Buying a used 2000 from out of state???

[zeoran]

Ever since I lost my dream bike in Santa Clarita, I've been searching for a replacement. My car has died 3 times already, it's not long for this world and my old bike has been salvaged. I NEED something and I need it ASAP.

https://duluth.craigslist.org/mcy/d/dul ... 70650.html

I found this one, it's the same year, model, color as the my original dream bike, even has a bit less mileage. The biggest hiccup, it's a few thousand miles away from me in Minnesota. So obviously take a quick trip over to see it and take it for a test ride is out of the question. So what I'd like to know is if I should even be considering it? Is it possible to safely buy a motorcycle from out of state? I have no problems having it shipped here. But my biggest concerns would be buying it without seeing it/driving it and what considerations I need to worry about with CA emissions, etc. being stricter than any other state in the union, what changes would I have to make it street legal for CA?

Any/all suggestions/ideas/information/stories/experiences/etc are welcome.

[AZgl1800]

IF,
you can find someone to go look at it, and take a short ride, or at a minimum as I once had to do;
Set it up on the Center Stand and start it up, and go thru each gear one at a time, to get a feel for the tranny.

if it passes, then buy it and have it shipped.

Just be aware, it is now 20 years old, and will have a few electrical issues crop up.
Maybe some minor leaks. Depends on how much it has been on the road lately.

Short of getting a friend to look at it, talk with the owner on the phone for a good while.
you should be able to get a sense of his moral character that way.

If he hesitates, or tries to conger up a reply, skip it.

[zeoran]

One of the things that my cousin pointed out was the fact that it's still freezing in MN, snowing, which also means that the bike has spent half it's life in cold storage... which seems to likely have both pluses and minuses. I'm not sure which outweighs which right now. I'm still also trying to convince the seller/buyer of the one from Santa Clarita to sell to me. I offered the seller $500 to put me in touch with the buyer and I'm willing to offer him an extra $1,000 to sell to me instead. I thought that would help move things along... but I haven't heard back yet.

[DenverWinger]

Does it have to be a 2000 model? The '97 thru '00 models are pretty much the same animal...

[zeoran]

I've heard from multiple people I trust that it took until 1999 for Honda to work out all the kinks from the Goldwing and I'm personally partial to the 25th Anniversary edition.

[CrystalPistol]

Had been out of MCing a few years when in '94 I had "Wife Unit" suggest we get one. I was thinking Norton, bought an issue of "Old Bike Journal" at Krogers while she shopped groceries, looked in classifieds, there was a 9,xxx mile 1974 Triumph Trident located nearby in Vermont, only 760 miles on way. Was a Friday. That night, called the guy, talked bikes, agreed on $ but he wanted something to hold it, I sent $200 next morning via mail. I was supposed to only have one day off, Tuesday, so I was gonna have to wait a week until I had a couple together. Sunday, told my Sgt. what I found, he let me work 1/2 shift early Monday morning and to go home at 11:00 am, I had got truck ready Sunday after work. Monday, worked 7am -11am, took 4 hrs. comp tome, and at 11:15am Monday, I was on the way, "Wife Unit" & puppy with me. 760 miles later in a 4x4 F-150, I pulled into a motel in Vermont, after midnight, awake and on phone with seller by 7:00am, he would let me come get it. My '$200 had not got there yet, he took my word, I wrote check for balance, backed my truck into ditch, we loaded up, strapped down, was dark when I got home Tuesday night 760 more miles later. Unloaded bike Wednesday after work. Blisters on hands from holding that steering wheel over them roads, expansion joints, etc. Did eat at Brook's BBQ at Oneonta, NY on the way home.

"Wife Unit" wanted to go for a ride a few weeks later … down the Blue Ridge Parkway, we spent three days on it that weekend. I made a backrest with a little package tray that was quickly mountable / demountable by loostening the top shock bolts, slide under seat, braced to frame, it worked well. Had an old sissy bar pad I put on it. Hung my Canon on it, bag phone, a overnight bag too. A friend looked after our puppy.

That was 1994, I sold it in 2017.

I've heard from multiple people I trust that it took until 1999 for Honda to work out all the kinks from the Goldwing and I'm personally partial to the 25th Anniversary edition.

1997 was when it got all the big improvements in mechanicals shared with the Valkyrie, without them ugly hard to read white gagues.

[zeoran]

Lol... I'd be actually happy right now if I had a "wife unit" to speak of. I've been a single parent most of my adult life and all of my son's life after his mother abandoned us when he was a year old. For reasons that are beyond me, I haven't been able to find so much as a girl-friend, least of all anything more in all these years. It's hard as a single parent and it's made harder because I don't drink (like at all), I can't do the 'gym' thing because of a busted right knee and prior to my new job I spent over 12 years at a place where I was the only employee. So that ruled out 90% of the places where people meet. And all the women my age at my church are already married.

I'm still considering the bike in MN, but I'm hesitant for obvious reasons. I'm also still holding out a sliver of hope that the buyer of the bike in Santa Clarita will get my offer and consider it. He was buying the bike for parts since he crashed his existing Goldwing. He could be buying the one in Duluth for parts and still have plenty left over with the extra $1,000 I'm willing to pay him. And I'm willing to pay the seller $250 just to give me his contact info or $500 if he contacts the buyer himself to facilitate the sale.

Now it's just a wait and see period... which I hate, because I hate the commute and my car is nothing but problems. I have to jump it every time I start it and it's died 3 times in the past week. Like I said, it's not long for this world, that's one of the main reasons I bought the ST1100 last summer... my car can't handle the 100 mile-per-day commute.

God bless.

[OldguyGlen]

Finding a local contact to check it out is the best idea. I am in Minnesota, but 3-1/2 hrs away from Duluth... and it's still winter here. But winter is considered a "buyer's market" due to the weather. I looked a the ad... not much info, pictures aren't recent. I'd want a LOT more info re: history of the bike, etc. etc. Minnesota does not have emissions testing at all. (thank God) Does Cali have exceptions for vintage vehicles? At $4500 plus the cost of shipping, and uncertainties of condition, it might be better to keep shopping.

[zeoran]

From the quick research I just did, it seems that with CA, if it's over 7,500 miles, they'll check to make sure the VIN's line up, get the number off the engine and so long as it has a Federal or State emissions label, it's good, they don't check anything else. I should be able to possibly do it at my local AAA office too. Still not sure if it's going to be worth the hassle. But finding 2000 bikes in good condition and low mileage is extremely challenging. I wish I had jumped on the one in Santa Clarita when I had the chance... it was PERFECT. I also wish the seller/buyer was interested in the $1,500 I'm offering them, but I have no way of contacting the new owner yet and the seller hasn't responded. So either he hasn't gotten any of my messages or isn't interested...car died on the way to work again this morning. I can't wait too much longer.

[AZgl1800]

There is a Red 1999 gl1500 in Phoenix, AZ.
oh, he has dropped the price to $4500, that should make it interesting for you

I highly suggest you forget about a 2000 year model, there is no difference from 97 to 2000
I owned a '98SE

https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/1 ... le.669974/

you could bounce over there in one day, look at it yourself, and go home with it.
and take a look at all the extra options he has on it, nothing for you to do, but put 87 octane in and ride ride ride

Honda Goldwing for sale. Excellent condition. Garage kept. Newer Dunlop E4's installed. Heated grips, drivers backrest, Newer vented windscreen installed. Has wind diverters installed. Zumo 660 GPS system installed. AM/FM cassette and CB radio in good working order and has the radio weather cover. Reverse and cruise control work. Comes with travel bags for the trunk and side storage areas. Also has trailer hitch(not installed) and an ice chest that is mounted in the hitch. Various strap on bags for the rear trunk rack, heated gloves and vest. Two helmets with communication systems mounted for driver/rider communication. Additional communication equipment included. Original tool kit and owners manual. Added loud horns for texting drivers.

[zeoran]

I'm not completely tied to the 2000, just a preference for the 25th anniversary model. I've been looking at anything '95-2000 but haven't found anything close by yet that's viable. I don't want one that's got 70k+ on it already, so under 50k is a must. I'm ok with it needing a little TLC but I need it rideable right now. And I'm still not sure if I could pull of an out-of-state buy yet. I've been looking at ads/bikes in AZ, NV and northern CA which is as far as I can practically drive. I'm a single parent at a new job, I don't have the time to go off on an adventure looking for a new bike. I really thought the extra $1,500 to the guy who bought the 2000 I was interested in that was in Santa Clarita would have been enough to at least get him interested. And from what I understand, he was buying it to replace an identical one that he got into an accident with. So it sounds like he could probably make use of one of the out-of-state ones that I've found that are identical to that one, like the one in Duluth, Minnesota and he'd have an extra $1,500 to spend getting it here and doing whatever. The one in MN even has less mileage. I was hoping to make a win-win-win all the way around. But I haven't heard back yet in over a week, so I don't think it's going to go anywhere.

God bless,

~Mark

[AZgl1800]

again,
on miles, if the bike is well maintained, that has nearly nothing to do with me buying the bike.

the '94Se had 57k on it, I ran it several years w/o any problems until a Semi truck totalled it.

my current 1800 is a 2002 year model, that I bought 3 years ago, with 97,500 miles on it.
it runs like brand new.... and now has over 114,000 miles on it...

Goldwings can easily go to 400,000 miles or more with just gentle maintenance.

[zeoran]

The trick is "well maintained". Over 50,000 miles and especially over 100,000 miles and I have to worry about what's been done and how it was done. If it's a single/second owner and they have meticulous records and everything was done as it's supposed to be done, then it can work out. But it's rare/hard to find those from my experience. I've checked out a few high mileage bikes and the sellers couldn't provide detailed maintenance records.

[zeoran]

Found a beautiful 99 Aspencade in Phoenix, AZ. Lots of extras and seems to be in really good shape. I didn't know they had done a 50th Anniversary edition in 99, but apparently they did.

Anything of note that's different between the 2000 SE and the 99 Aspencade?

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/ ... 89078.html

[Rambozo]

Anything of note that's different between the 2000 SE and the 99 Aspencade?

Damn white gauges, for one.

[zeoran]

Ok, I've heard that before and I don't understand... I actually like them. Is there a problem with them or just personal preference? To me, I'd think they'd be easier to read, especially in the bright CA sun.

[AZgl1800]

Ok, I've heard that before and I don't understand... I actually like them. Is there a problem with them or just personal preference? To me, I'd think they'd be easier to read, especially in the bright CA sun.

in Daylight hours, they are great.
for about an hour at dusk, just as the street-lights start to come on, you can't see the gauges.

[Andy Cote]

Honda sold Goldwings that celebrated the anniversary of the Wing itself as well as anniversary of Honda itself.

My only question on the linked one is why the hitch was removed. Some pictures show it installed. Regardless, easy to reinstall. Chat with the seller but looks good so far. Weekend trip!

[DenverWinger]

Anything of note that's different between the 2000 SE and the 99 Aspencade?

Damn white gauges, for one.

White gauges are difference between '99 and '00, not SE/Aspencade.

SE vs Aspencade:

Side lights on trunk and saddlebags vs reflectors.
Front amber marker lights vs reflectors
Cornering lights vs no cornering lights
(note - the above lighting still available aftermarket - by now most Aspencades already have it added...)
Two tone paint vs Single color.
Lighted handlebar switches and controls vs not lighted
Lighted stereo controls vs not lighted
CB Radio stock vs optional
Adjustable passenger foot rests vs non adjustable.
Foot heater vents vs no vent (not very effective anyway)

I think that's most of the differences, what else did I miss?

[zeoran]

Anything of note that's different between the 2000 SE and the 99 Aspencade?

Damn white gauges, for one.

White gauges are difference between '99 and '00, not SE/Aspencade.

SE vs Aspencade:

Side lights on trunk and saddlebags vs reflectors.
Front amber marker lights vs reflectors
Cornering lights vs no cornering lights
(note - the above lighting still available aftermarket - by now most Aspencades already have it added...)
Two tone paint vs Single color.
Lighted handlebar switches and controls vs not lighted
Lighted stereo controls vs not lighted
CB Radio stock vs optional
Adjustable passenger foot rests vs non adjustable.
Foot heater vents vs no vent (not very effective anyway)

I think that's most of the differences, what else did I miss?

Thank you very much. I still have a couple of questions though.
I'm not worried about the lights, as you said they can be added aftermarket.
I'm not as concerned with paint, although I preferred the deep blue w/pin stripes of the one in Santa Clarita.
I kinda care about the lighted handlebar switches. Here's the thing, I did some Google searching and I saw a walkaround video of a 98 Aspencade and its handlebar switches were lit up blue. Was it POSSIBLE to get an Aspencade with lighted switches or is it possible to add the feature after purchase? Same with the stereo controls?
It has a CB radio, so obviously the original owner went for that option.
I'm not worried about the adjustable foot rests. I've seen many used Wings with one or both of them broken anyway and I'd likely just replace them with something slightly better.
Again I'm confused on the foot heater vents. When I compared this Aspencade to the 2000 SE pictures I have, they have the same vents on the left/right of the fairing, unless I'm missing something and those aren't the vents you're referring to?

God bless,

~Mark

[zeoran]

I'm also curious to know if anyone has any input regarding how much it would cost (and how I would do it) as far as shipping it to southern CA vs renting a Uhaul and picking it up. The thing with Uhaul is the mileage... and I don't know if they have an option for renting a motorycle trailer with a pickup rental or if that would be easier/cheaper.

Thoughts/ideas?

God bless,

~Mark

[DenverWinger]

I kinda care about the lighted handlebar switches. Here's the thing, I did some Google searching and I saw a walkaround video of a 98 Aspencade and its handlebar switches were lit up blue. Was it POSSIBLE to get an Aspencade with lighted switches or is it possible to add the feature after purchase? Same with the stereo controls?
Again I'm confused on the foot heater vents. When I compared this Aspencade to the 2000 SE pictures I have, they have the same vents on the left/right of the fairing, unless I'm missing something and those aren't the vents you're referring to?

Thought of another difference, the SE comes with 4 speaker stereo and speaker fader on the handlebar controls, Aspencade with just the front speakers. Can get aftermarket kit for the rear speakers and fader, the aftermarket fader goes on the shelter just south of the ignition switch.

As to the lighted handlebar controls on an Aspencade, the Aspy controls have the lettering painted on, no way to backlight them short of getting the control set from a wrecked SE. Same for the stereo, have to get a stereo (or at very least the stereo's faceplate) from an SE.

Haven't paid much attention to the foot vents, SE owners say they are pretty worthless anyway....

[Rambozo]

At this point these bikes have been modified so much, you need to inspect the actual bike and forget about how it came from Honda. Most Aspencades have a sprinkling of SE features and some SE's have been repaired with lower grade parts, too. What I didn't like about the white gauges is they reflected off the windscreen at night and made for a huge blind spot. YMMV The foot vents have a control knob opposite the headlight adjust knob. It opens two small triangular flaps in the bottom of the faring to direct exhaust/engine heat to your feet.

[zeoran]

Well, it looks like I won't get stereo speakers or lighted controls then. Not the biggest concerns in the long run. I'm likely to be using bluetooth to my phone most of the time anyways and as you mentioned, I can upgrade it later. Although, if the bike has grills in the back, does that automatically mean there are rear speakers or can they be dummy grills with nothing behind them?

The white gauges reflecting off the windshield might be something to consider, however. I'm not sure if it's a deal breaker, but it's something to consider...thank you.

[Rambozo]

You will have to wait and see. Most Aspencades I have looked at had rear speakers. Some Honda, some aftermarket, some upgraded (Polk).
If you have grills on the back, you can cook a steak. If you have grilles on the back you can install speakers. Grilles come standard, AFAIK. Also the wiring is in place so the parts will plug & play. Look for the fader on the left control pod or the center handlebar cover, for the Honda versions. Some of the aftermarket just include a small pot that could be mounted anywhere.