Is it worth moving up to an 1800?

[brianl]

I currently have a 1997 GL1500A that I had triked with a Roadsmith kit in 2013. I'm considering trading it in or selling it and buying a GL1800 2006 or newer. My trike just went over 50,000 miles and runs excellent.

Can anyone tell me if there are any advantages to moving up to the 1800 and what they are? If I do go with an 1800, I'm considering buying one online probably from a dealer who specializes in building trikes as there are very few trike dealers in Massachusetts which makes the prices much higher than what I've seen in say Texas or Alabama.

If I buy from down south it would be a low miles wing with a brand new Roadsmith kit. I don't know how the warranty would work if there are any problems. I'd like to know if anyone has ever done this and if there were any problems. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[bikerbillone]

If your 1500 is doing what you want it to do and is reliable, then I would be reluctant to upgrade, but all that depends on your circumstance, cause it's gonna cost you no matter what. Just my opinion, but if you read the forums, we all have differing opinions. You can take those dollars you'd use on an upgrade and do and spend the dollars on the 1500. Of course that presents another set of problem, hard to find someone to work on a 1500, etc., unless you do you own wrenching. Luck to ya on that decision, so many factors involved.

 

[mhgoldwing]

If your 1500 is doing what you want it to do and is reliable, then I would be reluctant to upgrade, but all that depends on your circumstance, cause it's gonna cost you no matter what. Just my opinion, but if you read the forums, we all have differing opinions. You can take those dollars you'd use on an upgrade and do and spend the dollars on the 1500. Of course that presents another set of problem, hard to find someone to work on a 1500, etc., unless you do you own wrenching. Luck to ya on that decision, so many factors involved.

+1

 

[Gorilla]

I agree with the other responses. The big question is why. 97 1500 with ONLY 50k is barely broke in. Make sure you ride one before you buy you sit on an 1800 a little different then the 1500. Some do not like the difference. You will not get a great amount for your 1500 probably between $9k and $14k. IMO the big difference between them is the 1800 looks more modern and has more power. Bottom line your money your choice.

 

[David357]

Brian, it sounds like you have a good, solid running trike. I agree with Gorilla and others, it makes no sense, either financilly or mechanically, to try to sell your existing trike.

Keep riding and enjoying it.:scooter:

 

[mhgoldwing]

Let me amend my agreement with the above in this sense:

The 1800 is fuel injected with provides better throttle response and programmable ECM. The chassis is completely different. Note that these differences make a whole lot more distinction between two wheelers. For a trike I really don't think you gain that much other than some newer technology.

Generic parts are not a a problem on the 1500 as there were many on the road. However, once a bike/trike is over 10 years old the manufacturer's support of unique parts pretty much ends. That was the case when my '06 1800's wiring harness went bad. No one in the U.S. had one to match that year, model, etc. 5 months and $2,400 later I got my trike back with a custom built new wiring harness made in Japan. Therefore, I have thought of buying a newer model. But, like you I'm faced with the decision to spend thousands of dollars to upgrade or keep using the trike I have fixed up just the way I want it. I've decided to keep this old girl at least a couple of years longer and then weigh my options. I've 67k miles on mine so I figure there ought to be many miles left in her. Right now I plan on using them.

 

[Trail Blazer]

Hello Brian

I have a 2000 gl1500se with 98000 + miles on it, it runs fine. I ride a lot with 1800s and fine I have no problem keeping up ( but at our age we don't race any more ) & our gas mileage was very close. one time the 1800 would bet my 1500 other time I bet them. almost even. 50000 is not miles on a goldwing.

now some time we just want to upgrade, but for me I will stay with my 1500

 

[brianl]

Thank you all for your input and keep 'em coming. I'd like to hear all the pluses and minuses or potential problems I might have with an 1800 that I don't have now. I used to want to have an 1800 because a lot of the after-market items I wanted weren't available for the 1500. For example my wife wanted the passenger adjustable foot rests and they don't make them for my bike. I've since given up on adding onto the bike and have "settled" for my handle bar mounted GPS (which I do like) and my 21 year old crackly-sounding speakers for the radio. (anyone got any cassettes they want to get rid of? LOL)

 

[trike lady]

Your wing is finally broken in and you still have another 150,000 miles worth of life in the trike, as long as it runs well that's all that matters. You've got hydraulic tappets on the 1500 no adjustment necessary, on the 1800 the valves have to be adjusted more work and/or expense. Speakers can be updated, even the GL1500 sound system can be updated. If your Wing is an SE the floorboards can be adjusted up and down, not on the Aspencade.

 

[David357]

Now that's funny.........:laugh::laugh:

 

[CrystalPistol]

First of all, if I thought it was "worth it" … I would have.

I've known of those whom moved up to an 1800, invested in trike conversion, and then wished they could get that 1500 back.

They do sit different.

.

 

[Marc H]

I have those same thoughts from time to time but the ol 1500 has character.I can work on it but some parts are getting more difficult to find.Its easier to service and I like to think has fewer expensive parts to give trouble.Reading forums can be dangerous cause we see what can go wrong.When I see some of failures on the early 1800s and what they cost,the difficulty in getting to things to service it and the like the 1500 doesn't look so bad anymore.In my case if I had a wish for different trike it would what you have or maybe a Yamaha Venture.Mine is an early 89 with a 13ish Champion kit.If it was a 97-00 I would have a hard time letting it go.I have even thought of picking up a 97-00 2 wheeler and putting my kit on it.

 

[mhgoldwing]

I have those same thoughts from time to time but the ol 1500 has character.I can work on it but some parts are getting more difficult to find.Its easier to service and I like to think has fewer expensive parts to give trouble.Reading forums can be dangerous cause we see what can go wrong.When I see some of failures on the early 1800s and what they cost,the difficulty in getting to things to service it and the like the 1500 doesn't look so bad anymore.In my case if I had a wish for different trike it would what you have or maybe a Yamaha Venture.Mine is an early 89 with a 13ish Champion kit.If it was a 97-00 I would have a hard time letting it go.I have even thought of picking up a 97-00 2 wheeler and putting my kit on it.

the 1500 had her share of weaknesses also. Probably one of the most famous is the alternator which is what cratered on my '97SE and ruined a trip with my granddaughter. But all in all every model of Gold Wing has stood well in the test of time.

 

[Burnerboy]

The only problem, in keeping the 1500 VS. the 1800 will be REsale value, If that's not a problem, I'd say keep it!!

Ronnie

 

[JaysGone]

I sold a 99 Valkyrie to get my 2010 1800.

Truth is. Id rather have my 99 back. At least with a 1500 you can if you choose work on it.

The 1800 not nearly as much.

50K is a barely broken in engine too by the way as has already been pointed out.

In the end all it is your money being spent.

Nothing wrong with the 1500 in my book.

 

[brianl]

the 1500 had her share of weaknesses also. Probably one of the most famous is the alternator which is what cratered on my '97SE and ruined a trip with my granddaughter. But all in all every model of Gold Wing has stood well in the test of time.

Actually, the very first, and pretty much the only major thing that went wrong with my bike, WAS the alternator. That was in 2011 shortly after I brought it. So at least I got that out of the way.

 

[CrystalPistol]

My 1500 trike had a Comp-u-fire when purchased in 2004. In 2005 I think it was, on a group ride, pulling off BRP for gas noticed my volt meter read low. Trike had Aug 2004 Odyssey PC680 batt, rest of group headed on to motel, one couple in a Celica stayed with us, I'ld go maybe 10-12 miles in rain watching v-meter, when below 9 vdc I'd find a place to pull over, we then hooked jumpers to Celica with trike off, Celica running at fast idle, get quick charge, start trike, unhook cables, take off again, trike died under 8 vdc in motel parking lot, it was still raining. I caught my group at supper.

Couple buddies had a spare 1500 alt in trailer, I swapped one in next AM, Odyssey started trike, was a open winding on rotor. C-u-f was easily fixed with new off shelf rotor at local electric motor / gen / alt shop upon my return home and C-u-f was put back in, no issues cince then.

That Odyssey stayed in that trike up into late 2015, it got a new one then.

 

[Trail Blazer]

Actually, the very first, and pretty much the only major thing that went wrong with my bike, WAS the alternator. That was in 2011 shortly after I brought it. So at least I got that out of the way.

I had a alternator go out on my 2000se, I got a 90 amp compu-fire on the internet for $372 ( was in a rush and couldn't shop around ) I took my old 90 ampu-fire to a Alternator shop, he got a new car alternator and put the front of my alternator on it ( I think it was a older satiner) not spelled right. for $ 130 the same alternator. works like a charm

 

[trike lady]

I'd say resale value is good on 1500's looking at the prices. There is always someone willing to buy a 1500 trike and there is also someone looking to buy a good clean 1500 bike to trike. There's always someone who trades in a 1500 for an 1800 and is disappointed.

It's a nice looking trike and you'll get many more years of life out of it.

 

[lgjhn]

I'll agree and just echo what everyone else has told ya. Sounds like your 1500 is doing everything you want it to and has exceptionally low mileage. I service both 1500s and 1800s and probably the biggest advantage of the 1800 trike is its fuel injection, but really, if your 1500 is running fine, I'd just go ahead and keep it....wear it out...LOL.

I will say this: in their 2-wheel versions, I personally found the 1500 to be the better riding highway bike, but it's heavy.

The 1800 brought fuel injection, easier rear tire service, lighter & nimble. Other than fuel injection, none of those "advantages" apply to the trike version. Yeah. I'd just keep it and wear it out.

 

[brianl]

Thank you everyone for your advice. The bike is running great and I'll most likely keep it for a while after hearing what everyone had to say. What I REALLY want to do is wait and see what people say about triking the automatic 2018's. Maybe in a few years that will be a good excuse for a new one! LOL

 

[FRR]

In a word.... Yep

 

[Gideon]

I currently have a 1997 GL1500A that I had triked with a Roadsmith kit in 2013. I'm considering trading it in or selling it and buying a GL1800 2006 or newer. My trike just went over 50,000 miles and runs excellent.

Can anyone tell me if there are any advantages to moving up to the 1800 and what they are? If I do go with an 1800, I'm considering buying one online probably from a dealer who specializes in building trikes as there are very few trike dealers in Massachusetts which makes the prices much higher than what I've seen in say Texas or Alabama.

If I buy from down south it would be a low miles wing with a brand new Roadsmith kit. I don't know how the warranty would work if there are any problems. I'd like to know if anyone has ever done this and if there were any problems. Any input would be appreciated.

I like many others ask, "Why?"

 

[brianl]

Wish Id switched

Now I realize I should have followed my instincts. Brought the bike to the shop because it was over heating. Turns out the water pump needs to be replaced among many things. Honda no longer makes parts for the 1500. The shop couldn’t be bothered to go on amazon where the parts are available. I asked them if I bought the parts would they be willing to put them in. They said it might be up to $1500 labor . Bike not worth that since I’ll have a hard time getting parts from now on. Just ordered a 2017 and will be selling this one for whatever I can get.

 

[Marc H]

Brian sorry youve run into those kind of problems with the 1500 but i'm sure you'll love the new trike.I have no idea what your trike is worth as it sets but when you decide let us know.Someone might be interested.

 

[trikeman]

Went to eBay. Found 8 new water pumps for 1500 wing in first 2 minute search. All were Honda factory replacements with warranty. Prices range from $145 to $165. It’s a 2 hr max to remove old and install new. Sounds like a repair shop problem and not a 1500 wing problem. Don’t know who the shop but if they over price a simple water pump exchange I’d be shopping for a different shop for all my service and repairs on any motorcycle or trike I owned. Hope you enjoy your “new” 1800 wing. Post pics!!:wave4:

 

[brianl]

Brian sorry youve run into those kind of problems with the 1500 but i'm sure you'll love the new trike.I have no idea what your trike is worth as it sets but when you decide let us know.Someone might be interested.

I’ve looked online and my bike with 53,000 miles on it goes for $10,000 to $14,000. I’m asking $5,000 if someone is willing and able to do the work, you can get yourself a good trike for cheap money. If you look at my original post, you’ll see that up until now, this bike has been awesome. This is pretty much the first thing that has gone wrong with it and the bike still starts right up and runs great. I agree with the post about the problem being with the dealer and not the bike. I haven’t found any shops around here that are willing to go the extra mile for the customer. I live in Leominster, Massachusetts. My name is Brian and if anyone is interested in the bike, please send me a personal message and I’ll be sure to get back to you.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Just from a curiosity standpoint, when going from sea level to out west mountains, how do the 1500 carburetors handle? I remember on a Harley the issues. Wondering if the GW’s are any better at it.