| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
I've spent the last ~3 years waiting for the day when I could buy an EBR 1190SX, but I have just about talked myself out of it. Not so much because of EBR's present state, but because of my plans for my next bike. I just retired in January, and one of the things I really want to do is take some LONG cross-country motorcycle trips with my wife over the next ~5 years. Clearly that is NOT a job for an SX. My old Uly is certainly capable of long distance 2-up rides, but at the end of a 300 or 350 mile day, we find we're pretty beat up and worn out. I want a bike that's a little smoother with much better wind protection. I thought hard about it but I don't want a "dresser" or a Gold Wing / land yacht, which would seem to narrow my search down to sport tourers. OK, good, that's settled. Some of the possible choices are the BMW R1200RT, Honda ST1300, Kawasaki Concours 14, Moto Guzzi Norge, Triumph Trophy, or a Yamaha FJ1300. The Japanese models seem like they're clearly ahead on availability, dealer access, and reliability, but I just don't think I'm an I-4 guy, which leaves the Honda. The current edition of the BMW ("water head") gets rave reviews, but new ones are $20k plus and used ones aren't that common or much cheaper. The older BMW RT's are also good bikes (at least 2010 up; some of the earlier 1200's were afflicted with catastrophic final drive failures), so they're also a possibility. OTOH, BMW parts and service seem to be outrageously expensive, and all the electronics likely aren't user-friendly for troubleshooting/repair. The Triumph seems like a pretty cool bike, but it would have to be used to get in my price range. There's no dealer nearby, which isn't a big consideration, but it might be when service is required. I do find myself spending a lot of time looking at the M-G Norge. Out of all these bikes it's definitely the closest to a Buell, with its air-cooled, pushrod engine. It doesn't have hydraulic lifters but it does have "screw and nut" adjusters, which is right up my alley. It's got the least electronics and it's available with a ~30" high low seat (also a consideration for me), and new 2015 models are going for ~$13,000, which makes them a relative bargain. The nearest dealer to me is ~150 miles away, but that's not a big negative since it seems very user friendly for service. Reviews for it are somewhat mixed, but most complaints are about the lack of electronics and most reviewers seem surprised at how well the engine works (doesn't that sound familiar?). So am I nuts to consider buying an Italian motorcycle with a scant dealer network for riding cross country? Oddly enough, based on my cursory searches, the Guzzis seem to be very reliable. Thoughts/experiences would be appreciated. | ||
| Crusty |
I had a Norge. I bought it as a leftover and put 65,000 miles on it. It's comfortable for all day rides for both the rider and the passenger. Maintenance is a breeze. Checking the valve clearances takes about 20 minutes every 20, 000 miles or so, if you take your time. I think that i only had to make a change in the adjustment of one valve once the whole time I had the bike. I had the Two valve head model. The four valve heads make more power. Moto Guzzi also made some minor but very user friendly improvements when they updated the Norge. One other point; it's the easiest bike I've owned to do a tire change on. I could pull the rear wheel, change the tire, balance the wheel with a static balancer and have the wheel back on the bike and ready to go in well under an hour. Even if I was being slow about it. I've noticed a lot of similarities between Buell and Guzzi owners. Both are attracted to twins and both enjoy being a bit "Different". I strongly recommend taking one out for a demo ride. If you like how it feels, then go for it! I think you'll be happy with one. For more information, go here: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0 There are a lot of helpful folks on that forum. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Honda or Guzzi. Those are your choices. | ||
| Greg_e |
I'd go for a beemer with those choices. But I went with a full dresser for me after trying out a BMW, just didn't feel right to me where the Electra Glide Ultra Classic does feel right at home. (Message edited by greg_e on February 20, 2017) | ||
| Reepicheep |
On a facebook thread with an old high school friend right now. She has a BMW tourer, and just spent over $700 because her starter died on a trip. Dang. That feels like just as much as a non option as an out of support bike like a Buell, EBR, or Victory. | ||
| Desert_uly |
If you have actually ruled out Goldwings this will not be of any help, co-worker has an F6B, 2013,only 4000 miles.Beautiful condition,he takes very good care of his bikes and vehicles.Says he cannot ride any longer and hopes to get I believe about $10,500 for it which seems like a lot of bike for good price. It would require a fly and ride to Southern California desert. | ||
| Bartimus |
I looked far and wide to find a decent, reliable, comfortable bike that can do it all, and not break the bank. I used to own an ST1300, great bike, lots of power, comfortable, reliable, but too dang heavy. A good friend rode a late model Connie, nice bike, fast, fairly reliable, not so good with the gas mileage, and not so comfortable. I test rode the Beemers, I do own an R1200RS and know it's a great bike, but I wouldn't ride cross country on it. Maybe the RT, but they are pricey. I rode the FJR, and liked it. comfortable, great reputation for reliability. I felt it just wasn't sporty enough, weighed too much, and too long a wheelbase. In the end, I ended up buying a Super Tenere, and am totally happy with it. I've taken it up and over the Rockies, I've lead quite a few Buell rides here, and I've pulled a trailer behind it riding coast to coast, and all along the gulf coast. Great bike, it can literally do it all, and is totally reliable, and comfortable while doing it. Lighter than the FJR, more comfortable than all the other choices, and it's a pretty fun off-roader as well. I've seen 2016 models for around $10K, not a bad deal at all...    | ||
| Greg_e |
I dig the trailer! | ||
| Tootal |
I found the Norge to be very interesting however in a review they said it worked best for people with short legs and long arms and that's the opposite of me! If I sat on one for a half hour my hips would be aching! Even on the Uly I get cramps in my hips and have to stand up! On long days I like the Road Glide where I can use the highway pegs and stretch out. The "barcolounger" is good for eating asphalt! It sounds like the Norge would fit you a lot better and I do like the engine in that thing. | ||
| 86129squids |
I've always liked the Guzzi's, especially the Norge, but now they have that new model, the "Flying Fortress"... very sexy! Reviews kinda panned the saddlebags as being smallish, but most everything else was praised. I'd love to grab one of those, lookin' kinda Batman down the road! +1 on not really liking IL4's... unless it's the Crossplane Yamaha motor, they have no character. Honda's ST1100/1300 seems to be a good ride with enough sporty action... as far as build quality AND character, there are several Triumphs that appeal to me. My time with that '02 Sprint ST really made me appreciate the brand (Vern's killer paint job helped too), I'll always appreciate the sound and feel of that Triple motor. For a badaiss cruiser, do remember that Triumph has that Rocket III- talk about torque! I've seen few out on the road, each one was something to behold. I bet one of those could be outfitted to be a good tourer, but I'd wonder about gas mileage with that huge 2.3 LITER motor... Given that Polaris is shutting down Victory, you might find a fire-sale model you'd like- Charlie seemed to like his, AFAIK build quality and maintenance are very good. Ya never know... Lastly- the new Honda Africa Twin has gotten nothing but good reviews. I met a couple who'd arrived here in the Smokies on one, from Texas, with temp tags!! Seat height could be an issue, but maybe not. If I were you, I'd just do a daily scan of CL to look for interesting bikes, make a list, and search for owner sites on the interwebz. Good luck and keep posting! | ||
| 1313 |
Good luck and keep posting! ...keep posting! Are you serious? It's Hugh - he never stops! Not complaining, just stating a fact... 1313 | ||
| 86129squids |
 True, dat. Good thread is what I meant, I KNOW Hugh is a post 'ho. Like me.  | ||
| Ourdee |
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| Crusty |
This was the Demo ride that sold me on the Norge.  It was a very good bike and I don't regret buying it in the least. The improvements that Guzzi made make it an even better bike. The Norge is comfortable, reliable and is sexy as all get out. And it has personality. For me, that's extremely important. | ||
| 86129squids |
The new MG-21 Flying Fortress (or whatever it's called) is muy sexy, but the Norge seems more practical. Also a looker, just not Batman-y. | ||
| Sifo |
Norge would be high on my list. Mary's Guzzi has been trouble free after updating the valve cover gaskets. The original started spitting oil coming back from BITA. Regular maintenance is easy. I still haven't figured out what I need for a computer cable though. Haven't had to either. Have you considered the Ducati Multistrada, or the Triumph Tiger? | ||
| Macbuell |
Triumph or Ducati. I'm drooling over the new Ducati Desert Sled. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Saw a nice KTM adventure this morning on the way to work out of the corner of my eye. It perked me up, so I googled it when I got to work. It made me REALLY appreciate my XB12XT. By just about any measure.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
This was the Demo ride that sold me on the Norge. John- that grin is a pretty outstanding endorsement of the bike! Norge would be high on my list. Mary's Guzzi has been trouble free after updating the valve cover gaskets. Tom- thanks for that info. I've always thought her Grizzo is a cool bike. Have you considered the Ducati Multistrada, or the Triumph Tiger? I've kind of ruled out another ADV bike on the basis of lack of complete wind protection and seat height. I had no issues with my 2007 XB12X when riding solo, but two-up, it was a handful. Now it's lowered to XB12XT height after a suspension swap, which would make it a little easier to handle. The Norge would be even lower with the factory low seat, which would be nice. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
OH? do they explode too much or something? | ||
| Reepicheep |
If asking me, no, I'm sure I would like the KTM. But it would cost me at least 2x what the Uly cost, be harder to repair, looks much worse (IMHO), and just seems too busy and too complicated. All these $4000 XB12X's and XT's are just such an insanely good value right now... it kind of ruins, well, everything else. The Triumph adv bike looks pretty nice, but I have heard pretty mixed reviews from people that actually owned them. Just kind of "meh" sometimes. | ||
| Buelltours |
Hugh, I just moved on to a KTM 1190ADV. It's a torque monster. Very comfortable. I got it due to the state of the art electronics which I always missed on my Buells. At least an ABS would have been nice on the Uly. Or the S3... There is a 2016 1190 upstate for under 13K brand new :-) Just saying... | ||
| Sifo |
The Tiger 800 is available in, I think, 2 suspension heights. I think the street version is pretty manageable. You can also get a taller touring windscreen that IMO gives OK protection. What do I know though. Almost everything has good wind protection compared to my lightning! Seriously, though, we went cross country, Chicago to the Pacific coast on a Sprint ST and a Street Triple. Mary got kind of beat up on the western interstates where you can cruise at high speed for hours on end. I thought the Sprint ST was about perfect. Stock windscreen on it too. If it rained on that bike, it would be nice to have more protection, but that's what good rain gear is for. If none of the above convinces you, then it's probably time for something like the Trophy or FJ1300. The Norge is pretty similar to the Sprint ST IMO. Leaning a bit more toward the Sport side of Sport Touring. | ||
| 86129squids |
Heyull- just take out a second mortgage and get a Motus.  | ||
| Falloutnl |
Heyull- just take out a second mortgage and get a Motus. That bike does speak to me in many ways. Any word on how they're doing sales wise? | ||
| Ratbuell |
I tell ya...that F6B is one HELL of a motorcycle. Ballet dancer in a linebacker's body. Dang. That feels like just as much as a non option as an out of support bike like a Buell, EBR, or Victory. Why? Because something broke? It happens, no matter what brand... My bet is, if it was one of "us" Buellers on that ride? We'd buy a part, buy the tools and spend a whole lot less than $700. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hugh, I just moved on to a KTM 1190ADV. It's a torque monster. Very comfortable. That's a cool bike, Cornel. Unfortunately the KTM with its ~33" seat height is too tall for me, at least for 2-up riding. If none of the above convinces you, then it's probably time for something like the Trophy or FJ1300. Tom- There is actually a used Trophy near me, I like the bike and it has a reasonably low seat height. OTOH I look at all the bodywork that would have to be removed to check the valves and I think "ugh....". Heyull- just take out a second mortgage and get a Motus. I really do like the Motus, but I really DON'T want a mortgage (much less a second!) going into retirement. Motus does seem to be slowly expanding their dealership network, but I have no idea how sales are going. Joe- The F6B is an interesting bike, but I really don't want an 800 lb bike, even if it is light on it's feet. (The rest of your post lost me. Are you responding to a since-deleted comment?) | ||
| Sifo |
OTOH I look at all the bodywork that would have to be removed to check the valves and I think "ugh....". Body work is just the start! Valve adjustment on the Street Triple was probably worse than my Sprint ST just because of the cramped space you're working in inside the frame rails. Then you have to track down the new shims you need, unless you have already purchased a shop's set of shims to have on hand. That gets pricey! Probably took me 4-5 hours for either bike. Probably about an extra 15 minutes for the extra body work on the Sprint. The valves on Mary's Guzzi OTOH... I can probably have them adjusted and running in the time spent on tank and air box removal on the Street Triple! I went to a clinic on Ducati maintenance once. They were working on a Panigale. Valve adjustment really didn't look too bad, but you have two shims per valve on a Duc. They did mention that before we got there, the tech had a few hours work completed to strip the bike to the point of doing their clinic. Body work, exhaust, radiator, etc. all had to come off. They have gotten their major maintenance intervals to a level where it's not really that big of a deal though. That's something I would pay attention to on whatever bike you look at. If it only has to be done a few times in the life of the bike, it's not that bad. | ||
| Oddalloy |
While waiting for the right S1 to come along, I picked up this little gem. The valvetrain uses semi-spherical shims to set the clearances but at least the valves are easy to access... it takes about 5 minutes to remove the slider, pull the stick-coil, and remove the cover.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Beautiful! |
