2v V1200 Sport - Thoughts

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Hi all - thanks for feedback so far.  I went for a test ride last weekend and bought the bike.  Pick up tomorrow so very excited at having a new (to me) Guzzi to play with.

I am going to see what I can do with raising the bars - perhaps try the Moto International spacer approach, but not rushing to buy anything yet.  I note a few folks mentioning footrest lowering - I will research that, but if you did it - what is the best way to achieve it?

I have a Breva 1100 with the sport 1200 bar/faring setup....  I first switched the bar from the stock sport bar to a Protaper KX Hi bar, which cost 25% what an Aprilia Mana bars costs....  Wasn't quite high enough still... so I added a pair of Rox risers in 2" and it's perfect! The Rox risers are more expensive than the MI spacer option... but it looks better IMHO and the Rox + Protaper bar together cost less than the Mana bar alone.

[ohiorider]

Other than the fun of removing the large  6 gallon tank and associated "quick disconnect" fuel line, do I need a special tool of any sort to remove and replace the oil pressure sensor (14)?  From the parts book illustration, it appears to be difficult to access.  Recall somewhere in this thread someone mentioning a crows foot wrench.


                                       Drawing from Guzzi parts manual

[Sheepdog]

I have always had a soft spot for 2-valve Big Blocks. The 1200 Sport is one of my favorite flavors for that engine.

[boatdetective]

Other than the fun of removing the large  6 gallon tank and associated "quick disconnect" fuel line, do I need a special tool of any sort to remove and replace the oil pressure sensor (14)?  From the parts book illustration, it appears to be difficult to access.  Recall somewhere in this thread someone mentioning a crows foot wrench.

[

Sorry- I'm trying to figure out why you are removing the sensor?? Are you asking simply what is necessary to remove the tank?  If that's the case- it's pretty easy.

[Bisbonian]

Sorry- I'm trying to figure out why you are removing the sensor?? Are you asking simply what is necessary to remove the tank?  If that's the case- it's pretty easy.

No, he's asking what tool he may need to remove the oil pressure sensor.

[ohiorider]

No, he's asking what tool he may need to remove the oil pressure sensor.

That is the question.  Probably shouldn't have begun that post with a dependent clause.

[pete roper]

Shouldn't be any need to remove the tank. If you drop the LH header off you should be able to get at it easily with, from memory, a 21mm spanner. I've done it lots of times without even removing the header.

Pete

[ohiorider]

Shouldn't be any need to remove the tank. If you drop the LH header off you should be able to get at it easily with, from memory, a 21mm spanner. I've done it lots of times without even removing the header.

Pete

Pete, that's good news.  The new sensor is on its way from AF1 Racing and should be here n a day or so.  BTW, that's how I got to the leaky gasket on the phase sensor a few years ago (upon advice from Jim Barron, R Farms.)  Hope this turns out to be the cause of the SERVICE! message. 

Thanks for the advice, Pete.

Bob

[ohiorider]

I have always had a soft spot for 2-valve Big Blocks. The 1200 Sport is one of my favorite flavors for that engine.

She's been a great ride for over 6 years for me.  (aside from my T100 Bonnie, sadly sold.)  How your Bonneville doing for you?

Bob

[Sheepdog]

She's been a great ride for over 6 years for me.  (aside from my T100 Bonnie, sadly sold.)  How your Bonneville doing for you?

Bob

Doing okay, Bob. I was waiting for parts to correct a leaky fuel tap when I went under the knife for a knee replacement three weeks ago. The Bonnie will be one of the first things I tackle once I can get back into my shop. That bike has been a winner since new...

[t3caligraham]

Hi folks - thought you'd like to see the original subject of this thread... picked up my new (to me) 2008 V1200 Sport last Saturday. Sorry about the ugly mug sitting in the way of seeing it properly.  It's got about 2,500 miles on the clock so like a brand new bike.  Just managed to get hold of some second hand panniers (hard cases) from a well known auction site... so all ready for a tour 

[smdl]

Hi folks - thought you'd like to see the original subject of this thread... picked up my new (to me) 2008 V1200 Sport last Saturday. Sorry about the ugly mug sitting in the way of seeing it properly.  It's got about 2,500 miles on the clock so like a brand new bike.  Just managed to get hold of some second hand panniers (hard cases) from a well known auction site... so all ready for a tour 

Very nice -- congratulations!!

Cheers,
Shaun

[ohiorider]

Hi folks - thought you'd like to see the original subject of this thread... picked up my new (to me) 2008 V1200 Sport last Saturday. Sorry about the ugly mug sitting in the way of seeing it properly.  It's got about 2,500 miles on the clock so like a brand new bike.  Just managed to get hold of some second hand panniers (hard cases) from a well known auction site... so all ready for a tour 

All right!  Bike is not even broken in!    If it has the oem tires on it, and feels like it either doesn't want to turn in, or wants to fall into the turn, think about a set of Pilot Road 3 or Pilot Road 4 Michelins.  You got yourself a really nice sport tourer!  Not trying to start 'tire wars' but mine was so bad on the oem tires I thought something was amiss with the suspension.  Nope .... just the tires.  An experienced and respected Guzzi shop owner experienced the same issues with oem rubber after they turned 2000+ miles.

Bob

[twowings]

That looks sweet! Congratulations, ride it hard...ride it long...ride it often   

[tpeever]

Hi folks - thought you'd like to see the original subject of this thread... picked up my new (to me) 2008 V1200 Sport last Saturday. Sorry about the ugly mug sitting in the way of seeing it properly.  It's got about 2,500 miles on the clock so like a brand new bike.  Just managed to get hold of some second hand panniers (hard cases) from a well known auction site... so all ready for a tour 

Awesome!! You're gonna like it, I guarantee! Post any questions you have or feel free to contact me via personal message. I have owned my Sport about 6 years now. Great machine. I think you really want to get the hardware and software to install a new fuel map though. These bikes run WAY too lean from the factory and a few folks on this forum (particularly pauldaytona, beetle, and molly) have made great contributions to developing fuel maps and software that makes these bikes shine. Happy to help you get that sorted when you are ready.

[ITSec]

Shouldn't be any need to remove the tank. If you drop the LH header off you should be able to get at it easily with, from memory, a 21mm spanner. I've done it lots of times without even removing the header.

Pete

Bob's adding in the wiring change (my sensor wiring kit) - so he'll be taking the tank off. Good time to change the inner plugs and do all that other stuff anyway.

I wish I had thought about the head temp sensor the last time I had all that stuff out of the way - oh well, at least I got the metal holder so I can do it next time.

[Tom]

All right!  Bike is not even broken in!    If it has the oem tires on it, and feels like it either doesn't want to turn in, or wants to fall into the turn, think about a set of Pilot Road 3 or Pilot Road 4 Michelins.  You got yourself a really nice sport tourer!  Not trying to start 'tire wars' but mine was so bad on the oem tires I thought something was amiss with the suspension.  Nope .... just the tires.  An experienced and respected Guzzi shop owner experienced the same issues with oem rubber after they turned 2000+ miles.

Bob

You might want to run higher air pressures in the tires.  Closer to the max air pressures on the tires.  Lower air pressure as in recommended by the factory will let the sidewalls flex more and give you the truck like steering.

[tpeever]

All right!  Bike is not even broken in!    If it has the oem tires on it, and feels like it either doesn't want to turn in, or wants to fall into the turn, think about a set of Pilot Road 3 or Pilot Road 4 Michelins.  You got yourself a really nice sport tourer!  Not trying to start 'tire wars' but mine was so bad on the oem tires I thought something was amiss with the suspension.  Nope .... just the tires.  An experienced and respected Guzzi shop owner experienced the same issues with oem rubber after they turned 2000+ miles.

Bob

 :1: on the tires. I found the Metzeler 880s on my bike to be OK but I replaced with Pilot Road 3's at about 5K miles and noticed a big improvement in handling

[Ion66]

I got my 08, back in August. It had 3,500 k/m on it from new. I've only put a few thousand k/m on it so far. It still had the stock Metzeler tires, and since the weather here was so hot, I decided to put a few miles on them, before getting a new set. The other day, I noticed the handling felt off, checked the pressures, and they were fine. I'd planned on getting a new set, as 8 year old tires are pretty sketchy at the best of times. Looked at the rear tire, and found there was a good sized split between some of the tread blocks, and others starting. Seems that 8-9 year old tires, plus heat, plus being somewhat harsh on them, is a recipe for torn rubber. The bikes parked till I can get new ones fitted.

Other than that, I've replaced the battery after having the notorious "no start" issue. I've also fitted the "startus interruptus" kit, just to be safe.

I replaced the stock pegs with a set of aftermarket "master grip" pegs, and they are much better. I really hate the way the heel plates push my toes in, and heels out, as it is very hard on my hips. The new pegs let me securely change positions on the pegs, without feeling like my foots going to slip off.

I replaced the stock bar with one from a Yamaha XSR-900, including its heavy bar-end weights. After some fiddling to get the angle a bit flatter, and not have the L/H switch gear hit the tank, it's been great. They are just about at the limit of the slack I could get from the wires. I also fitted a Renthall bar from a Suzuki GSX-1000, but preferred the rise and feel of the Yamaha bars.

I fitted a GIVI rear rack, and a hard case, from my other bikes (Suzuki Bandit) luggage system.

That's about it really. I'm told my bike had its first service, but it came from another province originally, and the local dealer is really flaky, in therms of knowing what service the previous owner had done there. Mine pops on deceleration too. Have to drain the oil fairly often from the capped drain hose. It didn't have a cap when I got it, and after an afternoon thrashing it on the local country roads, I found the rear tire pretty slicked up! After reading about letting the bike "find it's oil level", the amount draining slowed way down, but I found the level was right at the bottom of the dip-stick, so I topped it back up, and am just living with draining and checking. Oh, and my dash occasionally doesn't come on, but turning the ignition off and on seems to cure it for now. Changed the brake fluid all round and the clutch fluid in the reservoir. Hmmm, think that's it. Great bike so far! Not the fastest thing I've ridden, but makes near perfect usable power for road use, especially out in the country where I am.