2005 Honda GL1800 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
12,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 18 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 6 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Steering: 6; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Structure: 2; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2006: 7; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2013: 2; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10151748 · 2006-03-03 (March 3, 2006)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155390 · 2006-04-14 (April 14, 2006)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171766 · 2006-10-24 (October 24, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269499 · 2009-05-20 (May 20, 2009)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266459 · 2009-04-23 (April 23, 2009)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10536882 · 2013-08-23 (August 23, 2013)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536882 at NHTSA ↗