I have read about many who ask about the Eldo. What are the strengths, weaknesses, things to check when buying ...
Well, I've had it for 4 years now, and I've covered almost 40,000 kilometers there.
The advantages of this motorcycle are many, but unfortunately there are also defects, both in terms of quality and in various project deficits. But let's start with the merits.
Definitely the line, beautiful. Perhaps among the most beautiful cruisers of recent years, all over the world scene. Sinuous, elegant, powerful. Congratulations at every stop, looks of general admiration from all.
Comfortable, well insulated from the most annoying vibrations, thanks to the "elastokinematic" assembly of the engine, and the abundant rubber coating of the large footrests. Just a shake at start-up, and very pleasant low-frequency vibrations, to remind you of the large torque available already at low revs.
Valid chassis, real brakes, safe and not excessively demanding driving, ease of leaning, limited only by the low footpegs.
Infinite and reliable engine, incredibly low consumption, if conducted calmly in a guide that is truly congenial to it.
Numerous driving aids, to make every journey, especially the longest ones, even more comfortable and safe. Cruise control, traction control, mappings and heated grips (optional but indispensable for me on a bike like this).
All right, then? No, not at all. Unfortunately in the constant use in these 4 years and several trips around Italy and Europe, numerous defects have emerged, some slight, others (at least for me), serious and unforgivable. Design flaws, above all. Some of possible solutions, others structural, mainly due to the use of low quality materials.p
I know that a company can tend to save to maximize profits, but even in a construction economy, such poor materials cannot be used, especially on a motorcycle with a cost of almost 20,000 euros. A real shame that makes you lose confidence, especially in a clientele so loyal and loyal to the brand.
Poor hardware that tends to rust easily, the heads of which strip when you go and tighten them.
A fragile rear sub-frame that can hardly bear the weight of any bags, luggage attachments and passengers. Moreover, wrapped in a plastic mudguard whose attacks crack due to the vibrations and roughness of the road. And not happy, a very heavy turn signal / license plate group to aggravate the situation of the poor mudguard, just to further shorten its life. And let's not forget that this fender costs 650 euros. Gold weight plastic ...
But let's move on. I understand that the spaces in a motorcycle are obviously limited, and finding a place for a battery is not easy. But an 18 a / h for a 1400 cm³ engine is really nonsense and it is therefore extremely easy to find yourself without power if the bike does not start up promptly. So, a portable booster was practically a must ...
We continue with the headlight? Beautiful, with sinuous and futuristic shapes. Retro, but with led DRL lights. What about the low beam? A poor halogen H3, a bulb designed for fog lights that in night driving is as good as Monopoly money ... But who designed that headlight? Mickey Mouse? Pluto ..?
Obviously, even in this case I had to engineer and I replaced the useless H3 with a more functional xenon kit. Functional but obviously illegal ...
It's not over.
Cruise control? Very comfortable, but why put it on the right side? The hand, already engaged in holding the throttle grip in position, is forced to make contortions to activate the function. A very comfortable Cruise Control, but unhappily positioned. A constructive choice so wrong, that in the latest models of 2018, they replaced all the control blocks, moving the Cruise Control to the left, as in all the other motorcycles in the world ...
I could continue with the ignition switch which tends to lock up when the parking lights are switched on, or with the exhaust compensator which sometimes dries up ... Or with the rear brake pump, practically attached to the right exhaust, which tends to become incandescent . What about the alternator belt? It costs less than 30 euros, but when it needs to be replaced, every 50,000 kilometers, it takes almost 30 hours of manpower. Do some math ...
Yep, I forgot to mention the shock absorbers. Pitifully scarce ...
LIn summary, a splendid bike with an infinite engine, with several problems, due more than anything else to a careless design.
Errors that in my opinion contributed greatly to his untimely death ...
Well, I've had it for 4 years now, and I've covered almost 40,000 kilometers there.
The advantages of this motorcycle are many, but unfortunately there are also defects, both in terms of quality and in various project deficits. But let's start with the merits.
Definitely the line, beautiful. Perhaps among the most beautiful cruisers of recent years, all over the world scene. Sinuous, elegant, powerful. Congratulations at every stop, looks of general admiration from all.
Comfortable, well insulated from the most annoying vibrations, thanks to the "elastokinematic" assembly of the engine, and the abundant rubber coating of the large footrests. Just a shake at start-up, and very pleasant low-frequency vibrations, to remind you of the large torque available already at low revs.
Valid chassis, real brakes, safe and not excessively demanding driving, ease of leaning, limited only by the low footpegs.
Infinite and reliable engine, incredibly low consumption, if conducted calmly in a guide that is truly congenial to it.
Numerous driving aids, to make every journey, especially the longest ones, even more comfortable and safe. Cruise control, traction control, mappings and heated grips (optional but indispensable for me on a bike like this).
All right, then? No, not at all. Unfortunately in the constant use in these 4 years and several trips around Italy and Europe, numerous defects have emerged, some slight, others (at least for me), serious and unforgivable. Design flaws, above all. Some of possible solutions, others structural, mainly due to the use of low quality materials.p
I know that a company can tend to save to maximize profits, but even in a construction economy, such poor materials cannot be used, especially on a motorcycle with a cost of almost 20,000 euros. A real shame that makes you lose confidence, especially in a clientele so loyal and loyal to the brand.
Poor hardware that tends to rust easily, the heads of which strip when you go and tighten them.
A fragile rear sub-frame that can hardly bear the weight of any bags, luggage attachments and passengers. Moreover, wrapped in a plastic mudguard whose attacks crack due to the vibrations and roughness of the road. And not happy, a very heavy turn signal / license plate group to aggravate the situation of the poor mudguard, just to further shorten its life. And let's not forget that this fender costs 650 euros. Gold weight plastic ...
But let's move on. I understand that the spaces in a motorcycle are obviously limited, and finding a place for a battery is not easy. But an 18 a / h for a 1400 cm³ engine is really nonsense and it is therefore extremely easy to find yourself without power if the bike does not start up promptly. So, a portable booster was practically a must ...
We continue with the headlight? Beautiful, with sinuous and futuristic shapes. Retro, but with led DRL lights. What about the low beam? A poor halogen H3, a bulb designed for fog lights that in night driving is as good as Monopoly money ... But who designed that headlight? Mickey Mouse? Pluto ..?
Obviously, even in this case I had to engineer and I replaced the useless H3 with a more functional xenon kit. Functional but obviously illegal ...
It's not over.
Cruise control? Very comfortable, but why put it on the right side? The hand, already engaged in holding the throttle grip in position, is forced to make contortions to activate the function. A very comfortable Cruise Control, but unhappily positioned. A constructive choice so wrong, that in the latest models of 2018, they replaced all the control blocks, moving the Cruise Control to the left, as in all the other motorcycles in the world ...
I could continue with the ignition switch which tends to lock up when the parking lights are switched on, or with the exhaust compensator which sometimes dries up ... Or with the rear brake pump, practically attached to the right exhaust, which tends to become incandescent . What about the alternator belt? It costs less than 30 euros, but when it needs to be replaced, every 50,000 kilometers, it takes almost 30 hours of manpower. Do some math ...
Yep, I forgot to mention the shock absorbers. Pitifully scarce ...
LIn summary, a splendid bike with an infinite engine, with several problems, due more than anything else to a careless design.
Errors that in my opinion contributed greatly to his untimely death ...
. Peter