Faults:

What hasn't? Got this bike and knew it needed head gaskets. Done this, and lots of other work. A little while later, the rotor for the charging system came loose, engine for repair. Get it all back together and less that 50 miles later, the starter clutch won't engage. I have put lots of time and effort into this bike and have enjoyed riding it, but it's the Edsel of tourers.

General Comments:

Nice riding and handling for a bike in the touring class. Comfortable, and plenty of power. Gearing in the transmission has some to be desired, could use a taller gear for overdrive.

I came into the bike loving it, and now I wish I'd never gotten involved with it.

Faults:

Loud noise in gear box and the starter won't engage part of the time.

General Comments:

Owned 2 Hondas and have problems with both of them. The VTX 1300 had a serious vibration problem.

Faults:

I bought this bike from an amateur mechanic that might have been good with cars, but not bikes. Because I've been repairing and restoring Gold Wings for over 20 years, I realized it had good bones, just needed to be sorted out. The brakes were dragging, the carbs were just totally wrong, and the air suspension was DOA. But it looked like a million and just needed some patience.

General Comments:

After a few months in the shop, working on it between customers, I got it sorted out. It was a California model, smogged, and had been rejetted with the wrong mains and hadn't had the low jets upgraded. After repairing all the wrongs, it ran perfectly and is my day to day bike.

With these 1200s, you should always straight wire the stator to bypass the plug, which overheats, melts and fries the stator wiring. Remove any extra lights, light bars, driving lights etc. and electrics are no longer a worry.

The 1200s are an excellent example of applied American engineering. They return good mileage, lots of torque, and once set up, are a reliable steed year in and year out.

I prefer the 1200 over subsequent models because of their handling, power and weight. The 1500s are overweight and the 1800s are just too darn expensive for the casual rider.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I just purchased this bike from a motorcycle mechanic in Vista who found it in a barn with several other classic motorcycles and automobiles. It had 11,000 miles on it when he purchased it from the previous owner's widow. The bike was purchased new and ridden for 11,000 miles. The owner then became to ill to ride anymore and he parked it in the barn in 1997 where it sat until 2015 until purchased by a 40-year Gold Wing mechanic. He totally went through the bike replacing seals and hoses, rebuilding carbs, new tires, new fluids, new brakes. He completely cleaned the bike and left the original paint which still looks like new. The mechanic was going to keep it, but found that sitting in the upright position hurt his back. He sold it to me for $4,500. That price, you might think is high. It is high compared to other Gold Wings for sale with 75000 plus miles and needing maintenance and repairs. This bike runs like new, looks like new and rides like new. Everything on it works perfectly including the radio and cassette player. I was happy to pay $4,500 for a basically new bike, especially compared to a similarly equipped 2016 Gold Wing.

I love riding this bike. The acceleration is smooth and strong. For such a large bike, the handling is fantastic, especially on the freeway which is what this machine is made for. It is comfortable and easy to ride. I am looking forward to many years of pleasure from this beautiful machine.