If you were buying a 1100 which one would you buy

[Rat]

And the 1200 carbs are easier to service ....

Gord (as if I did my carbs) Jones

[CYBORG]

And the 1200 carbs are easier to service ....

Gord (as if I did my carbs) Jones

A lot easier....and no valve adjustment.......improved drive shaft.......better ignition...but I digress

[flyin900]

I had a 1980 GL1100 Standard and really liked that bike until I got the 1984 GL1200 Standard in excellent condition and I have not looked back. It is my go to ride anytime I want to put a little seat time in for an extended ride.

This post is about a GL1100 though and I have never had a full faring model, so I can't comment there about the weight or handling differences. I did just restore a 1976 GL1000 to see how that bike is overall given that it was near the starting point of the Goldwing evolution. I have not had it fully on the road legally yet, so it is hard to compare to the other series and I think if I do compare them then how can you really do that fairly?

The GL1200 Standard is just a very smooth riding and handling bike with lots of bottom end torque and get up and go from a standing start. I agree with the poster who noted that there is an evolution in the bikes and motors and for me the GL1200 seems to be the best of the four cylinder motors in my limited experience to date.

[Wetduck]

Love my '82 Standard,just a windshield & a pair
of soft bags only used for touring. great bike !!

[sunnbobb]

If you go to any of the NGW rally's you will see very few naked goldwings. I think a lot of the members have matured to the point that they leave the naked ones home, and opt for comfort

Ahem. lol

I do like my gl1200 aspencade though....

[Lucien Harpress]

Had an 83 Aspencade briefly that I rode once. When I pegged the throttle it made a whole lot of racket and.... not much else. Now, it WAS smooth and comfortable, and the radio was great, AND the onboard air compressor....

What I'm saying is that everything was great, but the performance was boring. Sold it for a KZ1300, which is less boring, but less reliable. Not sure how I made out on that deal yet...

[ericheath]

I road an 83 naked, once, I mean really naked, no seat, no plastics and it felt very fast. Much faster than my stock 77. I had a straight stretch where I opened it up and backed off doing a buck 17 in fourth gear. For me I'd choose 83, partly for the rims, the Comstars just don't do it for me. Didn't think I would, but I like the TRAC drive on the forks too.

The 83 got a lower first gear but a taller secondary. (Probably a wash) But it would have a little better overdrive in fifth gear because of the secondary gear. I guess otherwise 82 is nearly the same.

[tirejoe]

Like the wheels,gear ratio and power of the 83.

[doubleminded]

I have the 82 1100 now.Its a perfect motorcycle.

[mcgovern61]

I have an '81 Standard that is really fast off the line and an '82 Standard with an '83 engine which is my touring bike. I will ride (and have ridden) that '82 600 miles a day towing a trailer with no problems. Putting the '83 engine in the '82 gave me the nice gearing (and lower engine RPM) while traveling at 75 MPH. The '81 is just a fun ride around town, but a bit noisier at highway speeds!

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[doubleminded]

2 beautiful bikes