mod the v11 or get a griso?

[not-fishing]

My 07 Griso never got anything over 35 MPG my Eldo routinely gets over 50 MPG.

My Griso 1100 gets 42 to 45 for the last 12,000 miles (last year) about 10,000 of those are commuting on city streets.

[Travlr]

I had a real "garage shootout" when I had the Scura and Griso 8V both in the garage.

FWIW I kept the Scura and moved the Griso. 

M

[nobleswood]

This is what I have on my V11 ( I even think this is my bike ) on Harpers website. Lifts me up enough to balance out the pressure on my wrists.

http://www.harpermoto.com/lsl-handlebar-conversion-for-v11-sport.html

[mjptexas]

Yeah. Buy a California, if you have to ride with the HD crowd.

My V11 LeMans was good enough in stock configuration for thousand mile days with the only additions being an Air Hawk and Grip Puppies.

Don't go chasing down the ergos rabbit hole with the V11. Sure, some guys have done it and been happy, but most of them end up buying something else, like a Norge.

Griso is nice, but limited fuel range, and will feel like a harnessed race horse cruising with your HD friends.

Rocker is pretty much on target

- Cali 1400 will easily run with the bagger crowd and will leave them in the dust through the twistys.
- Have a V11 - nice bike, but will be gone before the Griso.
- I can do 150 miles between stops on my G11 so range isn't a issue for my riding.  If your bagger buddies are cruising along at the typical 65 mph you'll be pretty bored on the Griso, but then again you'll be pretty bored on a Cali 1400 too.  Both come into their own north of 70 mph.

[bad Chad]

I have to put some weight in Chucks corner.  Not that I have done much if anything yet about it, but I know for a fact that his claims of building core strength can greatly enhance once life, as noted by his ability to ride comfortably, where he couldn't prior.

You go you Super Chuck!

[charlie b]

That neck pain part is partly just muscle work. You are holding your head up at a different angle than 'normal'.  Combining the weight of the helmet and the angle makes the muscles complain.  Two ways to fix.  One, change ergos, more upright.  Or, training.  The training thing works better for me.

The 'training'?  Instead of sitting at home reclined, lean forward, putting your forearms on your knees.  You end up with about the same angle you have on the bike.  Every time you sit down to watch TV or run the computer assume that position.   Yep, it does work.  I can go almost all day now without the severe pain in the neck/shoulder.

Wrists. That is part of the core strength part Chuck talked about.  Don't hold yourself up with the hands on the bars.  Just rest your hands on the bars and hold your position with your core muscles, back and abs.  Yes, they will complain at first too.  :)

[Tom]

Take aspirin before a long ride.  Don't slouch.  Slide your butt to the bum stop.  Stop every 45" to an hour.  Just stand up and stretch while you have the bike in neutral.  You'll increase your range.  If that's what you want and you won't hurt as much.  1/3 wt. on the seat, 1/3 wt. on pegs and 1/3 wt. on the bars.

[rboe]

I went with a Griso (thought wrongly that my long legs would not fit the Scura - needed to move my bum all the way back....sigh). Had to lower the pegs, use Rox bar risers, Russell Day Long seat and a MRA fairing. After 600ish miles my shoulders are a bit sore and tired.

Perhaps I need a Norge. But as she sits, she can be ridden for lot's of miles.

[MotoG5]

Great Thread, lots of interesting input. I owned an 02' V11S for ten years but also had both a G5 and Cali III to use for long distance. Like the OP I loved it and just could not bring myself to modify it. Also like the OP found it to be a comfortable for only about 400 miles a day out here in the land of the square tire, Nebraska. Over the years I would at times trailer it up to the Black Hills where it truly shined and had some great times on it. The G5 and Cali finally reached the point that it was time to spend some real money on them due to high miles so they whet to owners who were willing to do so. That left me with the V11S. I still couldn't bring myself to mod it up for longer rides and I am not sure as some here have said that it would have been possible to get it there anyway. I am pushing 70 and had two bad bike/car encounters in my younger wilder days that have left me with pins and wires in a few places. Add arthritis to the mix and the V11 had to go. I replaced it with a Stelvio and for me that has worked out very well. Not everyone's cup of tea but it makes a fast, fun and very capable long range road bike. The only down side is that from time to time I really miss the old green rocket.

   

[earemike]

V11!

I've had a Scura & Ballabio at the same time and still felt the need to move around the bike when punting through the twisties. The high bars made a difference but with either bike if I didn't move around I'd end up with a sore arse & thats half the fun anyway...