Bought a goldwing

[eye.surgeon]

Now before you start the lynching, let me explain   My main ride at the moment is a V-Strom 650, but I do enjoy taking an occasional overnighter with my 12 yr old son. I've done it on the Wee but it's a little crowded. Cruising craigslist last week I see a 1989 'wing in perfect condition, every single option/fully loaded and working including 2 communication helmets, 36k miles, everything works. I go check it out, this thing was somebodies garage baby, I buy it on the spot for $3300. A smoking hot deal. The thing is worth $5k. This version of the wing ran unchanged from '88-2000 so it's not like it's generations behind the current model. I probably won't ride it much but for that money I can take a few trips a year with my kids and sell it anytime for more than I paid.

Ride impressions...handles like the 800 lb bike that it is, kinda scary brakes, fork dive like nobodies business, very very comfortable, makes you want to putt along at 70 with the cruise on and smell the roses, my kids love being able to sit back in that barkalounger rear seat and talk to me on the headset. Has pretty decent acceleration from that flat six and the engine noise is pretty pleasant when you goose it. Tons of tupperwear, this thing doesn't have a single exposed area of engine or drivetrain other that the valve covers. Definitely wouldn't want to ride it alone, and frankly I would rather have the new K1600GTL as a dedicated 2-up ride, but as a second bike for kids-only riding, at that price compared to $27k for the BMW, I'll take it.



addition: took it for a 150 mile shakedown ride with my son this morning. Very very comfortable, all the power for passing as long as it's a straight line. Very soft suspension but purposefully so, not worn-out soft. My son loved it. My son has autism and I never trusted him as a pillion on other bikes, in this one he's locked into that giant rear seat and I have no worries about him falling out.

[sleazy rider]

Nice score.  I've seen a few locally in the $5000 range with a bunch more miles.  I just can't talk myself into buying one, having ridden a couple and find they wallow like a whale in the curves.

[rgbeard]

Great score for the price.  You did very well.

The 88/89 is a great bike, with the 89 fixing a carburetor stumble that was present in 88.

The best thing about 88/89 besides being well priced is that the 88/89 has all the toys that later get called an "SE" model.  1990 strips the bike of some features, makes a lot optional, and beings the Aspencade/SE differentiation.

The 1500 is the least-sporty of the whole Goldwing model, but they're popular as can be - for a good reason.  And it appears you found the reason.

ENJOY!

[C 4]

I'd like to find one for the same reason. Nice find

[NotDeadYet]

smoking deal on what looks to be a very sweet ride.  I owned a couple of gold wings years ago before migrating back to sports bikes.  I have often thought of buying a clean used one for the same purposes you have stated.  I would never lay out large money for one but there are always good deals out there if you look - as you just proved.

[county]

That is a whole lot of motorcycle....congrats...

[TriumphTiger1050]

Yep...........nice find!  As far as squishy fork, there is always upgrades!

[Brad1445]

Big!

[coho]

Big!

It's the Cadillac of motorbikes.  

[Metal Doc]

Great Deal and a perfect reason to get one.  Good for you.

[Blunder]

I approve of your selection.  

[viffergyrl]

Rod - you crack me up. I swear - you just think about what you want and poof! it appears on Craig's List.  

[FJRmgm]

I'll go ahead and say it - that bike is BIG, not as big as an FJR but still big.

Enjoy.

[Kraz]

That is a whole lot of SPORT-TOURING motorcycle....congrats...

   Fixed it for ya.  

Nice score on the bike though... seriously.  I secretly want an 1800 wing... maybe one day they'll be on CL for under 15 g's.

I see a lot of 1500 wings for $3,000 on CL - all in perfect shape - and they all need to be shipped to you.    If I saw that bike for 3,300 I'd probably flag it as being a scam.  

[rgbeard]

   Fixed it for ya.  

Nice score on the bike though... seriously.  I secretly want an 1800 wing... maybe one day they'll be on CL for under 15 g's.

I see a lot of 1500 wings for $3,000 on CL - all in perfect shape - and they all need to be shipped to you.    If I saw that bike for 3,300 I'd probably flag it as being a scam.  

You need to review Wing prices a bit more closely if you really want one.

2001-2003's are available 8,000-11,000 depending on mileage.  Frame issues persist from 2001 to 2004/2005.  One inspection puts it in the clear.

3,300 is low-end for 1988/89, and for that price it should have higher miles.  Not unreasonable to see the price, tho.  Definitely nothing to flag.

Here's some proof on my 2001 price claim:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2392929663.html

[Loki]

I will be picking mine up tomorrow afternoon. A 94 with 41k on it.
The price, well at 4500, I just can't pass it up. The pics will follow.

I will not ever give my Bird up, but the wife decided she wants
to ride along sometimes.

We will see.  Oh yea it's Teal, go ahead, laugh.

L;

[Kraz]

Interesting...  I'll have to look into the frame thing a bit more.

9 g's for a bike with 83k is still way high in my book (esp if it needs a frame inspection)...  I don't care if people say that's not that much for a 'wing.

You need to review Wing prices a bit more closely if you really want one.

2001-2003's are available 8,000-11,000 depending on mileage.  Frame issues persist from 2001 to 2004/2005.  One inspection puts it in the clear.

3,300 is low-end for 1988/89, and for that price it should have higher miles.  Not unreasonable to see the price, tho.  Definitely nothing to flag.

Here's some proof on my 2001 price claim:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2392929663.html

[stinky93071]

They are great with\for kids. The shocks do need a lot of work. The 1500 is no Sport touring bike. They can be some fun. Here is my son at age 3 with my dad, as they go zipping by..

[MGN54]

Outstanding! PERFECT bike for you and your son! I've been contemplating one of these as well, as my wife would like to start joining me more on rides. Maybe an overnighter here and there.

From what I have read, a set of Progressive springs and good fork oil will go along way in making that front end better. And I've read that pumping up the rear shocks some will help with that unstable feeling in the sweepers.

You can find a lot of good info here if you haven't already found it:

www.goldwingfacts.com

I have a feeling you are going to have many good miles on the Wing! Keep us posted..and with more pics, please!

[Meemuh]

No lynching here - congratulations on your Wing.
I hope you and your son have a lot of good trips on that bike.