Honda GOLD WING GL1500 – technical characteristics of a unique motorcycle

On the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Gold Wing family, Honda decided to once again update the motorcycle. In 1988 (a year before the significant date), the Honda Gold Wing GL1500 was introduced to the public.

Since the bike is positioned as an update , the design of the previously released GL1200 . However, in honor of the anniversary, the new motorcycle should receive a lot of new ideas and solutions, as a result of which only the name and style of the concern’s best motorcycle remains from the parent.

Specifications

One of the main updates to the motorcycle was the engine. Instead of the standard 4-cylinders for large models, the new wing gets 6 (!!!). Opposed arrangement (angle between pistons 1800 ), liquid cooling, carburetor.

It is curious that the model has only 2 . Each serves 3 pistons .

Large-volume and low-boost - the engine can safely be called eternal, capable of serving for a long time without major repairs, even if you are not the first owner of a motorcycle.

And also an interesting detail of the engine was the presence of hydraulic compensators for adjusting the valves .

In addition, the compression ratio has increased , power and torque have increased. To comply with Japanese emission standards, motorcycles destined for domestic markets were fitted with slightly throttled engines.

Transmission and clutch

The engine was equipped with a 5-speed gearbox .

It was of a standard type, worked well, and held all gears accurately. There were no problems finding the right or neutral.

Exceptional gear shifting accuracy is a distinctive characteristic of all Honda gearboxes.

A curious feature was the ability to reverse . By reversing the starter, the motor could roll the bike out of the garage, down a slope in a parking lot, or simply back it up.

As is common in the wing family, the main drive is a gimbal .

Brakes

The brakes are quite good and reliable even for the weight of the motorcycle.

The brakes were of interest. The motorcycle received wheels . On the front axle - 2 , on the rear - 1 . But the diameter of the rotors was the same - 285 mm . The support also used the same brackets - 2 pistons in both cases.

The stock features the brand's signature feature - combi-brakes (both brakes are activated when one is pressed). Apart from this, there were no other additional systems.

Review of the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle (Interstate, Aspencade, Special Edition)

I didn’t even think that I would one day have a Godwing, my first acquaintance with it was in some magazine about 15 years ago, but willy-nilly, having skated on the previous motorcycle, I myself, without understanding why, looked at the advertisements for sale and was hooked by one copy , despite the fact that I live in St. Petersburg, and he was in Moscow and it was already the end of November, I took off and went after him, taking the evening train, I set out for Moscow and was already there in the morning, reaching the outskirts and when I saw the unrealistic dimensions I was simply stunned, after examining and touching it I decided to take it and after 30 minutes I was driving through traffic jams and rings along all the rings and roads to the Leningradsky station to send the horse to my hometown, first I called the post office and they said in the affirmative Come. So for the first time after a simple chaper, I rode with me on a colossus weighing under 500 kg and almost drowned in drool with joy, xenon spotlights compared to my face are like Ilyich’s light bulbs, It’s hard to ride, you have a softer button, it rocks on a harder button, that you need to pump up the wheel, there’s a button on you, you’re tired of holding the handle, you’re wearing cruise control, it’s getting cool in the evening, keep the hot air blowing on you, it’s hot on you, there’s a lot of blowing on you from your face, arms and legs, to adjusting the windshield height, the music on you is boring , road radio, cassette, or with an easy upgrade, any device with sound, the turn signal is not turned off after a turn, you don’t have to do everything yourself, you have to put the back on you, the passenger seat is just like in an airplane seat, the wind-rain protection is excellent, but the engine, the engine This is a masterpiece of boxer engineering, 6 cylinders, unrealistic locomotive traction, brakes, they are different from a classic motorcycle, here the main brake is rear but in addition to the rear one, the front is also connected, the motorcycle brakes simply by crouching completely without distortions, and the illumination of the direction of turns is a pleasant surprise. Handling for this size and weight of the airliner is not at all heavy; thanks to the weight distribution and the center of gravity at the bottom, it is controlled effortlessly, quite maneuverable, and accelerates at lightning speed with the pleasant roar of a Japanese tiger.

Mine was the Aspencade version, and there is also the SE version, which has a walkie-talkie and heated legs. In general, if you like comfort, travel, it’s easy, you want drive, no question. Great moto.

I dreamed of a Gold for a long time, I took an experienced one and even with a stroller, I traveled with it and without it, I will say in advance that with a stroller it is generally an unrealistic interplanetary cruiser. First of all, the mod captivates with its seating position - with a height of 200+ and a weight of 120 kilos, this is the first device where you can say that you are sitting not ON a motorcycle, but IN a motorcycle.

What I liked.

1) The seating position and ergonomics are simply perfect, and even with the driver’s backrest it’s a miracle.

2) The dynamics are amazing, the engine is soft and elastic - as it should be

3) Wind protection and safety at an unattainable level.

4) The motor handles perfectly. It stands on the track like a glove - it gives confidence.

5) Appearance and “show-off” certainly have their place, no matter what anyone says.

6) Everything is done for the most comfortable and stress-free long-distance travel. Huge trunks! Music.

7) Reliability - ALWAYS delivers.

Now about the disadvantages:

1) expensive maintenance and very expensive repairs due to the overall complexity and banal labor intensity of any work + the greed of specialists, of course (for many, this is an expensive toy and they are ready to pay any money for it). In principle, if you really love this motorcycle and study it thoroughly, then with even hands this ceases to be a disadvantage.

2) The brakes and front fork are no good, the brakes don’t slow down and the fork adds constant wobble with high mileage, this is a problem. Solved by tuning.

3) Weak and unreliable generator - tuning.

4) Consumption, such an engine cannot help but eat, I heard about a saving record: 7 liters per 100 on the highway, this is a very good result with a tuned and serviceable engine. I had 10+++...

5) The dimensions are certainly not for the city, the moto will go wherever others pass, but with practically no free space, I personally often felt uneasy, I think solving problems with the fork and brakes will help a lot. + Habit of course.

In general, I was happy with the bike, but sold it to fulfill a long-time dream - HD Electra Glide. This moto is close ideologically, not so huge - in the city it is much easier, with similar years it is not at all correct to compare - the Electra is inferior both in power and reliability, but I have the last years and in dynamics I would say that it is on par with the Golda, similar in comfort , and in the city it’s much easier on a Harley. An important point is the complexity of service and the price of spare parts for a Honda and HD is heaven and earth. IMHO.

I bought it a long time ago, bought it for no reason, came to the salon, sat, liked it, bought it)) The first year I didn’t go outside the linen region, then I spent a season in the garage (I drove another one), then something else, in 2009 I decided to roll it out slowly) I went to Brest, Rybinsk, Valdai, Petrozavodsk... all over Russia. During my ownership, I changed the music several times (until I made the headset), hung up light bulbs, sparkles, more light bulbs... I took everything off for nothing, hung it up again... Today I came to the conclusion that tuning is evil, no, it’s certainly beautiful, but: when from -behind the awesomely beautiful running board, water from the road in the long-haul starts to splash into your knee, when, due to the amplifier, a warm sweater or a spare jacket does not fit into the trunk, when some piece of garbage not provided for by the design begins to rattle on the 2nd hundred kilometers of concrete, when the miracle of the stray begins to shorten due to the fact that the place where it is installed turns out to be incompatible with the aerodynamics of the motor and is filled with water…. all this is a minus of nerves, so my advice is don’t get carried away)) Now, essentially, the most important thing is the cigarette lighter, because you can’t light a cigarette with a lighter on the go. The second most necessary thing is a headset, because with a headset you can use the radio to find out where you are and how far to the gas station... and the Japs have already put everything else into it - a stove, cruise control, air suspension, large suitcases, a traction engine, excellent wind protection, an acceptable audio system (in stock), glove compartments, cup holders, bottle holders, chocolate holders, power reserve of 280 km, beautiful appearance, comfortable fit, awesome mirrors... in general, a lot of everything.

Now about the content:

If you received the motorcycle in good condition, then it will remain that way; all maintenance will be reduced to routine maintenance, changing consumables and oil. You can service it one way or another, some in the salon, some yourself, in principle there is nothing complicated, the main thing is to do it the first time, then it will be much easier. Everything comes apart neatly, there are a lot of hidden bolts and latches. If you are afraid, give it to the masters. Don’t be afraid - do it yourself, you will feel more confident on your journey.

Exploitation:

All the advantages of a spendthrift are revealed precisely in travel, not in cafe racing and picking up women, but precisely in travel, when, having flown from St. Petersburg to Brest, you don’t crawl off it with numb organs, but because you don’t have anything to do, you go to Belovezhskaya Pushcha to look at the bison (another 170 km back and forth), when you drive 600 km along the highway in the rain, you realize that 90% of you are absolutely dry, and the 10% that is wet is from your saliva or spilled tea that you drank on the go. The suspension is incredibly soft, it just floats above the road. There are, of course, disadvantages, but they are so insignificant - that the bolt is on them. Here.

Driving performance

According to documents, the motorcycle could reach speeds of up to 193 km/h . At the same time, a comfortable cruiser varied widely from 100 to 150 km/h. The developers did not deny that, if desired, you can accelerate so much that the needle will fall, but those who like to drive at such speeds are better off looking for another model.

Dynamics

Acceleration from a standstill, as for a tourist, was also not bad. A fully loaded bike with number two on board reached the 100 km mark in 5.5 seconds .

Fuel consumption

The consumption declared by the manufacturers is 7.35 liters per 100 km . , 10 or more liters could be seen . The average distance at one gas station, according to user reviews, is 250–280 km .

Brief history of the model

Honda Gold Wing 1200A Aspenside, white, condition for 1987 - almost perfect, everything is in place and everything works. After unpacking and filling the gasoline, I turn on the ignition and... nothing happens. The battery is dead. Having put it on charge, I began to inspect the cases and in one I find a new battery in a box! Having recharged a little, I install it on the bike and turn the ignition key, the electronic panel comes to life. I have associations with the panel on an airplane. After turning the starter and safely filling the spark plugs, I didn’t use the corrector flap correctly; meanwhile, it was -10 degrees outside. I unscrewed the spark plugs and burned them on the gas plate. I screwed it back in, turned it with the starter and the engine came to life. While the engine was warming up, I checked the operation of the rest of the Honda systems. The air suspension inflation in front of the rear works, the readings are displayed on the LCD display. Tire inflation, there is a special hose, the same works. Turning lights and the radio is normal. I didn’t find any leaks of technical fluids. After warming up, I decided to go for a ride anyway. Dressed warmly and hit the road. Feelings from the trip: it goes smoothly, at speeds up to 90 km per hour it’s absolutely not cold, comfortable seating, enough standard light quite. But the dashboard is something of course!

Modifications

Honda GL1500 Gold Wing Special Edition is the most expensive version of improved comfort.

Since the model was originally planned as an anniversary model, design bureau engineers produced as many as 3 planned official modifications and one outside the plan.

1. Honda GL1500 Gold Wing - the very first development, assembled on the eve of the anniversary and a couple of years after, from 1988 to 1990 .
2. Honda GL1500 Gold Wing Special Edition - version released in honor of the 15th anniversary of the family. Adjustable footrests and saddles, a more expensive audio system, additional headlights, a different type of windshield, illumination and date plates. Limited number of models non-standard for the color family. Started in 1989 - other model closures are produced.
3. Honda GL1500 Gold Wing Interstate is an attempt to conquer the budget market. A stripped down version of the standard model. There is no reverse, there is no cruise control, the second number is offered ordinary footrests. 1991–1997 _
4. Honda GL1500 Gold Wing Aspencade - suddenly, instead of one reason for celebration, there were 2. 0.5 million cars were produced in the family. The model is completely identical to the SE, with the exception of additional illumination. Several custom colors are available. Signs are installed in honor of the significant number. From 1991 until the end of production of the model. Positioned as a replacement for the basic one.

and competitors

Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade.

Yamaha Venture Royale 1300.

The competitors for the motorcycle are:

• Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade.
• Yamaha Venture Royale 1300.

It is curious that the manufacturers themselves position these versions as competitors for the earlier wing model - GL1200.

Content

And although the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing model itself does not have an official division into generations, it is still customary to distinguish 2 generations of the motorcycle:

• 2001-2010 - first generation. During these years, the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing was produced in the USA.
• 2011 - US production closes. The Honda GL1800 Gold Wing was not officially produced this year.
• 2012-present vr. - second generation. The production of the motorcycle is completely transferred to Japan. Models of these years differ from previous ones in a modified body, the shape of the fairings, saddlebags, a brighter dashboard, updated satellite navigation and audio systems (6 speakers + connectors for MP3 and iPod).
• 2015 - in honor of the 40th anniversary of the model, an anniversary version of the motorcycle is released in exclusive colors and with 40th Anniversary nameplates.

Peculiarities

The design features cause some inconvenience when servicing the motorcycle. For example, replacing a rear tire on regular bikes, which is simple here, starts with removing about half of the attachments.

As users expected, after the announcement of the anniversary, the motorcycle should have received many new ideas. Among them noted:

• engine - 6 cylinders provide “locomotive” traction at all speeds.
• There is no need to adjust the valves - the bike, through hydraulic compensators, will take care of the necessary clearances.
• two carburetors - with six cylinders.
• suspension with automatic adjustment based on a pneumatic drive, all settings options.
• a pair of springs on the pendulum.
• audio - first Kenwood, then Panasonic, even on a stripped-down version.

The best indicator of the exclusivity of the model was its adoption as a model for the Valkyrie line.

Comparison with analogues. Gl1100 interstate

But I just can’t get used to the fact that when you stop and need to turn around, for example, because of its weight, Golda tends to fall over on the side where you are turning. The wide, flat rear tire certainly contributes to the solid feel of the bike, although it does seem to take some of the effort out of steering on twisty roads, but overall the bike's performance is top notch.

Engine. Owner reviews