HAD MINE 9 YEARS NOW - GOLDWING KEEPER
Chops and Northern Lad, I cannot recommend the GL1800 enough.
I am about to keep my current 'wing and be in the fortunate position to have been able to place an order for a new GSA LC in March.
I've proddie raced in my youth, rode professionally on all manner of motorcycles while working for the greater good of Merseyside for some 30+ years and then having owned a GL1500 in 2000, eventually bought my current bike, a 2006 GL1800 in silver. Nostalgia makes me hark back fondly to '79 when I had a Z1000A2 with Z1R cast wheels, but the GL1800 is simply the best motorcycle I have ever owned and I've never kept any motorcycle this long.
Why?
Okay, here goes.
I have toured the length and breadth of the UK with my good lady, because we enjoy each others company and touring together. We've done the South of France on a GS1000s and a GPZ900R before the kids. Now the kids have flown, we've done Europe several times on the GL1800 in perfect comfort, (no way could we {she} do it on a similar bike as when in our younger days!) with confidence in the reliability, enjoying reasonable economy for such a large machine and being able to carry all we want/need and still have space on most occasions to lock our lids away.
It's presence on the road is second to none ('cept one of my old 'works' bikes perhaps?), it uses average of 44 mpg two up, has a tank range of over 210 miles, is relatively easy to service - ah yes, servicing.... most can be done by home mechanics. Honda UK have us islanders believe that the valves need adjusting at 16000 miles. USA GL1800's are scheduled for 32000 miles. Go figure!! Mine have never been checked at 45000 miles. Most are never checked 'till a lot more than that too. They're that good. It's not smoking, using oil, suffering a loss of power or mpg, nor is it making any tell tale noises. It's sweet. And I'm confident in it.
Pre '06 GL1800 suffered alternator gear issues, cracked subframes. And more probably.
If I were to buy another one today, it would be an '06 and later model which would have a higher alternator power output, heated seats (and backrest for both rider/passenger), heated grips, foot warmers and more.
My '06 is the 'comfort' model - no sat nav or air bag.
Sat nav on GL1800's are a PITA. My brother in law AND many other 'wingers, have a 'second' sat nav, like my own Zumo 550, because the Honda unit is so poor, although I believe the latest models may have addressed this issue.
Air bag? Well who wants one of those? Hopefully never me as I ain't got one, but I suppose most never really wanted ABS did they? Or ABS Pro, or riding modes, or traction control, or computer interface, cornering lights, LED headlights etc etc.
Tyre life is approx. 8k rear and over 10k on front. I use Bridgestones, personal preference.
The GL1800 is way behind on tech. - it's a model from 2001 - and pricing from Honda at nearly 26k is ridiculous. I was offered a good deal to part ex mine for a 2015 model, but still needed to stump up between 14 - 17k cash - of course I refused, because there's nowt wrong with mine at 45k miles and all I'd be getting really would be a new paint job, a dubious sat.nav and a safety device (airbag) that may never be used. And guess what, Honda UK have apparently just released info that they're offering new GL1800's in 2016 without Airbag and sat.nav, saving thousands off the current price.
In other words, just the same spec as my '06 model!!!
Looking forward to my new GSA but delighted that we're planning yet another trip on the 'wing to Europe again this year. We've (she) have tried all sorts of different bikes before I decided to go for the GSA (which is for ME) but I cannot find anything that comes near to the 'wing for pillion comfort / experience, - nothing comes close and that's why it's a keeper. So the GSA is for me and I'm just the chauffer on the 'wing
Shoulda seen her face when I showed her the backrest I'd got for the Givi trekker top box!!
Oh and the GL1500? Hydraulic valves never need adjusting apparently, though cam belts are an item that need watching. GL1800 is chain in that respect. Other than that, the 1500 is a great 'wing too, though the handling and braking, not to mention the ppoowweerr, is just sooo much better on the 1800.
Like every biker, I like to play with suspension. My weight (two up mostly) and riding ability meant that I changed to Progressive front and back and I rarely touch pegs on most corners. I can do, like we all can, but I choose not to. What I'm saying is that like most bikes, suspension can be altered to suit your riding style. Besides which it is electrically operated for ride height/ compression, but not on a similar basis as the BMW modern tackle. Just a simple button for Up and down.
Saw 125mph for many a mile following an X5 on autobahn last year, two up, fully laden en-route to Garda in Italy. Zumo showed a true 119mph. Not deleted that yet lol .
I know my GL and the GSA are chalk and cheese, but d'ya know what? I'm worried about some of the country lanes I traverse in the UK on my 'wing... you know, the narrow ones with grass down the middle and stone walls/bushes either side. I can do them (all the time) on the 'wing but I've noticed many GSA riders leave their side cases at home when they go into the country side - they're just so much wider aren't they! Oh, and when I got the front wheel stuck in mud up to the discs down one such country track, I got it out alone by chucking stone under my back wheel and using the electric reverse button - has the GSA got one of those?
Gladly answer and questions if I can help, even meet up if you're local (Chopps, I'm in Maghull) but simply put, get out there and try one, you'll enjoy the experience I'm sure.
