PanEuropean
Micro Airstream Builder
Hello, I rode 15 years two ST 1100 (1994 & 2001) and for me they were the best bikes, I could imagine for my long distance rides thru the Alps and the rest of Europe. Since 2014 I travelled with my Micro Airstream behind the bikes. In February 2017 I looked curiously into a german bike market page and found a 2001 GL 1800 only 30 km from my home. It was the cheapest GL 1800 in Germany in blue for only 9500 Euros with 82000 kms on the odometer. In best condition nearly without dents and perfect polished. I made a test ride only to have tried it one time in my life. I was surprised and impressed. It was much easier to handle, than I thought before. The engine is like a jet engine, smooth and silent and powerful. I thought two days, how to get the money together and then I bought it. After two weeks on the wing I rode my ST to the technical inspection and wondered, how high it was and how uneasy it was to handle. I got my inspection sticker and decided to sell it. I got only 2600 Euros for it, but it was a good decision. I equipped the wing with a hitch and travelled in 8 months 24000 kms with my new ride. 16000 with my trailer. I visited the north cape in norway, a 10000 km trip in three weeks and for me the GL 1800 is the better long distance touring bike. It is easier to handle, is two inch lower and better to maneuver, when you sit on the bike, needs less gas (400 km with 25 liters) tows much better, offers better air condition thru the windscreen flap. At steep and narrow hairpin passes in the Alps it has enough torque to stay in the 2nd or 3rd gear, where my ST1100 and 1300 friends were in the 1st or 2nd gear with their bikes. The only thing, what was better at the ST, my feet were better out of the rain. I think the GL will stay my travel bike, until I can afford a used blue 2018 Goldwing. Make a test ride and enjoy it. Tommy
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