| Author | Message | ||
     G4string |
OK, I sold my XB9 this fall for a couple of reasons - I took a new job out of state and am supporting two households until I can bid back to my hometown & my wife promised me that when I got this job I could get a new bike. I was hoping I wouldnt have to sell the XB9........but supporting two households for ~6 months is a bit of a stretch for me. My list of candidates for my new bike are the Buell, Guzzi, and BMW. I know I am posting this question(s) on a Buell forum.....but what are the strengths of the Guzzi and BMW. What are their weakness's? What about maintenance intervals on the Guzzi or BMW? etc. etc. The Buell seems to be (on paper) neck to neck with the BMW for HP and torque. I know the BMW has a lot of features Buell doesnt offer. However, if you want all of the fancy features you have to pay extra. The BMW is a 6 speed - which is a bonus. The BMW is $2600 more than the Buell (Buell is at $10,000) - which is good for the Buell. As far as the Guzzi goes, it is the most expensive ($13,500) and has the lowest HP (95) and lowest amount of torque (100nm - which equals ~73 ft. lbs). What I like about the Guzzi is it's character. Like the Buell, you dont see many people riding them. I think that is what the Guzzi and Buell have over the BMW. However, the Guzzi clocking in at $3600 more than the Buell is big turn off given its specs. However, I must admit that there is something about the Guzzi that I am attracted to. What do you guys think?? Stay with the Buell and support an American company or look European? PLEASE BE OBJECTIVE AS YOU CAN. As always your help and suppprt is greatly appreciated!!! | ||
| Xl1200r |
I've never ridden an R1200R, but I have ridden the more potent current-generation R1200S. The bike was just sweet to ride, except for the sticker price. But I really liked it, and it had no issues lifting the front wheel on its own. Then I got back on my Firebolt and remembered why I bought it. I'd stick with the Buell, but then again, I already did. | ||
| Jaimec |
BMW seems to be shrinking their dealership network rather than expanding it. That's a BIG issue if you plan on touring (as I do). Guzzi's dealership network is even smaller. BOTH brands have owners as fanatical (if not more so) than Buell. I'm a 23 year member of the BMW MOA, so I know a bit about that culture. Plus, at nearly every BMW Rally I've attended, there is almost ALWAYS a small but very boisterous crowd of Guzzi riders in attendance. http://www.deadhorse.com/ | ||
| Froggy |
Don't forget to factor in maintenance costs. I saw a pic on Advrider of a GS 1200 getting a new clutch; they had to rip the bike in half! With an XB, the real hard thing you have to deal with is the pain in the ass rear spark plug, and then the fork oil change. | ||
| Jaimec |
You'd have the same clutch situation on the Guzzi. To keep things in perspective, however, I have 121,000 miles on my K1200LT, on the ORIGINAL clutch. One advantage of a transverse engine is that the clutch is right on the side of the engine. On a longitudinally-mounted engine like the Guzzi or the Beemer, you have to separate the transmission from the engine, which makes it look as though you've "rip(ped) the bike in half." By the way, both the Guzzi and the Beemer use a dry clutch, so you WILL have to periodically "rip the bike in half" to clean and regrease the input splines. That's about once every two years regardless of mileage. | ||
| Ironken |
G4string: Can I ask what kinda work you do? Sounds kinda like my job, the bidding thing and working away from home. | ||
| Teeps |
Better the devil you know? | ||
| Ironken |
Better the devil you know? In English please??? | ||
| Froggy |
It means that it is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing. http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/bette r+the+devil+you+know.html | ||
| Ironken |
Ahhhh..I gotcha Teeps and thanks Froggy....I went to a rural school. | ||
| Froggy |
Same here, thats why google is my friend :P | ||
| Teeps |
Ironken Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 12:53 pm: Ahhhh..I gotcha Teeps and thanks Froggy....I went to a rural school. There's nothing wrong with rural schools. My cousin went to a 2 room country school K thru 12. He's a nuclear engineer; he designs power plants. | ||
| Guzzimon |
This hurts to write, but... ...I rode my 2003 V11 Sport (Guzzi) yesterday after riding the Firebolt for the two weeks prior -- and came home thinking about selling it. It's smooth, beautiful, exotic and rare, but the Firebolt is just so much more trouble-free, light, and fun to ride. Parts for Guzzis are a bitch, and easily as expensive as BMW parts. However, if you're still lusting for a Guzzi (I own two and have lusted after them since I was a child), I think you might do better to take a look at the Griso 8V. Best of luck, but I gotta think the Buell is the smartest choice here. | ||
| Spatten1 |
The XB does require some bullshit special tool to change the clutch. You can remove it as a unit with normal tools, but you need some sort of spring compressor to disassemble it. Japanese bikes require a 10MM socket. | ||
| Guell |
That guzzi is huge. I never reallized what a porker it was until i finally saw one in person last weekend. | ||
| Jaimec |
Nah, that's a NORMAL sized bike. You're just used to them TINY little Buells!  | ||
| 4cammer |
"Japanese bikes require a 10MM socket." They also require one to have the valves checked, chain cleaned and lubed and to put up with a bike with no personality.  | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I loved my R1200S, it had a bit more power than my XB12R, but in the handling dept the XB takes it (plus the heads touch at max lean on the Beemer- kinda' scary). Always wanted a Guz, but it ain't happened yet. The three are basically German, Italian and American versions of the same bike. Don't lean too far...  JenningsGP November 2007 '07 R1200S RBJ | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I will see if I can get the Professor in here to talk about his Guzzi. I think Guzzi's are cool, but unless you are real handy with tools, or live near Seattle I wouldn't own one. One of their top dealers is located 15mins from me (it is Guzzi's version of our Appleton w/ Daves still there) I like BMW's, but I am not a fan of the oil head bikes. The new K1300GT has me lusting even more. Make sure you check out the new BMW superbike The question is though, what kind of riding do you like? Track days, touring, commuting? | ||
| Prof_stack |
The Guzzi dealer network is pretty sparse so you really have to want to own/ride the Italian v-twin and be ready and willing to wrench as needed. If you live near Houston you also have a great dealer (MPH), but the one in Seattle (Moto International) was the top selling dealer (also for Aprilla) for the last 12 months in the US. It is a small shop with LOTS of passion. The book "Guzziology" came from the owner (Dave Richardson) and techs there. The Griso 8V is a beast by Guzzi standards and the California Vintage got good reviews in a recent Cycle World test of baggers. My XB9S was quicker to turn and had better suspension than my 07 Nevada. The Buell FI seemed more refined. But the Guzzi is better for longer rides (2400 miles in 6 weeks. I didn't expect that.). It also runs smoother at a wider range of rpm. Guzzi is slimming the line for '09. The 750 Nevada and Breva are being replaced by the 750 V7 Classic:  | ||
| Cycleaddict |
isn't the GUZZI considered to be an italian H.D. ? | ||
| Jaimec |
Depends on the model. They have some cruisers, some sport tourers, and some nice sporty street bikes. They even introduced a big trailie last year. They also did very well in BoTT about ten years (or more) back so they do have a racing pedigree. Moto Guzzi is the second oldest continuously operating motorcycle company still in business. Only Harley Davidson is older. BMW comes in third. | ||
| Point_doc |
I test road a Grizo 1100 a month ago and it was FUN. I went there to test ride the Norge 1200, but could not resist the offer to ride the Grizo. Very comfortable, heavy, soft suspension, great brakes and velvet smooth six speed gear box and the ticket for this new bike was $8900, a special at http://www.vespaoceanside.com/portal/ The blinkers where the same as our XB’s which I did not like. The finish on all the Guzzi’s appeared cheap and that little thought was given to how the finished product would present. Maybe I am being a bit picky, but the bike should have a better showing. I do not mind plastic when it is presented as plastic, but I personally dislike chromed plastic. It seems so cheap and phony. With the dislikes stated and it was only the finishing touches , I still find the Grizo attractive. I like the lines of the bike; like most Italian bikes, it was smartly and tastefully done and I could get-over the cosmetics. | ||
| 4cammer |
Wow - the V7 Classic really looks good in black. I have always lusted after Guzzis. Someday I will have a red framed V7 Sport. | ||
| G4string |
Ironken, I am an Aircraft Mechanic for UPS | ||
| G4string |
Thanks for all of your help!!!!! As far as my riding is concerned. Most, if not all, is commuting. However, I would like to get into track days....up until lately I havent had the time. I would like to "mini tour" but the XB9 was kind of PITA to ride any thing over 1 hour - I would get too cramped - granted I am 6 feet and the XB9 was an XB9SL. If I am going to stay with Buell I am looking at the XB12Ss (long) and maybe a Uly. The one thing that really sparked my interest in the BMW was it seemed a little more roomy than the Buell. You could mount highway pegs on the jug-heads for a little more highway room. The BMW also has a little more seat room for longer rides. All in all, it seemed a bit more comfortable for longer rides. Keep in mind I haven't ridden the BMW or the XB12Ss, so I have no idea on how they handle. My only experience with Buell is my old XB9SL - I have never ridden a BMW. The only thing I do not like about the BMW is the shaft drive.....it screams maintenance and $$$. If the BMW was belt driven the BMW would be looking more and more appealing every day. As far as the Guzzi.......at this point I think it is between the Buell and BMW. More advice????? Keep it coming! (Message edited by g4string on October 08, 2008) | ||
| G4string |
Oh, One more thing.......the fact that I can not reflash ECM's on an 08 and prior is a mark against Buell. I really want the option to re-map the ECM if I want to install a Drummer, open air box kit, etc on an 08 or 09. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Oh, yeah... although it is very easy to work on BMWs because the engine "hangs out" each side of frame, unless your are capable enough to do valve adjustments, the BMW will set back you approx $700 every 6,000 miles for valve check service at the dealer. For the same mileage, having a Buell serviced by a dealership would be approx four times less. So, keep that in mind when making your decision. | ||
| Jaimec |
The BMW oilhead valves are stupid simple to do. Screw and locknut! If you can work on a Buell, you can work on an oilhead. You must be thinking of the "K" bikes. Those are a BEAR to do, and requires a VERY expensive computer diagnostic tool to do correctly as well. Maintenance on a shaft drive?? What, changing the final drive fluid every 20,000 miles sounds like a lot of work to you? Exactly what "maintenance" do you feel is necessary on a drive shaft?? Another good thing about the Beemer: No steering bearings to replace! Just clean and repack the ball joints on the Telelever every 60,000 miles or so and you're good to go. | ||
| Guzzimon |
Guzzi = love = heartbreak... I know |
