Commends/thoughts on this used 1999 Goldwing in AZ????

[zeoran]

I'm once again considering buying a bike from out of state, this time much closer to home and not buried in snow. The bike looks great, seems to be in great condition. I'm not sure what the differences were between the SE and Aspencade models for that year or 2000. I didn't even know they had a 50th Anniversary edition in 99. Seems weird to do 50th in 99 and 25th in 2000. But it has lots of extras I'd love to use (could use the heated vest during the winter months here and had to put heated grips on my ST1100, and I'd love to use that cooler while taking my son out for a picnic in the mountains)

I'd love to get everyone's thoughts on it... I'm checking to see if it's still available and then will have to try and get as much info as I can over the phone... I might know someone who lives near there but he doesn't know anything about motorcycles if he's even still there.

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

[AZgl1800]

I doubt that the Trailer Hitch frame was removed ( unless someone did not know how to change the tire w/o taking it off )

The Receiver Hitch is hidden underneath, the Drawbar goes underneath, and the slides UP vertically and has a pin that holds it in place.

so, it would be easy to have some pictures w/o the hitch showing, yet the Receiver part is still there.

on my bike, you can't even see the Receiver Hitch frame, unless the bike is way up in the air, or laying over on its' side.

[Andy Cote]

John,

One of the pics show the cooler in place behind the fender so it was on at one time. But one picture shows the entire hitch on the garage floor. It also shows as a straight in receiver type not the vertical style receiver style and other pics show the rear fender with no receiver below it. I don't know why it would have been removed; even for a tire change it's not an interference. Probably a good story.

Zeoran,

Looks good from the pics and has some nice extras at a reasonable price. Rent a u-haul truck and go get it.

[AZgl1800]

I saw both of those pix, but I did not examine the loose hitch to see if it was a vertical or horizontal.

shot from the hip on my response

[Andy Cote]

I saw both of those pix, but I did not examine the loose hitch to see if it was a vertical or horizontal.

shot from the hip on my response

I usually blame my bi-focals even though I don't wear them anymore.

No harm, no foul.

BTW, there is a beautiful 97 SE in the one year only midnight blue for sale in Massachusetts. I know that is too far for the OP but thought I'd throw it out for others (Boston CL ads only show for a week): https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/for/d ... 44723.html

[Andy Cote]

Zeoran,

Have you used the search tool on the classified link at the top of this page?

I found these which are in the price range you have been talking about:
https://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/d/tuc ... 92609.html
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy ... 07171.html
https://medford.craigslist.org/mcy/d/wh ... 37659.html

[zeoran]

Zeoran,

Have you used the search tool on the classified link at the top of this page?

I found these which are in the price range you have been talking about:
https://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/d/tuc ... 92609.html
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy ... 07171.html
https://medford.craigslist.org/mcy/d/wh ... 37659.html

Yes, thank you. I've been using the search engine almost every day looking for new entries. Thing is, I need to try and stay under $6k and I REALLY don't like the new styling starting in 2001.

I am going to ask the seller about the hitch situation, I caught that too and it seemed strange. The cooler had to be attached to something and yet there's a hitch lying on the floor. Maybe different style? We'll see.

God bless,

~Mark

[zeoran]

The seller said the hitch is currently off because he didn't like the way it looked and it was taken off during the last tire change. He said he'd put it back on for me if I bought the bike. (I'd prefer it on)

The only minor thing is one of the differences in the SE vs Aspencade, the lighted handlebar controls. I REALLY prefer to have controls that light up. Is there a way to add this feature to the bike after the fact? Can I simply buy SE model controls and change them out for the ones currently on the bike or something? Or is there a better option?

Also, any ideas on the best way to get the bike from AZ to Southern CA? Should I fly out and ride it back? Should I pay for professional shipping? Should I rent a Uhaul truck and strap it inside? (mileage cost?)(could I even secure it properly inside the bed of a moving truck?) Should I rent a Uhaul Pickup and somehow get a motorcyle trailer to attach to it? (pickups usually don't have mileage restrictions and always have a hitch)

God bless,

~Mark

[rickf1985]

A U-haul truck has a low deck and a ramp and inside they are fitted with all kinds of E-track for tying things down. Or at least they used to be. That would be the route I would go short of riding it back.

[WingAdmin]

I doubt that the Trailer Hitch frame was removed ( unless someone did not know how to change the tire w/o taking it off )

The Receiver Hitch is hidden underneath, the Drawbar goes underneath, and the slides UP vertically and has a pin that holds it in place.

so, it would be easy to have some pictures w/o the hitch showing, yet the Receiver part is still there.

on my bike, you can't even see the Receiver Hitch frame, unless the bike is way up in the air, or laying over on its' side.

John, that's not true - that vertical slide-up hitch receiver is on the 1800's only. The 1500's had a standard hitch receiver that will accept a standard square hitch, and is plainly visible.

[WingAdmin]

The seller said the hitch is currently off because he didn't like the way it looked and it was taken off during the last tire change. He said he'd put it back on for me if I bought the bike. (I'd prefer it on)

The only minor thing is one of the differences in the SE vs Aspencade, the lighted handlebar controls. I REALLY prefer to have controls that light up. Is there a way to add this feature to the bike after the fact? Can I simply buy SE model controls and change them out for the ones currently on the bike or something? Or is there a better option?

Also, any ideas on the best way to get the bike from AZ to Southern CA? Should I fly out and ride it back? Should I pay for professional shipping? Should I rent a Uhaul truck and strap it inside? (mileage cost?)(could I even secure it properly inside the bed of a moving truck?) Should I rent a Uhaul Pickup and somehow get a motorcyle trailer to attach to it? (pickups usually don't have mileage restrictions and always have a hitch)

God bless,

~Mark

If you are reasonably sure it's in good condition, you could fly/ride. I bought mine in Chicago, I had a forum member here go out and check it out for me. He gave it the thumbs up, so I flew out there with my gear and cash, then rode home 8 hours in the pouring rain.

[zeoran]

Part of me still would have preferred a blue 2000 SE but I can't find any of those nearby so I'm going with this one. I've already made arrangements to pick it up. I'll be grabbing a bus ride in the wee hours to get to the meeting place and then riding home from there.

I looked at the uhaul option but it was a lot of hassle and over $250 easy. I had hoped to get a ride from my father and have him shadow me on the way home, but with my mom about to have her last radiation treatment for uterine cancer, he obviously doesn't want to leave her side, even for a few hours.

I should be fine. Weather for Sunday morning is a cool 73 with clouds and light winds.

[ka4yqi]

I went to look at it on the site you listed. Seems that the listing has been removed. Good luck if you have bought it already.

[AZgl1800]

When I lived in Mesa, AZ a friend of mine knew I was looking for 1500 to replace the '94SE that Penske's semi totalled out for me.....

the '98SE bike was in Tampa, FL and my friend lived in San Antonio, FL about an hour's drive.
he knew this bike personally and said it was everything the owner claimed.

bought a ticket on Southwest Cattle Car and flew down....... bought the bike, toured Florida for a while with my friend and a couple days later, headed west towards Arizona.... took me almost 3 weeks, too many forum friends on the way home

really enjoyed that ride home.....

[zeoran]

I was originally looking for an SE, preferably a 2000 SE. Am I going to regret getting an Aspencade instead of an SE?

[AZgl1800]

I was originally looking for an SE, preferably a 2000 SE. Am I going to regret getting an Aspencade instead of an SE?

I doubt that very seriously.
The difference between them is very small.
Mostly appearance things, like the paint scheme.

I can't remember about the '99 Aspencade, but the older ones did not come with a factory CB radio.
that might not even matter to you, it don't to me.... I use the CB maybe once a year on a rally tour with a group.

I have a friend close to me here at home, his bike does not have a CB....
we get along just fine w/o it.

[newday777]

The only minor thing is one of the differences in the SE vs Aspencade, the lighted handlebar controls. I REALLY prefer to have controls that light up. Is there a way to add this feature to the bike after the fact? Can I simply buy SE model controls and change them out for the ones currently on the bike or something? Or is there a better option?

God bless,

~Mark

Mark
Yes, I put SE hand controls on an Aspencade for a guy in Oceanside a few years ago. It is a project especially if you want a cb as you would have to make a harness for the cb. He had a 97SE that had partially burned that he bought back from the insurance company to use for parts to put on his newer 99 Aspencade he purchased to replace the SE loss.

I have the SE hand controls available off my 99SE that was totaled 7 years ago if you want to go that route. I'm in Oceanside for the winter. Have a safe ride back with your new ride. I couldn't see the ad as the owner already deleted it. Send a pm if you have problems on the road back.
Stu