California Touring or Cruiser Owners

[britman]

These bikes from 2014 on have a real appeal to my senses.  Of course I have read the reviews, and most give the machines high marks, but there is nothing like hearing from actual owners who have put some miles on them.  I am seriously considering going from three bikes down to a single machine.  This is mainly due to health, age, and finally just plan garage space.  I have found as time goes on I just put in the seat time I used too.  Would I be happy with one of these as my sole source of two wheel relaxation? 

[elvisboy77]

These bikes from 2014 on have a real appeal to my senses.  Of course I have read the reviews, and most give the machines high marks, but there is nothing like hearing from actual owners who have put some miles on them.  I am seriously considering going from three bikes down to a single machine.  This is mainly due to health, age, and finally just plan garage space.  I have found as time goes on I just put in the seat time I used too.  Would I be happy with one of these as my sole source of two wheel relaxation?

I absolutely love my 1400 Eldorado.  Go for it!

[Zoom Zoom]

If you're looking to go to one bike, what do you plan on doing most with it?

I too have a 1400 Eldo. I have had it a bit over 2 years and am closing in on 12,000 miles. It has been a fantastic bike. Being a heavy bike, you do notice it when moving it around the garage. It is comfortable to ride and handles pretty decent for a big girl.

The newest Touring SE, as well as the MGX-21 have a refined cruise control. Resume, accell, bump up/down, which don't exist on my bike or the older Cali's. I don't know about the Audace as far as these controls are concerned.

Fuen economy is usually in the low 40's but I have on more than one occasion gotten mid 40's. Once, (I assume the conditions were perfect), I got 47.5. That was doing 70 with the cruise set on I-86 coming West across New York.

It has needed nothing other than routine maint.

I am very happy with mine and glad I bought it!

John Henry

[vintagehoarder]

I have a 2014 California touring.

We collect bikes so we have about 15 currently, and I've owned more than I can count over the years.

The California Touring is definitely in thhe top two of motorcycles I've ever owned!!

Absolutely love it. I did 12 hours into Saturday a couple of weekends ago to Chicago and back from Louisville and the bike performed flawlessly and was extremely comfortable. So it gets my vote.

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[toaster404]

Makes me happy.  Kind of sorry I have the big hard bags on it.  Off at the moment, and I like that better.  I'd also rather not have the stock touring windscreen.  But it's super overall.  And in white, drivers think it's a police bike and are polite.

Really dances for a big bike and so much grand touring style fun.

Stock tires not good though.  Much better with Exedra Max - linear handling.

[Lcarlson]

If you want a big cruiser, I think you'll love these machines. I was planning on getting the Touring, but in the showroom fell for the spare, clean look of the Custom (which also has better rear shocks). I use it with just a small soft topcase. If I want to go touring, I can always use my fully-equipped Beemer. As noted the stock Dunlops are not very good -- I'm now running Metzeler ME 880s, which still look pretty good at 6000 miles. I also got the Touring windshield, which is beautifully made but too tall. I had it cut down 2" and it's now perfect-- good coverage and I can look over it at all times.

[mjptexas]

Into my fourth year on a 2014 California Custom.  Fly screen, Corbin seat and H-B CBow bags make it an effective tourer.  The bags spend about half the time in the garage because I like the nice, clean look of the Custom.

[jGuz]

....  Would I be happy with one of these as my sole source of two wheel relaxation? 

Definitely. 
I have the touring version and it is definitely the most comfortable bike that I've owned.  The ergonomics are very relaxed, the stock seat is actually very good (provides just enough lumbar support), the heated grips are great, and the floorboards allow you to move your feet around.  I can't talk to pillion accomodations since I've only had a pillion once and for a short time, but I heard no complaints from the back.  The only thing that was bad for me was the stock windscreen, which battered me with choppy air.  I've angled the screen and added side wind deflectors and that helped.  More often than not, however, I have the windshield off.   

Once underway, the bike handles and brakes very confidently.  It handles way better than a bike its size should, but you can't go very fast before you start scraping the floorboards.  The Cali in sport mode won't rip your ams off, but it's impressively (and enjoyably) quick.  I have no qualms with the bike's stability at speed.

The only downside is that the bike is a hefty beast.  I almost dropped it about 3 times and it's hard to muscle around the garage and driveway.  I would recommend turning off the engine before you put the kickstand down because the bike will shake itself off the kickstand and it will take a lot of work to bring her back upright (I've found this out the hard way).

In conclusion, the California is a pretty pleasureable ride.  I've actually considered going down to just one bike, and I think that the California would be the one.  It's a comfy, practical (lots of storage), decent-performing, and gorgeous motorcycle.

       
 

[Kev m]

Would I be happy with one of these as my sole source of two wheel relaxation?

I don't know how anyone believes this question can be answered for someone else.

I know I've had a couple of bikes in my lifetime that were at the tops of my list.

I'm not sure I could honestly say that any of them could be my SOLE bike.

Oh, and as much as I think Guzzi has improved in reliability of late, and my current (2013) has been my best Guzzi yet, I'm about 99% certain I'd never own ONLY a Guzzi as my ONLY bike. Though I hope to never be without one.

YMMV

[indian]

Just purchased a 1400 touring for my own birthday present # 74.  I had a lot of motorcycles. Thiis one is high on the list and after 2000 mi it gets better.  This is not a town bike. It is great everywhere else.

[vintagehoarder]

Just purchased a 1400 touring for my own birthday present # 74.  I had a lot of motorcycles. Thiis one is high on the list and after 2000 mi it gets better.  This is not a town bike. It is great everywhere else.

I couldn't agree more

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