Why YOU should buy a vintage Goldwing now 

Best selling point ever "Look at me, I'm a fucking idiot and I did it!"

all my Harley friends gave me so much crap when my "new" bike was a 1989 GL1500 Goldwing. now 5 years later.....Im in it for 2 sets of tires and a few oil changes.....while they are in dept for how many times the cool factor has been in the shop or being towed home. Im in Michigan.....ride to CA on rout 66 and back tomorrow for 3 weeks?.....LETS GO !!!

Am the only one that would like to have papa shadetree as a DM for a D&D campaign?

I've been given one by my grandpa. I ABSOLUTELY love it. I love the 80s vibe, the sound it makes, the comfort, everything about it. I've never ridden a bike before, and I'm learning on this one. Maybe it's not the easiest to learn on but I like a challenge. One day I will ride across US on it for SURE.

"Life is short, buy the motorcycle" words to live by

I am the Proud owner of an 85 gl1200 Interstate and absolutely love, love, love it! It's the barcalounger of cruisers! 68k and still runs like new. It's great seeing you do the long rides on yours. Many miles of happy smiles!!!!

After watching your earlier Goldwing videos (along with some other classic Goldwing riders channels) I ended up getting a ‘81 GL1100 a few months ago with just under 80,000 km on it. It still had the original tool kit and owners manuals, and a shop manual. The previous owner had detailed notes about everything he’d done and all the maintenance. The only reason he sold it was that he needed to move on to a trike. The Goldwing community seems great too, there are so many detailed walkthroughs of everything you could possibly need to maintain the things or trouble shoot, and they’re all ready to give advice with problems.

I’m not getting a ‘wing but, I did buy my dad’s 88 Yamaha Venture Royale with 912 miles on the clock. ( no, that wasn’t a typo) Still needs new tires and some maintenance but I was inspired by your purchase and subsequent cross country rides on the Raspberry Buffet and now know I don’t need anything else.

I bought a Goldwing Gl1500. It's red, it's Beautiful and it's perfect for 71 year old guy! My first bike was a box of parts that became a kick start Triumph. I put together in my room at college. It was a hot bike back in the day.

I have owned a 1200 goldwing and the 1500 goldwing. I think Honda had the perfect motorcycle in the 1500 goldwing, plenty of power, luxury, and performance. It's my favorite motorcycle ( that could change, I doubt it, but it could). Tell Cheyleesi we love and miss her and other positive stuff.

1980 gl1100. Nicest bike in my price range of $800. Granted I had to turn a wrench to get it where it is now but that makes it all the better experience for me.

I would like to see you do a walk around on all the bells and whistles and show these bikes off more.. that would be cool.. show the selling points people got slammed on them in the show room.. just a thought.. I would like to see that for sure..

I've got an '86 goldwing SEi and I've gotta say, it's great. It needed a ton of work but I got it for $700 bucks so I can't complain.

Man I got to tell ya, Your videos get me through the week! I have a wad of bikes from projects to brand spanking new and your videos have absolutely sold me to find my very own Goldwing. Keep up the fantastic work with all you and Shadetree Army do! Cheers!

Great video. The only problem with the older GW is the lack of parts availability and finding a shop to work on ANYTHING over 10 years old. The 1200 was notorious for the stator failing, which requires having to pull the motor out to do so. I will look for a 1500 within the next year.

I bought my 85 from a retired state trooper he had a 99 trike sitting next to it in the garage and he had my bike since the early 90’s I have nothing but respect for people that care for machines long enough to see a new generation enjoy them I’ll be doing the same

I woulda said we're as far from the 80's now as the 80's was to the FOURTIES... Mind-Blown...

Brought a tear to my eye at the end of this video. I pulled out a picture from my wallet of my GL1500 and cried from love for it.

My favorite "Goldie" was the "Plain Jane" GL1000/1100! All the smooth, flat 4 power and reliability, without the heavy, arguably tasteless, heavy bodywork, and overloaded electrickery. (and ....did I mention it was heavy?) Nothing gets my loins stirred like a naked Goldie!

I've been buying old goldwings and touring on them since 1988 :)

I own two goldwings one that I named Icarus and the other one I named the girlwing a Goldwing was my first bike and I commute a hundred miles three times a week on one trying to work my way up to my first iron butt

People over here want 3k plus for these, they were down to 1200 a few years ago. Thanks a lot Shadetree Surgeon or should I say The pricepumper of the shitbox Goldwings!

They look fun and comfortable! Love me an old bike too. The more bikes the merrier and you’re right..life IS short!!

I love the look of the older goldwings

Not with the Goldwing but into older or vintage bikes. 2017, 1994 Yamaha XJ 600 S (or as you might call it a Seca II) England to Portugal and back (3000 Miles). People there said that was insane for doing it on a crappy bike like that (36 in3) but I did it and they're still riding their bikes across town going nowhere. 2019, same bike 7 days tour across northern Europe and the bike never missed a beat. This year back to Portugal, this time on a 1999 VFR800 and I can't wait to get my leg over the bike and see myself back on the road. Conclusion: I prefer the older bikes. Easier to work on, cheaper and you can have so much fun on them... As for you shadetree surgeon, I've been following you for less than a month but I love your content for being so funny and pure.

I ride an '81 1100. Not for sale, but you're always more than welcome to come ride it and do a review on it. Keep on doing that thing. You're doing it right.

After watching this channel and a few others, I picked up a 1985 Aspencade in the spring of last year. It had 27K miles and was cherry. Garaged it's whole life. Only issue was the foot brake needed to be rebuilt. I got it for $2K. The rebuild of the brake was easy and the kit was cheap. I added some braided steel brake lines when I did it. It also needed a new front tire which I found out after getting into a bad "death wobble" at 35 mph on my first real ride. I dated the tires with the code and the front was from 2003. I replaced the tire and had had no issues since. I also redid the wiring from the Stator and got rid of the burned plug connector and hard wired it. I put about 1200 miles on it over the summer. It was and remains a joy! I plan on changing the timing belts over the winter and doing whatever other little things I find. I am just a weekend rider and only did a few overnight getaway trips with the wife but we had a great time. Looking forward to next year and love the "time machine".

“ … just don’t do it for me like the older ones do …” Which is why Shadetree Surgeon has been asked to leave more than one senior center and/or nursing home!

I bought a wing 3 years ago, best bike ever in my eyes

No matter what anyone thinks of the Honda Goldwing it is still the gold standard for the touring motorcycle. There are still 1980s-1990s Aspencades for sale all over the U.S. The quality of the parts and workmanship put in these bikes must be amazing. If anyone has video of inside a Honda Goldwing production plant please post it on youtube. I would like to see what type corporate and worker culture created these bikes.

I just bought a 1984 goldwing Interstate 2 weeks ago. It needed a stator. I picked up up for nothing and I just got done last weekend with a alternator conversion on it. Bike runs and handles great! And yes everything works .

I bought one in the UK about the same time Josh bought his ,it’s the same year and same colour with 40,000 miles. I’m loving it. Gold wings rule.....still

LOL - Really, you made me LOL! Love your style, self depreciating humor, rationale, sensibilities, and your awesome mind. Your speaking style and presentation are pretty great, too! I'm a new viewer and now subscriber and Yes! I'm toying with the idea of buying a Gold Wing for many of the reasons you mentioned, only now, after watching your video, I'm certain too! Appreciate you man!

More buttons than Kitt from Night Rider,I know that first hand,as a kid in the 80's I got to sit in that car,coolest thing ever at the time!

Just bought a '85 Interstate with 65 K miles owned and extremely well maintaned by a 75 old fella who coudn,t ride anymore ,for $2700 ,with new stator,front fork seals ,belts ,battery and michelins . Perfect paint ,always garaged . This is my 4th Wing ,after 8 hogs and a host of English bikes ,some Hondas and a Yamaha Road Star ( best v-twin of the bunch ).Since turning 77 ,this one,s gunna get triked as our knees ain,t what they usta been anymore. Putting it together from scratch using my previous fitter/welder skills , is quite a kick .Gunna take the old metal detector to the beaches on our new toy ,can,t wait .See ya at the beach .PS- Love your style .

I'm on my 4th vintage goldwing. Currently has the twin to your raspberry Beret. 87 aspencade with just under 60XXX on the meter and only $1800 invested including new tires and timing belts as well as freshly rebuilt carbs. Greatest bike I've ever had

Gotta love shadetrees enthusiasm. It's not about what ur riding its about the adventure and getting out there on 2 wheels. I have a 98 anniversary roadking and I'm seriously thinking about finding a old goldwing my damn self👍☝️❤🇺🇸

I Hope to ride mine from Colorado to Florida in October for the raffle. Picked up a 1988 GL1500 in excellent condition in February for $3500 bucks. It has just over 32, 000 miles on it, LED lights all around, new timing belts and cost half what my Harley did. It out performs my other two bikes and I feel like I'm living my childhood dream every time I start it! Can't say enough about the GL1500. Thanks Josh! You have been an inspiration.

They are quite the motorcycle club also, I used to attend the “ WingDing” I was the first Pinstriper with that club, went all over this country and Canada striping these fantastic motorcycles, lots of Harley riders switched to the Wing, and would never go back. Really nice people ride them,and they for the most part didn’t try to act like tough guys…

I’ve always enjoyed this style of Shadetree video!

Damn you Youre gonna make the prices go up ! ive been looking to getting one as i am Currently on a 1983 Yamaha Venture (XVZ12) which i also recommend as a it was a competitor to the win, and when ive rode the 1200 and 1500 wing its weird at first to me hitting the heads with your feet but once you get past that i FREAKIN WANT ONEEEE!

I see wings for sale every day! Just waiting for one that tickles me the right way! You got me hooked bro! I'm back on the road again, making it happen! Thanks 👍

I've wanted a Goldwing for a long time. Hopefully soon I can get back on a motorcycle.

I’m going this coming Sunday to get one. This video is super helpful and made me feel confident with my decision to get one. I’m getting a 1992 Honda GL 1500 Aspencade thanks man I really appreciate you! I’ve also wanted one of these bikes for years something about it tics all of the boxes for me😅

I sold my 2 Harleys when my twins were born and have been sad that I couldn't ride anymore, Then I was given a 1985 GL1200I by my father in law. I am having a blast riding it and learning what it can do.

I absolutely love those GL’s! The first one that I rode on was a 1990 GL 1500 Aspencade. An amazing motorcycle! Power, comfort, handling (for an 800+ pound bike, it handed pretty damn good) Honda set the standard for touring machines and just continued to make them better and better! You have me thinking about adding a GL to my bikes to own list. Why not? You can wear dad jeans, with New Balance and still be cool as hell! From NY, always keepin it weird, y’all… Be well and ride safe…

Over the last year I have bought two Honda ST1100s that I am/have gone through to do all the deferred maintenance. Just got back the other day from a nine day tour of the west and what an amazing bike. You should give one a try. But I keep looking at mid 90s Wings for my next potential clean-up project. You're right, they're very affordable and show up from $2-5k all day long.

Well guess I'm gonna have to get a Goldwing now! Freaking sounds dope!! You have a way of making everything sound fun!

The great and powerful wizard and master ranter, Shadetree surgeon!!! Great video man. I have to admit you've nearly got me convinced. My friend's will make me ride up front though, so it looks like I am being chased out of town 😂😂😂

My dad had a gl 1200 it was a nice bike. I enjoyed the times we took our bikes out and spent time riding together. Those times will be with me for ever. Family out on two wheeled monsters was all that matters.

My grandfather bought a 96 gl1500 electric blue in 1997 with no miles. I grew up riding with him to goldwing meetups, been to wing ding a few times when I was a kid. Now I have that bike. I have rode from savannah ga to Maine, down to key west, across to Arizona. I love the bike and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Bought two vintage examples in disrepair. Named them the Grady twins. Definitely cool bikes but riding position not my cup of tea. Got them running then sold them. That being said a great entry level used tourer. I think the best bang for your bucks out right now is a Yamaha Stratoliner. Decent examples can be found for anywhere from 2k to 5k. Huge power and touring ready. Great looks to boot however not a beginner motorcycle. Great video Surg!

Bought a '88 GL1500 for $800 back in 2019. It needed some work but thought be a good project to share with my dad. New tires, fork springs, fuel petcock and a carb rebuild best buy I ever did. Looking forward to doing some long travel rides with my girl this coming year. Love the 2 wheel lazyboy!

I recently acquired a 1994 Kawi Voyager 1200 in beautiful condition. Pretty much a competitor to the gold wing but the Voyagers never really took off. Pretty unique to ride it around as almost no one knows what it even is! Definitely a conversation starter.

I loved riding the back of my dad's 1987 Honda Goldwing Interstate model . I could literally take naps on the back. We went up the Cali coast in the middle of the night to San Francisco to cross the Golden Gate at 4am to watch the fog roll in and swallow it whole. Great memory on a Goldwing.

Literally watching this working on my truck great content

I'm buying an 82 1100 tomorrow morning and this video makes me feel good!

As a middle finger to the ex, I bought my first bike in over 35 years. I found an eBay auction and won the damm thing for $860. WAAHOO. But alas, it did not meet the reserve. But I called the owner and paid the reserve. With $500 to ship to Texas, I am the proud owner of a 1985 GL1200 Aspencade. So now this Dad bod got a Dad bike and is ready to hit the road. Thanks for your videos. They are fun to watch.

Added a '97 GL 1500 to the fleet about a month ago. Been loving it for those long trips up through the mtns. Many Yellowstone and Grand Teton trips in the near future. Thank you for spreading the gospel 🙌

Best you tuber ever! I love it, keep up the good work

Just got an 87 GL1200 3 weeks ago for $600. It was not garage kept or babied, but I love it anyway. Great channel. New subscriber.

Mannnnnn i just looked at a kawasaki voyager yesterday and I've been on the fence about it, but after this I think Im going for it. The wings go for way more in my area, but same concept! 80s touring machine! Thanks for the inspiration man.

Never had a vintage Goldwing, but did own a GL1800 for 4 years, and it was a great motorcycle.

Best used motorcycle buy on the market. I've had an '86 and now have a '94. I still have my 3 HD's but no denying the dependability and usefulness of a Goldwing.

You nailed it on looking for a good reliable bike. If it was always stored inside, and they did maintenance, especially kept records. Then you have found a good bike. But things do break, you can't get away from that. I bought a 2002 Honda Sabre VT1100C2 and in 8yrs that he owned it. The guy only put 2k miles on it. It had 22k total mileage on it. Both previous owners stored it. I changed the fluids, tires and did a safety check front to rear. It's mint condition. Did 2k mileage in 6 days. Went to Moab Utah and back on it. It was my first big ride. Been riding for 40yrs but never went cross country. Never had a bike bike enough to do it. I'm loving it. Changed my seat, added floorboards and over goodies. It is so comfy to ride. Best $2,000 I've spent on a bike ever. Already have another bike trip planned next month. Going to Mendocino CA. Ride along the ocean and enjoy the trees

Man you are so well spoken.

Hell YEA!!! 80s early 90s Goldwings are super dope!! And can be had for practically nothing, FOR A CLEAN ONE!!

I have been following shadetree surgeons thread about Goldwings since he first started with them, i can testify he is correct, they are fabulous incredible machines, i own one, a 2000 GL 1500 SE. Heaven on two wheels.

I own '83 Honda CX650C and this thing is just indestructible, engine is in perfect condition after 36k miles on it, I went to hell and back on this thing and it never let me down. There's something about these 80s Hondas man, build to last (a lifetime or two).

Great video man. I came close to buying one in my town a while back just from watching you have so much fun on yours. Was gone fast though lol

I’d love to see you do a “Real Biker” Goldwing edition and just slay every other manufacturer for the fun of it.

Your description of being a kid in the 80's and how they were unattainable costwise is very interesting to me. When the EVOs came out I wanted one bad. But unattainable at that time. 5 years ago I picked up my 96 FXDL with 8500 miles on it for $4600. When it was new it had a base price of $13000. The original buyer had all the chrome goodies you could put on it including laced wheels, dual disc, chrome down tubes etc and he probably had to wait 6 months to get it.

Got me seriously considering it. Ive kept my ultra classic "ELVIRA" running for well over 100,000 miles. When she's on the table it sure would be nice to have a trusty old land barge sitting beside her so I can take off any time. You've finished convincing me. Love the channel

Yes I just bought one last night Can’t wait to get some new tires on it and hit the road

I bought an 81 GL1100 interstate Last year I plan on fixing up. First year of the interstate model with Honda saddle bags/trunk. 😎👌 Plus it's blue with gold trim. 🥰 Screams 80s !!!

I've never owned a goldwing but my dad had a yamaha venture royal in the late 80's that I remember fondly. Now I'm 37 and ride a 1995 kawasaki voyager. Old touring bikes rule.

The 1200 is the jewel of the bunch ... 7500 rpm 700 pound hot rod ... After riding a bunch of different goldwings , I settled in to a 1986 Interstate full fairing with no extras , not even a stereo . Its the Black one with gold accents and pinstripes ... The 1500 is just too big and much heavier , its better for two up and long trips but the 1200 feels more sporty to me . The 1200 Interstate is much lighter , faster , and nimble than the 1500 and the better everyday get around bike all purpose motorcycle . Its my opinion but that the way it feels to me , not to mention it looks cool as hell with all the chrome with the black paint and the engine being so visible ... love it

I was an idiot, bought a 1981 gl1100, very nice riding bike, needs some TLC from sitting, love how the old machines just beg to run and get better when ran

They are great bikes! If ur tall u might b more comfortable on an old venture, Voyager, or even a cavalcade. The cavalcade may have some parts issues. But the other will give u more leg room without the horizontally opposed cylinders. Great video. Really enjoy ur work

the GL1500 is when they started coming with the electric reverse ain't it? it is a selling point. i look at these on cycle trader off and on. you can even find good early 2000s for sale. they don't have the same classic looks but i think that is the time they started having EFI and cruse control which is a good thing to me. it has been cool seeing you take these long road trips on the wings. i'm waiting for the vid you make showing us the new (to you) Valkyrie you just bought lol. buttons, switches, and doodads. in the 80s the more of them you had on whatever it was the cooler you was lol. good vid man

I have a 82 gl1100 interstate goldwing and it runs like a old quality wrist watch⌚ love it

"Sin,Rinse,Repeat". Great advice! lol

I just bought a 1999 gl1500 a few months ago with 57,000 miles for $2k. Cost me about a $500 in parts to go through and do all the maintenance items, but now I own the king of the road dubbed: Commander Sunshine, that I can ride into the depths of Valhalla!

I just bought an 88 gl 1500 and love it! 3k was a steal.

I have an Goldwing 84 GL1200 Standard, naked, and a 87 Aspencade black/silver, both good. Love the cassette deck and cruise control;.

Bravo Josh, bravo! I have no interest in buying an 80's Goldwing but if I did, you would have pushed me over the fence with that manifesto. I enjoy your channel, ride safe brother.

My dad owned close to 20 Goldwings through his years of riding , starting with a new 1976 , and ending with his 2018

Got a 2005 with 21000 miles almost like new and an absolute blast to ride

like a thirsty man in a desert desperate for water, i drink up this precious rant and dream of the old days when i first started trekking across the outback, when, iirc, it seemed such oases as these were a more common sight. Ah, sweet, sweet relief!

Thanks a lot Josh because of you in this video the price of Goldman's have gone way up here in Texas

Because of you I'm actually looking at a 93 Goldwing with 53k on it for $3.000.00 in like new condition. I have never owned anything but Harley's and old Indian chiefs and have no maintenance experience with one. I hope you're happy lol.

I love my 78 gl1000 naked wing so much I've had 2 plus 81 gl1100 and an 85 gl1200 78 has been my favorite it has a few one year pieces which make it a unique wing and I love the scarcity of it. I seem to always come back to a honda every harley I've owned let me down so many times.. I still love Harleys but love the reliability of the Hondas even from 1978 lol

Just bought a 97 1500 for $1,000. All it needed was a new kill switch. I put 300 miles a week on it riding to work. Most comfortable steed in my stable and the cheapest.

I bought a Honda today. A 2011 CBF 600 Travel Edition in silver with 20k km on it. Its not a Goldwing, but close enough i think 😉 Thx for your videos👍

I love the philosophy of shade tree. Can't fault any of your logic here.

To put it simple I prefer the Sea of buttons over what they have now because it was instant gratification. You didn't have to search through a menu or wait for anything to load, you pushed that button and that thing happened NOW.

Nice to see you're back to your usual self.

Honestly dude because of these vids I actually have been nosing around for a deal. We have a lot of retirees near where I live and if you pay attention you can find some next level motorcycles (I've seen FXRs go for as low as $5K and absolutely pristine Dynas with like 12K miles for under $5K) and cars for a song. I've actually got my eye on an old 83' Datsun D21 some old timer has kept for ages right now. Obviously it's not a motorcycle but this truck is in great condition (the interior is impressively clean for a truck that's two years older than me) with low miles for its age and a brand new carb, and I need something to haul bikes in. Cheers man, hope you're well, say hi to Chey, Flip, and the others.

Great video. GW' s are legendary bikes for reason...

I bought just a month ago 2 Goldwings GL1200 84' & 85' with an extra engine and spare parts with repair manuals for $600 both run one needs a head gasket replaced but they work and will be selling one of them in the near future just trying to decide which one both are in great shape