Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: faffi on May 31, 2025, 03:34:00 PM
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We bought a cabin last fall, one that needs quite a bit done to it. The inside is close to ready, and the roof is new, but there is still lots to do. So the bike has not been a priority. As a result, today was only my third ride of 2025, and I have only amassed a bit over 400 miles, riding gently on country roads.
During these few rides, I have been able to become familiar with my Roamer once more. There are the likes; engine power, nice vibrations, good brakes, nice information on the display (but I wish all the info could be present at all times, saving me the toggling). And the dislikes; with the rear squaring off the bike loves to wiggle over yellow lines and such, the suspension lack compliance, the throttle is very sensitive at low speeds, the seat is terrible and the seating position tiring. The bike has almost exactly 10000 miles on the clock, up from the 2600 when I bought it.
I have enjoyed it, and I was set to keep it. However, my 1982 Yamaha XV 750/1100 mongrel is a better bike. For me. At least I hope it will still be once I have fitted the single carb conversion kit. Better riding position. Much better seat. More power. Far better throttle response (on the stock carbs, at least, before they got ruined). Better upgraded suspension. Noticeably more cornering clearance. And it's been part of the family for a decade, and I have done to much to it. And there is more to come. Although the Guzzi does have better brakes and drink a little less fuel together with a longer range due to a bit larger fuel tank.
It will boil down to how well I get the carb to work on the XV. If it works well, the Guzzi will definitely go. If I fail to make the Yamaha perform as it should, I will have to rethink. I will miss the Italian. But I know I will miss the Japanese more.
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I can't fault your reasoning but Guzzi make a lot of different kinds of motorcycles. Keep the heirloom Yamaha XV and the Roamer doesn't work well for you sell it..... but consider replacing it with another Guzzi, one that better fits your needs/wants.
Love to see a pic of your cabin. :)
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No matter what, keep the Virago Viking Mongrol.
It is unique, and it is better looking than any other Virago on the planet!!
IIRC, lots of carb options out there.
I have no doubt you will be able to get it running the way you want.
Plus you have already bonded.
As the song says "Cause nobody gets a second chance to make new old friends."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6EGQFJLl04
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I have not eliminated the possibility of owning another Guzzi - my brother has owned a bunch and still owns a Stelvio from 2012 (I think) and a 1971 V7, so it is in the family.
Do not have any really good pictures - I have a lot of the work done inside, but they are just for my own documentation. So far, I have stripped the old bathroom, got running water and sewer hooked up, and redecorated as well as fitted WC, shower cabinet, sink and washing machine. A technical room, a cube of about 3x3x3 ft, has been made and placed under the cabin to give home to the water heater.
In the living room, a firewall got knocked down along with the old brick chimney, the old stove was tossed, and a new fireplace installed with an iron chimney. All to open up the space. The kitchen was removed from the living room, and part of the bedroom is now used for the kitchen, but included in the living room. The ceiling and walls have been pained with transparent paint, same with the floor. New windows have been fitted to the corner of the living room to let in more light and give a grand view of the scenery and fjord below.
The exterior roof has been fitted with steel plates looking like tiles, because the roofing felt was getting tired. Still a lot of details remaining, but the major stuff has been done.
Images did not upload correctly - I will give it another go in the next reply.
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(https://i.ibb.co/1YSZNWcv/Hytta.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1YSZNWcv)
(https://i.ibb.co/gZPy8Wkm/Hytta-vinduer.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gZPy8Wkm)
(https://i.ibb.co/7dWs33tF/Hytta-inne.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7dWs33tF)
We are going to replace the furniture, these are just remnants used until my wife find what become Her.
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What a nice looking cottage!
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Thank you :cool:
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I like the display on my 2014 V7III Special, I don't mind having to toggle, I especially like the instantaneous MPG display, its a challenge to keep it over 80
1 MGCT Traction ABS setting (1 for normal grip, 2 for poor grip)
2 Oddometer (distance since new)
3 Trip (distance since reset)
4 Trip D (distance today)(resets after 8 hours with key Off)
5 Time (not sure what this is)
6 Average Speed
7 Average MPG
8 Instantaneous MPG
9 Temperature deg C
10 Clock (time of day)
Back to 1
Note: it's a little hard to get the display set up, the manual is not the clearest
Instructions for setting start on page 71 of my manual
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I believe it is the same on my V9. Time is how long you have ridden since the last reset and used to calculate average speed.
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If you keep the Roamer, I would then upgrade the suspension, easy, and not very costly. Get a different seat, also pretty easy. And sounds like you don't have the best tires based on your description, so change those too. Do you have the forward controls, if so, ditch them and get the mid mounts, much more comfortable IMOP.
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Thank you :cool:
Looks great!
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One has to wonder why you post this here.
My Bro Kiwi_Kev had a roamer, it was a lovely Machine
Roy
Because........ "Diversity is our strength!"
It's been in the papers and all over the internet for years now......
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Are taxes and license and insurance expensive there for cycles.I can understand why you want to just keep one bike whereas here we can afford to keep a few old Guzzis.