2005 Honda GL1800 Owner Complaints

I HAVE A 2005 GOLWING GL1800. THE HEATING GAUGE MARKS TO THE RED LINE (HOT) WHEN CLIMBING ROADS. WHEN I STOP THE MOTORCYCLE AND TURNED OFF, I DON'T HEAR THE NOICE OF BOILING WATER AND I DON'T FEEL IT TOO HOT. IN APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES OF TURNED OFF, I START THE MOTOR AGAIN AND THE GAUGE MARK JUST OVER THE CENTER TEMPERATURE MARK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE GAUGE IS NOT INDICATING THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY HONDA DEALER AND THEY DO NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. THEY CHANGE THE COOLANT AND MAKE THE CORRESPONDING PROCEDURE TO ELIMINATE AIR BUBBLES, THEY CHANGE THERMOSTAT, CHANGE MOTOR FANS, MAKE PRESSURE TESTING, THE COMPUTER IS OK AND THE GAUGE CONTINUE MARKING THE RED HOT LINE WHEN CLIMB A ROAD. I NEED TO KNOW IF HONDA HAVE ANY SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE, LET ME KNOW TO MY EMAIL [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC

NHTSA ID

10806772

Incident

Oct 25, 2015

Mileage

22,500 mi

THE FRONT END SHAKES WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 MPH AND 45 MPH. I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD CORRECT THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER, (OWNER).

NHTSA ID

10746263

Incident

Aug 4, 2015

Mileage

22,789 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE DRAGGING INTERMITTENTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V472000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), AND 11V567000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ). HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS LATER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE SLID AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ID

10677018

Incident

Sep 21, 2014

Mileage

200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE. A DEALER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BUT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE JERKED AFTER DECELERATION.

NHTSA ID

10536882

Incident

Aug 23, 2012

Mileage

22,000 mi

I OWN A 2005 HONDA GL1800. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR WHAT ITS REFER TO "PARADE" RIDING, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASES INTO THE HOT ZONE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OPERATE. WHEN RUNNING AT IDLES SPEED WITH BIKE PARKED, IT RETURNS TO ITS NORMAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE TAKEN THE BIKE TO SEVERAL HONDA SERVICE DEALERS AND THEY ALL TELL ME THE BIKE IS FINE. YET I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OVERHEATING IN THE RED ZONE IN SEVERAL SITUATIONS. I EVEN CALLED HONDA DIRECTLY AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I THINK THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OLDER MODELS LIKE IN MY 2005. HONDA IN 2006 ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH LARGER FANS AND LARGER RADIATORS. I THINK HONDA SHOULD HAVE THIS CORRECTED BY MAKING THIS AS A RECALL AN UPDATE ALL MODELS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10536474

Incident

Aug 22, 2012

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A CALIFORNIA FLIGHT CONVERSION COBRA TRIC. HE STATED THAT THE TRIC BRAKE CALIPER, WHICH WAS BOLTED TO THE SUSPENSION UNIT, SHATTERED AND DETACHED FROM THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ID

10269499

Incident

Apr 24, 2009

Mileage

16,000 mi

A FEW SECONDS AFTER SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO GO INTO A SORT OF FALSE NEUTRAL WITH A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND JERKING THE BIKE. SOMETIMES THIS WILL HAPPEN IN 4TH GEAR AS WELL WITH THE SAME LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. IN PARKING LOTS, AFTER RELEASING THE THROTTLE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE IN 1ST GEAR, THE TRANS WILL SOMETIMES SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. THESE ISSUES BEGAN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TWICE BUT SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE ON A SHORT TEST RIDE, THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER A REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO RIDE IT UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY AND THEN THEY WILL REPAIR IT. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME FOR SAFETY REASONS AND ALSO I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WILL REPAIR IT NOW UNDER WARRANTY REGARDLESS. THIS VEHICLE STILL ONLY HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT AND THE INCIDENTS ARE INCREASING IN OCCURRENCE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE EVERYTIME I RIDE IT. I CONTACTED HONDA WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT AND A REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON-LINE, THE ISSUES ARE BEING CAUSED BY INFERIOR SHIFTING FORKS THAT BEND UNDER USE. REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTING FORKS HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM IN ALL CASES. HOWEVER HONDA STILL DOES NOT SEE THIS AS THEIR ISSUE. I KNOW IT ISN'T MY ISSUE AND I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A $3,000 REPAIR. IN THE MEANTIME THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE A SAFE, SECURE FEELING WHILE RIDING WHEN THESE TRANS PROBLEMS OCCUR. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL IN PARKING LOTS IS VERY DISCONCERTING WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN AWARENESS AND CONTROL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. I'VE BEEN TURNED AWAY BY THE DEALER AND NOW BY HONDA AND I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I FEEL THAT SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY ME VERY EARLY ON AND WITH VERY FEW MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THAT HONDA SHOULD REPAIR THIS ISSUE. IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER IT IN THE PROPER PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10266459

Incident

Jun 1, 2005

Mileage

2,000 mi

EMAIL RE A DEFECT ON HIS 2005 HONDA GOLDWING GL 1800 MOTORCYCLE, THE RIGHT FOOT PEG BROKE OFF WHEN HE STOOD UP TO DISMOUNT THE BIKE, FEELS THERE MAY BE A CASTING DEFECT. *KB

NHTSA ID

10226228

Incident

Apr 16, 2008

I RIDE A 2005 GL1800 THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. I HAD A MEETING IN TOWN TO ATTEND AND THE WEATHER BEING REASONABLE NICE AND THE ROADS DRY, I DECIDED TO RIDE. I GOT TO THE PARKING LOT AND SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN WITH THE SIDESTAND FIRMLY IN PLACE. WHEN I STOOD UP ON THE PEGS TO DISMOUNT AS I HAVE DONE MULTIPLE HUNDREDS OF TIMES IN THE PAST, THE RIGHT PEG SNAPPED OFF JUST ABOVE THE HINGE POINT. INITIALLY I WAS JUST ANNOYED AT THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING TO GET IT REPAIRED, BUT THEN I STARTED THINKING OF ALL THE TIMES IN THE LAST 3+ YEARS AND ALMOST 23000 MILES THAT I HAVE PUT MY WEIGHT ON THE PEGS WHILE ON THE ROAD. RAISING UP TO TAKE A ROAD SHOCK ON MY THIGH MUSCLES INSTEAD OF MY BUTT, ADJUSTING MY POSITION ON THE SEAT OR EVEN STANDING UP TO STRETCH MOMENTARILY. I WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE HOME SAFELY AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT THE BROKEN PEG AND HE SAID THAT DUE TO THE VISIBLY POROUS NATURE OF THE BREAK PLANE, IT IS POSSIBLY A FAULTY CASTING. I MENTIONED THE INCIDENT ON THE GOLDWING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION MESSAGE BOARD AND LEARNED THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND IN SOME INSTANCES THE PEG HAD BROKEN OFF WHILE ON THE ROAD. SOME FOLKS ON THE MESSAGE BOARD SUGGESTED THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS ENOUGH SAFETY CONCERN TO HAVE IT REPORTED TO THE NTSB, FHWA OR YOU. HENCE, THIS COMMUNICATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225223

Incident

Apr 16, 2008

HONDA 2005 GL 1800 OVERHEATING. ON TWO OCCASIONS I WAS RIDING WITH OTHER GL 1800S IN TRAFFIC, MY GL 1800 TEMP GAUGE WENT UP TO RED. DID NOT BOIL OVER. ONE TIME I WAS RIDING IN A TUNNEL WHICH WAS ABOUT 1/4 OF A MILE. TEMP GAUGE WENT UP TO RED AGAIN, SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10202971

Incident

Aug 18, 2007

Mileage

14,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA GL1800. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED INTO THE HOT ZONE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IDLES AND THEN RETURNS TO ITS NORMAL TEMPERATURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 09/11/07 *TR

NHTSA ID

10199520

Incident

Aug 6, 2007

Mileage

29,000 mi

1)- STEERING SHAKES AND EVENTUALLY (PROGRESSIVELY) WOBBLES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH ON A 2005 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO KNOWN PROCEDURES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAPPENS EVERY TIME. AS IT GETS WORSE, IT CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH. THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE. 2)- BRAKES 'CHATTER' OR RATTLE AT TIMES WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO STOP. *NM

NHTSA ID

10171766

Incident

Oct 1, 2006

Mileage

10,500 mi

THE 2005 GOLD WING HAS A FRONT END WOBBLE WHICH IS EXPERIENCED ON DECELERATION AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED. THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR OF BIKE. HONDA AMERICA ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT TAKEN ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. THIS WOBBLE NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 11, 2006 WHEN THE BIKE AND RIDER WERE STRUCK BY AN UNEXPECTED CROSSWIND ON JELLICO MOUNTAIN. UPON RAPID DECELERATION THE BIKE WOBBLED AND NEARLY CRASHED. HONDA AMERICA'S RESPONSE IS TO INSURE THAT BOTH HANDS ARE ON THE HANDLEBARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161885

Incident

May 11, 2006

Mileage

1 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE BIKE VIBRATES BADLY, SHAKING THE HANDLE BARS WHICH INTERFERES WITH THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE BIKE. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE VIBRATION WAS COMMON AND REPLACING THE TIRES COULD HELP. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. ANOTHER DEALER STATED THE FRONT HANDLE BARS NEEDED TO BE TORQUED DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10161621

Incident

Jul 6, 2006

Mileage

1 mi

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED NEW IN MAY OF 2005. THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS WITH REGARD TO UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR (CUPPING) AROUND THE 8000 MILE POINT. IN ADDITION TO THE ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR IS A LOW SPEED WOBBLING (SHIMMY). I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO RECONCILE. IT INVOLVES BEARINGS THAT ARE CURRENTLY INSTALLED OEM. THE CORRECTION CAN BE FIXED FOR APPROXIMATELY $270, LABOR AND PARTS, BUT THE COST MUST BE BORN BY THE OWNER. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. I REPLACED THE TIRES AND INSTALLED A PRODUCT CALLED THE "SUPER BRACE" AND HAVE ARRANGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BEARINGS WHICH WILL BE TAPERED. THESE NEW BEARING CAN BE TORQUED TO TIGHTEN AND PREVENT ANY FUTURE SHIMMY EFFECT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10155684

Incident

Nov 25, 2005

Mileage

8,000 mi

ALL HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED SINCE 2001 (NEW MODEL - GL1800) HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS THAT RESULT IN A PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING LOW SPEED (40 MPH AND BELOW) FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE UNDER DECELERATION. THE PROBLEM CAN BE, AND IS CURRENTLY BEING, REPAIRED WITH ALTERNATE TAPERED BEARINGS, AT A COST TO OWNERS OF ABOUT $225.00, PARTS AND LABOR. HONDA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY. THE WOBBLE PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC, AND IS ROUTINELY DISCUSSED IN THE GOLDWING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION (GWRRA) MONTHLY MAGAZINE AND ELSEWHERE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10155390

Incident

Apr 12, 2006

Mileage

9,500 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT RECOVERY TANK WHICH DOES NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE SHIELD, WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED ROAD DEBRIS CRACKED THE COOLANT TANK AND THE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10154270

Incident

Mar 31, 2006

Mileage

14,680 mi

THE HONDA GOLDWING 1800GL, HAS A LOW SPEED WOBBLE IN THE STEERING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY OWNERS THE SAME THING. THE WOBBLE IS AT SPEEDS OF 35-45 MPH. ALL OF THE DEALERS SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM, BUT THERE ARE TWO MANY OF US COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. MOST US BELIEVE THAT THE HOME OFFICE IS TELLING ALL OF THEM TO DENY. WITH THIS PROBLEM, YOU MUST HOLD THE BARS TIGHT, OF COURSE SOME ARE WORST THAN OTHERS. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ONE THING FOR SURE ITS NEEDS SOME LOOKING INTO. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH FOLKS FROM CA TO NY, ALL SAY THE SAME THING. WOBBLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10151748

Incident

Apr 2, 2005

Mileage

10 mi