ADVrider poll on classic motorcycles

[Mscb1100_imp]

When I get numb bum or a cramp in my hip, I stand on the foot pegs on the next straight section of road. Stretching usually relieves the pain quickly. Not recommended in traffic, because the driver behind you might think you are mooning them.

I think you are supposed to wear some sort of pants beneath your leather chaps...

I think you are supposed to wear some sort of pants beneath your leather chaps...
That was a good one

 

[DaSwami_imp]

SportsterDoc -----> And here is the post I found you made on WG:

" I think it important for V7/V7 II/V7 III riders to note that my decision is not much of a negative reflection on the bike.
I very much enjoyed riding it, but other factors were involved, such as dirt roads and the Las Vegas dealership.

I am very much done with Freedom Euro Cycle in Las Vegas

I was treated well by sales, service and parts.

I liked owners Brad and Mark Yuill.

Then I encountered Chris, who stated he was an owner (but not on the Secretary of State website for incorporation).

It went downhill when he moved my bike out of a parking space so that he could park his Jaguar in that space.

When I confronted him, he apologized, but his true attitude was displayed yesterday...since I probably embarrassed him during the first encounter.

It boils down to not wanting to further support his arrogant attitude.

Not going there anymore (for MG or Triumph) makes it 300 miles to nearest dealer.

BTW, although treated well by the service department, for the first service last Feb/Mar; getting things done while I wait (36 mile round trip) may be much more difficult. They buy tons of bikes on auction and the service department can get slammed, prepping them for resale."

 

[SportsterDoc]

I've have/had three on the list, if the Bonneville counts:
The V7 II was a ultimate disappointment.
The 2012 Triumph Bonneville was a very good bike.
Sold it to cover doctor bills for middle daughter.
It was smooth, very good build quality.
Can't judge factory tune, as the dealer programmed it for an Arrow exhaust, but actually was a stock exhaust. No issues, hot or cold

But compare it to the CB1100:

2014 Honda CB1100
51 MPG
86 HP @ 7,500 RPM
66 ft # @ 5,700 RPM
540 #

2012 Triumph Bonneville
MSRP was $7,700, purchased for $7,000, circa June 2012
43/57 MPG
67 HP @ 7,500 RPM
50 ft # @ 5,800 RPM
495 #

Wait a minute....waaaaiiiittt a minute, this is interesting. I thought you really liked the V7II?? At least that's what you posted over on Wild Guzzi? I thought the only reason you got rid of that that bike is some owners of the dealer you purchased from made you upset because they asked you to get out of their parking spot and treated you rudely in your mind?

Do tell....what made the V7II "the ultimate disappointment" now...

Wait a minute....waaaaiiiittt a minute, this is interesting. I thought you really liked the V7II?? At least that's what you posted over on Wild Guzzi? I thought the only reason you got rid of that that bike is some owners of the dealer you purchased from made you upset because they asked you to get out of their parking spot and treated you rudely in your mind?

Do tell....what made the V7II "the ultimate disappointment" now...
I loved riding it and the shaft drive was flawless.
Although only 44 HP, torque was excellent.

Ultimately (all things considered, not that it was the ultimate disappointment), the primary annoyance was fueling. My 2012 Triumph, 2018 Yamaha and now the CB1100, start (cold or hot) and run perfect. The M-G did not. It also developed an intermittent need for throttle to idle. A secondary annoyance was having to remove the tank to see if it had the hybrid fuel filter, half metal and half plastic. I had enough miles on it to be confident that it did not have the missing thrust washer problem, which is an engine killer.

My WG post indicated that there is a lot to be liked about the V7II, but I wanted better. Also, some more off-road trails were calling, so I traded for a 2018 XT250 and explored those trails. Then friends asked when we were going again to Utah and holding 70 MPH on an XT250 is not relaxing.

For more info see this thread: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...185&page=4

Post 1, 6, 18, 21 etc.

Does that fully explain?

 

[DaSwami_imp]

I see, what you meant was the V7II "was ultimately a disappointment". Tweaking that phrase would have made all the difference haha

The fueling was likely related to not having the latest and best fuel map from the factory, that your dealer should have taken care of. There was a thread on WG that talked about it, and having that downloaded solved all my fueling issues.

I disagree that you "had" to remove the tank to check for the half plastic / half metal filter, they ALL have that and despite internet machinations to the contrary, is rarely an issue. Dave at MI said he "never" had to replace one due to a failure, and he is (was) "the guy" when it came to all things Moto Guzzi.

Sorry if I jumped you on that, I love the CB1100 but the V7 series are wonderful bikes also, that I'm a bit protective of, not perfect but the product itself is a sweet ride, dealer network and factory support issues aside.

Carry on...

 

[Nightengale_imp]

Just found this thread. Not sure why the Kawasaki Z900RS is considered a "classic look" because it sure isn't (current highest vote).

There were no monoshock classic bikes, ever. It's also got mag wheels, instead of spokes. And it's water cooled. What's "classic" about any of that? It doesn't even really have classic lines, precisely because of these add-ons.

It's a modern hybrid in reality. And it's not the only one in the "list".

If it ain't air-cooled, it ain't a classic.
If it doesn't have spokes, it ain't a classic.
If it's got one shock, it ain't a classic.

 

[Lord Popgun]

One word- Water Buffalo. Wait, thats 2 words

 

[SportsterDoc]

I see, what you meant was the V7II "was ultimately a disappointment". Tweaking that phrase would have made all the difference haha

The fueling was likely related to not having the latest and best fuel map from the factory, that your dealer should have taken care of. There was a thread on WG that talked about it, and having that downloaded solved all my fueling issues.

I disagree that you "had" to remove the tank to check for the half plastic / half metal filter, they ALL have that and despite internet machinations to the contrary, is rarely an issue. Dave at MI said he "never" had to replace one due to a failure, and he is (was) "the guy" when it came to all things Moto Guzzi.

Sorry if I jumped you on that, I love the CB1100 but the V7 series are wonderful bikes also, that I'm a bit protective of, not perfect but the product itself is a sweet ride, dealer network and factory support issues aside.

Carry on...

No issue...sometimes my attempt at brevity backfires!
Some posts on Wild Guzzi indicated being stranded, due to the filter bursting. Since most of my rides are distances, remote, solo and some/many without cell reception, I would not want that to be a possibility. I did see that Kevin M. (Bone on Sportster forum) burst tested a swollen filter and it held to 120 PSI, if I recall correctly.

I did pay the Las Vegas dealer (before butting heads with new owner) for the first service. Only done that twice out of 17 bikes (9 new). Mario did a conscientious job and downloaded the latest program. It was an improvement, but not enough. Could have gone to Beetle, but with the intermittent idle issue and the dealer situation, I was ready for a change and only one bike is in my Social Security budget.

I do miss the shaft drive and the Pelican cases I mounted.

V7 II mini saddle bags complete

With the mileage I got today on the CB1100, MPG is almost the same, but I really miss the extra ~ 2 gallons capacity on the V7 II.

All-in-all, glad to have owned all my bikes.

Introductions thread...Introduce yourself to the group !

Just found this thread. Not sure why the Kawasaki Z900RS is considered a "classic look" because it sure isn't (current highest vote).

There were no monoshock classic bikes, ever. It's also got mag wheels, instead of spokes. And it's water cooled. What's "classic" about any of that? It doesn't even really have classic lines, precisely because of these add-ons.

It's a modern hybrid in reality. And it's not the only one in the "list".

If it ain't air-cooled, it ain't a classic.
If it doesn't have spokes, it ain't a classic.
If it's got one shock, it ain't a classic.

Alloy wheels make it a modern classic!

My focus is a standard naked bike...which almost disappeared.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

I'll pile onto the V7 bandwagon. I owned two of them. The second one ('11 V7C) was one of my all-time favorite motorcycles but I couldn't justify a long-term relationship with it due to my local dealer's attitude and ineptitude. I never had an issue with the fuel filter, nor did I have any concerns about it, but the bike did have the infamous plastic tank which swelled due to the ethanol in our fuel supply and made servicing difficult. The engine was cold blooded but ran strong once up to operating temperature. Loved that motorcycle. In its place is my DLX, which is an outstanding motorcycle too, but it's a bit too perfect (refined?) and lacks the visceral charm of the V7.

 

[the Ferret]

Liquid cooling, cast wheels and mono shocks have been used on motorcycles dating back into the 1890s

However in our terms for " classic" the 72 Suzuki GT 750 was liquid cooled, the 76 Yamaha RD 400C had cast wheels and the 82 Yamaha Virago 920 had a monoshock. I think all would be considered "classics" by most collectors in the motorcycle community.

 

[tinboatcapt_imp]

I loved my "Water buffalo". Gas, Oil, Tires, and Plugs for 70K miles and sold it. I wish I had kept it. Still have the wife. Glad I kept her...or she kept me...as the case may be.

Yeah, It was a long time ago.
jim

 

[DaSwami_imp]

^^^^^^^ Classic 70's pic! Love it!

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Now that is a seriously handsome motorcycle. Nice looking lady, too. Great pic!

 

[tinboatcapt_imp]

It's hard to tell by just the front wheel, but Larry's KZ900 is the bike behind mine.
Taken in Glacier National Park in June '74.
As to the nice looking lady, I'll keep her a while longer God willing.
Jim

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Yep. The front fender has KZ written all over it.

 

[the Ferret]

Great pic Capt.

I had 2 of the Buffalos. 1 fitted with a Windjammer, luggage rack and backrest. Great bikes. Superb tourers for their time, except for the chintzy chains lol.

Yea my pillion from back then kept me too. Soon to be 45 years.

 

[flynrider]

Liquid cooling, cast wheels and mono shocks have been used on motorcycles dating back into the 1890s

However in our terms for " classic" the 72 Suzuki GT 750 was liquid cooled, the 76 Yamaha RD 400C had cast wheels and the 82 Yamaha Virago 920 had a monoshock. I think all would be considered "classics" by most collectors in the motorcycle community.

The '83 Honda Interceptor had liquid cooling, cast wheels and a monoshock (and a V4 to boot!).

I remember at the time thinking that it was a radical departure from the typical UJM and was quite suspicious of all that modern technology.

 

[Frulk_imp]

The 83 Interceptor still does it for me. Neighbor and friend each bought one that year. I’m STILL jealous.

 

[Rolls_imp]

A little late to the party, I am, but I must say, extremely awesome pic, tinboatcapt! Really great! :beerchug:

 

[Nortoon_imp]

Liquid cooling, cast wheels and mono shocks have been used on motorcycles dating back into the 1890s

However in our terms for " classic" the 72 Suzuki GT 750 was liquid cooled, the 76 Yamaha RD 400C had cast wheels and the 82 Yamaha Virago 920 had a monoshock. I think all would be considered "classics" by most collectors in the motorcycle community.

The '83 Honda Interceptor had liquid cooling, cast wheels and a monoshock (and a V4 to boot!).

I remember at the time thinking that it was a radical departure from the typical UJM and was quite suspicious of all that modern technology.

That's a handsome motorcycle.

By 1982 I was married 4 years and my pinion passenger conned me buying into a Honda Aspencade. It had all the creature comforts she wanted, and a few nice features: a comfortable seat, water cooled flat four, shaft drive, air adjustable forks and shocks with a turn of a tank mounted knob, two tone metallic paint on a big fat fairing, side panels, saddlebags and trunk. It was good motorcycle. Probably why I kept it 3 times longer than any other bike I ever owned.

 

[tinboatcapt_imp]

It had to be later than I wrote ('74). The KZ900 was sold in the US in '76 or '77 according to Wikipedia. :huh:
Memory is the second thing to fail...I can't remember what was first...Ba Dum Bump.
jim