Some advice please (long)

[grumpy]

I currently ride a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate with a TriWing conversion. It has an 8* rake. I have put about 62K on it. Total is 116,000 miles and still runs like a scalded dog. I like the Valk, but my wife wants a more comfortable (read less wind/rain) ride. I am looking at a 1989 GL1500 Goldwing with a 2000 MotorTrike conversion. Am familiar with the MotorTrike. It has not been raked. It has 35,000 miles on the machine with approximately 10,000 on the conversion. I have never owned or ridden a Wing.

Other than what I have heard (pretty much all good) I really don't know much about them. This machine is about 800 miles away. So, before I go that far to look at it, is there <b><u>any</u></b> reason that I should not consider this ride? Is the age an issue? Is there anything inherently weak or worrisome associated with this year bike? I know this is a loaded question, but considering my present ride, and the fact that I live and ride a lot in the mountains, will I feel like I absolutely have to rake it? I am also considering a 1998 with a Champion conversion. This one is about 2-3 thousand more, about the same mileage, with a few less goodies, but has a 5* rake. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Stan

[Bill Reber]

Not sure on one of that age , I think they may have had altenator issues but not sure about that so don't let my post back you away from it.

[Lucky]

My pearl is a 90Se/MotortrikeCoupe.It has been really good to me.Triked at 52000 and has 89000 and change now.Replaced the alt.At 70 something thousand.Besides that nothing nothing but maint.RIDE SAFE

[skuuter]

.....and, yes, add a Rake Kit.....

[87Trike1200]

Regarding the rake, my '95 Wing with '12 MT kit has a 4 1/2 deg rake, which I consider "more than enough". I even sometimes wonder if I should have waited to see how it was with no rake, than added it afterwards, if necessary.<br />
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My point is, don't let the "lower amount of rake" (or no rake) influence the decision. Also, the one with no rake - a rake kit can be added if necessary for about $700 + install labor.<br />
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My friends "older" Wing + MT has no rake and he reports "no problem".<br />
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<u>Everything else similar</u>, I might go for the '98 and the "couple of bucks" extra might be worth it for the "newer" model year of the bike itself. If you choose to upgrade to a newer trike in the future, you should should get most of your investment back towards the upgrade. Just my 2 cents - others may or may not agree - that's OK...<br />
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Best wishes for a "successful" purchase. <img src="images/smilies/wave4.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wave4" class="inlineimg" />

[FRR]

I would certainly go with a 2001 Wing or newer if possible. The 1800 is a completely different ride than the 1500. You will love the Wing. There is very little to dislike

[Pegasus1300]

I guess a lot depends on what you plan to do with the Valk,what the price of the 89 vs 01 and what your financial situation is. I have a 90 Se that was triked at 30,000 in 2006 and now has 62000 on it. The kit is a TriKing kit,not one of the mainstream but it seems to be a high quality kit. There is no rake kit on the convertion tho I will probably be adding a 4.5* kit in the near future. I feel it is comfortable and very reliable and most important for my situation it was very affordable. If you can get service records or know the current owner and can satisfy yourself as to its condition it wouldn't bother me to buy that old again.Tho you should understand that except for a brief period from 2008 to 2011 the 1990 Trike is the newest bike I own

To address your rake question I also ride a lot in the mountains.When I first changed over to my trike I thought I would have to start lifting weights to ride this thing. According to the factory it is set up with a 2.5* rake by the way it is put together so shouldn't really need one.After a ride throught the Arizona mountains and nearly 2 years riding in our Utah mountains,riding some friends trikes with rakes,yes go for the rake,either add to the 89 or buy the 98 that has it.
Oh just rememberd the 88 thru 90 did have some transmission problems.The PO of my trike had to put in a newer trans when he triked it as the old trans was acting up. I don't know what the problem was,this is my 1st Wing after riding Yamahas for 30 years.

[cscsonny]

If the 89 was an Interstate, before triked, it most likely dont have reverse.The 98 does.The early 1500s had weaker tranny parts and later years Honda used the Valk internals which were stronger.Unless money is a problem, I would go with the newer 1500.

[grumpy]

Thanks all for the replies. I have about eliminated both as I located one with EVERYTHING I want for less money. A 95 SE with a Lehman conversion. Can't think of anything I would want to add to it. Now just have to get a deposit down on it before somebody else gets it. Stan

[John Luciano]

Good choice. I have a 97 no rake DFT conversion. The 1500 has more leg room than 1800 .The 94 and newer have all improvements that were ever added. Alternator brushes should be changed every 40,000 miles. Timing belt is good foe 100,000 miles.