Motorbike and scooter owners.

[figbat]

I meant the traditional transverse twins, rather than the 900. Maybe I should consider that too.
A pal has one, but I think he said it was a bit buzzy at speed. Whilst he is talking about the autobahn, he meant sensible motorway speeds as we'd understand rather than crazy speeds. What is your view of this?

I have no issue with “buzz”. I’ve ridden it some decent distances at motorway speeds with no issue. The stock saddle is not the comfiest but I have an aftermarket replacement which is better. Same goes for the screen - the stock one I found a bit buffetty so I have a Givi one which works for me.

 

[Profpointy]

I have no issue with “buzz”. I’ve ridden it some decent distances at motorway speeds with no issue. The stock saddle is not the comfiest but I have an aftermarket replacement which is better. Same goes for the screen - the stock one I found a bit buffetty so I have a Givi one which works for me.

Thanks. I might consider that as an option, and ask my pal in Hamburg a bit more about his. There's a Honda equivalent another mate has which he was very pleased with and he said it was pretty much perfect for the mid-wales aA and B roads he mainly uses it on.

 

[Cavalol]

Despite until very recently deriding 'adventure' bikes, I've just bought a low mileage BMW 310 GS. I don't need a big engined bike, so hopefully it'll be ideal for some gentle long rides out on slower roads and the odd bit of green-laning.
Had bought an 11 month old Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 (which are fantastic looking bikes, imho) but it was faulty so went back to the dealers 15 minutes after they dropped it off, as the driver put it straight back on his van.

Anyhow, just had my first proper ride of the GS, only about 8 miles but it was brilliant. The riding position is nice, the bike feels firm/stable and there's enough poke to get me about in the manner I plan to ride it. The brake pedal is stupidly low (seems a few have mentioned this) so I've bought a riser block for it and also a bigger screen, as being tall I think the replacement will protect me better from the elements.

 

[raleighnut]

Despite until very recently deriding 'adventure' bikes, I've just bought a low mileage BMW 310 GS. I don't need a big engined bike, so hopefully it'll be ideal for some gentle long rides out on slower roads and the odd bit of green-laning.
Had bought an 11 month old Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 (which are fantastic looking bikes, imho) but it was faulty so went back to the dealers 15 minutes after they dropped it off, as the driver put it straight back on his van.

Anyhow, just had my first proper ride of the GS, only about 8 miles but it was brilliant. The riding position is nice, the bike feels firm/stable and there's enough poke to get me about in the manner I plan to ride it. The brake pedal is stupidly low (seems a few have mentioned this) so I've bought a riser block for it and also a bigger screen, as being tall I think the replacement will protect me better from the elements.

The brake pedal would be low for when you're stood up on the 'pegs', that will change the angle your foot is at.

 

[SteveO69]

Anyone here owned a reasonably recent Moto Guzzi ?

Now that my Triumph tourer had to be scrapped after a cack handed theft attempt, I am thinking of getting another bike; particularly after the Saab saga recounted in the car thread.

I quite fancied their V85 so say "adventure" bike or whatever the marketting BS calls it. I quite fancy this style of bike for the smaller twisty roads, and very occasional track where a big tourer is a bit much, and a sports bike isn't ideal for two-up holidays and such. I have ridden the Triumph Tiger and didn't much like and though did quite like the KTM version. The Beemer GS seems far too expensive. I'm likely buying secondhand a a year or two old

Doesn't need to be mega fast, as to he honest any mid-sized or bigger bike is plenty fast enough. Does need to be suitable for two people and panniers but ideally be a good bit lighter than my 250kg Triumph, good though it was

Anyone got any thoughts on this style of bike (any brand) or on Moto Guzzi (any model)





View attachment 754679

I test rode a 2022(?) model earlier this year. I wanted to love it, but there was something about it that didn’t gel… rode it for an hour or so

Shaft driven, cruise, plenty powerful enough, (for me), good wind protection, (again, for me), but it just didn’t float my boat.

I currently ride a V Strom 650, it felt about the same, power-wise.

I think I will give it another go, as I fancy something a little different, and want to change next year.

Check out ADV Rider, (adventure motorcycle forum), you may have already. Lots of satisfied owner

 

[Profpointy]

I test rode a 2022(?) model earlier this year. I wanted to love it, but there was something about it that didn’t gel… rode it for an hour or so

Shaft driven, cruise, plenty powerful enough, (for me), good wind protection, (again, for me), but it just didn’t float my boat.

I currently ride a V Strom 650, it felt about the same, power-wise.

I think I will give it another go, as I fancy something a little different, and want to change next year.

Check out ADV Rider, (adventure motorcycle forum), you may have already. Lots of satisfied owner

View attachment 757409

It is rather pretty though isn't it?

 

[Gunk]

It is rather pretty though isn't it?

I can’t see it, never got the appeal of a Guzzi

 

[Cavalol]

I think the colours let it down. The yellow bits are hideous (imho) and if it was all red or white it'd look significantly better.

 

[SteveO69]

It is rather pretty though isn't it?

Yes, I believe it is nicknamed the McGuzzi, as it shares a similar colour scheme to a well-known high st fast food outlet.

 

[SteveO69]

I think the colours let it down. The yellow bits are hideous (imho) and if it was all red or white it'd look significantly better.

 

[Profpointy]

I can’t see it, never got the appeal of a Guzzi

The Guzzi was the first nice bike I really came
across as a pal had bought a V50 with his first pay cheque after graduating and I had a ride on the back of it. I was awed by the performance as even the modest 500cc had pretty much the same power as my '68 Cortina. Always wanted one. I did own an 850 T3 for a few years but sadly ended up selling it on ... still in the filing cabinet it came in! The new owner did get it going again to be fair

 

[Cavalol]

Ahh, ok, I lied.

 

[raleighnut]

The old Guzzi 'Le Mans' was gorgeous though, a guy used to pass me most mornings on my way to work on one. A couple of times we'd be at traffic lights together and it just sat there 'throbbing' then when the lights changed with barely a rise in revs it would be off like a scalded Cat just a hardening of the exhaust note and it was gone.. A similar thing was a friend of a friend had a Jota and I'd see him some mornings but going in different directions, we'd wave and I always delighted in the exhaust note rattling off the terraced streets but one day a different bike rider (I thought) waved. Willy had got rid of the Jota and bought the older SF750 twin. Forward a few months and the mutual friend had a party and I got to talk with him and ask why and he reckoned the SF was a better bike, the Jota had to be bullied into corners whereas the SF twin had more poise and rode far nicer, the frame on the Jota was pretty much the same as the SF but the extra weight and power overwhelmed it cos the Jota was a twin with an extra cylinder grafted on.

 

[Drago]

I always liked the California as better made and less effeminate Harley alternative.

 

[raleighnut]

I always liked the California as better made and less effeminate Harley alternative.

Never been a fan of 'cruisers' much more a 'Cafe Racer'* kind of rider, give me clipons/ace bars and 'rearsets' any day of the week. far more into 'scratching' round bendy lanes than straight road posing.

* Originally a derogatory nickname for people who hadn't got the bottle to actually race but liked to look the part.