opinions about which year model to buy

[BikeMaine]

I have an '82 Aspencade that I stripped naked, then realized that I needed storage and a fairing. (I was stung 9 times in 2 weeks from bees and hornets)
However, now that I have it the way I want it, I love it. I've cruised as many as 650 miles in one day.
I get 47mpg on the highway.

[UK_Andy]

I bought my 83 Gl1100 based solely on the wheel look, cos I didnt want the comstars or to deal with the 1200 weird tank shape

[Toehead]

I don't think you can go wrong

[robin1731]

I don't think you can go wrong

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Buy the one you can most easily find. If you try to stick to one certain one you may be looking for awhile. And while doing that another very nice bike may get past you. IMO

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[doubleminded]

I don't think you can go wrong

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Buy the one you can most easily find. If you try to stick to one certain one you may be looking for awhile. And while doing that another very nice bike may get past you. IMO

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true.I have heard the seat height on the gl1000 is kind of high.I am leaning more towards a 1100 or 1200.Especially the 1200 with valves you dont have to adjust.

[CYBORG]

1200's have their own issues, but I prefer them to the 1100;s

[jdvorchak]

Like most Honda's they got better with every new model. The advantages I see, with the 1200, over the others are hydraulic valves, no mechanical advance, no points or condenser, low seat height but heavier overall, hydraulic clutch. Now the 1100 shares some of these "advantages". Main difference is the electronic ignition which the 1100 also has.

All of that being said I'd be happy with any of them. Find the best deal you can on a bike you like. Be proud of it and ride the heck out of it. After all no old bike you buy will be perfect all the time and you have to be prepared to work on it or have a large wallet and a mechanic you can trust. But you have an advantage. You are a member of a forum that has literally hundreds of combined year of experienced members. I doubt you can have a problem none of have seen before or can't trouble shoot IF you follow our advice.

[77Gowing]

I doubt you can have a problem none of have seen before or can't trouble shoot IF you follow our advice.

JD must of said that before he learned of my ham fisted ways with a clutch job. I really bolixed up my clutch even after following shop manual and forum advice. Not the manual or forums fault, I'm just a special member. If you want to know how to avoid really screwing up a clutch job on a GL1000 I'm your huckleberry. I know how to mess it up real good and I now know what not to do to get the job done right.

Have no fear, dig in, tune in to the forum and read all of shop talk and ask questions they are here to help.

[Whiskerfish]

Valve adjustment is not a big deal. Once the engine is broke in then maybe once every 10,000 miles, I have gone twice that easily without issue. If they are properly set they seldom go out of adjustment and even then it only takes a few minutes. I certainly would not use it as a dis qualifier. I have read about more issues with the hydraulic valves than I have the "fixed" ones.

[rcmatt007]

true.I have heard the seat height on the gl1000 is kind of high.I am leaning more towards a 1100 or 1200.Especially the 1200 with valves you dont have to adjust.

yes, but on my LTD I replaced the shocks with shorted progressives and solved that. I have 30" inseam.

[doubleminded]

true.I have heard the seat height on the gl1000 is kind of high.I am leaning more towards a 1100 or 1200.Especially the 1200 with valves you dont have to adjust.

yes, but on my LTD I replaced the shocks with shorted progressives and solved that. I have 30" inseam.

mine is 30 also.good tip.

[Toehead]

You can drop the front end by sliding the forks up in the clamps a bit. THat, combined with the new rear shocks, made mine much easier to flatfoot. Of course, you lose the ability to easily get it up on the centerstand...

[MegaDan]

I love my 75. I'm a tall guy, so the height thing isn't a problem. Mine also has the progressive shocks and heavy duty springs, so it does sit a bit lower. I have a 33" inseam and currently I can more than easily flat foot this thing. In fact, if I can stand up and my butt leaves the seat with room to spare with my legs straddling the bike.

As far as fuel econ goes. Once I fiddled with the carbs a bit and got them balanced I have managed to get a best of 47mpg, average highway mileage about 42-44 cruising along at 60-65mph. I honestly think I could probably improve on it a tiny bit with a little more fine tuning on the jets as I know it runs a tad bit rich at the moment. I just want to get an O2 sensor and gauge setup on the bike before I start trying to really tweak it more. The trick is to lay off the throttle. If I start getting a little heavy handed my mileage sinks into the mid 30 mpg range.

I have rode an 85 1200. Comparing the two, I would say if you want something more sporty feeling, then the 1000 is for you. The 1200 is still a bit sporty feeling, but definitely leans more toward a cruiser/tourer. That being said, I have already taken one 300 mile trip with my bike, and I got to the other end perfectly comfortable.

As far as the integrated headlight fairings, don't let that bother you too much. You can buy clamp on headlight brackets for the forks for 20-50 bucks.

[doubleminded]

I love my 75. I'm a tall guy, so the height thing isn't a problem. Mine also has the progressive shocks and heavy duty springs, so it does sit a bit lower. I have a 33" inseam and currently I can more than easily flat foot this thing. In fact, if I can stand up and my butt leaves the seat with room to spare with my legs straddling the bike.

As far as fuel econ goes. Once I fiddled with the carbs a bit and got them balanced I have managed to get a best of 47mpg, average highway mileage about 42-44 cruising along at 60-65mph. I honestly think I could probably improve on it a tiny bit with a little more fine tuning on the jets as I know it runs a tad bit rich at the moment. I just want to get an O2 sensor and gauge setup on the bike before I start trying to really tweak it more. The trick is to lay off the throttle. If I start getting a little heavy handed my mileage sinks into the mid 30 mpg range.

I have rode an 85 1200. Comparing the two, I would say if you want something more sporty feeling, then the 1000 is for you. The 1200 is still a bit sporty feeling, but definitely leans more toward a cruiser/tourer. That being said, I have already taken one 300 mile trip with my bike, and I got to the other end perfectly comfortable.

As far as the integrated headlight fairings, don't let that bother you too much. You can buy clamp on headlight brackets for the forks for 20-50 bucks.

great input guys.Thank you.