Is it worth moving up to an 1800?

brianl · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

bikerbillone said:
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 · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

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)

FuzzyWuzHe · Jun 22, 2018

The only big issue with the 1500 is the carburetors, like all carburetors they are a bear to work on when they go bad, balancing mainly. Having said that, the 1500 is a great bike and triked most of the advantage you get by upgrading to an 1800 is not as noticeable on 3 wheels as on two (as mentioned).

If your doing long trips in remote areas, maybe an upgrade is a good thing. Doesn't sound like you are with a '97 with 50k. I'm a firm believer if it ain't broke don't fix it so I'd say keep it if it's making you happy.

Who am I kidding ... I trade rides as often as I can get away with it ... LOL.

trike lady · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

FuzzyWuzHe said:
Who am I kidding ... I trade rides as often as I can get away with it ... LOL.

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

CrystalPistol · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

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 · Jun 22, 2018

Marc H said:
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 · Jun 23, 2018

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 · Jun 23, 2018

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 · Jun 23, 2018

mhgoldwing said:
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 · Jun 23, 2018

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 · Jun 23, 2018

brianl said:
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 · Jun 23, 2018

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.