I am thinking. . . . .

[Uncle Fester]

I am thinking about selling my 1996 GL1500 and getting a first generation GL1800 and I want to know if there is anything I should be aware of, or certain years to avoid. Well you get the idea. . . .So, let me have it, should I upgrade or should I keep my GL1500 and sink the extra (saved) money back into it instead ?

My 'Wing has a custom stereo (AM/FM, Thumb drive, SatRadio & iPod hook up) Corbin seat, Kury Iso grips, pegs, pass boards and I plan to upgrade to LED headlights, tail lights and marker lights this tax season.

Thanks all, I appreciate any input and thoughts.

[Viking]

Although the GL1500 is well liked in the community, yours is still 20+ years old. Depending on the mileage, it has been well used and properly enjoyed, and still has many good years left in it. No matter how much money you sink into it, it will never be younger than it is now. That said, if you buy a GL1800 in the first five years of their production, the best you can gain in new-ness is nine years. You will not, probably, be as happy with the limited space riding position of the GL1800, as opposed to your GL1500. What you will gain is sportiness. The GL1800 is a sport bike that is really big. If this is what you are looking for, by all means, move up. If not, then by all means, keep the GL1500. Now to technical... GL1800 has a bigger, stronger, faster engine, and handles better, and has fuel injection so is more reliable, but not by much. GL1500 has carbs, is a bit less powerfull, not as quick, nor as maneuverable, also not by much, but is much more comfortable to ride. 2003/2004 GL1800s had a frame cracking problem, which should have been taken care of under a recall, but have been known to crack again even after the rewelding of the frames. This is the only adverse thing I know about GL1800s aside from the brake recall, which is still underway. Your GL1500 is probably running like a top and needs no service or work to put it into top condition, and you already know its every foible.

[Uncle Fester]

I guess I was MOSTLY thinking towards newer = easier to find parts, but I did not realize the seating area was smaller, and as I am 6'2", I need all the room I can get ! LOL
As I tend to average 20-30K miles a year, the brake & frame issue concern me big time ! I ride from Oklahoma City to Denver once or twice a year and to Las Vegas once every other year to see my Mom, so the frame or brakes failing in the middle of no where is a scary idea to say the least.
As for handling , Progressive and Blackwing can handle that issue. . . .
I guess that answers my question, I will keep the 1500 and invest some money in her. Thanks

[PastoT]

First off I would definitely be looking for 2006 and newer. You have the heated seat/grips, feet heat vents, better audio, USB audio feed and fewer recalls. You can opt for NAV and ABS that is either not available or sparsely found in the earlier models. Of course newer could mean fewer miles clocked. Brake drag recall is certainly still an issue but If you flush and bleed your brakes its appears to be manageable. I have an 02 that has not let me down but I had to add seat and grip heating, and have heavily added equipment to my radio system. My flush my brakes twice a year ( I also have Speed Bleeders) and am waiting for the recall until I find a dealer that will schedule and appointment and do it while I wait, its not going to happen where I live. I'm 180# and 6ft and yes I'd like a bit more room but with a set of highway pegs I'm comfortable with 33" inseams to be riding 1200 miles straight out with a gel-pad (I have no butt). A custom seat and Mik-O pegs would be your solution. I haven't ridden a 1500 so I can't compare.

[detdrbuzzard]

I was thinking about selling my 1500 wing and getting an 1800 wing back in '15. it wasn't the extra power or the handling it was the brakes! I had done lots of test riding on a couple of '09's and knew I wanted a better seat and a drivers backrest but didn't know what to do about the loss of trunk space. late in '15 I decided to go in a different direction and got the mighty ST 1300 and hang on to my 1500 wing. I still plan to upgrade to an 1800 wing but first I want a GSA to play around on

[Wingsconsin]

I made the move 2 years ago. from a '96 (blue) that I really loved (over 130,000 miles)
But I found a low mileage 2002 GL1800 and got on board.

I loved the 1500 -- but the 1800 is so much better -

The frame crack issue isn't as scary as one thinks - mine had all the recalls done on it prior to me getting it.
At 25,000 miles it was not even broken in.
Size wise I never felt crowded and 'she who must be obeyed' likes the 1800 better than the 1500 for ride comfort (shocking )

However - I had been planning and saving for this move for some time -
I spent an extra $3000 on it once I got it to make it MINE - $1100 in a new CUSTOM seat from Diamond
And added the CB and some other stuff I wanted -

Now 2 years later and sitting at near 50,000 miles I couldn't be happier --

And I LOVED my '96 1500 -- rode it everywhere -- 38 states -- 10 years of ownership -- In fact I had just completed a major overhaul preparing it for the push to 200,000 miles - I was that committed and confident in it..then this '02 1800 became available at a really low price --

Just my experience

[liflyboy]

I've ridden them both. I own them both. I love them both! FICKLE!

I prefer the 2006 to the 1994. More Power, better handling, a little lower center of gravity, did I mention more POWER! Someone else advised 2006 or newer and I agree, just because of the frame issue. I bought mine at the end of 2014 with 9,600 miles, and it's now got over 30,000. I would upgrade to a new one, if there were any changes. lol.

[raven41951]

In 2013 I test rode the newly minted Indian Cheiftan and then an F6B. I just could not decide which one to replace my 1100 Shadow ACE with. I bought a '94 1500 Bermuda Blue and put many happy miles and dollars into it. Last fall I looked at a very nice '09 GL1800 but it didn't have foot heaters! While haggling I found a new base model '16 1800 at $4 G off retail. I bought it.

As noted there is a power difference; 118 vs 110 hp that feels like much more but probably due to the EFI, which is fantastic, very responsive and no more choke to forget. Seat and grip heat, CB, Foot Heat, USB input. As noted, it has a sporty ride compared to the 1500, but also very comfortable. I got it at the end of the season so not much riding done, but what I have was very enjoyable. I do not miss the 1500.

I would recommend anything less than 10 years old, the newer the better as you have a better chance of personalizing it to yourself. I have already added a Utopia through-the-seat back rest (professionally installed), AUX input and power socket for left pocket along with storage compartment carpets. Springtime will bring SoCalMotoGear LED driving/directional/daytime running lights. Two or more years will bring a Traxxion front suspension.

2018 Summer (Jul-Aug) will be spent criss-crossing the USA.

[joeincalif]

I had 2 1500's before I bought my first 1800 in 02. I had 2 1800's, an 02 and a new 08. No doubt about it the 1800 is a great bike but the 1500 is nothing to disregard. Since my wife hurt her back and could no longer ride I sold my 08 and went a different route. I bought a Kawasaki 1400 Concours, GREAT bike but I could never get comfortable for over 150 miles. Then did the cruiser thing, Honda shadow, Honda VTX then Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad. Nothing compares to a wing so I bought a 1997 SE 1500. For me the 1500 is just right, less maintenance, less trouble and since I don't ride as much as I used to it was my best deal. But if you go the 1800 route look at an 06 or newer.

[Red Ron]

I would go 2008 or above to avoid the frame issue and get the bigger alternator.

[Metal Mangler]

Have owned a 1984 1200, 1988 1500, a new 2012 1800. Loved them all, the 1800 was divine had it all but the airbag.on the 28th Dec. 2016 I got rear-ended and pushed into another vehicle. I was thinking how awesome the airbag would have been on my way to my wind screen. I have a few scars and sore upper body I should be OK over time. Was looking for a new bike. Was curious is abs standard now the 2012 it was listed in the model but looking now it seems elusive. Don't mind buying a used one but want all of the features I had. Thanks

[MikeB]

Sorry to hear about your accident but it may well get you a brand new 2017 model.

For 2017 a new color was added. The Grey/Black in the 2016 model has been discontinued.
Available colors are now Candy Red, Ultra Blue Metallic/Black and Pearl White.
But, the Pearl White is only on the middle priced Audio Comfort Navi XM or the top priced Audio Comfort Navi XM ABS.

The equipment packages are the same as in previous years, except this news: The Airbag Goldwing is no longer available.
The Honda page describing the NEW 2017 Goldwing. http://powersports.honda.com/2017/gold-wing.aspx

[toanogreen]

I moved to the 1800 and I'm still deciding if I made the right move. I had two 1500's and LOVED them. I just purchased a 1800 last Thanksgiving. I've only put about 1200 miles on it, and that's only local riding. I could tell the difference immediately, but I can't say which I like better.
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME BIKE!

[MikeB]

toanogreen, its a shame you did not keep one of the GL1500's when you bought the new GL1800. I did and am pretty happy with that decision.

[toanogreen]

toanogreen, its a shame you did not keep one of the GL1500's when you bought the new GL1800. I did and am pretty happy with that decision.

I can only have one at a time:(