Gold Wing or Broken Wing?

[Paul in NZ]

Interested in REAL experience and feedback on the original GL1000 Goldwing and maybe the 1100.

NOT the 1200's or the later BIG bikes just the original superbike.

Forget commenting on the style etc, just the reliability / servicability etc is all I want to know at this stage.

NO - I don't own one - I'm just interested.

[rogson]

I've ridden (but not owned) in the late seventies/early eighties both the naked 1000 and naked 1100. They were a mate's bikes - he traded his 1000 for the 1100, and I got to ride both when they were fairly new/tidy. I thought the 1100 was far superior from a performance and handling standpoint. Can't comment on reliability/serviceability - he didn't have any problems with them - but then they were relatively new.

I imagine the 1000 is more collectible, but the 1100 is more useable - although I imagine today it is probably more dependent on their history/condition.

[Paul in NZ]

I imagine the 1000 is more collectible, but the 1100 is more useable - although I imagine today it is probably more dependent on their history/condition.

Thanks for that.

Not really interesed in restoring one but using it as a base for a low budget tourer. Seem to be a few affordable ones around at the moment. Whack on some panniers, a cafe screen and lower bars and varoom

[rogson]

Thanks for that.

Not really interesed in restoring one but using it as a base for a low budget tourer. Seem to be a few affordable ones around at the moment. Whack on some panniers, a cafe screen and lower bars and varoom

Yeah, I had positive (but dim) memories of the 1100 and thought about doing the same thing. I kept and eye out for a naked 1100 for a while but I couldn't find one (were they sold in NZ?), so I tried a 1000. Varoom is not how I would describe it - lost interest in the whole idea after that.

[oldrider]

Well Paul, if it's reliability you are seeking, look no further than Honda!

You didn't mention excitement, that is another issue altogether.

I say no more! Cheers John.

[Paul in NZ]

That weight with those brakes ought to be pretty exciting I reckon John...

[T.W.R]

The fella down the road from home used to have a fairly vast collection of Hondas & his goldwings were his pride & joy he had an original GL1000,
a GL1100 Interstate & a GL1200 Aspencade. He passed away early last year & his vulture like relatives swooped in cleaned everything out, Bikes (over 20 of them), motorcycling memorabilia, cars & car items.

The 1000 was the favoured bike to use, and he used it well and never once did it let him down.

Honda when they 1st designed the engine actually had it as the 6 cylinder set-up that ended up appearing in the GL1500 but thought it was too high tech for the time so benched it and settled on the 4 cylinder layout.

[dangerous]

The fella down the road from home used to have a fairly vast collection of Hondas & his goldwings were his pride & joy

Old Pete right?
I remember his place shit for miles, he had a mate just as old as him im Timaru who had a BMW and CXtc them old bastards would ride everywere, huge respect to the old c#*ts

Havnt seen a old Goldie for yonks, fuel tank was under the seat wasnt it?

[T.W.R]

Old Pete right?
I remember his place shit for miles, he had a mate just as old as him im Timaru who had a BMW and CXtc them old bastards would ride everywere, huge respect to the old c#*ts

Yeah that's Pete,

Almost like the kiwi version of steptoe's junkyard the way he kept his place, but all the bikes were kept mint the old bugger probably clocked enough KMs to get to the moon & back.
Hard to think with the way he kept his place that he was an A grade mechanic and the area AA service man before he retired.