Goldwings

[Mountain Cruiser]

What's the verdict on the 2012 models, are they nice?

[meatwitheyes]

Originally Posted by LukeMacPU

Any tips on locating a passenger backrest for the GL1100 standard? I keep seeing them on bikes in pictures, but I've not had much luck finding one. The Mrs. really doesn't enjoy riding without a sissy bar.

Luke:
I have 81 GL1100 Goldwing Standard with a backrest.
The story goes like this.....
I once had an early 80s Honda CM400 and I put a Honda factory backrest on it. Well for some reason I still had the backrest when I picked up the 81 GL1100. One day I tried the backrest on the goldwing, I had to force the tubing spreading it apart but it fit onto the wing just perfectly where it still resides to this day. I like it very much. I found some pics with a google search too try and give you an idea what it looks like. I'm sure you could find one used or in a junk yard..... This is the same backrest/rack that I have. The backrest tubes slide in and out of the rack making it adjustable.

[LukeMacPU]

Originally Posted by meatwitheyes

Luke:
I have 81 GL1100 Goldwing Standard with a backrest.
The story goes like this.....
I once had an early 80s Honda CM400 and I put a Honda factory backrest on it. Well for some reason I still had the backrest when I picked up the 81 GL1100. One day I tried the backrest on the goldwing, I had to force the tubing spreading it apart but it fit onto the wing just perfectly where it still resides to this day. I like it very much. I found some pics with a google search too try and give you an idea what it looks like. I'm sure you could find one used or in a junk yard..... This is the same backrest/rack that I have. The backrest tubes slide in and out of the rack making it adjustable.

That would be perfect. I'll try looking for a CM400 backrest. Thanks.

[WhatThaFrig]

Originally Posted by lake_harley

What kind of paint did you use on the pipes, BBQ Paint maybe? They look to be stock pipes without the "tailpipes" and front shields. Any info you might share about how you prepped the previously chrome pipes and how it's holding up?

Cool looking 'Wing! Superbike bars??

Thanks

Lynn

Yeah, it's BBQ paint. I scuffed them with 400 grit sandpaper and sprayed them. Seems to be holding up pretty good so far. It is the stock exhaust with about 16" cut off. The bars are some dirt bike bars I got at Cycle Gear for $20.

[richarddacat]

Originally Posted by WhatThaFrig

Yeah, it's BBQ paint. I scuffed them with 400 grit sandpaper and sprayed them. Seems to be holding up pretty good so far. It is the stock exhaust with about 16" cut off. The bars are some dirt bike bars I got at Cycle Gear for $20.

I'm still curious about the pipes. You say you cut them off but it looks like a cone was added? They look like factory from here.
I would like to set a GL up like that one day. Big, smooth, comfortable road bike.

[WhatThaFrig]

Originally Posted by richarddacat

I'm still curious about the pipes. You say you cut them off but it looks like a cone was added? They look like factory from here.
I would like to set a GL up like that one day. Big, smooth, comfortable road bike.

Here's a couple before pics


And what I found in the muffler after the trim job!b

[richarddacat]

Cool, I see now thanks

[bobobob]

Originally Posted by Ricemannv

What's the verdict on the 2012 models, are they nice?

Pretty much like the 2011's. Still a great touring bike.
New for 2012 are bold new graphics, two tone paint,
a little more storage space and redesigned bags that are completely
mismatched looking with the top case.
A few other small changes escape me.

When Honda closed the Marysville plant and moved production to Japan,
Wingers thought the long awaited redesign was due in '11 or '12.

General consensus was expecting a 2,400cc VTEC motor,
6 speed semi-auto tranny, electronic suspension control,
traction control, better and longer wearing tires,
electrically adjustable windshield, LED lighting,
much larger storage space...
In other words, Wingers have been expecting a major upgrade for the last
4 or 5 years. Then the shoe dropped. Bold new graphics.

The other shoe dropped when BMW announce the K1600GTL.
The wailing and knashing of teeth on the Wing forums was unbelievable.

Even so, the last comparison between the Honda and BMW in Motorcyclist,
I think, said the Goldwing came out slightly on top in the test.

[Mountain Cruiser]

Originally Posted by bobobob

Pretty much like the 2011's. Still a great touring bike.
New for 2012 are bold new graphics, two tone paint,
a little more storage space and redesigned bags that are completely
mismatched looking with the top case.
A few other small changes escape me.

When Honda closed the Marysville plant and moved production to Japan,
Wingers thought the long awaited redesign was due in '11 or '12.

General consensus was expecting a 2,400cc VTEC motor,
6 speed semi-auto tranny, electronic suspension control,
traction control, better and longer wearing tires,
electrically adjustable windshield, LED lighting,
much larger storage space...
In other words, Wingers have been expecting a major upgrade for the last
4 or 5 years. Then the shoe dropped. Bold new graphics.

The other shoe dropped when BMW announce the K1600GTL.
The wailing and knashing of teeth on the Wing forums was unbelievable.

Even so, the last comparison between the Honda and BMW in Motorcyclist,
I think, said the Goldwing came out slightly on top in the test.

Thanks for the info. I like the 2012 colors. How about ABS. The level 1 and level 2 bike does not have ABS, level 3 and the airbag model do. Is it worth spending the extra money to get the ABS, in your opinion of course? Anyone else feel free to chime in on this. Thanks.

Riceman

[bobobob]

Originally Posted by Ricemannv

Is it worth spending the extra money to get the ABS, in your opinion of course?

ABSolutely. I wouldn't buy a tourer without ABS.

Here's the link to the Motorcyclist comparsion between the BMW and Honda.
Hth and good luck.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/co...ing/index.html

[RocketJohn]

I will one day buy a Goldwing, no doubt...

[Sumo64c]

I saw the new 12' Wing at Daytona during bike week and promptly bought a new 10' instead, just wasn't impressed with the 12' and it's lack of significant updates/changes from the 10' model. There was no 2011 model Goldwing, they were all unsold 10's made here in the USA. The 2012 model was made in Japan.

[kitesurfer]

the 2012 doesn't need:

a new seat
baker wings
after market sound system
traxion suspension

anti lock breaks are good, but that opion is a couple grand. 2012 vs 2010 and older...SOUR GRAPES

[truck6driver]

Hey guys,

I have a friend at work that bought an 85' Interstate from a friend of his. It has been sitting in a garage for close to 10 years. He got it home and hasn't done anything with it, got married and now wants to sell it to buy land. He wanted me to make him an offer on it. I have no idea what it is worth. It will turn over but not start. Throttle is frozen but don't know if iit is the cables or carbs. Body work is in great shape. Was a runner when parked.

Not knowing anything about the Goldwing what do you think about it.

I am a sucker for older bikes, just sold my 83' CB650SC and ride an 83' Ascot and 86' KLR.


What is a good price for one?

Ray

[Dirt Road Cowboy]

Originally Posted by truck6driver

Hey guys,

I have a friend at work that bought an 85' Interstate from a friend of his. It has been sitting in a garage for close to 10 years. He got it home and hasn't done anything with it, got married and now wants to sell it to buy land. He wanted me to make him an offer on it. I have no idea what it is worth. It will turn over but not start. Throttle is frozen but don't know if iit is the cables or carbs. Body work is in great shape. Was a runner when parked.

Not knowing anything about the Goldwing what do you think about it.

I am a sucker for older bikes, just sold my 83' CB650SC and ride an 83' Ascot and 86' KLR.


What is a good price for one?

Ray

I personally wouldn't pay more than $1 per cc of engine size. That one sounds like it will need a few hundred to get it going (at least that much, maybe over $1000).

If you're willing to do the work yourself, you could have a good project, and once it is going, you'll have a great bike.

Just a word of warning though, the Honda dealers will not touch a bike over 10 years old.