trade your valk towards a GL1800?

[stratmarshall]

I would really like fuel injection and reverse. So I'm thinking of trading the interstate in on a GL1800 with ABS. Smart move or am I being silly. Maybe I should wait and see if they come out with a new Japan model. maybe bigger motor and 6 speed tranny. I've never rode a 1800, rode my buddies 1500 I'd rather have my interstate than that. By the way I'm wondering if a 1800 is to big a bike for me weight wise. It looks much bigger than the interstate. Weak knees and height challanged. Any thoughts?

[Cartman]

your bike is much better, don't be foolish and get rid of it.....who the heck needs a reverse, thats what strong legs are for and knowing how to park your bike.  Yes the fuel injection is nice but carbs give you a whole other feel to riding when they open up.  EXCITEMENT 

[Challenger]

Don't listen to Cartman, You would like the 1800, UMMM!! where you are trading that worn out blue & silver I/S.

[TAZ]

oh listen to challenger, wanting to pick up another IS challenger.....too funny.

[keith]

that sure is a nice bike that a 2000 I/S ? i saw one in Florida this winter man love the color combo.

[ossiningvalkyrie]

the wing is heavier but.........

if you are not real tall it may be a good move  Folks my height and bigger with long legs we have a problem fitting in the cockpit   knees and shins hit

It broke my heart that I couldnt fit in the illusion blue wing I tried in 02
Keith we gonna see you and your father in law this summer at the ride in?

[lweekswi]

You'd be MUCH better off selling the Valk, versus trading it in.

Take a test drive of the 1800Wing... they are VERY nice/comfy, the reverse is big plus, options are (easily) endless, if you're married or have a SO... I guarantee she'll enjoy being a passenger.

Don't do anything... until you ride the 1800.

There's a TREMENDOUS difference between the 1500 and the 1800 Wing... don't waste your time or $$$ on a 1500. 

[cookiedough]

Agree, I drove the 1520cc goldwing and not impressed vs. my valk interstate.  Did not have the luxury to test drive the new 1832cc goldwing (out of my price range), but sat on one with the misses and she liked the back seat as well as my valk. interstate much better and roomier than the 1520cc goldwing.  Height wise at 5'10" and over 250 lbs., I think the new goldwing is a tad taller than my interstate, but not much concern to touch feet on ground easy enough on either one. New goldwing felt a little heavier, but not much more than current bike.  Pushing 40, I just couldn't see myself yet driving a goldwing usually reserved for older gents.

I will for sure wait and keep my interstate until the new 1832cc goldwings come down in price below 10K like my valk. interstate was and by then, probably a newer, bigger, faster goldwing will be out and the 1832cc goldwing will be old news and cheaper.

Whatever you do, don't be trading the valkyrie in on a Toyota vehicle -    I have a 2009 corolla and 2010 tundra both involved in the pedal recall along with a TSB on ONLY 2010 tundras involving an incorrect spring in the VVTi assembly which requires ripping apart 1/2 the engine to get at.  Keep what you got being older and more reliable than these new, fancier vehicles not proven over the years, but this is another topic entirely.

[Bill]

I am fortunate to have both bikes (currently sitting in my garage and whining due to the winter weather-or is that me whining? Oh well. I digress....) and I am not sure I could part with either one. I have ridden goldwings since 1986 and traded my '86 Interstate on a '97 Valk. Tourer. Currently I have a 2003 Standard and an '08 Gl1800. I have ridden many Interstates and as Oss mentioned there is more room on them than on a newer Wing. Think long and hard before you sell or trade your Interstate. I had to sell my Tourer to help put my daughter through school and cried like a baby for weeks. When I was able to buy a Valk. again I was doing back flips for months on end, and I don't normally do back flips! The Dragon lives and that is the only way I can explain it. The Wing is a great handling bike, the ABS is nice, (I never use the reverse), but it has no soul. You need to test ride a Wing because it does not handle like a heavy bike. Even at parking lot speeds it is fine as long as you know the basics of slow speed riding. On the road it is quick and responsive. My wife has ridden on the back of Interstates and the Wing, and prefers the Wing. She won't even get on the back of my Standard.

As for price, it will only go up. The ABS Wings are pricey, but you can still find some great deals on new ABS '08's sitting on the floor for around $18,500 or so. However, to put this in somewhat of a perspective, my wife lost her job a couple of weeks ago, and I might possibly maybe (insert arm being twisted here) have to sell one of my bikes-guess which one? It won't be the Valk. this time. For me, Wings are replaceable, Dragons aren't.

I hope these incredibly biased comments help.

Bill

[Bob E.]

I mostly agree with what has been said.  I'd recommend you go take one for a ride and form your own opinion.  If a dealer won't let you test ride one, find someone with one that will let you...or even better yet, find a place to rent one for a day and go for a real ride.  I have not ridden an 1800 Wing, but from what I have read, they are quicker, handle better, and for some are more comfortable.  Plus they have more goodies as far as ABS, NAV, Audio, CB, helmet-helmet communication, heated grips and seat, cruise, self cancelling signals, etc., etc.  And they get better gas mileage and have more range than the Valk.  The negatives are that any time you need to do some simple maintenance, you have to disassemble a bunch of plastic to get at anything.  I hear that the air filter is a real pain to replace.  On the other hand, the single sided swing-arm makes rear tire maintenance easier.  And then there are the looks and soul factor that someone mentioned above.  Personally, I like the looks of the new Wings and would love to have one.  But it is a completely subjective thing that you would have to make up your own mind about.  If you do choose to "upgrade" to a Wing, I would definitely not trade the Valk.  Sell it outright and get a better price for it.

[cookiedough]

You could always sell it on consignment at a honda dealer, set a price you need to get out of the bike and the dealer makes a few hundred bucks as well.  But, I think you would be able to sell that nice two tone Interstate of yours no problems come spring by yourself with no help needed.  If in need of cash since unfortunately the misses lost her job (economy sucks still), I agree that Wings are a dime a dozen where Valks are very hard to replace and in everyone's eyes but mine, the Wing is worth at least twice the price of a good used Valkyrie.  For some reason, I can't picture me yet driving a Wing with all that plastic surrounding me. 

[pierre]

I really love my I/S and could be my last bike, but i rode the Goldwing 1800 for
a weekend and it really impress me. My stepfather was riding is bike and
i was riding with my step mother for passenger. The old man want to show me that he had some gut
and that we where on his territory. What a ride! I entered some curve like a sport bike.
I'll love to get one but without all the plastic chrome. Just a straight goldwing.
Big machine!
Pierre  

[Dragon2000]

I took a 07 Goldwing for a test drive when I got tires installed on my tourer. The tire change was supposed to take a couple of hours however the shop got backed up so they said, while your waiting why don't you take GW for a demo ride. When I came back 2 hours later my bike still wasn't ready so they said, take the GW home and we'll call you.

The Wing was loaded; Nav, ABS and comfort package. I have to admit, the FI, extra power, ride and toys were nice. Friends had told me that they found it too big and traded to other model cruisers. Taking their comments in stride, I rode it like my Tourer, downtown, thru twisties, backroads at night and on the highway. It handled great and I also love the range, gas mileage and great lighting. 

The Valk and little faults, doesn't (to me) compare to a Wing for class. Its unique and up here there aren't many. It always draws a small crowd. Accessories that come with a Wing, I've almost finished putting them on the Valk (new seat, progressive suspension, Nav, Speakers, sound system, CB, extra lights and chrome. If I had a choice and space I would own two, a Wing and a Valk.     

[stratmarshall]

Thanks for the replies. I agree with most thats been said. One thing for sure there are alot more 1800 wings around than valk Interstates. I agree I need to ride 1 before swapping. I just got the itch right now. Maybe it will pass. To much thinkin' and not enough riding?

[TAZ]

Stick with the IS......you'll be glad you did, awesome bike in so many ways....trust me on that. one heck of a bike