HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £350 |
| Power: | 100 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (30.0 in / 763 mm) |
| Weight: | High (811 lbs / 368 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesSo definitive a full-dress tourer, the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing remained in production for over a decade and (nearly) all rivals gave up bothering to compete. Third generation Gold Wing boasted all-new, super-smooth, super grunty flat-six, fabulously equipped and integrated design and lavish comfort to beat all-comers. Only recently superceded (by GL1800 and BMW K1200LT), and even then not by much.
Find a Honda Goldwing for sale, read the latest reviews and check out the history of the bike range.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineAs far as ride goes, the GL1500 Gold Wing, with its air suspension, low cofg, and plush seating, redefines motorcycling comfort. But the actual surprise is how well it still handles. The big Wing is far more nimble and easy to manage than its bulk suggests and weaves and wallows only
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Honda GL1500 Gold Wing is arguably more car than motorbike (six cylinders, 1520cc, water cooling and reverse gear anyone?), but still impressive nevertheless. If you want smooth, easy, grunt, look no further. For effortless 85mph there’s no other. The 1500 Gold Wing only now loses out to rivals for sheer get up and go…
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThink on this: the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing is the third generation version of a massively refined machine built by Honda. Yes, Honda. So, of course it’s quality, of course it’s durable. Wings have been known to rack up in excess of 250,000 miles, and with good reason…
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe best costs but with the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing it’s hard to whinge (sic) that you don’t get what you pay for. Not only is it a hell of a lot of bike, it’s head and shoulders above its rivals, fantastic quality, reliable and has a massive following. If you want a ‘Winnebago on wheels’, that is. Find a Honda Goldwing 1500 for sale.
Equipment
The Honda GL1500 Gold Wing has got everything including the kitchen sink (well, almost), as long as you’re prepared to pay for it. The base Gold Wing is actually fairly basic (fabulous comfort and luggage hauling capacity aside), but if you want the fancy stereo, cruise control, air vent systems, fancy detailing, two tone paint jobs etc, you need the SE version, and they cost more. Much more…
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 1520cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 12v 1520cc flat six, 5 gears |
| Frame type | Tubular steel cradle |
| Fuel capacity | 23 litres |
| Seat height | 763mm |
| Bike weight | 368kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | 2 x 296mm discs |
| Rear brake | Single 316mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 130/70 x 18 |
| Rear tyre size | 160/80 x 16 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 36 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £117 |
| Annual service cost | £350 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
15 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 100 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 110 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 106 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 13.8 secs |
| Tank range | 180 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1988: Honda GL1500 Gold Wing launched.
1991: GL1500SE model now standard in UK.
1997: Redesigned rocker covers, silencers and disc covers. Instruments now white-faced.
2000: Replaced by GL1800.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000)
7 owners have reviewed their HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £350 |
Version: GL1500
Year: 1998
Annual servicing cost: £1,000
I have owned 3 Honda GL1500 Goldwing motorcycles. I put 880k on my last GL1500, 750k on on my previous and on my first bike I sold it with 36k on the clock. Apart from the alternator which needed many replacements (only aftermarkets available) this bike never went wrong. I never had issues with anything. Toward the end of my last bike the transmission died but it rode nearly 1 million miles how could you be unhappy with that.The radio is old now, sound quality is questionable, the air suspension makes for an intensely comfortable ride. The engine is smooth with around 35mpg its just such a beautiful bike. The brakes were mushy but did the job.
Brakes were mushy. They did the job but 2 up lots of crap in the back they were not that great. You had to put some planning into things at junctions when stopping. The bikes brakes often gummed up and didn't a fair that well is winter condition. They never stopped working but a lot of cleaning of callipers was needed.
The bike never felt underpowered. No matter the weather, the hills etc... this bike was silk smooth. .
Outstanding engine durability. Alternators were a bit of an issue when this bike got out. I had 5 on my last bike.
Just change the oil, tires, pads and fluids and it will just keep going and going. I mean literally. It just keeps going.
Fit an inverter.. The bike had everything else you could ever have really want.
Version: Honda Deauville NT650V my Goldwing is a GL1991
Year: 1998
Annual servicing cost: £200
wonderful machines, the Deauville is good for short to medium rides very flickable easy to handle, the Goldwing for medium to long rides both bikes handle superbly
can`t fault them
each
Buying experience: Deauville from a dealer, Goldwing privately
Version: GL1500
Year: 1998
Annual servicing cost: £100
Best feature has to be the ride all-day comfort and reliability. I've been all over Europe on mine without it missing a beat. Fill her up with fuel and pick your destination.
Bikes at it best from the minute you sit on it until you decide to stop. I've done 10 hour days on mine and only had a bit of rider fatigue.
Strong engine and more than enough power, it can get a move on when you get used to where the throttle hits the stop..usually after the second twist.
Build quality is up to Hondas high standard, mines a 1990 model and paint, chrome and alloy parts still polish up like new.
I do all my own servicing and parts are readily available. Fuel works out at 40mpg on average and it uses a little oil on long 1000 mile plus trips.
Phenomenal accessories as standard plus unlimited amounts of extras available online.
Version: Se
Year: 1999
What a bike been all over Europe on it. Never let me down. Smooth. All day comfort. Not to bad on fuel 40mpg. Fit everything you need for 2 weeks away. What a machine.
Version: SE
Year: 2000
Annual servicing cost: £100
Blissfully comfortable. Responsive. Effortless. Joyful. But I've never ridden an GL1800!
Reliability top notch apart from footbrake requires bleeding often.
Goes on without missing a beat.
Version: SE
Year: 1999
It's big, it's heavy, it's smooth, and the comfort is absolutely amazing. What else could you expect from the ultimate touring bike?? Yes, it's an old model and many will call it dated, but many old wings are still running, wich means the build quality and the bullet proof engine says it all.
Easier to handle than you would think. Yes, it's heavy and you have to learn a few tricks to master it.
Not for the "sporty" person, but my god, does it run smooth. Sounds good too.
Almost 19 years old and still running like a dream.
Purchase price for used wings are high, and they like fuel. However, since my bike is old I do services and repairs myself, and therefore the costs are not that bad. Insurance cost is also very low.
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Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Riding
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Rear view
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Side view
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Top view
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Riding
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Riding
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Engine
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Rear view
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Instruments
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Side view
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Side view
