G5 vs. 1400 Touring

[JohninVT]

The more I ride my Touring the more I wonder if a G5 with bags, floorboards and a windshield might suit me better.  I absolutely love the engine on the 1400.  I love the traction control and ABS despite being adamant for 30 years that I'd never have either on a motorcycle.  The cruise control is great for long trips.  It's fast enough, looks good and handles OK for what it is.  It's a really nice motorcycle.     

The thing is, I am never going to love the cruiser oriented ergonomics on my 1400.  The C-shaped seating position makes my back ache after an hour.  Even if I get a seat with a backrest I still don't like how far forward my feet are.  I rode a Custom and it wasn't much better.  The V7III is almost perfect but I can't get past the power output.  I know it's plenty for 90% of V7 owners...just not for me.  I could live with the power of a G5 because it's an antique.  I know that sounds odd but I can accept certain things from older motorcycles that I can't from newer ones.  I could also accept having to tinker on a 40 year old bike but needing to chase oil leaks and stuff on a 3 year old bike infuriates me. 

I think my problem is that I keep trying to find one motorcycle to cover all my motorcycle interests.  That's how I ended up on a V-Strom 1000 a few years ago.  It did everything but it didn't do any one thing very well.  What I should really do(but can't afford) is have a three bike stable.  I think my ideal bikes would be:

A G5 for touring
A Monster 821 for mountain rides
A Yamaha TW200 with a Fisher seat, Clarke tank and Cyclerack for offroad adventures in northern VT and NH 

     

[kidsmoke]

my cousin was Harley Bagger guy. Also worked for a while as a professional Harley mechanic. Came upon a deal too good to pass up. He no longer owns a Harley. This is the guy that got me on a Guzzi.

174,000 miles and counting. The Ammo cans are his nod to his 'bad-ass' side. No comment.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've made my choice..
2018-09-19_06-28-25 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

FWIW, Austin (the KLR from Hell kid) is headed to Mike Skagg's place to "probably" pick up a really nice looking G5 as we type. I sent him out on mine the other day. He came back grinning and said, "It's like an airhead, but a *lot* better."  I told him good luck finding one, but you should be able to find a T3.. and he found the G5 on wastebook. At any rate, I told him that Mike was a well known Guzzi Guy, and wouldn't lead him astray.

[TOMB]

The 1400 Eldo doesn't fit me . Comfortable seat but cant reach the bars or foot controls with any type of confort.

My 72 Eldo was perfect for me.
My 76 Convert  is even better.
After all the G5 is a Convert with a 5 speed . I owned a 78 G5. Good story here.
TOMB

[nick949]

The 1400 Eldo doesn't fit me . Comfortable seat but cant reach the bars or foot controls with any type of confort.

My 72 Eldo was perfect for me.
My 76 Convert  is even better.
After all the G5 is a Convert with a 5 speed . I owned a 78 G5. Good story here.
TOMB

Check your signature Tomb.  I'd like one of those 1796 Converts too.

Nick

[j.r.r.]

Check your signature Tomb.  I'd like one of those 1796 Converts too.

Nick

Looking at the year I assume there is no ABS or TCS, right? I will pass then, all yours Nick 

[TN Mark]

I had 3 Converts, a 76, 77 then another 77 plus a 78 G5. They were all fine bikes for what they were. As has been said, they're still fine bikes, as an antique. But isn't it a bit disheartening when Guzzis latest makes people yearn for a G5?

[ohiorider]

The more I ride my Touring the more I wonder if a G5 with bags, floorboards and a windshield might suit me better.  I absolutely love the engine on the 1400.  I love the traction control and ABS despite being adamant for 30 years that I'd never have either on a motorcycle.  The cruise control is great for long trips.  It's fast enough, looks good and handles OK for what it is.  It's a really nice motorcycle.     

The thing is, I am never going to love the cruiser oriented ergonomics on my 1400.  The C-shaped seating position makes my back ache after an hour.  Even if I get a seat with a backrest I still don't like how far forward my feet are.  I rode a Custom and it wasn't much better.  The V7III is almost perfect but I can't get past the power output.  I know it's plenty for 90% of V7 owners...just not for me.  I could live with the power of a G5 because it's an antique.  I know that sounds odd but I can accept certain things from older motorcycles that I can't from newer ones.  I could also accept having to tinker on a 40 year old bike but needing to chase oil leaks and stuff on a 3 year old bike infuriates me. 

I think my problem is that I keep trying to find one motorcycle to cover all my motorcycle interests.  That's how I ended up on a V-Strom 1000 a few years ago.  It did everything but it didn't do any one thing very well.  What I should really do(but can't afford) is have a three bike stable.  I think my ideal bikes would be:

A G5 for touring
A Monster 821 for mountain rides
A Yamaha TW200 with a Fisher seat, Clarke tank and Cyclerack for offroad adventures in northern VT and NH 

   

Yo, John

In retrospect, your thoughts about your long-gone 1200 Sport. 

Bob, from Hudson Ohio

[TOMB]

J.r.r.
Linked brakes. No ABS.
Still have to think to ride an older bike.
More miles to be added tomorrow
TOMB

[JohninVT]

Yo, John

In retrospect, your thoughts about your long-gone 1200 Sport. 

Bob, from Hudson Ohio

I enjoyed my 1200 Sport tremendously.  I still prefer a properly set up 1200 2 valve to the 1200 8 valve engine.  It just suits my riding style.  Part of my problem is that I’m not a Guzzi only rider.  I like everything on two wheels.  Almost every 1200 Sport I see is two thousand dollars away from being “right” for me.  By the time you buy one and put risers, bars, an exhaust, a new map, stiffer springs, decent brake pads and luggage on it...you’ve got about 6 grand invested.  Again, not being a Guzzi ONLY enthusiast, I look around and realize I could have something equally odd/interesting like a VFR1200 for less than 6k.  I’m also of the opinion the dash issue is a big deal and it affects a high percentage of bikes.  The last time I checked, a new dash was about $800.  That an expensive spare to have sitting on a shelf and adds to the investment cost. 

My biggest problem with the 1400 is that the floorboards are about 4” too far forward.  It’s impossible to get my chest over the cylinders so I can’t steer with my feet or use my body....I just steer it like a wheelbarrow.  Adding an inch or two of seat height and moving the floorboards back would completely change the handling.  Maybe I’ll go stare at the bike for an hour and see if that’s possible. 

[Groover]

Guzzi needs to come out with a G6. 6-speed, but leave the rest the same 


Hers is mine, having a hard time adding bags and such though.. but I need something, maybe an EV in the future, leaving this one as is :-)

[JohninVT]

Guzzi needs to come out with a G6. 6-speed, but leave the rest the same 


Hers is mine, having a hard time adding bags and such though.. but I need something, maybe an EV in the future, leaving this one as is :-)

Love it.  I prefer the mag wheels on yours over the spoked ones.  I want one exactly like this:




best anniversary poems

[NC Steve]

I met a local small shop mechanic several months back that did some work on a BMW for me, and he had several G5s, in various condition and completeness. I was talking to him about putting one together for me when he began having some sort of issues at home, and our conversation dwindled. I've been by his shop several times but he's never there.

I was wanting him to put something like this together, but with mag wheels and bags.
I believe I 'borrowed' the pic from this site to use as reference. Love the black & white.

[blackcat]

Hers is mine, having a hard time adding bags and such though.. but I need something,

I installed Givi hardbags on my 1000S with their universal kit or you're having a hard time aesthetically? The install did require some large spacers, but it can be done.

[Devildog]

Guzzi needs to come out with a G6. 6-speed, but leave the rest the same 


Hers is mine, having a hard time adding bags and such though.. but I need something, maybe an EV in the future, leaving this one as is :-)



Groover, have you powder coated the wheels? They look like new.

[Groover]

Blackcat, that would be yes on hard time aestecally. So far a backpack is working out, I just need an escuse to get another bike 


Devildog, it's Eastwood's brake fluid resistant paint. Has real stainless steel pigment in it. The lips are polished. I'd clear coat them next time. Looks really good in person.


https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-brake-gray-aerosol.html?SRCCODE=PLA00010&gclid=CjwKCAjw0JfdBRACEiwAiDTALvzt91C5E33TwaLClP6vb8Ziw4r2-7W4oQq5-6TNmox1ZhraWqLiuhoC9AsQAvD_BwE

[mtiberio]

I had a Cali 1400 Touring. I sold it and got a Cali Vintage (not a G-5, but a Tonti based touring bike). The lack of smoothness and lack of sophistication in going back was shocking. If you can stand the extra weight, I'd keep the 1400, and get some new bars (or risers) and move your feet backwards. It is easy to put just the ball of your feet on the ends of the boards (make the boards kind of like pegs). Plus, look into modifying your shift and foot brake lever. Remove the heel section of the shifter. Having the ability to move your feet around the boards is imperative. Having boards and levers that lock your feet into one spot is a foolish design choice. I remember I had a friend with a torch totally rework the levers on the Vintage. I cant remember what I did to my 1400, but I did something.

[Ncdan]

I had a Cali 1400 Touring. I sold it and got a Cali Vintage (not a G-5, but a Tonti based touring bike). The lack of smoothness and lack of sophistication in going back was shocking. If you can stand the extra weight, I'd keep the 1400, and get some new bars (or risers) and move your feet backwards. It is easy to put just the ball of your feet on the ends of the boards (make the boards kind of like pegs). Plus, look into modifying your shift and foot brake lever. Remove the heel section of the shifter. Having the ability to move your feet around the boards is imperative. Having boards and levers that lock your feet into one spot is a foolish design choice. I remember I had a friend with a torch totally rework the levers on the Vintage. I cant remember what I did to my 1400, but I did something.

I totally agree on most everything you said, as I also had an 07 CalVin however the sophistication aspect is causing me a fit on my 2015 1400 tourer! With less than 3500 miles my TPS/demand sensor has gone out which I'm about to replace this week. This just caused me to loose a year long plan ride with several retired buddies we do every fall. I'll give this guzzi this one failure of this nature and the next one will be the last. No sense for a practically new motorcycle to have a electrical failure at this stage of newness. Next offense there will be another older carb fed Harley in my basement as my last 03 Electra Glide and 99 super glide were bullet proof.

[Kev m]

I totally agree on most everything you said, as I also had an 07 CalVin however the sophistication aspect is causing me a fit on my 2015 1400 tourer! With less than 3500 miles my TPS/demand sensor has gone out which I'm about to replace this week. This just caused me to loose a year long plan ride with several retired buddies we do every fall. I'll give this guzzi this one failure of this nature and the next one will be the last. No sense for a practically new motorcycle to have a electrical failure at this stage of newness. Next offense there will be another older carb fed Harley in my basement as my last 03 Electra Glide and 99 super glide were bullet proof.

Two thoughts.

1. I THINK your bike is gonna be fine shortly and you won't have to look back

2. Why didn't you take that Softail in your basement?

Kev

PS - IF you wind up with another Harley the EFI ones are bulletproof, seriously no need to go carb. And FWIW I wouldn't go TC88, just not worth it. But I don't think it's gonna matte.r

[brider]

The thing is, I am never going to love the cruiser oriented ergonomics...  The C-shaped seating position makes my back ache after an hour. 
   

This is exactly why I have never sought a modern "cruiser", just LOOKING at the "C-shaped" seating position makes me cringe. I stopped at the Cal 2 development of the Tonti, and I even had my Cal 2 seat re-shaped to flatten it out more; the G5/Convert flat slab is optimum in my opinion; room to MOVE. The Cal 3's amazed me with their bucket seat, although I know there's a lot of people who love them (and the later similar variants).

Like Mike says, I often move my feet around to use my toes on the rear part of the footboards, OR sit back a bit farther and put my feet on the passenger pegs. I have that much room on the Cal 2.

[kidsmoke]

Like Mike says, I often move my feet around to use my toes on the rear part of the footboards, OR sit back a bit farther and put my feet on the passenger pegs. I have that much room on the Cal 2.

I've got a Jackal with floorboards. This allows for modest relocating. My favorite position, more and more, is back on the passenger pegs, which is of course not an option in any sort of traffic or active riding. Excellent on the slab, however. This has me thinking more and more about that next bike...G5, T3, Griso, or ADV? Or, when Croucher suffers momentary insanity and puts his Tonti/Magni/Std on the block.

[Ncdan]

Two thoughts.

1. I THINK your bike is gonna be fine shortly and you won't have to look back

2. Why didn't you take that Softail in your basement?

Kev

PS - IF you wind up with another Harley the EFI ones are bulletproof, seriously no need to go carb. And FWIW I wouldn't go TC88, just not worth it. But I don't think it's gonna matte.r

Thanks for the response Kev as I always value your opinion and advise.
I didn't take the Harley because my son and I was going to be riding and rooming as a team, so I opted to just stay home and hang with my boy.
On the Harley, I didn't point out that my 03 Electra Glide was FI and produced 55k trouble free miles. The only thing I ever did was replace the cam shoe adjustments at 45k which is a normal maintenance with the 1450s. The 99 super glide was carb 50k and also bulletproof.
You are probably right about getting the 1400 back online and when it's all over it will probably not look like as big of a deal as my inexperience made it out to be. The sensor will be here Tuesday and the mechanic is ready to help me put  it on and a reset of the TPS Self learning should fix her.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've got a Jackal with floorboards. This allows for modest relocating. My favorite position, more and more, is back on the passenger pegs, which is of course not an option in any sort of traffic or active riding. Excellent on the slab, however. This has me thinking more and more about that next bike...G5, T3, Griso, or ADV? Or, when Croucher suffers momentary insanity and puts his Tonti/Magni/Std on the block.

I know where there is a fairly nice Grease O.. 

[kidsmoke]

I know where there is a fairly nice Grease O.. 

I know you do. and you know that's one on my list. Problem is I can make a compelling argument for damn near anything wearing a Guzzi badge, so I vacillate while letting that fund grow.......