CuttySark
Just got it firing!
Yesterday I bought my first ever Moto Guzzi and thought I would share some first impressions for anyone else considering becoming a Guzzi owner (spoiler alert - it's fantastic!). As a bit of background, I have been riding for forty years but have never owned an Italian motorcycle. My riding has been year-round commuting and touring (Europe and USA) and I always, probably wrongly, thought Japanese and German bikes were a safer bet. I have always thought Guzzi's were beautiful, cool, and had an amazing pedigree - definitely desirable but how reliable? Now, I can choose a bike with my heart as much as my head so collected a 2018 California Touring (in Nero Gentleman Black) yesterday.
Today was my first real ride (other than the test ride at the dealer) - three hours and on roads I know.
First, the ride quality. My test ride was jarring, but, after reading the manual, I backed off the preload to zero which, surprisingly, is supposed to be good for a rider and passenger. It's certainly good enough, soaking up bumps and potholes but not wallowing around corners under my 180lb weight. Could be tweaked in the future but an option not a necessity.
Second, engine and gearing. I have ridden many Harleys' and Indians and get used to short shifting through the gears, rarely revving over 5k. The Guzzi 1400 engine seems to be happiest above 3k rpm, snatching a little bit below this level and jerky on over-run. The 2018 model has the Secondary Air Supply to meet Euro 4 emissions controls and low rev fuelling could certainly be better. Compliance with emission regs often compromises fuelling - I had a Honda CB1100XX once that had a flat spot engineered in at 5500 rpm as that was where emissions were tested. I don't remove catalytic converters but my last couple of bikes have been much improved by being re-mapped, the California might be getting the same treatment. For now, keeping the revs up is not a hardship, I will just spend more time in first and second gear for speeds up to 40mph than I am used to. I like the heel-and-toe rocker gear change, although my size 10 boots only just fit in between the two ends. The engine is eager and wants to go - much more fun than some of the other big cruisers.
For a 700lb bike with a fat rear tire, handling around corners was brilliant. The sit-up-and-beg seating position doesn't lend itself to hanging off the saddle but the bike turns in easily, holds its line and accelerates out of the corners better than any other cruiser I have ridden. Reminded me of a Honda Pan European ST1300 - once the front suspension had been modified.
Comfort is something that needs more than 3 hours to really judge but, so far so good. I was lucky to get a bike with a Corbin seat courtesy of the previous owner so hopefully won't need any more under-backside padding. Today was about 60 degrees, and, after 30 mins at interstate speeds with summer gloves, I was starting to think heated grips might be going on my wish list. Previous bikes with heated seats and grips have spoiled me, I'm afraid. The screen is great and, for 6' me, the bars/seat/foot triangle is perfect. My knees don't contact the cylinder heads although I could feel some warmth from them - not unpleasant.
Going over the bike before my ride, the chrome and paint quality, and overall style, are gorgeous. At my first coffee stop, a passerby complimented me on my "beautiful bike". I think I'm in love.
Today was my first real ride (other than the test ride at the dealer) - three hours and on roads I know.
First, the ride quality. My test ride was jarring, but, after reading the manual, I backed off the preload to zero which, surprisingly, is supposed to be good for a rider and passenger. It's certainly good enough, soaking up bumps and potholes but not wallowing around corners under my 180lb weight. Could be tweaked in the future but an option not a necessity.
Second, engine and gearing. I have ridden many Harleys' and Indians and get used to short shifting through the gears, rarely revving over 5k. The Guzzi 1400 engine seems to be happiest above 3k rpm, snatching a little bit below this level and jerky on over-run. The 2018 model has the Secondary Air Supply to meet Euro 4 emissions controls and low rev fuelling could certainly be better. Compliance with emission regs often compromises fuelling - I had a Honda CB1100XX once that had a flat spot engineered in at 5500 rpm as that was where emissions were tested. I don't remove catalytic converters but my last couple of bikes have been much improved by being re-mapped, the California might be getting the same treatment. For now, keeping the revs up is not a hardship, I will just spend more time in first and second gear for speeds up to 40mph than I am used to. I like the heel-and-toe rocker gear change, although my size 10 boots only just fit in between the two ends. The engine is eager and wants to go - much more fun than some of the other big cruisers.
For a 700lb bike with a fat rear tire, handling around corners was brilliant. The sit-up-and-beg seating position doesn't lend itself to hanging off the saddle but the bike turns in easily, holds its line and accelerates out of the corners better than any other cruiser I have ridden. Reminded me of a Honda Pan European ST1300 - once the front suspension had been modified.
Comfort is something that needs more than 3 hours to really judge but, so far so good. I was lucky to get a bike with a Corbin seat courtesy of the previous owner so hopefully won't need any more under-backside padding. Today was about 60 degrees, and, after 30 mins at interstate speeds with summer gloves, I was starting to think heated grips might be going on my wish list. Previous bikes with heated seats and grips have spoiled me, I'm afraid. The screen is great and, for 6' me, the bars/seat/foot triangle is perfect. My knees don't contact the cylinder heads although I could feel some warmth from them - not unpleasant.
Going over the bike before my ride, the chrome and paint quality, and overall style, are gorgeous. At my first coffee stop, a passerby complimented me on my "beautiful bike". I think I'm in love.
. Then I will be looking for some garage projects - heated handlebars?? - until spring arrives.
