GL1800 vs RSV, initial observations

[Guest scarylarry]

Ok, I spent the afternoon tearing the new Goldwing apart. Pulled all of the shelter, instrument panel, side covers and motor covers off and ran the wiring for my GPS and a 12V outlet in the left side pocket. I used the accessory plug under the pocket to trigger a relay which was connected directly from the battery. It really wasn't much harder than doing the same thing on my RSV given that I would of had to pull the tank, passing lamps, windshield and fairing to do a similar thing on it. A lot of the panels just pull of since they are held by rubber grommets. I probably had to remove fewer screws than on the Venture. Everything went back together well and the panels all fit easily.

 

Now that I've got the GPS, XM and telephone working I now have to find some electronic filters to get rid of the alternator whining noise coming throught the AUX input. I've read that the noise fairly common so I hope the filters available online work.

 

Dennis

 

How long did it take to take off and put back together?

[Midrsv]

How long did it take to take off and put back together?

 

I worked on it all afternoon making connections and hooking things up. I took frequent breaks and didn't work real fast. It probably took me about 30 minutes to strip all of the plastic off and 30 minutes to put it back together.

 

Dennis

[coy55boy]

I know this thread is a comparison of RSV and Wing...I've never straddled an RSV, I'm sorry but I think the dash on that thing is just butt ugly. I've talked to RSV owners that LOVE it. I guess that's why they make different styles of bikes.

 

I bought (and still own) a practically new '83 Venture Royale. It had been part of a motorcycle collection and up until about a year ago, it had less than 100 miles on it. It now has just over 5K. It's a good looking, great riding, comfortable, sporty tourer with tons of style. And because it doesn't look like anything else on the road, it gets lots of looks.

 

Unfortunately, my wife sat on it one time and because of the way the seat is shaped, it caused her some hip pain. She promised "I'll never get on it again"

 

So, what could I do? I had to find a bike with a more comfortable pillion seat. After much looking and comparing, I finally narrowed it down to either an HD Road Glide Ultra or a Wing. The big advantage to the HD was the fact that the engine was almost indefinitely upgradeable. ECU's, top end, bottom end, tranny, you name it and there's an upgrade. It finally dawned on me the reason why such upgrades were not commonly available for the Wing...maybe it didn't need them.

 

There were two things that finally helped me to make my decision in favor of the Wing. After viewing literally hundreds of ads for both bikes, I noticed that a LOT of Wings were offered for sale with more than 100K miles yet I seldom saw an HD with more than 50K. So, either the owners loved 'em too much to sell or they spent more time posing with their bike for pics than riding or maybe they just couldn't go that far. Finally, one particular day, I was looking at Road Glide ads and saw 2 separate ads with a common theme. "Road Glide for sale --- or will trade for GoldWing".

 

After I stopped laughing, I realized my comparison search was over. I opted for a well kept, highly customized 2001 Wing. I couldn't be more pleased.

 

I realize it's a little unfair to compare an '83 1200 to an '01 1800. I still love my Venture. I think it has better style than the Wing hands down. But, when it's time to ride, I always choose the Wing. It's lower center of gravity makes it much more maneuverable. The 1832 cc engine is QUICK. And it's got goodies that came stock that I couldn't ever add to the Venture.

 

I suppose I'll have to sell the Venture. I hate to, but I hate to see it just sitting there too. I'm sure it will make a nice bike for someone.

[Guest scarylarry]

I worked on it all afternoon making connections and hooking things up. I took frequent breaks and didn't work real fast. It probably took me about 30 minutes to strip all of the plastic off and 30 minutes to put it back together.

 

Dennis

 

Thanks......Maybe I stand corrected on the part of 4 hrs. for changing the air filter going by the video and what I was told by GW owner, didn't him just in passing at the MC dealer..

[Midrsv]

Thanks......Maybe I stand corrected on the part of 4 hrs. for changing the air filter going by the video and what I was told by GW owner, didn't him just in passing at the MC dealer..

 

4 hrs may be correct. I didn't dig in very deep. It looked like you need to get a lot deeper into the bike to find the filter.

 

Dennis

[Eck]

Thanks......Maybe I stand corrected on the part of 4 hrs. for changing the air filter going by the video and what I was told by GW owner, didn't him just in passing at the MC dealer..

 

 

The FIRST time you break it down, it will scare you...it is intimidating to see all those panels and hoses, wires etc..but...now that I have had mine apart (several times) I can change the air filter in a matter of 1.5 hours..and that is like MIDRSV said, about 30 minutes to strip all of the plastic off and 30 minutes to put it back together.

 

It takes about another 15 to 30 minutes to remove some other stuff (wires and hoses) to get to the air filter and then put that stuff back in place..it really is nothing to do now that I know how to do it. Its like after you tear the RSV fairing apart, you realize hey, this is not so bad after all..

 

The quesiton is, how often do you think you would really have to change the air filter.......Once...maybe twice at most..three times if you plan on keeping the same bike for many years of riding..like 160k or more on it..me, I would be looking for another one, before that..

 

If you dont ride on dirt roads (which I dont unless I have to), there isnt much you have to worry about. I changed mine about 4 months ago at 66k miles..and it wasnt all that dirty..

It is a smart move to put a little piece of regular screen door "screen" (hand cut to size) and place it in the entrance of the air inlet tubes, which are located to the outward sides of the upper tripple tree..(one inlet tube is located on each side of the tripple tree).

Any piece of screen will keep the mice from entering and building a nest on top of your air filter... Yes, have read numerous stories of this happening..

 

If you plan your tear down adventure out like MIDRSV did, and make a list of what all you want to acchomplish while it is tore down, you really wont need to tear it apart again for a long long time. Just like the RSV..plan head on what you what to do and do it all at the same time.

[KiteSquid]

If you plan your tear down adventure out like MIDRSV did, and make a list of what all you want to acchomplish while it is tore down, you really wont need to tear it apart again for a long long time. Just like the RSV..plan head on what you what to do and do it all at the same time.

 

 

I wish I had bought all the electrical accessories I wanted at the same time, so I only had to take the tupperware off once.... live and learn.

[Guest scarylarry]

The FIRST time you break it down, it will scare you...it is intimidating to see all those panels and hoses, wires etc..but...now that I have had mine apart (several times) I can change the air filter in a matter of 1.5 hours..and that is like MIDRSV said, about 30 minutes to strip all of the plastic off and 30 minutes to put it back together.

 

It takes about another 15 to 30 minutes to remove some other stuff (wires and hoses) to get to the air filter and then put that stuff back in place..it really is nothing to do now that I know how to do it. Its like after you tear the RSV fairing apart, you realize hey, this is not so bad after all..

 

The quesiton is, how often do you think you would really have to change the air filter.......Once...maybe twice at most..three times if you plan on keeping the same bike for many years of riding..like 160k or more on it..me, I would be looking for another one, before that..

 

If you dont ride on dirt roads (which I dont unless I have to), there isnt much you have to worry about. I changed mine about 4 months ago at 66k miles..and it wasnt all that dirty..

It is a smart move to put a little piece of regular screen door "screen" (hand cut to size) and place it in the entrance of the air inlet tubes, which are located to the outward sides of the upper tripple tree..(one inlet tube is located on each side of the tripple tree).

Any piece of screen will keep the mice from entering and building a nest on top of your air filter... Yes, have read numerous stories of this happening..

 

If you plan your tear down adventure out like MIDRSV did, and make a list of what all you want to acchomplish while it is tore down, you really wont need to tear it apart again for a long long time. Just like the RSV..plan head on what you what to do and do it all at the same time.

 

 

Thank you so much, this answers my questions...I know about the mice and wasp..again thanks

[Midrsv]

Mice!! Dang, wish I had known about that and the screen solution while I had it apart. Oh well, next time.

 

Dennis

[Prairiehammer]

Eck,

What are the things on the end of your handle bars? Highway pegs for the hands? Apparently they work, but also look cumbersome. How do you use them? Folded in like that in the pic or folded out to make the bars effectively longer? Or both? Does the auxiliary grip twist the throttle?

Obviously, I've never seen anything like 'em. I went looking via Google and didn't find them, but I didn't know what to call the things.

Intriguing.

[Eck]

Mice!! Dang, wish I had known about that and the screen solution while I had it apart. Oh well, next time.

 

Dennis

 

Hey Dennis,

It is easy to get to these small air inlet vents, you do not have to take off much at all.

Just the top "small panel" that fits around ignition and dash meters...your there..

 

Air inlet vents are black, almost touching theblack cover that hides the top fork oil fill bolt, on top of the tripple tree. Screen needs to be "aprox" 1 inch high x 2.5 to 3" in length.. should use some thin flexable screen and push it up into the end of the air inlet tube..

 

This is more for those who park thier bikes in a shed for the winter...where mice look for a warmer hibernation spot..

[CaptainJoe]

I've used both a hot melt glue gun for plastic or staples/screws for wood and some Metal screen door screen to keep mice and wasps out of places. If you own a camper you should stick some behind the exhaust vent on your gas furnace or you will be digging mud daubers out of the metal coils in the furnace...

Never thought about it on a bike but it seems reasonable...

[felix]

I was looking at the Goldwing site. I saw that the difference between the base Goldwing and the one with GPS and XM is $2,700

bucks. Sure seems to me that it would be money well spent to buy a Zumo 665 for $700 bucks than to go with the one built in!

 

I have a nice Garmin Nuvi and Xm radio mounted not in the way can remove in an instant radeo was free 120.00 for the garmin I :mo money:enough of this away:twing:

[OldBear]

When I bought my wing last fall the dealer (who had BOTH in stock!) recommended against factory GPS. Said I'd be happier with aftermarket. I've since spoken with several folks on wings who have factory gps and a lot of them aren't real happy with it. (I know for a FACT that factory GPS in my car is the pits compared to garmin!!. I've went with Garmin Nuvi 500 (waterproof/ 8 hour battery) and have been VERY happy with it

[Eck]

When I bought my wing last fall the dealer (who had BOTH in stock!) recommended against factory GPS. Said I'd be happier with aftermarket.

 

I tend to agree, because if yuo want to sit at yruo computer and search maps, / places to go, you cant bring your GW into the hosue to progtram the GPS. I snap my GPS off the bike and take it into the hosue and I can plug in sddress all day long..well, maybe until the GPS battery runs down. I take it off the bike and use it in my truck also.