So, HD 883 Iron or Moto Guzzi V7 Stone?

[midlifecrsis]

So, from my username, you can assume I'm having a crisis.

Now I'm single again and my youngist is 18, I want to new bike. Had many when in was younger and have been lloking around.

So, I'm either looking at the Harley 883 Iron or the Guzzi V7 Stone.

After reading all the reviews I could find, I'm still undecided. They both have their issues but the main ones to me:

The seating and ergo on the 883 is nicer for my body size / shape. But the small tank and ride isn't that great, especially as I live in Chch.

The V7 seat is a liitle wide (but can be fixed I guess by a competent upholsterer and is also a little high, can't flat feet when sitting but that to could be fixed by same upholsterer and maybe lowering the suspension a little?

So, I'm looking for the advice of all those experienced on here....

Pros/Cons on the HD883 Iron (and the retailers/ workshops) and
Pros / Coins on the Guzzi V7 Stone (and the retailers / workshops)

Not having a bike for years, I'm not up with all the latest gear as well. Any advice greatly received also.

Wanting to buy one by the weekend so the more info asap would be fantastic!!

Thanks
Midlifecrisis

[avgas]

883

The only good guzzis are the sporty ones. The others a glorified CX's

[jim.cox]

Guzzi - but it would have to be the California

[mossy1200]

72 sportster

[awayatc]

Buy with your head, ...... toyota.Corolla

Buy with your heart........motorbike

Logic doesn't have much to do with it ....., buy the one that turns you on most.

They are both very good looking well behaved machines that will make you a proud and happy new owner. After a while you can always trade in and up...
Good luck

[skippa1]

Get what you want.......otherwise you'll always have regrets. Every bike is a compromise in some way.

[mossy1200]

Get what you want.......otherwise you'll always have regrets. Every bike is a compromise in some way.

Except zx14r. No compromise.

[avgas]

Except zx14r. No compromise.

Unless you count fat and ugly.

When I start drinking I no longer count those as compromises.

[willytheekid]

John Deere....or ferguson?


...tractor is a tractor mate , both are good bikes!....go with what makes you smile the most

[Paul in NZ]

The rear suspenders on the 883 will collapse your spine inside a month in ChCh... They are pretty hard riding...

The Guzzi is quirky and might not suit you but they go better than their stats would suggest and would be a much better all rounder.

Also look at Triumphs LAMs Triple and the Bonnie (can't believe I'm recommending one) and the Kwaka W800 has been reduced in price.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I've ridden both. Well not exactly, I've ridden a 1200 sportster.

I've never owned a cruiser style bike, and every time I go into RT Rob says "take this for a blat" and one day I did. I liked it a lot. Well built, all the control interfaces were nice and nicely detailed and it went along making a nice noise. What I was most surprised by was the lack of ground clearance. I was not riding it hard but it was dragging bits along the ground up to the Sign of the Kiwi without trying. (my test route for any bike: up to the Kiwi, over to the Wheatsheaf, over Gebbies, back via SH73) That was disconcerting. As others have said to get the low seat height they have compromised on rear suspension travel and you feel that. I was impressed with the front brake. It was better than the brake on my road bike at the time (Triumph Scrambler).

The Guzzi is a great little bike. Standard ergonomics, better (IMO) seat bar peg relationship and it seems physically a bit smaller. Or at least it seems to disappear from under you more when riding. Better ground clearance too, narrower tyres and more flickable.

The question is what do you want to do with it? If you are happy with the cruiser riding position and like to look at yourself in shop mirrors get the Harley. I think the Guzzi is functionally a better motorcycle especially for canterbury roads.

Both have adequate power though not startling, similar price and both are customisable if you want to.

I am probably shorter than you (I am shorter than everyone) and like you can flat foot the Harley and not quite on the Guzzi. Having said that, I hve never been able to do that on any bike. You get used to it. Once rolling it does not matter.

In terms of the dealerships, those two dealerships are the best two in the town. Both have excellent service departments, friendly staff and a great range of P & A and gear and whatnot. If you buy a bike from them it is not unreasonable to ask them for a deal on some gear. Don't be too harsh because you need to be able to go back there without being embarrassed.

One thing I would say is that H-D have the social experience nailed far better than other brands do. So they have rides and social events up the wazoo all organised around the "lifestyle": that part isnt compulsory, and it can attract derision from some (esp on KB...) and it has to be said that the biggest issue with Harleys is some of the owners can be.... a little one eyed (Only REAL Harley is a Big Twin, Oh you're riding a Skirtster - all that bullshit - which is why I want a Live Wire.... or one of those rebadged Aermacchis from the 60's)

In terms of warranty, I would not expect issues with either. The crowd that imports the Guzzi (Beckhaus outfit same crowd that do MV Triumph and one of the scooter brands) have a reputation for bad parts availability particularly for Aprilia which they used to do but may not any more. Personally I have not had an issue with either of my Triumphs.

By the way, if you are shopping, take a Bonneville for a ride. the 17 inch wheel one (SE I think it is called): it is easily as good a bike as the Guzzi - the only issue is chain (Bonnie) vs shaft (Guzzi) drive.

Good luck. Sing out if you want to do the Akaroa GP sometime.

[James Deuce]

At least you weren't offended. I find it offensive how easily people are offended these days and the offensively low threshold to being offended is pretty offensive as well.

[HenryDorsetCase]

At least you weren't offended. I find it offensive how easily people are offended these days and the offensively low threshold to being offended is pretty offensive as well.

How can you say that! ?? I am complaining to the Human Rights Commission and Echo and the Bunnymen! Dear Mr Echo......

[buggerit]

My advice would be go test ride lots of bikes and dont take as gospel any writeups on bikes.
Do you plan touring,2 up riding etc?. Want something thats a pleasure in the twisties?
Do some refresher training to sharpen your skills up again with your local ACC sponsored provider.
Leave the toilet seat up

[F5 Dave]

If you have been away from bikes for quite some time, why limit yourself to bikes that haven't made a technical evolution from before you've been away? Ok so you might not want a sportsbike or a weird Manga styling attempt, but at least open your doors to how good bikes have become.