Ideas for a new bike for maduck

[Waylander]

How about a Gurney Alligator.
Low seat height,140 MPH from a big bore XR650 motor and good handling apparently.
???

I dare someone to classify that bike. what do you think Crotch rocket? Cruiser? Scooter?

[Paul in NZ]

I'm hearin' ya.

I almost bought a 650 Lario as they look just like my dads MK IV only littler. My Dad then proceeded to beat me severely about the ears and I haven't entertained the thought since.

I will, however, one day own a Lario when he's not looking....

A V65 Lario has the 4valve engine which has a personality disorder. People still duck behind solid objects when one turns up at a Guzzi rally in case they fragment.

There was a bit of a misunderstanding about the valve springs at the factory and they went out with coil springs from the front end off a mack truck and basically they pulled the tops off the valves. Not good.

Easy sorted though! Suzuki valves (I think) and springs from a GN or something. Go as good as anything else of the era...

The V50 was the normal non sports small block. (500cc sports model was the Monza) They all have a similar problem in that they use Herron heads which limit design and power. The key thing is to keep the oil leaks to a minimum and keep them clean. Change the U/J regularly and fit electronic ignition. The V50 mk 2 had electronic ign I think but the Mk3 went back to distributor? Can't remember why! Probably ran out of credit at the ignition company...

If you let the u/j get to the stage where it blows, it takes out the arse of the gearbox.

With a few basic mods they are capable of some quite serious use.


Paul N

[jrandom]

coil springs from the front end off a mack truck and basically they pulled the tops off the valves.... The V50 mk 2 had electronic ign I think but the Mk3 went back to distributor? Can't remember why! Probably ran out of credit at the ignition company...

If you let the u/j get to the stage where it blows, it takes out the arse of the gearbox.

With a few basic mods they may not actually kill you, but don't count on it.

Old Guzzis, eh.

The horror. The horror!

[toads]

I think a cruiser is excellent for seat height but they do tend to get big and heavy in the higher cc range I've noticed. I personally like the look of the honda magna, and apparently they are really comfortable and reliable, the thing would be to test ride a bike on a decent run, not just in the yard behind the bike shop.

[Waylander]

I think a cruiser is excellent for seat height but they do tend to get big and heavy in the higher cc range I've noticed. I personally like the look of the honda magna, and apparently they are really comfortable and reliable, the thing would be to test ride a bike on a decent run, not just in the yard behind the bike shop.

Thats why a Virago 750 should be ok cause they arn't all that heavy and still got the abillities to be fun to ride.

[Paul in NZ]

Old Guzzis, eh.

The horror. The horror!

Shit yeah! An Fzx250 is waaay cooler... Not!

Mate! Guzzi were not the only maker to drop the old mechanical football from time to time. Remember those smallblock motors are used to power spy plans for the us army. They are generally pretty damn good (no I still would not take a ride in a Guzzi powered plane)

[Kickaha]

Least you would pushing a classy bit of kit! They go prety good them things. A few tricks to learn and they aint no Suzuki for sure (thats just one thing to like) but the are light, easy to ride and more fun than the hall of mirrors in a nudist colonies fun park.

Paul N

They're the only Guzzi I have ever ridden,awesome little bike,not particulary fast but great brakes and handling,although this one did have a little end let go and do a chainsaw impression on the inside of the motor

[Midnight 82]

How about Jim2s bananna bike thats low and very cool.
sorry guys could not help myself

[Rainbow Wizard]

I almost bought a 650 Lario...My Dad then proceeded to beat me severely about the ears and I haven't entertained the thought since.

A good sized bike for a lady though, but finding a goodie nowdays might be a bit difficult.

[Paul in NZ]

A good sized bike for a lady though, but finding a goodie nowdays might be a bit difficult.

Finding a good one when they were new was a problem too....

[Antallica]

Grab a Suzi 650 Burgman

[Paul in NZ]

Grab a Suzi 650 Burgman

- and BURN it 'cos they are evil.....

[Motu]

A V50 was the first Guzzi I rode,back in 1980,I was impressed enough then to still want one now,they are just soooo nice to ride.

Is the DL650 taller than the SV? The better riding position will give her more confidance.The Goose,as mentioned.The F650 also,the Scarver is the lowest,and the ugliest.Then the grunty semi cruisers like the Marauder.

[merv]

Is the DL650 taller than the SV? The better riding position will give her more confidance.

Yep it is 820mm seat versus 800mm in stock trim and it weighs more. The SV she has is the high bars model, not the S with clipons isn't it. WT might be able to tell us but I would have thought the SV is a good size. The DL's are quite large bikes and quite intimidating in that respect for a small rider in comparison. So that's why on the last thread I was saying I thought the SV could have been set up right with a careful look at the suspension. If necessary the handlebars can be changed easily too.

[ajturbo]

From a every so slightly biased point of view , I think the VFR400 NC30 or CBR400RR are both good bikes. The VFR's seat height is quite low, I'm about 5'5 and can put both feet flat on the ground. Its also very compact, easy to manoveur, and has great handling esp. on the twisties. Only down side (for me) is the riding position. Wrists and knees and butt start to get bit sore after 200km.

Sooooo what you are saying........ is that you want us to follow you around and every 200ks or so stop and .......make us rub your butt???