Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: lazlokovacs on June 14, 2016, 01:27:08 PM
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so...
I've been riding my swannee fairing equipped calvin since 2006... many long long days in the saddle, including a few 800mile+ days and it has definitely proved itself as a great tourer...
drawbacks have always been
- a determined tendency to ping (even with the expensive californian re-flash, even with guzzidiag and a host of cables, even on the 2 different calvins I've toured on, even on high grade fuel etc....)
- a slightly cramped position from the floorboards, weird seat
- a small-ish tank
- the internal fuel hose popping off
- indifferent front suspension
- beautiful but annoying panniers
and if I'm picky I would also complain about not being able to run tubeless...
apart from that it has proved itself THE mount of choice for transcontinental 2 wheeled travel.
Now, if you could have or build any guzzi for touring; stock, modded, or cobbled together from different models, what would the ideal guzzi mile-muncher be?
FI or carbs? Tonti, loop or modern? spoked or cast? disc or drum? hard bags or ammo crates? etc etc
all you serious guzzi mile or kilometer munchers and iron butt afficianados, please chime in with your experiences and thoughts....
thanks
LK
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Ideal would be a 1200/2v hydro pumping a Convert tranny in a LWB Tonti frame. It would have a windjammer and huge hard bags. Tank would be about 8gal. Bars and seat adjustable on 3 axes each. Tubeless wheels, HID up front and LED all around. A quick disconnect for the sidecar would finish the package.
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IMO, the Stelvio is the best touring bike Guzzi has ever made. Fast, comfortable, great handling, tons of storage, good wind protection, a suspension that can soak up pretty much any road abnormality, massive fuel capacity. 1000 mile days don't even make it break a sweat.
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I'm pretty happy with my Breva 1100. I added a big windshield, Corbin seat, hard bags, heavier rear spring, gps, etc. I've done 1000+ miles in a day on it. The Corbin seat could use a little tweaking and a cruise control would be nice but otner than that, I can't see how another bike could work any bettr for me.
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As far as older Guzzis , a California II would be a good choice IMHO.
Rick.
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V11 LeMans with Hepco + Becker bags. I enjoyed a bunch of really long days on mine...
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I've got no complaints about my Norge, now over 110,000 miles in 5 years of riding (one year off, no rides outside the city that year). To be 'ultimate', though, will invariably involve customizing any bike to meet your specific needs and preferences.
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V11 LeMans with Hepco + Becker bags. I enjoyed a bunch of really long days on mine...
:thumb: What he said. A Centauro would be a close second choice.
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So the answer really is "whatever Guzzi the person asked likes best".
FOR ME - it would probably be a Cali variant - could be 1100 or 1400, it would have to have sufficient range, decent windshield, decent bags (preferably quick-disconnecting). I would probably NOT go back to a single-disk (Jackal) for my uses, though it was adequate most of the time.
For the OP - I would wonder if the Cali 1400 would fit his needs, simply because of the similarity to his Cal-Vin (both being much more different than say a CARC, which though they are wonderful machines and I liked my Breva, I always PREFERRED my Cali, and I wonder if he might too).
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Although I don't own a Stelvio it would be my tool of choice. I like the riding position I feel like I have better visiuals sitting up. And the storage is good. But I like my tiger just fine :thumb:
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The Quota works for me.
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So the answer really is "whatever Guzzi the person asked likes best".
I almost answered, "whichever one you happen to be riding" :boozing:
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Curious lack of the word "Norge" in the responses, considering that it is a sport TOURING motorcycle that is designed to tour. Not that I am saying it is the best....
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/ghPK1F/file_1_314.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ghPK1F)
A picture tells a thousand words.
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Curious lack of the word "Norge" in the responses, considering that it is a sport TOURING motorcycle that is designed to tour. Not that I am saying it is the best....
But I am! And I did... :grin:
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a Norge.... Either 4 or 8V.... both are excellent touring bikes..
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Curious lack of the word "Norge" in the responses, considering that it is a sport TOURING motorcycle that is designed to tour. Not that I am saying it is the best....
Norge riders are too busy riding!!
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Use what you have and make it the way you want it.
This, one of JB's rats, or maybe Greg Field's uber Eldo
(http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j384/portablevcb/guzzi/20160528_142424.jpg)
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thanks for all the replies
Use what you have and make it the way you want it.
^^yep. my thoughts exactly.
so, in the interests of serious distance work, who's done what.... and how much of an improvement was it?
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While I actually love my Norge for touring (I have multiple IBA rides with it) If I were going to do serious years long touring my choice would be a big block tonti frame with a cushy seat and huge ammo can bags and the big fairing. Effortless to ride, easy to fix, roomy and comfortable. I used to have a '70s G5 and I really miss it.
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/Atavar4/DSC00526.jpg)
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so, in the interests of serious distance work, who's done what.... and how much of an improvement was it?
The Norge makes an IBA BB1500 (1500 miles in 24 hours) rather easy.
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A Norge of course!
(http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww107/jpeters16/DSCN0011.jpg) (http://s710.photobucket.com/user/jpeters16/media/DSCN0011.jpg.html)
GliderJohn
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It may be this one, but not available in The USA
(http://moto.zombdrive.com/images/moto-guzzi-stelvio-1200-8v-2014-9.jpg)
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Stelvio NTX
(with a Russell seat)
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It may be this one, but not available in The USA
(http://moto.zombdrive.com/images/moto-guzzi-stelvio-1200-8v-2014-9.jpg)
What IS that??? Seriously, tell me more! :drool:
Never mind, Stelvio with Norge(?) bags?
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A G5 or an SP. Not even my Eldorado is as comfortable as my G5.
I've done 1700 miles in 26 hours on my G5, multiple times (I was younger). San Fran to San Antone.
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I've taken the longest trips on my V11 Sport Greenie. I live in OKC and have ridden to North Carolina, twice to Austin and twice to Springfield IL. Done several trips to Ark Ozarks for sport rides too. I can't do much over 100 miles in the saddle without stretching my legs but I've taken longer trips on it vs the EV.
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Lightly modified 1978 Le Mans, constantly developing, better every trip,
just made a bigger petrol tank with fixed leather tank bag (and filler accessible in front of it) Had to fit new (V7 gel) seat too but she's happier on this and no straps around tank to annoy my knees is big improvement.
Extra 40 odd miles to range and then not having to move bag well worth the time it took to make, this matters to me
We've all got different wants and needs but after nearly 40 years travelling on this I'm finally getting ALL the little details sussed, nothing I could buy with money comes close, can't think of anything that needs doing now but development never stops, can never be truly finished, this is best I have to date
(http://jacksonracing.com.au/images/saddlebags/fallstop.jpg)
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What IS that??? Seriously, tell me more! :drool:
Never mind, Stelvio with Norge(?) bags?
Stelvio 8V with cast wheels and "Norge-style" bags.
Mechanically the same as the NTX.
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A G5 or an SP. Not even my Eldorado is as comfortable as my G5.
I've done 1700 miles in 26 hours on my G5, multiple times (I was younger). San Fran to San Antone.
WOW that is one long haul!
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All relative, of course, to the individual doing the touring. I've owned 5 1100 Californias, a Stelvio, a Griso, and now a 2V Norge. If yr obviously talking out of the box comfort I would probably say the Norge. For me the Stelvio is/was phenomenal (though I hated the stock seat) but the Norge fairing creates a better pocket of still air if you want that kinda thing. Kinda neat touring amenities too like the electronic adjustable windshield, heated grips, etc.
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Stelvio NTX
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While I actually love my Norge for touring (I have multiple IBA rides with it) If I were going to do serious years long touring my choice would be a big block tonti frame with a cushy seat and huge ammo can bags and the big fairing. Effortless to ride, easy to fix, roomy and comfortable. I used to have a '70s G5 and I really miss it.
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/Atavar4/DSC00526.jpg)
What happened to the Windjammer?
My California II came to me with G5/SP manual, so I gather they're pretty closely related. Quite the touring barge, and I've wondered whether some of the changes from the G5 were made with the Windjammer in mind - just little things like the handlebars and the front crash bar. It's sad that this ultimate design was sort of a reference for the California Vintage whose inadequacies started this thread.
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I have toured on both the NTX and Norge.. The Stelvio is very comfy, and since the Norge and Stelvio share the same engine/tranny/CARC they bring on power about the same. I like the Norge for the every so slight tuck position as opposed to the Stelvio's more 'legs dangly' position. But both are capable touring bikes...
For all "intensive purposes" is a personal choice.... Mine is the Norge...
As far as looks / design the Norge turns more heads ..... :)
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Quote from shaker:
As far as looks / design the Norge turns more heads ..... :)
My Norge turns some heads then they come over and compliment my nice "BMW". :angry:
GliderJohn
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The Norge is the more wilder beautiful Italian sister to the well behaved and predictable German BMW R1200RT, both of them phenomenal bikes...just spent a couple of days touring the California coast on a rented Bimmer - great fun, outstanding touring bike in all aspects as well, just not as much engine feedback, but all in all a very well balanced and wonderful tourer.
Curious to see how I feel once I get back on the Norge in a couple of days and head to John Day after spending 2 days riding the R1200RT.
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Stelvio 8V with cast wheels and "Norge-style" bags.
Mechanically the same as the NTX.
I wish they would have imported this bike without bags.
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It depends on your vision of touring.
(http://www.adamsheritage.info/images/tl_potholes.jpg)
Stelvio? Sure. Norge - perhaps not.
Nick
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It depends on your vision of touring.
(http://www.adamsheritage.info/images/tl_potholes.jpg)
Stelvio? Sure. Norge - perhaps not.
Nick
I would not mind taking the Norge on that road, but it would be slower going than on a Stelvio..