In my readings, I have noticed a penchant to move up from the 1200 to the 1500, and inevitably an 1800. With this being the case, I still see the prices for the 1200s to be mostly north of $2000.00. I would think that 1200 pricing should come down to a more reasonable level say sub $2000.00 on a regular basis.
Had a chat with a fellow here in BC about buying a 1500 and he mentioned he did not want to go with a four cylinder - fair statement and expectation. I mentioned that my preference is fuel injection and quite possibly if the 1500 had a fuel injected version I might have gone for it providing it was 25 years plus old - insurance reasons. I have always been of the opinion that there is no replacement for displacement.
Had a chat with a couple the other day as they were admiring my bike. They had one as well years ago and put some 300K Kms on it and loved every minute doing so.
After having done 2 trips around the interior of BC in mountain country and the bike performing well, I think that my 1200 will give me many years of good riding and touring. Already starting to look at a trip to the Yukon next year, and for my 65th birthday, ship a 1200 to Australia for a tour around there. May be a trip home to see Mom in northern Ontario as well. Planning one more tour around BC with the better half for this year and on the 1200 as well.
Reading the various threads on bike trips on 1000 and 1100 GWs as well gives one a good feeling as to the longevity of these bikes. It is also great to see the efforts of individual bike owners to bring their bikes back to as close to original performance and looks as possible, and even the desire to individualize their bikes using an older platform. With this comes the sharing of maintenance/work information that is greatly appreciated.
I have almost done all the maintenance and refurbishing of my 1200 shy of a full strip down, clean, paint and put back together. Thinking about this but this would be a project for a few years down the road, in the meantime, riding is the order of the day.
I would also like to see Honda resurrect the 1200 GW in a modern platform as an option to the bigger 1800. BMW has the GL1200 and 1600. Seems there is a 1200 cc level (more or less) for a base bike for the masses. Honda would have to increase the HP to at least 100 HP (in Honda fashion this would probably be before the transmission). Considering the bells and whistles that are on the '85 LTD and '86 SE-i, no reason this could not be done with today's technology. Would give the citizenry a good option for touring.
Honda does have the 1300 and the new F6B that seem to be the Honda answer to the BMW sport touring bikes.
Getting back to the subject as I tend to digress at times, any thoughts on this issue, or am I just an older gent who likes riding and maintaining his 1200.
Cheers
Had a chat with a fellow here in BC about buying a 1500 and he mentioned he did not want to go with a four cylinder - fair statement and expectation. I mentioned that my preference is fuel injection and quite possibly if the 1500 had a fuel injected version I might have gone for it providing it was 25 years plus old - insurance reasons. I have always been of the opinion that there is no replacement for displacement.
Had a chat with a couple the other day as they were admiring my bike. They had one as well years ago and put some 300K Kms on it and loved every minute doing so.
After having done 2 trips around the interior of BC in mountain country and the bike performing well, I think that my 1200 will give me many years of good riding and touring. Already starting to look at a trip to the Yukon next year, and for my 65th birthday, ship a 1200 to Australia for a tour around there. May be a trip home to see Mom in northern Ontario as well. Planning one more tour around BC with the better half for this year and on the 1200 as well.
Reading the various threads on bike trips on 1000 and 1100 GWs as well gives one a good feeling as to the longevity of these bikes. It is also great to see the efforts of individual bike owners to bring their bikes back to as close to original performance and looks as possible, and even the desire to individualize their bikes using an older platform. With this comes the sharing of maintenance/work information that is greatly appreciated.
I have almost done all the maintenance and refurbishing of my 1200 shy of a full strip down, clean, paint and put back together. Thinking about this but this would be a project for a few years down the road, in the meantime, riding is the order of the day.
I would also like to see Honda resurrect the 1200 GW in a modern platform as an option to the bigger 1800. BMW has the GL1200 and 1600. Seems there is a 1200 cc level (more or less) for a base bike for the masses. Honda would have to increase the HP to at least 100 HP (in Honda fashion this would probably be before the transmission). Considering the bells and whistles that are on the '85 LTD and '86 SE-i, no reason this could not be done with today's technology. Would give the citizenry a good option for touring.
Honda does have the 1300 and the new F6B that seem to be the Honda answer to the BMW sport touring bikes.
Getting back to the subject as I tend to digress at times, any thoughts on this issue, or am I just an older gent who likes riding and maintaining his 1200.
Cheers