I know Harley's get bashed around a little here but it's Moto Guzzi that many seem to feel is a real POS. I stopped at the local bike shop today looking for something else and liked the look of the California and Norge. So is Moto Guzzi really that bad?
Would like to try a Norge. Only problem is we don't have a MG dealer closed by. Well we do but they don't keep any MG on hand but will be glad to order one if you want to buy it. Also understand there is issue's getting parts if you have any problems. May be why MG is doing the free loner program if the shop can't fix your bike in a certain time frame.
I've always wanted to own a Guzzi and still intend to, one day. I've known several people with high mileage examples. They seem to run forever but things like bolts and exhausts tend to rust, in some cases. From the bikes I've seen, they're similar to Triumphs in the respect that if you do the maintenance, you have a reliable machine. As a big fan of large amounts of torque, a Guzzi has to be on my short list. Great exhaust note, too.
If I found the right used Guzzi; it'd be mine in a heart beat. I think they're cool! I wanted the V11 Le Mans until I rode Speedy. But for looks, it's hard to beat a Guzzi IMHO.
I have (but dont use) a 1977 850T3. It is a strange thing............. It is very nicely engineered, but let down by the quality of the finish, particularly the chrome - but that was the norm for Italian bikes of that era. It handles nicely, very stable and agile and I could imagine how good a 750S3 or LeMans or 1000S3 would ride, but it doesnt 'go' very well, presumably because of the engine tuning. The engine is very smooth, once the revs are above tickover, and the sideways rocking vibration at tickover is entertaining. It has loads of low down grunt and is very highly geared, 80mph is 4000rpm. There are some nice details, like the way the wiring from the handlebar switches is routed through the handlebars at a time when Triumph & Norton were clipping the wiring to the outside of the tubes. Looking at the prices Triumphs and Nortons are fetching these days, an old Guzzi is a bargain if you are interested in seventies bikes.
This is nice, I was expecting some "if you're not 100% Triumph then you're some kind of evil wicked person." When in fact I am pretty much Triumph but its like the ladies, I see an attractive one I tend to look. I've been in love with a Tiger ever since I got my Bonnie the problem is the height of the Tiger and the FJR and the ST1300 etc. The Norge, I sat on yesterday and my feet were flat on the ground. But I'm not much of a wrench either, so anything less reliable than a Triumph is out of the question (like a Harley, would never own one, that's not said to bash Harley's - its like listening to the Beatles Hey Jude, great song but I've heard it so many times over the decades that I just can't listen anymore. Same thing with Harleys, just to darn many of em. So how did this become a Harley bashing thread? Oh, must be my ADD).
Then there's the California; would never consider it untill the 1500cc Trumpet Cruiser comes out but, it is a very attractive bike IMO. Have a look.
Deco I'm surprised you expected hostile comments. You have been around here long enough to know what an eclectic bunch we have here.
I caught the Norge write up also. They made it sound very interesting and it's a good looking bike. I have the same concern as everyone else. Dealer Network?
Deco I'm surprised you expected hostile comments. You have been around here long enough to know what an eclectic bunch we have here.
I caught the Norge write up also. They made it sound very interesting and it's a good looking bike. I have the same concern as everyone else. Dealer Network?
Oh, well its just that some of the scooter people caught some early flack over on the Twins Forum and But there have been a couple of threads here where Harley's were bashed (pretty good naturedly) but Guzzi's were trashed for unreliability. Dealer network is a really big concern for me. I wish the local Duluth shop would drop Guzzi and go with Triumph actually. For me "local" is 70 miles away and Triumph is 200 miles away.
Maybe if you live somewhere dry then an italian bike is ok. They make beautiful machines but my two mates ducatis put me off. The finish is apalling, they are literaly corroding away in our climate. I haven't seen anything as bad since the bad old days of yamahas and suzukis in the 80s that literaly rusted before your eyes.
Having said that I saw a year old speed trip the other day that had alloy parts so furry you could comb them. Mind you I think that was a result of the previous owner not cleaning the thing. Any bike will do that if you don't clean and protect it, but both the aforementiond ducatis are cleaned garaged and ridden rarely and they are corroded to hell.
Moto-Guzzi's slogan should be "Going out of business since 1921"
I think they make good bikes. My friend has a V11 in silver and it's absolutely gorgeous. It's one of those bike's that looks hideous in pictures and awesome in person. But, the Italian factor is present with regards to parts and maintenance. Expensive, long lead, few dealers. My local Ducati dealer has had MG off and on over the past 10 years. You walk in one day and there's a Guzzi banner outside and 5 bikes on the floor, a couple months later and there's no sign of them.
I've had a Guzzi LeMans since 1986 and love it. It wasn't til the new Sprints came along that I wanted anything else. I did promis my wife I would sell it when I got the Triumph but it wont seem to leave my garage. Shame about the dealer network there are none in NJ
I've got an 03 Guzzi Stone and really love it. Took it on a 3000 mile trip to Colorado this summer with no issues. In the Guzzi forum I follow they do not speak of any more issues than we have with the Triumph's, normal stuff. Just maintain them and they should last forever.
That's a LeMans SE (special edition). I believe it was only made in 87. Same motor as my 86 LeMans but all the engine and running gear were painted black. The seat was red, the body work painted red and white and the transmission was Guzzi's close ratio "racing" box. I have one with front end damage and tweeked frame i've been using as a parts bike for years. The motor only has about 2k miles. If they are demanding those prices I may just restore it.
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