Recent Posts

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General Discussion / Re: New To Me 2016 Eldorado 1400

« Last post by DoubleGuzzi on Today at 07:59:36 AM »

I wasn't suggesting that standard battery tenders be used, just thought your relatively expensive/new Noco 5 would have a "maintainer" facility. I haven't deep-dived into the spec. 

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General Discussion / Re: V7 850 Up map received today/no instructions

« Last post by MikeP996 on Today at 07:57:34 AM »

FINALLY got the upMap installed today on my '21 V7 Special after multiple failed attempts over the past weeks.  Even today it failed the first three attempts.  I was about to totally give it up as complete FAIL but somehow, and I'm not sure how/why, a message popped up and the app suddenly informed me that an update was necessary.  I did the update and the next attempt to load the new map was a success!!

So I went out for a ride.  It works very well and I'm quite impressed.  I had installed a Rapid Bike Refueling EASY device a couple of months ago and I was quite happy with the improved low speed running but I thought the upMap might be better overall so decided to spend MORE money and buy it.  I'm now glad I did.  It equals the Rapid Bike device in the low speed operation but improves other aspects that the Rapid Bike device was not designed to address - there is now definitely more energetic response from 2000 -3000 RPM which seemed to lag a bit previously.  And the general overall response is better - or at least it feels that way.  It would take a dyno to really determine if there's a difference.  But IMO it's worth the money.  I was not happy with the OEM low speed running and the bit of a flat spot in the 3000RPM range; the UpMap has totally cured that.  I ordered the map for the exhaust mods WITH dB Killer.  My 21 has (from previous owner) Mistral slip-ons, the velocity stack, the high flow KN air filter (no, it doesn't REALLY filter air very well), and the Evap bypass.  I didn't know it had the evap bypass until a few days ago when, in checking some connections, I discovered a metal slug in the hose between the valve and the intake manifold!! 

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General Discussion / Re: These are the best air-cooled motorcycles you can still buy in 2026

« Last post by SIR REAL ED on Today at 07:56:31 AM »

An apt description.  For the financially challenged, a jet kit and a Seat Concepts seat cover are pretty good band-aids.

All motorcyclists should at least test ride both a DR650 & a DRZ400.  They are surprisingly underrated.

Both are versatile, but somewhat different beasts.  The mid range torque of the DR make it a more fun street bike.  But in the dirt, there is often too much torque available.  The lighter weight and better suspension of the DRZ make it the superior bike for off-road.

Depending upon usage of course, either bike is a jack-of-all-trades choice for owning if the situation is "I can only own one motorcycle."

Peter Egan summed it up well many moons ago:

https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2002/10/01/a-tale-of-two-suzukis

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General Discussion / Re: New To Me 2016 Eldorado 1400

« Last post by TN Mark on Today at 07:53:10 AM »

Everything I've read says the older 1.25A Battery Tenders I have were designed for lead acid/AGM battery technology.
Not to be used with Lithium batteries. The NOCO Genius 5 uses separate battery charging options for AGM and Lithium. It has a Mode button to match the technology. My Battery Tenders do not have this ability.

IMHO, the NOCO also uses better technology for a standard lead acid/AGM battery as well.

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General Discussion / Re: New To Me 2016 Eldorado 1400

« Last post by DoubleGuzzi on Today at 07:47:26 AM »

I also have a NOCO Genius 5 charger which I'll use with the lithium batteries as needed. The Battery Tenders are a mo go for lithium batteries.

I don't understand the reticence when the charger that you're using is specifically designed for LiFePO - no reason t shy away from tender mode, as far as I'm concerned.

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General Discussion / Re: These are the best air-cooled motorcycles you can still buy in 2026

« Last post by SIR REAL ED on Today at 07:40:45 AM »

I have owned 4 DR650's and few years back bought a DRZ400 and honestly preferred it over the DR650. Same basic electronics as the DR650 but lighter, more nimble and was able to install a kick starter kit in conjunction with the factory electric start to make it the ultimate doomsday machine. Both are as reliable as anvils and almost as simple.

An apt description.  For the financially challenge, a jet kit and a Seat Concepts seat cover are pretty good band-aids.

All motorcyclists should at least test ride both a DR650 & a DRZ400.  They are surprisingly underrated.

Both are versatile, but somewhat different beasts.  The mid range torque of the DR make it a more fun street bike.  But in the dirt, there is often too much torque available.  The lighter weight and better suspension of the DRZ make it the superior bike for off-road.

Depending upon usage of course, either bike is a jack-of-all-trades choice for owning if the situation is "I can only own one motorcycle."

Peter Egan summed it up well many moons ago:

https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2002/10/01/a-tale-of-two-suzukis

7

General Discussion / Re: New To Me 2016 Eldorado 1400

« Last post by TN Mark on Today at 07:28:27 AM »

When cranking the Eldorado over, the year old, always on a Battery Tender Yuasa YTX AGM battery has had the voltage drop to 10.9, 10.7 and even 10.5. It starts at 12.2 and goes up to 14.2 after the bike is running. IMHO, the Yuasa simply isn't up to the task of the electronic needs of the bike. Therefore, I'm throwing a huge power difference at it. Yesterday I ordered, from my local Moto Guzzi dealer, HBR Powersports, an Antigravity ATX-20-HD. This battery has a whopping 780CCA instead of 310CCA and is rated at 30Ah instead of 18Ah. It's a lithium LifePo type. I actually ordered two of these batteries as my 2013 Victory uses the exact same size YTX battery. Just with the opposite + - terminals. The Antigravity has a four post design so both bikes can now use the same battery. I also have a NOCO Genius 5 charger which I'll use with the lithium batteries as needed. The Battery Tenders are a no go for lithium batteries.

The width and the depth of the Antigravity is the same. But the height of it is 1" shorter. The Antigravity comes with spacers to make up the height difference.

I know there are multiple lithium battery options. Early adapters to lithium had some issues. IMHO, the LifePo versions along with the new voltage sensing technology have greatly improved the batteries. I didn't want a cheap Chinese copy, I wanted American design and construction.

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General Discussion / Re: LAPD busts mini-bike street take over.

« Last post by 1wild1 on Today at 06:30:33 AM »

I fail to see the joy those little bike bring.

-AJ

I wish I had bought a grom long before I did.  ended up buying a z125 also so me and my son could ride together.  They are a blast on little back roads. 

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General Discussion / Re: These are the best air-cooled motorcycles you can still buy in 2026

« Last post by Dirk_S on Today at 06:11:46 AM »

I have owned 4 DR650's and few years back bought a DRZ400 and honestly preferred it over the DR650. Same basic electronics as the DR650 but lighter, more nimble and was able to install a kick starter kit in conjunction with the factory electric start to make it the ultimate doomsday machine. Both are as reliable as anvils and almost as simple.

But the DRZ isn’t air-cooled ;)

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General Discussion / Re: The ugly truth about the Roamer/Bobber twins

« Last post by faffi on Today at 04:50:15 AM »

Maybe 4 gallons is the calculated volume of the tank but the pump assembly takes up space and the then the pickup isn't at the very bottom. That would make sense to me for half a gallon missing.

Could well be. The MT-07 took 12.7 liters when bone dry, another .5 liter could be added with great patience, but the claimed 14 liter is out of the question. Could also be the fuel pickup sit a bit high, preventing all fuel from being drained.