The Honda GL1500 Goldwing: More Than Just A Motorcycle

[@lindaelster9795]

I can never understand how some people go to “restore “ a motorcycle and not deep clean the bike from top to bottom. You are my kind of guy!

[@georgecullen759]

My wife just bought me a gl1500 sel from 1996. Her cousin had bought the bike 2nd hand at 1200 miles. They then put 460 miles on the bike when the husband got sick. The bike sat from 2013 until this past december when we bought it. I found a shop that works on the vintage bikes and will be riding soon. It is to be ready for pick up in 4 days. Just 4 more days until I get the bike with less than 2k miles (this baby will be like brand new). Hoping to share our adventures in the very near future.

[@jimshives8557]

I had a 1989 Wing the same color as yours. I sold it when I went to an 1800. I still miss that bike. My riding friends called it the rabbit. It was surprisingly quick. Glad to see you save that bike. Great job and video.

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks for watching! I'd like to see more of these get put back on the road and enjoyed by riders.

[@jamesevans164]

GL1500. are huge, like a lot of interest and followers, loved your story Dad's bike and the problems ..? Hey I think 100s of riders can relate to this. (Your on a winner)! That aside, mine was the worse motor cycle I have ever bought! Yet a little work and it was so rewarding. When you get one right they are the best Value for dollar Bike, in the world! So come on more videos, please. These things are easy to work on! (oh by the way do the Luggage Lift rather than remove. You tube it ) a Wing and a Prayer. Outback Australia. P.s. These thing hit kangaroos and keep going! I know they are absolute tanks!! Thankyou.

[@riddlerrides]

Howdy James! Thanks for the comments. I smiled at the imagery that these can hit kangaroos and keep going! I imagine kangaroos in Australia are as problematic on the road as deer and javelinas in Texas. These bikes are definitely amazing machines.

[@Kevin_747]

Cool story. Keeping the bike in family is a good deed. I'm looking to buy a dad bike now. Just recently restored a '90 Electra Glide that had been in a horse barn 23 years.

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks Kevin! Keep those dad bikes on the road! I'm very tempted to find an old '76 Honda 750 to work on.

[@AnunakiAtlantis]

Greeting from Goldwing Rider ✌

[@williamgibbs9672]

That was a great story. I saved a couple GL1500 myself. Sold the 90 , Kept the 98. I liked the color of the 98 more the spectra red color. It was a hard choice to make. I ride the GL1800 most of the time, but no plans of selling the GL1500 along with my GL1200 and standard GL1100. My sons will get to enjoy them someday.

[@riddlerrides]

Wow, that is quite a collection. I hope my son has some interest in a vintage Goldwing. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@nelsonphilip4520]

Gold Wing.....accept no substitute!

[@markhogan9435]

The spectra red is cool..it's on my 96 SE. love the 96's. Other one is pearl blue Aspencade, before that was 85 se, before that a 85 interstate, before that GL 1100 black 1981...you just gotta love a Goldwing..😊

[@riddlerrides]

@@markhogan9435 I never understood the Goldwings until recently. I get why people fall in love with them.

[@SophisticatedBob]

How does this site only have 185 subscribers? Great video editing, great content, outstanding narration.

[@riddlerrides]

Thank you sir! I am just starting out - so still building an audience.

[@ondago2]

I subscribed! You're right

[@jamesevans164]

Riddler Rides. Can Not share it to my 1000s of friends on Facebook, would like too! ( Platform not allowed it reads across the top banner). Plz change!!

[@cerealtiller]

Would be even better without the Background Music?

[@michaelchernobelsky4232]

Just bought a 1991 interstate model. This is exactly what I needed!!!

[@riddlerrides]

Congrats Michael! I thin k you'll love it.

[@paseandoconhonda]

Congratulations for the good work, I bought a 1988 mod with 17k miles, I bought it in January 2024. In 2 months we put 4500 miles on it

[@biffjohnston6507]

My gl1500 is a trike, it had a load of service work done and has sat in my garage since 2017 with a rear axle problem. Only time and money stops me getting on the road again. I do bits and pieces to it each year, this year is getting my new radiators installed that i bought 2 years ago 😂, and just keep her fired up and moving a bit. Cant wait to get it fully up and going again, i only had about 500 miles of fun when I first got it until she sadly got noisy. As you will see for yourself, once the goldwing bug bites you, it converts you. Sooo super comfy and a joy to ride. Hope you enjoy your ownership and keep posting vids on your gl1500 adventures.

[@riddlerrides]

Biff, thanks for watching! I am definitely a convert to the GW and I can't wait to make more content about it. Good luck with getting your trike back on the road.

[@timchapman6702]

I have an 89 that has 96000 miles and still runs great. I also have an 1800 2015 but I still like riding the old one.

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks for watching! These flat six's are bullet proof and under-stressed even for the size of the bike.

[@timchapman6702]

@@riddlerrides totally agree. The timing belt has been changed though.

[@riddlerrides]

@@timchapman6702 True. Did that also on mine. Good insurance for the future. At some point I’m going to do an in depth video on everything I did to get the bike refreshed and on the road.

[@gwrider2146]

Tim Chapman: how does the ride compare between the two? Is the 1500 a plusher ride vs the 1800?

[@timchapman6702]

@@gwrider2146 it’s very hard to tell. I have the Traxion Dynamics upgrades on my 1800 but the seat on the 1500 is better..

[@johnasbury9915]

Had all of those bikes, still have a Harley and a GS… have had 3 Wings, 1000, 1500/6 & an 1800/6. Sweet bikes.

[@tennwingman3350]

I rode the 1989 Honda Goldwing for 13 yrs. I put 157K miles on that one before I went to a 2012 GL1800. The 1500 was the best motorcycle I have ever owned. Still to this day I wish I had it back. Mine was custom painted changed to a deep slightly different color than the stock. My bike was exactly the same one you have there. Brings back so many memories. Be safe, have fun.

[@riddlerrides]

Howdy TennWingman! Thanks for watching and commenting. I plan to make more content on the 1500. I'd love to see more people get these bikes back on the road.

[@larryritchey8557]

Great video, I've had my 94 Goldwing for 20 years now and will never sell it. Although I don't ride it as much as my 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, I still find time to ride it at least a few hundred miles a year and keep up with the maintenance. The GL1500 will last forever if you take care of it.

[@riddlerrides]

Thank you and thanks for watching. The Valkyrie must be face ripping fast!

[@larryritchey8557]

@@riddlerrides Yes she is. With 6 carbs, a high performance Cam and tuning she can get down the road pretty quick.

[@davidanderson2847]

I picked up a 96 Goldwing a few years ago. It had 45,000 miles on it at the time. Mostly because it had sat for the last decade. I did the same as you, replaced all the fluids, tires, timing belts. I did not do any carburetor work other than running a lot of tanks of fuel with carb cleaner added. After hearing about the factory 0-60 times in your video I realized I do need to rebuild the carbs. After riding it I can see why the Honda sells a lot of them. I love my Wing.

[@Jonbass777]

This seems like small thing but if you use a stretching cargo net (around $20.) over top of a tarp (trailer like yours or pick up either one) it won't shred..loved this video. Thanks for sharing!

[@californiamicke9527]

I have an -98 and had it since 2013. I am very pleased with it 👍🙂👍🙂

[@EpohDerf]

I've been struggling terribly to resist the urge to buy one of these... Sounds and looks like you did an excellent job bringing it back to life. I don't think I am far off getting one. Once I get one, I think it will be a good contrast to own both ends of the Honda spectrum (C90 and Goldwing). Watched and enjoyed the whole video. Thanks, F.

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Owning one is an adventure - a good adventure. Honestly, never saw myself having one, but I love it. I'm blown away by the performance and engineering in it - especially for a bike from '89.

[@EpohDerf]

@@riddlerrides as you said - peak Honda!

[@chud67]

@@EpohDerf get one, you'll love it!

[@ondago2]

Give in to the Force. I've got a GL1500SE. You will love it and be very impressed how refined and well built it is, not only for it's age, which is astonishing but, even for today. Just incredibly built, designed and operating... Period.

[@EpohDerf]

@@ondago2 I am actively looking...

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Very nice! I'm with you. I clean my bike once a year behind the plastics. The bike? A ST 1100, construction wise a mini Gold Wing...

[@riddlerrides]

Right on! Thanks for watching.

[@markjulius2006]

Great video and a wonderful story. Your patience and perseverance are awesome. I'm glad you got that beast up and running like new. I bought a new 2023 Goldwing back in February of this year, and I love it. I hope to ride it long after I retire. (I'm 61)

[@riddlerrides]

Thank you sir. I hope to pass this classic bike to my kids. Thank you for watching and commenting and enjoy that great machine!

[@toanogreen]

My first Goldwing was a '89 and I LOVED it! Got another one years later, and now on a 1800. They are different bikes, but overall the 1500's are the best. IMHO

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Honda continues to evolve and improve these bikes but there was something magical about the look, feel, and performance of the 1500.

[@markoconnor7082]

Great video! I’ve done a bunch of left for dead motorcycle rehabs including an old Yamaha Vmax that had been sitting mostly uncovered behind a deceased friends nieces house in NC for 15 years. A lot of elbow grease, tires, battery, brake lines etc and about $2500 got it back to almost its original shape. Carburetors are the biggest PIA! 😂👍

[@riddlerrides]

It’s a noble effort to save a bike from death like that. I don’t know what it is but when you can get a carb to work mostly right it’s a great feeling. I just balanced the carbs on mine (again 😅) recently and it’s running awesome.

[@rickyhags8176]

Thanks so much. Awesome video.Great job not giving up.

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks Ricky! And thanks for watching.

[@nevsmate8663]

Goldwing manufacturing of GL1000 & GL1100 (to May 1980) made in Japan, the 1981 to 1983 GL1100 made in Marysville, Ohio as were 1983 - 1987 GL1200 (1985 fuel injected Limited Edition). 1987 to 2000 the six cylinder GL1500 were produced (also the non-Goldwing GL1500C F6C Valkyrie - 0-60 3.8 secs). 2000 - 2009 the GL1800 appeared and USA production ceased and moved to Japan (2011 - 2017). 6th Gen appeared 2018 GL1800(SC79) to present. My current rides are 1981 GL1100 Goldwing & 1997 GL1500C F6C Valkyrie... excellent bikes.

[@riddlerrides]

Thank you for commenting and watching! That is great information, thanks for sharing.

[@nelsonphilip4520]

I feel as a '98 Valkyrie owner that having the made in the U.S.A. label adds to the appeal of this Honda and was disappointed with Honda for moving production back to Japan.

[@anthonyfranklin2020]

I have the same exact bike color and everything except mine has 248000 miles and runs great

[@phoenixarizona8441]

I have a 19900 love it identical to the one at 9:39

[@thomasmitchell9648]

I'm the 4th owner of a 1995 gl1500 with 5500mi on the odometer.I had to do all of the same things to get it back on the road. It was totally worth it!

[@sgtpepper1138]

How the heck do so many owners put on so few miles? Lucky you. I hope to find a low mile 1500.

[@scottastell9415]

A good story. Well done.

[@riddlerrides]

Thank you sir. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@MelodyMan69]

Gotta love those ham fisted mechanics that cross thread your connectors.

[@riddlerrides]

There is definitely something to be said for learning basic mechanics and doing the work yourself. I have zero training but love to get my hands dirty.

[@garydunn3037]

You have to remember that Petrol (Gasoline) goes off over time, and gums up the jets in the carbs. If, like your Father, it has been sat for a long time, those carbs are going to need a clean out.

[@thesebarehandsmusic]

I inherited a '96 Goldwing trike and now I know why bleeding the back breaks hasn't been working. Can you describe the sequence for bleeding the rear/front linked system please? And where can I find the service manual you reference? Thank you for this video.

[@nairbyad7188]

miss my 76 GL

[@chud67]

I just drove (in my truck) from Colorado Springs to San Antonio, so I can relate to this video. It is a long, boring drive and the winds are indeed hurricane strength in some stretches. Same with north Texas, up in the area where they have all the wind farms. When I rode my GoldWing back from Arkansas to SA, I had the bike leaned over 30 to 45 degrees into the wind for hours just to keep from getting blown over. The winds were that bad. Anyway, it's cool you got that beautiful bike running well again. Congratulations. Now take that Wing out into the hill country and enjoy some of those back roads off of 281!

[@riddlerrides]

You've been tested in the winds of west Texas! That is a prestigious club. I see you have been to the CTX dealer. I love their new shop! I was there for their last demo event. I plan to visit them in again in San Antonio.

[@RichardDeneen63]

1989 sat for over ten years so yes lots of work carbs ,brakes ,etc

[@riddlerrides]

100%. It's part of the adventure of restoring one of these,

[@Tjs_powersports]

0-60 is actually supposed to be 4 seconds flat for the aspy an 4.1 for the se probably cus all the extra bits

[@riddlerrides]

Howdy TJ, thanks for watching and commenting! I've been trying to find definitive 0-60 times. For some reason I kept running across 4.6 seconds. I am totally willing to believe the bikes are faster. Maybe I'll do a video on it.

[@TimBarnett-pl9kd]

Yeah, everyone around dad thought he was cool! Navy UDT underwater demolition team frogman, trained killer!

[@pat1475]

At 95k my bikes still runs like a new one. Ride often and regular maint and they will go forever!!

[@riddlerrides]

Totally agree. Once you get them sorted, they are solid. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

The background "music" adds nothing to the video... just sayin.. 😣 Did you say you replaced all the rubber hoses ? 🤔 Nice resto... 👏😎 I had a GL1000 long before these behemoths.. NOT dressed, I had a half fairing with Krauser panniers..(european) I stripped the engine when the primary chain got rattley, did a complete rebuild while I was at it, new crank shells, new rings etc. ... also, bear in mind theres FOUR carbs to balance🙄 I also stuck an electronic ignition on it which was a very rare thing back then... wore out several sets of exhaust manifolds on the twisty roads where I live (Ireland)... 😈 Kept that bike for 10 years until it was time to move on to cars... for a while I had the Wing AND a Fiat X1/9 which I loved !! Sub & a like , my man !! 🤗 😎👍☘️🍺

[@riddlerrides]

Thank you sir for the comment, watch, sub, and feedback! I replaced all of the most common vacuum hoses with 90 degree angles, and a handful of the rest. There were many that were in perfect condition that I vacuum tested and they were fine. I ended up replacing every diaphragm even if they seemed fine - I didn't want to wait for a problem. Love the Fiats. I spent 3 years working in Rome driving a Mazda and admiring the Fiats = ).

[@rubo1964]

Obnoxious music in the backgroud really helps relaxing and enjoying the narrative 😅

[@katrosper]

maybe replace those brake lines while you're at it. Bursting an old brittle line is no bueno. Great vid.

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I’m keeping an eye on them. Though it only has about 18k miles the lines are old. So far so good.

[@starseeddeluxe]

6:00. The caliper problem is why you should not let a mechanic fix your motorcycle. Unless you know the mechanic personally. When you bring a motorcycle to a shop, you have no idea who is doing the repairs. I was working on fancy, expensive motorcycles, when I was 18 years old, in the back of a massive motorcycle dealership. I wouldn't have ruined anyone's bike without saying something, but you just never know who you're dealing with. Interview the mechanic, and make sure that you know exactly who is working on your bike, because it's not something you can risk to chance. P.S. KZbin shows you how to do every single repair, with step by step video tutorials, for free. Consider just buying a few more tools and doing the repair yourself, because then you know it's safe---you can put red thread locker on the bolts, copper anti-seize compound on the spark plugs, and torque everything precisely.

[@Tim28345]

I've got my father's 88 gl1500 and it has a broken starter idler gear.. haven't had it checked out yet but is that an engine-out procedure?

[@choppergirl]

I don't understand why Honda doesn't locate the carbuerator where it's easy to get at it and remove it to service it.

[@riddlerrides]

Yeah - there’s some amazing engineering on that bike but access to the carb was not a priority it seems.

[@lordion33]

Bro i need a parts list. Im in the exact same situation I recently acquired my dad‘s bike. It had set for 12 years now. I don’t care so much about how it looks on the outside. I just want it to be mechanically sound and run like a top. PLEASE HELP ME!

[@riddlerrides]

I’d start with changing all the fluids - new tires. Then you will definitely need to pull the carbs and clean them.

[@starseeddeluxe]

Everyone is buying a Goldwing now. A sign of the higher frequency shift by Humanity I guess. But I am deeply concerned about the gear ratios. I'm having a really difficult time finding the "next motorcycle" to buy, because almost every Japanese motorcycle is geared too low. The GL1800 and FJR1300 are both too low. How is the final drive on the GL1500? Is it geared way too low for high speed cruising on the Interstate? My freeway is 80mph standard speed. Is the GL1500 screaming down the highway at this speed?

[@sprezzatura8755]

Great video but cut the music! It's just a distraction. We want to hear you, not crappy music.

[@riddlerrides]

Love the handle and thanks for watching and commenting. I like to think I approach my videos with a level of sprezzatura. I'll see what I can do to turn the music down a notch.

[@Kenjiro5775]

Yeah, my dad was cooler than me. He had a Jaaaaaag XKE and I drive a Honda.

[@MyCBCMedia]

Inline?

[@riddlerrides]

Misspoke - opposing, not inline.

[@Visionery1]

Please, no background music, it only adds irritation value, surely not what you want.

[@timbarnett3898]

That's my complaint, you tubers don't clean parts. So not teaching correctly whole generation!

[@riddlerrides]

Agreed. For me it is also a way of getting to know the machine better - to take notice of things you would not otherwise overlook. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@billiegoat1194]

Why are you in the dark?

[@riddlerrides]

I had a couple of people ask me that. The lighting may have been a little lower than normal, but when I watch it on my devices and editing computer, it looks fine. It may be just dark enough that on certain devices it looks even darker. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@tonymanero1106]

i have 1988 honda goldwing and is the ever best motorcycle !! the is no motorcycle like this!!!! is my second wife!@!!!!!!!!!

[@riddlerrides]

Thanks for watching Tony! Agreed.

[@doppler3237]

i cant believe your dad charged you . thats not right

[@riddlerrides]

If my dad could buy me a Ferrari I think he would. He truly is a generous man with a big heart. The money went into his next project bike - and who knows, that one may end up in my garage also at some point. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@yogiguitar1]

more then a motorcycle is right . its a bloody 2 wheeled car! a Z1 is a motorcycle ! an RD400 is a motorcycle a triumph bonnie is a motorcycle.

[@riddlerrides]

…2 wheeled super car. Thanks for watching sir.

[@yogiguitar1]

@@riddlerrides i love bikes man. keep the content flowing!

[@hakes2]

This a complaint story...woo is me

[@Tom-h3s4x]

Hold on! Just under a minute into the video, you said the gl1500 Goldwing has an "inline, flat six". The engine is a horizontally opposed (AKA, flat) six cylinder engine, not an inline PLUS flat six. It can be one OR the other, not both.

[@riddlerrides]

You are 100% correct and I didn't catch that I misspoke . It is without a doubt horizontally opposed.

[@Tom-h3s4x]

If you've REALLY owned a Harley then, yes, your Dad is WAY cooler than you. At least there's hope for you now...

[@WhoInspects]

Great video. Love the story telling. Have you met @GreatEgret? He's a great follow for motorcycle content.