Which bike?

[un2xs]

I never thought I would have this choice to make.

Long story short. Would you rather ride an '83 Yamaha Venture XVZ1200 V4 or a '92 Honda Goldwing SE 1500 Horizontal opposed?Both are full dress. Both have issues. Goldwing odometer is around 12k. Venture is at least 40k but unknown.

I now own both... paid within $100 for each of them. Both need wiring work... the Venture less so. I also have two '84 Venture Royale project bikes. And my XS1100 which will be back on the road at some point.

PS: I have not gotten a look at the CB900 since I posted this summer. It's been lower priority than a few other projects.

[XEMON]

I mean ... You're gonna be the one riding ... But if you already have 2 venture projects ...
and a goldwing with 12K is near brand new ... (And the 92 is a bit newer ...)

[Shaftski]

I always liked the lines on that era of goldwing, that would be my choice.

[Siress]

*presses lips against microphone* Goldwing.

[BrickHaus]

I mean, Id say goldwing, but if I was going to tackle that project, Id make a custom stereo for the beast. put a marine grade media single din in, amp or two buried in nicer speakers. Jam out.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I say sell them both and finish that CB900 into a sweet Café racer.

[Tarsun2]

both the venture and goldwing look the same to me lol
sooo whatever floats your boat (?)

BUT the xs1100 turned cafe looks sick. probably uncomfortable AF to ride though

[un2xs]

*SIGH* Thanks for the input. Both of these bikes seem big compared to the XS11, which fully dressed is somewhere around 675 pounds. Oddly, they all get about the same milage.

The Goldwing was a surprise impulse buy. But how many times do you get a chance at a GL1500 with flatbed trailer behind it for well under $1,000? I suspect I could sell it as is for more than I paid AND keep the trailer.

But I am not used to that big of a bike. Heck, I am still getting used to the Venture at 750 pounds. May not really decide until spring warm weather... That's when people buy bikes, anyway.

[Cunha]

Gold wings are legendary give it a try

[punkncat]

In my own experiences with motorcycles I have yet to find and own a better bike than a Honda. One of my friends father was all about the Goldwing models, owned several and they were all super reliable bikes. In essence it's a bike with a larger motor than some of the Civics running around.

Given that you have so many of the (similar) Yamaha and in consideration of their age, if you were planning to keep any of these long term it seems like you are well set for spare parts (maybe). I absolutely recommend putting the Goldwing in running condition and check it out before deciding to sell. As a side note, the CB 750 and 900 are superb bikes as well. Very resilient and well groomed with a side of great handling.

[Tinybear]

Personally I’d opt For the wing. But why so many bikes of the same style?

Back when I had a multi bike fleet I liked having bikes of different styles. Adventure bike, one trail bike, and a Super Moto. Made for incredible fun.

These days with kids and limited free time I have gone down to one bike (just the adventure bike)to do a bit of everything which works but I do miss having the more specialized machines.

[un2xs]

Personally I’d opt For the wing. But why so many bikes of the same style?

My first bike was a Suzuki GT550. It had people scratching their heads when I described it. "2 stroke 3 cylinder 4 tail pipe street bike" For it's time the GT550 was a very quick bike off of the line. The bike is long gone.

When the wallet said I could get another bike I knew I wanted a street bike in the liter class. The $500 XS1100 was the bike that met my wants at the time. It was a very reliable bike as long as the temps didn't drop below 15°. ( She didn't have enough oomph to start any colder.) Bike needed work and I started dating a lass who didn't like bikes. Yeah, younger and stupid. I parked the bike long enough that time had its way. This will be one of my retirement projects.

A friend really liked his Venture. (He traded a '75 Goldwing for the Venture plus cash.) I road it a couple of times and started looking again. Lo and behold, an '84 Venture Royale "ran when parked" bike entered the picture $600 and it followed me home. A week or two later an identical Royale parts bike showed up for $300. (Parts is parts after all.) The good bike needed (needs) a full carb job.

Life got in the way and winter hit. Weather became nasty and no heated space to work on the bike. And my Venture riding friend found a '96 Goldwing for around $1500. (Only about 10k on the odometer and in great shape.) He asked me if I wanted his fully roadable '83 Venture. I liked the bike so, why not. It's the only one I have on the road currently.

I was looking on FB/Marketplace about a week and a half ago. And a '92 Goldwing pops up for $800. I contacted the guy. The price was correct... He just wanted his money back out of the bike. It even came with a bike towable flatbed trailor made from a tryke kit. So, that bike is now parked at my place... probably going to end up in the shed at the farm for the winter.

So that's why I have those bikes. The other three I ended up with when a good friend of mine passed away. This part of the story short. In my other garage is a GS750 that memory says needs a rectufuer/stator. (Don't quote me.) The CB900 is there. Was leaking oil and needs engine split for a new seal. Last is the 750 Vulcan.