"New" Sport 1200

[Guest]

[ahoward125]

I just finished the deal on a left over 1200 Sport...
All I need to do is run up to the Credit Union to sign some papers...
OH CRAP we just had a record snowfall!! I won't be able to get the paper work done for a few days, at least

FYI I got a red one and decided to add the red Norge bags, a set of Mana bars, a centerstand and the lower gel seat...   

[Bill929]

Congrats.  Those are the exact accessories/mods I'd do too. 

[Offcamber1]

+1, nice mods.  Congrats on the new bike!

 

[pete roper]

While the 'Sport' bit is a bit of a misnomer I have to say I do really like the 1200 Sport 2 valver, super comfortable with better suspension than the Norge or Breva 11 I think it's the second best 2 valver in the range just behind the Bellagio and its a LOT more comfortable than the Bellagio and has more stomp and better suspension, it's just that the Bellagio pips it at the post, well,  because...??

Great bike Mr Howard! You'll hava ball this spring!

pete

[Seagondollar]

It's OK Pete, I own a Dodge Dakota Sport pickup truck.  I understand.

[ahoward125]

My brother just picked up a VFR 800, red white and blue 07 and we are going to do a ride up north this summer.  Brother lives in Rochester and we were thinking of heading up into Canada and ride for a bit.
Any suggestions about good riding spots in Canada? OR Way upstate NY??

I've given it a lot of thought and decided that I just want the bike to run smooth. If putting a slip on is going to make the bike run poorly in the usable part of the powerband, I won't go there. I have been reading all about the fatduc, airbox, and Power commander mods and I am not sure what the "best" thing to do is...
Help Mr Wizard! (that's you Pete and Greg)

[dave1068]

Congrats on the purchase, I have the same model. Heres a pic of the bike w/out the cowl. I know when I first got it, I was curious to see it that way.

[Wild Goose]

Excellent choice !!  Here's my red sport and I've put some quality break-in miles on it since purchasing last November. I have nothing but praise for it.  The gearbox is very nice right out of the crate and after a couple of oil changes, the engine is beginning to loosen up some.  I love the power spread of this engine.  
  Be sure and post up some pics with your hardbags in place .. I'm probably going to get them as well.  I ordered a Staintune slip-on and have been patiently waiting on it's arrival.  Special order from down under..
         Springs just around the corner !!  Let me know if you need a link for Agip oil or some optional oil filters.

[ahoward125]

If you have a good contact for Agip oil, let me know.

I am waiting on doing anything with the exhaust until I hear more about getting the mixture lean/rich thing worked out. If changing the exhaust is going to lean the bike out in the midrange I don't know if I want to spend the money. I'll live with the bike stock for while... My 45 hp Convert is more fun that should be legal, so the Sport will be a rocket ship.

[Wild Goose]

I ordered a case of 10-60 directly from the headquarters in the N.E.  I later ordered some gear oil.
  Shipping was accurate and prompt both times and packed very well.  Costs a  little more this way but UPS will bring it to your porch ..  http://www.americanagip.com/

 

[ahoward125]

What oil does the Sport call for?

[danr]

What oil does the Sport call for?

http://www.americanagip.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_6&products_id=6

[Bisbonian]

  Be sure and post up some pics with your hardbags in place .. I'm probably going to get them as well.

1200 Sport with Norge bags:
Mexican guard post


Baviacora Mexico


In front of the house

[ahoward125]

Nice to see one with the Norge bags on it... looks great.
Where it that a guzzi tank protector?
How well does the front flyscreen work on the Sport?

[pete roper]

It's no touring 'Sail' but it works remarkably well at keeping the wind off your chest at any half way reasonable speed, (ie up to 85-90MPH.) it'll still get  pretty blowy above that. Griso 'Big' screen is much the same.

Spend some time setting up and playing with the suspension, although *only* 'Conventional' Marzocchis the fully adjustables on the 1200 are a pretty good thing and tend to show up the rear shock a bit if you press on hard, but set-up effort front and rear will be rewarded.

You're right, it's no Convert 

Pete

[ahoward125]

Hey Pete, it was all your writing about buying that Vert and riding all across the USA that made me get mine... I still want to take it over 100,000 miles (84k right now) so I will ride the heck out of it till I get the Sport (once we dig out from all this snow) and will probably use it with the Triumph riders Rat pack that I ride with here. They like to take it really easy when they go out so the Vert is the perfect bike for that. The Convert is such a great lesson in "how much is enough" I have never had to struggle to keep up with that group and I get to hold the throttle open a lot more than any of the guys on Rocket III's or Speed Triples. I seem to have about as much fun and arrive at whatever eating establishment we choose at about the same time. magic

Keep us informed about how to get the 1200 to fuel smoothly... I don't care about peak numbers, I just want the bike to pull hard and not run poorly.
Is the fact that the forks aren't "upside down" all that big a deal?? 

[Zoomie]

Congrats on the purchase.  That was the one I almost pulled the trigger on until the credit union said nope.  My fault for having too many toys.  I had t0 settle for a Breva 1100, and am happy with that.  Spring is close!   

[pete roper]

Is the fact that the forks aren't "upside down" all that big a deal?? 

Not unless you're pushing hard. The set-up on the Sport is, as I think I said before, very comfortable. It doesn't have the precision of the USD Showas on the Griso but it turns any goat track into a superhighway. Horses for courses. I'll accept a bit less comfort for a bit more precision but I'm an idiot. I'm not a good enough rider for it really to matter but it just feels right to me, so i prefer the showas.

Pete

[JohninVT`]

The Sport is a wonderful rough road bike.  The suspension is very compliant.  It makes riding at a 70-80% pace ridiculously easy once you dial it in.  It's nice to be be able to rail through corners and then casually reach back while you're riding to spin your rear shock damping knob back to marshmallow soft for the ride home.  

Good luck with your bike.  I think a lot of the whining about fueling is because the bike is so close to perfect as delivered(if it's set up correctly).  It's honestly not that bad.      

[ahoward125]

Hey Pete, are the forks on the sport better than the one on the VERT? 

[dave1068]

The Sport is a wonderful rough road bike.  The suspension is very compliant.  It makes riding at a 70-80% pace ridiculously easy once you dial it in.  It's nice to be be able to rail through corners and then casually reach back while you're riding to spin your rear shock damping knob back to marshmallow soft for the ride home.  

Good luck with your bike.  I think a lot of the whining about fueling is because the bike is so close to perfect as delivered(if it's set up correctly).  It's honestly not that bad.      

Well said, for a bike that lists for about 13500 and people are getting for 9-10k, its close to perfect. I just added bar risers and thats about all it needed. Few more months and we'll be back riding.

[2 wheels]

Where'd you get the tank cover?

[ahoward125]

Dave,
Did you put the Mana bars and a set of risers or just risers?

[bpreynolds]

Bisbo, wow, with the pillion back rest, luggage, tank cover, and hand guards, that is indeed the nicest Sport travel setup I have ever seen.  Bravo.  And congrats to the original poster on his new machine.  What a steal these bikes are currently. 

[travelingbyguzzi]

So far, I am really liking mine. Plenty of useable power everywhere. Initial options: centerstand, H-b 40 L bags and luggage rack. Still undecided about the bars, but if I sit up any sraighter, I will want more wind protection.

[dave1068]

Dave,
Did you put the Mana bars and a set of risers or just risers?

Just the bar risers, heres a link for the view
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=33063.0

[Bisbonian]

Where'd you get the tank cover?

If you're talking about mine it's a Bagster that I got from http://www.rideaddict.com/aboutbagster.aspx

I ordered a couple of tank bags that clip onto it as well but they're not supposed to show up until tomorrow.

BTW, the handguards are the stuff!  A friend and I went out riding today, mid to upper 40's all day, he needed not only his regular heavy gloves but also some insulated waterproof overgloves I lent him.  I wore my light gloves, similar to Mechanix gloves, and was comfortable all day.

[JohninVT`]

So far, I am really liking mine. Plenty of useable power everywhere. Initial options: centerstand, H-b 40 L bags and luggage rack. Still undecided about the bars, but if I sit up any sraighter, I will want more wind protection.

40L bags are ginormous and usually look out of proportion on bikes IMHO but the tank is so big on the Sport that they look pretty good on yours.  Is the rack part of the bag mounts or a seperate unit?  Price?  I want a rear rack but the Guzzi one leaves me kind of cold. 

[dave1068]

John,

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the price of the MG rack. I went with a Givi sr210m rack which is about 100- and a givi top box also about 100- that snaps right in. These seem to be the least pricy and are also durable

[travelingbyguzzi]

the rack is a separate H-B part. It really is pretty small and you will need to fab up a larger pate to lay on top of it if you are hauling anything floppy.

Bill Lovelady                IS
Eskimo Spy

[PaulJr]

Congratulations on the new bike, I'm sure you will love it, just wish the weather here would cooperate.

[JJ]

ahoward125 - Congratulations on your new Sport 1200!    It is one of my all time favorite "modern" Guzzi's!   I am sure you will be all smiles on your first long trip!

[ahoward125]

well JJ my first long trip will be when I ride it home from Atlanta to Baltimore

Thanks for the link to the tank protector... is there any concern about grit getting under the protector and scratching up the tank anyway??

[Bisbonian]

well JJ my first long trip will be when I ride it home from Atlanta to Baltimore

Thanks for the link to the tank protector... is there any concern about grit getting under the protector and scratching up the tank anyway??

It's not something I worry about.  Once you get the under-tank strap in place it's fairly easy to remove/install so I just take it off when it's time for a wash.

I got the tank bags in for it today and have to say they look like they'll work very nicely.

[Moz]

...I think it's the second best 2 valver in the range just behind the Bellagio and its a LOT more comfortable than the Bellagio and has more stomp and better suspension, it's just that the Bellagio pips it at the post, well,  because...??

both are short stroke donks - the Sport 95 x 81.2 mm  v 95 x 66 mm on the bellagio - but the shortest stroke on any Guzzi(?) on the latter makes for a rev fest        they have different injectors and the Sport has larger throttle bodies, otherwise these are very similar

[ahoward125]

would love to see a photo of the new tank bag on the tank protector... (not going to leave the dancing banana emot)

[JJ]

By the way....if you guys are referring to the BAGSTER tank bag / protector system, I had one on my '93 Triumph Trident 900 when I lived in Germany.  It worked GREAT!