Honda Goldwing GL 1800 Review

Watch this item
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 7 ratings and 16 reviews

Thumb up 81% of users recommend this product

Rate it Now:

Click on the stars above to rate this product:

Tweet This Item


lakelander's Review of Honda Goldwing GL 1800

13th Dec 2007

Overall Rating

4 stars
  • Value for money
    4 stars
  • Length of ownership
    20 months
  • Reliability
    5 stars
  • Year Manufactured
    2006
  • Build quality
    3 stars
Good Points

2006 model with the comfort package.
Heated grips and seat are very good, comfort and power as much as I would ever need, very maneuverable for it's bulk, fuel tank will gets me over 200 miles, long life from tyres 16000+


Bad Points

No Pannier rear lights, no rear speakers. Welding and painting of frame poor, wife complains of unbearable vibration at over 95mph comes from seat and foot pegs, manual screen adjustment, alternator noise through headsets, no lock on left pocket, Left side pannier is prone to sticking, and top box rubs paint off where it closes very quickly, front end wobble at 25mph


General Comments

I also had the ST1100 and thought the 1300 was not for me so I bought the 2006 model with the heated grips and seat which I find are a valuable component for the UK.
The bike was delivered with pock marked wheels, scuffed chromed panels weld splatter on the visible part of the frame, and poor paint on frame, the wheels were changed under warranty, they also offered to paint the frame but I bought chrome covers instead as Honda would not pay for them.
I have covered over 16000 miles in less than 18 months in fact I had done 12000 miles in 6 months and if you are looking for a long distance tourer this one must be the best on the market.
My bike has the front end wobble at 25mph with no good reason, Honda don't seem to be taking complaint seriously.
Servicing and fitting of accessories by the dealers has not been very good, I have done better myself, and will not use dealers when my warranty expires at 2 years.
I love riding this bike more than any other I have ridden, wind protection is good though screen can mist up in the wet so you have to look over the top, the manual adjustment of the screen is a bit agricultural and coarse but does have plenty of range for taller people.
Handlebar position could be a little further back for my liking to allow me to sit upright a little more this could be done with risers.
Very stable on German autobahns at 125mph although the wife said above 95 the vibration on the back was unbearable to the point where she chipped a tooth, although I couldn't feel any vibration on the front.
Corners very well though you need to take care if you are carrying a passenger if you don't stiffen the suspension for the extra weight, I have grounded my foot rest and front cowl a few times on right turns and at rounabouts and it didn't feel like i was so far over.
overall great machine spoiled by poor build and dealer service.

Tweet This Review

lakelander's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!

How helpful did you find this review?