Question about gl1000 weight

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mfnheff
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Question about gl1000 weight

#1

Post by mfnheff »

I continually read, in multiple places, the gl1000 was the heaviest motorcycle produced at that time. From what I have read in a few places, the wet weight of a gl1000 is 650lb or so.
A same year big twin motorcycle from a well known American manufacturer, with saddle bags etc, weighs in at 760lbs wet.
Just a curious question, if I'm missing something. The gl1000 feels heavy, and the gl1200 I had felt heavier, which it was. But I'm curious as to how it became the heaviest bike at the time?
1976 gl1000
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robin1731
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#2

Post by robin1731 »

They are heavy but I don't think I've ever read that they were the heaviest. Wouldn't really matter to me one way or the other.

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1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
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elwood440
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#3

Post by elwood440 »

Mine feels light and nimble compared to my fully dressed 650.

Maybe they mean heaviest bike out of Japan. :dunno:
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mfnheff
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#4

Post by mfnheff »

It doesn't matter either way to me either. Just a curious thing I've read. I just like useless facts about things, Incase I'm ever in jeopardy or something
1976 gl1000
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#5

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yeah, I'm real wary of superlatives unless there's some evidence to back it up. My guess is that the Goldwing was a really heavy, really large displacement bike on the upper end of what was typical for the era.

I owned an XS1100 for a year, andmany, MANY articles call it the fastest production motorcycle the year it came out. Turns out they're right- depending on the speed run. That bike compared to a couple contemperaries (Suzuki was the big one, I think) was so close as to be essentially meaningless.

The Goldwing being the heaviest bike when it came out? Makes for a good headline, but the truth (like most things) tends to be a bit less cut and dry.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#6

Post by Gowing »

It bugs me when I continually read and hear that. my 75 just doesn't feel that big to me.
Dave

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1980 XS650
1981 ct110
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chewy999
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#7

Post by chewy999 »

Depends how heavy the rider is!

lolol lolol lolol
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
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2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
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flyin900
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#8

Post by flyin900 »

Does this King /Queen seat make me look fat? dancr

I think if it was written about somewhere it was in reference to the Japanese brands of motorcycles not US bikes.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
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calif wingnut
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#9

Post by calif wingnut »

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mopehead440
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#10

Post by mopehead440 »

Doesn't feel that heavy to me, but it's a matter of relativity!! Other bikes didn't weight a thousand pounds at that time , and my wormy 125 pound rearend didn't let the GL1000 know that there was a rider aboard! After riding my GL1800, or Indian Chief, I feel as though I'm on a 250cc Enduro, thrashing more than riding!! Just the way it is. My GL1000 felt huge, bulky, and positively perfect forty years ago!
1975 GL1000 Red
1975 GL1000 Blue/Green
1976 GL1000 LTD
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow
1997 Valkyrie Custom
1999 Valkyrie Interstate Trike
2001 Valkyrie IS
2012 GL1800
2014 Indian Vintage Chief
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Easter
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#11

Post by Easter »

Speaking of heavy bikes, I have a '97 Valkyrie at the moment and even with the tank full, it seems lighter and easier to push around the shop and driveway than any of the Old Wings. The CB900 I am working on rolls easy (now that I have redone the brakes) but don't let it get out of balance or it suddenly gets very heavy.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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ericheath
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#12

Post by ericheath »

My 77 Johnny Cash Wing with a 27" seat height and lower and straighter bars, front raked a little, rolls around so much easier than my stock 77. The handlebars on the stock ones are too far back and too narrow for control when walking it around. You turn the bars a little and the mirrors hit you. I'm 5'10" with two artificial hips and the seat is just a bit high to get any leverage to move it around. I have found for my stock bike I can back it up pretty easy if I stand in front of the bike and straddle the front tire it is much easier. You can't let it lean much or it'll be like a turtle.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
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83 Wing, in pieces
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rcmatt007
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#13

Post by rcmatt007 »

I think what was heavy was all the middle aged and over weight couples that rode them :twisted:
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Easter
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#14

Post by Easter »

rcmatt007 wrote:I think what was heavy was all the middle aged and over weight couples that rode them :twisted:
Hey, lets not get personal! :orange
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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OhioBill
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Re: Question about gl1000 weight

#15

Post by OhioBill »

I always thought the GL1000 was a big bike until I saw a picture of me riding it. Big boys make for small looking bikes.
OhioBill

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1975 Blue/ Green (Now Black) My main ride
1975 Red Gone to my son! (Burned Feb 2013)
1979 Black (to be restored)
1979 Blue (Sold)
1978 Black (back in the fold) sold again. Bought it back, again
1993 blue 1500 Sold
1976 Restoring
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