"Tell me about newish Moto Guzzis" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
Have been thinking about swapping the Blade for ages but have never been able to find anything that quite floats my boat. The Blade (954) ...

Have been thinking about swapping the Blade for ages but have never been able to find anything that quite floats my boat. The Blade (954) is a fantastic tool, really a do anything machine, everything that is except be fun at normal pottering about speeds, which is what I see myself doing from now on. Tired of being on a mission all the time, warp factor 9 speeds.

So I rather fancy a naked roadster type thingee, but none quite hit the spot. I've had a Hornet 600, and loved it, but it's a cheap bike, not something to get too passionate about. So thought of a Hornet 900, or maybe a Rockster/1150R, nice bikes but maybe lacking a bit of 'character'. Favourite has been another Monster. Had a couple in the past but too flawed for the riding I was doing at the time, so flogged them. Situation a bit different now.

But lately I've been taking a keener interest in the newer Moto Guzzi range and I think it would fit the bill. Griso, Breva, V1200 Sport, or even the older V11, 1100 Sport Injection and Daytona 1000. I had a Guzzi an 850T, some years back. Heavy, slow, poor gearbox, but it had bucket loads of character.

Griso looks fantastic but the ugly exhaust detracts a bit, but I reckon it (or the V1200) could be a bike for a very long term relationship.

Anyone got any experience of them. Help!

Edit: pic of my old Guzzi, sold it about 8 years ago

Attached Images

guzzi3.jpg (75.8 KB, 21 views)

I too have a 954 'Blade but bought Guzzi 1200 Sport about year ago...nice piece of kit....handles ok too! ))

Get orf my land

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There's no point listening to me. I'm biased. As an orphan I was found and brought up in the wild by a family of Guzzis. As a result I ended up living with one in a council tower block in Brixton for nearly 20 years. They were the happiest riding years of my life.

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Proto - you're welcome to a spin on my Rockster if you want - Might be a good stepping stone between the pure sports of the 'Blade and the full-on "character" of a Guzzi.

I'd love to have a Guzzi - but went with the Rockster (after a test of a Cafe Sport) because it still had character, but without as many flaws.

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non quod, sed quomodo

You're welcome to have a test ride on my baby ...if you bring all the readies

http://www.therevcounter.com/motorbi...-ballabio.html

Ummm, the Rockster has charcter by the bagful. If mine hadn't been so badly screwed together I'd still have it (and be on 70k+ miles by now probably).

It was brilliant.

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MC011

How about a new V7?

[IMG]http://www.motorcycledaily.com/063008middle.jpg[/IMG]

Motorcycle Daily

No. Yawn. Retro-nostalgia nothing bike. The original V7 was a decent big fast touring bike, and the V7Sport was a distinguished classic sporting twin The new V7 is nt good at any of these things. Reminds me of the new Bonnie.

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Really? I've had old Beemers down as more oddness than character. The V11 lump is certainly far more characterful. The newer Guzzis are reputedly rather less characterful.

If you just wanted something to potter about on then you'd have to be careful with the V11s, they aren't always the best bet with a fairly committed riding position. Some of the V11 models, such as the Cafe Sport have the flat mandlebars. The clip ons on models like my Le Mans are an acquired taste. Mind you, so is the rest of the bike.

Best advice if looking at any Guzzi is FFS don't be put of by the test ride, they take quite some time to gel with you.

Well thanks for the replies. Rice Burner's post made much sense

Phoned up about a Rockster for sale near me. Think it is sold, someone was going to see it this afternoon - white/black 80th anniversary model with extras. Looked gorgeous.

Sent a pic to my Hornet owning son. "Dad, that's a much cooler bike than your Blade". So bike hunt is on! Possibly.

Ricey, if you are nearby, I'd be keen to have a go, please.

Sorry, I misread the title as "tell me about Jewish moto guzzis" and was vaguely curious about what was going on.

Can you get to Boxhill on a Wednesday evening?

(obviously the usual TRC caveats* apply. )



* You break it, you buy/fix it

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non quod, sed quomodo

I am of the opinion that the new 12 valve Moto Guzzi Griso is an amazing looking bike.

I would love to give a thorough and technical review, however I daren't go and test ride one as I know I will end up handing over my credit card.

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Gosh, that is a new model, have they added an extra cylinder, or is it the first production bike with 6 valve heads?