HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000) Review

Item: HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING
Rating: 5
Author: MCN Staff

MCN rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)

Owners' rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)

Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorcycle review - Riding

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£350
Power:	100 bhp
Seat height:	Low (30.0 in / 763 mm)
Weight:	High (811 lbs / 368 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

5 out of 5 (5/5)

So definitive a full-dress tourer, the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing remained in production for over a decade and (nearly) all rivals gave up bothering to compete. Third generation Gold Wing boasted all-new, super-smooth, super grunty flat-six, fabulously equipped and integrated design and lavish comfort to beat all-comers. Only recently superceded (by GL1800 and BMW K1200LT), and even then not by much.

Find a Honda Goldwing for sale, read the latest reviews and check out the history of the bike range.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

4 out of 5 (4/5)

As far as ride goes, the GL1500 Gold Wing, with its air suspension, low cofg, and plush seating, redefines motorcycling comfort. But the actual surprise is how well it still handles. The big Wing is far more nimble and easy to manage than its bulk suggests and weaves and wallows only

Engine

Next up: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Honda GL1500 Gold Wing is arguably more car than motorbike (six cylinders, 1520cc, water cooling and reverse gear anyone?), but still impressive nevertheless. If you want smooth, easy, grunt, look no further. For effortless 85mph there’s no other. The 1500 Gold Wing only now loses out to rivals for sheer get up and go…

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

5 out of 5 (5/5)

Think on this: the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing is the third generation version of a massively refined machine built by Honda. Yes, Honda. So, of course it’s quality, of course it’s durable. Wings have been known to rack up in excess of 250,000 miles, and with good reason…

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The best costs but with the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing it’s hard to whinge (sic) that you don’t get what you pay for. Not only is it a hell of a lot of bike, it’s head and shoulders above its rivals, fantastic quality, reliable and has a massive following. If you want a ‘Winnebago on wheels’, that is. Find a Honda Goldwing 1500 for sale.

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

The Honda GL1500 Gold Wing has got everything including the kitchen sink (well, almost), as long as you’re prepared to pay for it. The base Gold Wing is actually fairly basic (fabulous comfort and luggage hauling capacity aside), but if you want the fancy stereo, cruise control, air vent systems, fancy detailing, two tone paint jobs etc, you need the SE version, and they cost more. Much more…

Specs
Engine size	1520cc
Engine type	12v 1520cc flat six, 5 gears
Frame type	Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity	23 litres
Seat height	763mm
Bike weight	368kg
Front suspension	None
Rear suspension	Preload
Front brake	2 x 296mm discs
Rear brake	Single 316mm disc
Front tyre size	130/70 x 18
Rear tyre size	160/80 x 16

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	36 mpg
Annual road tax	£117
Annual service cost	£350
New price	-
Used price	-
Insurance group	15 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	100 bhp
Max torque	110 ft-lb
Top speed	106 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	13.8 secs
Tank range	180 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1988: Honda GL1500 Gold Wing launched.
1991: GL1500SE model now standard in UK.
1997: Redesigned rocker covers, silencers and disc covers. Instruments now white-faced.
2000: Replaced by GL1800.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000)

7 owners have reviewed their HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HONDA GL1500 GOLDWING (1998 - 2000)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Engine:	4.9 out of 5 (4.9/5)
Reliability & build quality:	5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals:	4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Equipment:	5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£350

5 out of 5 Loved my gl1500 Goldwings

17 September 2021 by Jamie Powell

Version: GL1500

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £1,000

I have owned 3 Honda GL1500 Goldwing motorcycles. I put 880k on my last GL1500, 750k on on my previous and on my first bike I sold it with 36k on the clock. Apart from the alternator which needed many replacements (only aftermarkets available) this bike never went wrong. I never had issues with anything. Toward the end of my last bike the transmission died but it rode nearly 1 million miles how could you be unhappy with that.The radio is old now, sound quality is questionable, the air suspension makes for an intensely comfortable ride. The engine is smooth with around 35mpg its just such a beautiful bike. The brakes were mushy but did the job.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Brakes were mushy. They did the job but 2 up lots of crap in the back they were not that great. You had to put some planning into things at junctions when stopping. The bikes brakes often gummed up and didn't a fair that well is winter condition. They never stopped working but a lot of cleaning of callipers was needed.

Engine 5 out of 5

The bike never felt underpowered. No matter the weather, the hills etc... this bike was silk smooth. .

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Outstanding engine durability. Alternators were a bit of an issue when this bike got out. I had 5 on my last bike.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Just change the oil, tires, pads and fluids and it will just keep going and going. I mean literally. It just keeps going.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Fit an inverter.. The bike had everything else you could ever have really want.

5 out of 5 The best bikes I have ridden

01 May 2021 by MR GOULDER

Version: Honda Deauville NT650V my Goldwing is a GL1991

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £200

wonderful machines, the Deauville is good for short to medium rides very flickable easy to handle, the Goldwing for medium to long rides both bikes handle superbly

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 5 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

can`t fault them

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

each

Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: Deauville from a dealer, Goldwing privately

5 out of 5

25 March 2021 by Flynn

Version: GL1500

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £100

Best feature has to be the ride all-day comfort and reliability. I've been all over Europe on mine without it missing a beat. Fill her up with fuel and pick your destination.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Bikes at it best from the minute you sit on it until you decide to stop. I've done 10 hour days on mine and only had a bit of rider fatigue.

Engine 5 out of 5

Strong engine and more than enough power, it can get a move on when you get used to where the throttle hits the stop..usually after the second twist.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Build quality is up to Hondas high standard, mines a 1990 model and paint, chrome and alloy parts still polish up like new.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

I do all my own servicing and parts are readily available. Fuel works out at 40mpg on average and it uses a little oil on long 1000 mile plus trips.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Phenomenal accessories as standard plus unlimited amounts of extras available online.

5 out of 5

26 February 2021 by Peter Hunt

Version: Se

Year: 1999

What a bike been all over Europe on it. Never let me down. Smooth. All day comfort. Not to bad on fuel 40mpg. Fit everything you need for 2 weeks away. What a machine.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 5 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 5 out of 5

5 out of 5

11 April 2020 by Stephen Brown

Version: SE

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £100

Blissfully comfortable. Responsive. Effortless. Joyful. But I've never ridden an GL1800!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 5 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Reliability top notch apart from footbrake requires bleeding often.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 5 out of 5

Goes on without missing a beat.

5 out of 5 The touring master

06 January 2018 by Stefan S

Version: SE

Year: 1999

It's big, it's heavy, it's smooth, and the comfort is absolutely amazing. What else could you expect from the ultimate touring bike?? Yes, it's an old model and many will call it dated, but many old wings are still running, wich means the build quality and the bullet proof engine says it all.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Easier to handle than you would think. Yes, it's heavy and you have to learn a few tricks to master it.

Engine 5 out of 5

Not for the "sporty" person, but my god, does it run smooth. Sounds good too.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Almost 19 years old and still running like a dream.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Purchase price for used wings are high, and they like fuel. However, since my bike is old I do services and repairs myself, and therefore the costs are not that bad. Insurance cost is also very low.

Equipment 5 out of 5

5 out of 5 Goldwing the best

20 October 2009 by MAN150W

The best of the best

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Equipment 5 out of 5