Fat Boy vs Cali 1400?!

[MariusD]

Actually, now that I think I better understand what you're looking for... unless the shaking at idle bothers you, I THINK you're going to really like the Cali.

I mean, if FatBoy and Hammer "plushness" is your bar, it's set pretty mid-range...

and if handling and performance is a similar bar, it's pretty low, and should be easy for a Cali to exceed it.

I can't wait to hear your report.

Yeah, you and I both! lol! I'll be sure to report back.

[MariusD]

I got a chance to run a silver Custom on Saturday. I was told they had a demo bike, but apparently it had been sold already when I got there, so I was very fortunate that they still let me ride a new one that had only 10 miles on it. I added another 10 to that odo, with the understanding that I had to be kind to the bike. I only took it up to 4000 rpm. It being only 10 miles, I barely got my feet wet, but it was enough to get a decent feel for the bike. Overall, I was very, very impressed with the package.

Pros:

- Hanging is fantastic, on the road and in the parking lot. That can�t be said for too many cruisers of this weight.
-Throttle and clutch seems easy and smooth for slow maneuvers. Seemed easy to ride.
-Character, loved it! The vibes you get at idle are soft and gentle, so it�s really enjoyable actually, unlike HD dynas that literally seem to rattle! Twist the throttle, the engine torqued the bike side to side, even when the bike is at a good speed on the interstate, I personally found that very entertaining, lol!
-The guzzi sound is something special even with stock exhaust, but I also got to hear a V7 racer with Mistrals, and that is just plain incredible. I don�t like raspy HD sound, and this was nothing like it. It sounded deep and throaty. I�d be getting those pipes without a doubt.
-Suspension I thought was superb! It was much smoother over bad roads than I expected. Totally touring ready imo, the issue is the seat. There is minimal padding and the seat is narrow/, tight even on the back end, so when you hear people complain about this stiffness of this bike, it�s really not the suspension, I really think it�s the seat�s fault.

Cons: (really only 2)
-   Factory ergonomics on the custom are definitely not long range friendly. This specific model isn�t intended to be, so I get that, but I personally felt pretty cramped on this otherwise large bike. I�m 6ft and I�m use to stretching out on my Hammer.
-   Others have mentioned the heat off the engine, and now I know what they mean. When I ride, I like to have my legs hugging the tank, which leans the side of your calves against those hot metal covers right behind the cylinder heads. I wore my tall riding boots, so they shielded my calves from the hot covers, but I still felt a good bit of it, and it just felt uncomfortable. That said, this heat didn�t feel much different from what other bikes put out on some different part of your legs, depending on what bike. The Fat boy burns the underside of your thigh for example, and on the hammer, it�s the inside on your thy that gets pretty warm.


In terms of power, I don�t want to comment much, as I didn�t really run the bike through the entire rpm range. It seemed to have plenty of power up to 4000rpm, though it�s no stump pulling Victory Hammer or Yamaha Raider� but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

My personal verdict is this:

I really loved this platform! I think Guzzi outdid themselves in terms of the engine, suspension combo. I found it to be very smooth and to work very well in all types of riding (cruising or corner carving). I would love to own a bike built on this chassis, thought at this point I will wait for the Eldorado to show up at dealers. I really think the Eldo will be closer to what I�m after. I favor the seat design (wider, more lumbar support), handlebars, and tire sizes better on the Eldorado, over the custom, and the looks have really grown on me. Once I get to ride the Eldo, I will make my decision then, but either way, I think one of these will join my fleet.

[segesta]

Thanks for sharing the review. Re: the seat. I got the "leather touring seat" (cha ching) for my Custom, and it helps somewhat. Mostly it's of benefit to your passenger, but it's a little softer and cushier for the rider as well. But that's an option for you.

[MariusD]

Thanks for sharing the review. Re: the seat. I got the "leather touring seat" (cha ching) for my Custom, and it helps somewhat. Mostly it's of benefit to your passenger, but it's a little softer and cushier for the rider as well. But that's an option for you.

I too was thinking that the seats are probably going to be interchangeble between the models. Maybe even the Eldorado seat will fit the Custom. But really, there are plenty of custom seat builders that will make whatever changes you like for a very reasonable price, so I wouldn't be oppsed to just fixing the stocker. I really feel like the custom is pretty much a seat adjustment and handlebar change away from being where i'd like it to be.

[lucian]

Do you know which map it was set on, veloce, tourismo or piaggio? And I would imagine they had the traction control at level 3 which will cut the power without you even knowing it.

[MariusD]

Do you know which map it was set on, veloce, tourismo or piaggio? And I would imagine they had the traction control at level 3 which will cut the power without you even knowing it.

I asked them to set it to Veloce. Didn't think about the traction control aspect though. Bike seemed to have plenty sufficient power for what I'd be doing with it, so it's not something that concerns me in the least.

[Kev m]

Keep in mind the Custom, Touring, and presumably Eldo reach have different shocks, and I've heard report the Custom is more comfortable than the Touring for that reason. Though obviously that can be changed so it's a small matter.

I still disagree with your generalization of all Dynas, but it's no matter.

I also think you're probably fooling yourself if you think you can discern a side-to-side shimmy on the Cali from throttle input on the interstate.

But sounds like must importantly you enjoyed it.

[MariusD]

Keep in mind the Custom, Touring, and presumably Eldo reach have different shocks, and I've heard report the Custom is more comfortable than the Touring for that reason. Though obviously that can be changed so it's a small matter.

I still disagree with your generalization of all Dynas, but it's no matter.

I also think you're probably fooling yourself if you think you can discern a side-to-side shimmy on the Cali from throttle input on the interstate.

But sounds like must importantly you enjoyed it.

Yep, I told the salesman I would want to know as soon as they got an ELDO. It will be easy to make a decision with a quick ride. I feel like the ELDO will give me all of what I like about the fat boy. We shall see.

The Dyna thing, well, maybe I just test rode the two shakiest dynas on the planet. Don't know. Doesn't really matter really.

Now, on the side to side while moving, I should probably clarify. What I felt was more like a single buck or twist that slightly rocked the bike as I gave the throttle a good twist coming out of a turn on a backroad. That was just plain fun. It was like a horse that stomps right before it takes of. I found it unexpected, but very cool! That's character that no other bike has, and may only be obvisous to "new to guzzi" riders that aren't accustomed to it.

This was my first Guzzi ride and a very cool experience! 

[rocker59]

I only took it up to 4000 rpm. It being only 10 miles, I barely got my feet wet, but it was enough to get a decent feel for the bike. Overall, I was very, very impressed with the package.
 
In terms of power, I don�t want to comment much, as I didn�t really run the bike through the entire rpm range. It seemed to have plenty of power up to 4000rpm, though it�s no stump pulling Victory Hammer or Yamaha Raider� but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
 

Once you ride a Cal 14 without that 4k restriction, you will be amazed.  The bike pulls hard way past when other cruisers hit the rev limiter.  5k to 7k, the Cal 14 is STRONG!

I too was thinking that the seats are probably going to be interchangeble between the models. Maybe even the Eldorado seat will fit the Custom.

That would be great.  A good engineer/designer would place the hardware in the same place on the Eldo as it is on the Custom and touring.  It would be the smart thing to do, but I'll bet it isn't the way Galluzzi thinks.   But I will hope, since Corbin already makes a nice seat for the touring/custom.

[tiger_one]

My first guzzi was the Griso, and yeah it twisted when I goosed it.  The 1400 is the same engine only bigger, it does twist when goosed I bet!  Nice report, now go jump on the Eldorado and report back, LOL.

[rocker59]

I noticed it when I first got my Sport 1100 in 1997.  Don't really think about it anymore...

[Kev m]

Twisted when goosed AT SPEED, riding down the interstate? 

[tiger_one]

I first rode it when I tossed it out of the truck on the way home from St. Louis, in Mountain View.  I ran down highway 9, bunch of easy twisties and hills.  Yep, I noticed it, and it was GREAT!  LOL

But, yeah, you get used to it and don't notice it until you get on a normal bike.

[rocker59]

Yeah, transitioning from left to right was noticeably quicker than from right to left when I first got the bike. 

Like you, most of my riding is here in the twisties of The Ozarks.

But, I quit noticing it years ago.

"Number Nine" is a good road.  Especially between Mountain View and Clinton!  https://goo.gl/maps/dPkpA


I'll try to notice it this week in Colorado and report back... 

[tiger_one]

Our last romp up that way, I escorted 2 K1600s, one GT one GTL.  The GT was experienced rider and 2up, the GTL was solo and wanted to keep up.  LOL.

I took them up 123, but we had already done twisties from Arkadelphia, 69?, 5, 298, then left on 9, to pickup 5 again to 7 to Darnelle, finally 27 I believe.  We didn't finish 123, as it was sorta out of the way to Mountain View (our destination for the night), but they were pretty tired by then.  The big KTM loves that stuff.

The GTL owner is picking up a new S1000XR tomorrow.  But that is a whole nother story.

P.S.  I had to bring up the map, couldn't remember that route, correctly.

[tiger_one]

"Number Nine" is a good road.  Especially between Mountain View and Clinton!  https://goo.gl/maps/dPkpA


I'll try to notice it this week in Colorado and report back... 

9 down from Salem to Mountain View is really technical at the end, I like to watch the bikes in my mirror to see how much they are struggling or scraping parts to regulate my speed.  You just cannot get in a hurry in that section, no room for a mess up.

I'm playing golf tourneys so will miss the Colorado ride again, keep us posted on your ride.

[lucydad]

Excellent.

When I have my four car garage next spring--the new big blocks will get a serious test.  If I don't have to wrestle with the infamous garage bump, a bigger bike could happen, but it has to have touring capability. 

Ride on!

Mistrals really that good on V7R? 

[rocker59]

9 down from Salem to Mountain View is really technical at the end, I like to watch the bikes in my mirror to see how much they are struggling or scraping parts to regulate my speed.  You just cannot get in a hurry in that section, no room for a mess up.

I'm playing golf tourneys so will miss the Colorado ride again, keep us posted on your ride.

For some reason, I can't remember riding the section between Mountain View and Melbourne.  I know the other sections, though.

I used to ride the section between Clinton and Mountain View pretty regularly, and I'm on the section between Crows and Morriltion often.

[MariusD]

Yep, I noticed it, and it was GREAT!  LOL

My experience was the same. I twisted the throttle, the bike kicked to the left and took off. Initially, my brain was confused about what just happened, but you quickly understand that it's just the mounting of the engine that gives it that fun characteristic. Then you start hitting the throttle just to feel it again, lol! It's a hoot!

I'll post an update when I get to ride the Eldo.Pretty excited about it. Hopefully the dealer gets one soon!

BTW: The Ozarks are on my bucket list, so it's great to see there are poeple here who know the area. I will have to pick your brains when the trip starts to materialize. Seems like a really nice area to explore based on the pictures I'd seen.

[bad Chad]

Twisted when goosed AT SPEED, riding down the interstate?

I'm with Kev.   I don't believe I have ever noticed any "side push" at speed.   Sure sitting in my driveway raving the motor I can feel the bike want to roll slightly to the right, but once moving I never have sensed anything like it.  Maybe some of you guys are more sensitive than me. < shrug>

[tiger_one]

I think Queen Wilhelmina is open again also.  Actually, they are scheduled to open July 1st.