Should I get a California 1400 Touring?

[et18]

My apologies if this in the wrong section, also if it's been asked a thousand times before and I just can't find the right thread.

I've owned BMW oilheads for the last 20+ years but now I've narrowed my next bike down to a 1400 Touring or a Victory Cross Country Touring.  I know, completely different bikes but the heart wants what it wants. 

My big question is reliability.  BMW has a few problems, but generally you can expect at least 30K trouble free miles before you really have to see a dealership and most of the time it's a least 60K.  What can I expect with a newer MG?  I've been reading about cracked H pipes and how most Tourings get them by 10K, do you guys find this to be true?  Is MG any help to people who buy used and out of warranty?  How does the single plate dry clutch hold up?  Any other problems to look for?  For my money I'm probably looking at a '14 model year.

How about maintenance?  I do almost all of my own wrenching, are there any special tools needed?  Are the valve adjustments just threaded adjusters with locknuts or more difficult? 

Anything else I should know?  I've been on European bikes for a while now and fully appreciate character, that's why I'm not looking at Japanese brands.  TIA

[pete roper]

I haven't heard of cracking balance pipes on more recent models. It happened to my 2013 but not while I was riding it. They seem fairly bulletproof.

Maintenance is simple enough but you'll need Guzzidiag or equivalent for a couple of service functions, valve lash adjust is screw and locknut.

They're big and heavy and handle like a fridge but that is SOP for the 'Cruiser' class so if you're happy with that? Go for it!

Pete

[oldbike54]

  Pete said "They handle like a fridge"  True , but compared to other bikes in this class they are a fridge that has been taking dance lessons since the age of 2 .

 Dusty

[Tom]

 "handle like a fridge"....yeah but a fast one.

[kenvil1]

It sounds odd to me when you use the words oilhead and 20+ years in the same sentence. It's hard to believe it's been that long since I attended the wine & cheese at Hurst Motosports in Ottawa for the unveiling in 1993. I had a K-model at the time.

 Cycle World has a comparison article between the MGX-21 and the Magnum X-1, which might give you some insight between the two powertrains at least, if you're interested.

http://www.cycleworld.com/moto-guzzi-mgx-21-vs-victory-magnum-x-1-baggers-comparison-review

There are a couple of videos on YouTube that show Cali14 owners with clutch problems. You might want to inquire about that.

[LowRyter]

Much sportier ride than the Victory.  2500 more RPMs available, more lean angle, better ergos, better handling. 

A  Cal 14 rider would likely not like the Victory, I am not so sure how the Victory rider would feel about the Cal 14.

They are really about as far apart as two Cruiser/ Tourers can be.

[Bud]

    I have a 2014 Touring and have had some issues that others have also had. #1 Front brakes warping. These have been replaced twice each time at about 5000mi. I'm easy on the brakes and not sure why they warped but they did and I know this has happened to many others that were not a lucky as me to have them replaced by MG. #2 The clutch went through a stage where it would violently grab when the bike was cold. It was chalked up to rust on the plates probably due to condensation. The clutch was bled twice and will sometimes squeal now but has not grabbed as it did. This is also a problem that some have encountered. MG is not likely to dig too deep into this problem as the engine has to come out to fully inspect. That being said I LOVE THIS BIKE. Lots of torque, comfort and style. Nothing like it.

[lucian]

I don't know much about the Victories other than they recently called it quits. I've never been much for their styling but that is purely subjective. I've been very happy with the 1400 custom thus far. A 2014 with 14,000 miles . No issues, just normal maintenance and tires. I know there are some real deals out there on low mileage 14's and dealer discounted ones as well. Have you had a test spin on either yet?  I tried a few cruisers and a couple of sport tourers and then the Mg. It felt like it filled both roles and had a little more room for two up days.  They aren't great stop and go bikes but will devour miles on the open road.  Best of luck with your decision.

[bad Chad]

To answer your primary question, yes, yes you should.

[twowings]

Easy, wasn't it?? 

[Lcarlson]

As a long-time oilhead owner ('98 R1100R before my current R), I find the Cali 14 to be an excellent complement to my Beemer.  It's a different class of bike, but if you want a heavyweight cruiser (I did) I don't believe you'll find anything that touches the Cali. You can ride it like a Harley and just surf the torque, but you can also scream right up to the rev limiter. Above 5000 rpm, it changes from a Harley to a Ducati (well, sort of). Seriously, it's a great motor, and no other big cruiser will touch it in the twisties.

[bobbyfromnc]

After having purchased a new 2014 Cal touring and have been riding it for a year now I would say ... YES to a Guzzi. Sure I like to look at all the bikes that come out, and even older bikes that are note worthy. I haven't regretted my Guzzi 1400 purchase in the least bit. My two cents. I have people ask me about it all the time. It's like a magnet to other motorcyclists when I pull up.  :-)

[mjptexas]

2014 Custom with 18,000 miles.  Zero problems.  Some folks on this forum don't like 1400s because they aren't svelte and don't handle like a sport bike.  But, they are fast, comfortable and handle better than any other 700 lb bike out there.

Didn't see where you are from, but if you are in the good old USA you will be hard pressed to find a better overall bike to cover those miles.  I've got six rides in the garage & this one gets the most miles.

[DaddyRabbit]

Both the short answer and the long answer is yes.  Issues as mentioned above. 

this bike is really quite remarkable.  Its power delivery and handling compensate extremely well for it's weight.  I don't find that it is a "fridge", but i've never ridden a fridge so i could be wrong.  Very happy owner here.

[et18]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I still don't know which one I want the most but I feel better about the reliability after hearing your responses.  I especially like the comparison to a fridge that knows how to dance, I think that's what I'm looking for.  I'll still have my '94 RS for when I want to pretend I'm Freddie Spencer for a couple of hours, but a heavy cruiser that's not afraid of a corner is what I want most of the time.

Thanks again.  The weather is finally turning nice this week in the lower Midwest, I hope everyone gets some warm, sunny miles soon.

[jGuz]

Yes.

In fact, I was recently at your conundrum.  I test rode a Cross Country and I thought it was...pleasant.  It was nice.

Then I test rode a California 1400 touring and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  It looks amazing, is very comfortable, and can actually handle.  When the bike is in Veloce mode you totally forget that it's a cruiser.  The only issue I really had was helmet buffeting (which was on both bikes).  The buffeting went away after I put spacers on the lower windshield mounts and added a laminar lip and side wind deflectors.     

Try both bikes, but my personal opinion is that the Guzzi did something for me that the Victory did not.

[KiwiKev]

Bit of a Harley type tank IMHO but I'm not a big guy and love my old Cali 1100i which has all the power I need and rides like a dream.

Poor thing is sulking in the garage currently waiting for her slack owner to reassemble :-p

[steveford]

I bought the first 1400 Touring in Portland Or., and have 40000+ trouble free miles so far. I even tow a Bunk House camper with it, and have had no clutch issues. Go check out the handle bar control differences between the first tourings, and  the controls of the MGX-21. The new touring coming out soon, is updated with better ergos for the cruise control, plus you can adjust the cruise speed up and down. Also a adjustable rear suspension like the MGX. If you don't mind spending the extra money, it might be worth the wait. I do LOVE this bike, and I've been riding Guzzi's since the 70's. 

[et18]

OK, so I took everyone's advice and bought Avvocato's 1400 Touring, what a great bike.  I flew from Cincy to Philly yesterday morning and rode it back home, 500+ miles and I was really comfortable for the 1st 400, pretty good for a bike not meant to live on the Interstate.  Below is a picture with it's new stablemate.

If this forum has an annual Good Guy award I'd like to nominate Charlie. Picked me up at the airport and spent the next 3 hours making sure I had a tag and all the necessary paperwork just so he could give me the best deal in North America on a 1400 Touring.  Even had a full tank of gas in the bike.

So, has anyone here mounted the 50L top box to a 1400 touring?  Will it really fit 2 full face helmets?  I need to find a passenger backrest and this seems like a good option.

[elvisboy77]

OK, so I took everyone's advice and bought Avvocato's 1400 Touring, what a great bike.  I flew from Cincy to Philly yesterday morning and rode it back home, 500+ miles and I was really comfortable for the 1st 400, pretty good for a bike not meant to live on the Interstate.  Below is a picture with it's new stablemate.

If this forum has an annual Good Guy award I'd like to nominate Charlie. Picked me up at the airport and spent the next 3 hours making sure I had a tag and all the necessary paperwork just so he could give me the best deal in North America on a 1400 Touring.  Even had a full tank of gas in the bike.

So, has anyone here mounted the 50L top box to a 1400 touring?  Will it really fit 2 full face helmets?  I need to find a passenger backrest and this seems like a good option.

That is a beautiful bike!   Congrats!  You will love the 1400, Guzzi hit a big home run with that one.

[mucky]

So, has anyone here mounted the 50L top box to a 1400 touring?  Will it really fit 2 full face helmets?  I need to find a passenger backrest and this seems like a good option.

Congratulations on the bike - I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I am enjoying mine!

I mounted the 50L top box and it will fit 2 full face helmets but you have to place the helmets on their side, with their "bottoms" touching in the middle.

[LowRyter]

I'd imagine that it will give that little red bike in the photo a pretty good run for it's money.   

[twowings]

Nice! Congratulations...l ove to see it at Cedar Vale! 

[et18]

I'd imagine that it will give that little red bike in the photo a pretty good run for it's money.   

And you would be right!  The red one has an edge in the corners but there is no question about which one rules the straights! 

[LowRyter]

thought so. 

that 1400 has some punch to it

[et18]

Nice! Congratulations...l ove to see it at Cedar Vale! 

Thanks, twowings, but I don't think I'll make KS this year, maybe in a future year as I'm sure it's a good one.