2008 Honda GL1800 Problems

The contact reported on a 2008 Honda Goldwing GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact is an Attorney and stated that the motorcycle was traveling at an undetermined speed and the braking system malfunctioned causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle and drive off the road, down an embankment, and crash into a tree. During the crash, both the operator and the passenger of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries. Prior to the crash, a fellow motorcyclist was told that the braking system of the motorcycle was not operating properly. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the crash was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The VIN indicated an open recall for NHTSA campaign number 15v700000(service brakes). The failure mileage was unknown.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V700000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALL'S MOTORSPORTS BIRMINGHAM (2878 US-31, PELHAM, AL 35124, (205) 664-4999) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

ON COLD START MOTORCYCLE HESITATES OR MOTOR STUMBLES CAUSING RIDER TO ALMOST LOSE THE BIKE( FALL OVER) WHILE EXCITING DRIVEWAY . SEAMES TO ONLY STUMBLE WHEN COLD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND THE HANDLEBARS VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TREAD SPLICE FAILURE ON A DUNLOP ELITE 3 MOTORCYCLE TIRE. DEFECT IN TIRE WAS NOTICED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED, AND WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE. SINCE THERE'S NO WAY TO ENTER THIS INFORMATION PROPERLY ON THIS POORLY DESIGNED WEBSITE, THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 180/60R-16. *TR

I OWN A 2008 HONDA GL1800 AND I WAS ON A RIDE ON SUNDAY ABOUT 100 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE BACK END OF THE BIKE FELT RUBBERY AS IF I HAD A TIRE GOING FLAT, I GLANCED AT MY TPS AND NOTED THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38 PSI. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED TWO RIPS IN THE BACK TIRE TREAD. THE DUNLOP E3 IS ABOUT 10 MONTHS OLD AND ABOUT 10K MILES ON IT. LOOKS LIKE THE CORDS BROKE AND THE RUBBER IS RIPPING FROM THE INSIDE. LUCKY I WAS AT LOW SPEED WHEN I FELT THIS CONDITION AND STOPPED MY RIDE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IN A CURVE THAT THIS TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. AS IT WAS SUNDAY AND ALL SHOPS WERE CLOSED IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT BY MY RIDING CLUB TO GET ME AND THE BIKE HOME. TIRE SIZE IS 180/60R/16. *TR

V6 TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING STUCK AND POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR TOOK TO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY WOODBRIDGE VA WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY SAID NO PROBLEM LATER IT IS NOW COMPLETELY WASTED TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND NEEDS WORK AT LEAST 4-5 K TO FIX THAT MAY SHOW UP AGAIN

DROPS IN/OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY 1-3 MINUTES. GEARS 1-3 OCCASIONALLY DROP IN/OUT AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND, INCLUDING NEUTRAL. THIS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT I THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT BECAUSE I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A RIDER SHOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF A REAR-END COLLISION DUE TO RAPID AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE DECELERATION.

I HAVE A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 AND DEVELOPED A REAL BAD FRONTEND WOBLE AT 6000 MILES BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 30-45 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO EVEN BRING IT BACK TO THEM BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM EITHER. I NOW HAVE 14000 MILES ON IT, 2 SET OF TIRES WORN OUT THE THIRD SET GOING ON AND THE WOBBLE IS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. I HAVE ONCE AGAIN TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY HONDA RECOMMENDS PUTTING TAPPERED BEARINGS IN THE STEERING, BUT WHEN I CHECKED 2 OTHER DEALERS THEY SAY HONDA DOESN'T RECOMMEND THEM BECAUSE NEITHER OF THE DEALERS HAVE HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT FROM HONDA. I HAVE BEEN DOING ALOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM IN THE DIFFERENT GOLDWING FORUMS AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE 2003. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM DATING BACK TO 2003. THE HONDA GOLDWING GL1800 IS THE SAME FROM 2002 TO PRESENT. HONDA SHOULD BE MADE FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. HERE IS AN ARTICLE I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT TOO, JUST ONE OF MANY. I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING AS I WAS REMOVING THE OEM TRIPLE TREE: 1) THE STEERING STEM NUT ON THE UPPER BRIDGE COULDN'T HAVE HAD MORE THAN 20 FT/LBS OF TORQUE. CAME OFF VERY EASILY. SHOULD HAVE BEEN 76 FT/LBS OF TORQUE ON THE NUT. 2) THE LOCK NUT BELOW THE TOP BRIDGE WAS LOCKED IN PLACE BUT WAS AT LEAST A FULL REVOLUTION FROM EVEN TOUCHING THE STEERING BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT. 3) THE STEERING BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT WAS JUST A BIT BEYOND FINGER TIGHT. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO 20 FT/LBS. 4) THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY LUBRICANT ON THE STEERING BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT THREADS AS CALLED FOR IN THE SHOP MANUAL. I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE POOR ASSEMBLY BY THE FACTORY OTHERWISE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE BARS WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE TIRES WERE CUPPING, BUT NOT OUT OF BALANCE. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS NO GREASE ON THE FRONT AXLE. UPDATED 09/26/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE TAILLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE POOR ILLUMINATION. THE FOCAL POINT OF THE LIGHTS IS TO NARROW TO CLEARLY SEE FRONTAL IMAGES, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH AND SEVERE INJURY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAS NOT DEVELOPED A REMEDY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 3/24/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS CAN NOT BE RAISED TO SATISFACTORY HEIGHT. UPDATED 03/2/709.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PUT SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT AND EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF POSSIBLY BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 07/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE BIKE WAS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SOLIDLY IN 5TH. IT DID NOT DOWN SHIFT TO 4TH, NOR DID IT COME OUT OF 5TH. IT WAS JUST A SLIP AND A CATCH. UPDATED 07/19/12 THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS T HAT THE GEAR WAS MILLED FROM SUB-STANDARD STEAL OR THE HIGH-LOW GEAR DID NOT PERFORM AS THE ENGINEERS THOUGHT THEY WOULD. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE 5TH GEAR HAS HIGH AND LOW DOGS ON THE GEAR THAT FOR SOME REASON WOULD ROUND OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE FORK TO GET THINNER AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE GEAR TO STAY ENGAGED. UPDATED EVOQ 10/24/12

MY 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED A BENT SHIFT FORK IN THE TRANSMISSION AT 4,600 MILES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF LATE MODEL HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLES. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD RESULT IN TOTAL FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V347000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E042000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800. TURN INDICATOR CANCELS AFTER 10 FLASHES APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND OTHER ISSUES. *NJ THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL ONLY FUNCTIONED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ON ACCESSORY. THE SEAT ON THE BIKE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AFTER RIDING FOR AN HOUR. THE DEALER SUGGESTED PURCHASING AN AFTERMARKET SEAT. *JB

ON THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW HONDA METROPOLITAN SCOOTER FROM LAKE CITY POWER SPORTS AT 12048 LAKE CITY WAY N.E., SEATTLE, WA 98125. IN A MATTER OF FOUR DAYS, A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE STORE, I NOTICED THE MIRROR WAS LOOSE. MY BOYFRIEND, ANTHONY SHEARS, TOOK THE SCOOTER TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, FRIDAY MAY 9, TO GET IT TIGHTENED. AGAIN, THE MIRROR CAME LOOSE AND ANTHONY HAD TO BRING IT BACK A SECOND TIME FOR TIGHTENING. ON SATURDAY MAY 10, ANTHONY WENT TO THE SHOP AGAIN BECAUSE THE BLINKER WAS STUCK. ALTHOUGH THE BLINKER SWITCH WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE (IN THE MIDDLE WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN NO BLINKING), THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULDN'T STOP. ALSO ON SATURDAY WE NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER HAD STOPPED WORKING. *TR

ON COLD START MOTORCYCLE HESITATES OR MOTOR STUMBLES CAUSING RIDER TO ALMOST LOSE THE BIKE( FALL OVER) WHILE EXCITING DRIVEWAY . SEAMES TO ONLY STUMBLE WHEN COLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A FLUTTERING AND KNOCKING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80.

2008 GL1800 HONDA GOLDWING, 23000 MILES. BOUGHT USED AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS WAS ON THE INTERSTATE CRUISING AT 80MPH IN 5TH GEAR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN HAD A TERRIBLE CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I NO LONGER HAD 5TH GEAR SO I DOWN SHIFTED TO 4TH AND WAS OK FOR A SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN IT DID IT AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SAFE LOCATION AND TRIED A FEW OTHER THINGS. WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED THE ENGINE REVVED UP FINE, BUT AS SOON AS THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED THE LOUD CLANKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS TEARING UP THE ENGINE WOULD START. THE BIKE WOULD ALSO FAIL TO ROLL FREELY WHEN IN NEUTRAL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE. THE BIKE IS BEING FIXED AT THIS TIME AT PELHAM POWER SPORTS IN PELHAM, AL. THEY HAVE DROPPED THE ENGINE AND CRACKED IT OPEN AND SAID IT WAS FAULTY SHIFT FORKS. THEY HAVE ORDERED PARTS (OVER $1000 WORTH) AND HOPE TO HAVE IT FIXED IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. *TR

ON THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW HONDA METROPOLITAN SCOOTER FROM LAKE CITY POWER SPORTS AT 12048 LAKE CITY WAY N.E., SEATTLE, WA 98125. IN A MATTER OF FOUR DAYS, A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE STORE, I NOTICED THE MIRROR WAS LOOSE. MY BOYFRIEND, ANTHONY SHEARS, TOOK THE SCOOTER TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, FRIDAY MAY 9, TO GET IT TIGHTENED. AGAIN, THE MIRROR CAME LOOSE AND ANTHONY HAD TO BRING IT BACK A SECOND TIME FOR TIGHTENING. ON SATURDAY MAY 10, ANTHONY WENT TO THE SHOP AGAIN BECAUSE THE BLINKER WAS STUCK. ALTHOUGH THE BLINKER SWITCH WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE (IN THE MIDDLE WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN NO BLINKING), THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULDN'T STOP. ALSO ON SATURDAY WE NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER HAD STOPPED WORKING. *TR

2008 HONDA GOLDWING GL1800. TURN INDICATOR CANCELS AFTER 10 FLASHES APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND OTHER ISSUES. *NJ THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL ONLY FUNCTIONED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ON ACCESSORY. THE SEAT ON THE BIKE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AFTER RIDING FOR AN HOUR. THE DEALER SUGGESTED PURCHASING AN AFTERMARKET SEAT. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE IN A TRAILER, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE TRAILER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE AUXILIARY FUEL TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES AND AS A RESULT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ..UPDATED 05/23/12 *BF CONSUMER WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR COST OF THE AUXILIARY TANK. UPDATED 6/6/12 *SD

SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA GOLD WING. WHILE DRIVING 25-35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE SPRING DISENGAGED IN THE CENTER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FALL TO THE PAVEMENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REINSTALLED THE SPRING. THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,292 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. UPDATED 11/14/07 *TR

ON THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW HONDA METROPOLITAN SCOOTER FROM LAKE CITY POWER SPORTS AT 12048 LAKE CITY WAY N.E., SEATTLE, WA 98125. IN A MATTER OF FOUR DAYS, A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE STORE, I NOTICED THE MIRROR WAS LOOSE. MY BOYFRIEND, ANTHONY SHEARS, TOOK THE SCOOTER TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, FRIDAY MAY 9, TO GET IT TIGHTENED. AGAIN, THE MIRROR CAME LOOSE AND ANTHONY HAD TO BRING IT BACK A SECOND TIME FOR TIGHTENING. ON SATURDAY MAY 10, ANTHONY WENT TO THE SHOP AGAIN BECAUSE THE BLINKER WAS STUCK. ALTHOUGH THE BLINKER SWITCH WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE (IN THE MIDDLE WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN NO BLINKING), THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULDN'T STOP. ALSO ON SATURDAY WE NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER HAD STOPPED WORKING. *TR