What is the perfect bike to you?

[skidmarkart_imp]

I think the Superhawk was darn near perfect for me. I live in the city and most of my riding takes place there. I have occasional jaunts to the mountains of NC, with an annual camp-out or two. The Superhawk was easy to maintain (all I ever fixed on it was a R/R that failed - why the heck can't Honda get those right?), and did a variety of tasks. It had great, accessible power (real world power, not 10,000 RPM track power), was comfy enough, could hang with my buddies on Supersports (and embarrass them if the rider wasn't educated), and could pull sport touring duty pretty well too. I am sad the Japanese four gave up on big sporting twins, as I think these were the perfect real world motorcycle. It has drawbacks though. It took the darn thing about 5 minutes to get warm and be ready to ride (probably why I sold it), the gas mileage was horrendous (many tanks got 27-28 mpg, and I once ran one dry in 80 miles), and it ate rear tires and chains like a starved wolf on a bunny farm.

The CB1100 does a similar variety of tasks well. I like the accessible low-end torque, the ergos are pretty good (though I am 6'4" and could use lower pegs and a higher seat), and the stock suspension and brakes are fantastic. I can hang with my buddy on his XSR (though my ride is more exciting than his) and look good with my vintage BMW friends. I have yet to take it on a tour, but after doing many on SuMo's in the past I am sure it will not be a problem.

If Honda brought back a big (1000cc+) sport-oriented twin, in a not too sporty riding position, and weighted in at about 400lbs, I would put a deposit down tomorrow.

[rboe]

You described a Guzzi AND you come very close to describing the typical Guzzi owner.

The CARC line has been discontinued so there are deals to be had. Parts can be ordered from one of several Guzzi dealers nation wide. Maintenance consists of changing the fluids (three separate oils - crankcase, transmission and the rear end - all three are not done all that frequently) and adjusting the valves - which is very easy once you done it. And not hard the first time. Especially with the heads out in the breeze like a real motor.

GuzziDiag is a free software (you will have to buy the relevent cables to talk to the bike) so you can set the TPS, reset learned parameters etc.

QC is pretty darn good. The out going V7 line is very similar to the CB with the incoming V9 model even closer - just not as powerful. But enough power for you to cruise at 90 all day if you are so inclined. The out going CARC bikes: the tall Stelivo for your adventure bike itch, the Norge for sport touring and the Griso for sporting type riding (I use it for touring too - with a custom seat). The 8V motor had much more power and torque than the CB. Unlike the Harley, the Guzzi motor likes to rev with a red line of 8500. I can attest that it is all too willing to bounce off the rev limited without giving you a clue she is out of breath.

The CARC bikes are happier on the open road and I find easier to tour with than the CB. In town I prefer the CB, if I had a V7 or V9 I may prefer that.

Most Guzzi owners are do-it-yourself types but there are about four really good dealers nation wide with a smattering of less well known but good dealers and if you are near one of them AND you tend to let the dealer do the work then you're in Aces. Otherwise it may not be a good choice for you.

They are not as high strung nor demanding as you Ducati's or Aprillia's. The Griso is not a sport bike but if you ride like me it is as sporty as you like and there are plenty of folks that ride the rubber off them. With the skills you can embarrass many a squid on a GXR.

[aschem_imp]

+1 (Rboe)

[LongRanger_imp]

+100 (Rboe)

I didn't know the V7 was being replaced by the V9, but from a Euro4 emissions standpoint, it makes sense.

[Wisedrum]

Maybe people want more cubic inches even
in smaller bikes, 'cause this may have a certain
impact on the torque. Might be thoughts of the Guzzi
marketing departement. When I read tests about
the new ones, it doesn't changed that much.

Wisedrum

[Sam Mac_imp]

For me the "Perfect Bike is a CB1100" reliable, low maintenance, light weight, perfect power, great brakes, what more could I ask for? No I don't want shaft drive or H2O cooling, if it's not there it can't break. I can deal with chain maintenance, it's easy, cheap and simple, like me. Why is it that we men are never satisfied when we have a good thing? Yes I'm guilty, been through 4 bikes in the last 5 years. The CB is a keeper for me.

[TCBronson_imp]

I think the Superhawk was darn near perfect for me. I live in the city and most of my riding takes place there. I have occasional jaunts to the mountains of NC, with an annual camp-out or two. The Superhawk was easy to maintain (all I ever fixed on it was a R/R that failed - why the heck can't Honda get those right?), and did a variety of tasks. It had great, accessible power (real world power, not 10,000 RPM track power), was comfy enough, could hang with my buddies on Supersports (and embarrass them if the rider wasn't educated), and could pull sport touring duty pretty well too. I am sad the Japanese four gave up on big sporting twins, as I think these were the perfect real world motorcycle. It has drawbacks though. It took the darn thing about 5 minutes to get warm and be ready to ride (probably why I sold it), the gas mileage was horrendous (many tanks got 27-28 mpg, and I once ran one dry in 80 miles), and it ate rear tires and chains like a starved wolf on a bunny farm.

The CB1100 does a similar variety of tasks well. I like the accessible low-end torque, the ergos are pretty good (though I am 6'4" and could use lower pegs and a higher seat), and the stock suspension and brakes are fantastic. I can hang with my buddy on his XSR (though my ride is more exciting than his) and look good with my vintage BMW friends. I have yet to take it on a tour, but after doing many on SuMo's in the past I am sure it will not be a problem.

If Honda brought back a big (1000cc+) sport-oriented twin, in a not too sporty riding position, and weighted in at about 400lbs, I would put a deposit down tomorrow.

I have tried to use my imagination while looking at the profile picture of a CB1100 and thought it would make a good looking twin cylinder bike. Not sure how big though, 650 maybe.

[Henrik_imp]

Speaking of the Guzzis, I tried a V9 Roamer recently expecting to find something better than a V7 and close to the CB. Well, I came away from the test ride very disappointed!

First of all, the position on the bike does not suit me, and it is too cramped. My heels would bump on the exhausts, and I found the position too upright. Suspension was far too soft with a general feeling of a lack of precision when riding. The power was totally lacking as well. Nothing with that bike made me feel like it came close to a CB in any way. I much preferred the V7 actually, as that one has more character even if it is not very powerful.

Perfect bike for me? I would say it is the bike I happen to have at any moment, and right now it is the CB1100.

[rboe]

I have found that folks that don't like the V7 or V9 have certain expectations or requirements in a bike and those bikes don't meet them. Other folks are looking for something bigger (coming from say a CB300) or smaller (like me, looking for a light flickable bike for coffee shop to coffee shop riding) that puts a grin on their face. The V7 did that for me (have not ridden a V9 and like you I have concerns about the peg placement).

I often wonder what a CB with a 900cc Guzzi motor would be like. I do like the steam engine feel of the Guzzi power plant, especially on the open road. In town, the smoothness of the inline four seems to be better. Or a torquy single!

I can't pull the trigger on another bike just yet so I'm thinking Piaggio will come out with a V9 version I'll really like.

[skidmarkart_imp]

I think the Superhawk was darn near perfect for me. I live in the city and most of my riding takes place there. I have occasional jaunts to the mountains of NC, with an annual camp-out or two. The Superhawk was easy to maintain (all I ever fixed on it was a R/R that failed - why the heck can't Honda get those right?), and did a variety of tasks. It had great, accessible power (real world power, not 10,000 RPM track power), was comfy enough, could hang with my buddies on Supersports (and embarrass them if the rider wasn't educated), and could pull sport touring duty pretty well too. I am sad the Japanese four gave up on big sporting twins, as I think these were the perfect real world motorcycle. It has drawbacks though. It took the darn thing about 5 minutes to get warm and be ready to ride (probably why I sold it), the gas mileage was horrendous (many tanks got 27-28 mpg, and I once ran one dry in 80 miles), and it ate rear tires and chains like a starved wolf on a bunny farm.

The CB1100 does a similar variety of tasks well. I like the accessible low-end torque, the ergos are pretty good (though I am 6'4" and could use lower pegs and a higher seat), and the stock suspension and brakes are fantastic. I can hang with my buddy on his XSR (though my ride is more exciting than his) and look good with my vintage BMW friends. I have yet to take it on a tour, but after doing many on SuMo's in the past I am sure it will not be a problem.

If Honda brought back a big (1000cc+) sport-oriented twin, in a not too sporty riding position, and weighted in at about 400lbs, I would put a deposit down tomorrow.

I have tried to use my imagination while looking at the profile picture of a CB1100 and thought it would make a good looking twin cylinder bike. Not sure how big though, 650 maybe.

It would be cool if Honda brought back the CX500 style v-twin and put 1000-1200cc mill in the CB sideways! BUT, that would never happen b/c it would look just like a Guzzi. That would be a sweet bike though, and I bet you could fit it right into the frame, and those CX series motors ran FOREVER!