California Bound

[vonfilm]

I am a 60 year old who is looking for a lifetime general use bike that could commute(20 mile city round trip), carry home groceries, and be able to go to Washington State and back at a leisurely pace. Wind protection and luggage capability is a must plus the possibility of being able to self service. I want ground clearance and good cornering ability and not more than 600 pounds wet. It has to be reliable and be able to run up high mileage. My available budget for this is $2,000-4,000.

I am thinking a Moto Guzzi California is my best bet. Probably an EV between 2000 to 2002. Other possibilities are a Norge or Breva 1100.

Do you think my thought process is on track?

[Kev m]

You already got all my answers on the ADV thread, but get ready for another roller coaster here. 

[ken farr]

Honda NC 700 X

Not a Guzzi obviously, but it checks the boxes, has a dealer network, and parts are everywhere......


kjf

[oldbike54]

 A California from that era would fill the bill , just buy the right one .

 Dusty

[Kiwi_Roy]

An EV would be a good fit but I would get a later model with the smaller Engine Control Unit, after 2001 I think.

[vonfilm]

I am concerned about the 2003-2005 California's with the hydraulic lifter recall. They would be considered if I had good evidence that the work was done by a dealer while it had low miles.

[fotoguzzi]

An EV would be a good fit but I would get a later model with the smaller Engine Control Unit, after 2001 I think.

pretty sure all the EV's after 1998 had the later 15m ECU. Loaded with luggage it might exceed your weight limits.
Not the greatest ground clearance either.. knowing what I know now at 65 years, I'd get a Suzuki dr 650.

[oldbike54]

An EV would be a good fit but I would get a later model with the smaller Engine Control Unit, after 2001 I think.

 2000 .

 Dusty

[Ncdan]

Honda NC 700 X

Not a Guzzi obviously, but it checks the boxes, has a dealer network, and parts are everywhere......


kjf

+1 on the Honda Ken for what this gentleman described as his desires and requires . I love Guzzis but they're just not for everyone in every application.

[LowRyter]

I think you'll do best on a sorted EV.  A great bike, handles well, sporty and not boring.  And jus' plain cool.

I love my  EV for commuting and getting around on.  I wouldn't be caught dead on a scooter, or worse, one of those generic Honda bikes.

Trust me.   

[blackcat]

Two valve Norge. I’ve commuted on mine in NYC including splitting lanes with bags, wind protection, can carry plenty of grocery’s and obviously touring capable. Might have to spend a few bucks more than $4K for a low mileage bike, but others are out there in that price range.  Mine runs fine and it’s never been back to the dealer with over 65K on the clock and I’m not a mechanic.

[JJ]

I am a 60 year old who is looking for a lifetime general use bike that could commute(20 mile city round trip), carry home groceries, and be able to go to Washington State and back at a leisurely pace. Wind protection and luggage capability is a must plus the possibility of being able to self service. I want ground clearance and good cornering ability and not more than 600 pounds wet. It has to be reliable and be able to run up high mileage. My available budget for this is $2,000-4,000.

I am thinking a Moto Guzzi California is my best bet. Probably an EV between 2000 to 2002. Other possibilities are a Norge or Breva 1100.

Do you think my thought process is on track?

Of course, ALL the Guzzi's you mentioned would work ...but how about THIS "Cult-Classic", appropriately named as well!   Honda PC800 Pacific Coast '1989–96

[adaven]

An EV would be right if you really want a Guzzi. They are substantial on the highway, are easy to maneuver in traffic, and can be had with the wind protection and bags. An EV feels like the bike you would keep forever. Look for a well loved version so you can ride it rather than fix it, and you could probably recapture a chunk of your investment without putting too much work and $$ into it if it just doesn't seem right.
A V-Strom or Versys feels lighter, is quick, and handles great anywhere, probably take you more places. There are tons of aftermarket, screens, bags, and assorted geegaws, but it is a pretty soulless ride. They feel rather disposable. But if that was what you are after you probably wouldn't be asking for recommendations on a Guzzi forum.
But what do I know? I would, in fact, be caught dead on a scooter.

[vonfilm]

I like the NC700 and the Pacific Coast. A friend had a Pacific Coast and loved it.

What I would really like to hear about is WildGuzzi love for their Californias and tales of touring on them.

I have yet to see one advertised in Austin even though we have a great dealer here in AF1.

[Scud]

What about the Moto Guzzi SP1000?  Nice fairing, saddle bags, upright seating. They were competitors to the BMW R100RS. 

I think I've seen some of those in the last year at the top end your price range. I'm not current on pricing - so apologies if I have suggested something out of price range.

[NWrider]

PC800 a tupperware nightmare.

[guzzisteve]

One just like mine cheap too, low miles, no affiliation, just been watching it!

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/fayetteville-1998-moto-guzzi-v11/6763117518.html

[oldbike54]

I like the NC700 and the Pacific Coast. A friend had a Pacific Coast and loved it.

What I would really like to hear about is WildGuzzi love for their Californias and tales of touring on them.

I have yet to see one advertised in Austin even though we have a great dealer here in AF1.

 Many of us here have done serious miles on exactly the model years you are interested in . My old Jackal is nearing 150K miles , and is basically a stripped down California . It has required some TLC , but very little in the way of money . The Texas Turnip has probably a million miles on Guzzis , many of them on early 2000's Californias .Maybe the thing that is most important , we are a close knit community , you would be hard pressed to actually be stranded anywhere , someone will step up to help .
 
 Dusty

[fotoguzzi]

One just like mine cheap too, low miles, no affiliation, just been watching it!

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/fayetteville-1998-moto-guzzi-v11/6763117518.html

wow, only 9,000 miles!

[guzzisteve]

Cheap, Need another one? Can't go wrong.

[JJ]

Don't rule out many a fine Guzzi on the classifieds right here!!  A few cost effective examples!!

[not-fishing]

First question is how strong are you? 

At 60 years old 600 lbs wet might be fine but at 66 or 72?  also how much weight are you going to add traveling

One bike that you might consider is a 21st century V7 used.  I see a lot of them with bags for sale cheap.  Sometimes even with a decent fairing.



I love my Griso 1100 but even though I'm a 240 lb + Construction Worker who used to love wheeling concrete, the Griso is getting heavy now that I'm 65. 

Even after I've lost the 40 lbs I'm working on and spend time in the gym I know I'm going to have to leave big blocks if I want to keep riding and camping

Mark

[vonfilm]

I would say I am no more than average strength, but lots of old men ride 800 pound Harley's.

[Scud]

^^ that's a helluva nice SP1000 at the link above.

[azguzzirep]

Who's forcing you to move to California??

I agree about a newer V7. Light, good ergos, Guzzi!!

[twowheeladdict]

Who's forcing you to move to California??

I agree about a newer V7. Light, good ergos, Guzzi!!

I am guessing by his online name that he will have more work there?

My neighbor put 85,000 Mike's on a 700x with little maintenance and no repairs before he sold it and went to a Corolla for commuting.   Between the Givi V35 bags, trunk, and built in storage, he never had to carry gear into the office.

[oldbike54]

 Good grief fellas , he isn't going to the state of California , he is interested in buying a California 

 It is interesting to hear that the older 1100's are too heavy , I am a geezer like most of us , and only weigh about 170 LBS , the 1100's carry their weight pretty low , and have a reasonable seat height , I have zero problems with the 550 LB wet weight . Now , no one is going to push one very far, heck , is anyone going to push a 400 LB motorbike very far ? Fact is , a taller 450 LB bike can be more problematic for an older rider than a 550 LB one that carries its weight low .

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Just to play devil's advocate, I do agree with everything Dusty said but could argue the opposites.

For one he's right, no one bench presses their motorcycle. The lower the seat height, the more weight is hidden. And that's why one could equally suggest a Harley, like an M8 Softail.

But, and here's the butt, you DO push a motorcycle, at least some of the time, in or out or around a garage or parking spot. And at that point a 600-700# bike (and the Cali's with some accessories are easily pushing into that category) will still be more work than say a 450-500# smallblock.

And fwiw my smallblock definitely feels much lighter than my Jackal did. My CARC felt the heaviest

[adaven]

As you get past 65, none of them is "light". With any bike you have to come up with a plan to get it in and out of your garage using as little muscle and as much internal combustion as possible. Sure, now and then you will be in a situation that requires a helping hand, but on a more frequent basis a permanent strategy has to be in place. In a real tight spot, my EV is not that much different from my Versys (comparatively light), or the Electra-Glide (even heavier). And if you drop any of them, you would glad to have a buddy close by.