Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.

bkingalan · Post by **bkingalan** » May 10th, '17, 20:09

My other half got the same problem with her knee I got a Suzuki GSX 1400 as above she uses the riders peg to get on and it doesn't bend her knee to much and it's comfortable front & back

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 24th, '17, 20:56

I've been to Salisbury to try a couple of Valkyries, which would do for me, but my wife has found a Guzzi California 1100. We used to have Guzzi 1000 SP many years ago, so she fancies another Guzzi. If she can get on and off it that might well be what we get. Amusingly, it makes about 70 bhp, 10 less than my SV650S! (It has a 700 engine in it)

Jug · Post by **Jug** » May 25th, '17, 10:07

awkwardbydesign wrote:Amusingly, it makes about 70 bhp, 10 less than my SV650S! (It has a 700 engine in it)

What's been done to your SV650S to make 80hp?

I'm casually looking at bikes for when touring with the mrs.. currently have DL650 Vstrom which is very comfortable and surprising agile. Only about 65hp though, but that's still enough to have fun with.

I looked at the Honda Blackbird as that looks to have a very long seat, quiet low too.

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 25th, '17, 12:06

Jug_Inspector wrote: What's been done to your SV650S to make 80hp?

I'm casually looking at bikes for when touring with the mrs.. currently have DL650 Vstrom which is very comfortable and surprising agile. Only about 65hp though, but that's still enough to have fun with.

I looked at the Honda Blackbird as that looks to have a very long seat, quiet low too.

As I said, it has a 700 engine! Plus a full race exhaust system (not just a can), K&N air filter, re-jetted carbs, etc, by JHS Racing in Bristol. Dynoed at 80 bhp.
I just showed my wife the picture of the Blackbird, and she pointed out that the pillion pegs would be too high for her knee. And a Guzzi is way cuter!

Mervin · Post by **Mervin** » May 25th, '17, 18:24

Dont have a suzuki 650 Savage then 33bhp from 650ccs single ,

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 25th, '17, 21:09

We've just been up to the Hoe to look for a suitable bike, and my wife can get on and off a Bonneville T120 quite easily, and she rather likes the look of them. But she won't like the price! There was also a Valkyrie which she could also manage, but they are seriously huge! But we're going to try a Guzzi tomorrow. And as she found it, she already likes it.

Post by **TLS-Moose** » May 25th, '17, 21:13

If you want large & grunty, and she likes the trumpet, what about a rocket 3????

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 26th, '17, 07:40

I wouldn't dare suggest it! Nor the the price, she thinks £3000 is expensive.

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 26th, '17, 18:51

Well, we now have a Guzzi California 1100! She found it and she loves it. Riding pillion was no problem, she said it felt like only yesterday she last rode one. In fact it's over 11 years! But the test ride was freaky; only 9.5 lbs in the front tyre! Fork seals are leaking but apart from that it all seems good.

Jug · Post by **Jug** » May 26th, '17, 21:33

That does look comfortable, I'll give you that...

Post by **TLS-Moose** » May 26th, '17, 22:09

Lovely. Still have a soft spot for big guzzi's. Is it a carb or FI version?

Mervin · Post by **Mervin** » May 26th, '17, 23:50

TLS-Moose wrote:Lovely. Still have a soft spot for big guzzi's.

quicksand ?

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 27th, '17, 07:47

TLS-Moose wrote:Lovely. Still have a soft spot for big guzzi's. Is it a carb or FI version?

It's the carb version. Luckily I never got round to disposing of all my old Guzzi parts (mainly carb bits). And I still have some EP 80W-90 gear oil, but no lead substitute for the fuel. But I'm not sure if this model needs it.
I had a terrible job getting it onto my Carole Nash policy; the woman on the phone had no idea how to find it on their database, so I had to ring back and get hold of someone who knew what they were doing! Apparently you have to type in 1100 before California, otherwise it doesn't show. Now I just have to tax it before I ride it home. Oh, and pump up the tyres!
This will be my fourth Guzzi; V50/3, 1000 SP (Spada), 850 T3 and now this lump. My missus has gone from resistant to really enthusiastic in one day!

Post by **TLS-Moose** » May 27th, '17, 08:41

Your last sentence makes it worth every penny then

Or the most expensive mistake ever ......

awkwardbydesign · Post by **awkwardbydesign** » May 27th, '17, 19:05

It's in my garage now. Actually it's in my daughter's garage, which is next to mine. The seller's bank (Santander) made a pig's ear of the online transfer, but he let me take it home before the money cleared! A real gent.
It handles as expected now the tyres are pumped up. Like a tanker! And all the way home it sounded like bits were falling off, so perfectly normal for a Guzzi.

It will need some work, again normal. So a bit of shopping tomorrow, on the bike if it's dry, new grips, oil, lead substitute, olives (mixed), and cider.
I wonder if I should run it at Pembrey?

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Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.

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