What late Classic bike to use for long distances?

[Gragson]

Benelli 6's are a bit on the pricey side due to rarity

Tongue in cheek tbh, but a lovely looking bike

 

[daleyd]

I had one, not a particularly relaxing ride for me on anything off straight roads, loads of grunt but those 16" wheels...
As someone put it, like a very very fast lorry

What about this Italian into the mix, a good mate had a 250 back in the day and always lusted after one

View attachment 538182

My cousin had one and got clocked at about 160, by north wales police! Followed by a short spell at her maj pleasure

 

[octo0072000]

Yamaha XV1100 we know it's jap

Yamaha XV1100 Virago only bike that i could ride full tank to empty and still get off and walk away light low saddle height shaft drive original one spoked wheels mine was M reg

 

[OJCar]

I am thinking Guzzi is the best compromise for me me, never thought of one of the wee ones,

V50 is the physical size of a Japanese 250.
I think you might find them a bit too wee.
Back in the day I dispatched on two of them, changed exhaust valves at 25K miles as a service item. (about every 10 - 14 weeks).
Heron head and an electronic ignition with a step function advance curve. IME they ran badly on unleaded.
Factory paint was very thin and poor, ( just the fumes from the paint vat! ) So go for one that has been nicely re-finished.

However I don't understand why you need another bike for "longer runs" when you have got the R75 and the Bonneville...

 

[Rannsachair]

V50 is the physical size of a Japanese 250.
I think you might find them a bit too wee.
Back in the day I dispatched on two of them, changed exhaust valves at 25K miles as a service item. (about every 10 - 14 weeks).
Heron head and an electronic ignition with a step function advance curve. IME they ran badly on unleaded.
Factory paint was very thin and poor, ( just the fumes from the paint vat! ) So go for one that has been nicely re-finished.

However I don't understand why you need another bike for "longer runs" when you have got the R75 and the Bonneville...

Although they are well up to it, as is the Velo, I fancied something with a moe brakes for my forays into civilization and busy roads.

 

[OJCar]

I fancied something with a moe brakes for my forays into civilization and busy roads.

Furry nuf.

Guzzi of that age run linked brakes.
( Hand lever one front disc, Foot other front disc and rear disc )
Some people find them difficult to get used to (I found them great).

I suggest V75 or T3/4/5 or if you can find a nice one a Spada.

With my Le Mans 2 I found the lower fairing uncomfortable with my knees.
You are taller than me so suggest trying a seat on any with lower fairing
( or just take the lower fairings off as I did )!

My other suggestion is a BMW K75 or K100.
I had a K75RT, found the fairing very good
but that and the panniers made it hard work in town.
Never got on with the self cancelling indicators!
The ABS saved me on one occasion.

 

[oldbikedavey]

I am thinking Guzzi is the best compromise for me me, never thought of one of the wee ones, will have a look, the V65 possibly too. I am too used to 1000cc bikes that I really never use properly and thought the 850 was a good size.

I was looking at the 750 Laverda's though an Alpina 500 twin was the other option, though they are all pricey.

@oldbikedavey a Morini 500 would be nice, though seem pretty rare - parts availability ok?

Can have a chat about that ......

 

[Rannsachair]

Furry nuf.

Guzzi of that age run linked brakes.
( Hand lever one front disc, Foot other front disc and rear disc )
Some people find them difficult to get used to (I found them great).

I suggest V75 or T3/4/5 or if you can find a nice one a Spada.

With my Le Mans 2 I found the lower fairing uncomfortable with my knees.
You are taller than me so suggest trying a seat on any with lower fairing
( or just take the lower fairings off as I did )!

My other suggestion is a BMW K75 or K100.
I had a K75RT, found the fairing very good
but that and the panniers made it hard work in town.
Never got on with the self cancelling indicators!
The ABS saved me on one occasion.

I am used to BMW linked brakes, though realise the older Guzzi system will be less sophisticated.

I test rode a leMans back in the 80's and found it uncomfotable before I bought my R100RS.

I like naked bikes - keeps me to sensible speeds and I like to see an engine as well as for ease of maintenance.

 

[addjunkie]

Although they are well up to it, as is the Velo, I fancied something with a moe brakes for my forays into civilization and busy roads.

The BMW you are wanting to replace, though not an old classic, will be soon enough, and for forays to civilisation it ticks all the boxes!

 

[Rannsachair]

The BMW you are wanting to replace, though not an old classic, will be soon enough, and for forays to civilisation it ticks all the boxes!

Its sold, just awaiting collection: a 2013, complex electronics, will be £125 tax and £150 insurance plus needs mot'd a classic will save me all that cost now I am a poor pensioner

 

[addjunkie]

Its sold, just awaiting collection: a 2013, complex electronics, will be £125 tax and £150 insurance plus needs mot'd a classic will save me all that cost now I am a poor pensioner

Fair point!

 

[dobbslc]

£125 tax!!!
What ?

 

[Rannsachair]

£125 tax!!!
What ?

Only if you pay it upfront:

 

[dobbslc]

Wait a minute, what was it last year then?

 

[GRW]

Guzzi 850T3 (iirc)?
Similar to the Mk1 LeMans underpinnings but without the kudos, less dobbins, proper bars instead of clip-ons and no Osteopath on Retainer.

 

[GRW]

Really, a classic Beemer airhead is hard to beat (an R90S is pricey but ideal if you're tall enough, or an R100S for less money as less desirable).
If wanting something 2-lung and classic, the Guzzi has to be the logical alternative.
(I'd still be tempted by a tidy 20-year-old Kawa W650 though).
Always thought that old Laverdas & Ducatis were too Italian in all the wrong areas (I.e. Fusebox Festivals & tendency to Grenade without warning - not sure Morini's are heaps better (& a bit asthmatic).
I struggle to think of anything else except Jap like an XS650 that might have any charm.

 

[Rannsachair]

Wait a minute, what was it last year then?

 

[GRW]

Moto Guzzi T3 | Moto Guzzi Club GB https://www.motoguzziclub.co.uk/marketplace/moto-guzzi-t3

 

[Rannsachair]

Really, a classic Beemer airhead is hard to beat (an R90S is pricey but ideal if you're tall enough, or an R100S for less money as less desirable).
If wanting something 2-lung and classic, the Guzzi has to be the logical alternative.
(I'd still be tempted by a tidy 20-year-old Kawa W650 though).
Always thought that old Laverdas & Ducatis were too Italian in all the wrong areas (I.e. Fusebox Festivals & tendency to Grenade without warning - not sure Morini's are heaps better (& a bit asthmatic).
I struggle to think of anything else except Jap like an XS650 that might have any charm.

My thoughts too: an R90/6 is better value than an R90S, I am 6' 3", so height not really an issue, though having an R75/5, the Guzzi would be a nice contrast.

 

[GRW]

Too new really (though the pricedifference buys lots of VED)... and it's in Scotland...

Moto Guzzi Calfornia EV111, 1998 | Moto Guzzi Club GB https://share.google/I6cgGtZTAsxRoNyou