New EX on the Way!

[DaSwami_imp]

10-4, I've only ridden the Goose since 2013....know nothing about any of them before that.

Congrats on the EX!

[cookiemech]

(responding to what The Ferret said . . .)

Yeah, but I've had a number of BMWs and never that issue (R75/6, R80RT, R1100RT, K75, K75RT). They have all been happy at 3000 rpm and up, and were all geared so that top gear was usable by 60 mph.

I had a 2014 Ducati Monster 1200 that was really pretty and really powerful. Yes, it ran best at 4000 rpm and up, but that doesn't seem unreasonable when the redline is high (don't recall its redline, but upwards of 9000 rpm). I'm just not the right guy for a powerful naked sportbike.

Must be why I like Harleys . . .

[PowerDubs_imp]

So drop a tooth on the front sprocket- or go up 2-3 on the rear?

[the Ferret]

That is a common fix according to the forums (and what my son did to his), but MG and Beemers are shaft drive so not so easy to alter the gearing. Most recently the MG Griso I test rode was extremely unhappy below 4K, but past that point it was smooth sailing.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Yeah, that 2014 DLX "ferret edition" is quite a looker.

It certainly is. No wonder he wants to ride all the time.

You are selling the Moto Guzzi? Pray tell why?

You will notice the difference when you twist the throttle, the torquey "snap" of the Goose will be replaced with a silky smooth acceleration that you won't feel near as much, but your tach and speedo will tell you differently.

It's a 2003 Aluminium with 6600 (hundred, not thousand) miles on it that I bought in July 2014 from the "original" owner (in quotes because the first owner was his brother, who put 225 miles on it). I bought it because it was so darn gorgeous; perfect, really. I researched everything on this particular bike and found it had not had the PI Cam Update done, so I fortunately found a competent MG shop to do the work (Europa Macchina in Lewisberry, PA).

Anyway, it had 2869 miles when I bought it and so I've put about 3800 miles on it. It just doesn't turn me on in any way. I wanted to like it, really I did. But it's not comfortable for me, even after installing IKON shocks (adjustable, unlike the originals) and a Harper's MG "high" seat. The utterly unfathomable gearing (like, I'm spending all my time in second and third gear) is the nail in the coffin. Can't get into fifth gear below 80 mph.

I like my Harley touring bikes very much, as well as my old BMW K-bikes. I like my KLR. A Harley rider I recently met has fallen in love with the Moto Guzzi and is planning to buy it, even though I have pointed out what isn't great about it.

Also, last year I worked hard to reduce my fleet of bikes from eight to six, and I'm not going back up . . .

That's exactly where I'm headed. Eight bikes are just too dang many to be able to really ride, maintain, and store.

I'm planning to exchange two of the current bikes for single bike this year, and it'll be either a CB1100EX or RS, if that one's available. Might even cut it back by three machines, leaving six. I keep a couple of bikes around to share with my riding buddy, otherwise I'd get it down to four.

Think I've pretty much made my mind up about that CB1100EX; I know how to manage the weight and how I'll be riding the bike.

The centerstand'll get taken off immediately as I ain't gonna go in for another hernia surgery if I can help it. Toss the tires for Metzeler Z8's straightaway, and order a set of Type II bars from Samurider.

I think it'll lack for nothing at that point. ABS version for sure this time (my Standard was non-ABS).

Then you just watch my smoke, I'll be out there keeping a spreadsheet too.