01-23-2007, 09:08 PM
![[Image: Dadsnewbike_renamed_10085.jpg]](http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q286/FatwingChris/Dadsnewbike_renamed_10085.jpg)
01-23-2007, 09:19 PM
Finally figured out how to post a picture,and yes I know it's not a 1200.I hope you don't hold that against me.I just had to show it off anyway.As you can see it's the Bike Trader picture from the dealer I got it from.I had it in storage before I got a decent camera to get my own picture.I'm trying to get some pictures of my previous Wings scanned so I can post them.
The 1500 is kind of plain but it sure is easy to clean.I just purchased a Hartco seat with a built in backrest for my old back.I'll post another picture in the spring with the new seat.
The 1500 is kind of plain but it sure is easy to clean.I just purchased a Hartco seat with a built in backrest for my old back.I'll post another picture in the spring with the new seat.
01-24-2007, 09:42 AM
Nice looking bike Chris. I've always enjoyed the smooth lines of the 1500 from the sides.
Come back and give us some impartial reports on the differences between the 1200 and the 1500.
Come back and give us some impartial reports on the differences between the 1200 and the 1500.
01-24-2007, 06:05 PM
Way back when the 1500 came out I sat on one at the dealer and my first thought was that the thing was huge.I was still riding my 1100Int. at the time(still think the 1100's are the last Wings to realy look like bikes)and hated the closed in look.Swore up and down that I would never own one of those Wingobego's and that I would wait untill I could buy a 1800 or a Valkryie Interstate.Rode the 2 1200's for approx. 10 years and loved those things,especialy the Aspy extra toys.Digital Dash and on board compressor are the greatest thing since sliced bread.Down side of the 1200 to me was the one hydraulic lifter would go flat and clatter away for a few seconds(the 84)but always came back.I had heard that it was a design flaw in the anti-foaming chamber in the head.A lot of people that i new that had 84's had the same problem and always seemed to be the right hand side.The other thing that bothered me was the way it handled in a long sweeping corner and you hit a dip in the road(2 up)felt like the frame was flexing badly.Even with the suspension pumped up it didn't handle real well loaded up.To be fair the wife and I are not exactly light weights.Other than this the bikes were great,put about 120,000 klm on the 2 of them combined.Enough said about the 1200's.
I decided this summer that I would like a change,and still not able to afford the 1800 I started looking at the 1500's.Had never rode one but had heard lots of stories about the power and the comfort.Buddy and I were out riding one Sat. and he sugested we stop at Lindsay Cycle as we were in the area.We pulled in and the one I bought was the first in the line and I liked it right away.Turns out it was the only one that was in my price range.I never even rode it but bought it anyway.
I rode it for the first 25 miles approx. and didn't even get it into overdrive.So much power and so smooth you can't even tell it's running.None of the frame flexing feeling like the 1200,and the head light is amazing.You could drive this thing all day long in 4th gear at hyway speeds and it's no where near over revving.I haven't taken it on any overnighters,but I know for a fact that I could pack a lot more in the 1200.I've rode it far enough to know that the seat is not the best,but still the best factory seat I've had.
All in all the smooth power and the ride for the riding the wife and I do we find the 1500 to be better for us.Like I said the 1200 was an excellent bike and I would like to have kept them all,but not practical for my budget.Would I go back?It would be hard ,but I would definately if necissary.
I've heard people say that the 1200 is a lot more nimble,but I find the bike to feel very light and handle realy well in the twisty's.
Enough said ,I hope I didn't step on any toes.Keep in mind that I've only put about 5k on the new one,and who knows what I will think a year from now.
By the way Hatter with the 1200Aspy for sale is the guy that was with me at the dealer that day.He has since purchased a 1990 1500 also.
I decided this summer that I would like a change,and still not able to afford the 1800 I started looking at the 1500's.Had never rode one but had heard lots of stories about the power and the comfort.Buddy and I were out riding one Sat. and he sugested we stop at Lindsay Cycle as we were in the area.We pulled in and the one I bought was the first in the line and I liked it right away.Turns out it was the only one that was in my price range.I never even rode it but bought it anyway.
I rode it for the first 25 miles approx. and didn't even get it into overdrive.So much power and so smooth you can't even tell it's running.None of the frame flexing feeling like the 1200,and the head light is amazing.You could drive this thing all day long in 4th gear at hyway speeds and it's no where near over revving.I haven't taken it on any overnighters,but I know for a fact that I could pack a lot more in the 1200.I've rode it far enough to know that the seat is not the best,but still the best factory seat I've had.
All in all the smooth power and the ride for the riding the wife and I do we find the 1500 to be better for us.Like I said the 1200 was an excellent bike and I would like to have kept them all,but not practical for my budget.Would I go back?It would be hard ,but I would definately if necissary.
I've heard people say that the 1200 is a lot more nimble,but I find the bike to feel very light and handle realy well in the twisty's.
Enough said ,I hope I didn't step on any toes.Keep in mind that I've only put about 5k on the new one,and who knows what I will think a year from now.
By the way Hatter with the 1200Aspy for sale is the guy that was with me at the dealer that day.He has since purchased a 1990 1500 also.
01-24-2007, 08:07 PM
Whatever turns your crank you go for it if you can Chris.
Regarding your 1200 with a flexible frame, if that was my bike I would have parked it instantly if it ever felt like you described.
It could of had loose bolts in the frame, broken welds or even a rusted out section of frame. I sure hope you told the new owner of your old 1200 that it felt like it had a frame problem. No GL1200 I have ever driven has even felt remotely as you descrided and if it does feel like the frame is flexing it should be parked and diagnosed and not driven until it's properly repaired.
Regarding your 1200 with a flexible frame, if that was my bike I would have parked it instantly if it ever felt like you described.
It could of had loose bolts in the frame, broken welds or even a rusted out section of frame. I sure hope you told the new owner of your old 1200 that it felt like it had a frame problem. No GL1200 I have ever driven has even felt remotely as you descrided and if it does feel like the frame is flexing it should be parked and diagnosed and not driven until it's properly repaired.
Guest
01-24-2007, 11:26 PM
I took a block of 1- 1/8 " aluminum and machined
a fork brace. Big improvement.
a fork brace. Big improvement.
01-25-2007, 12:21 AM
My SEI never felt whippy in the curves. I did have Progressives front and back which helped sporterize her.
Hi Chris, I don't want to get into 1500s on this forum but it's happiest if you use 2500-3000rpm for shift points. There's no reason to keep her in the lower gears. The bike will pull fine from 40mph in top gear. The big six likes a bit lower rpms than the four cylinder bikes. It will also help keep her appetite down.
Hi Chris, I don't want to get into 1500s on this forum but it's happiest if you use 2500-3000rpm for shift points. There's no reason to keep her in the lower gears. The bike will pull fine from 40mph in top gear. The big six likes a bit lower rpms than the four cylinder bikes. It will also help keep her appetite down.
01-25-2007, 06:01 PM
exavid
I actualy thought I was in hi gear at the time because the RPM's were so low and we were in a lot of traffic.
Vic
The bike is at Lindsay Cycle and he is pretty particular about what he sells.He is asking $5500 and he usualy dosen't budge on the price.That may have been a bad way to discribe the feeling I got from it.Both my 1200's felt the same to me and they both had less than 40,000klm when I purchased them.Both had been pretty well taken care of.I 'm pretty sure there was nothing wrong,but I don't remember the 1100 or 1000 feeling like that.It has been awhile since I had them and the old memory is not so good since I landed on my head.
PS The 85 ASPY had a fork brace but stock springs.
I actualy thought I was in hi gear at the time because the RPM's were so low and we were in a lot of traffic.
Vic
The bike is at Lindsay Cycle and he is pretty particular about what he sells.He is asking $5500 and he usualy dosen't budge on the price.That may have been a bad way to discribe the feeling I got from it.Both my 1200's felt the same to me and they both had less than 40,000klm when I purchased them.Both had been pretty well taken care of.I 'm pretty sure there was nothing wrong,but I don't remember the 1100 or 1000 feeling like that.It has been awhile since I had them and the old memory is not so good since I landed on my head.
PS The 85 ASPY had a fork brace but stock springs.
01-25-2007, 07:30 PM
I believe that what you felt was a more sporty nimble feel from the smaller wheels and tires that are unique to the 1200. A 1200 can be flipped around quite easily unlike the 1500 which feels heavy due to its extra weight and larger wheels and tires.
Some folks don't appreciate that sporty feel and it's what I like the most in my GL1200. With the 1800 they tried to get some of that sporty feel back again so it feels more like a 1200.
The 1500 reminds me of the big old Cadillacs and the 1200 reminds me of a late model Corvette. Each has a distinctly different ride and drive feel.
Both can get around a corner just fine but each has a distinctly different feel as they do it.
Some people like the bottom end torque of the 1500 and guys like me I love the sound my 1200 makes at 8000 RPM whereas the 1500 barely spins up to 5000 RPM with its 2 carbs for 6 cylinders vs. the 1200's 1 carb per cylinder.
They are just 2 different machines and you can't honestly compare one to the other unless you state all the differences.
Just drive what you enjoy and be humble about it here unless you drive a 1200 or do your boasting in the <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=3b1efd623eca0ad5aa4b15a444f08c7f">http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.ph ... a444f08c7f</a><!-- m -->
The 1500 is a very nice motorcycle but it's one I'll never own because I'm a fix it myself kind of guy and on the 1500 they pretty much hid the engine away under a pile of plastic and I like to see parts moving on my machine. I pretty much feel the same about the 1800 although if Honda makes some serious improvements to the 1800 I could see myself leaning in that direction, but, for now I'll stick with my gl1200 that pleases me in every way possible and gives me no reason to replace it.
Some folks don't appreciate that sporty feel and it's what I like the most in my GL1200. With the 1800 they tried to get some of that sporty feel back again so it feels more like a 1200.
The 1500 reminds me of the big old Cadillacs and the 1200 reminds me of a late model Corvette. Each has a distinctly different ride and drive feel.
Both can get around a corner just fine but each has a distinctly different feel as they do it.
Some people like the bottom end torque of the 1500 and guys like me I love the sound my 1200 makes at 8000 RPM whereas the 1500 barely spins up to 5000 RPM with its 2 carbs for 6 cylinders vs. the 1200's 1 carb per cylinder.
They are just 2 different machines and you can't honestly compare one to the other unless you state all the differences.
Just drive what you enjoy and be humble about it here unless you drive a 1200 or do your boasting in the <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=3b1efd623eca0ad5aa4b15a444f08c7f">http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.ph ... a444f08c7f</a><!-- m -->
The 1500 is a very nice motorcycle but it's one I'll never own because I'm a fix it myself kind of guy and on the 1500 they pretty much hid the engine away under a pile of plastic and I like to see parts moving on my machine. I pretty much feel the same about the 1800 although if Honda makes some serious improvements to the 1800 I could see myself leaning in that direction, but, for now I'll stick with my gl1200 that pleases me in every way possible and gives me no reason to replace it.
01-29-2007, 09:05 PM
Not to start anything or take anything away from the 1200.As I previously stated they are a great bike, But the only time I notice the 1500 being a bit awkward(heavy)is riding 2 up and trying to squeeze through a tight spot.Other than that once that thing is moving I find it handles very well.I was actualy suprised at how light it felt and how well it handled(I hadn't even driven one before I bought it)I guess I took a big chance because I didn't even drive this one untill I signed the papers.
That being said ,you won't find me riding 80 mph on any 4 lanes or hanging off the side of it on the Dragons Tail.You are more apt to find me doing 50 mph on some backroad listening to the tunes.I would suggest however that anyone that thinks the 1500 is too heavy or isn't all that nimble,never got it out of the parking lot and onto the road.
There is no such thing as a bad Wing and if you like the one you have,then by all means stick with it.With the knowledge here and the parts available,you should be able to go forever.I promise I won't push the 1500 anymore as I very much like the sight and don't want to be banned.Cheers.
That being said ,you won't find me riding 80 mph on any 4 lanes or hanging off the side of it on the Dragons Tail.You are more apt to find me doing 50 mph on some backroad listening to the tunes.I would suggest however that anyone that thinks the 1500 is too heavy or isn't all that nimble,never got it out of the parking lot and onto the road.
There is no such thing as a bad Wing and if you like the one you have,then by all means stick with it.With the knowledge here and the parts available,you should be able to go forever.I promise I won't push the 1500 anymore as I very much like the sight and don't want to be banned.Cheers.
01-30-2007, 06:58 AM
Chris, no problem at all with discussing your GL1500 on this site, just do it here; <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12">http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12">http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12</a><!-- m --> is the place you can go here to brag, boast, compare and extoll the virtues of your favorite Gold Wing. Your input on that forum is greatly appreciated because then folks can compare the inner workings of all the different models.
Same goes for the GL1800, Gl1500, Gl1100 and GL1000 each one of these bikes are wonderful machines but the main focus of this site is the GL1200.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12">http://gl1200goldwings.com/viewforum.php?f=12</a><!-- m --> is the place you can go here to brag, boast, compare and extoll the virtues of your favorite Gold Wing. Your input on that forum is greatly appreciated because then folks can compare the inner workings of all the different models.
Same goes for the GL1800, Gl1500, Gl1100 and GL1000 each one of these bikes are wonderful machines but the main focus of this site is the GL1200.