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BiKenG
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:21 pm
Location: Surrey, UK

Not there yet

#1

Post by BiKenG »

When I joined Honda UK, the Gold Wing had already been in production for a few years and in truth, it was not my kind of bike. I had a Kawasaki Z1B at the time and it took the introduction of the CBX1000 to tempt me away from my Z1. By the time the GL1100 and then the 1200 were introduced I was working in the Technical Training Centre, although I don't recall performing much actual training on the 'Wing.

Not so with the CX500 for which I performed most of the new model introductory training, although I really disliked it as by then I was firmly captivated by the CBX and nothing else mattered.

My passion for sports bikes followed the trend for faster, lighter, more uncomfortable steeds until it dawned on me that upright naked bikes were actually far more enjoyable. This has then led me on a reverse course of appreciation and the recent purchase of a couple of CX500/650s to be subjected to my own custom treatment and now my gaze has fallen on the GL.

I have had a couple of Valkyries and a Rune, so I'm far from ignorant about Honda's boxers. But more and more I want a bike I can make my own and a flat 4 GL will provide a better starting point than the later 6s.

So I'm currently on the lookout for a GL1100. I'm in the UK, so unless it's very cheap, I guess a US bike is out of the question. Shame as there's far more of them over there. But no immediate rush as I have (too) many other projects to occupy me in the meantime. Hopefully I'll find something suitable soon and no doubt have questions to ask which I hope can be answered by those with far more actual experience of the Gold Wing.
Ken
--
You can't have too many bikes
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TNTbefree
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 928
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:49 am
Location: Jacksonville, FL

Re: Not there yet

#2

Post by TNTbefree »

Welcome to the club. Good luck with your search. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
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Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Not there yet

#3

Post by Track T 2411 »

Welcome from Wisconsin! The right bike will come along...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Rat
Photo Gallery Admin
Photo Gallery Admin
Posts: 15457
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:59 pm
My Album: https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rat/
RIP: cookie
Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: Not there yet

#4

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

We have a fair number of UK members here.

Watch the 'for Sale' forum and maybe try a post in the 'Wanted' forum

Gord
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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Sugs
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1069
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:12 pm
Location: Springfield, MO

Re: Not there yet

#5

Post by Sugs »

Welcome to the site!
_______________________

'79 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
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HOTT
Run Executive
Run Executive
Posts: 3251
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.php/wingmans/HOTT
Location: Spring,TX
Contact:

Re: Not there yet

#6

Post by HOTT »

Welcome from Texas


HOTT
If we can't fix it, we can fix it so no one else can.
the Condor BOTY 2011
Ol' Sparky BOTM Dec. 2011
Lucky #13 BOTY 2018
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chewy999
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Not there yet

#7

Post by chewy999 »

Welcome to the site, good to have another Brit on board. Where abouts in the Motherland are you?
Think you'll be lucky to find a cheap bike here, you've already noticed, as I'm always saying, how much more we seem to pay for bikes and parts compared to our US mates. I know I paid to much for my bike, and spent FAR to much to get it to it's current state, but would still like to spend more, but like yourself, I'm also retired, almost a year now, so have to be a bit more careful with money.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
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
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
BiKenG
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:21 pm
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Not there yet

#8

Post by BiKenG »

You're not wrong. It's criminal what we are charged here. A favourite of mine is the CB1000R handlebar top clamp. £84 (UKP84) here and I've bought a couple from a US dealer @ $19 each. Anyone can do the maths and see we're being taken for a ride (metaphorically speaking).

The result is pain every time I see Wing prices in the US compared to what they are here :( . Oh well, keep looking.

Nearly forgot, I'm in (West) Surrey.
Ken
--
You can't have too many bikes
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77Gowing
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2724
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:31 pm
Location: San Angelo, Texas

Re: Not there yet

#9

Post by 77Gowing »

I'm in "Colonial West Texas".
Well I stopped counting how much i've put into my bike. However, it has been my ham fistedness that cost me extra.
Still love my GL just the same. Good luck on your hunt.
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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chewy999
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Not there yet

#10

Post by chewy999 »

77Gowing wrote:However, it has been my ham fistedness that cost me extra.
That has also been an issue of mine at times, but not as much as I thought. Still adds up though.
Still love my GL just the same.
And I still love mine, along with the people here who have helped and continue to do so!
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
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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