Tell me about the Mille GT

[bpreynolds]

Nice one on Ebay right now.  It occurred to me that I don’t know much about the Mille.  I tried to search for a strictly Mille thread here with info and such but couldn’t find much.  Anyone care to school me? 

[Triple Jim]

I've had one for a few years.  It's a nice "standard", with the small valve "1000" engine.  Mine came with non-stock front springs, so it's pleasantly stiff there.  I've heard they were very soft from the factory.  It also has a Tarozzi fork brace, which probably helps the 35mm fork tubes a bit.  It handles quite well, and is very predictable and easy to ride in the twisties.  Power is something like 67hp at the crank, so nothing spectacular, but it doesn't feel underpowered.  Overall, it's pretty typical of the big block Guzzis of the '80s.

[analog kid]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82537.0

here's a post with some general info.

I like mine. I needed to get rid of one bike, my choice was the Mille or a 2007 Breva 1100. I kept the Mille. For the riding I currently do, even though the Breva was a technically a better bike, the Mille was more visceral fun.

There's an element of "parts bin" to the Milles. What you get as far as ignition, timing chain tensioner & other parts depends on model year and production number.

The Motosplat ignition does not impress...

I read on this board that certain models of brake discs are no longer available - going from memory here. But I've never needed discs, so can't expand on that.

On this model, Guzziology  will guide you

[analog kid]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=40347.0

Pictures:  https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-Cdsxg/i-gBK9fnN

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=54833c8275faefdf90a77e8a96b733ca&topic=46631.0

pictures:   http://www.faledi.ch/images/Mille%20GT/album/slides/Moto%20Guzzi%20Mille%20GT%20%2013.html

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=50115.0

[analog kid]

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-timing-marks-on-a-guzzi-mille-gt.718263/

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=34469.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=33703.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=c9145226843001d52054f01930a91205&topic=51677.0

Here's mine. Can you spot the red tractor? 





BTW those are Harley turn signals on the rear.
1) the originals literally fell apart. plastic age degradation
2) The P.O. installed signals that were the size of your thumbnail. No thanks.
3) Guzzi content: the HD signals were FREE!

[Testarossa]

I've put 3500 miles on mine since purchase in June, 2016 (see the thread cited by Analog Kidd http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82537.0). Very happy. Engine has been tight and smooth. I wound up setting it up for two-up touring with an SP fairing (cool because the Mille has been described as a naked SPII). I changed the bars to fit the fairing.

Mine has upgraded fork springs -- it feels firm and planted and I'm comfortable riding briskly on mountain roads, at least when solo. Corrected for odo error I get 47mpg solo, 44mpg two-up, which is probably on the thirsty side.

[guzzisteve]

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-timing-marks-on-a-guzzi-mille-gt.718263/

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=34469.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=33703.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=c9145226843001d52054f01930a91205&topic=51677.0

Here's mine. Can you spot the red tractor? 





BTW those are Harley turn signals on the rear.
1) the originals literally fell apart. plastic age degradation
2) The P.O. installed signals that were the size of your thumbnail. No thanks.
3) Guzzi content: the HD signals were FREE!

Pretty nice Combine! I used to have a Massey-Harris w/front end loader, traded it for a Super M

Mille's are very nice bikes, like any Guzzi they have some faults.

[Groover]

I think they have the mid length swingarm like the lemans 4 & 5 and T5, but that’s all I know and I’m not even sure I’m correct on that.

[Vagrant]

I bought a brand new 1990 in 93. what wasn't Italian racing red was chrome or polished. I still think it was the best looking bike Guzzi ever built.
the forks were made of pasta when pushed in the mountains. that was before GPS units but according the pen, paper, the odo and gas pump mine never got less than 65 MPG and usually 70. it had a big tank but didn't look the part and when i hit 300 miles on the first tank I accused my boy of slipping in some gas behind my back. those spoked wheels were beautiful but contained tubes.
I wish I still had it. the new V&-3 is as close as you can get to it now.

[jumpmaster]

Nice one on Ebay right now.  It occurred to me that I don’t know much about the Mille.  I tried to search for a strictly Mille thread here with info and such but couldn’t find much.  Anyone care to school me?

I don't think anyone on this thread mentioned that if you seriously shop for a Mille, the cast wheels look good but if you ever need to replace a front disc brake rotor you'll find that stock ones are as easy to find as finding a true statement coming out of a(ny) politician's mouth - unless someone has located a source of repro rotors in the last year or so.  Personally, I like the spoke wheels better anyway.   Just about all of the trim & bodywork is available but can be expensive, and it seems that my experience has been that whatever I have broken, lost or otherwise rendered unusable is currently out of stock and between production runs, & I have to wait awhile before finding it has been restocked by Harpers or MG Cycle. There are "Series 1" and "Series 2" Milles (maybe a Series 3, also?) that have VERY minimal equipment differences, and some, like my bike, have a mixture of both series' parts.  Not a big issue, but something to be aware of before ordering replacement cables, new instrument parts, etc.  The Mille "1000 GT Spare Parts Catalogue" is very helpful (and readily available) in this regard.  There is no comprehensive "owners manual," just a "supplement" to the 850-T5 owners manual (which is available from several sources).  Even this "supplement" leaves a few gaps in need or nice to know owners information, but I've found that I could find whatever else I've needed, at least so far, either in "Guzziology" or in "This Old Tractor,"  although it took some diligent searching sometimes.

Mille GTs seem to be coming out of the woodwork on ebay right now, but they've been pretty rarely listed over the past couple of years.  They don't seem to be increasing in value like some of the other (older) MGs, but at least they're not losing value at all.  I really like mine, although it isn't a comfortable all-day bike when I ride 2-up with my wife.  Riding alone, I've put 250-300+ plus day-long rides on it without coming close to reaching a comfort level issue, so I'd estimate that doing 4-500 mile days wouldn't be hard - and that's with the stock seat and stock handlebars.  Seats are a very personal issue, so that may be different for other people.  It came to me with lower European-style bars, and although the bike looked sportier that way, I found the low bars painful after an hour or so.  Sorry - long answer to a short question.  Bottom line:  If it appeals to you, buy now.  It may be a year or 2 before another bunch of them appear for sale.

[Orange Guzzi]

No more bikes Brian until you are finished with the one you have now.  And I regret not buying your GT. 

[bpreynolds]

No more bikes Brian until you are finished with the one you have now.  And I regret not buying your GT.

 
And don�t regret it.  Well okay, now it would be worth A LOT more than it was then but the Sport Classic line is now all Bitcoin and they are good bikes in general - I put near 16k on mine, but I happily sold it to get back on a Guzzi as there were several things about it that I just didn’t like.

And thanks to everyone here for all the great info above.  With that kind of fantstic range, I�m sure it would make a fine tourer. 

[BMCMOTO]

My now standard Mille reply:

The Mille's Achilles heels are it's horrible seat and overly stiff throttle, Rich Maund can build a much better seat and has done so for me, the throttle can be overcome with a throttle lock (Vanda cruise on mine) and or lighter throttle springs (check Guzziology).  My Mille will cruise all day at more than the posted speed on any road in the U.S.A.  Things that may need attention include timing chain tensioner, mufflers that tended to rust through prematurely (late model Cali mufflers are a direct replacement), suspension system, brakes need braided hoses to give their best.  I love mine and will not sell it.

Value, personally I believe realistic pricing is difficult, I think they're worth more than blue book values.  I also believe selling one is not easy they're kind of an odd duck, not typical Guzzi fare and they are fairly rare.  It's been said that no more than 200 came to the US.  I have no idea if that is a good number but it seems possible.  I have long thought that if I was forced to sell mine I would ask $4000.00 and take no less than $3500.00. 

Brian

[Denis]

the forks were made of pasta when pushed in the mountains. that was before GPS units but according the pen, paper, the odo and gas pump mine never got less than 65 MPG and usually 70.

Didn't you mean 65 MPH and usually 70? Haha.

[Vagrant]

Didn't you mean 65 MPH and usually 70? Haha.

no I meant MPG. that SOB wouldn't run out of gas period. I even richened up the mid range but then it ran too rich so I had to change it back. it was the small valve motor and I loved it.

[Triple Jim]

I was on a trip a couple years ago, riding the Mille, and got low on fuel between gas stations.  I kept watching the trip odometer, wondering when the engine would start sputtering and make me change to reserve.  It got up around 310 miles when I got to a gas station, and I hadn't had to go to reserve.  I appreciated low performance tuning a little more after that.

[Tom]

If you can't find a reasonably priced Mille then a Strada will almost do the same.

[Vagrant]

I was on a trip a couple years ago, riding the Mille, and got low on fuel between gas stations.  I kept watching the trip odometer, wondering when the engine would start sputtering and make me change to reserve.  It got up around 310 miles when I got to a gas station, and I hadn't had to go to reserve.  I appreciated low performance tuning a little more after that.

and that's one of my many favorite things about the new V7's. lots of fuel and great mileage.

[kfz]

Pretty standard Guzzi not sure how people are getting stiff throttles etc ,especially with tidily little 30mm carbs?

Worst thing is the parts bin specials. All the plastic work is just plain shit (no other word for it).  The clocks and surround (from the 1100 cali) is appalling and just goes brittle and shatters, the clocks themselves are rubbish as well.  The front mudguard (fender) appears to made out of recycled plastic bags and is about as stiff.  But then the 35mm forks are far too weedy anyway.  Hate to think whats happening on bends. The  30 mm carbs too.

non of the above is non-resolvable and apart from this they are pretty standard guzzi.  Economical and cheap to run and fix. Comfy ( Stock seat is horrid) over distance. Decent pillion accommodation.

Wires look nice

Kev

[Denis]

If you can't find a reasonably priced Mille then a Strada will almost do the same.

The drawback there is that Stradas are REALLY rare and that odd seat limited the operator's movement. At least the Mille seat (same as the SPII) afforded some space to move around.

[Tom]

If someone is looking for more of a stripped down bike then you should include the Strada, T3, 850T.  That is unless you want to take a California and mod that.  If one is only looking for a particular model of Moto Guzzi then your search is very limited.

[Denis]

If someone is looking for more of a stripped down bike then you should include the Strada, T3, 850T.  That is unless you want to take a California and mod that.  If one is only looking for a particular model of Moto Guzzi then your search is very limited.

I absolutely loved my 850-T, which was my first bike, and wish I'd kept it. I'd own another one.

[Tom]

 

[slopokes]

I wish I had kept Eldo-cal 2–sp2–and now I just spilled my milk…..