| Author | Message | ||
     Aschem |
Soon I will start to ride the interstate 250 miles each way and I do not want to turn my XB12Stt(Ss clone now) into a slab machine. Was thinking of a S3T and maybe a Moto Guzzi Cali Stone. Any thoughts on the S3T or MG Cali? | ||
| Froggy |
My 08 1125R soaks up the slab great, nice wind protection and decent fuel economy. What about a Blast? Dirt cheap to run, great fuel economy, tires cost next to nothing, and it does great in traffic. It is my pick for commuting. | ||
| Chessm |
that is a crazy ass commute. if theres no traffic and theres no fun alternative route. i would probably just drive a car. save money on tires and whatnot | ||
| Aschem |
This post was created to ask for thoughts on a S3T or Guzzi Cali for slab riding. Thanks for keeping that in mind when you reply.  I am trying to see if any XB riders have experience on these two bikes. | ||
| Nillaice |
you can put a big ass windscreen on anything compare tha gas mileage, maint schedule and tire changes cuz you know youre gonna rack up the miles ... | ||
| Chessm |
the most miles i've ever pulled out of a moto tire is 10K so if you;re doing 500 miles per day and getting 10K miles out of a tire. then you are spooning new tires on every 4 weeks. and thats not counting any rides that you do for fun. also not counting oil changes and what not. this is going to be the same whether you go with an S3T or the guzzi i guess if you really had to, you could put a car tire on it. (Message edited by chessm on August 02, 2011) | ||
| Froggy |
Sorry for trying to help and give you more options.  | ||
| Slaughter |
I use an S3 and will never sell it. Stupid-simple to work on. 40K miles, no issues. Earlier S3 machines were glitchy but I've had no issues (2001) EBear had one to sell (might be gone by now - many months ago) No opinion on the Guzzi. You should shoot Crusty a note - he can at least address known issues of powerplant and tranny. | ||
| Sifo |
I got 23K miles out of my last PilotRoad2. I managed to wear out the whole tread almost equally for a change. Great tire for straight roads, and still very capable in the twisties so there's no need to convert your bike to an expressway cruiser. Don't the XBs have a better reputation for reliability that the older tuber models? I have no idea about the Guzzi. I wouldn't even know where to buy one in my area. | ||
| Ourdee |
Racking up that kind of miles. Buy lots of used hondas. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
the s3 would be easier to work on than your xb so racking up the miles like that it would be the better option. I cannot side with the rest of these guys because my only wheels are my bike and aside from really cold mornings when i was still in the army i have no regrets in it being my only wheels though it would be nice to have a second ride just in case. and that whole chatter about it is cheaper to drive a car x amount of miles as apposed to a bike is crap...you still need tires, more oil, lots more gas and way more things to break on a car then a bike. Last time I bought a new set of tires for a car it was over $400 and bike about $250. (Message edited by firebolt020283 on August 03, 2011) | ||
| Hughlysses |
An S3 or S3T in good tune ridden moderately (i.e.- not thrashing it) will go 250 miles on a tank of gas, even at cruising speeds. That may be enough to make it the bike of choice. | ||
| Dpb |
I've got two S3T's. Very reliable. 60 to 65 mpg. One has 67,000 on it. Fun to ride. Monthly maintenance is all oil and a new rear tire. Can't beat it! Smoother and quicker than my XB12X. | ||
| Slaughter |
I don't ride my S3 like a "racer" - I ride it like an engineer. Keep revs low unless needed (though it DOES sound sweet when revved up a bit). I could do the whole 400+ miles to Laguna Seca and barely push over 3500 RPM. I'm betting this machine will outlive me. Nice thing on the motor is commonality with the 1200 Sporty on many parts. | ||
| Froggy |
Keep detailed logs on all your purchases including fuel, oil, tires, insurance, registration, gear, etc. Run of the mill cars win by a mile. Those $400 tires will last probably 10 times as long as a set of motorcycle rubbers. Also at $400, they are cheaper per unit than two motorcycle tires. Then other scheduled maintenance, most cars go 7500 or 15000 miles before oil changes, and car oils are typically cheaper and more available. Brake pads and rotors last longer, belts only need changing around 100k miles, and the other stuff is rarley needed to be done. Registration and insurance is cheaper for me on a run of the mill car here in NY. I also don't need to spend $500+ a year on riding gear for the car. I laugh when people say they ride to save money on gas, because when you do the math, short of most of your expenses being paid by someone else, you will never break even. This is part of the reason I suggested a Blast, as they are dirt cheap and have a low running cost, you can potentially break even with them especially if you have a 250 mile commute. | ||
| Crackhead |
Blast with ST66 tires, and LSR body kit. You could even bolt a 5gal sportster tank as a tail cowl, range extender and back rest. | ||
| Chessm |
didnt even think about that...with that kind of commute you would have to stop for gas at least twice a day. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
Actually 4 times a day | ||
| Chessm |
ya i just went with 'at least' in case he goes for a bike with a sizable tank | ||
| Fahren |
The Guzzis have bulletproof engines and shaft drive - proven technology, left largely unchanged for decades. They are closer to cruisers and therefore offer options such as wind screens, boards instead of pegs. The Cali is still on a Tonti frame so handling is good. Cali's are well known to be largely trouble free for many, many miles, with minimal maintenance. The brakes are linked, and set up differently than a Buell or most other bikes - foot braking is critical. If you want it to be set up the same as other bikes, you can un-link them. Compare tire prices for both bikes. Beautiful V-twin feeling from either, but different. Both bikes are not really common. You can get a used Cali, anything from around '98 up would be very similar, fuel-injected, solid. Probably similar price for well-sorted S3 and a used Cali. | ||
| Tony216 |
I never owned a Guzzi, but I worked at a Guzzi dealer. I loved riding them. They are generally reliable, but if you get a problem child, good luck. A lot of Guzzi parts will cross-reference with other brands. Owners told me VW parts are the most common cross-over parts. I know you're only looking at two bikes, but have you considered a KLR650? With a big tank, you can make it there and back on less than two tanks. Are you doing 500 miles/day every day, or once a week there and once a week back. I did the latter for six years and it got old. | ||
| Aschem |
KLR is good idea, brother had an older version. I like the new ones. Once a week probably. | ||
| Tony216 |
Once a week isn't bad, but it will definitely still put some serious mileage on your bike. Trust me.  Good luck. I hope the new job works out well for you. |
