Cruise not engaging consistently below 80km/h (50mph)

[adventurous]

I just purchased a new GL1800 and find that the cruise control is not engaging consistently below 80km/h. Above this speed, it already engaged, between 60 and 80km/h it sometimes engages.

Any ideas?

Also, in Australia, school zones have a 40km/h limit. Is there a way to configure the cruise control so that it engages at that speed?

[millerized]

Not accidentally 'riding' or 'covering' the clutch, are you?
I thought mine was intermittent until I figured out that a tiny bit of pressure on the clutch lever...just how I held my hands over the lever, was causing it to 'disconnect' the cruise.
Just something I figured out on my own. Lots of other safeties, switches and hoses involved with the cruise if that's not it.

Can't help you on the 'setting' though.

[PastoT]

Wow this it the first time I've heard this issue but, I feel your pain, I use my Cruise so often I don't toggle it off anymore. First if you have a "new" 1800 address it with the dealer as it is obviously flawed and it sounds like you'll end up taking the shelter off. If they are not close enough to you or there is no warranty on a new-to-you bike then you'll need access to the service manual to troubleshoot fully. Start with accessible cut-off switches and the cruise control cable adjustment. You didn't mention if the cruise or set indicators are illuminating normally or at all, that might provide some important clues.

I've not read anything about a different set speed minimum on non-US models but the dealer would know if it differs. US models will set at 30 to 31mph . Most 1800s have a minor problem in that cruise engages slowly and drops 3-4 mph. This error can be fixed by tightening up the cruise control cable adjustment nut in the vicinity just forward and left of the radio, under the shelter! I've heard it has been relocated somewhat in that newest models, I think I've read just aft and right of the ignition switch. I can hardly imagine it being as far off as you describe and it seems reverse to the normal issue, still if all the cruise cut off switches are functioning (clutch lever, brake lever, foot brake pedal) then I'd be looking at the cruise control cable under the shelter as a known contributor to common cruise issues. I have the service manual for early models and section 21 has trouble shooting steps that make it pretty clear that the efforts involve troubelshooting the connections and signals to the cruise/reverse control module (all of this is under the shelter as well). Nothing mentions anything about cruise engaging and inordinate non-standard minimum speed but it does seem to be a bad input to the cruise/reverse control module or the module itself. I would be checking the connectors to ensure they are all clean and secure before measuring all the signals on each of these wire connectors or replacing that module.

[PastoT]

Just noticed your location sounds like dealership is not likely. What year is your GL1800? Is it new or just new-to-you? How many miles are on it and have any modifications or upgrades been added to it. There are some things that fail over time as they are subject to wear, and some electrical components that can go bad at anytime (i.e. relays). It sounds as your cruise works intermittently and at varying speeds, intermittent operation often is a sign of a bad/loose/dirty connection or a relay (relays being a electro mechanical devices can be damaged somewhat easily, but replaced easily if so). On older GL1800s that have had exposure to weather, dust, water, etc. throughout their life and things do start to fail (i.e. switches and connections); but not so much on a newer bike. Some of the connections to the cruise module are from the gear indicator switch and ECM and all of these components connect to ground and there are known ground point issues that can surface with age and exposure to the elements; a bad ground could easily vary signal voltages with unkown results. Are there any other electrical oddities you've noticed?

[adventurous]

The bike is in Australia and is brand new. I bought it on 31 December 2015, and it is the 40th anniversary model.

As I am currently on a trip in North Queensland, I am more than 1000 km from the nearest Goldwing dealer.

The cruise NEVER engages under 55km/h.
The cruise ALWAYS engages over 80 km/h.
The cruise sometimes engages in between.

I have tried pushing back the clutch and brake levers, but it makes no difference. I think it must be speed sensor related. However, the navigation works properly.

[MikeB]

You should have received an owners manual with your motorcycle. It has the information you are seeking.
The following is from the owners manual, Basic Operation and Riding, Riding with Cruise Control, page 77 in my book.

The cruise control system allows you to maintain a steady speed between
30 - 100 mph (48 - 161 km/h). When cruise control is on, your speed will still
vary slightly, particularly going up and down hills.

I hope this answers your concern.

[PastoT]

Ok, so 2015 GL1800. Being 1000 km from dealer the best you can hope for is a loose/dirty connection or maybe an issue with the cruise control cable adjustment. 01-10 models have a speed lag and 2012 and later are reporting a surge when cruise is engaged. I haven't access at this moment but perhaps I can send a PDF extract that list the troubleshooting info, it won't be word for word with your model but might help. Not sure you have removed the shelter or not but most of this checklist requires it; could be an issue if you have an airbag model. You are correct the speed sensor does send info to the system, but I think it runs to the ECM directly first, I'd expect you'd have issues with your speedo too. BTW the cruise control cable adjustment should be just aft of the right hand fork tunnel just under the shelter. Some of the troubleshooting steps come down to replacing the cruise module and/or actuator (obviously that's not something you would be able to do without a dealer, so hope for a bad connection). If you PM an email address to me I'll try to send what I have.

[adventurous]

Problem solved. It turns out one can only engage cruise control in 4th or 5th gear.

I don't understand why we should be encouraged to lug the engine. 50km/h (or 30mph) is not really ideal for 4th or 5th gear, and yet cruise control is invaluable around town.

Is there a trick to overriding this?

[MikeB]

The trick, if you want to call it one, is a quality throttle lock like the BrakeAway Motorcycle Cruise Control Throttle Lock for Honda Gold Wing F6B Standard available on Amazon. It also fits the GL1800 Wing and the GL1500 Wing.

[MikeB]

Problem solved. It turns out one can only engage cruise control in 4th or 5th gear.

I don't understand why we should be encouraged to lug the engine. 50km/h (or 30mph) is not really ideal for 4th or 5th gear, and yet cruise control is invaluable around town.

Is there a trick to overriding this?

I'm sorry, I made an error. The text about the cruise control is on page 70, not 77. And on the following page is this:

To Set Cruise Control
1. Make sure you are in 4th gear or OD (5th gear), and that
your speed is between 30 and 80 mph (48 and 128 km/h).
Any speed above 80 mph (128 km!h) will be memorized as
80 mph (128 kmh).

2. Push the cruise control master switch. (The CRUISE ON
indicator will come on.)

3. Accelerate to the desired speed.

4. Push the SET/DECEL switch. (The CRUISE SET indicator
will come on.)

One caveat though, I have found that any speed above 80 MPH is NOT recognized as 80 MPH, at least on all the bikes I have ridden or ridden with. It sees the speed that you are actually going and sets it as that speed. On the GL1500 however, it does see every speed above 80 MPH as 80 MPH. But that can be defeated easily enough.