As you've gotten older, have CARC bikes gotten too heavy?

[ohiorider]

The title of my post pretty much says it.  After aortic valve replacement followed by staph in 2016, I lost a bit of lower body strength, either that or coordination.  In either case, the much-loved 1200 Sport now feels a bit heavy/top heavy for me, especially when I fill the tank to the top.

Anyone else on the forum noticed this as they've gotten older? 

The old gal needs a new home, but damn, these older CARC bikes go for next to nothing on the used market, which makes me ask 'do I really need to sell the old gal?'  I hate the thought of giving a good bike away simply to make garage space.

I know when this bike is gone it'll probably be the last heavy sport-tourer/mile muncher I'll own.  I love this formula, having owned a number of BMW K100/1100/1200RS bikes over the years.  To me, nothing nicer than a slightly overweight sport tourer with minimal fairing and windshield with good suspension.

Bob

[Scud]

Sorry to hear that... and not looking forward to my turn.

Have you ever tried a BMW K75s?  I had one for a while and it was good fun - and a nimble handler after upgrading the shock.  After I sold the K75s, I got a Ducati ST3.  Which feels even lighter than the wee-brick, and simply outclasses it in every possible performance test.

Good luck with the sale or trade.

[NC Steve]

Bob, I know exactly how you feel, but I'm just have a hard time getting excited over the newer, lighter bikes that are on the market. I know I should be, and eventually I'll probably be forced to ride something smaller if I want to continue riding at all.

That said, I've been away from Guzzi for too long, having fallen into a couple of back to back great deals on BMWs, which I still also enjoy. I've been looking into several options in bikes to return to the fold, one of which is the 1200 Sport. So, if you decide to sell, particularly if you'd be interested in some type of trade involving a nice R1100R with a lot of recent work, please put me at the top of your list as a potential buyer. And hang in there in the meantime, riding season is just getting started, finally. 

[guzzi4me]

I know where you are at....even after my right hip replacement I knew I had to ride something a bit more manageable. Could I continue to ride a 1100...maybe...but the handwriting was on the wall.
Made the decision to go with my V7II and have never regretted it. Riding another brand was never an option for me (see sig line) and have been a happy camper ever since.

A man has to know his limitations....and on a side note my riding partner on his BMW R1150 can't seem to keep up with me in the twisties.

Just my .02c worth.......

Jeff

[willowstreetguzziguy]

It's not to heavy for me at age 65. I've owned my 1200 Sport since Nov. 2013. With saddlebags and stuff, its probably close to 580 lbs. But then again, I don't tend to spend a lot of time "pushing it around the garage." I mounted a center stand on it and I do have a 2 x 10 cut  and permanently placed on the floor where I park it to aid in putting it up on the center stand every time I park in the garage.

I find it to be very light on its feet once rolling and extremely well balanced for its weight! Riding in and around parking lots is a breeze! I don't wish for a lighter bike.

Each time I arrive home, I come straight in the paved driveway at a walking pace, use my right hand to reach into my tank bag, open the garage door. Then using only my left hand, I make a 90 degree left turn and proceed into the garage without putting a foot down.

I switched bikes with  friend of mine the other weekend. He rode it for 30 minutes and commented how well it handled and how light it felt. I find it can go most anywhere I want to go. It loves 85mph interstate rides, commuting into the city, twisty backroads, dirt roads, week-long camping trips. And extremely comfortable doing it all. Added 1" to the seat and 1.5" lowered footpegs make a HUGE difference in comfort! Never wish for a lighter bike.

I do think the stock bars (which most owners hate and switch to higher, pulled back ones)  contribute strongly to these excellent handling attributes. Moto Guzzi knew what they were doing by putting these bars on this bike.

Chances are, I most likely will not meet the next owner of this bike!

[pete roper]

Less weight and similar performance is what I’d really like to see from the next generation of bikes from Guzzi but that’s still a long way off.

As it is, yes, they are heavy. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have to pick up my Stelvio if it decided to take a nap with a full tank! I can still right the Griso when I drop it but it’s a struggle! The Griso feels like a toy compared to the Stelvio though!

None of us are getting any younger alas.......

Pete

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've already down sized. Several years ago, the Norge became too top heavy to push around in the garage. Stop and go with my sweetie on the back wasn't fun. If you're not having fun with your toys, you have the wrong toys.. 

[JohninVT]

I went from my 560lb 1200 Sport to a 525lb V-Strom 1000 to a 700lb California 1400.  My next bike is absolutely, positively going to be under 500lbs.  I have high hopes that Guzzi will slap the V85 engine in a Le Mans style bike within 3 years.  I will unload the 1400 and buy one.  I love how the V7's look but they just don't have enough power for my use.  A sub 500lb, 80-ish hp bike with standard ergos and clasicc styling is exactly what I want.     

[ChuckH]

Bob, my '12 Stelvio go too heavy for me when fully loaded (and I didn't want to drop it) so I sold it to Mark, up in your area, and bought an older '07 R1200R set up for long distance touring.  The R Bike is 100# lighter than the Stelvio and that's a really big deal.  This is a process we all will go through, it's called aging.  Good for you that you're recognizing the symptoms this early.

[rdbandkab]

Say it ain't so Bob!!!   I hear ya though... 
I'm still a young pup (in my mid-50's),  but now that we're trying to fit 3 bikes and a car into a one car garage,  I have to move things around a bit.  The Breva was the newest toy,  so it's put in last...and it's a slow ballet I perform to get it "just so".   I'll admit that it does feel a bit top heavy moving it around.  Not so much while moving though.
It even feels noticeably heavy compared to our Capo 1200.  That Capo TP feels like a dirt bike!  We got rid of the 3 ton Stelvio for the Capo.  Too bad the two bikes couldn't get drunk one night and produce a light weight offspring with simpleness and character of the Guzzi and the nimbleness and handling of the Capo.
And I wouldn't mind seeing the V85 engine in a new version Breva (I said it again!).  I would be very interested in a Guzzi 2up naked standard style bike with options for luggage and a trunk.  I was telling my better half earlier that it looks like I may have to wait a few years and buy a low mileage Norge and strip it down, get creative with a headlight and small fairing ala 1200 Sport.

richy

[MacGlennon]

Yeah I definitely know where you’re coming from.
A couple of years ago I bought a used KLR 650. Although to me it sits like a bigger bike- with a very open riding position the (relative) lack of weight compared to what I’d previously been riding was a revalation to me.
With that in mind over this past winter I ditched my much loved R1200gs and bought a v7iii. I must admit that I’m still in the adjustment period with the new bike. It fulfills my need to have a simple, light roadster and ticks all the boxes of what I want in a bike. There are a few things that I’m trying to learn about the new bike- it’s higher vibration levels, the bad suspension and it’s more dimimuative size to name a few.
That leaves my 1200 sport. Yeah, it is super top heavy and when I ride it after the v7 I’m super aware of it’s girth and weight. When I spend time on it though, it’s poise shows itself and I’m really glad it still occupies a space in my garage.
That said, I can’t really ever imagine getting another bike as big as the sport again. I’m heading in the opposite direction- a place where weight is one of my primary considerations when it comes to what bike I would consider owning.
Jim

[Travman]

What about going to a Griso? It is much easier to move around and handle at super low speeds because it isn’t as top heavy as the 1200 Sport.

[Travlr]

> To me, nothing nicer than a slightly overweight sport tourer with minimal fairing and windshield with good suspension.

 

A 1200 Sport and a V7 Racer would make a nice riding pair.

Mike

[5154guzzi]

After some low back and neck injuries several years ago, my Breva 1100 was also filling very top heavy when rolling in and out of the garage.  The most comfortable long distance bike I`ve ever owned,  but heavier than I wanted to deal with.  Once on the move, no complaints or issues whatsoever. I  sold it and replaced it with a 07 1100 Griso .  The Griso feels lighter or at least not so top heavy as the Breva.  Mostly riding older Tonti 1000`s and 850`s these days though.  If I had stayed healthy , the Breva would have stayed.

[Gliderjohn]

I find the Norge a challenge at times to get up on the centerstand, especially loaded and in a parking lot that may not be all that even. Recently in the Harrison, Arkansas area we made a u-turn on a kind of off camber area and I almost dropped the Norge. For local riding I find myself taking the T-3 most of the time.
GliderJohn

[fotoguzzi]

no, they have always been too heavy.

[Dharma Bum]

My new ride (one week old) solves my weight problems just fine.

[piecemealadventurer]

I have to say I'm spending more and more time on my Aprilia pegasso than the Breva. And I have similar thoughts about is it too heavy etc. Then I take it out for a long ride in the country and all is forgiven. I live in Melbourne Australia which is a pretty big town by most standards so where I used to look at my breva as an all rounder. It's now strictly are fantastic long range tourer well it's great balance comes into play.

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[SmithSwede]

You are not getting older.  You are getting wiser.   

Light = good.   

[blackbuell]

Bob,

Sorry to hear that you might let go of a bike that you have really liked for so long, but I do understand. Several years ago I bought a BMW F800GT (very light) because of similar concerns; last year bought an Indian scout (very low seat height). Though I still prefer my Norge for very long rides, for local 2-up rides we take the scout, and for local 1-up rides, I usually take the BMW. I hope I can manage the Norge for at least another 5 years, but it is getting tougher each year to get it up on the center stand, to push it in and out of the garage, and to ride it a parking lot speeds.

Jon

[Ronkom]

 Back/hip/knee issues have forced a reevaluation of what I'm comfortable with. Moving bikes around is one thing but getting on & off is another hassle, along w/"will the knee decide to kick-out when I put my foot down at a stop?"
I sold a DR650 a couple years back, & recently sold my '98 EV. I have the Eldo for full dress cruising and a Piaggio MP3-500 for around town. I have test ridden several of the new generation small blocks, & really liked them...but they are physically too small for 2-up riding. My ideal next purchase would be a small block Guzzi, "standard" set up w/a frame lengthened  enough for a real 2-up bench seat weighing under 500 lbs wet.
yea...dream on!
ronkom
 

[not-fishing]

I look at it differently.

As I get older my problem is I'm far to heavy @ +50 lbs and have lost to much muscle.  I'm hoping to hit the gym/rowing shell/bicycle when I can finally quit working. 

Mark

[Moto]

I've always thought the 1200 Sport was too top-heavy. I continue to like my Griso.

But I'm beginning to think back to the fun I had in my youth on smaller bikes, and to think that these heavier ones are in part just pushing around their own excess baggage.

For great long trips, a big bike is good. But for around the Madison area I'm on the verge of lightening my ride by a couple hundred pounds. I don't think of it as getting too weak to run the bigger ones (yet), but maybe as wising up about what matters. Maybe not.

Horses for courses.

Moto

[bad Chad]

No you are getting older.

But what else do you want, given the alternative?

[jdgretz]

I recently did just the opposite - for my 70th birthday, I bought a Goldwing (2008) for long distance touring with the wife, or by myself (just did a 6,000 mile trip from Los Angeles to DC and back).  The upside is that when I get on the Norge, it feels really light    I can definitely feel the 200lb difference in weight at low speeds.  Interestingly, the 'Wing is easier to put on the center stand than the Norge.

I know one day I'll not feel comfortable on either of these bikes and have to go with either a Spyder or a lighter bike (maybe a Ural?)

jdg

[egschade]

I'm finding that less IS more. My Breva 1100 was top heavy, esp with a full tank. Moved to a Griso and found the balance much better but still a heavy thing and a bit too much for my ailing back. Moved from the Griso to a V7 III early this year and am loving it. While I miss the big block torque the lighter weight, easy handling and more than sufficient power makes for a well balanced ride. Also like the slick tranny which puts the big CARC bikes to shame.

[Huzo]

I have to say I'm spending more and more time on my Aprilia pegasso than the Breva. And I have similar thoughts about is it too heavy etc. Then I take it out for a long ride in the country and all is forgiven. I live in Melbourne Australia which is a pretty big town by most standards so where I used to look at my breva as an all rounder. It's now strictly are fantastic long range tourer well it's great balance comes into play.

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You've got no problems Mick.
When I stand next to you I feel like a jockey. If you are too small for your bike, then I'm rooted..!

[Huzo]

I recently did just the opposite - for my 70th birthday, I bought a Goldwing (2008) for long distance touring with the wife, or by myself (just did a 6,000 mile trip from Los Angeles to DC and back).  The upside is that when I get on the Norge, it feels really light    I can definitely feel the 200lb difference in weight at low speeds.  Interestingly, the 'Wing is easier to put on the center stand than the Norge.

I know one day I'll not feel comfortable on either of these bikes and have to go with either a Spyder or a lighter bike (maybe a Ural?)

jdg

Can I have your bike when that happens..?
I like those red ones..

[piecemealadventurer]

Good to see you back Huzo and sounds like you had a great trip. Over West. Those Germans are pretty adventurous when they get going. Pulled the pin and retired last week and on the plane to the UK on Sunday. Chapter 3 of my European adventure is about to start.

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[Gliderjohn]

From eschade:

Also like the slick tranny which puts the big CARC bikes to shame.

Wow! I have a 2011 Norge and to me the shifting is snick, snick, snick...but then my only other Guzzi experience is 70,000+ miles on a T-3.
Seriously, I rode a 77 Suzuki GS400 had very light and positive shifting and the Norge is all over that. Maybe I just don't know any better.
GliderJohn