Sold '79 Goldwing, now what?

hairymonster

Joined
Feb 16, 2026
Messages
3
Age
63
Location
UK
Bike
ST1100
Hi All,

Newbie from the UK here. I have just sold my beautiful 1979 GL1000 and I sorely miss her. Having spent a lot of money on her, I lost confidence and felt I needed something more up to date, perhaps with fuel injection rather than carbs.

So, currently have a Yamaha XJR1300 - big 4-cyl retro - looks gorgeous, but I hate the riding position. So, obvious successor to the Wing is a Pan. I don't fancy the current Wings as they are v heavy and not what I want.

Ideally I'd like a shaft-driven tourer with an upright riding position. I used to be able to paddle the wing about easily because the weight was low. I've had adventure sports bikes in the past and they're a pain to move about because they're so tall.

I'm concerned a Pan is going to be a real lump to move around. Have considered both 1100 and 1300. Everything is pointing me toward the 1100, though the 1300 has fuel injection which I would like. The 1300 has heat problems - it cooks the rider's bits.

Who makes a tourer which is smaller than a Pan which will give me an upright rising position? Or should it be Pan 11 or Pan 13?

goldwing screen (1).jpg
 

Attachments

  • xjr132.jpeg
    xjr132.jpeg
    222.8 KB · Views: 16
hairymonster said:
Hi All,

Newbie from the UK here. I have just sold my beautiful 1979 GL1000 and I sorely miss her. Having spent a lot of money on her, I lost confidence and felt I needed something more up to date, perhaps with fuel injection rather than carbs.

So, currently have a Yamaha XJR1300 - big 4-cyl retro - looks gorgeous, but I hate the riding position. So, obvious successor to the Wing is a Pan. I don't fancy the current Wings as they are v heavy and not what I want.

Ideally I'd like a shaft-driven tourer with an upright riding position. I used to be able to paddle the wing about easily because the weight was low. I've had adventure sports bikes in the past and they're a pain to move about because they're so tall.

I'm concerned a Pan is going to be a real lump to move around. Have considered both 1100 and 1300. Everything is pointing me toward the 1100, though the 1300 has fuel injection which I would like. The 1300 has heat problems - it cooks the rider's bits.

Who makes a tourer which is smaller than a Pan which will give me an upright rising position? Or should it be Pan 11 or Pan 13?

goldwing screen (1).jpg
Click to expand...
hmm , tricky one (partly depends on budget) . I have a new generation Wing - easy to move about and ride - esp with the walk forward and backward mode on my DCT ... I would say easier to move about than either model of Pan (have had both) and the FJ . BUT ... light they are not , just the c of g makes it seem that way.
I'm currently playing with a ZG1000 Kawasaki - again , it's a big lump too . I'm considering trying a new model Guzzi Stelvio - suspect it would seem lighter than all those , but it's still a heavy weight. No one makes a light (say sub 220kg) shaft drive tourer - a la Dull ville , Silver wing (CX Honda) etc . what I am currently enjoying is an NC 750 - in particular the economy / and the frunk.
Agh ... choices choices ..........................
 
NT700 Deauxville?

As far as the claims of ST1300 heat issues go, YMMV but my own experience didn't reflect that perception. I always wore mesh textile riding gear over my civvie pants and had no issue.

Paradoxically perhaps, if I was wearing shorts rather than jeans the heat in general was more noticeable on my calves and thighs, perhaps because the extra full layer of fabric added shielding. But my groin area was never overheated.
 
The Pan will feel top heavy compared to your Wing. Not that it isn't a great bike but the weight is higher and probably more of it than the '79 Wing

If you can live without a shaft the NC750 would be my choice. I own one in addition to a '22 Wing and love it. Modern chains are so good that companies are not making shaft drive because of cost, a shaft seriously limits your choice of bikes. If you have to have a shaft and can live with a rondel on your bike maybe consider the R1200R or RS?
 
BMW RT... lighter and more importantly, the weight is down low, like your GW. Shaft drive. Because the cylinders are down low, away from your knees and crotch, it is much, much cooler. Much more maneuverable than an ST. Still a bit on the heavier side. If you can bend on the shaft drive, the NT1100 seems like a winner in most regards. Chains have come a long way... :twocents1:
 
+ of ST1100: usual great handling and great engine despite carbs, low in frame gas tank, cheap to obtain, not hard to maintain, feels light once you get going past 1-2 mph
- of ST1100: heavy beast (likely more than your GW), swingarm rot (a UK thing, not really a thing here in the US), some hard to find parts

I’m 62 (almost)…if I was choosing a new (or replacement) bike, I likely would want something lighter, so likely the NC750 or the NT1100.
 
Yeah, point taken about chains - they have come a long way and last a long time. A far cry from the throw-away rubbish I fitted to various 125 and 250cc machines some 40 years ago. I did try an NT1100 DCT and I hated it, mainly because of the DCT, though conversely tried a 2019 Wing with DCT and enjoyed it, though it's just too big.

I've been looking at the NC750X, though it's a bit like Jaguar in the UK - I don't think I'm old enough for one yet! I should have a look at Kawasaki Versys 650 or older BMW R1100R / R1150R. I don't want the full wardrobe fairing so maybe the Pan is not the one either. Real first world problems here gents, I appreciate you taking the time to respond!

I think the NT1100 is rather boring - very competent for sure, but I need a bit of character in my bikes, which my Wing had in spades.
 
I support Keith / @ibike2havefun in that the heat issue on the ST1300 is a hit or miss, and mostly a miss.
Meaning, the majority of riders do not suffer from wild heat off the engine. Here in the Deep South, we know about heat... but it's not coming from my bike.
The full fairing means it takes more time to get at the engine bits than your gorgeous naked Wing, and the 1300 is NOT sexy when undressed.
BMWs mentioned have less plastic to remove when working on them, and as mentioned, the bigger engines have shaft drive.
The STs both can be found for less money than a new bike or even most used BMWs -- usually a LOT less.
 
hairymonster said:
Hi All,

Newbie from the UK here. I have just sold my beautiful 1979 GL1000 and I sorely miss her. Having spent a lot of money on her, I lost confidence and felt I needed something more up to date, perhaps with fuel injection rather than carbs.

So, currently have a Yamaha XJR1300 - big 4-cyl retro - looks gorgeous, but I hate the riding position. So, obvious successor to the Wing is a Pan. I don't fancy the current Wings as they are v heavy and not what I want.

Ideally I'd like a shaft-driven tourer with an upright riding position. I used to be able to paddle the wing about easily because the weight was low. I've had adventure sports bikes in the past and they're a pain to move about because they're so tall.

I'm concerned a Pan is going to be a real lump to move around. Have considered both 1100 and 1300. Everything is pointing me toward the 1100, though the 1300 has fuel injection which I would like. The 1300 has heat problems - it cooks the rider's bits.

Who makes a tourer which is smaller than a Pan which will give me an upright rising position? Or should it be Pan 11 or Pan 13?

goldwing screen (1).jpg
Click to expand...
Looks like my 1978! Restored it from long time parked issues and put some 78000 miles on it. I also began wondering about its future dependability. Ended up with a 1991 ST1100 and a 2006 ST1300. Both require a bit of care shuffling around the garage, but you get used to it. Once rolling, the weight issue vanishes as the balance is near perfect. You'll get used to the heft of either ST pretty quickly.
The only time heat becomes offensive is the rare occasion when we sit through more than one traffic light during heavy traffic periods or stopped due to congestion. It goes away pretty quickly once moving along. That's just my experience here in our Texas climate.
Do be careful selecting a parking spot and avoid parking it nose first-down hill.
 
hairymonster said:
I'm kind of gravitating towards a Honda CB1100.....
Click to expand...
Great bike... I have a 2014 Deluxe I've put 78,000 trouble free miles on. Not a shaft drive tourer though.

L5zCn7X.jpg


hCf1QDW.jpg
 
Last edited:
My 2007 ST-1300 definitely got hot and it was annoying and uncomfortable during stop and go traffic in the summer.

It was bad with dinosaur oil, and strangely got a little worse when I switched to synthetic oil.

I tried raising the seat but that just let a higher volume of air hit me in the crotch and thighs, although the actual temperature of that air may have gone down a little bit there was more of it coming out so no net gain for me.

I would not avoid an ST 1300 over the heat issue; it was a fairly minor annoyance.

Top heavy? Well, yes, but to me that was not a dealbreaker either. Once you’re going fast enough to keep your feet up on the pegs it’s a non-issue. If you stop the bike while leaning or the bike starts to tip after you’ve come to a crawl,…. I’m a pretty strong healthy guy in my 50s but, yes ,I did drop mine twice while it was stopped. I did manage to lift it back up alone.
 
Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello:

it fits all of your criteria. Shaft drive, Fuel injected.
It is available in model years 2022 through 2026. It weighs about 530 pounds and the factory has side cases and a top box available as accessories and I believe there are aftermarket products available as well.
 
Triumph Tiger 1200:

Ditto. 540 Lbs.
classified as adventure touring, but with the fairly upright seating position and large storage cases available for the sides in the top of the back, if you put street tires on it it seems like it would be fine for extended highway trips.
 
hairymonster said:
Hi All,

Newbie from the UK here. I have just sold my beautiful 1979 GL1000 and I sorely miss her. Having spent a lot of money on her, I lost confidence and felt I needed something more up to date, perhaps with fuel injection rather than carbs.

So, currently have a Yamaha XJR1300 - big 4-cyl retro - looks gorgeous, but I hate the riding position. So, obvious successor to the Wing is a Pan. I don't fancy the current Wings as they are v heavy and not what I want.

Ideally I'd like a shaft-driven tourer with an upright riding position. I used to be able to paddle the wing about easily because the weight was low. I've had adventure sports bikes in the past and they're a pain to move about because they're so tall.

I'm concerned a Pan is going to be a real lump to move around. Have considered both 1100 and 1300. Everything is pointing me toward the 1100, though the 1300 has fuel injection which I would like. The 1300 has heat problems - it cooks the rider's bits.

Who makes a tourer which is smaller than a Pan which will give me an upright rising position? Or should it be Pan 11 or Pan 13?

goldwing screen (1).jpg
Click to expand...
I've owned a 2006 and now ride a 2013 (Canadian). I know Honda changed a few things from 2008.up.there were some minor issues with the 2006 which did indeed roast the family jewels, but I havn't experienced any heat problems "there" with the 2013.
 
Judging by the looks and shape of the taillight on your GL1000 Gold Wing, it looks like a it’s a ‘78 not a 79. The ‘79 had a more square looking taillight, and maybe larger carbs. I had a 78 for 25 years. Really loved that bike also. Congrats on your new ride.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom