What guzzis, if any, are worth just staying away from?

[Chuck in Indiana]

The big guy said

All three cars I bought were owned by young ladies, living at home, whose Dads had been doing the maintenance for their girl,

There's a difference.

[boatdetective]

I know this is going to draw plenty of hate, but here goes:

I would strongly suggest getting one of the newer series of bikes as a first Guzzi. Anything "classic" is, well, 30-40 years old. The newer series stuff really does run predictably, with less fiddling, and tends to stay in adjustment longer. There- i've said it. It took me a few expected projects to get my 1200S sorted- but it has been a great runner all around since then.  Fuel injection good. CARC good. new transmissions vedy, vedy good.

[Doppelgaenger]

I know this is going to draw plenty of hate, but here goes:

I would strongly suggest getting one of the newer series of bikes as a first Guzzi. Anything "classic" is, well, 30-40 years old. The newer series stuff really does run predictably, with less fiddling, and tends to stay in adjustment longer. There- i've said it. It took me a few expected projects to get my 1200S sorted- but it has been a great runner all around since then.  Fuel injection good. CARC good. new transmissions vedy, vedy good.

Well I already have that covered, the Breva 1100 sits in the driveway and gets ridden almost every day.

I'd honestly love to get something like a Laverda or Bennelli, but that's a whole other can of worms...

[kevdog3019]

It's sort of a sign that the person who did it really doesn't know anything about motorcycle performance, just "noise" and "show".

And if THAT'S what they're interested in, there's probably a history of overrevving, lugging, overheating, and who knows what all else.   

Just something to watch out for.

Lannis

Lannis,
     If they said "Yeah man... I put these pipes on and got like 5-10 more HP out of this baby, it's great; you should hear it"... that's one thing, but  if they did several performance mods and told me how they came up with the pipe choice (albeit a little loud), I would probably accept their logic if it ran well.  WAY different scenarios and YES, you can get a performance difference if you take into account the engine as a whole and how well it runs with your choice of pipes.  I'm NOT into loud pipes myself as a rule.  

[Hacksaw]

:+1

and run if they say Crisco.

 :+1 :+1

However, if they say "Yak Fat" then quickly offer them TRIPLE the asking price before the specimen is scooped out from under you.   

[jas67]

All of the two cylinder ones should be avoided.

The 8 cylinder ones are prohibitively expensive, and impossible to get parts for.    :BEER:

[Idontwantapickle]

The 8 cylinder ones are prohibitively expensive, and impossible to get parts for.    :BEER:

But loads of fun to lap the Isle of Man with!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_gQ7D00bc

[Lannis]

But loads of fun to lap the Isle of Man with!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_gQ7D00bc

That's a nice sounding bike.   I'm sure the guy on board felt no pressure at all on that Mountain Course, risking throwing a million dollars worth of unique motorcycle down the road ...  :o  :o  :o

Lannis

[Idontwantapickle]

That's a nice sounding bike.   I'm sure the guy on board felt no pressure at all on that Mountain Course, risking throwing a million dollars worth of unique motorcycle down the road ...  :o  :o  :o

Lannis

It was his to ride, he rode it back in the day for Guzzi IIRC.

[AGRO!]

Are open pipes a huge problem? Ive always been curious about this, but most give different answers...

Having open pipes makes the engine run cooler.
Also who rides a V Twin without open pipes? Old people maybe?:winer
Even guzzi have Arrow track pipes for the V7 plus the bike will run these pipes without remapping.
How many Ducati's do you see with a quite exhaust?
Live the dream moss and get those heavy clogged up stock pipes off your bike and open her up! You will love the sound.

[jas67]

The V7 areas are not obnoxiously loud.   They're a little louder than stock, but, not by much.    They do sound MUCH better than stock.   I really like 'em.

They look better than stock too.

IMG_5618 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

[AGRO!]

The V7 areas are not obnoxiously loud.   They're a little louder than stock, but, not by much.    They do sound MUCH better than stock.   I really like 'em.

They look better than stock too.

IMG_5618 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

I noticed you have cast wheels? So did you buy the racer then change the wheel?
I bought the stone because I didn't want tubed tyres so I ended up buying the racer rear sets,clipons, seat and a set of pipe master pipes.

[jas67]

I noticed you have cast wheels? So did you buy the racer then change the wheel?
I bought the stone because I didn't want tubed tyres so I ended up buying the racer rear sets,clipons, seat and a set of pipe master pipes.

The original owner "Adan" on this forum bought the stone wheels, and swapped 'em out.
He also added the Arrow exhaust and a 5 year warranty.   He then gave me a helluva good deal on it!

[krglorioso]

Some riders should avoid all Guzzis.  The rest of us see no reason to avoid any of them.

Ralph

[AGRO!]

The original owner "Adan" on this forum bought the stone wheels, and swapped 'em out.
He also added the Arrow exhaust and a 5 year warranty.   He then gave me a helluva good deal on it!

5 year warranty! That's unreal I was thinking of going the racer and changing the wheels but I like the look of the black stone to much ;-T

[jas67]

5 year warranty! That's unreal I was thinking of going the racer and changing the wheels but I like the look of the black stone to much ;-T

Your end result gave you what you want -- that's what counts.

[Furbo]

Guzzi has made some turds....fortunatel y most of them never came to the US.

SP's with a MotoPlatt ignition have probably already been "upgraded" to a dyna or points. Either are fine, but if you find a motoplatt model...and it would be unusual at this time that it was still functioning...just know...

Small block points ignitions are weak - a dyna S is the ticket there.

Some folks whine about the 16" F Wheels on the mid 80's LeMans and SP/Spada...but hey, Dr John won the BOTT on one. Tire choice is a concern nowadays.

The Nuovo Falcone ....not that youre in the market for one...has some well known issues with lubrication of the top end....that's fixable with a kit still available from Teo Lamers, and they are charming to ride...so.

So....No, nothing you're likely to come into contact with.