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Converting Custom to Touring Questions

N

nevada72

Just got it firing!
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Messages
4
Location
Milwaukee-ish
Hello all! I'm brand new to the forum and Moto Guzzi as well. I do not have one yet, but I plan to soon. I have test ridden a California Touring and a MGX-21. I crossed the MGX off my list as I really don't like how that big front wheel feels. But I absolutely loved the California Touring. As a current Harley Davidson Street Glide owner I like the weight, power, ride and handling of the Touring vs the SG.

That said, I really like the looks of the Custom more. There's a nice silver 2014 Custom available and it has some of the touring features like windshield and foot boards. My question is - Is it a problem to also add the Touring seat, backrest, and shocks? My guess is it's a bolt on, but again, I'm totally new to MGs.

My second question is - If those items are a bolt on, is there a good source for take offs? I suspect like all brands there's a lot of suspension and seat modification going on among enthusiasts.

Normally I would go straight to the aftermarket, but I really liked how the stock California Touring rode - very plush. I live in Wisconsin and our roads are horrible. Anything less than plush delivers a beating to the rider and even more so the passenger. And compared to my Street Glide, the California is a sport bike riding on a cloud, so at this point I have no desire for performance enhancements.

My last question is - Is there any difference between the 2014 and the 2017?

Thank you in advance for the help.
 
I am also from Wisconsin. I bought a used 2014 California custom with a Touring seat, sport screen, and aftermarket mufflers. I added factory hard bags after the purchase. I absolutely love the bike. Granted, I am coming to this bike from the opposite direction, as my other three bikes are Ducati sportbikes. While it certainly doesn't handle like the Ducatis, it does well enough to be fun. I am sure you will not regret buying the Custom.
 
ssmith996 said:
I am also from Wisconsin. I bought a used 2014 California custom with a Touring seat, sport screen, and aftermarket mufflers. I added factory hard bags after the purchase. I absolutely love the bike. Granted, I am coming to this bike from the opposite direction, as my other three bikes are Ducati sportbikes. While it certainly doesn't handle like the Ducatis, it does well enough to be fun. I am sure you will not regret buying the Custom.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I should add that the one I am considering has the hard bags as well.

How do you like the ride quality on Wisconsin roads? The Touring I rode was fantastic. I was actually aming for rough patches whereas with my Street Glide I'm swerving around to miss them.

I should also add that I have 2 BMWs in the garage as well, so the Harley is only my heavy touring bike reference.

Also, do you do your own work or do you use a pro? I visited Metro Motors up in Neenah. They seem to do a good business. if I were to buy new it would likely be from them.
 
The ride quality is very good. Then again, I rode very stiff sport bikes prior to the MG, so almost anything is a step up. Metro is very good. I use them exclusively for my Moto Guzzi. I am 20 miles north of Green Bay and find them well worth the drive to use their services.
 
I have a 2014 Custom that has the touring seat, windshield and rear rack with the 50 ltr top case. I went a different direction with the bags and put on the Hepco Becker 30 ltr buffalo bags. I just completed a 4 corners of the US ride and my wife flew out to Boston to joint me touring back across the country putting on over 12000 miles. I now have over 39,000 on the odo and I believe it runs and shifts better than when I left on the ride. My only complaint with the bags is that the top opening is a little to small for getting in a bag liner that fills the bag. The bags are nice, look good and are lockable.
 
I don't think you need to worry about the shocks at all...I also have a '14 Custom that I outfitted with the Hepco Becker Backrest w/ rack, MG Hardbags, MG Touring Windshield, and the Touring Seat.

Wife and I have done over 15K Miles of hard touring like that and the setup has been great. No issues with ride quality on the shocks. You can adjust their preload and dampening for your setup.

Waste of money in my opinion to replace the shocks unless you want to do a hefty $$ Upgrade.

Cheers, Joe
 
On the early models to set the cruise control you have to try and hold steady at the speed you want and then hit the button and hope you don't move the twist grip while you do it, if it's not right you have to disconnect and try again. I believe the new models have an extra button on the left bar to adjust speed up or down from the original setting. Just a small point but it would make life easier. That is the only change that I've heard of, someone may know of others. If you are buying a dual seat you have the choice of standard or comfort gel seat. The gel is definitely more comfortable for my backside but NEVER leave it sitting uncovered in the sun on a hot day, it takes a loooong time to cool down and it's not easy standing up if you've got foot boards.
 
nevada72 said:
That said, I really like the looks of the Custom more. There's a nice silver 2014 Custom available and it has some of the touring features like windshield and foot boards. My question is - Is it a problem to also add the Touring seat, backrest, and shocks? My guess is it's a bolt on, but again, I'm totally new to MGs.
Click to expand...

You are correct. My 2014 Custom has been "converted" into a Touring model.
 
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