Author Topic: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?  (Read 10308 times)

Offline Pop

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Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« on: October 25, 2017, 08:04:09 AM »
I guess it's no secret that I prefer old tech to new, but when it come to bikes, specifically MG I love the older ones. Pre 85. Nothing gets the bike fever going like an old Eldo, Ambo, the V- series, sternello, etc. I guess it's he pureness of the bike. Being able to see and appreciate the complete bike. The newer bikes just don't have the appeal for me.
So, what's your preference? And why?.
Pop
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Offline perter

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2017, 08:09:23 AM »
Personally, I prefer the old since I have an 81 myself and like it for the same reasons you mention.

I must though say I have never tried one of the new bikes so I could be a new bike closet rider.

My bike history has litterally all been with old bikes: Honda CB350Four when I was 18 to 20, then some years without car until I bought a 56 rigid harley with a shovel in my early 30'ies..... I rode it a couple of years but realized I wrenched more than riding. And when I get in the saddle, I had a tendency to ride faster than the technology allowed bringing me in danger.

Looking around, I felt in love with my SP1000 "cafe", almost as simple as the harley, 500% more reliable and is both able to turn and break... and looks and sounds fantastic in my view!
« Last Edit: October 25, 2017, 08:40:35 AM by perter »

Online Gliderjohn

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2017, 08:17:07 AM »
Both put a grin on my face (T-3 & 8V Norge) and are a fun ride. Feel safer on the Norge. I have only about a 100 miles on loops and I do not get them at all. Must need more miles on them to appreciate them.
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2017, 08:33:23 AM »
Old Guzzis rule. Simple, easy to work on, built to last practically forever.

I've never owned an MG (Morris Garages).  :wink:
Charlie

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2017, 08:33:23 AM »

Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2017, 08:40:33 AM »
I like 2-valve Big Blocks. My Vintage presses all my buttons, but I'm also partial to Spine-Frame 1100s...
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Offline n3303j

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2017, 08:51:36 AM »
If all but one had to go it would be the '77 850 T3 that I kept. It has the most soul.
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Offline Dilliw

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2017, 08:54:43 AM »
1985 is a pretty good break point to consider motorcycles vintage or not.  That's when the GSXR's made it to the U.S., just after the EVO came out, and I think the VMax was introduced to compete with the Magna.  Those bikes changed the motorcycle world.

So post 1985 I love my Griso.  It has enough of what made vintage bikes cool but plenty of the good from the post vintage era- brakes, suspension, power, EFI.  And I just like it so there's that.  I do appreciate vintage bikes however and one day will steal my brother's Ducati GT (it's almost ready for the road) from him.  Those will be the two bikes that I keep until I can't do this anymore.  Oh and maybe a Wing if Kim decides to start riding again.

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Offline Denis

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2017, 10:06:06 AM »
Currently I have a '74 Eldorado, an '85 Le Mans, an '87 SPII and a '91 California. I've only ridden one FI Guzzi, a Norge.
I regret not buying a new 1000S when I had a chance. I'd give an carb 1100 Sport, a Griso or a Cal Vintage a try.
Having carbs doesn't bother me in the least.
So I guess I prefer more traditional, older-style Guzzis, with the exception of the Griso.
Show me a Le Mans IV and I'll show you a Le Mans 1000.
'87 SPII, '74 Eldorado, '85 LeMans, '91 California, '71 Ducati 450 RT, '41 Indian 841, '40 Indian Model 640-B ex-Canadian Army

oldbike54

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2017, 10:15:54 AM »
 Participated in this exact same conversation ... in about 1984 . The only difference was the brands involved , we were talking HD in '77 , my panhead riding best friend was stating that shovelheads were awful , and those new Evolution motors were doomed to failure . Don't ever bring this topic up at an airhead rally  :shocked:  :laugh:

 Dusty

Offline Shorty

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2017, 10:16:46 AM »
Newest Guzzi I've owned was a '93 Cal III.  I did test ride a Jackal when they were new. Also rode a 1000S. That sums up my experience with "modern" Guzzi.
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2017, 10:43:17 AM »
Define old.  :smiley:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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oldbike54

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2017, 10:49:13 AM »
Define old.  :smiley:

 To a 6 year old it is the 15 year old on the school bus , to the 15 year old it is the 28 year old English teacher , to the 28 year old it is their 48 year old uncle , to the 48 year old it is me , to me , hmm , well never mind  :rolleyes:

 Dusty

Offline motormike131

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2017, 11:14:18 AM »
  Charm and classic.. of course.. old only in the sense of being built.. much like a 56'T Bird.. it's " old "... but timeless..always in style.
1929 Motobecane, 70' Xs650, 75' Xs650 Police, 50' Alycon (fire) 51' & 52' Terrot (police) 52' Peugeot (M/police), 65 Tri 650, 68' Cb450P (police).70' 450 Ducati, 75' Condor, 71' Ambassador, 62' Cushman, 82' Cx500P trike (police) 06 Helix, 10' Enfield w/sidecar, 42' Harley flattie, 1 wife

Offline webmost

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2017, 11:41:43 AM »
Audace
Unmitigated risk aversion is the new Puritanism; complete with witch hunts funny outfits and humorless preachers thundering doom. The Deity is Safety; Satan is a Lawyer; but the object is the same: to suck the life out of life and tell you how to live it.

oldbike54

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #14 on: October 25, 2017, 11:52:25 AM »

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #15 on: October 25, 2017, 11:52:54 AM »
Everyone knows the best bikes Guzzi EVER made were the 80's LeMans series <shrug> and well, maybe the S's

Why? Simple no nonsense machine.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2017, 11:53:56 AM by Guzzistajohn »
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #16 on: October 25, 2017, 11:56:05 AM »
In a lighter vein-my dad used to say he thought 80 was old until he was 79!
I like them old and new.  Just as long as it's a motorcycle and not a two wheeled minivan.  My NORGE is about as much new tech as I like.
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Offline ramarren

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #17 on: October 25, 2017, 12:10:11 PM »
I like great bikes, don't care how old or new they are or what kind of tech they have. Great bikes are timeless.

  • My 1976 850-T3 was magnificent but I was too young and foolish to understand it then.
  • My 1989 LeMans V was the greatest motorcycle I ever loved.
  • My 1975 Sport-ified 850T, built in 1995, was my favorite bike.
  • My 2017 V7III Racer is a factory-made reincarnation of that same 850T with a bit of the LeMans V thrown in for good measure. Its modern brakes and fuel injection simply make it even better.

These are great bikes, all of them.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2017, 12:20:42 PM by ramarren »

Moto

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #18 on: October 25, 2017, 12:46:04 PM »
If all but one had to go it would be the '77 850 T3 that I kept. It has the most soul.

+1. I've sunk thousands of dollars into the T3 by now, with no regrets.

But the Griso has its advantages, being newer and so far more reliable.

Moto

Offline pebra

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #19 on: October 25, 2017, 03:47:26 PM »
To paraphrase on Steven Stills (yes, I'm THAT old!)  -  Love the bike you're on!

When I'm on the Griso, I just love the Griso. Rock steady, so smooth motor and gearing.
But when I'm on the roadster (basically a 1993 big block) I just LOVE that bike! It's not as steady or smooth as the Griso  -  it's like a live, wild animal, vibrantly howling up to redline. What's not to like?

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Offline Testarossa

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #20 on: October 25, 2017, 04:51:01 PM »
My 89 Mille has the same points-and-carbs technology as my 74 T, which means I can fix it at roadside. I like that a lot, and distrust black boxes that can fail suddenly.

That said, I'd love ABS on my next (possibly last) bike.
70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #21 on: October 25, 2017, 06:09:09 PM »
Quote
To paraphrase on Steven Stills (yes, I'm THAT old!)  -  Love the bike you're on!

Yep.  :thumb: I have my "wind up" bikes now, I think. All are great at doing what they do. My favorite bike? The one I'm on.  :smiley:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
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bobrebos

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #22 on: October 25, 2017, 06:10:15 PM »




I love my...

2013 Stelvio, because it does everything I want it to in comfort, fun, and is very functional!  (Plus I like its looks)

1971 Honda CB 750 chopper on an Amen Savior Frame....because... .....its a blast to ride down the straightaway. "Rock on Dude"

2010 Honda Goldwing, because it is smooth, and simply the most comfortable 12 hour long ride machine I have ever owned.

 

Online Kev m

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #23 on: October 25, 2017, 06:12:19 PM »
I've never seen a single study/report the suggested older vehicles (10, 20, 30+ years old) are more reliable than modern.

I do hear, with sickening repetitiveness, how:

* I don't trust electronic controls (translation: I don't understand electronic controls)

* I can fix my old bike (translation: I don't understand my new bike).

* I could set the idle with a screwdriver, gap the points with a matchbook (translation, I mean answer: you're gonna have to bee-och, glad you like it).

With VERY few exceptions bikes (vehicles, technology) have improved year by year. Older bikes aren't more reliable, you just know then better. Though you get the occasional story of the 100, 200, 300k bike MOST die from neglect WAY before that and a small percentage of the people here ever keep a bike that long.

Some of the legends of reliability used to require rings or valves by 50k, but even then few owners were keeping em that long anyway.

Old bikes are not unlike people in old folks homes. They're quaint, maybe even something to respect and treasure in many cases, but they'd make lousy pets and even worse mistresses.

Gimme a relatively new/modern bike any day.
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oldbike54

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #24 on: October 25, 2017, 06:23:32 PM »
 So Kev , now you have a problem with old people ? :shocked:

 Dusty

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #25 on: October 25, 2017, 06:23:49 PM »
Ya know, Kev.. The Kid and I were looking at a new MV Dragster. When I asked the salesman what happened when one of the engine management, braking, or suspension things screwed up, he said, "That doesn't happen." I thought, "Riiiiight." I've been around Italian electrics and electronics way too long to believe that. <snapping suspenders>
Now, maybe you're right. Convince me.  :evil: :smiley:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
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22 Royal Enfield Classic 3 fiddy
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein

Online Kev m

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #26 on: October 25, 2017, 06:30:46 PM »
So Kev , now you have a problem with old people ? :shocked:

 Dusty
Nope... Just not looking to add to my maintenance commitments.
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Online Kev m

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #27 on: October 25, 2017, 06:32:08 PM »
Ya know, Kev.. The Kid and I were looking at a new MV Dragster. When I asked the salesman what happened when one of the engine management, braking, or suspension things screwed up, he said, "That doesn't happen." I thought, "Riiiiight." I've been around Italian electrics and electronics way too long to believe that. <snapping suspenders>
Now, maybe you're right. Convince me.  :evil: :smiley:
How many planes crash each year because of electronics?

Cars and bikes still break down, often mechanically, occasionally electronically.

But how many crash because of it?

Nah...
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #28 on: October 25, 2017, 06:35:37 PM »
How many planes crash each year because of electronics?

Cars and bikes still break down, often mechanically, occasionally electronically.

But how many crash because of it?

Nah...
Planes don't have electronics except for navigation. There's a reason for that.
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
95 Skorpion tour
22 Royal Enfield Classic 3 fiddy
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein

Online Kev m

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Re: Old or New, which Guzzi's do you prefer?
« Reply #29 on: October 25, 2017, 06:40:08 PM »
Planes don't have electronics except for navigation. There's a reason for that.
Fly-by-wire????
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