Geezer Glide...

It's happened, I'm officially "OLD".

I bought this on Saturday, it's my new (to me) 1983 Honda Goldwing Aspencade:

Very impressed, it handles well, goes fast and all the electronic widgets still work.

Only 40,000 miles on the clock!

40,000? Barely broken in.

Too funny. Yesterday, I saw an 81-82 that I thought "hmmm you know that isn't too bad looking"...

Love those, not as smooth as the current bikes but still very competent machines

I dunno, I had it cruising at 90mph on the highway today and it was pretty smooth.

1983 got the Overdrive transmission, that OD 5th gear has it ticking over about 4000rpm at that speed.

That is in really good condition for a 30+ year old bike.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Ride a 1500/1800. they might as well be electric. Scary smooth. As in Honda lost some customers because they didn't like how smooth.

It doesn't matter, you got a rockin' bike. Enjoy.

Nice. The GL1200 was my favorite of the wings. Surprisingly nimble and manoeuvrable, yet very easy on the highway.

Worse thing about them is now trying to find the electronics when they break. Even back in the day it was kinda tricky, as Honda had many semi-secret subvariations with different and incompatible main control boxes.

That is a pretty nice find. Are you leaving it alone to just ride it - or is there a project of some sort in the works?

Keeping it just the way it is.

We have a collector insurance program here that allows me cheap insurance for an original, good-condition example that is kept as a collectible vehicle. Only restriction is not using it for work.

I bought it because I have several long trips planned this summer and my brand-new Stelvio is berkeleyed.

The 'Guzzi started consuming oil 600km in. It went through 2L in that 600k and the dealer determined that it was a bad valve guide.

A new head will not be here from Piaggio until the end of June, god know how long it will take the dealer to get the job done once the part shows up.

I've tried e-mailing Piaggio about 5 times now, asked on their facebook page, etc. Have heard absolutely nothing from their customer care department.

I love my goose but I will never, ever buy a new product from Piaggio ever again, they can go berkeley themselves with an iron stick.

I can get parts for my 30+ year-old Hondas in four days from David Silver in the UK but I can't get parts for a new motorcycle from Italy in under two months? Something is very wrong here.

I may trade the 'Guzzi in on a new Africa Twin next year. I love the Stelvio but Piaggios idea of customer service is a joke.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Wow. I'm sorry to hear about the Stelvio trouble. I didn't realize Guzzi parts were unobtainium. Have you tried calling a dealer in the US? Maybe the supply chain is better?

I'm itching to test ride the Africa Twin too. It's got a big hill to climb to beat the GS/A and the KTM Adv bikes though. Honda has been a little off their usual awesome of late.

I really like that Goldwing. Last year of the 1100's, correct? I could see myself getting an 86/87 GL1200 Interstate at some point for trips with the wife. She finds passenger accommodations on my Monster to be, ahem, lacking.

I don't see an older 'Wing as a geezer bike - I had a 76 GL1000 when I was still in high school, but then again I have always liked vehicles that went against the grain. Personally "geezer" makes me think of another brand of motorcycle altogether.

Sorry about your Goose troubles. Have you tried the dealer in Seattle? Supposedly the top Guzzi dealer in North America, or something - I know the owner has been to Italy to give feedback to Piaggio. If anyone can help, it would be him.

I know this doesn't help, but the local Ducati dealer put a special order part for a 15 year-old bike that I ordered on Wednesday in my hands on Friday. I asked where the U.S. warehouse was located and he told me it was delivered from Italy! True story, and I don't think he was yanking my chain.

Yup, last year for the 1100. The '83 got the overdrive gear in the transmission as well.

I wanted to stay away from 1200's, apparently they have some electrical gremlins that the 1100's don't.

As for the goose, I'll be going to see Moto International in Seattle once all this is sorted out, I need to get the ECU flashed, the stock tune in this thing is godawful, it's got a surge at 3500 rpm that drives me nuts and it pops on decel really bad.

Once that is done, there is another dealer that is local to me who is supposed to be the best in my area for 'Guzzi. They will be getting all my dealer-only service from now on.

I think Minimac has his GL1500 up for sale if anyone is interested.

Do apparently Ducati wins the VS by TKO. E36 M3

May I make a suggestion? Get rid of the headlight visor.