What bike do you want today?

[Nitro1970]

Right at this minute, a Goldwing...

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by jas67

Nice choice, Cortez. I think you'd like it.

Great sporty naked bike with standard ergos, and very simple maintenance. Anyone with basic mechanical skills can do a valve adjustment in 30 minutes with only a 5mm allen wrench, a couple small open end wrenches (spanner for those on that side of the ocean), and a slotted screwdriver. Try that with a 16 valve bucket-and-shim 4 cylinder. Oh, and being air-cooled, there is no cooling system flush to do. For this reason, I'll be putting way more miles on my Guzzis than the VFR750 that I just bought -- as that will be more maintenance intensive. Oh, and the Guzzi's being shaft drive, no having to clean and lube a chain every 500-1,000 miles, which if it was my only bike would be once or twice per month. You do need to change the final drive lube, but that is only every 4,600 miles (7,500 km) -- you pretty much just change engine, transmission, and final drive lube at the same time.

I have a V7 Classic, which is pretty much the same motor and chassis with a classic look instead of a modern sport-bike look. I have those same Hepco Becker bags plus two top cases (40L and 50L) to choose from too. It makes a good touring bike, despite those who say you need 1 litre+. I did 800 miles in a weekend with it in June -- love it. Don't let the low HP numbers (48) steer you away, it is a versatile and willing motor.

The seat on the Breva looks more comfortable than the V7's seat too. I have a Breva 1100, who's seat is shaped similarly to that of the Breva 750, and it is definitely more comfortable on longer rides.

If you do get a Breva 750, or any small-block Guzzi for that matter, pick up the Guzzi-tech sump extender. These great little motors only hold 1.7 litres of oil in the crankcase. The sump extender makes this 2.7 litres for better cooling, and piece of mind if the engine consumes some oil and you aren't checking the level very regularly. My V7 did consume about 400cc per 1,000 miles for the first 4-5,000 miles (6,400-8,000 km). I'm now at almost 8,000 (12,800 km) with it, and the consumption seems to have calmed down some. They say these motors aren't really broken in until 10,000 miles or more (16,000 km).

I have two much faster bikes, but still grin ear-to-ear every time I ride the V7.

I've been drooling over the V7 ever since it came out, and I'm liking the
2012 even more, but since I went from my 650cc kawasaki to a 300cc
scoot I've been missing some of that power, and the V7 and Breva
aren't much faster then my current scoot.. I need a bike that'll stay
for at least 10 years, and the only bike that I've been wanting ever since
I got into the "sport" is the bandit 1250..

I'm sure the 750 guzzis are more "fun", but I don't see owning them
for that long, and I'd like ABS too..

Too bad I can't afford to own 2, I'm sure some of these classic bikes
would be in my garage. The Bandit 1250 I'm eyeballing is a naked, so
at least it'll look classic!

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by wyno

Hey Cortez,
I have one with hard bags and a top box. Got it just over a year ago and now have 34000km on it. It's a great little bike.

Damn, that's a lot of riding, and I thought 12kkm on a 300cc scoot was a lot.
I've put 35kkm on my 650cc kwak in about 4 years..

I'd love to try one of the newer FI Breva 750s.

[orangebear]

i wont a super moto with a seat hight for my short in side leg of 33inch i hope a ktm lc4 690 will fit.

or a r6 or a fire blade street figher so i can have a better up right seat position

[CurtOKC]

I love my Guzzi V-7 Classic that I have ridden almost every day for the last 13 months. None the less I am looking long and hard at tradeing in next year for one of the big block Guzzi's. I just have to determine which model to buy.

[ThomasVolomitz]

This is the only HD that interests me. I have been searching and there are some low mileage models out there.

[subvet]

put a proper windshield on it, and it's all you need for touring or cruising. perhaps a tour pak for long distance 2-up rides

[montana.matt]

[orangebear]

Originally Posted by ThomasVolomitz

This is the only HD that interests me. I have been searching and there are some low mileage models out there.

thats the only HD i would buy also. as most of the other ones are just to big.

[McJamie]

Originally Posted by DJGypsy

i'm getting sick of having to re-shim valves on an understressed engine. triumph, you piss me off. i want to be able to ride only worrying about having to get gas in the next 150 miles.

We just wanna be free to ride our bikes and not be hassled by the man!

[McJamie]

Originally Posted by subvet

put a proper windshield on it, and it's all you need for touring or cruising. perhaps a tour pak for long distance 2-up rides

A buddy of mine has one of these, and he is a seriously hard core-long distance type. He's always on it and says he has never had an issue. He has a removeable trunk when he's travelling with the boss. It's not my thing, but there's clearly nothing wrong with it. I think it's one of the better looking Harleys available now.

[subvet]

Originally Posted by McJamie

A buddy of mine has one of these, and he is a seriously hard core-long distance type. He's always on it and says he has never had an issue. He has a removeable trunk when he's travelling with the boss. It's not my thing, but there's clearly nothing wrong with it. I think it's one of the better looking Harleys available now.

if you just want to ride, and you're not concerned about lighting up the twisties or out-running anyone, this is plenty of bike. they aren't a sport bike but handle remarkably well for their size and are especially nimble at slow speeds. they get good mileage, have all-day comfort, and have an outstanding support network

[RustyStuff]

Harley Davidson Dual Sportster.




Or a Desert Sled type bike.

[Pokeyjoe]

This one:



Oh, yeah....as of yesterday, its in my driveway.

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by Pokeyjoe

This one:



Oh, yeah....as of yesterday, its in my driveway.

Congrats - you're really going to enjoy that one.

Hope to see you on the road. Stop by the Rock Store some Friday for lunch and show her off.

jdg