I am 6’2” and went from a ‘98 1500se to a ‘13 1800.
is the less knee room, a little.
Trunk a little shorter.
But,
No carbs
No timing belts
More power
I get better fuel mileage
Easier to change rear wheel
Easier to get a CT

my suggestion, try one on for size, see what YOU think

 

I hear you dsurley concerning no carbs, timing belts and power. Those are the main reasons I want to upgrade!!! One of the ones I am looking at is a 2004 with 50738 miles.

The only thing I dislike about this bike is the heel toe shifter!!! Is it much trouble to take it back to stock?

 

I hear you dsurley concerning no carbs, timing belts and power. Those are the main reasons I want to upgrade!!! One of the ones I am looking at is a 2004 with 50738 miles. View attachment 291508


The only thing I dislike about this bike is the heel toe shifter!!! Is it much trouble to take it back to stock?

I've had heel toe on every GL except the 77........... I couldn't imagine having one without.... way more room to move your feet around... I put my heel on the front of the floorboard when not using my ergo 2's.... and I've never had a trani problem........... no way on the stock pegs.........your stuck in that one position

 

That is a big depends.

May have to go back with an after market foot peg if OE can’t be found.
The shifter itself, some brands left the original and some replaced it
You will just have to look at it.
Wingstuff has a good choice.

I test road one with the heel-toe, hated it

best take that one for a test ride before purchase, those shifters have caused issues because of how they can be abused.

 

If you look around, you can find newer ones at pretty reasonable prices. And just a heads up, over the last several years, the 01-04 ECU's have been experiencing a higher than average failing but unfortunately there are no replacements available when that happens. Also in 06, they started using larger radiators to compensate for some overheating issues that some on the 01-05 were having. I might suggest looking for a 06 or newer. And with riders wanting to "keep up with the Jones's" and wanting a 18+ DCT, you will find quite a few options out there now as well.

 

Thank you mikeyk101. I will keep looking for 2006 and newer.

 

Good idea!

 

I put 140,000 on a 2002. Zero issues. Loved every mile.

 

Thank you Carbide for your reply! Glad you enjoyed your 2002!!

 

Here’s one for ya all to think on. If I was going to take an interstate/month long ride somewhere, on a 20-40 year old bike, and I didn’t have one (or 5 bikes) in my stable. It would hands down be a 1500 (given just those 2 options). Once you leave the stable, and have serviced all those scary things like timing belts (need to do them once in 50k), carbs (neglecting them for storage is the biggest culprit), tires and such. The thing will run that month trip like nothing, and want to do it again. Sure the 1800 will to, until the ADG (alternator driven gear) pops, or it ghost shifts (because of worn synchros on those high/low synchronizer dogs), or it snaps the ecm from bad wiring design (grounds in the sensor circuits/ look up Zombie hack for ECM ).
Yes I have the 05’ 1800, but I tell ya, there was nothing more satisfying than looking in my mirror and seeing my son on the 95’ 1500 right there, no issues, ever !! I was more concerned about the 1800 doing something than that 1500. I had gone through his 1500 from end to end when I/we purchased it. Alt rebuild, forks/steering head bearings/driveshaft serviced/all fluids-filters-belts replaced/added some lights and replaced all the bulbs/tires-with stems. It is/was bulletproof. At this point in my life, I might just hop on a 1500 if the 1800 couldn’t be fixed. There are more points of discussion, but I’m stopping here, that show why Honda built the 1500 the way they did. And how it was the epitome of touring bike design. Too good, in fact. Look at all the high performance in the 01’-17’’s, then look at the design parameters in the 18+’s. They surely got away from the build spec’s they had when the 1500 was being developed. The 1500 will still be around when no ECM’s or transmission parts, etall, are available for the 1800.
Two brothers drop by once in a while, both are well over 61/2 feet tall. One rides an 1800, the other rides a 1500. Neither one speaks of being cramped and are happy with the bike they ride.

 

1800's also have much better brakes

 

I went from a 1988 GL1500 to a 2004 GL1800 and my only complaint was the seat on the 1800 isn't nearly as comfortable.

 

This sounds like an Ultimate seat is in your future.

 

I appreciate all of your replies!!! Many things to think about.

 

I would look at the 04 because there were issues with frame cracks on some 02 and possibly 03 models.

 

I very much appreciate all of the responses. After much thought, I believe I will keep my 1500 and ride it until it "dies". It is paid for and still runs like a deer!

 

I currently have a 1988 GL 1500 and am wanting to upgrade to a newer bike. I am currently looking at an 2003 and 2004 GL 1800. My question concerns the knee room difference from a 1500 to 1800. I am 6' 7" tall. I have been told that the 1800 doesn't have near the room. Is that correct? Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks!

I have a friend who is waaay over 6' tall. when he bought an 1800 his knees touched the faring. He took his saddle and had 3" removed from the front of the pillion section. He loved it after that. Just an idea.

I very much appreciate all of the responses. After much thought, I believe I will keep my 1500 and ride it until it "dies". It is paid for and still runs like a deer!

good choice. I've had two 1200s and two 1500s and have spent time on many 1800s over the years...more than 70 on two wheels. I prefer the 1500 over any 1800 I've ever been on. The power is smoother, the ride can't be compared. I did, finally, go to Progressive front springs and Progressive rear shock on my last 1500 and loved that. I ran a dark side tire on the 2000, but went back to motorcycle tires afterward. It is just the epitome of a touring motorcycle.
If I could find a White 2000 GL1500 SE with 50,000 miles for a reasonable price, I would seriously consider going back to the 1500, from the 1200 with 55,000 miles that I am riding now.
There is just nothing more comfortable and dependable than the GL1500 Goldwing.

 

The biggest reason I switched to an 1800 was ABS. Really enjoy it.

 

Only problem with the early 1800 is that ECU GOES OUT on them and the price is now $1200.
Very common problem.
You get the Dreaded F1 light.... it's always the computer.

 

Only problem with the early 1800 is that ECU GOES OUT on them and the price is now $1200.
Very common problem.
You get the Dreaded F1 light.... it's always the computer.

Never heard of this? I'm on my third 1st gen GL1800 and it has 100K on it...

 

Don’t know how to start here but I’ll try. I don’t know if anyone has read some of my previous posts/comments regarding whether to keep my very low mileage (10,800 klm’s) one owner (I'm the 2nd) 2003 GL1800A. Since purchasing this bike last year I’ve only put on 200 kilometres. It’s in pristine condition and completely fully serviced with two new tyres on it, and this year still under its winter cover. I couldn’t decide if the bike is too big for me weight wise, and that was the only thing bugging me.

After purchasing it I joined this forum for camaraderie and mechanical information. But since joining and having read so many posts regarding these older bikes and their malfunctions and dwindling spare parts I’m beginning to think I made a bad decision and should move it on for a different brand and newer in age. The comments above that mention ECU’s failing and hard to find, and expensive when you do has me very concerned. It’s not down to just that one thing, it’s other failures and components I’ve read these older models suffer. I’m not looking to blame anyone or look for sympathy, but having had these same concerns with my last bike BMW K1200 LT it all combines to make me feel not good, and takes away the joy of owning a Goldwing. The Beemer is renowned for abs failures, final drive failures, in tank fuel pumps letting go, dry clutches, gear shift linkages breaking, bursting into flames etc and the list goes on. All fixable with lots of money, (except the fire part) but can easily leave you stranded. But also many have had trouble free lives or ownership.

My mindset when I bought this bike was it’s a Honda, it’s a Goldwing to boot, it’s reliable and my riding worries are over. No more fretting it could leave me on the side of the road like my BMW did twice. It’s concerning now with nearly a year on this forum I’m still hearing of inherent problems these so called best touring bike ever made are also fraught with failures and faults. I don’t see this as me using this particular thread to make up my mind, but there seems to be lots of negatives that has me doubting my decision of purchasing this ride last year.

I’m not naive enough to not understand things break or fail. My many years as a mechanic in automotive and heavy duty vehicles (road and in the oil field patch) has taught me that. I also understand many riders have many reliable years and thousand of long miles without problems. But I can’t seem to shake off the feeling that older bikes are more of a problem than their worth. I apologize if I’m coming across as a Debbie downer here, it’s not meant to read that way, I’m maybe just poor at getting my views across that doesn’t sound right. I guess I’m trying to say that it has become more apparent to me that the Goldwing reliability is no different than any other brand name bike out there. The hype it has always gotten helped me make my decision to purchase one, I guess I should have dug deeper and read this forum in more detail, but that’s my bad for not doing my due diligence. Sorry if this looks like I hijacked this thread, it was not my intent. Thank you for letting me blow off steam.

 

Don’t know how to start here but I’ll try. I don’t know if anyone has read some of my previous posts/comments regarding whether to keep my very low mileage (10,800 klm’s) one owner (I'm the 2nd) 2003 GL1800A. Since purchasing this bike last year I’ve only put on 200 kilometres. It’s in pristine condition and completely fully serviced with two new tyres on it, and this year still under its winter cover. I couldn’t decide if the bike is too big for me weight wise, and that was the only thing bugging me.

After purchasing it I joined this forum for camaraderie and mechanical information. But since joining and having read so many posts regarding these older bikes and their malfunctions and dwindling spare parts I’m beginning to think I made a bad decision and should move it on for a different brand and newer in age. The comments above that mention ECU’s failing and hard to find, and expensive when you do has me very concerned. It’s not down to just that one thing, it’s other failures and components I’ve read these older models suffer. I’m not looking to blame anyone or look for sympathy, but having had these same concerns with my last bike BMW K1200 LT it all combines to make me feel not good, and takes away the joy of owning a Goldwing. The Beemer is renowned for abs failures, final drive failures, in tank fuel pumps letting go, dry clutches, gear shift linkages breaking, bursting into flames etc and the list goes on. All fixable with lots of money, (except the fire part) but can easily leave you stranded. But also many have had trouble free lives or ownership.

My mindset when I bought this bike was it’s a Honda, it’s a Goldwing to boot, it’s reliable and my riding worries are over. No more fretting it could leave me on the side of the road like my BMW did twice. It’s concerning now with nearly a year on this forum I’m still hearing of inherent problems these so called best touring bike ever made are also fraught with failures and faults. I don’t see this as me using this particular thread to make up my mind, but there seems to be lots of negatives that has me doubting my decision of purchasing this ride last year.

I’m not naive enough to not understand things break or fail. My many years as a mechanic in automotive and heavy duty vehicles (road and in the oil field patch) has taught me that. I also understand many riders have many reliable years and thousand of long miles without problems. But I can’t seem to shake off the feeling that older bikes are more of a problem than their worth. I apologize if I’m coming across as a Debbie downer here, it’s not meant to read that way, I’m maybe just poor at getting my views across that doesn’t sound right. I guess I’m trying to say that it has become more apparent to me that the Goldwing reliability is no different than any other brand name bike out there. The hype it has always gotten helped me make my decision to purchase one, I guess I should have dug deeper and read this forum in more detail, but that’s my bad for not doing my due diligence. Sorry if this looks like I hijacked this thread, it was not my intent. Thank you for letting me blow off steam.

What you don’t see is all the wings that never have an issue. Forums will ussually bring all the real and imagined issues to the forefront for us to ruminate over. Being mechanically inclined is such an asset for that bike you have, it clearly thinks it is in the best spot it could be in. Someone than can help keep it on the road. I know, a little personification done here. But the point is still the same. Trust the bike, when something happens, fix it. You’d be amazed how many bikes are running around in much worse shape than yours. My ‘05 will take me anywhere I point it, anytime. Keep it in that condition and enjoy the ride.

 

Anything the older it gets can have problems. Everything made by man can fail, but it depends on fate. Relax and ride. Keep up your maintenance and take things as they come. My 2010 with 158,000 miles had a few issues and I wasn't looking to get a new bike. But the money they offered for a trade in made me reconsider. If it hadn't been enough, I would still be riding that 2010.

 

Good idea!

Don’t know how to start here but I’ll try. I don’t know if anyone has read some of my previous posts/comments regarding whether to keep my very low mileage (10,800 klm’s) one owner (I'm the 2nd) 2003 GL1800A. Since purchasing this bike last year I’ve only put on 200 kilometres. It’s in pristine condition and completely fully serviced with two new tyres on it, and this year still under its winter cover. I couldn’t decide if the bike is too big for me weight wise, and that was the only thing bugging me.

After purchasing it I joined this forum for camaraderie and mechanical information. But since joining and having read so many posts regarding these older bikes and their malfunctions and dwindling spare parts I’m beginning to think I made a bad decision and should move it on for a different brand and newer in age. The comments above that mention ECU’s failing and hard to find, and expensive when you do has me very concerned. It’s not down to just that one thing, it’s other failures and components I’ve read these older models suffer. I’m not looking to blame anyone or look for sympathy, but having had these same concerns with my last bike BMW K1200 LT it all combines to make me feel not good, and takes away the joy of owning a Goldwing. The Beemer is renowned for abs failures, final drive failures, in tank fuel pumps letting go, dry clutches, gear shift linkages breaking, bursting into flames etc and the list goes on. All fixable with lots of money, (except the fire part) but can easily leave you stranded. But also many have had trouble free lives or ownership.

My mindset when I bought this bike was it’s a Honda, it’s a Goldwing to boot, it’s reliable and my riding worries are over. No more fretting it could leave me on the side of the road like my BMW did twice. It’s concerning now with nearly a year on this forum I’m still hearing of inherent problems these so called best touring bike ever made are also fraught with failures and faults. I don’t see this as me using this particular thread to make up my mind, but there seems to be lots of negatives that has me doubting my decision of purchasing this ride last year.

I’m not naive enough to not understand things break or fail. My many years as a mechanic in automotive and heavy duty vehicles (road and 4-in the oil field patch) has taught me that. I also understand many riders have many reliable years and thousand of long miles without problems. But I can’t seem to shake off the feeling that older bikes are more of a problem than their worth. I apologize if I’m coming across as a Debbie downer here, it’s not meant to read that way, I’m maybe just poor at getting my views across that doesn’t sound right. I guess I’m trying to say that it has become more apparent to me that the Goldwing reliability is no different than any other brand name bike out there. The hype it has always gotten helped me make my decision to purchase one, I guess I should have dug deeper and read this forum in more detail, but that’s my bad for not doing my due diligence. Sorry if this looks like I hijacked this thread, it was not my intent. Thank you for letting me blow off steam.

There are many Goldwing's that have over 300K miles on them with regular maintenance done on them. And I would not worry about it being too big unless you are shorter than 5-foot tall and weight 75 pounds. These handle like a sport bikes with a lot more comfort and accessories. I went from a V-65 Magna crotch rocket to a GL1800 and could not believe how nice it rode and handled. And you will find that the Wing is not as hip heavy as the BMW and a lot more reliable.

 

I’m not very tall myself (5’ 7”) but have ridden GW’s since 1975 and on my 7th one now. I for one have put over 300k miles on my last three GL1500’s and well over 200k on my present “1800.“
“They are the best By far.”

 

I'm on my third gen1 1800 and I have never had an overheating problem and I'm near Galveston....

 

My 2008 gl 1800 came with floorboards and a heal to toe shifter. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It interfered with the side stands retraction, dragged the floorboards at the least angled turn, and made differential weight distribution more difficult. I swapped a guy with a trike for his stock pegs and shifters. End of problems.
Chaplain Bob

 

I have never had those problems................

 

My 2008 gl 1800 came with floorboards and a heal to toe shifter. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It interfered with the side stands retraction, dragged the floorboards at the least angled turn, and made differential weight distribution more difficult. I swapped a guy with a trike for his stock pegs and shifters. End of problems.
Chaplain Bob

My 2008 gl 1800 came with floorboards and a heal to toe shifter. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It interfered with the side stands retraction, dragged the floorboards at the least angled turn, and made differential weight distribution more difficult. I swapped a guy with a trike for his stock pegs and shifters. End of problems.
Chaplain Bob

I agree with you on getting rid of the floorboards and heal tow shifter. These things would make my feet rest at a bad angle and the shifter was harder than hell to shift correctly without bending a shift fork. I got rid of these those first things on my past and current wing the day I picked them up.

 

I agree with you on getting rid of the floorboards and hep tow shifter. These things would make my feet rest at a bad angle and the shifter was harder than hell to shift correctly without bending a shift fork. I got rid of these those first things on my past and current wing the day I picked them up.

I ride at least 3 hours a day... every day and when traveling 8 to 10 hours... no way I would have the Stock Footpegs.