04-27-2017, 05:25 AM
I like to think of character as just "endearing qualities". Our CB1100s have plenty of them, from the way the key slides in smoothly and clicks and the dials do their opening dance, and on and on.
I liked the big Guzzis. I have had several Guzzis from 2001 - 2007, and they were fast and surprisingly powerful.
Here are a couple differences between big block and small block Guzzis. Big blocks go back to the late '60s and originated as a workhorse touring machine. Later big blocks evolved into more sporting machines but still having lots of torque. But they were always heavy and the weight was up relatively high. They worked best at higher speeds, longer distances, long sweepers rather than tight turns.
The small blocks started in the late '70s as 350s and 500s for the commuter market. They were a good 150 pounds lighter (sub 400 pounds) and a lot smaller. Their head and piston design limited performance (heron head design). I had a 500 and it was slower than a Honda CB350. The new models are loosely based on these, although head configuration has been updated to acceptable modern performance. I rode a 2012 V7 Sport, and it was very light but cramped, and a Honda CBR500R twin would eat one up. For smaller riders, it would be fine, but my 6'2" 250# body just crushes it.
I liked the big Guzzis. I have had several Guzzis from 2001 - 2007, and they were fast and surprisingly powerful.
Here are a couple differences between big block and small block Guzzis. Big blocks go back to the late '60s and originated as a workhorse touring machine. Later big blocks evolved into more sporting machines but still having lots of torque. But they were always heavy and the weight was up relatively high. They worked best at higher speeds, longer distances, long sweepers rather than tight turns.
The small blocks started in the late '70s as 350s and 500s for the commuter market. They were a good 150 pounds lighter (sub 400 pounds) and a lot smaller. Their head and piston design limited performance (heron head design). I had a 500 and it was slower than a Honda CB350. The new models are loosely based on these, although head configuration has been updated to acceptable modern performance. I rode a 2012 V7 Sport, and it was very light but cramped, and a Honda CBR500R twin would eat one up. For smaller riders, it would be fine, but my 6'2" 250# body just crushes it.