New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
Started this thread looking for a touring bike with factory fairing and bags at a wet weight around 500 pounds, capable of hauling rider, passenger and luggage for a multi day tour. (The GL650. Weighed in around 530 lbs.) I thought 30 years of technology could produce such a bike if it was desired but maybe it’s not? I realize just about any bike could have bags thrown over the back and ridden for days on end. I’m thinking of a factory set up touring bike around 500 pounds that can carry 2 people comfortably. Is it possible?
I decided to put together a sport touring bike to fit my needs this past Spring. 2021 RE Conti GT. Added a touring saddle side bags and then a factory rack that I put a Givi universal baseplate on. Then a Givi 45 liter trunk. Perfect solo sport tourer for me. The 270 degree crank makes it smooth like a Guzzi. 70 mpg out on the road. (Euro 4 cert) I think the suspension and brakes are great. I've been told the Conti has stiffer springs than the INT. It suits my 250# short bulk well. I got it broken in before I got my new knee installed. Started riding again last week 10 weeks after the knee installation. VERY pleased to be back riding and working my way up to touring on it this Fall!
Interesting; you find the OEM Enfield 650 suspension great and I find it awful (hard). The answer lies in the rider's weight, apparently. You weigh 250# and I'm 133# this morning.I need to give serious consideration to the Big Mac diet.Ralph
For a lightweight, inexpensive Guzzi touring bike, this:
With an aging demographics of motorcycle riders, Is there a market for a smaller sized touring bike with a fairing? Does every touring bike have to be over 1000cc and 600 pounds? Remember back when Honda marketed the 650 cc twin engine Silver Wing? Some riders on here are considering much smaller bikes to tour on in place of a Norge or Big block Guzzi. Many of us are realizing we can get by with a much smaller bike for touring.They’ve gone smaller with adventure bikes. Is there a market for smaller sized touring bikes with a fairing or is that market segment too small? Or have the adventure bikes taking on that role?
Just don't plan on riding on any freeways...
I would also like to see a real “TOURING” midsize motorcycle offered by all the major companies. When I say “touring” I’m saying one that the buyer does not have to start replacing substandard equipment from the get go, to have a good tourer. When one has to do that, they have not purchased a true “touring” motorcycle. Huzo is proving, as we speak, that any motorcycle can be equipped and used as a touring bike.
Bit late to this party, but will relate an encounter at Sturgis about 2001~ camped next to a young man on his way back from Alaska. He was riding a 250 Honda (the small cruiser) on his way home to the midwest (forget the state). Said he had had no problems other than a worn out rear tire and the small gas tank (about 150 miles IMS). Said he could maintain about 60 MPH on the freeway if forced to use them. He had a full camping set up and only had duffle bags for storage and a softbag of some kind on the luggage rack. I am sure that bike qualified as a "touring bike"111
if you want full wind protection,i think it is difficult to get all you want in a touring bike below a certain size and weight. the best one i had was a 2004 r1150rt. the specs put it at 630 lbs ready to ride. it had a 60 inch wheelbase which meant a passenger could ride in reasonable comfort and a real full coverage fairing. it was a little topheavy. previously, i had an 1100rs that weighed 50 lbs less but the coverage was not in the same league as the rt. the original r100rt may have come in a little under 600 lbs, but look what it didn't have. no abs, skinny bike tires, far less stout construction.i just don't think you can get what you want for under 600lbs.
1983 Honda GL650 Silverwing Interstate is 529 lbs wet.2010 Honda NT700VA ABS is 571 lbs wet.Both were equipped with shaft drive, integrated hard bags. and frame mounted fairing.Both also were equipped with 5 speed transmissions. Would be nice to see a dct or at least a 6 speed transmission. Current choices from Honda offer either chain drive or else a 1200 that weighs 667 lbs wet.
I'd be really happy if Guzzi expands the V85 range to include a more road going bike. Don't need a full fairing like my old Norge, and I don't need two up capacity. Time will tell.
Freeways/motorways(UK) are probably childs play compared to the Bahn. Lane discipline is the key. Tooling along at an indicated 100mph, Jeff on the Norge and me on the Breva 750, we passed a fair few cars and trucks doing a steady 80 to 90. The MOMENT you pass them and its safe to do so, you have to pull back into the "slow" lane because you can bet there's a Focus RS or a Porsche or Audi or Merc doing between 120 and 170 wanting to come past. And the amazing thing (compared to the UK) is THEY then move to the far right lane if there is nothing in front of them. It all works amazingly well.
