*Thinning the Herd* Four bikes to two.

[rocker59]

I've missed the all-roads ability of my dearly departed Quota 1100 ES over the past five years.  Now that the super-tanker NTX is out and available, I've been thinking of how nice it would be to have that off-pavement ability again, not to mention the 8.5 gallons of internal fuel.

That, and the undeniable fact that maintaining four motorcycles and two horses is expensive on my meager budget.  So, I've been thinking of thinning the herd down to two, or one, then possibly adding an NTX.  

Problem is, what to sell?  I've got four motorcycles that I dearly love, and represent the best of Moto Guzzi.  Bikes I coveted for years before acquiring them.  Each of which I enjoy for its own unique fun factor.

The fleet:

1996 Sport 1100 carb.  I bought this bike new in March 1997.  It's got 29,000 miles.  Keihin FCR41 carbs, full Staintune exhaust, upgraded Brembo front brakes.  Great bike.  I've ridden it all over the country and at a few track days.  It's my first Moto Guzzi.  It's got a few scratches and dings, but is a real looker.  


2004 V11 LeMans Nero Corsa.  I bought this bike used in 2006 from a friend with about 2350 miles showing on the clock.  It's now been ridden about 42,000 miles.  It's been a great sport-touring bike, clocking about 15,000 miles of 2-up touring over the past couple of years.  The bike is very clean, and very stock.  Another Guzzi beauty that I lusted over for years before acquiring.  I had to replace the crappy ITI speedo (with another new ITI).  Replaced the shift return spring.  Other than that it's not needed much until now.  There is a list of things to do on the Nero.  It needs a new left rearview mirror.  (I broke it fiddling with it in the garage.)    The front exhaust crossover went missing on a commute to work last week.  The starter needs replacing.  And, I fear the clutch may need some work soon.  It's a special bike, though.  One of fifty in the USA, and the last of the spine frame Guzzis.  


1991 Lemans 1000 CI. This bike came to me from Chuck in Indiana back in January of this year.  Only 9400 miles on this survivor.  It's one of only seventeen examples of the LeMans 1000 CI imported to the USA in 1991.  A pretty rare bird.  I had lusted after a LeMans since the 1980s, and scoring one of the last examples imported was a lucky day for me.  Other than a maybe a battery and some carb fine tuning, this beauty doesn't need much.  Sure, it's got a few scratches and nicks from years of sitting around, but its practically a new motorcycle!


2010 V7 Classic.  This bike came from Singolare Guzzi in July of this year.  I traded him my California Bassa for it.  What a great little bike!  Hepco + Becker racks, but otherwise very stock with 5300 miles on the clock.  I first rode a V7C at the MGNOC National in Salida Colorado back in 2009.  It was a hoot, and I decided I'd like to have one.  Finally, this year, that happened with our trade.  It's been a great commuter this summer, and has even seen some 2-up duty.  Nothing bad to say about these V7 Classics!




So, four bikes is my current personal limit.  I like them all.  If I sell one, or two, I have no idea which I'd prefer selling.  With a bigger budget, I'd endeavor to be the mainland's Tom!  



Feel free to jump in and discuss.  Which would you sell, or keep, and why?  The goal is to either sell two and keep two, or sell three and add an NTX...
 

If you think you may be interested in one of the bikes, send me a PM...  This is just something I've been pondering, and I thought it might make a good topic of conversation...


 :bike

[Luap McKeever]

Tough decisions for sure.  I had to think long and hard to sell my Centauro and EV to get my first Stelvio.  I miss the EV the most, but you're making a good choice on the NTX.  I tell ya, that gas tank is nice to have.  2 tanks to mokan and back was a hoot.

I'm gonna sleep on something, but I have one of those bikes in mind.  I'll PM ya depending on my dream.

[Bill929]

And I'd be very interested in the Nero if I wasn't saving up for an adventure bike too! 

Luap the suspense is killing me! 

[geeseman]

Keep This



and this IMHO

[Vasco DG]

Keep This



and this IMHO

It's what I'd do. That Sport C is as much a part of you as your teeth! ;D

Pete

[Perazzimx14]

The only choice you have is to sell the two horses!

[screamday]

The only choice you have is to sell the two horses!

 ;D ;D

[Travman]

I vote for keeping the V7 Classic and adding the NTX.  The V7 is your smallest and most nimble bike so it has its own unique set of fun qualities.  The NTX would be your sport-tourer/adventure bike.  The 8V 1200 engine is a sweet engine that everyone should experience.

[Lannis]

The only choice you have is to sell the two horses!

Yep.  You sort of "glossed over it", but the care and feeding and boarding and grooming and farrier and vet bills and towing-rig gasoline to support those horses completely swamps out the cost of the motorcycles.

Horses go, all motorcycles stay, and a Stelvio joins the herd!   So let it be written; so let it be done!

Lannis

[goozy]

Sell the house, sell the horses, sell the car, keep all four!! ;D

[rocker59]

I vote for keeping the V7 Classic and adding the NTX.  

That would be the practical thing to do, and has crossed my mind.

[rocker59]

...the care and feeding and boarding and grooming and farrier and vet bills and towing-rig gasoline to support those horses completely swamps out the cost of the motorcycles.

True.  It works out to several hundred dollars per month...

Horses go, all motorcycles stay, and a Stelvio joins the herd!   So let it be written; so let it be done!

Having grown up around horses, that's easier said than done for someone with the Equestrian Gene, and isn't currently an option on the table.

[rocker59]

Geesman and Vasco DG definitely went for the passionate/sexy option...

[fotoguzzi]

not sure what you should sell but I know which one I wish I could buy.. the Nero.

[Lannis]

True.  It works out to several hundred dollars per month...

Well, Horse Gene or not, don't post this question on the BB for "Horse Fancier's Weekly"; you KNOW what they'll say!   "Dump those horrible motorcycles and buy a couple more horses!"   :D

Lannis

[Muley]

The V7 is the obvious one to go (if you must get rid of something).  The others are rare and getting rarer.

You know what, this is a depressing thread, except for the part about buying the NTX.

[cruzziguzzi]

The V7 is the obvious one to go (if you must get rid of something).  The others are rare and getting rarer.

You know what, this is a depressing thread, except for the part about buying the NTX.

This^^^^ ;-T Besides, from a purely selfish POV, I don't care to see the "spine frame chronicles" fade away.

[rocker59]

Well, Horse Gene or not, don't post this question on the BB for "Horse Fancier's Weekly"; you KNOW what they'll say!   "Dump those horrible motorcycles and buy a couple more horses!"   :D

Lannis

 :D  Yeah...

For me, motorcycles and horses have lots of overlap.  They do the same things.  Not many of my horse friends or motorcycle friends understand that, though.

[rocker59]

You know what, this is a depressing thread,  

It's not meant to be.  

[AH Fan]

Whattt!!! Wasnt that you sayen that..... well kinda sayin,over my dead body I would part with my beloved Daytona.... or do you have another one that your not showen??? ;D

[rocker59]

Whattt!!! Wasnt that you sayen that..... well kinda sayin,over my dead body I would part with my beloved Daytona.... or do you have another one that your not showen??? ;D

Nah...  That was Blackcat, Tom, or Turin...

If I had a Daytona, I'd be showin' it...   :bike

[Semper-guzzi]

You have a tough decision. I say keep them all and go broke buying an NTX. Man I wish I had your problems sometimes.

[cpallen]

not sure what you should sell but I know which one I wish I could buy.. the Nero.

 ;-T +1

[wcguzzi]

A delightful problem, and a hypothetical one I hope. Were it me, i'd let the V7 go since it not rare and becoming less so. It is a nice rider, but you'll be on the new bike. The next choice is the harder one. Nero or the 1000? This isn't about the wallet I think, but garage space or a deal with the wife to hold it to four. If it were a wallet issue I think competition for the nero would get a better price despite the miles (correct me) than the recently completed project. Personal vanity would cause me to ride the project for at least a year...
The real conundrum is that you seem to me to be a "Fixer", not a "Farkler". The current fleet is fixed, and the new bike would only need farkles - unsatisfying bolt on stuff, unlikely to satisfy you genuine unmet need. Your problem is you need to sell two, relax the constraint, or lose your identity. I agree with you about horses BTW. And they actually do love you back. Even the Sporti won't do that. Best of luck friend.

[Offcamber1]

It is only depressing if ALL the bikes and ALL the horses go.  You are blessed with the opportunity to make a choice.  That said, bikes come and go, women come and go, houses come and go, but horses (and dogs) are insanely reliable and loyal; so until you lock the barn door behind the last horse you're really doing ok, right?

[Travlr]

I'm of tne school that has one new Guzzi and one old Guzzi.
In my case a Breva 1100 and Sport 1100.

The NTX will serve well as your new Guzzi.
Personally I'd keep the Sport 1100, but obviously I'm partial to that model.

M

[youcanrunnaked]

The NTX is going to give you the range, comfort, and versatility to tackle any kind of touring.  What it won't do is provide a lightweight, simple mount for taking a quick zip around the neighborhood, or an evening run up that favorite stretch of road before bedtime. It seems to me the V7 fits that bill.

Yes, the other bikes are rare and getting rarer, but your time and effort are worth money, too.  Besides, are you into motorcycling for the enjoyment, or for the money?  These are motorcycles, not an investment portfolio.  Also, if you sell them, it's not like they are going to the crusher; some other Guzzisti will get to enjoy them (like, um... me), then, hopefully, pass them on to their next caretakers.  

[LongRanger]

Tough call. I'm down from seven bikes to three (plus one in the living room). I sold my V7 last year only to buy another one six months later. You've experienced firsthand how much fun the little bugger is. Now, it's the only bike I reach for.

I too am facing a similar quandary -- bid adieu to the K1200RS and replace it with an NTX? I promised myself to never sell that bike. But maybe it's time.

[Murray]

Keep the sport and the V7 get rid of the other two I'm sure the stelvio will do two up touring happily.

[krglorioso]

I can solve your dilemma very easily, as soon as I can figure out how to get into your garage some night and load all four bikes into my pick-up, without alerting you..

Ralph