| Author |
Message |
    
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 01:36 pm: | 
|
Bbbob: BMW's reliability reputation went into the toilet at the last Iron Butt Rally, when every single BMW with the new rear bearing (the big hollow axle deal introduced on the R1200GS) failed to finish the event.
+1
The Iron Butt was BMW's biggest advertisement/advocacy group for US riders. Now it's tarnished the brand big time.
If you spend that much money for a touring bike (more than comparable competitor's machines), you want one that is bullet proof.
It's just one issue, but it looks bad for the brand. |
Jerseyguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 01:48 pm: |
|
Jon, No helmet? Shame on you! LOL. |
Hootowl
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 02:48 pm: |
|
Saw a Guzzi on the way back from lunch today. An old one, in really good shape...looked restored.. I almost ran the guy down so I could ogle it close up. He was apparently able to get parts for it. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 03:59 pm: |
|
I see quite a few nice Moto-Guzzi's in and around NYC and confess they are a bike that always catches my eye. They just look "right" . . .something about them. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 04:08 pm: |
|
I wish I had a nickel for every grizzled old Guzzi rider I met who had to fix his bike by the side of the road once with nothing but a rock... |
Jlnance
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 05:05 pm: |
|
They just look "right" . . .something about them.
It's the way they mount the cylinders. Better airflow than the Buell, better ground clearance than the BMW. |
Doerman
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 05:08 pm: |
|
BMW is just a Guzzi with droopy tits |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 05:12 pm: |
|
Guzzi used to be the Harley of Italy. Now it's more the Buell of Italy. Using an improved ancient engine with a functional chassis. Good stuff. Wish I could have 5 or 10 bikes.... |
Moxnix
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 05:24 pm: |
|
Jon, your bike has 35mm Ceriani forks w/ a Ceriani four shoe brake, right? So, it both handled and stopped, compared to stock. Owned 17 BMWs over many years, then picked up a Guzzi V7 Sport. First ride I thought, what's the matter with this thing, it handles REALLY well. Just needed the twin disk front conversion. Bought my last new BMW in 1978, a Motorsport. They lost me after that epoch era.
Dave & Moto International in Seattle is worth owning a Guzzi. Ask him about the sheep in wolf's clothing he once built for a customer on a $400 Convert automatic and Lemans bits w/ 70s style full fairing. One of my favorite bikes. |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 06:23 pm: |
|
Very good Karl!
Actually, I do believe the front brake was a Fontana 4 leading shoe brake. Forks are indeed Ceriani.
Also note 8 Gallon Hoske tank, Dunstall mufflers, Borrani rims, alloy front fender.
Unseen are Del'orto carbs, side car gearing, tach and Craven panniers.
It was a lot better handling and a bit faster than stock, and much more reliable than the English iron of the period - early sixties. The Guzzi vee twins were yet to appear.
With all roller bearings and all gear driven cams and accessories, these bikes lasted forever if properly maintained and not abused. |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 07:47 pm: |
|
much more reliable than the English iron of the period - early sixties.
Not to take anything away from the airheads---I had a R100/7 that I put about 100,000 miles on--but that statement I quoted above applies to a LOT of bikes!
rt |
Moxnix
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 10:23 pm: |
|
Jon, I bought my first bike, an R69S with Steib. And a few other R69S models over the years, the last being an R69S racer built by a German sidecar racer in Seattle, with a properly sprung rear shock frame conversion from the plungers, Ceriani 35s, & twin Dellortos and cone exhaust. Best sounding Beemer I ever owned. The current owner (if he still has it) bought one of my Heinrich big tanks for it. Point being, your photo brought back fond memories. Thanks for posting. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 10:51 pm: |
|
>>>much more reliable than the English iron of the period - early sixties.
As the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock approaches . . . . let me remind you why some of of still lust over BSA, Royal Enfields, Nortons and Triumph motorcycles.
Kids today toss about the phrase "I don't care". But there was a day, around the time I bought my first new electric guitar in 1965 when we REALLY didn't care. We were in lust . . .
These bikes taught us patience, perseverance and self reliance. We left to cross the country knowing damn well we'd have the bike torn apart on the side of the road before nightfall.
But . . . it seems like each time we did it . . we met new folks who stopped to help, kick our ass or ask where we were going.
We learned the 2-wheeled equivalent of thoracic surgery with tin foil, tire wire and tire irons.
Like freedom itself we knew they weren't perfect but we loved them just the same.
Even today I'd buy a Norton or a Triumph before I'd waste garage space on a free R6 or GSXR. |
Swordsman
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 01:42 am: |
|
What gives? The one thread I would expect Buellgrrrl to show up, and she hasn't made an appearance yet...? 
~SM |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 08:05 am: |
|
Did someone say "Norton"?
The first real motorcycle I spent much time with was the Norton Dominator 99. This 600cc twin was by far the best handling bike of its day, with its race derived "featherbed" frame, and started my love affair with great handling motor bikes that has lasted over fifty years.
Owning one of these bikes was a great introduction not only to speed, but the wonderful world of mechanical engineering. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 05:58 pm: |
|
quote:What gives? The one thread I would expect Buellgrrrl to show up, and she hasn't made an appearance yet...?
There are too many facts and too much evidence in here! Wait for her to appear in the Obama kills a fly thread. |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 07:39 pm: |
|
Even today I'd buy a Norton or a Triumph before I'd waste garage space on a free R6 or GSXR.
You've been peeking in the Laboratorio del Entropio del Sud!
rt |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 09:25 pm: |
|
How the hell did suds get in the entropy lab?
See it's crap like this that makes me think you need my adult supervision . . . . . |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 11:32 pm: |
|
 |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 11:48 pm: |
|
Its got a bashed in tank, you been stunting that??? |
Prof_stack
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 12:56 pm: |
|
Speaking of Moto Guzzis, I test rode this one on Tuesday, the new V7-Classic. Nice riding position, great handling, and with fairly loud pipes for a new bike. Ambient temperature is part of the readouts. Cool.
Wait until 2010 when MG likely sends over the black with gold stripes version. That one will out-sell the all-white version the US has now. |
Bcordb3
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 02:23 pm: |
|
What is the asking price for the Guzzi? |
Atoms
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 03:57 pm: |
|
Wait until 2010 when MG likely sends over the black with gold stripes version. That one will out-sell the all-white version the US has now.
Uh, yes! White is by a long shot my least favorite bike color. I make an exception and would never frown at the V-7 since it was such a great bike, but I certainly would never consider actually *owning* a white one. But Black? puņ darsi! |
Prof_stack
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 04:01 pm: |
|
"What is the asking price for the Guzzi?"
I think the msrp is around $9k. It's too new to expect much if any discount.
Last summer I got a new '07 Guzzi Nevada 750 (same motor/tranny) for $6k before WA state taxes/licence. I would not have bought it for msrp. Great ride, but the V7-Classic is nicer, imho.
Oh, that gas tank is plastic.
(Message edited by prof_stack on June 18, 2009) |
Crusty
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 07:49 pm: |
|
I had a V7 Sport, back in the '70s. It was the first motorcycle I ever bought brand new, and it was one of the best motorcycles I've ever owned. It was far from perfect, but it was as reliable as an anvil. I rode it all over the U.S. (it saw the Gulf coast, the Atlantic ocean and the Pacific Ocean), raced it for a season and a half, and I used it as daily transportation. It was stolen from a motel in Auburn, CA in January of '78.
If I wasn't in love with Buells, I'd be riding a Guzzi now. That Norge keeps calling me...
It also doesn't help when one of the best dealers of any brand of motorcycle is a 45 minute ride away, and he sells BMWs and Moto Guzzis. |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 09:47 pm: |
|
The entropy lab (southern annex) is equipped with a refrigerator. Can't work on bikes or agricultural implements without the Golden Nectar of the Gods!
rt |
Kurbennett
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 10:24 pm: |
|
Gotta love a Beemer! |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 04:50 am: |
|
Professor, when are you finally going to get a big block Guzzi?
Or be rational and just get a Triumph Bonneville  |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 12:28 pm: |
|
They do nice stoppies! 
Sorry, couldn't resist 
Lots of BMW bikes I would not mind having in the garage, but when it comes to taking out my wallet, Buell wins hands down... |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 02:48 pm: |
|
What the heck happened there??? Fork ends snapped off???  |
Prof_stack
| | Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 03:23 pm: |
|
"Professor, when are you finally going to get a big block Guzzi?"
I don't need the extra 300cc and 120 pounds. But a better suspension would be nice.
"... Or be rational and just get a Triumph Bonneville"
Too heavy and cluttered looking, compared to the original.
An R850R might be a good "standard" ride, if one could find a nice one. |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 05:58 pm: |
|
They do nice stoppies
Back story please
Too heavy and cluttered looking, compared to the original.
Blasphemy, those are the words of a non believer |
|
