Advice of a wing and a valkyrie

[mugmarine]

Looking for anyone owning a valkyrie and a 1500 goldwing. I have a 02 standard and love it but wanting a cruiser for longer rides with the wife. Advice wanted and experience from the vrcc. I read here daily just not much of a poster. Thanks for your input. The valkyrie isn't going anywhere just thinking of adding the goldwing.

[cookiedough]

I would bump up to the 1800 wing over the carbed 1500 wing since the 1800 wing used say 2001-2008 have come way down in price and several can be found with lower mileage for under 8 grand easy enough. 

If money is an object though very easy to find a 1500 wing for under 5 grand.

[Chrisj CMA]

My wife and I take long comfortable rides on our ‘97 standard. It’s all how you get it set up.

[gordonv]

Other than your wrong choice of a Standard Valkyrie, the Goldwing wont give you much more that the Valkyrie IS doesn't have, but classier. But there are a lot of people out there driving the Std across the country. Bags and a trailer?

I bought an 88' GW for insurance cost reasons, after writing off my IS. Rode it for 3 years, before I figured stop dreaming of another Valkyrie, and just get one. Sold the GW, and bought an IS.

What is it in a GW that you can't get in a Valkyrie?

They are pretty much the same. Valk IS has larger gas tank. GW has better arm rests for the passenger, so she can sleep more comfortably. Both have a radio.

[Valkorado]

I heard there were frame cracking issues with some earlier 1800 Wings, maybe the 01 and 02 models.  Don't know the specifics, but I remember hearing something about that.

[vanavyman]

  We owned a 95 Goldwing Interstate for 11 years and really liked it.  This is still my wife's favorite bike.  I'm told the ride by the passenger is very soft and comfortable.  I always found it a little boring as the rider but a great 2 up bike.  We owned a 2005 Goldwing GL1800 Level 1 for 5 years and my wife did get comfortable on it after we got a Diamond Custom seat and her some highway pegs.  I liked driving it a lot more.  We now have a 2009 Level 4 GL1800 with full Traxxion and it is the nicest riding bike I've ever owned.
  I've owned 4 Valkyrie Interstates and like them a lot.  Much nicer to ride and faster than a GL1500 Goldwing.  I found it very expensive to get my wife comfortable on a Valkyrie Interstate and parts were hard to find.  We will ride 12-14 hours a day so comfort for her is important.  I still own a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate that we will keep for a few more years that she will ride for long distances now that I've made the changes to get her comfortable.  
  Bottom line from my experience is to get the co-rider comfortable on a Touring bike, it is easier and cheaper for a Goldwing either a GL1500 or GL1800.  Older GL1800's are getting closer in price to the GL1500 Goldwing's.  
  A good analogy I once heard trying to compare a Goldwing GL1500 to a GL1800 is that the GL1500 rides like a Cadillac with its soft ride and the GL1800 rides like a BMW with a lower center of gravity and cornering much better.

Dan & Trish

[Bighead]

I own a '97 Valkyrie standard and a '16 golwing. Just sold my '99 Interstate.that being said I have traveled 120+k on my standard and the IS I rode coast to coast and into Canada. Only had the wing for about 8 months now but have ridden to NY on it from Alabama. And the wife still prefers the '97 standard. Also it has had the Attic Rat work done on it and before it was done it would smoke a 1500 wing and after it will hang with the 1800 wing.

[carolinarider09]

I have a 2003 standard and a 2015 wing.  My wife likes both but prefers the wing for longer distances.  I am also a member of the https://gl1800riders.com board.  From what I have read on there I would suggest you look for a 2012-2107 wing. 

Just one guy's opinion.

[sandy]

I heard there were frame cracking issues with some earlier 1800 Wings, maybe the 01 and 02 models.  Don't know the specifics, but I remember hearing something about that.

A welder lowered the heat setting to speed up his progress. Exactly 6 wings cracked frames. Honda went overboard and recalled all wings in that time frame. Gussets were welded in the frame to repair their reputation.
I own a '97 tourer and an 1800 '05 wing. I rode my old '98 Valk cross country 5 times. Never had a problem but now I prefer the wing. Cruise control, CB and radio add to my enjoyment.

[98valk]

transmission problems for GL1800.

https://gl1800riders.com/forums/5-gl1800-tech-board/164020-gl1800-transmission-woes-tech-question.html

http://www.justwings.com/Complaints.html

[Earl43P]

MY wife will choose my 93 over my 99 IS every time when I can get her to go riding.
She won't get on the 04 ST1300 again (her words).

I get far fewer pokes in the rib cage from her when on the 93, go figure.

Can't comment on the GL1800, since I refuse to even ride my brother's in fear of loving it too much.
My 93 is up for sale on Craigslist and on a forum; I've gotten no inquiries whatsoever listing it @ $2800 with ~110k miles. I've really liked the 93 for the 59,000 miles I've put on it. I just don't need 3 big road bikes and am looking to add an enduro to the mix. I'm sure to miss its plush ride and storage capacity though.

[MarkT]

My wife and I take long comfortable rides on our ‘97 standard. It’s all how you get it set up.

Ditto on that.  I have 4 Valks (one is for parts) and a 1800 wing.  For me, the Valkss can be set up to be more comffortable than the wing.  It's not very configurable.  If that fairing doesn't fit your body, not much can be done about it.  And it doesn't fit me.  However with pullback risers, highway pegs, and a good seat, much longer hours can be enjoyed on the Valk.  I also have on Jade (97 Tour) Baker Wings, a repositioned OEM shield, fwd controls, BrakeAway throttle lock and electronic cruise control, Russell Daylong seats, and my pipes set up with Silencers (and Organ Pipes with SS wool inside). The Russell and the Rasta cruise control, hwy pegs and pullback risers are the biggest contributorss to comfort. I can do Iron Butt rides and at the end still able and ready to continue.

[F6Dave]

If it were me, I'd buy a Valk Interstate or GL1800 Wing.  The Interstate looks much better, has more power, and handles and brakes better than the 1500 Wing.  It has loads of storage, great weather protection, and is very comfortable.  The downside is that it's nearly a 20 year old bike with carburetors.  So it's a gas hog, and body parts and accessories are hard to find, and expensive when you do find them.  Thankfully it's a Honda, so mechanical parts are available.  I've found that Honda and BMW still offer engine and drivetrain parts for bikes that are decades old.

The GL1800 Wing is really a better bike.  Handling, power, and mileage is much better, and fuel injection eliminates the risk of hydrolock!  The single sided swingarm makes the rear tire change a breeze.  There weren't many changes over the years, though the audio system got a lot better around 2010.  Downsides are plastic everywhere and an air filter that takes hours to change.

[Reb]

It is all in your style,

I owned a 98 Tour for years and eventually lost faith in it for long distance riding. Parts are getting sparse, hydrolocking, rear end maintenance, etc. The GL1800, when it comes to twisty riding, outperforms the Valkyrie in my opinion. Most noticeable in high speed sweepers.

No more rear end spline greasing and changing a rear tire takes 1/4 of the time.

Unfortunately, the Wing will never look as good as a Valkyrie IMO 

I'm pushing close to 100K on my wing and have never had an issue with the above mentioned transmissions. When you read about specific issues on a specific model of motorcycle on specific forums it can scare anyone away from purchasing a bike of that model. Hell, if a newbie to the Valkyrie scanned over the tech page on this forum and saw all the listings of hydrolocking, rear end failures, carburetor troubles, etc. they would think it takes a skilled mechanic to keep these bikes running. Which is obviously not the case.

[3fan4life]

I would take a Valkyrie Interstate over a 1500 Goldwing any day of the week.

If I really wanted a GW I would get an 1800.

[oldsmokey]

99 I/S and 94 Wing SE.  Wife prefers wing, I find Wing much more nimble, and a smoother ride. 43 mpg 2 up, easy 200 mile per tank. I will usually take the Valk on solo rides for more fun. Wing is the cool weather ride.

[shortleg]

 I have to say both the Valkyrie Interstate and the 1800 wing are great for long distance.
  Now the 1800 is better for shorter riders because of seat placement . The best way
to change the 1800 is with Heli bars that allow the bars to become better placed.
  The Interstate just needs a good seat and back rest to go the distance.
 My Interstate had the Cruse control from a company in Australia and worked
better than the one in my car. That is the only thing that I added to mine other than
risers for bars and a good seat to make it a long distance bike.

[Robert]

I had a 1500 Valkyrie and my friend had a 1500 wing that I worked on and rode upon occasion. The wing had low milage and was a good bike and if you are looking for a comfortable crusier for the wife and yourself then it may fit the bill. I will post some of my observations about the wing.

My friend was always about 10mph faster than me on the highway for a comfortable cruise and I didn't understand why till I drove his wing. The bikes are smooth and feel like you are riding your couch. The pass seat is comfortable and the bike really did handle quite well. I was concerned about the command console because of the size and I got used to it quickly. The bike is in its element on the highway and makes the miles go by easily. The suspension can be set somewhat by how much air you put in the shocks and the bike is no slouch either. It has enough get up and go that it does not leave you wanting. The radios are pretty good if you are into radios and the storage is good also. All in all a great touring bike that is smooth and easy to maneuver.

Now for the dislikes, its smooth like riding your couch. I like a bike with a bit more feel of the road. Its like the old Cadillac that you just glide down the road. Repairs and maintenance is a bit of a pain with all the plastic and some of the plastic breaks also. Because its all plastic tire changes and rear end oil changes are a bit of a pain also. Slow speed handling is a bit worse but not by much compared to the 1500. 

All in all a good solid bike that cruises well and has very few negatives.

[ridingron]

My friend had a 1500 Wing His MPG dropped to high 20's/very low 30's at 75mph. My opinion is the tank is small for a touring bike. I told him we needed to look into an aux. gas tank before going on another road trip. Other than the comfortable ride, I considered it a poor touring bike.

The plus side is the cruise control, CB radio and reverse gear.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My friend had a 1500 Wing His MPG dropped to high 20's/very low 30's at 75mph. My opinion is the tank is small for a touring bike. I told him we needed to look into an aux. gas tank before going on another road trip. Other than the comfortable ride, I considered it a poor touring bike.

The plus side is the cruise control, CB radio and reverse gear.

That's strange. The guys I've known with one got better mileage than my Valkyrie.

[Farside]

Check this out On this low mileage 30k GW asking only $6,500 Good looking well maintained.  
  ://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1826033287432023/

[9Ball]

Do the 1500 GW have reverse?  Might be a consideration for two up handling in the parking lot.

[Robert]

Do the 1500 GW have reverse?  Might be a consideration for two up handling in the parking lot.

Don't know if all of them have it but my friends wing did. I had never had a bike that had reverse and was playing with it a bit and I could see the advantages in having it.

[mugmarine]

Thanks for your response. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to buy but definitely want the wife to enjoy our rides. The valkyrie has  been great and will always be in my stable.  I hope to attend an Insane someday and meet some of the folks that I read about on here daily. Great forum.

[98valk]

Do the 1500 GW have reverse?  Might be a consideration for two up handling in the parking lot.

Don't know if all of them have it but my friends wing did. I had never had a bike that had reverse and was playing with it a bit and I could see the advantages in having it.

some early base models which were the lightest did not come with reverse. I believe later yrs they all did.

[cookiedough]

Thanks for your response. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to buy but definitely want the wife to enjoy our rides. The valkyrie has  been great and will always be in my stable.  I hope to attend an Insane someday and meet some of the folks that I read about on here daily. Great forum.

go to any dealership and test ride a 1500 wing and 1800 wing, etc. and of course with the wife on back and let her decide which is comfier between all 3

[Mr Whiskey]

I heard there were frame cracking issues with some earlier 1800 Wings, maybe the 01 and 02 models.  Don't know the specifics, but I remember hearing something about that.

A welder lowered the heat setting to speed up his progress. Exactly 6 wings cracked frames. Honda went overboard and recalled all wings in that time frame.Gussets were welded in the frame to repair their reputation.
I own a '97 tourer and an 1800 '05 wing. I rode my old '98 Valk cross country 5 times. Never had a problem but now I prefer the wing. Cruise control, CB and radio add to my enjoyment.

I wish this were the case but unfortunately there have been many many more reported on the gl1800 board. All '01 to '04 gl1800's are subject to possible frame cracking. Honda incorporated the repair gussets into the factory frame design in '05.

go to any dealership and test ride a 1500 wing and 1800 wing, etc. and of course with the wife on back and let her decide which is comfier between all 3

Don't do this unless YOU want an 1800 Wing, 'cause that's what you'll come home with!
Best of on your search for comfort! (The 1800's hard to beat, I wouldn't even consider the 1500 Wing.)