2006 GL1800

Mophead

Mophead

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Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
576
Location
Texas panhandle
Bike
FJR1300
Have been looking at a 2006 GL1800 and thinking about buying it. Low miles, 10,000, and as you can imagine very clean. Has the CB added. Anyone here have experience with the 06/10 year models? I like them not having timing belts anymore. Had a 1986 Aspencade long ago thinking the wife would ride so we went to Colorado on our 20th wedding anniversary and all went well until the trip home and it got hot. Mamma doesn't like hot so she informed me she would no longer be riding. Sold that Wing shortly thereafter.

Just started thinking it might be nice to have some tunes now and again while going down the road. The new Wing doesn't really do much for me with its itty bitty gas tank. I am reading too many folks who aren't happy with Honda's claim of improved mileage. I know one thing if you live in the Texas Panhandle and ride the interstate to get anywhere you are not going to get 40+ miles per gallon in our wind. And it blows everyday. If its under 10 mph then that is a calm day. 10 to 20 is every day's forecast. Riding at 65 mph for gas mileage ain't gonna happen.

Also, anyone have a favorite GL1800 forum, similar to this one? I've looked at a few and some of them have some rather interesting characters that know everything about everything. I have found wisdom on this forum and some good natured ribbing occasionally.
 
The 2006 is the 1st year 2nd generation of the GL 1800. I had one and no problems. You don't say what the asking price is, but with that low mileage, you will get many more years out of it. I generally get rid of them at 100K. I bought a new left over 2016 last year because I couldn't get over the diminished storage and cost of farkles on the '18 and later Wing.
 
Can't help with the GL1800, but for tunes, get a Sena and BT with the music on your phone.
 
All my music is on an iPod. The original iPod. No blue tooth on that one. Looking for a cover one day at Best Buy. Kid didn't even know what an iPod was. I'm dating myself.
 
feejer said:
All my music is on an iPod. The original iPod. No blue tooth on that one. Looking for a cover one day at Best Buy. Kid didn't even know what an iPod was. I'm dating myself.
Click to expand...
You could move the music to a smartphone if you have one, or plug the iPod directly into the Sena. There's a built-in 3.5mm jack for that.

Or plug the iPod into a BT transmitter such as this...

242890
 
I have a 2006 GL1800 I bought just over a year ago with 63,000 miles. Now it has 83,000. I would never have thought a Wing is so easy to handle until I rode one. The low center of gravity hides the Wing's weight very well and the same light neutral steering we enjoy on the ST1300 is part of the Wing's DNA. The 1800cc engine is super smooth and sounds great but it is thirsty. I'm averaging right about 40 mpg and it doesn't have nearly the range of the ST. Run hard it easily burns 38 mpg and leaving a bit of reserve gets a range of 225 miles. The first long ride I did was 1123 miles in about 18 hours for an easy SaddleSore 1000. Super comfy. It doesn't even notice adding the wife on the back and filling the saddlebags and large top case. Bulletproof mechanicals and DIY services are easy to do. This generation does have a recall for the braking system which is linked in a similar way to the ST1300s. The recall replaces the SMC and rear master cylinder.

The 2006 brought some changes over the 2001-2005s. Larger radiators are the main functional change. I think all GL1800s from 2006 to 2010 have premium audio including a wired jack that will plug into your iPod. The music out of 4 speakers is hard to hear above about 60 mph so I use a Sena or the GPS to Bluetooth audio into my helmet.
 
I had a ‘08 for several years and now have a ‘18 DCT Tour. The improved mileage is for real. Both bikes will go around 220-240 miles per tank.

gl1800riders.com is a pretty good site, but beware that you can often get some advice that is blatantly wrong. Usually, someone will chine in and correct the bad info. Be sure to ask about tires and oil.

Ride Safe
John
 
Know 2 guys that have the 1800's and they love them. One has 105K and motor is quieter than my car.
 
My '07 now has 73,000 miles. Bought in 2012 with 22,000....Use it mainly when the wife goes on a trip, refuses to ride any of my other 10 bikes.......

Luv it as well as the St, which now has 149,000 miles...Can't go wrong having one of each.........Just don't get sucked into putting a car tire on the rear of the Wing. Many do and the debate rages on..........
 
I’ve recently gone to a Bluetooth setup on my helmet, I’m using a Lexin unit, less expensive than the Sena and works really well! I have it installed on a Shuberth C3 pro helmet. I generally stream tunes with pandora on my iPhone. The noise cancellation is so good people on the other end of the phone call say they can’t tell I’m on a bike!
Ride Safe!
 
If you don't want to fool with bluetooth, there are wired headsets available that will pipe the music into your helmet or ear buds. Something to consider if you are planning on using the CB. Or the easiest way is to plug your earbuds directly into your phone. I like Etymotic ear buds.
 
I've had Goldwings ever since they first appeared. The last one was a 2010 which I finally triked. Also one of the last made in the USA. For touring it doesn't get better. It is a surprisingly agile machine as well. I never paid attention much to gas mileage but on a couple of trip checks it averaged around 36 to 39. That was when it was triked and pulled a trailer to boot. Overall a great machine with few problems.
 
I picked up a 2012 GL1800 a year ago that had 2,850 mi. on the clock, and like dduelin, I've been very happy with the comfort and handling. I joined a couple forums, gl1800riders.com being one of them, and they are helpful...BUT, you will likely be very disappointed if you're looking for a forum comparable with st-owners.com. Joe, you have spoiled us. ;)
 
I have a '03 with about 39K miles on it. Great bike and handles very well for its size. There is an RCA port that you can plug your iPod into for stored music. I tried setting mine up with Bluetooth, but I found the wired setup that is standard on the bike is far superior in quality. BTW: all 1800s had a great sound system. I added rear speakers to mine, but I always use the headset for music, so I wouldn't spend the time and effort to do that again. This is my 3rd Goldwing.
 
feejer said:
All my music is on an iPod. The original iPod. No blue tooth on that one. Looking for a cover one day at Best Buy. Kid didn't even know what an iPod was. I'm dating myself.
Click to expand...
Don't ever date yourself! Deciding which of your selves will lead on the dance floor could be stressful. My Sena 20S has a plug for ipods, ect and the wire is included.
10K is barely broken in. Go with the prevailing wind in 300 miles there is a curve. Getting on I40 west from I27 has so many curves. Why leave town? LOL!
 
feejer said:
Have been looking at a 2006 GL1800 and thinking about buying it.
Click to expand...
Two of my riding friends have 2003 GW's. Last time I asked, one had 230,000 miles, and the other's just approaching 200k. Both running fine.
And they can push those heavy bikes thru the twisties like a sportbike.
 
I'm thinking about this cord.

Amazon.com: J&M Lower Cord with Ear Speaker HC-ZB-S : Electronics

Buy J&M Lower Cord with Ear Speaker HC-ZB-S: Computers & Accessories - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

And this headset.

Amazon.com: J&M Corporation HS-EHI801-UNV-XHO J&M: Automotive

Amazon.com: J&M Corporation HS-EHI801-UNV-XHO J&M: Automotive
www.amazon.com

I need to figure out whether my CB works. If it works, I'm going to get it. If it doesn't I'll just use my phone and a Midland portable I have.
 
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