GL1800 Mirrors

2Paps

250+ Posts
Jan 11, 2016
256
319
W FL Panhandle
I recently bought my bride a 2010 GL1800 with a CSC kit on it. I put over 300 mi. on it and decided I was blind in the 40 or 50 deg. directly behind me. We went out today for a familiarization ride and her comment when we got home was; "I can't see anything behind me in the mirrors."

My question is; how do we overcome this safety hazard? I don't see any way to put extenders on the bike. I have seen some add on mirrors that are convex but I'm not sure that they solve the problem.
 
First thing that comes to mind is the possibility that you may not have the existing mirrors adjusted for you bride's ridding position. A lot of riders don't realize these mirrors are even adjustable. If it's been a while since they moved on the pivot it can be a chore getting them set properly. There is a natural blind spot immediately behind the bike/trike but it should be fairly small.. :xszpv: :xszpv:
 
First thing that comes to mind is the possibility that you may not have the existing mirrors adjusted for you bride's ridding position. A lot of riders don't realize these mirrors are even adjustable. If it's been a while since they moved on the pivot it can be a chore getting them set properly. There is a natural blind spot immediately behind the bike/trike but it should be fairly small.. :xszpv: :xszpv:

During the test ride I left them where they were but adjusted them during the trip home. I don't think my wife adjusted them since then. I'm working with her this AM to see if the OEMs can meet her needs. Thanks.
 
Here you go I think this might just be what you are looking for: http://store.valueaccessories.net/GoldWingGL1800Wide-VUMirrors.aspx. Not cheap but available.

Hmmm, I haven't seen these before. I'll have to see of I can find someone local who has them installed. The photos seem a bit deceiving in that they don't appear to have been taken from the riding position. Perhaps it's just my perception but it looks like the camera was positioned off the centerline of the bike to demonstrate the field of view.
 
The thing I noticed about the ad is that the advertisement TEXT is for a Gold Wing GL1800. But the VIDEO plainly states and shows he is mounting them on a Spyder. I have no idea if a GL1800 mirror and a Spyder mirror are the same shape and size. Like you I would try to find a local who has them installed before putting out the money. If you find one let us know how well they work. Hopefully though, an adjustment of the OEM mirrors will do the trick.
 
I'm sure I've seen curved ones that mount below the mirrors.

Greg, I've found what I think is your suggested product. It seems to meet the wife's approval so we'll see what happens.

All, thank you for your suggestions, they've all contributed to what I think and hope is the right choice if adjusting the OEMs doesn't do the trick.
 
Ed I've been looking at those myself.Mike has a similar set on his 1800 he showed me in Maggie Valley.

I saw Mike's too. The bad part is that his are color matched and they are no longer available that way. I guess folks didn't want to pay for the paint so the company went out of business. :(
 
We had Maxi view blind spot mirrors on our 1500, and I really liked them. Website: https://www.maxiviewmirrors.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk_eL1Iz01gIVQWSGCh3WVwp2EAAYASAAEgJ5Z_D_BwE

Our current 1800 came with the round mirrors stuck on the regular mirrors so I just have gone with those. I'd get the Maxi View's if I could easily take off the round spot mirrors.

BTW - Years ago I was told "Use your mirrors but trust your eyes" as a reminder to always do a shoulder check.
 
The thing I noticed about the ad is that the advertisement TEXT is for a Gold Wing GL1800. But the VIDEO plainly states and shows he is mounting them on a Spyder. I have no idea if a GL1800 mirror and a Spyder mirror are the same shape and size. Like you I would try to find a local who has them installed before putting out the money. If you find one let us know how well they work. Hopefully though, an adjustment of the OEM mirrors will do the trick.

I talked to the guy about the mirrors and I believe the reason the video shows a Spider is that the guy owns a spider. The ones he had at Wing Ding were for a GL1800 and he had them mounted on a board. They do give a wider view IMHO, however I didn't consider buying them because I have Muth mirrors and like the turn signal in them. I'm also no a fan of convex mirrors period. I was no endorsing the mirror just simply giving the link.
 
I talked to the guy about the mirrors and I believe the reason the video shows a Spider is that the guy owns a spider. The ones he had at Wing Ding were for a GL1800 and he had them mounted on a board. They do give a wider view IMHO, however I didn't consider buying them because I have Muth mirrors and like the turn signal in them. I'm also no a fan of convex mirrors period. I was no endorsing the mirror just simply giving the link.

There doesn't seem to be much info on the Muth mirror web site. Other than the turn signal what advantage do they provide?
 
We had Maxi view blind spot mirrors on our 1500, and I really liked them. Website: https://www.maxiviewmirrors.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk_eL1Iz01gIVQW SGCh3WVwp2EAAYASAAEgJ5Z_D_BwE

Our current 1800 came with the round mirrors stuck on the regular mirrors so I just have gone with those. I'd get the Maxi View's if I could easily take off the round spot mirrors.

Use a hair dryer and heat up the mirrors. They should come right off. A little WD 40 will help remove any adhesive residue. I use the Maximirrors on two bikes and even have one on my car.
 
I started with a 1989 GL1500. Traded it in on a 2009 in April of 2009 which I crashed in Jan 2013. In Jan 2014 I bought a 2014 Harley Tri-Glide but didn't like it. In April this year I traded the Harley in on a 2017 Honda with Motortrike Adventure kit. That is background info.

I have never had a problem in over 96,000 miles of riding with seeing traffic behind me. I think the way you adjust the mirrors is key. On each side I just see the outside of my sleeve. It was that way with the stock mirrors and the same with Muth mirrors which I just installed a month ago.

Two advantages of the Muth sequencing chevron mirrors is the driver behind me has a good view of the signals and my intentions and 2nd, I can see if my turn signals failed to cancel. That sometimes happens when I am just changing lanes. Not enough turn to cancel.

Does that help?
 

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