GL1800 year differences

[p40warhawk67]

Hi all,

In trying to decide what year Wing to get I would like to know if there is a "brake down" on what each year for the GL1800 has or has not.
So like a comparison list per say. This would be helpful especially if there is a specific year to avoid or look for.

[blupupher]

Several break downs for the years, you have '01-'10 that were made in the US, '12-'17 were made in Japan.
There have been incremental improvements throughout the years, and many will say to avoid '01-05 models due to some of the "issues" with those years (alternator drive gear issue, cracked frames (free recall repair) and some computer issues are the biggest one I can think of off hand, but later models also have the ADG issue, just not as much).
In '04 they introduced light up bar controls, and '06 was when the airbag model was offered for the first time (an option), and the in dash gps and factory heated seat/grips option. I think that is also when the heat ducts to the legs returned.
The '12-'17 models have a slight bodywork re-design, but functionality is not really changed that much.

I am sure there are other issues, but those are the ones I can think of off hand.

When I was looking, I initially did not look at pre-'06, but after reading more on it and coming across a great deal on my '02, I decided to go that route instead.

[p40warhawk67]

Thank you for that info.

I am looking at a 2004 right now with 140.000
nice condition for $3000

[blupupher]

$3000 for a decent '04 is a good deal, even with that mileage.

I forgot to mention there are several brake recalls on the 1800 (all years), so you need to make sure that has been addressed as well.

[diecast collector]

$3,000 is not a bad price for a 04 with the miles it has as long as it has always been garaged. 04 was the tail end of the frame problems. I looked for a 06, or newer when I bought my 06 level 2 Wng with heated seat and grips, premium stereo. IMHO the electrics were better by this time. Larger radiators, and higher wattage alternator. Been a great bike sor far with only 126K miles.
diecast collector

[p40warhawk67]

Thanks all for the info.
Helps me look deeper.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Be aware, that the used GL1800 market is flooded with transmission problems. For eample, if you went out today and purchased 4 or 5 of them, the likelyhood of one of them having a serious transmission is nearly 100%. My most common transmssion customer will say that he bought the Wing used in the last 6 months.

Most who dump their tranny problem onto the next owner know that their Wing has a serious problem.

[blupupher]

Be aware, that the used GL1800 market is flooded with transmission problems. For eample, if you went out today and purchased 4 or 5 of them, the likelyhood of one of them having a serious transmission is nearly 100%. My most common transmssion customer will say that he bought the Wing used in the last 6 months.

Most who dump their tranny problem onto the next owner know that their Wing has a serious problem.

Really, first I am hearing of this, and I am on several Goldwing forums.
I have never read about it on any websites that talk about what to look for when searching for Goldwing's either.

[diecast collector]

As long as you take your time and shift carefully, Change clutch fluid at least every other year, i doubt you will ever have transmission problems. My 06 with 126K miles does not worry at all about transmission failure. Of coarse, buying used you have no idea how P.O. did his or her shifting. I would never buy a used Gold Wing with a heel/toe shifter. Just my preferrance.
diecast collector

[GoldWingrGreg]

Be aware, that the used GL1800 market is flooded with transmission problems. For eample, if you went out today and purchased 4 or 5 of them, the likelyhood of one of them having a serious transmission is nearly 100%. My most common transmssion customer will say that he bought the Wing used in the last 6 months.

Most who dump their tranny problem onto the next owner know that their Wing has a serious problem.

Really, first I am hearing of this, and I am on several Goldwing forums.
I have never read about it on any websites that talk about what to look for when searching for Goldwing's either.

google "GL1800 ghost shifting"

[GoldWingrGreg]

As long as you take your time and shift carefully, Change clutch fluid at least every other year, i doubt you will ever have transmission problems. My 06 with 126K miles does not worry at all about transmission failure. Of coarse, buying used you have no idea how P.O. did his or her shifting. I would never buy a used Gold Wing with a heel/toe shifter. Just my preferrance.
diecast collector

In most cases, it has nothing to do with how it is being operated or shifted, and has everything to do with poor transmission design.

[diecast collector]

Just wondering Greg. Is the transmission problems worse on the 1800 Gold Wing than the 1500 Gold Wing.? My last `98 S.E. had 232K miles with no shifting problems. I am expecting same results wth my `06 1800. Or should I not be?
diecast collector