V7 Racer look alike - $3k brand new

[pmillar]

I never heard of this bike but have to say it's not bad looking (I wonder why...)

https://toledo.craigslist.org/mcd/d/new-2017-buccaneer-cafe/6730535654.html

[Kev m]

Shame, SHAME...

There comes a point where a product is such a blatant (and cheap) copy that it really shouldn't be allowed on the market.

[TimmyTheHog]

I have seen this brand mostly as scooter...

Interesting seeing it here in US as a cafe racer...

[BrotherJim]

Moto up in Madison has one.  Use the handy search feature and enter " SSR Buccaneer" for all of the discussions on this bike.

[JeffOlson]

A Revzilla review:

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2018-ssr-buccaneer-cafe-and-classic-first-ride-motorcycle-review

[Lannis]

It's Just as Good as a Moto Morini 3-1/2, I'm sure.

The factory guy says it won't be a "piece of crap" like the other Chinese motorcycles out there.   Now THERE'S some good objective data for you!

Lannis

[Moto]

Yeah, I've got one and I haven't really ridden either of my Guzzis since I picked it up in July!

Designed originally by Oberdan Bezzi (I'm pretty sure) and then aesthetically rescued by Massimo Tartarini of Italjet, it's certainly strongly influenced by the Guzzi, but is no blatant copy. In my eyes it's more attractive.

The build quality is not up to Guzzi standards (and that wouldn't be saying so much if it were). But the components are pretty good, with German ECU, fuel injection, Japanese relays, halogen and LED lighting, and excellent brakes. One nice thing is its Yamaha 250 v-twin engine clone -- it's an exact copy, as far as I can tell, so I can imagine the day when I might swap in a carbureted, higher power example.

As the NY Times series says this week, it's beginning to look like a world "Built by China." Enjoy it, I say.

Moto

P.S. That $2,999 price is a steal, unless there are lots of additional dealer charges. The list price is now $3,599, plus a $299 destination charge, plus whatever a dealer can get out of you before you can get it out of his door.

M.

[Shorty]

Well, I never!  Somebody outta box their Buccaneers....   Nifty looking little tiddler.

[Tusayan]

When others are being accused of copying you, and you are no longer being accused of copying others (e.g. no more telelever emulators) you have made progress towards building a sustainable product line.

[Guzzistajohn]

We buy, sell, and trade new and used motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, ATV's, UTV's, and guns. Call Larry or Teresa with any questions @ 419-682-1108 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-12. Price listed above does not include tax, title, freight, prep, and doc fees. We've been in business over 25 years!


About the same dealer network! 

[Aaron D.]

These seem to appear here every few months. They look fine. Based on a Virago clone engine, should be cool to play with.

[chuck peterson]

[Moto]

Here's a new development. Italjet is seems to be back in the moto business in Italy, instead of selling only e-bikes there. They have a new iteration of the Buccaneer called the Italjet Caffeina on their Italian web site:





www.italjet.com/moto/italjet-moto-caffeina/]https://www.italjet.com/moto/italjet-moto-caffeina/[/url]

This one has ABS! I doubt there is any immediate prospect of availability in the U.S.

EDIT: It also has a new, upside down fork.

Moto

P.S. I think they're indicating the Burgundy colored seat is leather.

[redhawk47]

If you are interested in the 250cc café racer check out this one: $1995 delivered
https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventoryDetail&id=5526002&p=1&s=Year&d=D&t=new&fr=xNewInventory
I have a dual sport with this engine - it's great around town, and in the woods.
They have other models too.

 

[fossil]

The build quality is not up to Guzzi standards (and that wouldn't be saying so much if it were).M.

So you think a V7 III is not up to standard in its build quality to - let´s say - a new Triumph Bonneville? Perhaps you should take a look on the real bike.

[pyoungbl]

It's all too easy to dismiss lower priced bikes coming out of India, China or Thailand.  I guess that's natural when you pay almost $10K for a machine and someone comes along and offers a similar machine for one third the price.  Nevertheless, those third world countries can produce a good product and do so at a lower cost than the US, UK, Germany or Italy.  I think you have to actually look at the machine and determine if it's a POS or just a good deal.  Last week I was in Bangkok and saw a Triumph (motorcycle) assembly plant.  Ducati has some bikes made in China now.  HD and BMW are building bikes in India.  The 650 Royal Enfield actually looks pretty good in person.  My point is that our world is changing pretty quickly.  The bike OP mentioned is not my cup of tea but I cannot dismiss it just because it costs less than my V7.

It is also worth noting that the OTD price is much more than what it cost to make the machine.  Companies like Guzzi have a lot of overhead to cover and we all know who ultimately foots that bill....the customer.  Small companies like CSC can bypass most of that overhead.

Peter Y.

[jas67]

I guess that's natural when you pay almost $10K for a machine and someone comes along and offers a similar machine for one third the price.

Similar?   Well, it has two wheels and an V-twin (talking about the SSR, not the CSC), and is similar in styling (and even frame color in the case of the red frame/white one).     But, chain vs. shaft drive, one third the displacement, and barely more than one third the power.      So, definitely not a fair price comparison.

The RE 650's are a much more fair comparison.   They're a 2/3 to 3/4 the price of the V7, and offer similar power and weight (still chain vs. shaft).   
The RE need to be no more than 3/4 the price of the V7 or comparable Triumphs, at least while they're still a relatively unknown to most buyers outside of Asia.

[Lcarlson]

Jas — do you own all of those motorcycles today, or is that a historical list. Just curious.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Here's a new development. Italjet is seems to be back in the moto business in Italy, instead of selling only e-bikes there. They have a new iteration of the Buccaneer called the Italjet Caffeina on their Italian web site:





www.italjet.com/moto/italjet-moto-caffeina/]https://www.italjet.com/moto/italjet-moto-caffeina/[/url]

This one has ABS! I doubt there is any immediate prospect of availability in the U.S.

EDIT: It also has a new, upside down fork.

Moto

P.S. I think they're indicating the Burgundy colored seat is leather.

If there was ever a  "Parts Bin" looking bike... THAT'S IT!!!

[jas67]

Jas — do you own all of those motorcycles today, or is that a historical list. Just curious.

Yes, these are all currently in my garage, all running,licensed and insured except the R100S (which runs, but, is currently apart, and is in queue to be completed over the winter).

[Lcarlson]

Yes, these are all currently in my garage, all running,licensed and insured except the R100S (which runs, but, is currently apart, and is in queue to be completed over the winter).

Nice…

[Moto]

A couple of reactions to some recent posts about these bikes...

As a Griso and a Buccaneer 250i owner, I noticed a couple of factory assembly problems they had in common; lack of grease in the suspension bearings comes to mind. The Buccaneer overall is well-built, with no other complaints from me except the poor application of the striping tape in a spot where it is hidden by the seat. Of course, the use of tape itself is sub-standard compared to Guzzis. I was only thinking of the continuing grease-pot problem when I dissed Guzzi's "build quality."

As for the new styling of the Caffeina, I can't say I like it, and I have to say it made me question my previous high opinion of Massimo Tartarini's taste. But it doesn't appear to be a parts-bin special, since I don't see parts from other bikes on it. I think instead it is a design reminiscent of Italjet's (Tartarini's) own e-bikes in its use of draped leather accessories, a too-small headlamp, and maybe other style elements. Here is an Italjet e-bike that has those commonalities:


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As I mentioned, the Caffeina is a substantial upgrade on my version, with ABS and upside-down fork. All the new parts that further differentiate it from my bike appear to be custom designed for it, with the exception of things like the headlamp, which might be a generic product.

It's undeniable that you get less in a Buccaneer than you do in a Guzzi V7, as Jas67 itemized. But I wanted less, once I looked into it. No need to criticize it for what it doesn't pretend to offer (or, perhaps, burden you with), and no need to think of it as a direct competitor. It's a distinctive, previously beautiful (Caffeina version aside), enjoyable motorcycle in its own right, that never makes me wish I'd taken my Griso, at least so far. (Next summer I expect to use the Griso on a long trip, but am also contemplating taking the Buccaneer instead.)

Moto

[Lannis]

I guess that's natural when you pay almost $10K for a machine and someone comes along and offers a similar machine for one third the price. ....
Peter Y.

As a responsible person, you have to ask yourself "WHY does it cost 1/3 of the price?   How do they do it?"

We already do enough of throwing our friends and neighbors who own local businesses under the bus when a big-box store comes to town and undercuts their pricing, not thinking about "How are they doing this?"   We just get blinded by "cheap" and don't care anymore.

If you can honestly look the "Why" and the "How" in the face, and support that, and be part of it in good conscience, then go for it ... Many people don't WANT to know, or don't care ....

Lannis

[yackee]

Or, if you are really set on 250cc but are feeling nativist, you can go "made in the usa" (except for the engine) for just about twice as much:

 

[AH Fan]

As a responsible person, you have to ask yourself "WHY does it cost 1/3 of the price?   How do they do it?"

We already do enough of throwing our friends and neighbors who own local businesses under the bus when a big-box store comes to town and undercuts their pricing, not thinking about "How are they doing this?"   We just get blinded by "cheap" and don't care anymore.

If you can honestly look the "Why" and the "How" in the face, and support that, and be part of it in good conscience, then go for it ... Many people don't WANT to know, or don't care ....

Lannis

Well said Lannis     

[oilhed]

Or, if you are really set on 250cc but are feeling nativist, you can go "made in the usa" (except for the engine) for just about twice as much:

If I had stupid money I would be riding one every day. Maybe a Gryffin. 

[oldbike54]

 I thought we had decided these are more like Moto Morini and not a Guzzi ????

 Dusty

[jas67]

It's undeniable that you get less in a Buccaneer than you do in a Guzzi V7, as Jas67 itemized. But I wanted less, once I looked into it. No need to criticize it for what it doesn't pretend to offer (or, perhaps, burden you with), and no need to think of it as a direct competitor. It's a distinctive, previously beautiful (Caffeina version aside), enjoyable motorcycle in its own right, that never makes me wish I'd taken my Griso, at least so far. (Next summer I expect to use the Griso on a long trip, but am also contemplating taking the Buccaneer instead.)

Moto

I hope you didn't think that I was putting down the Buccaneer.   I think it's a pretty cool little bike, and that it looks good, and I'm sure a helluva lot of fun for the price.
I was just addressing the comment that sounded like it was an apples to apples comparison to the V7 for 1/3 the price, that's all.

[Moto]

As a responsible person, you have to ask yourself "WHY does it cost 1/3 of the price?   How do they do it?"

We already do enough of throwing our friends and neighbors who own local businesses under the bus when a big-box store comes to town and undercuts their pricing, not thinking about "How are they doing this?"   We just get blinded by "cheap" and don't care anymore.

If you can honestly look the "Why" and the "How" in the face, and support that, and be part of it in good conscience, then go for it ... Many people don't WANT to know, or don't care ....

Lannis

Unless I run across someone who refuses to buy anything Chinese at all, I have little patience for free-form moralizing about why I shouldn't be doing so. I don't think you're that guy.

Moto

[Moto]

I hope you didn't think that I was putting down the Buccaneer.   I think it's a pretty cool little bike, and that it looks good, and I'm sure a helluva lot of fun for the price.
I was just addressing the comment that sounded like it was an apples to apples comparison to the V7 for 1/3 the price, that's all.

Oh, yes, I see. Sorry if I gave a wrong impression earlier.

Moto