Honda GL1800 owner's manual

This manual should be considered a permanent part of the motorcycle and should remain with the motorcycle when it is resold.

This Owner’s Manual covers the GL1800 and GL1800A models. You may find descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your particular model. All illustrations are based on the GL1800A model.

This publication includes the latest production information available before printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.

© 2004 Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

2005 Honda GL1800/A GOLDWING OWNER’S MANUAL

Introduction

Congratulations on choosing a GL1800/A GOLDWING motorcycle.

When you own a Honda, you’re part of a worldwide family of satisfied customers — people who appreciate Honda’s reputation for building quality into every product.

Your GOLDWING has earned its reputation as the ultimate luxury touring motorcycle. It comes loaded with power, unequaled cargo space, a sophisticated audio system, adjustable windshield, suspension, and ventilation, and other unique features to provide maximum convenience and comfort.

Before riding, take time to get acquainted with your motorcycle and how it works. To protect your investment, we urge you to take responsibility for keeping your motorcycle well maintained. Scheduled service is a must, of course. But it’s just as important to observe the break-in guidelines, and perform all pre-ride and other periodic checks detailed in this manual.

We also recommend that you read this owner’s manual before you ride. It’s full of facts, instructions, safety information, and helpful tips. To make it easy to use, the manual contains a detailed list of topics at the beginning of each section, and both an in-depth table of contents and an index at the back of the book.

As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded by a NOTICE symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Honda, other property, or the environment.

Introduction

Introduction

Read the Warranties Booklet (page 220 ) thoroughly so you understand the coverages that protect your new Honda and are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

If you have any questions, or if you ever need special service or repairs, remember that your Honda dealer knows your motorcycle best and is dedicated to your complete satisfaction.

Please report any change of address or ownership to your Honda dealer so we will be able to contact you concerning important production information.

You may also want to visit our website at www.honda.com.

Happy riding!

California Proposition 65 Warning WARNING: This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Introduction

A Few Words About Safety

Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And operating this motorcycle safely is an important responsibility.

To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all hazards associated with operating or maintaining a motorcycle. You must use your own good judgment.

You will find important safety information in a variety of forms, including:

• Safety Labels — on the motorcycle.

• Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol ▲ and one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

These signal words mean:

▲ DANGER You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

▲ WARNING You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

▲ CAUTION You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

• Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important Safety Precautions.

• Safety Section — such as Motorcycle Safety.

• Instructions — how to use this motorcycle correctly and safely.

This entire manual is filled with important safety information — please read it carefully.

Safety Messages

Contents

These pages give an overview of the contents of your owner’s manual. The first page of each section lists the topics covered in that section.

• Motorcycle Safety ........ 1 Important safety information you should know, plus a look at the safety-related labels on your motorcycle.

• Instruments & Controls ........ 11 The location and function of indicators and controls on your motorcycle and operating instructions for various controls and features.

• Before Riding ........ 37 The importance of wearing a helmet and other protective gear, how to make sure you and your motorcycle are ready to ride, and important information about loading.

• Basic Operation & Riding ........ 59 How to start and stop the engine, shift gears, and brake. Also, riding precautions and important information about riding with a passenger or cargo.

• Audio Systems ........ 81 The location, function, and operation of the audio components on your motorcycle.

• Servicing Your Honda ........ 101 Why your motorcycle needs regular maintenance, what you need to know before servicing your Honda, an owner maintenance schedule, and instructions for specific maintenance and adjustment items.

Contents

Contents

• Tips ........ 169 How to store and transport your motorcycle and how to be an environmentally-responsible rider.

• Taking Care of the Unexpected ........ 175 What to do if you have a flat tire, your engine won’t start, etc.

• Technical Information ........ 199 ID numbers, technical specifications, and other technical facts.

• Consumer Information ........ 217 Information on warranties, emission controls, how to get Honda service manuals, and...

• “Reporting Safety Defects” ........ 225

• Table of Contents ........ 226 Sequential listing of topics in this owner’s manual.

• Index ........ 234

Quick Reference Handy facts about fuel, engine oil, tire sizes, and air pressures.

Contents

Motorcycle Safety

This section presents some of the most important information and recommendations to help you ride your motorcycle safely. Please take a few moments to read these pages. This section also includes information about the location of safety labels on your motorcycle.

• Important Safety Information ........ 2
• Accessories & Modifications ........ 4
• Safety Labels ........ 6

Motorcycle Safety 1

Important Safety Information

Your motorcycle can provide many years of service and pleasure—if you take responsibility for your own safety and understand the challenges you can meet while riding.

There is much that you can do to protect yourself when you ride. You’ll find many helpful recommendations throughout this manual. The following are a few that we consider most important.

Always Wear a Helmet

It’s a proven fact: helmets significantly reduce the number and severity of head injuries. So always wear an approved motorcycle helmet and make sure your passenger does the same. We also recommend that you wear eye protection, sturdy boots, gloves, and other protective gear (page 38 ).

Take Time to Learn & Practice

Even if you have ridden other motorcycles, take time to become familiar with how this motorcycle works and handles. Practice in a safe area until you build your skills and get accustomed to the motorcycle’s size and weight.

Because many accidents involve inexperienced or untrained riders, we urge all riders to take a certified course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). See page 40 .

Ride Defensively

The most frequent motorcycle collision happens when a car turns left in front of a motorcycle. Another common situation is a car moving suddenly into your lane.

Always pay attention to other vehicles around you, and do not assume that other drivers see you. Be prepared to stop quickly or make an evasive maneuver. For other riding tips, see the booklet, You and Your Motorcycle: Riding Tips and Practice Guide, which came with your new motorcycle (USA only).

2 Motorcycle Safety

Important Safety Information

Make Yourself Easy to See Some drivers do not see motorcycles because they are not looking for them. To make yourself more visible, wear bright reflective clothing, position yourself so other drivers can see you, signal before turning or changing lanes, and use your horn when it will help others notice you.

Ride within Your Limits Pushing limits is another major cause of motorcycle accidents. Never ride beyond your personal abilities or faster than conditions warrant. Remember that alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and inattention can significantly reduce your ability to make good judgments and ride safely.

Don’t Drink and Ride Alcohol and riding don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink and ride, and don’t let your friends drink and ride either.

Keep Your Honda in Safe Condition It’s important to keep your motorcycle properly maintained and in safe riding condition. To help avoid problems, inspect your motorcycle before every ride and perform all recommended maintenance. Never exceed load limits (page 44 ), and do not modify your motorcycle (page 5 ) or install accessories that would make your motorcycle unsafe (page 4 ).

Motorcycle Safety 3

Accessories & Modifications

Modifying your motorcycle or using non-Honda accessories can make your motorcycle unsafe. Before you consider making any modifications or adding an accessory, be sure to read the following information.

WARNING Improper accessories or modifications can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.

Follow all instructions in this owner’s manual regarding accessories and modifications.

Accessories

We strongly recommend that you use only genuine Honda accessories that have been specifically designed and tested for your motorcycle. Because Honda cannot test all other accessories, you must be personally responsible for proper selection, installation, and use of non-Honda accessories.

Check with your Honda dealer for assistance and always follow these guidelines:

• Make sure the accessory does not obscure any lights, reduce ground clearance and lean angle, limit suspension travel or steering travel, alter your riding position, or interfere with operating any controls.

• Do not add any electrical equipment that will exceed the motorcycle’s electrical system capacity (page 205). A blown fuse can cause a loss of lights or engine power (page 193).

• Do not pull a trailer or sidecar with your motorcycle. This motorcycle was not designed for these attachments, and their use can seriously impair your motorcycle’s handling.

• Carefully consider the weight of any accessories and any cargo stored in those accessories to avoid exceeding the maximum weight limits. For more information, see Load Limits, page 44.

4 Motorcycle Safety

Accessories & Modifications

Modifications

We strongly advise you not to remove any original equipment or modify your motorcycle in any way that would change its design or operation. Such changes could seriously impair your motorcycle’s handling, stability, and braking, making it unsafe to ride.

Removing or modifying your lights, exhaust system, emission control system, or other equipment can also make your motorcycle illegal.

Motorcycle Safety 5

Safety Labels

Safety labels on your motorcycle either warn you of potential hazards that could cause serious injury or they provide important safety information. Read these labels carefully and don’t remove them.

If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact your Honda dealer for a replacement.

For your protection, always wear your helmet while riding. Read the owner's manual carefully.

6 Motorcycle Safety

Safety Labels

CARGO LIMIT 1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)

CARGO LIMIT 20.0 lbs (9.0 kg)

CARGO LIMIT 4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)

CARGO LIMIT 20.0 lbs (9.0 kg)

Motorcycle Safety 7

Safety Labels

<For USA>

TIRE INFORMATION

<For Canada>

TIRE INFORMATION

8 Motorcycle Safety

Safety Labels

WARNING Improper loading can cause a crash and you may be seriously hurt or killed. See “Load Limits and Guidelines” in your Owner’s Manual for complete instructions.

1.1 DANGER NEVER OPEN WHEN HOT. Hot coolant will burn you.

Motorcycle Safety 9

10 Motorcycle Safety

Instruments & Controls

This section shows the location of all gauges, indicators, and controls you would normally use before or while riding your motorcycle.

The items listed on this page are described in this section. Instructions for other components are presented in other sections of this manual where they will be most useful.

• Component Locations ........ 12
• Gauges & Indicators ........ 15 Multi-display
• Opening/Ending Ceremony ........ 21
• On/Off-Opening/Ending Ceremony ........ 22
• Special Message for Opening/Ending Ceremony ........ 23
• Odometer/Tripmeter ........ 25
• Display Illumination Adjustment ........ 26
• Digital Clock ........ 27
• Air Temperature Meter ........ 28
• Travel Trunk & Saddlebags Open Indicator ........ 29 Controls & Features
• Ignition Switch ........ 30
• Engine Stop Switch ........ 31
• Start/Reverse Button ........ 32
• Reverse (RVS) Switch ........ 32
• Cruise Control Switches ........ 32
• Headlight Dimmer Switch ........ 33
• Turn Signal Switch ........ 33
• Horn Button ........ 34
• Audio Control Switches ........ 34
• Hazard Warning System Switch ........ 34
• Headlight Beam Adjustment Knob ........ 35
• Rear Spring Pre-load Adjustment Switch ........ 35
• Ventilation Controls ........ 35
• Windshield Height Adjustment ........ 35

Instruments & Controls 11