1000 Mile GL1800 Impressions.
By Dan Nathan
First impressions after 1000 miles by a 5'10" 210-pound rider.
Nashville, North Carolina - USA
'03 GL1800 equipped: rear speakers; Krome Werks backrest; lower fog lights;
rear-seat armrests; Kury highway platforms; homemade trailer; Bushtec hitch; J&M
#8134OF headsets; aux Sony MZ-N510 MiniDisk player.
I bought the bike and trailer used. The odometer showed 9500 miles, but I
quickly learned that the odometer is only as accurate as the speedometer - which
is to say actual mileage was probably about 9000mi. This is my third GL.
The first, a 10th anniversary GL1200 Limited, was a fuel-injected gem which I
loved. I'll admit that I dropped it about 10 times during low-speed operation;
I pulled muscles lifting it (before I learned the "butt-push" method) and
stretched a few hamstrings trying to hold it up during foot-slipping episodes at
traffic lights. Learning to let go was not easy. The GL1200 was smooth to ride
and a long-haul flawless performer over more than 100,000 miles. It was,
however, a bear to balance and a litte shy on power for loaded two-up riding.
On the highway I became accustomed to noticing saddlebags cover dangling from
retaining cords.
The subsequent GL1500 (1996) was a modern update - except the fuel-injection
went away so I went back to remembering a choke setting. The reduced seat
height was an improvement for low speed; nonetheless, I had daily twinges of
inadequacy starting from a dead stop and needing to waggle the handlebars. I
dropped the GL15 once or twice, when parking, over a period of many years. The
reverse feature and the hinged saddlebags were welcomed additions. I always
felt the GL15 had plenty of power (for my riding style) but, yes, anyone could
tell the difference between riding solo or riding two-up with baggage. The bike
handled predictably but some frame flex and a heavy feel kept me planning ahead
on winding roads - especially with a passenger aboard.
The '03 GL18 rides like an entirely different critter - but, still again, seems
very familiar. Three stand-out differences from the GL1500 that I noticed were:
Power: just about gut-wrenching. On my first ride I had no interest in
what lay beyond 4000rpm (in any gear). Sewing-machine smooth is not standout on
a GL - it is just assumed. Power - wow. Mucho cahones.
Handling: not exactly a sportbike (like some may compare it to), but not
hardly like any other GL I ever rode either. The machine bites quickly and
easily into curves (one- or two-up), feels practically flex free in the frame,
and will flip-flop from turn to turn with a pretty light touch. This is some
kind of slick ride for a heavy, tallish touring bike. The previous owner said
he'd never had any problems with tire cupping. I figured out why on the drive
home. The Kury highway platforms (folded up and unscratched on the bottoms) had
never kissed asphalt until I got aboard. The first semi-agressive move and the
"scrzzzzrrrrrrrrr" of metal grinding into concrete. (I guess previous owner
didn't like to explore the more subtle handling elements of the GL1800. So much
for shiny platforms.) Linked (non-ABS) brakes are confidence-inducing,
effective and practically dive-free.
Balance and C/G: the GL1800 feels like a moped at low speed and starts up
without a tendency to wobble. All in all, substantial, but crisp.
Without beating the details to death, I quickly found a few features I liked a
lot in the initial rides. The 10 click-position electric headlight adjuster is
great - no more fumbling with the manual twist knob running in the dark; a
two-memory rear suspension is a smart trick - one setting for solo and another
for two-up - nice; fuel injection; squeakless dash panel (so far); weatherband
radio and air temperature.
Some things I wasn't very impressed with also come to mind. The same, awful,
time-honored intercom plug-ins - dumb; air temp reading vanishes after a few
seconds; passenger wind buffeting; no CB integrated; left saddlebag was made not
to open (and dumber); the lower fog-light option is pretty lame - I hope
aftermarket lower driving lights are more worthwhile. I mean, who drives on the
highway at night in thick fog? Don't need no your lame, stinking foglights -
need good driving lights. Be careful what you add regarding the lower lights or
you'll spend a lot for not-much useful light. Some guys like the seat. I liked
the seat on the GL1200 and GL1500 for about an hour. After four hours I got
kinda edgy. After eight hours I was trying to find anything to take my mind of
the steel rod that felt like it was halfway up my... whatever. Sorry to say I
feel the same about the front GL1800 seat. My wife, on the other hand, thinks
the rear seat is outstanding. I wish I could drive from back there. I gotta
lose some weight... and, a bike this heavy deserves a standard kickstand with a
wider foot.
After hearing a lot of grousing about the CD player I opted for a Sony mini-disk
player run through the aux cable inside the left fairing pocket. Very nice -
$85 new off ebay and perfect for a bike. Each disk holds four (or more) CD's, a
single AA battery is good for 40-50 hours and sound quality (through a low-end
J&M headset, which is what it is) is superb. The whole thing fits in the pocket
- nice.
Can't thank Steve enough for a great web site. I'll post some updates after a
few trips. Until then, the GL1800 looks like the practically perfect touring
bike.
Update, November 26th, 2003 - 100 miles one night (42F/5C) and 500 miles the next day (70F/21C)
It didn't take long before the noise in my Symax helmet really started to grate
on my nerves. HJC's fit me well and I've been partial to them for years. I
wanted to love the lightweight, moderately priced HJC flip-front bucket, but it
sure was loud without the windshield in my least favorite position (all the way
up). I am not a griping here about a bit of real life bike-breeze intruding
into the cockpit - I'm talking about an on/off rattling roar that made hearing
the intercom/radio next to impossible and left my ears ringing after a couple of
hours above 60mph. The noise was a nuisance running parallel to my co-rider
being wind-buffeted about. Various combinations of open visor, windshield
height and suspension lift reduced the problem - but only the full windshield
extension more or less banished our discomforts.
After reviewing posts and solutions from riders with similar observations I
ended up unimaginatively installing a set of Baker AirWings (hand/mirror, upper
and lower). I've used the uppers on previous GL's and always liked them in the
hot weather but I'd never tried the hand wings before. The hand/mirror
deflectors instantly changed things for the better. Air movement over my hands,
arms and abdomen all but ceased, along with most of the buffeting to the
co-rider; the helmet got quiet, even with the windshield at the second ratchet
position; I can ride, look over the shield and go without earplugs; hands are
much warmer in cool weather (and dry in the rain) and the co-rider saw most
buffeting and helmet noise vanish. The dark side of this will be seeing what
happens when it turns hot and I want to put them in the full open position - I
didn't think to try that last week. I'll worry about it next summer. Along
with the leaky roof.
The Baker uppers are waiting for hot weather to be moved into the open position
but experience says that promote a lot of air when you want it; the lowers
deflect air from your legs and will, to some extent, direct warm air on your
legs when so adjusted. The benefit of warm air is modest, but noticeable, until
it gets below 45F/7C. I didn't intend for this to be a Baker product review,
but the installation made the GL1800 a much nicer bike for me to ride. The
hand/mirror deflectors are something I'd not give up, even if they came only in
hot pink with green spots.
Beyond that I happily discovered a suitable position for the Kury highway
platforms (and my feet) which is both comfortable and takes weight off my hind
end. Since I still see the platform location as a grounding hazard in steep
turns I haven't decided if they stay or go. I KNOW they ought to go - but I
FINALLY got comfortable with them on the highway. Drat - must deal with this
right after the leaky roof.
During one short night and one decent shakedown day I experienced different
outdoor temperatures and road/speed conditions. All the while I kept having
this nagging thought that the GL1800 is the best touring bike I've ever ridden,
and this by a very wide margin. I have not endured hours (or moments) in
strong crosswinds, nor had ECM, speedo or left-saddlebag problems; fuel
consumption, adjusted -5% for the incorrect speedo/odometer, is good
(38mpg/6.25l per 100km) if not stunning. Quiet, torquey, quick, good-tracking,
responsive, predictable, reliable.
Philosophically, there is a paradox for that is inherent in Goldwings. Their
turbine-like precision, smoothness and predictability may leave you yearning for
a rough edge like the Harley rumble, a Norton twitch, another Lucas mystery to
solve or the once-popular Amal primer drool. For most buyers, the GL1800 is
delivered substantially free of idiosyncrasies and, thus, is built entirely for
the ride - not the old-timey Zen of sussing out anomalies, being as one with the
engine sound and repairing systems with an intuitive zeal as they inevitably
degrade (or fail) during each riding season (or day).
If anyone really wants that edge back again they can always buy a used '67
Triumph and start changing frayed clutch cables on Saturday mornings.
Personally, I have adjusted to the joy of the ride in favor of feeling a
one-ness with questionable oil line fittings. I find the GL1800, so far, nearly
flawless.
Update, January 24th 2004.
After a few months of getting acquainted with the GL1800 and its' (few)
quirks my wife and I took a 2500-mile round trip North Carolina/Key West,
Florida ride over the Christmas 2003 holiday. I conclude:
a.. old style Kury highway platforms and a diminishing-radius curve could be
real ugly
b.. gusting crosswinds are irritating but not dangerous at posted speeds
c.. add-on hand/leg/foot wings, front mask, headlight lens guards etc. are
worthwhile
d.. rear armrest add-ons are not a great idea - the rear speakers do the job
and don't obstruct anything
e.. the GL1800 is the best touring motorcycle ever built
After some all-day touring I finally found the proper way to position myself in
the saddle and have no more complaints about the stock seat. (I also managed to
drop 15-pounds since I bought the bike which probably helped, too.) The worst
part of the trip was having to stop each night. I can't say the GL1800 is the
last bike I'll ever own, but at this moment it is, by far, the finest tourer
I've ever seen. Be safe. Ride often!
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