V100 for Speed Twin 1200

[faffi]

FWIW, hydraulic systems can fail instantly as well, if the master cylinder seal suddenly gives up. This also goes for brakes.

I also have a habit of putting my transmissions into neutral - even auto-boxes - when at a standstill. But I do know people who always stay in gear and vividly watch their mirrors so that in case of something coming up too fast behind, they have a fighting chance to move out of the way before impact.

[Moparnut72]

I shift to neutral if it looks like I am going to be stopped for more than 15 seconds or so, not every time. Also If I had test ridden my Mandello before I bought it, it would have stayed on the dealer's floor. But after some mileage it was just fine. Test rides won't tell you much as they are way too short and restricted either by the dealer or self because of it being a new bike.
kk

[draco_1967]

Interesting. I guess I get it. I have yet to experience any clutch or thrust bearing failures on any of my bikes. I'm in a state that allows lane filtering, and I don't want to be in neutral when the light turns green. It's easier to just keep it in gear.

[Huzo]

Interesting. I guess I get it. I have yet to experience any clutch or thrust bearing failures on any of my bikes. I'm in a state that allows lane filtering, and I don't want to be in neutral when the light turns green. It's easier to just keep it in gear.

If you’re properly immersed and situationally aware, you’ll watch the light on the cross road and be ready to go.
Also, I don’t just do what’s “easy”, I just like to consider what’s mechanically sympathetic for the bike.
To sit in gear with the clutch in, just shows a lack of understanding and consideration. That might be why my clutch is 18 years and 230,000 km old without ever having seen the light of day…

[MikeP996]

I do both - shift to neutral or leave in gear/clutch disengaged.  It depends on how long I think I'll be sitting there. 

[draco_1967]

I understand what you are saying about wear. Situational awareness is key. When it comes to situations where fractions of a second might make a big difference, I don't want to have to compound reaction time + pull in the clutch + shift into first + go to the equation in an emergency. I'll take the little extra wear that might happen when I hold the clutch in for a minute at a light, if it gives me a the chance for quicker reactions if/when I need it.

[Huzo]

I understand what you are saying about wear. Situational awareness is key. When it comes to situations where fractions of a second might make a big difference, I don't want to have to compound reaction time + pull in the clutch + shift into first + go to the equation in an emergency. I'll take the little extra wear that might happen when I hold the clutch in for a minute at a light, if it gives me a the chance for quicker reactions if/when I need it.

That’s fair.

[SEA_Guzzi]

I have both a 2024 Speed Twin and a 2023 V100 Mandello.

I love the Speed Twin. It's a modern classic with suspension that's dialed in and twin analog clocks. It's a bike that I will never sell.

I also love the Mandello. Great grunt, handles well, super comfortable. But I do worry about long term reliability. I like to do my own wrenching, and all indications are that maintenance on the V100 will be over complicated compared to my Triumphs.

[bronzestar1]

I have both a 2024 Speed Twin and a 2023 V100 Mandello.  I love the Speed Twin. It's a modern classic with suspension that's dialed in and twin analog clocks. It's a bike that I will never sell.  I also love the Mandello. Great grunt, handles well, super comfortable. But I do worry about long term reliability. I like to do my own wrenching, and all indications are that maintenance on the V100 will be over complicated compared to my Triumphs.

There was a time when I had a '74 Eldo LAPD, '78 V50, and a '95 Sport 1100 all at the same time.  I didn't mind wrenching on those bikes, checking and adjusting the valves was a snap, and I went so far as to install a set of Agostini straight-cut aluminum timing gears on the Sport 1100.  But as I'm getting set to retire this year, and with the lack of a Guzzi dealer network in the States, I just felt it was more risky to keep my Guzzis, than to replace them with another brand that had more of a dealer network and parts availability.  When I move to NC for retirement, there will be Aprilia ('26 Tuono 660 Factory), Triumph ('24 Scrambler 400X and '25 Speed Twin 1200), and Suzuki ('25 SV650) dealers MUCH closer than a Guzzi dealer.  If I was 10-15 years younger, that wouldn't have mattered, but it does now.     

[Vagrant]

If you go out 75 miles from Atlanta or Green valley there are more Guzzi dealers than Triumph. Worse yet after seeing a $1,400 bill for a valve check and oil change on a 765 Triumph It's a big no for me. But they sure have some pretty stuff.

[DoubleGuzzi]

.. a $1,400 bill for a valve check and oil change on a 765 Triumph ..

Yikes! 
Stealers!

[blackcat]

The valves are checked at 15,000 miles and from what I have found it doesn't seem to be that difficult though more so than the Guzzi's from the past.
 
https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/v100-valve-lash-thread.27515/

[Bulldog9]

If you’re properly immersed and situationally aware, you’ll watch the light on the cross road and be ready to go.
Also, I don’t just do what’s “easy”, I just like to consider what’s mechanically sympathetic for the bike.
To sit in gear with the clutch in, just shows a lack of understanding and consideration. That might be why my clutch is 18 years and 230,000 km old without ever having seen the light of day…

2026 is going to be weird..... I've been agreeing with Huzo and KevM.......

I grew up riding in NYC and surrounding areas on Long Island......Spent my first 30+ years in the greater North East mostly in cities, then years around the world in the Army, and now in the Metro Washington DC area..... Yeah Traffic...... 

When coming to a traffic light ANYWHERE, I will stay in gear with clutch in initially as I evaluate the situation. If there are NO cars in the area, It goes in Neutral and off clutch. If there are cars coming up behind, I stay in gear until movement has come to a stop behind me. I will also blip my brake light so the blind maroons coming up behind me see that I am there. As all but one of my cars are manuals,  I do it the same whether on 2 or 4 wheels.   Gotta keep your head on a swivel 24/7.

To sit at a traffic light in gear with foot or hand on the clutch is bad for your throwout bearing, clutch plate, pilot bearing and is unnecessary. You CAN be safe and responsible with your clutch wear. I will also pop the Tundra into Neutral if the light is long and traffic is already behind me. Helps to keep the transmission from overheating.

I have ZERO worry about a hydraulic master or slave failing suddenly. Sure it may leak and slowly let fluid pass causing the clutch to reengage, and it can go bad, lose its 'prime' while sitting, but no worries in normal operation. Cables are a bit more prone to sudden snapping, and why I carry a spare whenever I am on a trip. You know the deal, as long as you carry one, it will never break..... LOL

As for the infamous 'lurch' on the V100, part of that is the nature of a wet clutch, part of that is as has been mentioned breaking in. A properly adjusted shift lever will also work wonders. As in many situations slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Even the dry clutch when sitting and idling will get the transmission gears spinning, and when not given time to stop when pulling the clutch will cause a lurch. A wet clutch will also drag when cold and be a bit slower to fully disengage.

Regardless, a 1-2 second Pause will reduce the issue, as will when the engine oil (shared with clutch and transmission) is up to temp.

I rented a Mandello S with about 500 miles on it for a day, and didn't notice anything odd, or out of the ordinary and rode it back to back with the V85 my BIL rented.

OK, back to building my new Indian Chief Retro on the Indian Site.............. Thanks alot Luap........... 

[PeteS]

If you go out 75 miles from Atlanta or Green valley there are more Guzzi dealers than Triumph. Worse yet after seeing a $1,400 bill for a valve check and oil change on a 765 Triumph It's a big no for me. But they sure have some pretty stuff.

I am not surprised. I did my own on my Tiger800XC. Its pretty time consuming given everything you have to remove to add/subtract shims. i’ll stick to screw adjusters.

Pete

[DoubleGuzzi]

2026 is going to be weird..... I've been agreeing with Huzo and KevM.......

Aye, it's disconcerting. 

[Huzo]

I've been agreeing with Huzo and KevM.......

You should be ok…
You’ll find that you only agree with me when you’re correct…

[Bulldog9]

You should be ok…
You’ll find that you only agree with me when you’re correct…

I'm buying a lottery ticket the day you two agree.

[SIR REAL ED]

2026 is going to be weird..... I've been agreeing with Huzo and KevM.......

When you guys agree, it's difficult for me to respect any of you.....