New Bike Dreams

[Gone in 60]

To answer your question, yes, I spend way too much time looking at stuff I think I want, when I should just be content with what I have. I'm at maximum vehicle capacity, including storing one bike at work, so it's just dreaming. Just looked at the Guzzi V100 Centenario. It costs as much as my last car did. Will I buy one, heck no. Z650 RS... ooh wait, no, a 900.

It goes on.

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

I hear that. I'm looking at Harley clones, specifically a Yamaha V-Star, tomorrow. Gotta get there early, as we're having high-temp warnings in North Tejas. I may or may not sell the CB 'cause my garage is full of wifey items, and she still wants to stuff more things out there, like a giant garage freezer. FCOL, there's just the two of us here, why should she want another freezer? Here's an idea, I tell her if you want a freezer, I want another bike. I like the CB and all, but it is not a two-up machine, and she's making noise about wanting to ride with me. That's why I need a big-ass cruiser, for the comfy seat and the sissy bar backrest.
Also, I put a clutch-lever assist in the Sportster 1200 Roadster I used to have. It made a huge difference.

[Gone in 60]

Ah yes, the delicate balance of wifey-stuff infiltrating your man cave.

Mrs. G and I have a clear understanding of who's space is who's. She's got her gardening area and I have my motorcyle and tool areas. In order to make sure we both have room for our stuff, anything that is just in storage is up high on shelves all around the garage and out of our way.

We also have our two cars in the garage, and the only way I can fit two bikes is to park one of them behind my car. It's practical because I don't use my car very often. Do you have enough room to do that?

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

Ah yes, the delicate balance of wifey-stuff infiltrating your man cave.

Mrs. G and I have a clear understanding of who's space is who's. She's got her gardening area and I have my motorcyle and tool areas. In order to make sure we both have room for our stuff, anything that is just in storage is up high on shelves all around the garage and out of our way.

We also have our two cars in the garage, and the only way I can fit two bikes is to park one of them behind my car. It's practical because I don't use my car very often. Do you have enough room to do that?

Gone, I haven't parked a car in the garage in 20 years, and I don't see it happening soon, but, we are considering going down to one car. Sell or trade the two we have and get a Subaru Outback. We're both retired and don't need two cars, so I may get to put a new-to-us vehicle in there, we'll see.

[GoldOxide_imp]

... same here. However, I reckon leaving a car out in-the-open in and around L.A. has its unique probabilities of attracting special attention at some point in time.

[Ollie]

Does anybody roam around cycle trader and YouTube and wonder if it might be nice to own a more exotic bike? . I test rode a Moto Guzzi V7 a few years back and it was pretty cool. I saw a 2013 MG 110 HP Griso model with low miles for $8k. Then I go to a discussion forum and see threads about replacing sensors,taking the rear end apart to grease swing arm bearings, and having to have valves replaced at 25k mikes because of a bad design and metal fatigue. There are also a lot of newer Moto Guzzi V85 TT adventure bikes that have all the cool electronic features. What I miss the most are a quick shifter and/or Honda DCT, and cruise control. I have been having wrist pain on my left hand from using the clutch. I previously had the NC 700x with the DCT but it was underpowered for me. I also owned a VFR1200x with the DCT but it was just too darn heavy for me. So, I feel stuck right now. I don’t want to spend more than $10k but I really need a quick shifter or DCT. Thanks for letting me ramble.

The good news is you have options.
If NC700X is underpowered for you an NC750X will probably be too, just a bit less so, and no cruise.
Next up is an Africa Twin 1000 DCT, Africa Twin 1100 DCT, or Rebel 1100 DCT. You should be able to find any of these used for $10K or less but the AT1000 doesn't have cruise.

Guzzi V85TT has a *very* light clutch pull and cruise.

I had a 2017 VFR1200X and I agree about the weight and particularly how top heavy it was.

I wish the new Transalp 750 came with cruise and optional DCT.

[bvictory_imp]

Does anybody roam around cycle trader and YouTube and wonder if it might be nice to own a more exotic bike? . I test rode a Moto Guzzi V7 a few years back and it was pretty cool. I saw a 2013 MG 110 HP Griso model with low miles for $8k. Then I go to a discussion forum and see threads about replacing sensors,taking the rear end apart to grease swing arm bearings, and having to have valves replaced at 25k mikes because of a bad design and metal fatigue. There are also a lot of newer Moto Guzzi V85 TT adventure bikes that have all the cool electronic features. What I miss the most are a quick shifter and/or Honda DCT, and cruise control. I have been having wrist pain on my left hand from using the clutch. I previously had the NC 700x with the DCT but it was underpowered for me. I also owned a VFR1200x with the DCT but it was just too darn heavy for me. So, I feel stuck right now. I don’t want to spend more than $10k but I really need a quick shifter or DCT. Thanks for letting me ramble.

The good news is you have options.
If NC700X is underpowered for you an NC750X will probably be too, just a bit less so, and no cruise.
Next up is an Africa Twin 1000 DCT, Africa Twin 1100 DCT, or Rebel 1100 DCT. You should be able to find any of these used for $10K or less but the AT1000 doesn't have cruise.

Guzzi V85TT has a *very* light clutch pull and cruise.

I had a 2017 VFR1200X and I agree about the weight and particularly how top heavy it was.

I wish the new Transalp 750 came with cruise and optional DCT.

The good news is you have options.
If NC700X is underpowered for you an NC750X will probably be too, just a bit less so, and no cruise.
Next up is an Africa Twin 1000 DCT, Africa Twin 1100 DCT, or Rebel 1100 DCT. You should be able to find any of these used for $10K or less but the AT1000 doesn't have cruise.

Guzzi V85TT has a *very* light clutch pull and cruise.

I had a 2017 VFR1200X and I agree about the weight and particularly how top heavy it was.

I wish the new Transalp 750 came with cruise and optional DCT.
Do you think the Transalp or Hornet will make it to the U.S. Europe/U.K. seem to get every new bike that comes out,

[Tev62]

The Transalp would be a very considered purchase with it's tubed tyres, make sure you have "breakdown Insurance" unless you are happy to carry the tools to remove your wheel on the roadside and patch the inner tube. Punctures are rare, until they are not. And spec the Transalp with a centre stand for the same reason, it will make wheel removal a lot easier!

It is one of the reasons I have my EX wheels converted by Bart Factory in Italy. They apply a polymer sheath molded inside the rim that seals the spoked wheel, making it tubeless. They provide a 4-year guarantee by way of a serialised certificate which is quite reassuring. They have worked flawlessly for some time now and lose no more air than any other bike I own.

The V85TT was launched with tubed wheels early on, Moto Guzzi responded very quickly to feedback and made them tubeless which probably saved their sales figures.

I got the impression a couple of years ago they were doing a lot of Africa Twin wheels as the new 2016 models were tubed too along with the entry level model to this day.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Many harder-core off-roaders still prefer tubed rims so they can "feel good" when they deflate the tires for aggressive riding.

Otherwise, many have gone to overlay an Outex kit on their tubed rims to convert them to tubeless and have had no issues for many years of use. Some CB1100 Forum members have been successfully using Outex on very long and two-up journeys.

[Ollie]

The Transalp would be a very considered purchase with it's tubed tyres, make sure you have "breakdown Insurance" unless you are happy to carry the tools to remove your wheel on the roadside and patch the inner tube. Punctures are rare, until they are not. And spec the Transalp with a centre stand for the same reason, it will make wheel removal a lot easier!

It is one of the reasons I have my EX wheels converted by Bart Factory in Italy. They apply a polymer sheath molded inside the rim that seals the spoked wheel, making it tubeless. They provide a 4-year guarantee by way of a serialised certificate which is quite reassuring. They have worked flawlessly for some time now and lose no more air than any other bike I own.

The V85TT was launched with tubed wheels early on, Moto Guzzi responded very quickly to feedback and made them tubeless which probably saved their sales figures.

I got the impression a couple of years ago they were doing a lot of Africa Twin wheels as the new 2016 models were tubed too along with the entry level model to this day.

Yeah inner tube spoke wheels are a big negative to me also. Some wheels are easier to take on and off than others and having a center stand really helps. My Tenere has a stand but it also has a large, rear axle nut that is recessed so in addition to the other tools and tire irons I need to carry a 1/2" socket and handle for that nut. Carrying all those tools and F&R inner tubes along adds a lot of weight and takes a fair amount of luggage space as well but is doable.
OTOH I wouldn't even bother trying to R&R the rear wheel along the road on an older Goldwing, Harley Tourer, or Guzzi V7 because those were difficult enough for me in my shop, on the lift, with a jack! When you have a flat on a bike like them you better have someone along or cell service, otherwise start walking.

For me I wouldn't completely rule out a Transalp but it better be really special to offset having inner tube wheels.