12-05-2015, 03:48 PM
(12-05-2015, 02:47 PM)Frulk_imp Wrote: I own both the 2014 Guzzi V7R and the 2013 Standard CB1100...some things to consider from "my" point of view as a guy that rides both bikes.
Guzzi strengths: Steel gas tank (not as common as folks think). Smooth shaft drive that's basically maint free...5.8 gal tank/well over 200+ mile range before next fill-up. Trouble free ownership. For the most part proven/reliable engine/drivetrain if you don't abuse it. Periodic maint can easily be done by owner. Sub 400 weight...claimed 395 when dry. Unique styling and engine design with retro cred. You will NOT see yourself coming and going every day. It could be months/years before you see another one. Nice instrumentation. Shifting gets smoother with miles. The torque the motor produces is surprising for a 750. Superb gear spacing in the 5 speed gear box. A 6th gear will do nothing for this bike except cause you to shift more. Brakes (lack of dual disc up front in particular) are a point lamented in many magazine articles but it's a sub-400 pound bike and they are FINE (if not stellar). Very stable at 70-85 mph for such a light bike. Cross winds don't affect it much.
Guzzi weak points: Front suspension has no preload adjustments (rear shocks do) as it comes from the dealer and is in need of tuning. 50HP at the crank/40 at rear wheel. Not a problem during most day-to-day driving but try passing at 70 mph with a slight head wind or incline. Dealer network is spotty at best. If you do have a dealer nearby they may not be there in a year. Parts take forever to arrive at dealership. Dealer maint is pricy. $502 for my first 600 mile maint visit. Aftermarket support (if you like to farkle a bike) is less than overwhelming. Bike can be cramped for taller (6'0 plus) riders. Motor gets cranky in cold weather and takes a while to warm up. Gear box fluid makes shifting tuff in cold weather until it warms up. In hot weather...direct sun at 90+ degrees the engine stumbles at idle and takes a couple of minutes to smoothen out.
CB 1100 strengths: Both bikes get chided for their power output but the CB CRUSHES the V7 at almost TWICE the horsepower. While the CB is 140 pounds more than the Guzzi it's almost impossible to tell once the CB is moving. The CB's motor is smooth/linear in torque delivery and quiet in most of it's operating range. Hondas dealer network is almost as omnipresent as the golden arches. 1st service was $96 dollars. Drop dead gorgeous retro looks with a beautiful steel tank. You will not see yourself coming and going every day....could be months or years before you see another one..Tie with the Guzzi : ) Suspension as delivered from dealer is a couple of notches above the V7's. Front suspension has preload adjustment option (as does the rear). Brakes are near perfect (although I've read on this site some owners have issues with the rear brake mine does not exhibit this). Fit and finish is high. CB feels solid/substantial at highway speeds and wind doesn't push it around. Aftermarket parts/farkles are exceptionally numerous (but somewhat pricey). Basic maint. is easy to complete. The bike is an absolute steal if you can find them at the prices folks said they go theirs at...$7600 to about $8600
CB1100 weaknesses: For me the driving range of the 2013 Standard tank isn't enough. Living out west I can easily find roads with long distances between fill ups. I mitigate this somewhat with a couple of MSR bottles but it's still an irritant with more frequent in town fill up stops required. It can be fixed (with a new tank) but it's not cheap. More than a few complain about buzziness above 4000 RPM coming through the hand grips and to a lesser degree the foot pegs (I don't notice either enough to say that it bothers me). The stock seat. In it's defense I haven't ridden a bike whose out-the-door stock seat was tolerable past 100 miles or provided all day comfort. I currently have an aftermarket seat on the CB which I bought off a member here and it's a significant improvement (K&H Café seat).
The V7 power output will be VERY noticeable if you're stepping down from a motor putting out 80-100+ HP. to the point you may not ever be satisfied with the bike. Few road bikes put out less but I actually was riding one and so it was a step up for me. In town riding with an occasional longer back country weekend jaunt the Guzzi will be fine. Longer trips and frequent highway runs would give the nod towards the CB. Dealer location and reputation would definitely be a consideration if I was leaning towards the Guzzi.
I like one as much as the other BUT, for very different reasons.
Wow, Frulk! Excellent summary of the two, can't thank you enough as I really like both these bikes...but as you say, "for very different reasons."
Looks like I can get the '14 CB Standard for $8495 or the '15 V7 Special for $6725, that's a true comparison, both prices include dealer freight and setup, but not licensing and tags. That's a $1770 price difference...hmmmm. Still thinking it over...