Moto Guzzi California 1400 - Page 7

wannaklr · 11-27-2012, 09:59 AM

I've been seriously considering a Road Glide, but I like the looks of the California 1400 and would like to give them a try, but it has to be at the right price point. The Rocket III Tourer at $16,999 has my attention as well. I would want the Guzzi to be near that price point..

oldhippie1 · 11-27-2012, 10:05 AM

You better hope you have a good dealer close by. In Kansas there is only one in the state. Ned's in Riverside, Iowa used to be a dealer and they are the best.

wannaklr · 11-27-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhippie1

You better hope you have a good dealer close by. In Kansas there is only one in the state. Ned's in Riverside, Iowa used to be a dealer and they are the best.

I dealt with Ned's when I had my 03 LeMans. He's not listed as a dealer anymore. RoseFarm Classics would be my nearest dealer.

Nadgett · 11-27-2012, 10:33 AM

My current bike is an XR1200 and my previous bike was a Guzzi Nevada 750. Before I bought the XR1200 I test drove a Breva 1200 and a Griso. Afterwards I had a rented 883 Sportster for a day.

Guzzis are very similar to Harleys in sound and feel, although they weigh a bit less. The Guzzis rev a bit higher, and don't have quite as much low-end torque as a Harley; they also don't rust as quickly.

Anybody who enjoys riding a Harley should try a Guzzi, especially if you're looking for a deal on a used bike.

rocker59 · 11-27-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhippie1

You better hope you have a good dealer close by.

Why?

LuciferMutt · 11-27-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocker59

Why?

"Because European brands are all unreliable and break all the time."

or

"Because I had a Guzzi XYZ back in 1785 and it was a POS and was broken all the time."

Did I get that right?

Lobby · 11-27-2012, 11:56 AM

Mobiker · 11-27-2012, 02:38 PM

Another short "first ride" report. Its a rave. Almost gushy.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/11/27...ng-first-ride/

davevv · 11-27-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josephvman

Do you really think anybody who is considering a Road King would even have the Guzzi on their radar? I don't Harley guys even look at other bikes. To the average rider a cruiser style bike appeals to, the HD is the de facto "I've arrived" brand, and most everything else is painted with the "why that, couldn't you afford a Harley" brush.

Actually, I think quite a few who ride Harleys have Guzzis on their radar. Most of the serious riders I know who own Harleys not only know what they are, but also have a pretty high regard for them. They've been around since 1921 and like Harley, they do have an impressive heritage built on racing. By the time of its pull out from Grand Prix racing (after 1957 season), Moto Guzzi had won 3,329 official races, 8 World Championships, 6 Constructor's Championships and 11 Isle of Man TT victories.

The Texas Harley dealers had a promotion going last year that required you to visit 42 dealerships in the state to acquire the maximum number of entries in a drawing for a new bike. It sounded like a good excuse to do 3200 miles around the state, so a buddy and I made the tour. We were both on Guzzis and had a lot of nice conversations with interested Harley owners in those dealer parking lots. The ones who were familiar with the brand all liked them, and the others all had a positive response after seeing them for the first time. I'm not saying anyone we talked to is going to rush out and buy a new Cali 1400, but I guarantee there are quite a few out there who know what they are and look at the brand favorably.

But for newcomers to the motorcycle world that are trying to impress someone, you're probably right.

jon_l · 11-27-2012, 03:21 PM

It isn't even easy to find a dealer near me. The Guzzi Canada site has a "find a dealer" page, but there aren't any. Point of fact, there are of course, the Guzzi site just doesn't help find them. I know there is one in Guelph, because I rode past there one afternoon and stopped in to see what they had. For me to own a limited-volume brand, I would like to find a dealer that didn't just have a few bikes on the floor, but really knew their product and cared about the brand.

The 1400 is gorgeous, I hope enough are bought for me to find a used one in 2 years.

drhach · 11-27-2012, 03:29 PM

It seems that the real problem with not being able to find a dealer is that it's hard to go buy a bike. I can do the rest myself. Also, I find myself wondering how I can get out from under my Triumph to buy one of those when they arrive.

rocker59 · 11-27-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drhach

It seems that the real problem with not being able to find a dealer is that it's hard to go buy a bike. I can do the rest myself. Also, I find myself wondering how I can get out from under my Triumph to buy one of those when they arrive.

Not hard for someone in your neck of the woods:

http://www.rosefarmclassics.com/

Rosefarm gets rave reviews from thier customers...

blk-betty · 11-27-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocker59

Not hard for someone in your neck of the woods:

http://www.rosefarmclassics.com/

Rosefarm gets rave reviews from thier customers...

Hmmm....looks like that website hasn't been upated in about 3 years. Not very confidence inspiring for someone looking for a new Guzzi.

In regards to HD riders and Guzzis, friend has a '99 Road King and a early '70s 850 Eldorado.

rocker59 · 11-27-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk-betty

Hmmm....looks like that website hasn't been upated in about 3 years. Not very confidence inspiring for someone looking for a new Guzzi.

Rosefarm is a top-notch Chicagoland dealer. One of the premier dealers in the USA.

Moronic · 11-27-2012, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobiker

Another short "first ride" report. Its a rave. Almost gushy.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/11/27...ng-first-ride/

Thanks for the tip.

The author, Bruno de Prato, has not been reluctant to criticise Italian iron in the past, especially Guzzis. A rave from him carries some weight.

11-27-2012, 09:59 AM	#91
wannaklr Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Back In Iowa. Quad Cities to be exactish.. Oddometer: 6,809	I've been seriously considering a Road Glide, but I like the looks of the California 1400 and would like to give them a try, but it has to be at the right price point. The Rocket III Tourer at $16,999 has my attention as well. I would want the Guzzi to be near that price point.. __________________ Back in Iowa! I like my music like I like my women. Loud, angry and with bagpipes! From Scottie Boy "If you calculated the money spent versus time actually used, vaginas cost more per hour than the space shuttle."

11-27-2012, 10:05 AM	#92
oldhippie1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Western Kansas Oddometer: 181	Dealer You better hope you have a good dealer close by. In Kansas there is only one in the state. Ned's in Riverside, Iowa used to be a dealer and they are the best.

11-27-2012, 11:56 AM	#97
Lobby Viel Spass, Vato! Joined: Nov 2003 Location: San Antonio, Tx Oddometer: 25,831	__________________ Gracie's Gold

11-27-2012, 02:38 PM	#98
Mobiker Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Missouri Oddometer: 876	Another short "first ride" report. Its a rave. Almost gushy. http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/11/27...ng-first-ride/ __________________ '88 R100GS '76 xl350

11-27-2012, 03:21 PM	#100
jon_l Southern Ontario Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Oddometer: 2,001	It isn't even easy to find a dealer near me. The Guzzi Canada site has a "find a dealer" page, but there aren't any. Point of fact, there are of course, the Guzzi site just doesn't help find them. I know there is one in Guelph, because I rode past there one afternoon and stopped in to see what they had. For me to own a limited-volume brand, I would like to find a dealer that didn't just have a few bikes on the floor, but really knew their product and cared about the brand. The 1400 is gorgeous, I hope enough are bought for me to find a used one in 2 years. __________________ '09 Honda CBF1000; '09 Yamaha WR250R

11-27-2012, 10:33 AM	#94
Nadgett Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Slovenia Oddometer: 390	My current bike is an XR1200 and my previous bike was a Guzzi Nevada 750. Before I bought the XR1200 I test drove a Breva 1200 and a Griso. Afterwards I had a rented 883 Sportster for a day. Guzzis are very similar to Harleys in sound and feel, although they weigh a bit less. The Guzzis rev a bit higher, and don't have quite as much low-end torque as a Harley; they also don't rust as quickly. Anybody who enjoys riding a Harley should try a Guzzi, especially if you're looking for a deal on a used bike.

11-27-2012, 03:29 PM	#101
drhach gorillamanufacturing.com Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Waukegan Oddometer: 1,880	It seems that the real problem with not being able to find a dealer is that it's hard to go buy a bike. I can do the rest myself. Also, I find myself wondering how I can get out from under my Triumph to buy one of those when they arrive. __________________ 1976 R90/6 1972 XLCH 2010 Triumph Thunderbird SE

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