V100 question

[Stratodisaster]

Ive been looking at v100’s to replace my Norge .haven’t ridden one but sat on one and it seemed like the seat was very narrow.  Also I’ve noticed a lot of used ones with very low mileage . I haven’t read where they’re major issues and was wondering why people were getting rid of them so soon. Any comments appreciated. Thanks

[draco_1967]

I just picked one up two weeks ago. I had sat on one before, but never had a chance to test ride one. It was the most "blind" purchase I've made, though I did do a ton of reading reviews and watching videos. The look and sound of the Mandello were too intoxicating for me to resist lol!

There were a lot of early teething issues that seemed to be (bad)luck of the draw. Coolant leaks, dash units that drain the battery too fast, a few service bulletins for the clutch, etc. I think there are a lot of people who are uncomfortable with a bike that has such a tiny dealer network. Parts can be hard to get. I'm OK with the risk. It could also be just not "connecting" with the bike. The V100 is very different from the Japanese bikes I'm used to. There are a lot of people who rotate bikes frequently and won't stick with a bike they don't like enough.

Frankly, a lot of riders don't actually ride that much. I know several people who only put a few hundred miles per year on their bike. I don't get it. I put more miles on in a weekend than they do all year... Tons of used bikes are sold with low mileage. I traded my Tracer with 39k miles, and that is considered "very high" miles for a bike. The bike was 5.5 years old, so that seems low to me, but I guess I'm weird.

As far as the seat goes, I would say it is narrow up front, but the rear of the seat feels as wide as any of the recent sport tourers I've had (Tracer 900, FJR, etc.). The seat does lock you into one spot. I will probably modify my seat to raise it a little and give a little more of a platform to move around some. I need to do some longer rides to really see what I need to do with the seat.

We only get one life, and it can be short. Give the bike a try!

[Moparnut72]

I also bought mine with no test ride. An around the block ride doesn't tell you much. Anyway I am very happy with the bike, it took several thousand miles for the bike to "break in" as in smooth out. As far as the seat goes I thought I would have to address that ASAP but it is actually quite good on long rides.
kk

[rocker59]

Ive been looking at v100’s to replace my Norge .haven’t ridden one but sat on one and it seemed like the seat was very narrow.  Also I’ve noticed a lot of used ones with very low mileage . I haven’t read where they’re major issues and was wondering why people were getting rid of them so soon. Any comments appreciated. Thanks

There were a few issues on the earliest V100 Mandellos.  As mentioned above.

They've been well sorted, though, and later models seem to be just fine.

I think a reason for so many in the used market is that they were marketed to and sold to "New To Guzzi" riders who just didn't like them.  Too Different from the FJRs and whatever other German and Japanese sport-tourers they've been riding.

Being an existing Guzzi rider, I'm sure you can handle any of the bike's ideosyncracies.

[SemperVee]

  I went to a not local dealer to check out the VN85 Travel and fell head over heals for the V100 S with semi automatic suspension and gold wheels.  felt like a more elegant version of my Norge. 

[PeteS]

I only test rode one for maybe 15 miles or so. Felt pretty comfortable to me and I have had to change the seat on about every bike I have owned save my V85. Power is another big step above the V85 which surprised me. I would like to get one but the good dealers are some distance from me.

Pete

[Stratodisaster]

I appreciate the replies . I already liked them just window shopping on cycletrader. Went to dealer this week and looked ,think I’m in love. I like the green and silver which I didn’t in the pics but it looks great in person.

[lucian]

Approaching 3,000 miles on my early s model.  One of the first to hit the northeast US. . I purchased it on pre order without any clue what i was getting other than what was released from Guzzi and early reviews.  I wanted to rid myself of an Aprilia Tuono v4 that was an impulse buy and way too much power for the street IMO.  I wanted something that would fall somewhere in between the 08 griso I had been riding, and the Tuono that I was letting go of, performance , handling and weight wise. The dealer pretty much agreed with my presumption of the V100 as he had been to Italy for a demo release and ridden one for a weekend.  I was expecting a smaller size bike and was surprised when it finally showed up how big it was, especially comfort wise.  Unfortunately mine had an early issue with the cruise control not functioning and the dealer picked it up and the factory replaced the front wiring harness and it has been fine ever since. I am not new to the brand and currently  still have the 08 griso , as well as a 1400 custom , and a 850 Lemans III, as well as a v50 II . The v100 is a step above all of the air cooled models in terms of performance . The biggest improvement for me is the fueling  as compared to the earlier FI model I have had experience with. It is absolutely sublime at any rev and the power delivery is absolutely linear from bottom to top. It is still quirky enough to remind you it is  a niche brand bike , and it is a joy to ride slow or fast. The cruise control is a great improvement over the 1400 models with + or _ on the switchgear and resume. I thought I may miss the Tuono for its incredible handling attributes but I have not .  Unlike the Tuono ,the v100 is a joy to ride slow as well as being capable of sport bike like performance  if you so desire. best of all, it does not constantly beg you to ride at go to jail speeds.  I have no regrets about the v100 and it is getting all the miles currently despite the other options I still have but may soon let go of. ( other than the 1400, its a keeper, The mrs. still prefers it as pillion]. I don't think you will be disappointed in the bikes riding experience if you can tolerate the other aspects of owning a niche brand like dealer proximity , resale hit ect. The build quality seems very good on the new Guzzi's and I would not fear any major issues if you keep up on required maintenance and treat it kindly.  Best of luck with your search.

[MGrego]

I traded my 8V Norge in on a '24 V100 S last year.  I liked the Norge A LOT, -- but I like the V100 S even more !

Over 5000 miles and no issues at all.  I have no regrets going from the Norge to a V100.  The V100 seems like a smaller bike than the Norge somehow, even though I think the wheelbase is about identical.  The V100 weighs a little less.  Unlike the long legged Norge, you can ride the V100 around town and at low speeds without the jerking the Norge had.  I had a big windscreen on the Norge, so I lost some wind protection, but no big deal.  V100 definitely more svelte.