Another motorbike.....Ducati.... am I mad

[Rannsachair]

I think you should do a conversion on a plastic maggot, got to be an improvement.

I was offered a standard one recently from a friends widow, told her to ebay it. Made way more money than I would value one. I have always fancied an earlt CB450 Black Bomber, though not to the extent of current values.

 

[premmington]

There is an honesty and charm to older bikes. Last time I had two bikes in the garage they were a KTM 1190 Adventure, fast with good handling, and an old Honda CX500, not much to really say about it. The CX500 gave me as much thrills and enjoyment as the KTM but at much slower speeds. The limitation on grip and brakes plus less power made you more involved.
Any kind of distance though and you could forget the CX500 as the KTM was far better

I had a "maggot" once - 1982 CX500EC Eurosport - starship mileage in white - huge rack on the back - the last owner made from stainless 316 round/flat bar/tube he knicked from the food factory he worked in.

50hp and 19ltr tank (ish) - did about 45/47mpg if you was kind to it.

Got me to work and back - round a bout to round a about.

Replaced it with a GPZ500 1990 model - far better in every way and about the same MPG.

 

[mangocrazy]

I know it's a personal taste thing, but I couldn't bring myself to ride the V85TT. It's one of, if not the ugliest bikes I've ever seen.

I'm no fan in general of adventure styled bikes, but I find the V85TT's styling quite refreshing, and certainly not ugly. If you want ugly just look at a BMW GS(A) festooned with lights, top boxes, crates for panniers and crash bars protecting every inch of the bike and all it does is get ridden to the local bike meet.

 

[dobbslc]

Yes that Guzzi looks really nice. Just do it!

 

[redlig]

Not so much power for fast overtakes, much less rubber on the road than newer bikes, so less grip, less brakes: single disk up front

How much power do you really need to overtake numpties doing 45mph saving fuel ?

 

[Rannsachair]

How much power do you really need to overtake numpties doing 45mph saving fuel ?

I do like around 100hp

 

[addjunkie]

Yes that Guzzi looks really nice. Just do it!

Bikes are like women, we all like different things. Know nothing about new guzzis. Had a le mans for a few weeks when young, it broke down twice in two weeks. But things have moved on.
I do like the 800 triumphs, and if I was buying new it would probably be triumph. Think the larger ones area tad big, same thoughts on BMWs too.
But you only live once, just do it, enjoy it, and worry about your choice after a few thousand miles.

 

[redlig]

I'm no fan in general of adventure styled bikes, but I find the V85TT's styling quite refreshing, and certainly not ugly. If you want ugly just look at a BMW GS(A) festooned with lights, top boxes, crates for panniers and crash bars protecting every inch of the bike and all it does is get ridden to the local bike meet.

Don't forget that ESSENTIAL facility that informs the authorities that you have allowed the bike to deviate from the vertical. How did we all survive without 'these gizmo's ? Admittedly some didn't but hey ho.

 

[redlig]

I do like around 100hp

Whatever turns you on.

 

[stuvy]

Resurrecting this thread as still not pulled the trigger on something. I have been using my R75/5 to work most days now and feel strong enough to manage it easily.

Keep looking at :
View attachment 358681
Though still the odd horror story and a relatively new model, so likely high depreciation...... I would get a much better deal on an older Stelvio 1200.
Some horror story's on the net for waiting on parts I find a bit offputing. Anybody had a recent Guzzi

Keep going back to the last aircooled R100GS's too, no electronics, seem to retain value well, just not sure it will be as useable as a more modern bike. Also I am familiar with them, used to working on older beemers and parts are readily available.

Had a look at @Shox Dr 's Triumph Tiger 800, nice looking bike too..... decissions

The bike night I go to has a great mix of new and old bikes

An older chap has one of these and it’s really beautiful designed and made

If I had the money I’d buy one

 

[Rannsachair]

The bike night I go to has a great mix of new and old bikes

An older chap has one of these and it’s really beautiful designed and made

If I had the money I’d buy one

Looking at photo's I like the details: looks better finished than the Multistradas I have looked at. I like to see an engine, so Guzzi ticks that box too.

 

[addjunkie]

Looking at photo's I like the details: looks better finished than the Multistradas I have looked at. I like to see an engine, so Guzzi ticks that box too.

You need to go and touch, feel even fiddle with a real one, pictures are never the same

 

[Rannsachair]

You need to go and touch, feel even fiddle with a real one, pictures are never the same

Was thinking will need to see if I can get a test ride on one, nearest dealer is Jim Allan in Falkirk.

 

[roofman]

Looking at photo's I like the details: looks better finished than the Multistradas I have looked at. I like to see an engine, so Guzzi ticks that box too.

I was looking at either a Multistrada or the bmw 1000sx but having sat on each one there is so little room on them, your kinda forced into the tank.. getting the missus a z1000sx in a week or so hopefully to replace her 53,000 mile GSX650F, and myself i just cant find a bike out there that ticks all the boxes like my FJR1300 does

 

[zeppelin builder]

Resurrecting this thread as still not pulled the trigger on something. I have been using my R75/5 to work most days now and feel strong enough to manage it easily.

Keep looking at :
View attachment 358681
Though still the odd horror story and a relatively new model, so likely high depreciation...... I would get a much better deal on an older Stelvio 1200.
Some horror story's on the net for waiting on parts I find a bit offputing. Anybody had a recent Guzzi

Keep going back to the last aircooled R100GS's too, no electronics, seem to retain value well, just not sure it will be as useable as a more modern bike. Also I am familiar with them, used to working on older beemers and parts are readily available.

Had a look at @Shox Dr 's Triumph Tiger 800, nice looking bike too..... decissions

there is a restored black and yellow one going around across here looks superb , the old paris dakar sonauto gauloise team bikes were awesome .
had a late r100rs and did over 50k miles on it never found it underpowered ,in fact the kind of power needed on rural roads around here ,cagiva elephant is a very underated bike too another dakar winner
always fancied a home made v twin with r 100 top ends they are made for the job perfectly

 

[Bluemotion]

Resurrecting this thread as still not pulled the trigger on something. I have been using my R75/5 to work most days now and feel strong enough to manage it easily.

Keep looking at :
View attachment 358681
Though still the odd horror story and a relatively new model, so likely high depreciation...... I would get a much better deal on an older Stelvio 1200.
Some horror story's on the net for waiting on parts I find a bit offputing. Anybody had a recent Guzzi

Keep going back to the last aircooled R100GS's too, no electronics, seem to retain value well, just not sure it will be as useable as a more modern bike. Also I am familiar with them, used to working on older beemers and parts are readily available.

Had a look at @Shox Dr 's Triumph Tiger 800, nice looking bike too..... decissions

I’m running this ‘Gummi Kuh’ as the Germans call them (rubber cow). Had loads of Ducatis too inc an st2

A lot of bikes are a blank canvas like modern bonneville and the monsters and this is R nineT too. Didn’t want the ugly double decker GS with all its dangling pots n pans as there’s no need for that look in my life. Tested the new V7 guzzi 850 and although it had loads of soul it was too much of a wet lettuce for me.

 

[Johnnybravo]

I’m running this ‘Gummi Kuh’ as the Germans call them (rubber cow). Had loads of Ducatis too inc an st2View attachment 358789
A lot of bikes are a blank canvas like modern bonneville and the monsters and this is R nineT too. Didn’t want the ugly double decker GS with all its dangling pots n pans as there’s no need for that look in my life. Tested the new V7 guzzi 850 and although it had loads of soul it was too much of a wet lettuce for me.

Always wondered if a “Gummi Verteiler ” ,was a Condom Salesman….

 

[GRW]

If I was 6'3" (I'm not) then for sure it'd be one I the taller bikes. I'm 5'9" and I never saw the enjoyment of folding myself up like an origami figure to ride a race-rep on the road.

If thinking BMW, then I'd go for the 1150 over the 1200. The 12 claims more power etc - but if you see the power/torque curves v the 1150 - it only makes more right at the top-end.... just where a big boxer gets vibes and where no-one tends to spend more than a tiniest fraction of riding time.
Then - add in the CANBUS added complications and even more plasticky, flimsy look of certain bits - and I'd go for a tidy 1150 every time.

The TL1000 is a great motor and I fancied one - you do have the not-so-special finish quality and odd looks which are a bit marmite.

I'd seriously consider a Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere Single if I was your height. No silly electronics gizmos, no fly-by-wire silliness, and enough grunt for today's roads. A mate has one (I suggested one to him years ago) - he loves it.

Only modern bike I'd want now is (as someone else said well) - is the Yamaha MT-07 twin and its various derivatives. As I get older I find myself liking the look of the Enfield 650 twin as a relaxing, not too high/heavy bike - but I'm more likely to buy another e-mtb instead of one tbh - much more fun.

I've been thinking to sell my motorbike - dunno if I can bring myself to though. I've had it since 2007 - and in all that time I've not really come across anything else that'd do what I want from a road-bike appreciably better:

 

[redlig]

I was looking at either a Multistrada or the bmw 1000sx but having sat on each one there is so little room on them, your kinda forced into the tank.. getting the missus a z1000sx in a week or so hopefully to replace her 53,000 mile GSX650F, and myself i just cant find a bike out there that ticks all the boxes like my FJR1300 does

Surely ONE bike will never tick ALL the boxes it has to be a bike for each box.

 

[redlig]

If I was 6'3" (I'm not) then for sure it'd be one I the taller bikes. I'm 5'9" and I never saw the enjoyment of folding myself up like an origami figure to ride a race-rep on the road.

If thinking BMW, then I'd go for the 1150 over the 1200. The 12 claims more power etc - but if you see the power/torque curves v the 1150 - it only makes more right at the top-end.... just where a big boxer gets vibes and where no-one tends to spend more than a tiniest fraction of riding time.
Then - add in the CANBUS added complications and even more plasticky, flimsy look of certain bits - and I'd go for a tidy 1150 every time.

The TL1000 is a great motor and I fancied one - you do have the not-so-special finish quality and odd looks which are a bit marmite.

I'd seriously consider a Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere Single if I was your height. No silly electronics gizmos, no fly-by-wire silliness, and enough grunt for today's roads. A mate has one (I suggested one to him years ago) - he loves it.

Only modern bike I'd want now is (as someone else said well) - is the Yamaha MT-07 twin and its various derivatives. As I get older I find myself liking the look of the Enfield 650 twin as a relaxing, not too high/heavy bike - but I'm more likely to buy another e-mtb instead of one tbh - much more fun.

I've been thinking to sell my motorbike - dunno if I can bring myself to though. I've had it since 2007 - and in all that time I've not really come across anything else that'd do what I want from a road-bike appreciably better:
View attachment 358790

Why think of selling if it satisfies the need ? You know that in a years time you will be kicking yourself. Just remember K.I.S.S.