Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: et998 on August 14, 2015, 06:18:33 PM
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I have had a boner for a Guzzi for the last ten years. BMW's , Ducati's, Harley's I have owned and loved. No Guzzi's -yet
I have a penchant for the twisties - and if I have to have one bike - the "cruiser" at my point -is what I am going to gravitate towards.
I am riding a 13 Fat Boy Lo- I never had a Softail prior until now. I dig it ok- except it is not worthy in the mountains
I think the Californias and variants are as about as tricked out as you are going to get for a cruiser that handles the curves somewhat decently
Of all the reviews I have read - it seems you can't tell a lot difference between the "Cali" bikes. The Audace is bad ass looking
The Eldo gets rave reviews, as well as the Cali custom
It seems to me looks aside- the Cali custom has it covered in the same areas as the Audace. Floorboards and pegs do not matter to me- I don't do heel shifting and I would assume I could replace the heel/toe on a Cali with a standard shifter
What do you guys think? Cali Custom or wait for an Audace
Thanks
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Let me say - I don't expect the scraping to go away completely. But there is a difference compared to what I am riding now no doubt. I have had two H-D's that were night and day better in the mountains than this Softail
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Any Cali 1400 is gonna be better in the twistie stuff than a big twin . Get the model that comes with the narrower tires , can't remember which model that is . Oh , welcome :bike-037:
Dusty
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It seems to me looks aside- the Cali custom has it covered in the same areas as the Audace. Floorboards and pegs do not matter to me- I don't do heel shifting and I would assume I could replace the heel/toe on a Cali with a standard shifter
What do you guys think? Cali Custom or wait for an Audace
Thanks
The Cali shifter is actually a two-piece unit - undo the two machine screws, and the heel piece can be set in a box in your garage. Takes all of three minutes (including finding a box).
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I sat on a Norge 4 years ago. It fit me. The light bulb went off in my head. V7 cool and lightweight like my first streetbike, a 87 R65 - but the power is going to be an issue for me long term
I think Guzzi is turning a corner like Ducati did in the mid 90's. And Harley in the mid -80's. Now is the time to jump in. I almost did 10 years ago when they were blowing out the last of the V11's.
Ramblings from a wanna be- thanks for the input
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If you've had (yuck) Beemers :cool: :boozing: and :thumb:Ducks.. why not a Grease O?
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You'll have to ignore Chuckie , we think a BMW rider peed on his boots and laughed about it .
Dusty
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Why not go Moto Guzzi Sport Touring?
Griso would be nice - or a Sport 1200.
Or you could find out what you missed out on with the V11. That's a proper 2-valve lump.
I find the V11 surprisingly comfortable - no problem running 400 miles of twisty stuff in a day. Some versions, like the Cafe Sport, have high handlebars and Ohlins Suspension.
I've also had Beemers (zzzzz....) and Ducs (uncomfortable for long days). The V11 hits the sweet spot for me - and it's got more style than a cruiser (do I have to say IMO?). You can buy two for the price of a newer California.
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I think, therefore I drink.
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Any Cali 1400 is gonna be better in the twistie stuff than a big twin . Get the model that comes with the narrower tires , can't remember which model that is . Oh , welcome :bike-037:
Dusty
I really hate generalizations cause they so often have exceptions.
That said, I think I have a lot in common with the OP's taste in bikes and I suspect he'd dig a Cali, no matter what the variant.
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I really hate generalizations cause they so often have exceptions.
That said, I think I have a lot in common with the OP's taste in bikes and I suspect he'd dig a Cali, no matter what the variant.
Hater :laugh: Notice the reference was to "big twin" , and since there are no Dyna T Sports anymore , I stand by the assertion . Doubt if even they would rival a 1400 .
Dusty
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Hater :laugh: Notice the reference was to "big twin" , and since there are no Dyna T Sports anymore , I stand by the assertion . Doubt if even they would rival a 1400 .
Dusty
I gotta friend, old GSXR racer, who hunts sportbikes in his Street Bob.
Yeah, there are rivals.
If course YMMV :boxing:
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Kev,
I've seen that, too. Way entertaining to say the least!
That said, for the rest of us a Cali most likely will be the better handling choice, assuming average ability.
I've had 4 H-D big twins and the Cali, in my hands at least, was the much more nimble bike. My ex-racer friends-that's another story altogether. I see them twice a day-when we start and at the end of the day!
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I think Guzzi is turning a corner like Ducati did in the mid 90's. And Harley in the mid -80's. Now is the time to jump in.
You're a glass 1/2 full kinda guy aren't you :evil:?
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I think you are going to have to force yourself to take a number of test rides. Without question, the Cali 1400 will have better clearance than you are used to. The turn in effort is surprisingly light for the bike's size. You are right- there will not be any shattering differences between the 1400 models. One thing i might say, tho, is that owning a Guzzi means tinkering. You will most likely want to fiddle with the map to get it just right. There are also some little issues that will come up that will be endemic to the model (on 1400 rear fenders, the fwd mounting poitns develop cracks. You need to modify the area a bit and add some fiberglass (or better: carbon) reinforcement.
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There are some screaming deals on 2014 Cal 14 Customs right now.
If I was buying a California 1400 and price mattered, The Custom is the way I'd go.
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I think it takes a big dog to weigh a ton.
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I think it takes a big dog to weigh a ton.
I think it takes a dog with thumbs and a big scale to weigh a ton - and it'll still be 2000 lbs (or 2205 for the metrically inclined!) :grin:
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I think, therefore I drink.
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."
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You're a glass 1/2 full kinda guy aren't you :evil:?
I just seem to catch the wave -
I had an 87 BMW R65 bought new for my first streetbike. Monolever rear suspension. Liked it a lot
I had a 1990 FXRS HD bought new for my first Harley. When the green light came on to own a Harley
I had a 1994 Ducati 900 SS/CR bought used under 5000 miles
I had a 1999 Electra Glide bought new - when 1/3 of the Harley riders rode baggers -traded it for a new 2013 FatBoy
2003 ZRX1200, 2000 Buell M2 Cyclone, 2006.5 KTM 950 Adventure, 2005 Yamaha FZ1, 2007 Honda XR650L,2009 BMW K1300s
I have felt good brakes. I like V-twins. I want luggage and a windshield. I want some ground clearance. I would like to keep it under 800 lbs. And now- I want to be not on the balls of my feet standing over the bike with a 6 gallon full fuel tank
Like a lot of us, I want one motorcycle that can pretty much cover it all. Call me a candy ass- it's part of getting older. I'll be 50 in Dec.
I want a bike I can ride all day long, with comfort and handling. And character.
Thanks for the replies
Eric
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There are some screaming deals on 2014 Cal 14 Customs right now.
If I was buying a California 1400 and price mattered, The Custom is the way I'd go.
I agree on the deals no doubt on the 2014's
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Why not go Moto Guzzi Sport Touring?
Griso would be nice - or a Sport 1200.
I own both, and agree that the 1200 Sport with a few ergo mods makes a nice sports tourer. I know there are those forum members who feel the Griso is the cat's meow for sports touring. My vote, based primarily on the harsh stock suspension of the Griso, is the 1200 Sport. Like I've mentioned to others, IF the 8v Sport had come to the States, the Griso and (most likely) the 1200 2v Sport, would have been sold and replaced by the 8v Sport.
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I like V-twins. I want luggage and a windshield. I want some ground clearance. I would like to keep it under 800 lbs. And now- I want to be not on the balls of my feet standing over the bike with a 6 gallon full fuel tank
Like a lot of us, I want one motorcycle that can pretty much cover it all. Call me a candy ass- it's part of getting older. I'll be 50 in Dec.
I want a bike I can ride all day long, with comfort and handling. And character.
......oh, well why didn't you just say that you wanted a black Stelvio NTX?
FYI - I turned 50 this year and I want to ride dirt bikes and sport bikes for as long as I can. :clock: I got my LeMans from a guy who is maybe 15-20 years older than us. He said it was his last sport bike. Replaced it with a California and is very pleased with it.
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I gotta friend, old GSXR racer, who hunts sportbikes in his Street Bob.
Yeah, there are rivals.
If course YMMV :boxing:
Your not proving your point. Your friend is a retired racer, that is why he can out run squids on sport bikes. Put your friend on 1400 and he will surely be able to hunt down sport bikes just that much easier.