Back to Honda Reliable Used Motorcycle Buyers Guide Index Page
Manufacturer: Honda………..TOP Model: Gold Wing GL1200, GL1200LTD, GL1200 Standard, GL1200I GW Interstate, GL1200 SE-i, GL1200A ASPENCADE Years Made: 1983 – 1987 (1988) Style: Luxury Tourer Engine Type:
1182cc Boxer-Four
mm/”Weight: 600+lbs HP: 95 Torque: 87 Top Speed: 115mph MPG: 52 New Cost: $10,395 (1984) – $10,765 (1985)
Average Used Costs: Low $3,695 Medium $4,181 High $4,603
Description:
Honda’s Goldwing GL1200.
The GL1200 arrived for the 1984 model year and continued the trend set by it’s predecessor. There was the unfaired Standard, the dressed Interstate and the top of the range Aspencade, which had the Type 3 audio system. New, stiffer frame with major improvements, bigger and more responsive 1182cc version of the flat-four engine with bags more torque and hydraulic valve adjusters, better suspension and handling were the main attractions on the new Goldwing. Carried forward from the previous Aspencade were the now better air suspension controls, linked brakes and the new Aspencade had a more advanced audio system and upgraded LCD dash. The front wheel was a rather unusually small (for such a large machine) 16″ and this gave the steering a very light feel. The styling of the plastics was more aggressive than the GL1100, the fairing, trunk, panniers and lights all had a more squarish brute look which was evident on many motorcycles and cars for a while in the eighties. The flowing lines of the previous model were not quite as subtle on the GL1200, but the integration of the luggage was much better now because there were less gaps and spaces between the panels. Hondaline could supply you with a CB radio and other fripperies considered essential by many owners of the new machine. The aftermarket suppliers had a field day, small cottage industries had sprung up everywhere to feed the habit and the vast range of chrome goodies, backrests, lights etc available for the Goldwing rivalled that which could be had for Harley-Davidson owners.
1985 saw Honda drop the Standard unfaired Goldwing and alongside the Interstate and Aspencade they brought in the GL1200LTD for this year only. The LTD had computerised fuel injection, auto levelling rear suspension and a sophisticated trip computer. The fuel injection, while not entirely without it’s faults in the real world, transformed the GL1200 into a real animal which made the carburettor models seem sluggish in comparison. The LTD was only available in two-tone gold/brown.
1986 saw only some cosmetic changes to the Interstate and Aspencade, the LTD was replaced by the SE-i, which came in Pearl White only and had little over the LTD except for Dolby noise reduction on the Panasonic Type 3 audio system (the Aspencade got the same audio treatment) and a slightly better seat which was also fitted to the Interstate and Aspencade. The SE-i had ballooned out to over 770lbs.
The final year of production for the GL1200 was 1987 and there was little change. No doubt Honda were saving the major surprise for the following year, although the Goldwing faithful had been expecting the rumoured super Goldwing for the current model year. The SE-i was gone and the Interstate and Aspencade got a much plusher saddle, the best on any Goldwing to date. The final drive and differential had been made much smoother and quieter, which resulted in the best sorted GL1200 so far. – Steve Saunders Goldwing PageNotes: Even the first (and lightest) Honda Goldwing is too heavy and unwieldly for beginners. But the Goldwing series is legendary in reliability and is able to go hundres of thousands of miles and still withstand the test of time.
UMG Says (GL1100/GL1200): Engine capacity increases meant more torque rather than speed. The Aspencade (the one with all the junk on it) was considered the ultimate development until the GL1500 turned up. GL1200 had improved handling (at the price of expensive tyres) and new four speed gearbox with overdrive. Engines have run to over 100,000 miles, so many good ones left.
