HARLEY DAVIDSON V-Rod

[GoldOxide_imp]

I think HD threw something together back in the late 70's or probably the early 80's to address a similar market issue and had a similar failing experience - possibly worse because those bikes were lemons.

[peterbaron]

Has HD ever been of a high quality like Japanese bikes??

[GoldOxide_imp]

Has HD ever been of a high quality like Japanese bikes??

IMHO, HD holds the high bar for top-shelf finishes. For production bikes, the hardware and surfaces are sweet. I really cannot think of another manufacturer who cares that much in the details. Of course, you will pay for this. If that and the art of noise is your thing, then there is a HD for you.

In terms of performance, comfort, meh, that is much in the eye of the owner. Take-off torque is there; an erotic two seconds of spurt and the thrill is gone. I personally find the rides hard.

The CB1100 fit 'n' finish is the highest that I can recall for this class of Honda. Sure, the Gold Wing is top shelf, but the CB is very good. And we all know there is more: Handling, take-off, luxurious cruising, passing, economy, low environmental impact, low cost-of-ownership, dependability, and so on.

Moto Guzzi finish quality might be about equivalent to this Honda. But things drop off from there: Cost-of-ownership, dependability, some performance inefficiencies, and etc.

I think "quality" will vary by the eye of the owner. Let some live the fantasy.

[LongRanger_imp]

Moto Guzzi finish quality > Moto Guzzi build quality.

[cblais19_imp]

I have a V7 II sitting in the garage beside my DLX. It’s really quite a decent little bike, but the fit and finish is nowhere near as nice as the CB. Does have a nice shaft drive though. Build quality on the newer v7s is quite solid. Minimal or no issues for the owners I’ve seen - and super simple maintenance.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I have a V7 II sitting in the garage beside my DLX. It’s really quite a decent little bike, but the fit and finish is nowhere near as nice as the CB. Does have a nice shaft drive though. Build quality on the newer v7s is quite solid. Minimal or no issues for the owners I’ve seen - and super simple maintenance.

You had to bring up shaft ...


Guzzis have some wonderful attributes.

[cblais19_imp]

Yup, the CARC is pretty great.

[SportsterDoc]

Moto Guzzi finish quality > Moto Guzzi build quality.

I enjoyed mine for 7,000 miles in about 6 months, but fueling was annoying.

https://image.ibb.co/eofZxm/2016_Moto_Gu..._Stone.jpg

Has HD ever been of a high quality like Japanese bikes??

IMHO, HD holds the high bar for top-shelf finishes. For production bikes, the hardware and surfaces are sweet. I really cannot think of another manufacturer who cares that much in the details. Of course, you will pay for this. If that and the art of noise is your thing, then there is a HD for you.

In terms of performance, comfort, meh, that is much in the eye of the owner. Take-off torque is there; an erotic two seconds of spurt and the thrill is gone. I personally find the rides hard.

The CB1100 fit 'n' finish is the highest that I can recall for this class of Honda. Sure, the Gold Wing is top shelf, but the CB is very good. And we all know there is more: Handling, take-off, luxurious cruising, passing, economy, low environmental impact, low cost-of-ownership, dependability, and so on.

Moto Guzzi finish quality might be about equivalent to this Honda. But things drop off from there: Cost-of-ownership, dependability, some performance inefficiencies, and etc.

I think "quality" will vary by the eye of the owner. Let some live the fantasy.

Ride a Sportster 1200 Sport
Stage 1 = 75 ft lbs of torque
110 MPH comes quick in the first 4 gears
I wore the rear tire slick in 3 months

http://sportsterpedia.com/lib/exe/fetch....l1200s.jpg

[GoldOxide_imp]

Moto Guzzi finish quality > Moto Guzzi build quality.

I enjoyed mine for 7,000 miles in about 6 months, but fueling was annoying.

https://image.ibb.co/eofZxm/2016_Moto_Gu..._Stone.jpg

Has HD ever been of a high quality like Japanese bikes??

IMHO, HD holds the high bar for top-shelf finishes. For production bikes, the hardware and surfaces are sweet. I really cannot think of another manufacturer who cares that much in the details. Of course, you will pay for this. If that and the art of noise is your thing, then there is a HD for you.

In terms of performance, comfort, meh, that is much in the eye of the owner. Take-off torque is there; an erotic two seconds of spurt and the thrill is gone. I personally find the rides hard.

The CB1100 fit 'n' finish is the highest that I can recall for this class of Honda. Sure, the Gold Wing is top shelf, but the CB is very good. And we all know there is more: Handling, take-off, luxurious cruising, passing, economy, low environmental impact, low cost-of-ownership, dependability, and so on.

Moto Guzzi finish quality might be about equivalent to this Honda. But things drop off from there: Cost-of-ownership, dependability, some performance inefficiencies, and etc.

I think "quality" will vary by the eye of the owner. Let some live the fantasy.

Ride a Sportster 1200 Sport
Stage 1 = 75 ft lbs of torque
110 MPH comes quick in the first 4 gears
I wore the rear tire slick in 3 months

http://sportsterpedia.com/lib/exe/fetch....l1200s.jpg

I enjoyed mine for 7,000 miles in about 6 months, but fueling was annoying.
https://image.ibb.co/eofZxm/2016_Moto_Gu..._Stone.jpg
The V7 is indeed a classy, solid feel, great looking ride.

Your HD has nice looks too - so very HD.

[LongRanger_imp]

I'm not knocking Moto Guzzi -- I owned two V7's and thought they were endearing bikes, but they looked better than they were built. If it wasn't for the dismal dealership situation in the U.S., I'd probably still own one of them and not my DLX.