Favorite Non-Guzzi Street Bike

[sdcr]

....
For you fans of the SRX600, some of the MZ Skorpion gurus have mated an air cooled XT600 top end to the 660 bottom end, or just substituted the XT600E engine in the MZ frame.

IMO, the air cooled MZ is a nice looking bike.  No doubt a bit slower and a bit lighter....

Ed, which MZ are you referring to, the 500, or the later Skorpion?
The Skorpion had a relatively powerful, water cooled, Yamaha engine, IIRC.

[SIR REAL ED]

Ed, which MZ are you referring to, the 500, or the later Skorpion?
The Skorpion had a relatively powerful, water cooled, Yamaha engine, IIRC.

I am referring to the Skorpion 660 with the water cooled, 5 valve single Yamaha also used in the XTZ660, the SZR660, and the Tenere' that were not sold in the US.

I will post some pictures of the modified bike when I get a chance.

IIRC, the 500 used an air cooled single built by Rotax.

[SIR REAL ED]

Ed, which MZ are you referring to, the 500, or the later Skorpion?
The Skorpion had a relatively powerful, water cooled, Yamaha engine, IIRC.

sdcr, here are two of the beasts I was referencing.

[sidecarnutz]

Over a 30 year period I had 30 Guzzi's. Sometimes up to four at once. For some years I became the local Guzzi tech. Unwanted Guzzi's would often find there way here for restoration or rehoming.
As my tastes finally wandered, I found myself lusting after the RS900 Kawasaki in 2019 when it came out. But I was also getting older and needed something smaller. I wound up with a 2021 RE 650 GT. It WAs the bike I needed and it's been a real peach! Had it out just yesterday for an hour's joy ride.

[Ncdan]

1983 Honda CB1000C, the one year wonder.
This one came dressed new from the dealership with the dealer option, Vetter windjammer equipment.

[kingoffleece]

Tiger 1050-Hamlinized, of course, with top notch front and rear suspension.

[sdcr]

sdcr, here are two of the beasts I was referencing.

Mine was a 96 Sport with the integrated fairing.
Same green as yours, which BTW, is a VW color from the 90’s.

[rschrum]

[Motormike]

I'd have to say my old 1989 Harley FXRT.  Rode that thing all over.  My first real touring bike.  Sturgis, Yellowstone, Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.  Countless trips to Florida.  So many good memories.  I'd probably still be riding it if that lady in the Ford Tarus hadn't pulled out in front of me in Paducah, KY!  Sturgis 99...I wrecked mine!

[Frulk]

XR1200, followed closely by the CB1100.

[AH Fan]

Nope............. never had anything to compete.   

Ciao

[Juan1]

Ducati Monster S2R800 from the mid 2000's.  The SV650 is a better version of it, but the Duc has the looks and the fun quirks.

[sdcr]

I'd have to say my old 1989 Harley FXRT.  Rode that thing all over.  My first real touring bike.  Sturgis, Yellowstone, Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.  Countless trips to Florida.  So many good memories.  I'd probably still be riding it if that lady in the Ford Tarus hadn't pulled out in front of me in Paducah, KY!  Sturgis 99...I wrecked mine!

Nice machine. IIRC, these had the enclosed chain, that ran in an oil bath.

[Ncdan]

Nice machine. IIRC, these had the enclosed chain, that ran in an oil bath.

In 1983 the local HD dealership sent our motor squad one of those, in the police model, to try out.
Each of the 14 of us got it for a day and sent out CO a review.
I remember writing a good review as it was a well suited for a police motorcycle.
The deal didn’t go through, probably money reasons, so we kept our CB900s from 82-89.

[guzzi ride]

I'm an MZ fan as well. A great handling parallel twin.

[sdcr]

I'm an MZ fan as well. A great handling parallel twin.

And an extremely rare MZ as well.

[SIR REAL ED]

Nope............. never had anything to compete.   

Ciao

You have never owned any other street bikes but Moto Guzzi's? 

How sad!   

Reminds me of a guy back home who only rode Harleys for decades.  He never tired of telling people that anything other than a Harley wasn't a motorcycle and that people who rode non-Harleys had no idea what a "good motorcycle" was.  Then his Harley was stolen, and it was during the era when getting a new Harley from a dealer took about 18 months.  So he swallowed his self esteem and bought a new Moto Guzzi.  He never looked back at Harleys and rode Moto Guzzi's for the rest of his life, another 20 years or so.  Again, he never tired of telling people that Moto Guzzi's were the best thing out there.

If the V-Twins are not toooooo civilized, their charm is undeniable!

[krglorioso]

Age and a very slight physique made it necessary to sell both my Stone Touring hydros in 2016.  I manage today (barely) with a 2004 Breva 750 which is the bike (of three) I'm happiest to be seen on.  The '21 Royal Enfield is manageable, currently, but its days appear numbered only a bit more than the Breva. 

My least favorite bike to be seen on, but my most easy to ride, and thus likely the longest to reside in my garage, is the 2017 Honda CB-500F, shown below.  Lightened to 398# topped off, lowered to a 29" seat height, it is very pleasant to ride, if a bit tepid.  It does get a consistent mileage in the mid-70s mpg as I ride moderately and have upped the gearing by 13%.

[Motormike]

Nice machine. IIRC, these had the enclosed chain, that ran in an oil bath.

Only the first year of production (still a shovelhead) Mine had a rear belt drive just like they do today. 

[Ncdan]

Only the first year of production (still a shovelhead) Mine had a rear belt drive just like they do today.

The 83s that we tested were belt driven as a chain would have definitely been a deal breaker to even agree to testing them.

[Huzo]

Age and a very slight physique made it necessary to sell both my Stone Touring hydros in 2016.  I manage today (barely) with a 2004 Breva 750 which is the bike (of three) I'm happiest to be seen on.  The '21 Royal Enfield is manageable, currently, but its days appear numbered only a bit more than the Breva. 

My least favorite bike to be seen on, but my most easy to ride, and thus likely the longest to reside in my garage, is the 2017 Honda CB-500F, shown below.  Lightened to 398# topped off, lowered to a 29" seat height, it is very pleasant to ride, if a bit tepid.  It does get a consistent mileage in the mid-70s mpg as I ride moderately and have upped the gearing by 13%.

Can you elaborate as to why you altered the gearing ?

[RinkRat II]

  As others here with impeccable taste have said,   My K75S. From new in1987, still my go to bike.




   Paul B

[BlueMarbleRider]

So fellows, I admit to feeling a bit guilty.   I loved my 2013 Guzzi V7 Stone to bits and racked up some decent mileage on her.  But after my crash, I “turned Japanese” and now ride a 2019 Kawasaki Z900 RS.  Which, I confess, I also love to bits.  So I’m not here on Wild Guzzi as much as I was before. 

So tell me.  You may be a dyed-in-the-wool, no-joke, real-deal Guzzi fanatic.  But what is your favorite non-Guzzi street bike?

Same as you, Sir, I have 4 bikes, and my two favourites are the Z900RS and Guzzi Griso 12008V.  Different in so many ways, but the same in the few critical ones: both thoroughbreds, make me feel part of the bike/machine - both are rider's bikes.  Both give great feedback and are rewarding, exhilerating and feel unique.  Don't ask me to choose, I couldn't.  Cheers. BMR.

[Turin]

Guzzi Ride

https://ibb.co/cY03S7c

Oh man, I really wanted a MZ1000 S More pics please!

[guzzi ride]

Once there were two.

[sdcr]

Once there were two.

I wished that the “reborn” MZ company would have survived, as they had very innovative ideas for the machines.

 After the wall fell, there were entrepreneurial investors pouring money into East block industries. I can’t remember the name of the guy that was heading up MZ, but he came off as a real motorcycle type. Not sure what happened in the end,, but they never were able to establish a solid dealer network in the US.

[johnwesley]

I’ve always leaned to cross country touring with as many tight twisty roads as possible. In my younger years that was a zx9r and then on into a mix of ADV bikes and a concourse. One of the stand out bikes for my was that Connie

[et18]

I would have to say my R1100RS but I’ve never been disappointed by any oilhead. My one time riding a wethead tells me I wouldn’t mind owning the newer RS shown in this thread and I’d love to own a newer RT, but if I have to pick one it would be my old RS. Hasn’t let me down in 29 years.

[Turin]

Was that Silver MZ 1000s for sale on ADV rider a couple of years ago?

[sdcr]

I would have to say my R1100RS but I’ve never been disappointed by any oilhead. My one time riding a wethead tells me I wouldn’t mind owning the newer RS shown in this thread and I’d love to own a newer RT, but if I have to pick one it would be my old RS. Hasn’t let me down in 29 years.

The Oilheads are solid bikes. I’ve seen a few with 200,000 plus miles, with an unopened mill.