would be a lot quieter. That road noise all night kills me........

Starting to get Leary on this Wing....... Owner says driving it home might not be a good idea, tires are pretty warn........ OK, I can live with that I'll just make an appointment at the dealer up there and get them changed, no biggy, but $600 I didn't plan on right now, so the bike will have E3's for a while. Asked if he could help arrange this and he said that he felt funny doing it right now and would rather wait till I was there to see the bike first........ he said this a couple of times as if theres something else with the bike that I may not like.......

I told him if he could arrange the tire change at the dealers, I would just pay them directly with a CC over the phone.......... He said that he would rather wait till I was there because we would still have to go to the bank to pay it off, once I paid him.........:wtf:........Based on the Bank not having their name on the title, it's being physically held by the bank, I said if the deal can be done at the bank, fine, if it has to be dragged out for a month waiting for a lien removal and clear title to come, Im moving on......... To many good deals out there right now to be tied up with one where the seller is unprepared to sell, and Im not paying off someone elses bike and waiting a month or so to get the title signed over to me...........