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« Last post by racer1735 on July 05, 2025, 10:25:43 PM »
After years of lusting after Moto Guzzi's, dating back to the early 80s and a LeMans III poster on my door, I believe that I'm ready to dive in to Guzzi ownership.
I'm looking used, as this will be my 'second bike' to my '23 KTM 1290 SAS. I currently have my eye on three ... a 2008 Griso 1100 w/23,000 miles and some nice farkles .... a 2009 Griso 1200 8v w/35,000 (its been rollerized) and a 2002 V11 Le Mans 13,500 miles.
I know there is a vast difference between the 'modern' Guzzi's and the V11, but any caveats (the rollerization on the '09 should take away some anxiety? All are very clean (the '09 is at a dealership which also sells Guzzi's) and owned by people who seem to have taken care of their bikes. The two Griso across the country from me, so the only 'first-hand' look I'll have of them is a video walk-thru, while the V11 is five hours from me.
I guess what I'm asking is, can you give me any pointers on which way to go?
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« Last post by racer1735 on July 05, 2025, 10:15:35 PM »
Howdy!
Kent Johnson
64 years old
Married
Live in Canyon, TX (just south of Amarillo, TX)
Have spent my entire working career in collegiate athletics administration, with the exception of seven years in either NASCAR Winston Cup or Indycar racing (I have an Indy 500 winners ring, as well as a couple of Series Championship rings).
I've ridden since 1981 and the list includes (chronologically)....'76 Yamaha XS500, '82 Suzuki GS550 Katana, '86 Kawasaki Concours, '95 Ducati 900SS, '02 Suzuki Bandit 1200S, '03 Honda ST1300, '12 Yamaha Super Tenere' 1200, '12 BMW K1600GR, '16 BMW GS1200 Adventure. I currently ride a '23 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and looking to add a Moto Guzzi.
Looking forward to gaining knowledge from the group!
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« Last post by normzone on July 05, 2025, 09:43:10 PM »
Also, be sure to verify that your bike is truly in neutral. Don't ask me how I know this, please.
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« Last post by ridingron on July 05, 2025, 09:24:46 PM »
"... I’ll love all the new features and weight, I’m over 200lbs and I would hate to burn out the engine." ... My V85TT seems to be able run 75-80 mph on the I'state all day long (I'm 250) with the 3 boxes on it. Sucks down a lot of gas, 30-35 mpg, and has some pick up left for a pass. Do a lot better touring at slower speeds on some back roads. I have done the ton on it so there is that. Easier than my old BMW F-650 GS but not as easy as my 1500 Valkyrie. 
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« Last post by bronzestar1 on July 05, 2025, 09:16:11 PM »
A V7-850 looks very appealing to me as a returning rider. As you all know, it has great looks. It's simple to work on and has oodles of character.
I notice a lot of V7-850 owners replace the factory mufflers with aftermarket pipes. Is it 100% necessary to reflash the ECU with a new fuel map after doing that? Seems like the devices for that all cost $500 or is there another way of doing that? Can I connect a laptop to it? I have a '23 V7 Stone Special Edition, and had the dealer install Agostini full-length reverse cone mufflers with the dB killers out, open airbox lid kit, and an UPMAP tune (got these parts from AF1 Racing in TX). They did this before I took delivery of the bike. It runs great, so the UPMAP tune was worth it. One thing to note: Agostini is one of the few aftermarket mufflers for this bike that doesn't have cats in them (like the OEM ones). I believe Mistral mufflers have cats in them, so a tune wouldn't be needed. 
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« Last post by Brand X on July 05, 2025, 09:15:57 PM »
Speaking of Maintenance, Had one of these, Aprilia SXV 550, not sure if many could compete in the area of weight..The BMW Rotax is much more reliable, but not even close for fun.. 
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« Last post by ridingron on July 05, 2025, 09:12:59 PM »
If you're only going to have 1 gauge/clock/speedometer, I think it looks better centered.
About the clan thing, I'm an individual. I wear all black so I look like all the other bikers.
Other than that, just another paint job.
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« Last post by yackee on July 05, 2025, 09:02:43 PM »
The 600cc CCM Maverick is 325 lbs wet, which is more like it. The Svartpilen 401 is around 365 lbs. Still, the bike I would want if I were young and rich is the Langen 2-stroke 250. 76 hp and just 275 lbs 
I ride 2-stroke vespas all year long and love them. But I did have to laugh at the review of the Langen (which looks awesome I should add) that said, paraphrasing, "unlike most 2-stroke dedicated race bikes that require the top end to be renewed every 200-300 miles, the service interval for the Langen is 1,800 miles for a piston and ring examination". How many owners are going to pull the head every 2,000 miles?
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« Last post by Brand X on July 05, 2025, 08:45:45 PM »
Small bikes are fun, but sometimes they weight more than the 650 cc bikes In fact my Baby G-310 GS weighs more than my G-650 X county by 30 + pounds..Little less MPG too..The smaller single cylinder engines generally vibrate less, but since you are spinning them fast its mostly a wash at road speeds.. If the Little Motors handle Up gearing then sometimes that can make them pretty good there.My 390 duke was pretty dang smooth at 70 MPH geared up..Insurance is the same.  
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« Last post by Moparnut72 on July 05, 2025, 08:24:46 PM »
Compared to a Harley the Guzzi won't make any heat. The 110 was hotter than Hades the V7 will be quite pleasant in comparison. It will haul you just fine.
kk
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