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Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 10th, '17, 20:09
by bkingalan
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
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 24th, '17, 20:56
by awkwardbydesign
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)
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 25th, '17, 10:07
by Jug
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.
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 25th, '17, 12:06
by awkwardbydesign
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!
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 25th, '17, 18:24
by Mervin
Dont have a suzuki 650 Savage then 33bhp from 650ccs single ,
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 25th, '17, 21:09
by awkwardbydesign
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.
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 25th, '17, 21:13
by TLS-Moose
If you want large & grunty, and she likes the trumpet, what about a rocket 3????
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 26th, '17, 07:40
by awkwardbydesign
I wouldn't dare suggest it! Nor the the price, she thinks £3000 is expensive.
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 26th, '17, 18:51
by awkwardbydesign
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.
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 26th, '17, 21:33
by Jug
That does look comfortable, I'll give you that...
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 26th, '17, 22:09
by TLS-Moose
Lovely. Still have a soft spot for big guzzi's. Is it a carb or FI version?
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 26th, '17, 23:50
by Mervin
TLS-Moose wrote:Lovely. Still have a soft spot for big guzzi's.
quicksand ?
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 27th, '17, 07:47
by awkwardbydesign
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!
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 27th, '17, 08:41
by TLS-Moose
Your last sentence makes it worth every penny then
Or the most expensive mistake ever ......
Re: Big scooter or bike needed for my wife.
Posted: May 27th, '17, 19:05
by awkwardbydesign
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?
