Table of contents
- Used advice Honda Gold Wing Gold on the rise
- Viewing: Honda GL 1500
- Market situation: Honda GL 1500
- Technical data: Honda GL 1500
- Honda GL 1100
- Honda GL 1200
- Honda GL 1500
- Clubs, addresses
wolf
counselor
Used purchase
Used advice Honda Gold Wing
Used advice Honda Gold Wing
Gold on the rise
Classic youngtimers or luxuriously dressed up high-end tourers: many tastes will find what they are looking for at Honda’s Gold Wing. A commercial look at three decades of motorcycle construction.
Jorg Lohse
08/17/2006
It stood there like a bang, the GL 1000, at the IFMA trade fair in Cologne in 1974. Honda, that was the CB 750 so far. Now it should be the full liter,
an imposing motorcycle, scarcely
300 kilograms. the Gold wing shone with until then
from Japanese mass production entirely
unknown details: cardan drive, water-cooled four-stroke, three disc brakes, timing belt driven camshafts. Initially, no one would have believed that the giant boxer would become Honda’s flagship with a model presence that continues to this day.
The Gold Wing has grown enormously since then. The naked muscleman of the seventies has transformed into an imposing sculpture. The GL 1800, which has been available since 2001, brings together all the luxury that motorcycle travelers with severe wanderlust can only imagine. Deep inside the fully wired trunk, the six-cylinder boxer engine hums calmly to itself. When project manager Masanori Aoki from the sporting CBR department took over the Gold Wing topic, two points were at the top of his specifications: The new Gold Wing has to be more fun and ?? so his practical conclusion from a tour of America ?? Cover more than 350 kilometers on one tank of fuel.
There was no criticism of range and long-distance comfort.
But overheated engines and broken frames brought Honda’s top model into disrepute among customers. The manufacturer finally responded with appropriate measures (replacement of the control unit, rewelding on the frame), but the heated discussions in specialist and fan circles still continue to this day. Tobias Fuchs, managing director of »Biker’s Point« from Uslar, advises
on the serenity: »Of course, Honda itself has lax handling and
tough recalls the problem rather
dragged off and thus reinforced. In total, however, this is openly reflected in the Internet
Fought discussion doesn’t have the actual representation within the gold-
Wing family. ”
Usually, according to the Gold Wing-
Specialist, are those of the recalls
affected motorcycles have actually been converted. And second-hand buyers of German machines can inquire via the Honda dealers in a central database which work has been done or is still pending.
It remains to be seen whether the GL 1800 will come close to the previous model in terms of popularity or even top it. After all, the GL 1500 has the right now
actual gold wing myth cemented. That is over twelve long years
First six-cylinder model in the series rolled off the assembly line in Honda’s American production facility in Marysville, Ohio. The official sales figure for the German market can only give a rough direction at around 3,600 units. The number of gray or own imports is too large. Connoisseurs rumor a distribution of up to 75 percent in favor of the grays. The imposing highway steamer lost much of its charm in this country with its shortened windscreen and flat topcase of the “pizza case” type. It was not until the anniversary year 1995 that the German Gold Wing was officially authorized to use the large disc and the full-size topcase.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority currently lists around 8,700 copies of approved Gold Wings from model year 1975, plus gray imports, which cannot be broken down statistically. These include well-groomed youngtimers as well as
modern full dressers. Anyone interested in Gold Wing is sure to find something suitable.
Viewing: Honda GL 1500
Due to the long construction period (1988 to 2000), the offers for used GL 1500 are widely spread. Older machines of the series often have high mileages of over 100,000 kilometers, but are easily put away by the solid six-cylinder boxer with regular inspection. Insight
in the service book creates clarity. Numerous additional consumers could make excessive demands on the power grid. Caution is advised if individual plugs are already showing a brownish discoloration due to overheating. A look at the universal joint of the cardan shaft is a must, during the test drive you should ensure that the carburettor is set up without swallowing. Check the entries in the letter.
Market situation: Honda GL 1500
Almost 2500 GL 1500/6 machines are still listed in the current KBA inventory, although the proportion of gray imports that cannot be statistically identified can hardly be estimated. The fact is: thanks to the GL 1800, the last vintages of the 1500s have now become very affordable. In the DAT list, the 2000 model is quoted at 9725 euros, the 1998 year-
According to the list, gang costs 7,975 euros. Actual market events, however, are significantly higher. Prices remain relatively stable, especially downwards: around 7,000 euros are still required for fully equipped models from the first year.
Technical data: Honda GL 1500
Engine: water-cooled six-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine, one overhead, chain-driven camshaft, two valves per cylinder, two constant pressure carburetors, Ø 33 mm, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox with reverse gear, cardan shaft.
Bore x stroke 71 x 64 mm
Cubic capacity 1520 cm3
rated capacity
72 kW (98 PS) at 5200 rpm
Max. Torque 150 Nm at 4000 rpm
Chassis: double loop frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 41 mm, two-arm swing arm made of steel, two spring struts
with air assistance, double disc brake at the front, Ø 296 mm, disc brake at the rear, Ø 316 mm, composite brake system.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.00 x 18; 3.50 x 16
Tires 130/70 H 18; 160/80 HR 16
Dimensions and weights: wheelbase 1690 mm, steering head angle 60 degrees, caster 111 mm, spring travel f / r 140/105, seat height 760 mm, weight with a full tank of 423 kg, load 147 kg, tank capacity / reserve 23 / 3.8 liters.
Performance
Top speed 184 km / h
acceleration
0 100 km / h 4.8 sec
Draft
60 ?? 140 km / h 21.0 sec
Consumption 6.2 to 10.9 l / 100 km /
Regular gasoline
Honda GL 1100
The face in the wind, construction period from 1980 to 1983. Your original price at the time: 9,668 marks. The technology: The water-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine now develops 83 hp at 7500 rpm, and the maximum torque is now
90 Nm at 5500 rpm. The GL develops
to the kilometer-guzzling comfort litter. In the USA version with
voluminous kingsize cladding and
complete set of cases, from 1982 with
Integral braking system. In Germany without a suitcase and with a flat window.
Gray imports are starting to bloom. In the KBA inventory: also just under 2100 copies. On the used market there are almost exclusively full dressers based on the USA. Cross-country skiers with 100,000 kilometers cost around 1500 euros.
Visits only if possible with an experienced understanding of technology.
Honda GL 1200
The stopgap, construction time from
1984 to 1987. The new price soars
to 17,728 marks. The last gold
Wing with a water-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine develops 94 hp at 7000 rpm, the maximum torque increases
108 Nm at 5500 rpm. In the 1200s, the image of the Gold Wing manifests itself as a travel giant. Despite delicacies such as maintenance-free valve clearance compensation and overdrive, the market was not successful.
In the verifiable inventory: a meager 475 copies. The still capped Germany models are for
the scene uninteresting. Luxury versions like the Aspencade are traded for around 6000 euros, special-
Models like the LTD with an injection system and on-board computer are hard to come by. Pay attention to the gearbox and electrics during inspection and test drive.
Honda GL 1500
The legendary one, built from 1988 to 2000. The starting price: 21,300 marks. The technology: water-cooled six-
cylinder boxer engine with 100 hp at 5200 rpm and a
Maximum torque of 150 Nm at 4000 rpm. The perfect way to travel comfortably. From 1995 it was too
sold in Germany in the complete version. 2496 copies in the official inventory, starting prices from 6000 euros.
The sports cannon, construction time since 2001. First price call: 47540 marks. The technology: water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine
with 118 hp at 5500 rpm, maximum torque of 167 Nm at 4000 rpm. A luxury package at its finest. Countless electrogimmicks, packaged in a precise chassis. Has a difficult position in the fan base due to technical problems. 1570 copies in
Stock, starting prices used from 13,000 euros.
Clubs, addresses
Clubs and interest groups
Gold Wing Club Germany e.V. (GWCD), www.gwcd.net,
the oldest interest group for wingers in Germany, founded in 1981
Gold Wing Federation Germany e.V. (GWFD), www.gwfd.de, national
Association of over 50 regional round tables. Only active since 2004
Gold Wing Road Riders Association Deutschland e.V. Ketsch (GWRRA), www.gwrr.de,
organizes the Gold Wing meeting in Ketsch am Rhein, which has become a tradition
Gold Wing European Federation (GWEF), www.gwef.net, the European
Umbrella organization of the country clubs. Also organizes roadside assistance
Forums
Gold Wing Country. groups.msn.com/GoldWingCountry. Colorful internet community
with ?? according to their own information ?? over 1100 members
Gold Wing Forum. www.goldwing-forum.de. Almost 600 users are registered here.
Big plus: the extensive data collection for all models
Interest group GL 1800. Internet forum.webmart.de/wmforum.cfm?id=2103921.
Discussion group dealing with problems of the 1800s (frames, radiators)
Specialists
Biker’s Point GmbH, 37170 Uslar, phone 05571/912092,
www.goldwing.de (US imports, used machines, trikes and teams)
Denk GmbH, 94089 Neureichenau, phone 08583/960740,
www.denk-gmbh.de (Honda dealer with a focus on Gold Wing and accessories)
G. G. Motorbike Point, 79364 Malterdingen, phone 07644/931666,
www.gg-motorbike.de (known in the scene as a Gold Wing doctor, trike specialist)
Gold wing parts & More, 72359 Dotternhausen, phone 07427/915486, www.goldwing-parts.de (Gold Wing trade, workshop, accessories, excellent contacts to the US scene)
Heesch & Carstensen, 24885 Sieverstedt, phone 04638/8222, www.gl-teile.de
(Vehicles, accessories online shop)
Wing World Motorradhandel, 48465 Schuttorf, Telephone 05923/1518, www.wing-world.de (vehicles and trailers)
literature
Claus-Georg-Petri, Axel Koenigsbeck: Honda Gold Wing, Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart. The Bible for all Gold Wing fans and anyone interested. Unfortunately out of stock, remaining copies can still be purchased on the Internet (including www.amazon.de)
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