Comparison survey older vs newer

[Huzo]

Lol, now that was just wrong 😂😂

Yet, so on topic.

[Ncdan]

Great thread Dan, I think Kev pretty much summed it up . I would just like to add that unless your old enough, (as most here are)   to have both perspectives , it is  a difficult question to answer.  i think anyone coming from one side of the equation would find it difficult to even consider, or understand the other alternative. It speaks volumes that a lot of us here that are both old enough and able enough to embrace either of the two options, seem to enjoy the older option the most. That is unless they are heading out across the continent.
 Got to have both is my short answer. 
When I really want to enjoy riding a motorcycle in its purest form there is no delay in the decision,old or new, V50 lets go!  Wouldn't head to North Carolina two up  on it though.

Ah come on Dave, I’ll come and get you when you cry UNCLE and trailer the little bike the rest of the way to the river. However I’ll hold my breath until the day you cry UNCLE👍😂

[Tusayan]

I’m not yet an old man who is tired of challenges and is willing to give up independence, quite the opposite... I think getting old means going very fast on a self-maintained motorcycle without working at it as I once did, with other guys who can do the same... because we have the privilege of 40 years of learning under our belts, with 20 more to go.  What they’re selling dealers today, mostly ‘compliance-mobiles’ from my POV, doesn’t really do it for me but you can ride what you want 

I like fast, stylish bikes without closed loop fuel controls (EFI is easy until you screw it up with over complexity), without onboard IT networks, without ABS or anything else but lean and mean design that gets me the job done with the minimum of hardware.  I don’t care when that hardware was built.

[Ncdan]

I’m not yet an old man who is tired of challenges and is willing to give up independence, quite the opposite... I think getting old means going very fast on a self-maintained motorcycle without working at it as I once did, with other guys who can do the same... because we have the privilege of 40 years of learning under our belts, with 20 more to go.  What they’re selling dealers today, compliance mobiles from my POV, doesn’t really do it for me but you can ride what you want 

I like fast, stylish bikes without closed loop fuel controls (EFI is easy until you screw it up with over complexity), without onboard IT networks, without ABS or anything else but lean and mean design that gets me the job done with the minimum of hardware.  I don’t care when that hardware was built.

I think that’s pretty much where I’m at as I’m way behind the ball when it comes to modern technology in today’s bikes. A true motorcycle lover must admit there’s something magical about riding an old nostalgic bike like a 650 Bonnie, BSA shooting star, suicide shift HD and can you imagine riding a Vincent Black Shadow!!!!

[Tusayan]

I think that’s pretty much where I’m at as I’m way behind the ball when it comes to modern technology in today’s bikes. A true motorcycle lover must admit there’s something magical about riding an old nostalgic bike like a 650 Bonnie, BSA shooting star, suicide shift HD and can you imagine riding a Vincent Black Shadow!!!!

I make my living in technology and have learned that it’s a fine way to make a lot of money. If somebody thinks it’s beneficial to motorcycling, enjoys being a bill paying lap dog for BMW or whomever, they can go for it.  If I had to pick one, my own sweet spot is the 1990s, early nineties for Japanese etc stuff, later 90s for Italian bikes...  from manufacturers who even by that time still hadn’t lost the plot. I haven’t found myself much interested in Piaggio and VW/Ducati’s more recent version.

[s1120]

Most models have a sweet spot where the tech is proven and everything just works . Yeah, New vehicles are more reliable, because they are new . Here is an example , my sister's 2013 Versa has been a less satisfactory vehicle than the 2004 Sentra it replaced . The older car was more nimble and got superior fuel mileage . The Versa will be gone tomorrow , replaced by a new Kia hybrid .

 My take , the '99 -'02 series 1100 CC 2 valvers are in the sweet spot .

 Dusty

I have to agree.. The California EV/Stone/jackal are kinda the best of bolth...  Heart of the old T bikes, with enough modern changes to make them go longer without work..  but not so much that its too hard to fix when needed.   

As for whats better??  Well how long is a piece of string? Cant deny that most any modern bike you can jump on and go whereever you want and really not worry. But sometimes you like that feeling of....well the feeling that your thankfull you have a well thought out tool kit with you..  The vibs, the noise, the dirty pants from laying in the dirt tighting a bolt.. the joy of making that long trip and didnt have to fiddle at all..  Feeling  ore connected..

[larrys]

I have been perfectly happy with my Cal for nineteen years. I will keep it forever and for years I thought that I'd never buy another bike. Then I fell into my Monster last fall and I really like that one now, too! The two have very different technology and personalities. I think that old and new bikes have their own unique attractions.
Larry

[Kev m]

But sometimes you like that feeling of....well the feeling that your thankfull you have a well thought out tool kit with you..  The vibs, the noise, the dirty pants from laying in the dirt tighting a bolt.. the joy of making that long trip and didnt have to fiddle at all..  Feeling  ore connected..

This past Saturday...

[Ncdan]

I have to agree.. The California EV/Stone/jackal are kinda the best of bolth...  Heart of the old T bikes, with enough modern changes to make them go longer without work..  but not so much that its too hard to fix when needed.   

As for whats better??  Well how long is a piece of string? Cant deny that most any modern bike you can jump on and go whereever you want and really not worry. But sometimes you like that feeling of....well the feeling that your thankfull you have a well thought out tool kit with you..  The vibs, the noise, the dirty pants from laying in the dirt tighting a bolt.. the joy of making that long trip and didnt have to fiddle at all..  Feeling  ore connected..

Very nice response!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

An "old" bike is only as good as it's mechanic.

[JC85]

Let me clarify the heart and soul of my post.
There are definitely different characteristics between older and newer bikes, especially when talking about 30 years difference. I was mostly asking about the difference in their characters and how they make you feel when riding them, no so much as mechanical issues or maintenance issues.
That being said all conversations are welcome. Thanks guys and let’s enjoy sharing our thoughts on the subject with each other keeping in mind we all have different opinions and feelings on this subject and every subject but in the end we are fellow guzzi admirers and fans.

Having just bought my first newer bike, here's my take between it and the old one. The 07 CalVin is smoother riding, though this may be because I need to rebuild the front forks on the 74 Eldo. It also has significantly more power, due to the larger engine size. You can feel the difference in how hard the engines are working at highway speeds, and it's huge. On the other hand, even though the CalVin is only about 60 pounds heavier than the Eldo, it feels like 150, because the engine sits so much higher up in the CalVin. The low center of gravity on the Eldo makes it a nimble joy to ride. The higher center of gravity on the CalVin makes it noticeably more work to stand up and maneuver, especially at low speeds. That being said, I still love the CalVin.

[blackcat]

An "old" bike is only as good as it's mechanic.

Yep.

[Ncdan]

Yep.

That’s a fact. However one thought on that issue was s this. Most of us older guys that came up from the 60s grew into the old system, carbs, points and simple electronics. Some of the guys here obviously made the transition to the new technology, which I did not, therefore struggled with the new.
That being out of the way, the way the two different worlds of motorcycles how do the two variations make us feel when we ride?
I really love both but again, for me these is just something really special about riding an old simple bike 30+ years old. Kind of like watching an old steam shovel or locomotive come down the track.

[dguzzi]

   When does 'old' stop and 'new' start?   Its a sliding scale? 
 

[Ncdan]

   When does 'old' stop and 'new' start?   Its a sliding scale? 
 

Yea I agree. I guess I look as old bikes being 30 years old and back? But even that is subject to opinion.

[blackcat]

   When does 'old' stop and 'new' start?   Its a sliding scale? 
 

Old is carbs and points but old can become middle-aged if you add electronic ignition.

[Testarossa]

Part of my attachment to the 850T is the theory of diminishing returns. I don't believe that motorbike power and handling have improved enough over the decades that switching to a new bike full of electronic black boxes is going to gain me much. For instance see the episode recently where Ari Henning and Zach Courts tested a 2005 GSXR against a brand new Panigale, on the same tires -- and the Suzuki turned better track times. Link below. I know from experience that on my 850T, if I choose to, I can set a quicker average pace on a twisty mountain road than all but one of my friends riding "modern" bikes -- and the faster guy is 40 years younger. I'm not going to have more fun or be more comfortable on his Versys.

I do concede that water cooling produces better power all else being equal. But I don't need more power, especially if it comes at the expense of having to pull the cam(s) just to adjust the valves.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2020-ducati-panigale-v4-2005-suzuki-gsxr1000-superbike-test