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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: nick949 on December 21, 2017, 01:47:18 PM

Title: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: nick949 on December 21, 2017, 01:47:18 PM
Christmas came a few days early.  It's in the garage now, looking a little cross-eyed and shell shocked among all those Guzzis.

Nick


(http://thumb.ibb.co/bGmYN6/20171221_101903.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bGmYN6)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/ekYf26/20171221_101931.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ekYf26)

(http://thumb.ibb.co/d1ir9m/20171221_101917.jpg) (http://ibb.co/d1ir9m)
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Guzzi Gal on December 21, 2017, 03:23:55 PM
BURRRRGMAAAAN!   :thumb:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2017, 03:32:55 PM
400 or 650???
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Vince in Milwaukee on December 21, 2017, 03:39:01 PM
I'm liking the looks of that seat.  I see a lot of comfortable, fun miles in your future. 
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: nick949 on December 21, 2017, 03:44:07 PM
400 or 650???

650. My mate Norm's scooter. I know it's a good one. He has ridden it non-stop from Halifax, Nova Scotia to his home in Ontario. 1557kms (967 miles) and this summer the rode it out to the mountains and back - 5500 miles over 11 days. Didn't miss a beat. Currently has 18,000 miles on it.

The seat is a Corbin, but I have the stock too.

Nick
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Shorty on December 21, 2017, 03:46:37 PM
Congrats!  Nice sled.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2017, 03:49:17 PM
Good mtn. bike.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on December 21, 2017, 05:18:17 PM
A serious motorbike :thumb:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: oldbike54 on December 21, 2017, 05:38:33 PM
 Maybe the funniest thing that has happened in these parts for years was watching a guy on a Big Burghman outrun a couple of Harley Davidsons from a dead stop up to about 80 MPH . The HD riders were poking fun at the Burghman , and made the mistake of challenging its owner to a race . The excuses were many for why the Harleys were left for dead , twice . " I missed a gear" , "My clutch is slipping" , "the Moon is in the wrong phase" , ( OK , I made that last one up  :grin:) .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: nick949 on December 21, 2017, 05:47:39 PM
Maybe the funniest thing that has happened in these parts for years was watching a guy on a Big Burghman outrun a couple of Harley Davidsons from a dead stop up to about 80 MPH . The HD riders were poking fun at the Burghman , and made the mistake of challenging its owner to a race . The excuses were many for why the Harleys were left for dead , twice . " I missed a gear" , "My clutch is slipping" , "the Moon is in the wrong phase" , ( OK , I made that last one up  :grin:) .

 Dusty

When I had my Breva 1100 I thought I'd do a roll-on and leave Norm (on his previous Burgman 650) in the dust. I quickly got up to 100mph - he was right on my shoulder!  Serious bike!

Nick
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Gliderjohn on December 21, 2017, 06:05:56 PM
Quote
I'm liking the looks of that seat.  I see a lot of comfortable, fun miles in your future.

I forget his last name but Richard ? from Lindsborg, KS. Years ago for a few years he hosted a spring Guzzi event at his motel. Anyway, he had a couple of heart attacks, recovered, bought a Bergman. Said it is like sitting on a sofa and he had earned an iron Butt on it.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: analog kid on December 21, 2017, 06:16:19 PM
Christmas came a few days early.  It's in the garage now, looking a little cross-eyed and shell shocked among all those Guzzis.

Nick




So what is Norm going to replace it with?
Maybe you know a guy who'd sell him a Guzzi... :evil:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Kev m on December 21, 2017, 06:17:37 PM
When I had my Breva 1100 I thought I'd do a roll-on and leave Norm (on his previous Burgman 650) in the dust. I quickly got up to 100mph - he was right on my shoulder!  Serious bike!

Nick
Uh not for nothing but MCN (M Consumer News) has the following quarter mile times for the Burg vs B11:

14.97 VS 13.0

Now sure maybe the CVT offered some advantage in the roll on, or one of you guys are fatter than the other etc, but the SHOULD be a pretty big difference in similar hands.

Heck even Dusty's Harleys should have done better if they were sober lol.

Not dissin on the Burg, I mean CC means something.

Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: lucian on December 21, 2017, 06:28:21 PM
I bet that is going to be a lot of fun and make an awesome commuter.  Would be cool looking with some highway pegs.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: mjptexas on December 21, 2017, 06:29:03 PM
Uh not for nothing but MCN (M Consumer News) has the following quarter mile times for the Burg vs B11:

14.97 VS 13.0

Now sure maybe the CVT offered some advantage in the roll on, or one of you guys are fatter than the other etc, but the SHOULD be a pretty big difference in similar hands.

Heck even Dusty's Harleys should have done better if they were sober lol.

Not dissin on the Burg, I mean CC means something.

Twist & Go ameliorates a lot of rider sins!  My best timing on one of my favorite twisty roads was on a Mana.  There's a lot to be said for being at peak torque all the time.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Kev m on December 21, 2017, 06:35:18 PM


Twist & Go ameliorates a lot of rider sins!  My best timing on one of my favorite twisty roads was on a Mana.  There's a lot to be said for being at peak torque all the time.

Oh yeah sure I had a turbo w/ a CVT for a few years. You're right it forgives a lot of sins. Which is what I was saying there have to be some sins for a B11 or even most Harleys to get caught by a Burg.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: nick949 on December 21, 2017, 06:55:56 PM
Uh not for nothing but MCN (M Consumer News) has the following quarter mile times for the Burg vs B11:

14.97 VS 13.0


Kev
    I think it says a lot more about the riders skills than the bikes.  :grin:  The point was, it seemed pretty surprising fast (and more than fast enough) to me.

Nick
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Kev m on December 21, 2017, 06:59:52 PM
Kev
    I think it says a lot more about the riders skills than the bikes.  :grin:  The point was, it seemed pretty surprising fast (and more than fast enough) to me.

Nick
Absolutely on all counts!!!

Oh crap, congrats if I didn't say it before...too distracted.

Merry Christmas!!!
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2017, 07:16:40 PM
Depress foot brake.  Increase engine to max rpm's.  Release brakes.   :thumb:   (para-phrasing) the Convert Owner's manual.   The big single should make it accelerate pretty smartly.  :shocked:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: nick949 on December 21, 2017, 07:22:56 PM
Depress foot brake.  Increase engine to max rpm's.  Release brakes.   :thumb:   (para-phrasing) the Convert Owner's manual.   The big single should make it accelerate pretty smartly.  :shocked:

Tom, 

     FYI  The 650s are double overhead cam, 4 valve per cylinder twins. In the Suzuki range the 400s and smaller are singles.  The Convert launch may work but the CVT is a bit different to the Convert's hydraulic torque converter and may not appreciate it.  Perhaps I'll find out  :boozing:

Nick
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Tom on December 21, 2017, 07:42:10 PM
Rode the 400 not the 650.  Vespa's and the BV500.  Seemed to help for a quicker accelerated launch.   :evil:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: kingoffleece on December 21, 2017, 08:19:27 PM
Can't seem to get a picture to load but the bride just got (from me) a new BMW G310R for next season.  Nice build quality-I was pleasantly surprised.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: wymple on December 21, 2017, 08:44:13 PM
I checked out the 650 this summer. Really surprised at how heavy they are.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: rider33 on December 23, 2017, 09:44:33 AM
I keep two bikes in the city, my Vespa GT and new V7iii (two Italians, what the hell was I thinking?).
I use the scooter for inner-city transport, the V for back road carving.  People who don't ride scooters never quite understand the simple pleasures of a lighter weight, shorter wheelbase vehicle with internal storage, and a low COG.  That's the practical side, the real entertainment value tho is in passing pick-up trucks and sports cars on the freeway on one.  The inevitable 'WTF?' look is priceless :)
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Lannis on December 23, 2017, 09:48:44 AM
  That's the practical side, the real entertainment value tho is in passing pick-up trucks and sports cars on the freeway on one.  The inevitable 'WTF?' look is priceless :)

I had a new 1979 Vespa P200E, kickstart, twist-grip shift, and a two-stroke engine and 10" wheels in a stamped steel frame designed for just over walking speed with a 90cc engine in Italian towns; and the engine would push it to 70 MPH.

When I passed a pickup truck or a sports car, in side breezes and normal pavement roughness, the "WTF?" look wasn't on the pickup driver's face, it was on MINE, accompanied by stark terror .....

Lannis
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Sheepdog on December 23, 2017, 10:36:28 AM
My brother-in-law is a Bergman fan. He's owned a bunch of bikes, but likes the 650 Executive best. My wife and I have a Piaggio BV500. I've had that rascal to 100 mph (indicated). The handling on these scooters with larger diameter wheels is pretty good (they're sensitive about tire pressure, though). I wouldn't call it a lightweight, however. It weighs about 430 lbs...
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: rider33 on December 23, 2017, 11:36:38 AM
yeah, that's the other thing about a scooter: it's way more fun to go fast on a little bike than on a big one.  My Vespa weighs something like 300# and at 75MPH you feel like you are Mario Andretti.  Conversely, I used a ST1300 for touring duties (Paneuropean for out friends across the pound) for a while. I forget what it weighed but it had to be something like 750-800# and it carried that weight pretty high.  75MPH felt pretty much like 95MPH which felt pretty much like 105, you had to watch yourself on that bike.  On a scooter if you jump on the gas you are very much aware that you are on a small device going likely faster than you should.  The edge may not be as sharp but it's much more visible.  Then again if I just wanted to be lulled to sleep I could drive a car...
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: jas67 on December 23, 2017, 11:50:24 AM
Can't seem to get a picture to load but the bride just got (from me) a new BMW G310R for next season.  Nice build quality-I was pleasantly surprised.

Congrats!   Looking forward to ride reports.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: TimmyTheHog on December 23, 2017, 12:11:11 PM
Awesome man!

Bergman 650 is one hella of bike and a very under valued  one at that!  :thumb:

Too often it been taken not serious enough!
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: stonelover on December 23, 2017, 01:41:17 PM
Congrats & Merry Christmas---You just bought what may well be my next ride.  Turning 79 in January and know that eventually it will be hard to swing a leg over.  The Burgman should fill the bill.  In the meantime I'll simply Guzzi on!
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: JukeboxGothic on December 23, 2017, 08:57:09 PM
In all the years I have been riding I have owned a scooter as well as a motorcycle. I use the Vespa for short trips where the bike would not get warmed up. Saves wear, less condensation. I don't own a car. Also I am less worried leaving the scooter where some idiot may back over it. At this time of the year police just wave me through if they are random testing. Don't know why but I have never been stopped on a scooter. Vespa PXs also have a spare wheel which is very handy. I can rebuild an engine in a day, Tyres are cheap as is filling up.

 I bought this one off an 83 year old guy that was selling it so he would have to ride his bicycle more.
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: rider33 on December 24, 2017, 06:32:35 AM
.....At this time of the year police just wave me through if they are random testing. Don't know why but I have never been stopped on a scooter...

that may be the greatest risk in driving a scooter.  I can get away with things on a scooter that would get the bike impounded if I were on a larger bike.  I think the police tend to see them as mopeds, cars not at all.  That has it benefits, you can park anywhere, generally go faster than you could get away with on a larger bike too. Then again that encourages you to do more stupid stuff too.   
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: chuck peterson on December 24, 2017, 07:19:26 AM
I've got 22k on a Piaggo BV250. 16" wheels, disc brakes, steady at 75-80, seat sucks, 4 valve single, step thru...one new belt, tires and oil, that's it. Found scarred and dejected in the corner of a garage with 800 miles after a newbies accident...for 22 horses it sure acts like 36
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: Huzo on December 24, 2017, 12:23:07 PM
Borrowed something similar in Sweden 2015 to do a 100 km round trip. Needed to get a part for a stricken GS BMW.
I could not believe how effortless it all was and the weather protection was superb. I still maintain it's as ugly as a hatful or arseholes, but there's a crass comparison phrase used here in Australia.
Pretty ugly, but great if your mates don't find out... :evil:
Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: jas67 on December 25, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
I've got 22k on a Piaggo BV250. 16" wheels, disc brakes, steady at 75-80, seat sucks, 4 valve single, step thru...one new belt, tires and oil, that's it. Found scarred and dejected in the corner of a garage with 800 miles after a newbies accident...for 22 horses it sure acts like 36

In the fall of 2015, I bought a 2008 Piaggio BV250 with 156 miles on it for $1,000.   It had been sitting for 5 or 6 years.   The owner only rode it a few times, then her husband got hit by a car while riding his Harley, which scared both of them off riding.  She finally sold it after that much time went by.    I brought it home, changed the oil, drained the fuel, put fresh full in, and a new battery.   It started right up.   Gotta love fuel injection.

I sold it the following spring for $2,200!  Didn't need another scooter, already had the Vespa GTS250ie.

Yes, the 22HP definitely feels like more.   Our Vespa has the same motor. 
Despite the smaller wheels, the Vespa rides better.   The BV250 definitely needed a better rear shock.


Title: Re: Stranger in the Guzzi Garage
Post by: twowings on December 25, 2017, 08:42:35 PM
I know you're an ATGATT fellow Nick, but this thing just cries out for a beret and loaves of French bread! Enjoy... :boozing: