Author Topic: what is the ultimate touring guzzi? (Read 9963 times)

lazlokovacs · « **on:** June 14, 2016, 01:27:08 PM »

so...

I've been riding my swannee fairing equipped calvin since 2006... many long long days in the saddle, including a few 800mile+ days and it has definitely proved itself as a great tourer...

drawbacks have always been

- a determined tendency to ping (even with the expensive californian re-flash, even with guzzidiag and a host of cables, even on the 2 different calvins I've toured on, even on high grade fuel etc....)
- a slightly cramped position from the floorboards, weird seat
- a small-ish tank
- the internal fuel hose popping off
- indifferent front suspension
- beautiful but annoying panniers

and if I'm picky I would also complain about not being able to run tubeless...

apart from that it has proved itself THE mount of choice for transcontinental 2 wheeled travel.

Now, if you could have or build any guzzi for touring; stock, modded, or cobbled together from different models, what would the ideal guzzi mile-muncher be?

FI or carbs? Tonti, loop or modern? spoked or cast? disc or drum? hard bags or ammo crates? etc etc

all you serious guzzi mile or kilometer munchers and iron butt afficianados, please chime in with your experiences and thoughts....

thanks

LK

rodekyll · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2016, 01:49:26 PM »

Ideal would be a 1200/2v hydro pumping a Convert tranny in a LWB Tonti frame. It would have a windjammer and huge hard bags. Tank would be about 8gal. Bars and seat adjustable on 3 axes each. Tubeless wheels, HID up front and LED all around. A quick disconnect for the sidecar would finish the package.

WitchCityGuzzi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:02:10 PM »

IMO, the Stelvio is the best touring bike Guzzi has ever made. Fast, comfortable, great handling, tons of storage, good wind protection, a suspension that can soak up pretty much any road abnormality, massive fuel capacity. 1000 mile days don't even make it break a sweat.

flip · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:04:09 PM »

I'm pretty happy with my Breva 1100. I added a big windshield, Corbin seat, hard bags, heavier rear spring, gps, etc. I've done 1000+ miles in a day on it. The Corbin seat could use a little tweaking and a cruise control would be nice but otner than that, I can't see how another bike could work any bettr for me.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:04:52 PM »

As far as older Guzzis , a California II would be a good choice IMHO.
Rick.

rocker59 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:05:37 PM »

V11 LeMans with Hepco + Becker bags. I enjoyed a bunch of really long days on mine...

ITSec · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:09:41 PM »

I've got no complaints about my Norge, now over 110,000 miles in 5 years of riding (one year off, no rides outside the city that year). To be 'ultimate', though, will invariably involve customizing any bike to meet your specific needs and preferences.

twhitaker · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:11:07 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on June 14, 2016, 02:05:37 PM

V11 LeMans with Hepco + Becker bags. I enjoyed a bunch of really long days on mine...

What he said. A Centauro would be a close second choice.

Kev m · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:16:52 PM »

So the answer really is "whatever Guzzi the person asked likes best".

FOR ME - it would probably be a Cali variant - could be 1100 or 1400, it would have to have sufficient range, decent windshield, decent bags (preferably quick-disconnecting). I would probably NOT go back to a single-disk (Jackal) for my uses, though it was adequate most of the time.

For the OP - I would wonder if the Cali 1400 would fit his needs, simply because of the similarity to his Cal-Vin (both being much more different than say a CARC, which though they are wonderful machines and I liked my Breva, I always PREFERRED my Cali, and I wonder if he might too).

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:20:39 PM »

Although I don't own a Stelvio it would be my tool of choice. I like the riding position I feel like I have better visiuals sitting up. And the storage is good. But I like my tiger just fine

cloudbase · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2016, 02:40:32 PM »

The Quota works for me.

rocker59 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2016, 03:11:36 PM »

Quote from: Kev m on June 14, 2016, 02:16:52 PM

So the answer really is "whatever Guzzi the person asked likes best".

I almost answered, "whichever one you happen to be riding"

alanp · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2016, 03:48:27 PM »

Curious lack of the word "Norge" in the responses, considering that it is a sport TOURING motorcycle that is designed to tour. Not that I am saying it is the best....

JoeW · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2016, 04:11:02 PM »

A picture tells a thousand words.

ITSec · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:06:29 PM »

Quote from: alanp on June 14, 2016, 03:48:27 PM

Curious lack of the word "Norge" in the responses, considering that it is a sport TOURING motorcycle that is designed to tour. Not that I am saying it is the best....

But I am! And I did...

sbaker · « **Reply #15 on:** June 14, 2016, 05:22:19 PM »

a Norge.... Either 4 or 8V.... both are excellent touring bikes..

PJPR01 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:03:42 PM »

Quote from: alanp on June 14, 2016, 03:48:27 PM

Curious lack of the word "Norge" in the responses, considering that it is a sport TOURING motorcycle that is designed to tour. Not that I am saying it is the best....

Norge riders are too busy riding!!

charlie b · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:08:20 PM »

Use what you have and make it the way you want it.

This, one of JB's rats, or maybe Greg Field's uber Eldo

lazlokovacs · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:14:16 PM »

thanks for all the replies

Quote from: charlie b on June 14, 2016, 06:08:20 PM

Use what you have and make it the way you want it.

^^yep. my thoughts exactly.

so, in the interests of serious distance work, who's done what.... and how much of an improvement was it?

atavar · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:16:47 PM »

While I actually love my Norge for touring (I have multiple IBA rides with it) If I were going to do serious years long touring my choice would be a big block tonti frame with a cushy seat and huge ammo can bags and the big fairing. Effortless to ride, easy to fix, roomy and comfortable. I used to have a '70s G5 and I really miss it.

atavar · « **Reply #20 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:18:57 PM »

Quote

so, in the interests of serious distance work, who's done what.... and how much of an improvement was it?

The Norge makes an IBA BB1500 (1500 miles in 24 hours) rather easy.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2016, 06:57:11 PM »

A Norge of course!

GliderJohn

rocker59 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2016, 07:00:44 PM »

It may be this one, but not available in The USA

leafman60 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2016, 07:21:09 PM »

Stelvio NTX

(with a Russell seat)

Adk.IBO · « **Reply #24 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:53:14 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on June 14, 2016, 07:00:44 PM

It may be this one, but not available in The USA

What IS that??? Seriously, tell me more!

Never mind, Stelvio with Norge(?) bags?

jrt · « **Reply #25 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:57:10 PM »

A G5 or an SP. Not even my Eldorado is as comfortable as my G5.
I've done 1700 miles in 26 hours on my G5, multiple times (I was younger). San Fran to San Antone.

LowRyter · « **Reply #26 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:59:09 PM »

I've taken the longest trips on my V11 Sport Greenie. I live in OKC and have ridden to North Carolina, twice to Austin and twice to Springfield IL. Done several trips to Ark Ozarks for sport rides too. I can't do much over 100 miles in the saddle without stretching my legs but I've taken longer trips on it vs the EV.

jacksonracingcomau · « **Reply #27 on:** June 14, 2016, 09:27:28 PM »

Lightly modified 1978 Le Mans, constantly developing, better every trip,
just made a bigger petrol tank with fixed leather tank bag (and filler accessible in front of it) Had to fit new (V7 gel) seat too but she's happier on this and no straps around tank to annoy my knees is big improvement.
Extra 40 odd miles to range and then not having to move bag well worth the time it took to make, this matters to me

We've all got different wants and needs but after nearly 40 years travelling on this I'm finally getting ALL the little details sussed, nothing I could buy with money comes close, can't think of anything that needs doing now but development never stops, can never be truly finished, this is best I have to date

rocker59 · « **Reply #28 on:** June 14, 2016, 09:46:25 PM »

Quote from: Adk.IBO on June 14, 2016, 08:53:14 PM

What IS that??? Seriously, tell me more!

Never mind, Stelvio with Norge(?) bags?

Stelvio 8V with cast wheels and "Norge-style" bags.

Mechanically the same as the NTX.

canuck750 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 14, 2016, 10:04:53 PM »

Quote from: jrt on June 14, 2016, 08:57:10 PM

A G5 or an SP. Not even my Eldorado is as comfortable as my G5.
I've done 1700 miles in 26 hours on my G5, multiple times (I was younger). San Fran to San Antone.

WOW that is one long haul!

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Author Topic: what is the ultimate touring guzzi? (Read 9963 times)

canuck750