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chris in va wrote:

I know, odd question.

I have gone through 10 different bikes in the past 3 years, and none are what I consider 'comfortable' rides. Certainly nothing over 150 miles without squirming and cursing.

Today I took my ST1100 out for a 250 mile spin and decided it may not work for me, and I'm not looking to blow $1000 to get it semi-comfortable. The old 83 GL1100 sitting dead in my driveway is infinitely more comfy.

So what is the experience of a GL1100? Is the engine buzzy, does it have any power, does it need constant fiddling to run right, is it top heavy? Any guts with two up passing a slow Volvo on a hill?

I love my GL1100. The engine is definitely not buzzy - the only noisy thing I don't like about it is the primary chain noise at low RPM under high load. Albeit - mine needs its carbs synched (waiting for a rainy day), which will improve that. It's easy to get around- don't lug the engine at low RPM's.

It absolutely does not need constant fiddling. Mine just keeps running regardless. I change the oil, watch the brakes and tires to make sure they're not wearing out, do my standard pre-ride safety checks - that's about it.

As for being top-heavy, it's definitely not top-heavy, in fact,it's quite the opposite - its c/g is quite low, with the horizontally opposed engine sitting low in the frame. This lets you really throw it around more than you would expect with such a big bike.

I've never had a problem riding two-up, up hills at speed, whatever. Anytime it slows down going up a hill, downshift a gear, and se speeds right back up again.

All in all, I can't say enough good things about it. It's very comfortable to ride long distances.

 

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Not a lot of difference in HP 100 vs 83 at 7500rpms. About 60lbs heavier than the ST1100 I didn't look up the torque curves so can't really make any guesses about differences in performance, but I'd think you wouldn't find the Goldwing a slouch either solo or two up. The boxer engine is definitely not 'buzzy', they are very smooth. Also very reliable. An 1100 in that's had past abuses corrected and is in good condition will need very little maintenance and will run well far beyond 200,000 miles without an overhaul. That dead '83 you have is well worth while getting into shape, they are a great bike.

 

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I've had mine 19 years, the foam in the stock seat is finally starting to break down (after 100,000 miles with my fat @$$ in it), so a new seat is in order.

Throw some cruise pegs on the lower front crash bars so you can adjust your position every hundred miles or so and roll on.

I'm 6'3/295, the girlfriend is 5'11"/200, we often times load out with the bags and trunk packed to Fibber McGee's Closet levels, tent and sleeping bags strapped to the trunk rack, and I've never had a problem with not having enough power, torque, or speed.

Once you get used to the handling, and get comfortable riding it, dragging pegs through the twisties is just another pleasure the bike will bring.

The low, balanced mounting of the engine was mentioned as a primary reason the CG is so low. The other main reason is that the tank is actually positioned under the rider's butt. That's 45-50lbs that would normally be above the frame raising the CG.

Mike

 

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i ride a 1200 but its pretty much like a 1100 right?.. well i like it very much because it rides very smooth. very quiet. you can really enjoy the ride. today a friend of mine asked me to take her gf with me cuz she wanted to ride my bike (he has a chinese 250cc) its the second time i ride two-up on highway and even with my heavy 160KG A$$ the bike did fine for 200 KM riding at up hills or passing other cars. all i can say is that i love my wing, i dont feel like i want to change it. when i bought the bike i thought it in the US border i thought i would just clean, fix and tune herup to sell it to get a better one. but right now im inlove with her ;P

 

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Ya know, this thread has made me think.
It's always those 1100's that I see, parked in the hotel parking lot with flags and strange plates. Maybe another; all road beat, stickers on the sidebags. And another with the luggage rack bungied back on 'cause they're so far from home, but they gotta bring this part of the bike back with 'em.
They are burned into my memory, but in some weird ninja behind the scenes sort of way. They aren't the flashiest wing. Nor the fastest. Not the first, or the last. But they are the mileage eaters. Those are the ones I always see nonchalantly sitting there with asphalt heavy on their breath.
Makes sense, now that I look at 'em.

 

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Reading your Post Nomados made me smile.

An excellent observation and a very cool description.

Have a GREAT WEEK GUYS

Mohawk

 

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I can't think of any other bike I would rather ride than my '83 1100. From the store or from sunup till sundown, it is a pleasure to ride and very comfortable. I have cruiser pegs on the crash bars and they help on longer trips to change positions every once in a while. It also gets noticed at motels and rest stops too. People like seeing an old bike being ridden any and everywhere without fear. It isn't a cafe racer or an ultra luxury tourer, but it handles the twisties like a smaller lighter bike and is comfortable enough that I am not beat up after an all day stint in the saddle. Yep, it is a wonderful bike that gives me the best of all worlds.

Bernie

 

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Maybe I'd better consider keeping it then. If the engine issue is only temporary with minimal cost involved, it might be just the bike I need right now.

Funny thing though, I almost didn't get it. The decision was left up to my 'financial advisor' for me to rescue the bike, and it took her about a month to realize $500 could easily net me an additional $2000 if I sold it. Hopefully I can get the motor fixed.

Funny how things happen.

 

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I am new to the 1100. I have only had mine since December. I have put over 5000 miles on her since I put her in service. I bought it for $2500 on ebay. Put another $500 in for belts, water pump, carb kits, tires, and complete brake rebuild.Had my buddy painter her twice (he screwed up the first time) and serviced the drive unit. I just got back from my first pleasure cruise on her. 50 miles to Colt33 house, 132 miles around North TX and back home. Total mileage 232 miles. Ran great averaged better than 32MPG (gotta figure the mileage thing out still too low) She ran great and brought me home safe. I can honestly say I would take my 82 anywhere without worry as she runs like a Timex. I'm a heavy boy (about 305) and my weight does not appear to bother the bike one bit. With a little help from Colt33, my bike now pulls hard and free from about 2500RPM on up to redline. I would have to say she has plenty of power and nice road manners to boot. If I were you, I would put a battery in the old girl and see shat she does. You may very well be plesantly suprised. If not send me a message as I am actively looking for another gl1100 or gl1000 that I can go naked with (the bike not me)

 

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nomados wrote:

Ya know, this thread has made me think.
It's always those 1100's that I see, parked in the hotel parking lot with flags and strange plates. Maybe another; all road beat, stickers on the sidebags. And another with the luggage rack bungied back on 'cause they're so far from home, but they gotta bring this part of the bike back with 'em.
They are burned into my memory, but in some weird ninja behind the scenes sort of way. They aren't the flashiest wing. Nor the fastest. Not the first, or the last. But they are the mileage eaters. Those are the ones I always see nonchalantly sitting there with asphalt heavy on their breath.
Makes sense, now that I look at 'em.

W O W ! Very, very nice.:clapper:

 

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I agree...

Like my own its not exactly a bling-blingkind of GW. But its got lots of dusty trails and asphalt under my tires. They just seem to keep going.

As for comfort I can handle a 1 hour ride up a forestry dirtroad to go camping or 3 hour ride from home to Boise, ID... Either way it not a bad ride...:goofygrin:

 

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I like my GL1100... and I can't seem to part with it even after getting a GL1500... It runs reliable and strong.. 40-44 mpg (better than the 1500)... more comfortable in city stop and go than the GL1500, yet loves the slab too...Get yours going and find out... SDB/Jim

 

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After reading this thread I just had to take my gl 1100 for a quick spin across the mesa. Chris, you should definitely get yours up and running. I promise you'll love it.

 

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I am a 1000 guy but the 1100 should not be much different. Depending on how long she has sat you may spend several hundred in kits alone to get it up to snuff but after that just ride. My Daily rider I got from my Dad 5 years ago. It had 94,000 on the clock. I have between 150 and 160,000 now ( lost a odo at 110,000 and rode for a year before I replaced it).She had been well cared for but has not been a garage queen. I would have no qualms about jumping on her tomorrrow and going coast to coast. I routinely do 600 mile days from Norfolk to the family home in Buffalo NY.

As for buzzing there is almost zero when running correctly. Power is adequate but not great. Passing is usually not a problem even 2 up unless you are veryLarge folks. I am pushing 200 lbs and Momma air't quite as trim as she once was and I can still get to 100 mph quite quickly. Even with her advanced mileage she will take out most stock harleys doing the red light to red light thing.Just do not be afraid of her rpm's. They like the upper range a lot.Quite a few folks have a probelm getting used to that especially those with extensive V Twin backgrounds.

 

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The 1100s are cheap to buy and pretty indestructable. Great two person rider bikes that won't wear you down on a 4 day, 500 mile trip. Tires and brakes are about all they consume.

However, they don't like to be left unused sitting for a long time. Best to be used or disposed. Clogged carbs and stuck brakes await for those that leave them resting a few months (worse outdoors) , years without use. Cleaning the carbs and gas tanks are an unpleasant chore.

 

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Look at it this way, If you were to turn it for a profit someday, then all this stuff needs to be done anyway.You just may fall in love with it along the way!Then, you actually SAVED money, by not buying another bike to ride! Makes perfect sense to a femalian finacial advisor!!Good luck! jimsjinx

 

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I just removed my Vetter fairing to get to the wiring (specifically the 7 volt regulator) I could'nt resist riding it to Radio Shack without the fairing. WOW! She feels like a new bike with all that weight off the front. I might just have to get a shorty windsheild and new turn signals for it rather than put all that weight back on.

 

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nomados wrote:

Ya know, this thread has made me think.
It's always those 1100's that I see, parked in the hotel parking lot with flags and strange plates. Maybe another; all road beat, stickers on the sidebags. And another with the luggage rack bungied back on 'cause they're so far from home, but they gotta bring this part of the bike back with 'em.
They are burned into my memory, but in some weird ninja behind the scenes sort of way. They aren't the flashiest wing. Nor the fastest. Not the first, or the last. But they are the mileage eaters. Those are the ones I always see nonchalantly sitting there with asphalt heavy on their breath.
Makes sense, now that I look at 'em.

:clapper:

If I didnt know any better (and maybe I dont) I would say CJ wrote that.Perhaps he can use it in the book.

I love my 1100,andit does sometimes get more attention than I think it deserves.As you said,it aint the cleanest or best,but alot ofthe more "MATURE" folks on there 1500s,1800s,and trikes always seem to have a great story about there "OLD" 1100that makes me lovemine even more.

:11yellow::11black::11brown::11green::11ltblue::11red: :cooler:

 

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HI: I bought an 85 Aspencade about three months ago, and a 83 Interstate about a month ago.

I find that my 85 1200 seems to handle better and is more comfrotable to me.

May be that the 83 needs suspension work, and that the added floorboards and heel -toe shifter makes the foot controls difficult to use with my size 14 eeee shoes.

I hope everone knows that the seats on most of the wings are adjustable forward and rearward about 1 inch of travel.

Good luck getting your Wing road worthy and enjoy, be safe, and be sure to keep the sidestand up when riding.

 

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I found my 81 in a neighbors yard last summer. It has the original Windjammer fairing and Vetter side bags and trunk. Because of the help I've had here I have been able to replace the speakers with original speakers, get a replacement seat (it had a rip in it when I bought it), and get a driver's backrest. I ride mine to work and back whenever I get the chance.

It is about a 60 mile round trip. it handles great in the city and when I get away from the city out to the more open road and can open it up, it responds.

Also my wife loves to ride with me on the weekends and I have have never had any lack of power with the two of us.

 

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It took a long time for me to get all of the neglect out of my 1100 but now it is a daily rider. I have put 10000 miles on it from the original 19600 that I found on it.The $1200 purchase price plus repairs of around $2000 and the learning curve repairing it has been well worth it to me. The only noise will be the square cut gears and the wind going by.But then I put a VTX1300 exhaust system on it to so it is not that quite.
I do ride it hard and still get 40 mpg.

 

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:waving:

I bought my '82 Aspencade GL1100 With every intention of riding it out for the season and moving on to something else. Coming off a sportster.....the weight seemed too much at first. But I trained on the motorcycle.....trying with all my might to overcome her flaws (steering bearings Bad brakes bad forks). :headbanger:


After two weeks I have fallen in love with the old girl. When it rains I am sad. I have found that a few positions are there to always be comfortable. I often just put the left foot on the crash bar and rest the clutch hand on the knee. Nice. As long as you do it her way....she will whisk you away into her way of doing things.....bliss.

Worth the money I now fully intend to spend to restore her to glory. :cheesygrin:

 

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What they all said .Ive just rebilt and 82 went naked with it got it for 300 bucks and im in it now for about 2000 . Five years ago i did a complete engine rebuild on an 83 and the rest of the bike had two engines got that for free . Ilove the bike its so comfy rode a short trip of 380 miles got off felt like i just got on it my friends on there Harleys that laugh at me for having an old ride and are pissed cuz it keeps going where worn out . Bring it back from the dead you'll love it .

 

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I spent a lot of time getting my 81 running, boy was it worth it. Thanks to the guys at NASSIR1 synching the carbs, I had almost no primary chain noise, and that engine ran perfectly, no buzzing at all. Cosmetically, it was no beauty queen, but it didn't lack power or ride quality. If I didn't stumble across a good deal on a 1500, I'd still be the lucky guy riding it.

 

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The most surprising thing you'll love about the GL1100 is how nimble and light it feels.. great excelleration, smooth shifting, excellent gas milage..

you'll love everything about the GL1100.. I sure do and I am coming from 2005 kawasaki meanstreak & 2005 yamaha v-star 1100 classic.. my friends think I am crazy but I know I am not.