Topic: Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom (pulled trigger)

[CBJoe]

So I'm not normally a Cruiser Style kind of guy....I've always had(and have) Standard style bikes.  You can see the models that I've got now in my signature.  I've posted in another thread how my wife and I are planning to take a multiweek tour for our 10 Year Wedding anniversary in 2015, and what comes along with this is picking up a new motorcycle.  This bike will be "our" bike for the trip and then of course enjoying afterwards     http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=143676.0

None of the current sport touring bikes out there catch our fancy and up until now we've been mainly set on outfitting one of the new CB1100's with bags and such.  This is still one of the main options for us, but then we happened on the Moto Guzzi website and amazingly love the look of their newer California 1400 Touring Bike.

http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/motorcycles/california-1400-touring.html



I don't know much about Guzzi's and have only just now started some research.  Does anyone have any experience with this bike with regards to reliability or fit and finish?  Any good sources of info (forums and such) to mine info from?

I'm sure not everyone will like the look of this bike, but It's the first cruiser style I've every been attracted to...so it's made me wonder if I'd like having something like this around to keep the classics company in the garage

Cheers, Joe

[cj750]

I have a friend with one. I haven't ridden it yet, but I can tell you he loves the thing. Claims its the best combination of power, comfort and handling of any bike he's ever owned, and he's owned many.

If you're looking for a standard, the new Audace model may be more to your liking:



Retro fans are showing a lot of interest in the new Eldorado: 



Forum wise, check out Wild Guzzi: http://www.wildguzzi.com/forum/

[CBJoe]

Thanks...Good to hear he likes it.  I just registered over at that Guzzi forum so I'll do some research over there. 

Mainly looking at the touring model because of the storage and road trip usage.

Cheers, Joe

[faux fiddy]

Those guzzi's are like harleys. I can't hardly tell that the models are that different from one to the other.

[cj750]

Those guzzi's are like harleys. I can't hardly tell that the models are that different from one to the other.

That's 'cause those are all variations the same basic bike, not really separate models. They just offer a choice of sub-models to cater to folks who want alloy wheels vs. spokes, pegs vs. boards, sport vs. touring-oriented suspension components, etc. Guzzi has several model lines, besides the 1400 engine bikes, which are a little easier to tell apart than Harleys.

[cj750]

Just because its on-topic, and I like this pic:

[CBJoe]

Just talked to the dealer in Illinois yesterday for a bit.  Confirmed I can organize a test ride anytime and offered to come with on his bike to take me through some nice areas with some twists and turns to see how the bike handled in more than just the straights. 

Styling wise, I'm still not all about the cop windshield and fog lights, but these are things that can be taken off if need be for city driving.  Gotta wait for some warmer weather and then will wander over to the dealer to check it out in person.

Only real big thing that makes me hesitate is the sparseness of Guzzi Dealers.  If I head to Maine on this thing it puts me very large distances from any dealer that can do warranty work in a worst case scenario.  I haven't heard any reliability issues with the model that would make this a justified fear...but it's in the back of my head.

Nevermind....Somehow my previous search was bunk...there are service shops in Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.  So no problem with distance.

Joe

[bluezboy]

Take a look a the FJR 1300, a few of my friends own them and love them

[Duanob]

I have a friend with one. I haven't ridden it yet, but I can tell you he loves the thing. Claims its the best combination of power, comfort and handling of any bike he's ever owned, and he's owned many.

If you're looking for a standard, the new Audace model may be more to your liking:



Forum wise, check out Wild Guzzi: http://www.wildguzzi.com/forum/

I think I'm in love all over again! Sweet bike! Decent webpage too, almost NSFW.

[EuroFag]

I have a friend with one. I haven't ridden it yet, but I can tell you he loves the thing. Claims its the best combination of power, comfort and handling of any bike he's ever owned, and he's owned many.

If you're looking for a standard, the new Audace model may be more to your liking:



Forum wise, check out Wild Guzzi: http://www.wildguzzi.com/forum/

I think I'm in love all over again! Sweet bike! Decent webpage too, almost NSFW.

Looks like a Harley V-Rod to me...
The Guzzi is 1400cc and 80hp = on-par for a Sportster

V-Rod has 40hp more than the Moto Guzzi
I dont usally care for Harleys (some older ones are really nice) personally.  But in this case, the Harley's got more power, and is less pretentious, IMO.

The Harley costs over $2000 less, too.

[CBJoe]

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say "Harley is less pretentious" than another bike brand. I might have to frame this post! 

 

[EuroFag]

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say "Harley is less pretentious" than another bike brand. I might have to frame this post! 

Haha, good one.
But really, it just a slightly different type of pretense... 
Poser bikers ride Harleys, and yuppie hipsters ride Motto Guzzi. What's the difference?

IMO, both are primarily fashion accessories.
The Guzzi is a $20k+ ego booster with the performance of a 40-year old bike with 1/2 the displacement.

Next someone here is gonna say the new asian-built Royal Enfields aren't poser bikes either, hahaha.  $6k for a bike that tops out at 50mph.... muahhhahaha

[faux fiddy]

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say "Harley is less pretentious" than another bike brand. I might have to frame this post! 

Next someone here is gonna say the new asian-built Royal Enfields aren't poser bikes either, hahaha.

Asian built Royal Enfields aren't poser bikes, especially the new ones.

[CBJoe]

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say "Harley is less pretentious" than another bike brand. I might have to frame this post! 

Haha, good one.
But really, it just a slightly different type of pretense... 
Poser bikers ride Harleys, and yuppie hipsters ride Motto Guzzi. What's the difference?

IMO, both are primarily fashion accessories.
The Guzzi is a $20k+ ego booster with the performance of a 40-year old bike with 1/2 the displacement.

Next someone here is gonna say the new asian-built Royal Enfields aren't poser bikes either, hahaha.  $6k for a bike that tops out at 50mph.... muahhhahaha

Matters not anyway.  I'm not a Harley fan regardless of whatever label you're so keen on applying. I have nothing against them...just not my cup of tea style wise.
 
Also, my ego's big enough without the Guzzi, so I doubt it will be affected much if I end up buying it    I may also recommend that you do a bit of reading about the performance of the Guzzi....it's won quite a bit of recognition in the cruiser shootouts in which harleys and metric twins were paired against it.  You are correct that it doesn't boast the HP numbers of some of the big twins but I'm sure it's enough for me considering I've never owned a running motorcycle above 865cc.

Cheers, Joe

[seanbarney41]

That Guzzi looks alright...but how the #$%* does a brand new 1400 only make 80hp?  I think all good 600's are now over 100?...my 86 VF500 makes 70?  Just get a jap bike.

[Old Moe Toe]

Hi CBJoe. Guzzi's are ace!. I've had the same one for 31 years and still love it. They are reliable and rideable.  Went on a ride the other day with a bunch of blokes (on my immaculate KO) and one of the other guys had one of these new 1400's like the one you are thinking about. It sounded awesome and went like stink . He was very happy with it. I wouldn't listen too much to the naysayers, they are a good bike. Don't get me wrong, I love my CB's but I'm not a bike racist. Also dig my Harley and Guzzi.....even wifey's bonneville.

[CBJoe]

That Guzzi looks alright...but how the #$%* does a brand new 1400 only make 80hp?  I think all good 600's are now over 100?...my 86 VF500 makes 70?  Just get a jap bike.

The published specs for the Guzzi is actually 96hp...so not sure where that 80 came from.  However, I was surprised to look around at some of the other twins in the metric cruisers.   

- honda 1312cc they use in the sabre, interstate and such has 74 hp
- Suzuki Boulevard with 1462cc is 78hp / 96ft.lb
- Triumph Thunderbird is 1700cc with 93hp / 111 ft.lb

Joe

[Duanob]

I like the Guzzi because it's a bit different. That's why i ride an old honda instead of a new crotch rocket, or a Harley....

[Stretch]

The new V2s are not putting out a ton of hp even for the big ones. Touring is a different animal though. You don't need lots of hp to tour, torque is more the end of the engine you need. Most don't have the ground clearance to do much sport touring anyway.

I wheelied past a Kawasaki 2000 on my 30 year old V65 Sabre.

[seanbarney41]

I wheelied past a Kawasaki 2000 on my 30 year old V65 Sabre.

8)v4 madness

[toytuff]

It just has to be White.

 

tt

[faux fiddy]

No, red.



http://raresportbikesforsale.com/guzzi-exotica-2006-moto-guzzi-mgs01-corsa/

[CBJoe]

Sorry Boys....gonna have to be black or grey.  The other colors clash with my eyes 

Just waiting for the freaking snow to melt so I can go test ride some bikes.

[eigenvector]

Definitely white.  Try touring on a black bike in the fog - it ain't fun when cages are roaming around.

[01Thomas]

You're dead wrong. Guzzis are nothing like Harleys. For one they have a 90° vee and so they don't vibrate.

Those guzzi's are like harleys. I can't hardly tell that the models are that different from one to the other.

[faux fiddy]

You're dead wrong. Guzzis are nothing like Harleys. For one they have a 90° vee and so they don't vibrate.

Those guzzi's are like harleys. I can't hardly tell that the models are that different from one to the other.

Well yeah, of course, and the shaft and configuration and all that, but the point being is the bikes pictured seem to  look like they're marketing to a Harley buyer.

By the way, that race bike has a high tech drive shaft that eliminates the usual handling drawbacks of a shaft drive bike.  I couldn't quite wrap my head around how it works, but I'm still trying.

[CBJoe]

Well...I did it.  Test rode a custom on Saturday and signed the paperwork.  Hopefully picking up the bike this Saturday along with the accessories I ordered.  The bike was a blast to ride and had more than enough power for me.  For such a large bike, it was extremely nimble.  I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm still shocked at myself for buying a bike with floorboards 

Anyway...here's an example what it will look like when I have it set up for touring (sans luggage rack and touring seat).


Cheers, Joe

[Stev-o]

Congrats.   When is the trip?

[CBJoe]

Congrats.   When is the trip?

June...May 30th is the annual Rockers Reunion Motorcycle show/event here in Indy and we're gonna use that as a kick-off for the trip (also the wife's Birthday).  Then we're hitting the road for 3 weeks.  We're camping and hitting the random B&B up throughout the trip.  Maine destination is the town of Bar Harbor.  Staying there for 3 days and going to use it as home base for touring around the region.  Then we'll head back on the final leg.

Should be fun.  Got to put some miles on the bike soon to start shaking down the gear we're gonna take with us and to figure out what touring seat we want to use.

Cheers, Joe

[Damfino]

Congrats Joe. I really like the looks of that bike. Be sure and give us your impressions of it during your shakedown and after your trip! 

[CBJoe]

Congrats Joe. I really like the looks of that bike. Be sure and give us your impressions of it during your shakedown and after your trip! 

Thanks Jay,     

Picked the bike up from C&D Motorsports in Robinson, IL today.  The guys there were great to work with   Rode it home today (3hr ride) and it was great.  Tons of power for my needs and extremely comfortable.  Absolutely no complaints and couldn't be happier 

I'll make a post in the Other Bikes section pics and a ride report in the next couple days....gonna be a busy day tomorrow making room in the garage for this one




Cheers, Joe

[toytuff]

Wonderful!

tt

[CBJoe]

Thanks tt

Now all I need to do is get a Honda back in the collection.  A guy came by the other day and hauled away all my 650's