Do you drive a GL1200 because it is all you can afford or because you love your 1200

[90Blazer]

I've grown up ridding dirt bikes and crotch rockets, and I'd still like to occasionally drag a knee. I haven't ridden an 1800 yet, but they look a little more sporty than the 1500. My brother has a 1500 and has let me ride it a few times and around town, in my opinion, it handles like the 900 lb. bike it is. When I got back on my 1200, it felt like a sportbike. Don't get me wrong, on the highway, I think the 1500 would be much more comfortable and I'd like one for that reason, but I'd still keep my 1200 for the fun factor and because is still looks like a motorcycle to me and since I've put the poorboy kit on, I should have taken care of the main problem with the 1200.

[NovaOne]

This is a tough question for me. I prefer to have vehicles that not everybody is riding and I love that the 1200 is smaller than the new wings. I haven't ridden an 1800 but from what I've read it still hangs in the turns good. I like to work on stuff but I have too many vehicles I'm always working on just to maintain. I just finished a full carb rebuild and timing belt replacement to get my bike running right so I might be a little bit tired of working on my bike.

If money were no object I would design my own 4 cylinder touring bike using newer technology. If money were a little bit more of an object I would probably buy an 1800 for two-up and a sport touring bike for when I'm alone.

[vern38]

I find this thread interesting I traded a newer bike a 2006 Yamaha V-Star 1100 and $500.00 for my 86 SE-i. When I was younger a man in town had a 86 just like the one I have now and I fell in love with the bike. When I seen this on on ebay I had to have it it was my dream bike so off I went on a 1200 mile round trip to Tulsa, OK with the Yamaha on a trailer to trade. The guy at the shop must have thought I was crazy. When I got it home I made about $500.00 in repairs and parts replacement and have been riding it every since. Would I buy a new one (NO) I have my dream bike and it will run with any bike on the road. Over the last couple of years I have done repairs and upgrades but cant beat a dream bike that's paid off. Some people that don't know bikes think its a newer bike imagine that...

[85GL1200I]

My 1200 is with me for the duration, barring illness or injury that prevents me from riding.

Not saying if cash was no object I wouldn't pick up a cruiser for short rides on hot days. I see no problem with 2 bikes in the garage!

[yiterp]

Bought my 84 aspencade about 8 years ago--had some problems at first but worked them all out-have thought a few times about something different but i have really grown attached to the old wing. Have spent many hours and maybe too much money fixing it up and dressing it up. But it looks like no other and the results of my time make it all worth while. Nothing better than pulling up somewhere with a bunch of other wings and have mine the one everyone wants to check out. Everyone that has the money can go out and buy a new bike and it will look just like all the others off the showroom floor but many of our classics are one of a kind--will i ever let it go--no--it's here to stay--

[sean13]

I had a '82 gl1100 and moved up to a '84 gl1200i .... love this bike! I don't see a need to move on from here, really. Just the right power, storage and weight for me!

[Whitefox]

I don't know how many here have been able to cash in on Vintage bike Insurance. I was able this year to have mine lowered fro m 1200 per year to 180 per year when my insurer agreed that my bike was a show bike. The criteria they used included the fact that it only had 18,000 miles on it at the beginning of the season. Also that I have other collector cars with them and I am retired early. They factored everything in and gave me a great price. Now because of this I am more married to the Goldwing than ever. I however like collecting and I hope to score an old Harley to add to the collection later on. I plan to stay with vintage bikes now that this aspect of having an older bike is working for me. The insurer said not to advertise who they are. I might tell someone privately. However they also made it clear that they would not do this for high mile vintage bikes. Right now the deal I have is like golden handcuffs to this bike. And its a pretty cool bike to be handcuffed to.
r a y l u f f @ r o g e r s . com

[admin]

I would like more info on the insurance please. Email me at goldwinger1984@yahoo.com

[vern38]

$1200.00 a year Wow that's high I only pay $217.00 per year. I went to Allstate at first and was given a crazy high price quote close to that then a friend told me about AMERICAN MODERN LLOYDS INSURANCE COMPANY and that's where I have been ever since. $1200.00 a year, I could buy me an older GoldWing every year for that price (well almost)

[Whitefox]

$1200.00 a year Wow that's high I only pay $217.00 per year. I went to Allstate at first and was given a crazy high price quote close to that then a friend told me about AMERICAN MODERN LLOYDS INSURANCE COMPANY and that's where I have been ever since. $1200.00 a year, I could buy me an older GoldWing every year for that price (well almost)

You probably also are listed as Vintage Bike like myself to get a rate like that. For my first year I was forced to pay top rate as a returning driver after a 25 year absence. I was forced to complete my M licence before they would consider the vintage insurance. I was a Grandfathered in rider from many years ago but I hadn't kept up renewing the licence when it was separate from the M licence. Now they are combined. So I was forced to take the licencing route over the past 2 years to earn the GM. Perhaps these are reasons why I paid so much in 2011-2012 season. Also LOYDS refused me until I have had my GM for 3 years. But LOYDS is a good way to go if you are not a recent M or GM rider like myself. (Even though I had riding experience for 10 years prior to my 25 year absence from riding.) LOYDS also told me that they will not insure any returning rider until they have been insured somewhere else for 3 years without incident.

[kywinger]

Original owner of my 84 GL1200 with 135K miles.
My wife and I love this bike. I have ridden the 1.5L and 1.8L along with the other brand. There is nothing to trade up to.
Have rebuilt the carbs with Raddaks kit and did mount a 1500 wheel & differental, bearing seat wore out, not the bearing.
I just developed a head gasket leak, minor, and am in the process of doing the rebild.
Worst thing, miss my wing. Driving a cage sucks.

[cjxj]

I very much enjoy my 84 Aspy. I would have a very hard time parting with it. I've never ridden a 1500 or 1800, so perhaps ignorance is bliss, but I find my bike very comfortable and relaxing to ride. I admired the GL1200's when they came out years ago, but with a young family to raise, motorcycles had to wait.... for many years. When last son was out of college, things loosened up on many fronts.

So, in order of procurement, I picked up (and still have) an 01 VT1100 Shadow cruiser, followed by a Kawasaki KLR 650 dual sport (a great Colorado high country dirt roads bike). I then thought I wanted a sport tourer for longer and 2up rides and bought a Kawasaki Concours. It was very fast and begged to be ridden fast. It was also tall and rather top heavy. Being short, I never felt very comfortable riding it around town. Mountain twistees were fun, but I found myself more focused on riding rather than enjoying the ride. I sold it and started looking for a GL1200 as it seemed to me that they might just be the biggest bang for the buck in the touring segment.

So, last year I luck'd into an 84 that had been in storage for many years due in part to a bad stator. It had only 15k on it, was the deep blue/black color that I favored, and was almost showroom condition. I fashioned a alternator conversion and have had no issues since. I immediately felt very comfortable with the handling and I find longer saddle times are no problem at all. Certainly 2 up riding is far superior to anything I've had owned thus far.

So, for me it's not an issue of cash. I'm simply very satisfied with what I have for now. Yeah, maybe if I were planning an extended tour I might think about a newer bike with antilock brakes, but that's about the only feature I really value on the newer models.

[bagelboy]

I have a 1997 Valkyrie Tourer, and (2) 1987 Gl 1200s. They are all in mint condition! Why take a loan for something newer, and with more gadgets. I get where I want to go, they all get looks and compliments, I can work on them myself, and their paid for, almost (still owe about $2000)! Still look for an 1800 now and then, but can't justify a reason, or another loan!

[wireguy51]

While having dinner with a friend this evening we discussed GL1200's and GL1800's and the GL1500 is included here also. The topic was moving up to a newer Wing or staying with your GL1200. My friend say's it's just a matter of finances and I say it's a matter loving and appreciating your old girl. If money were no object would you scrap your GL1200 and race over to a brand new GL1800. If I were to win the lottery (like I'll ever do that in my lifetime) I would keep my 1200 because it is the finest motorcycle I have ever owned and extended test rides on GL1500's and GL1800's have not induced me in any way to consider changing up to a newer model. Maybe I am biased because I own this website and my GL1200 has brought many new friends into my life, but, what makes me even more biased is the fact that my GL1200 has been so darn reliable and easy to work on and the only component that has ever let me down is the stator, but, an external alternator has that covered. I am also biased because I know my 1200 like the back of my hand and I do all repairs myself, it is super easy to work on unlike the more user unfriendly newer bikes. My 1200 has more than enough power to get me into trouble and I just love the looks of the 1200. How about you, would you ditch your GL1200 if you had a large pocket full of cash or do you love you GL1200 so much that you will, like me, keep your GL1200 for as long as you can ride it. Don't be afraid to be honest because your difference of opinion is worth as much as my opinion because we are talking personal preference here. Give me some reasons for your yes and no answers.

I ride my 87 Aspencade because I always wanted one and found her last year. She was like showroom new with only 6400 original miles. Runs like a top, looks great, rides wonderfully and everything works. What's not to love?

[GWdan]

My girl Angela was love at first sight. She, an ’85 Aspencade, has put up with a lot of change in the 2 years come June that I’ve owned her. New stuff, replaced stuff and new repaired stuff and about 9500 mi. Except for one dead stator, never left on the side of the road. The point being is that this GL1200 fits my riding and fixing needs to a “T”.
Would a 1500 or 1800 with fuel injection and reverse gear be worth the trade given the extra plastic to remove to fix anything? I think not – I will continue to park facing out and care for carburetors (I understand them – FI not so much). The GL1200 strikes a classic pose not shared by any of her contemporaries of the ‘80s and is today the revered matriarch of luxury tourers. She will not step aside…