Luggage capacity comparison 1983 vs 2018

[johnny42]

I've been reading about the reduced luggage capacity of the 2018 + Goldwings. I can't find any specs on my 1983 Interstate. I'd like to get some idea of just how much the new Wings have, compared to what I've been used to for the last 37 years. Does anyone have the capacities of the side bags and top trunk of these two models?

[WingAdmin]

I've been reading about the reduced luggage capacity of the 2018 + Goldwings. I can't find any specs on my 1983 Interstate. I'd like to get some idea of just how much the new Wings have, compared to what I've been used to for the last 37 years. Does anyone have the capacities of the side bags and top trunk of these two models?

I believe the 1983 (which had larger capacity than the 1982) was fairly close to the 1984 GL1200. I don't have numbers for the 1983 GL1100, but I do for the 1984 GL1200:

1984 GL1200:
Trunk: 63 liters
Saddlebags: 38 liters each

GL1500:
Trunk: 69 liters
Saddlebags: 62 liters each

GL1800:
Trunk: 60 liters
Saddlebags: 80 liters total (right one is smaller due to driveshaft)

2018+ GL1800:
Trunk: 50 liters
Saddlebags: 30 liters each

[SHAPPE]

Hello everyone

Me and my wife would have liked to have bought the new GL1800 but an imperative requirement is to get both helmets down in the topbox and it's impossible in the current topbox. There are further details that have deteriorated why we can never imagine buying the new Guldwingen as it is now. Feels like Honda doesn't want us touring riders as customers anymore.

Here in Sweden there are lots of unsold new and demo-driven GL1800 2018 – 2020 at the dealers. I think Honda has made a big mistake and will not get the sale right here in Sweden until they redesign the topbox. I'm sorry it came to this.
Anders

[89 1500]

Thanks WingAdmin. That's why I'm still on my 1500. The wife and I need as much capacity as we can get. She takes one bag and half the trunk lol. The other has a soft cooler and a little extra space for me. I took a 19 for a weekend ride solo and although it does alot of things right touring two up isn't one of them. Even the dealership said they were targeting a younger demographic. I guess todays touring has turned into a day trip. My weekend run had my soft cooler taking up the trunk, a change of clothes in the right bag with my snivel gear and a sandwich in the left bag no room for chips. So looking at a new ride for me will be a 18 or older or another manufacturer.

[SHAPPE]

Hello again

One way to solve the problem is that Honda offer two different types of top boxes. Then day tourers with only creditcard in their pocket can choose the small (current) and the rest of us could choose the larger one. Strange that no third party manufacturer already has designed a larger top box. It's supposed to be pretty easy to remove it. But if we want change, then we who think like this of course must complain loudly to dealers and directly to Honda at e.g. trade fairs. It is reasonable not only "89 1500" and I think like this. It probably does not help that we give our views only on different forums.

Honda discontinued production of Pan European and then tried to make a sports tour of the GL1800. Does not really fit any customer category so well. But I know – it's technically a fantastic machine – I've run it.

The fact remains – not getting two helmets down in the top box is basically idiocy in my opinion. Here in Sweden two good helmets (Shoei) with interkom (SENA) will be equivalent to 1200$. It's not fun to have them stolen. In addition, it rains quite often here and with the helmets in the hooks they gets wet. Not fun when you get back to the bike after a nice time at an attraction. It's not fun or comfortable wearing helmets all the time. Even not for the "creditcard" folk.

[newday777]

Hello again

Strange that no third party manufacturer already has designed a larger top box. It's supposed to be pretty easy to remove it.


The fact remains – not getting two helmets down in the top box is basically idiocy in my opinion. Here in Sweden two good helmets (Shoei) with interkom (SENA) will be equivalent to 1200$. It's not fun to have them stolen. In addition, it rains quite often here and with the helmets in the hooks they gets wet. Not fun when you get back to the bike after a nice time at an attraction. It's not fun or comfortable wearing helmets all the time. Even not for the "creditcard" folk.

Actually....
Corbin has designed and is selling bigger lids for the side cases and top box to enlarge the capacity. Adds @ 9 liters to the top trunk.

[Solo So Long]

There are some pretty nice fabric bags on the market, but these are a lot less secure and don't solve the two-brain-bucket problem.

Too bad that inflatable helmet idea never got practical.

[johnny42]

I recently checked out an FJR and its saddlebags. They are also 30 liter. Not nearly enough room. I thought it might be time to update my 1983 Interstate and the 2018+ models looked really good. It weighs more than my 83, but quite a bit less than the other 1800's, and the seat height is lower than my 83. The luggage capacity is a deal breaker. I'd like the luggage capacity of the 1500's, the weight of the 2018+ and the seat height of the 2018's. And I want this before I'm too old to ride!

[dingdong]

Hello again

Strange that no third party manufacturer already has designed a larger top box. It's supposed to be pretty easy to remove it.


The fact remains – not getting two helmets down in the top box is basically idiocy in my opinion. Here in Sweden two good helmets (Shoei) with interkom (SENA) will be equivalent to 1200$. It's not fun to have them stolen. In addition, it rains quite often here and with the helmets in the hooks they gets wet. Not fun when you get back to the bike after a nice time at an attraction. It's not fun or comfortable wearing helmets all the time. Even not for the "creditcard" folk.

Actually....
Corbin has designed and is selling bigger lids for the side cases and top box to enlarge the capacity. Adds @ 9 liters to the top trunk.

https://www.motorcyclepowersportsnews.c ... 1800-tour/

Available but pricey.

[SHAPPE]

Corbin - OK. That's where I should have looked. Imagine what can be accomplished with a little creativity. Maybe Honda should change the designer.

[minimac]

That's what kept me from getting a 1800. While I liked the improved fuel mileage, the reduced luggage carrying capacities, as well as reduced weather and wind protection, were the deal breakers for me.

[cihilb]

I've been reading about the reduced luggage capacity of the 2018 + Goldwings. I can't find any specs on my 1983 Interstate. I'd like to get some idea of just how much the new Wings have, compared to what I've been used to for the last 37 years. Does anyone have the capacities of the side bags and top trunk of these two models?

I believe the 1983 (which had larger capacity than the 1982) was fairly close to the 1984 GL1200. I don't have numbers for the 1983 GL1100, but I do for the 1984 GL1200:

1984 GL1200:
Trunk: 63 liters
Saddlebags: 38 liters each

GL1500:
Trunk: 69 liters
Saddlebags: 62 liters each

GL1800:
Trunk: 60 liters
Saddlebags: 80 liters total (right one is smaller due to driveshaft)

2018+ GL1800:
Trunk: 50 liters
Saddlebags: 30 liters each

One thing about the 1200's, they had top load bags so it was easier to squeeze more into them. When I traded my 85 for my 2012, I had to leave some things out. Also, the 1200 trunk was more of a a square shape. Helmets fit inside easier.

[toanogreen]

I believe the 1983 (which had larger capacity than the 1982) was fairly close to the 1984 GL1200. I don't have numbers for the 1983 GL1100, but I do for the 1984 GL1200:

1984 GL1200:
Trunk: 63 liters
Saddlebags: 38 liters each

GL1500:
Trunk: 69 liters
Saddlebags: 62 liters each

GL1800:
Trunk: 60 liters
Saddlebags: 80 liters total (right one is smaller due to driveshaft)

2018+ GL1800:
Trunk: 50 liters
Saddlebags: 30 liters each

That's why the 1500 is the best "touring bike"; plenty of room.

[Boondoc88@gmail.com]

Sorry for being a stickler but comparisons should be made uniformly.
Some models have capacities listed for each saddle bag individually and other models have capacities listed for combined saddle bag capacity.
I know, I know, just do the math but it adds unnecessary steps when trying to do simple comparisons.
Then it's mentioned that Corbin has lids that increase capacity but only top case capacity increase is mentioned (9 liters).
It would be nice to know total capacity increase, and, even better total capacity all together, that a new model Wing could expect using Corbin saddle bag lids and top case lid together.
If anyone could post this info it would be greatly appreciated.

[kwthom]

Corbin - OK. That's where I should have looked. Imagine what can be accomplished with a little creativity. Maybe Honda should change the designer.

Honda should change what designer - the one that did the saddlebags, etc. on the +18 bike?

No, that was 100% intentional!

https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-honda-g ... l-preview/

"As to the rest of the redesign, the desire to peel weight from the previous model drove many decisions, some of them complexly interrelated."

[Solo So Long]

"As to the rest of the redesign, the desire to peel weight from the previous model drove many decisions, some of them complexly interrelated."

When they took 20 pounds off of the engine, they had to reduce storage to try to get riders to put less weight above the CG.

I'll keep my 1500.

[Wildwilly018]

I love my 1500 storage capacity. I can put a lot of stuff in my trunk and not worry about lid coming down. Bags also.

[in2it]

I ride with fellows who have 1800's and 1800's+ ... I love my 1500 due to the increase in the trunk and bags offered ... I like to put luggage in the trunk and bags for a for a 2 to 5 day ride ... I agree with a lot of others here that like the new and improved changes to the motor but why reduce the upfront wind protection and reduced carrying capacity ??? Does Honda sees a threat from BMW with there tourer ??? Maybe in the future when Honda calls a Wing a tourer ... it will exactly be a tourer ... I like a touring Goldwing and not a sport tourer... Ok that's my 2 cents worth

[Solo So Long]

It's a whole new crew at Honda today than in the 1980s, when the GL1500 was the first pencil marks on a big piece of blank paper.

Somewhere along the way, they changed the basic idea of what a Goldwing should be.

[kwthom]

Somewhere along the way, they changed the basic idea of what a Goldwing should be.

...and, yet, that wasn't the *first* time that happened (changing the basic idea...)

Ref: GL1200 vs GL1500

What's old is new again. Less than 200,000 GL1800's were sold in North America during the years it was made. Every significant model change has had issues with buyers doing this:

[CWN]

https://www.corbin.com/honda/h18gwdoor.shtml

[Rambozo]

There are also these two trunk risers.

https://en.goldwing-case.com/

I wonder if you could use them with a Corbin lid for maximum overkill?

I bought my 1500 specifically for the capacity to put two helmets in the trunk. That they made a GoldWing you couldn't do that with strikes me as insane. I'm glad the aftermarket stepped in as I would like to get something newer than 2000.

[Boondoc88@gmail.com]

Finally!
Thank you CWN for posting a link to get total capacity increase if using Corbin's top case AND saddle bag lids TOGETHER!
Seems like an extra 20 liters would be the absolute minimum necessary, still 10 liters less than my 2012.
Can't say it would be on my wish list at $4,000+ with custom paint and all though.
I'll continue to use my Nelson Riggs Route 1 Highway Roller bag with the day trip bag attached when necessary for an extra 70+ liters of storage for $300.
Makes a great set of durable waterproof luggage (with lifetime warranty) for lots of adventures off the bike as well.

[Solo So Long]

Somewhere along the way, they changed the basic idea of what a Goldwing should be.

...and, yet, that wasn't the *first* time that happened (changing the basic idea...)

Not really. They had been expanding on the vision of the Interstate / Aspencade platform from the 1970s forward, after creating the concept of a bike built for two people to ride for a week or more. Then came the GL1800, which was the first time they began to work backward, toward what the competition was offering. The latest model, even more so.

It's nice to have the 21st century bells and whistles, but not at the expense of carrying ability or storage for both riders' helmets (which is something constantly needed, even when just riding around town).

[in2it]

Somewhere along the way, they changed the basic idea of what a Goldwing should be.

...and, yet, that wasn't the *first* time that happened (changing the basic idea...)

Not really. They had been expanding on the vision of the Interstate / Aspencade platform from the 1970s forward, after creating the concept of a bike built for two people to ride for a week or more. Then came the GL1800, which was the first time they began to work backward, toward what the competition was offering. The latest model, even more so.

It's nice to have the 21st century bells and whistles, but not at the expense of carrying ability or storage for both riders' helmets (which is something constantly needed, even when just riding around town).

I agree... Honda needs to make one for tourers without having to buy extra parts to make things fit ... then another for the sport tourer \ competition