Just joined to do research on Goldwings. I have a Kawasaki KLR now which is not a joy to ride on the freeway. A friend bought used GL 1200 for $1,800 to see if he wanted a bigger bike himself & found out he really liked it. I sat on it & learned the Goldwing was not really heavier feeling then KLR with full tank of gas. I'm retired & do seasonal work during summer. So in Oct I may be looking around for used GL 1200 or GL 1500. I would want to pay between $4K to $6K. I looked on Craig's List and noticed a lot of the older Goldwings seem to be in good shape. So what would be your opinions on the differences between the 1200 and 1500. Any short answers will do now. I got about 5 months to research about the older Goldwings. Thanks.

hello and welcome to GWOF vineyard pig, see if your friend will let you ride his 1200 and see if you can get a test ride on a 1500. it is probally the only way you are going to make the decission as to which you want. yes i owne a 1200 and a 1500 and have good things to say about them both but the one you buy has to be your decission. i got a 1200 because i always wanted one and couldn't find a 1500 that i liked at the time but i test rode six 1500 wings so when the time was right i got one

Hey Viney...
Don't know that you care about this or not, so I'll just throw it at you:
Firstly, the 1200 is a 4 cylinder while the 1500 is a 6. If you plan on pulling any trailers, they'll both do it, but the 15 tends to do a nicer job.
Also, a big plus for me, a short guy, the 1500's were available with Reverse, so if you are short-legged, or if you chance pulling a heavy trailer, the Reverse option is TOTALLY worth it.

One other aspect that you want to think about is the availability of stuff for the 1500 vs 1200, I have an 84 Aspencade 1200, Looking at the various bike parts suppliers have lots of stuff for the 1500's and 1800's, but not as much for the 1200's. Also the 1500's are significantly newer in vintage, so the odds of plastic and rubber bits not being tired are better on the 1500's. So if I had the budget for a 1500 I would have bought one, but the wallet said 1200, lots of ride for the $$$$$$$. This is not cast in confrete, but I have read on some of the GW boards that the 1500 engine is not as reliable as the 1200, as they were honda's first 6 cyl. etc etc.... I have no personal experience with the 1500's so maybe some of the more seniior members can chime in...

Capn

no such thing as an unreliable goldwing motor

I have to agree with detdrbuzzard, the 6 cylinder 1500 is probably the most reliable engine Honda produced (not taking anything away from the 1200) but I've met guys with 1500's that have 2 & 300'000 miles on them and have never been apart. Both are truly wonderful bikes. I too am a short guy and really apreciate the reverse feature on the 1500. Good luck and enjoy wich ever bike you choose.

One other aspect that you want to think about is the availability of stuff for the 1500 vs 1200, I have an 84 Aspencade 1200, Looking at the various bike parts suppliers have lots of stuff for the 1500's and 1800's, but not as much for the 1200's...
As an owner of an 84 Aspencade and an 84 Magna, I have to say that I've been amazed at the availability of parts and accessories for the Wing, at least as compared to the Magna. Seems to me that I can still find anything I'd ever want for the Goldwing.

I went from an 80 1100, to an 88 1500, I liked the 1100, I absolutly love the 1500. I payed $6000 for an 88, with custom pinstripping and lots of extra chrome and only 85K. If you can find a 1500 in your price range, jump on it.

Well, I ended up with an 84 Aspy, has a few minor issues that I am slowly resolving, I am very happy with how well it rides, I bought it in Alubuquerque NM and rode it home to SW Florida.... I was amazed at how incredibly easy it was to ride for hours at a time...10-12 hours a day in the saddle, with one almost 17 hours due to lousy weather in Florida. What a ride......

capn