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Buying used Goldwing Guide

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12K views 34 replies 17 participants last post by  giumbyredd  
#1 ·
Hi,
I need a guidance to choose between two Goldwimg motorcycle.

The maroon is 1990 with 19500 kms selling for US $ 7720 US with reverse, cruise.
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The other one is silver 2006 with 23500 kms selling for US $ 9000 with heated seats,GPS
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Which one you think is better purchase to keep it for long time.

Thanks
 
#3 ·
Welcome to the forum. While the 1990 is a beautiful machine, I agree with Trike Lady over the potential parts issue, unless you have room and budget for both.
 
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#5 ·
The 90 is loaded with chrome. The only thing I’d want to keep on it would be the mud flap. The 06 has pulled a trailer. Doesn’t have the dreaded trunk rack, which is a plus to me. But both have their pluses and minuses. My favorite 1500 is a 2000, it has all the best that was offered on 15’s. The 1800 is peppier, but has cooling fan dyslexia in that it blows air the wrong direction. It’s something to get used to. That’s all. Tire prices are a bit higher on the 18’. Air filter changes are somewhat harder on the 18 also. Which brings up a question…will you d your own maintenance or do you have someone now, that knows your shopping? More and more dealerships are turning down service on bikes 10 years and older now. So maybe figure out service needs while shopping. As I said earlier, a 2000 model year 1500 is very nice, and I could spend the rest of my riding days on one without regret, but being on an 1800 now, I know that it will pull my trailer anywhere I point the front tire. And will run 80+ all day doing it. Maybe test ride both and move forward afterwards. Good luck, and do share what you decide.
 
#6 ·
1990 Maroon Goldwing looks more attractive than 2006 Goldwing.
1990 seller even don’t let me drive it unless I bought it. He changed the timing belt in his garage due to the age of the bike.
2006 Goldwing does comes with a trailer for extra US$ 1100.
I don’t do my major maintenance but fluid changed and battery, bulb replacement stuff.
I need a reliable low kms/miles bike which I can drive and keep for a while. Don’t know which one will have good maintenance record although if 1990 is Gl1500 it will consume less fuel as my daily commute will be 300 km/ day.

Thanks
 
#7 ·
Just my 2 cents. Although that '90 is pretty, that price would make me balk. The 2006 is the better bang for the buck.

However as I always say, listen closely because one of them may sing the "ride me" song to you.
 
#8 ·
The price on the 1990 is a little out of line for a 33 year old machine.

The 2006 is better for winter layup, as the fuel injection doesn't gum up like carburetors.

The fuel consumption between the two is negligible.
 
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#10 ·
I used to have a 1990 Gold Wing just like it. Had the Markland decals also. Can not say much about reliability since 2 cages ran into me over about a 3 month period. Totaled out. The 2006 would be my choice though. That would also be the oldest 1800 I wuuld consider buying for many reasons. The 2006 Gold W#ings do NOT overhheat like the earlier ones did. Keep antifreeze current though.
Some say the transmission in the 2006 is problematic, but I would have to disagree.
gumbyredd
 
#12 ·
I used to have a 1990 Gold Wing just like it. Had the Markland decals also. Can not say much about reliability since 2 cages ran into me over about a 3 month period. Totaled out. The 2006 would be my choice though. That would also be the oldest 1800 I wuuld consider buying for many reasons. The 2006 Gold W#ings do NOT overhheat like the earlier ones did. Keep antifreeze current though.
Some say the transmission in the 2006 is problematic, but I would have to disagree.
gumbyredd
Yeah I got this by research.
Which Goldwing Years Are Safe To Buy?
Here is the list of safest Goldwing model years that you can buy blindly:
  • 1980 Gold Wing
  • 1981 Gold Wing
  • 1982 Gold Wing
  • 1983 Gold Wing
  • 1986 Gold Wing
  • 1987 Gold Wing
  • 2006 Gold Wing
  • 2013 Gold Wing
  • 2018 Gold Wing
Not sure though ;-)
 
#17 ·
Just my opinion but the 2006 has ABS.
When I bought my 2007 It had ABS, Being a mechanic for the last 40 years I know what ABS is and how it works. What I didn't know was how important it can be on a motorcycle.
It has saved our carcass 3 times over the last 13 years and 300000Km.
It was a deal breaker when we bought the '17 and my next bike will most certainly have ABS.
 
#18 ·
Thanks all guys for valuable info. Most if you here know more than what other website says about Goldwing. 2006 is sold today although i was going to see it on weekend due to my job.
1990 still available and I offered him Us & 5950 but he counter offer me for US $ 7066. Finger crossed.

I currently owned 1995 Honda Goldwing SE which has 172000 kms/106875 miles on it. No problem at all just a shift shaft leak and its an easy fix. I put it on sale cheap only for US $ 2826. Just need to buy low kms bike.
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#25 ·
Thanks all guys for valuable info. Most if you here know more than what other website says about Goldwing. 2006 is sold today although i was going to see it on weekend due to my job.
1990 still available and I offered him Us & 5950 but he counter offer me for US $ 7066. Finger crossed.

I currently owned 1995 Honda Goldwing SE which has 172000 kms/106875 miles on it. No problem at all just a shift shaft leak and its an easy fix. I put it on sale cheap only for US $ 2826. Just need to buy low kms bike.

If you like your bike, I wouldn't worry about the kms, it's just now broken in!
 
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#23 ·
Having had three “GL1500,” in the past, I’ve put close to 300k miles on each of them with very few issues. Now on my fourth, I expect the same results will happen. Good luck and enjoy your new ride.

Hi,
I need a guidance to choose between two Goldwimg motorcycle.

The maroon is 1990 with 19500 kms selling for US $ 7720 US with reverse, cruise.
View attachment 284304

View attachment 284303
View attachment 284302
The other one is silver 2006 with 23500 kms selling for US $ 9000 with heated seats,GPS
View attachment 284308
View attachment 284306
View attachment 284305
View attachment 284307

Which one you think is better purchase to keep it for long time.

Thanks
Although both bike are incredibly reliable, having experience in servicing and repairs on both, the GL1500’s are certainly easier to maintain and repair if one prefers to do their own work, as do I however, if you’re not concerned with doing your own work and generally don’t mind taking it to the shop, the “1800’s” are well advanced over the older models. I’m certain I’ll get blasted for such thoughts however, simply changing the air filter between the two models will certainly support my opinion. 🤣
 
#26 ·
Wow, I sure am learning a lot reading this. I kinda knee jerked buying a 1989 GW in early April. It’s been a bike I’ve wanted ever since the 1500 was introduced, I also wanted a PC800 since they came out and this GW popped up close by and CHEAPER than a PC. It’s also sitting at about 65000 miles

It had a 20 year old front tire, so I’ve turned it in a storage situation and now some medical things cropped up with the wife so EVERYTHING has gone on pause. I’d been figuring out which tire I want, but I double checked with the seller and we couldn’t come up with a when on the timing belts, so I’ll do them myself with some guidance from my friends. I too was a tad shocked that most dealers didn’t want to touch the bike at 20 years plus, but then it seems noone wants to keep old things going.

it’s my hope I can watch this bike turn over 100000 miles while I’m riding it, it’ll be the first time I do it on a bike. Someone mentioned parts getting hard to find for the 1500, other than color specific Tupperware, are there parts I should worry about that are not rebuildable or gone obsolete that are necessary to operation? I’m slowly dissecting the bike and all rubber I see going south will get freshened up. One friend is joking with me that I will pull the whole thing apart instead of riding it, but I am kinda picky about taking things apart several times for maintenance and would rather get it all done once.

onto that 2000 model, nice looking bike and agree about the floorboards, there’s a good GW breaker in canada on eBay, goes by AJ or Al’s, he had pegs for mine as the bike came with a similar set up of floorboard and heel toe shifter, so if I could change them quickly, I know you could too. The cool thing about the eBay seller is most times he includes the OEM fixing hardware too.

im Curious too about why your after a replacement bike just for the sake of the other bike having high miles? Was it starting to systematically fail or are you worried it’s going to fall right off all of a sudden?
 
#32 ·
I've had 2 1500s and put 170-180,000 miles on both with pretty much carefree miles.
My 2008 gl1800 handles WAY better. I'm 66 years old 5'8" and short of inseam and it's a joy to ride and wonderfully balanced. The other folks are steering you right about parts availability and getting service. Especially on the Carbs. The Gl1800 is so far superior to the 1500 its almost like a different machine altogether.
I'd choose the Gl1800 without looking back.

Happy travels,
Chaplain Bob
 
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