Tell me why I shouldn't buy a 1200 Sport

[toma nova]

I've narrowed my search for a Standard With Soul to Moto Guzzi.  I had a chance to browse at my local dealer this week (MPH Cycles) and I learned a few things.

The Griso has a pretty sporty lean with limited options for bags.
The "handle bars" on a Breva 1100 are heinous but the riding position is near perfect.
The Stelvio NTX is very roomy and comfortable.
The Norge is about perfect but I'd never put on enough miles to warrant it.

Here is my background post:

I'm currently bikeless after selling my Wee Strom and KLX250 motard.  I've been surfing a ton to learn what's out there for unique, simple standards and can use some help.

What I'm looking for:
Upright riding position, slight forward lean is OK
Tall seat / leg room (I'm 6'3" with long legs)
No fairing or minimal obstructions - I never solved the Wee's turbulence problem and want clean air
Two-up capable for day rides, but no need for two-up touring (wife will let me get a Gold Wing for that)
Classic looks but with modern hardware or just all modern
Simple - I'm OK with carbs and tubes / bias tires.  I do all my own maintenance so dealer support does not matter.
Used, looking for something $3-5k

I'll use it for commuting, solo day rides, maybe a SS1K, maybe an overnighter.  Realistic top speeds are 80mph during the commute and 70mph or less on day rides - no hyper-touring.

Is there any reason to not get a 1200 Sport?  It's a Norge without the fairing, right?  I like the ability to change bars easily and add at least a topcase for commuting but three bags would be even better.  I just got a new job ~40 miles each way with access to HOV, so most of my miles will be slogging on the expressway.  2V 1200 vs. 4V 1200 vs. 2V 1100? (Note that my last ride was a 650 twin.)

Thanks for any advice that will get me off my ass and onto a MG!

Tom

[Roadscum]

I owned one for 2 years and 25K miles... loved it.

With MPH in you area you won't ever have to worry about dealer support, they are the best.
I rode from south Florida to Hoston because my purchasing dealer was unable to correct an issue
that turned out to be fairly simple, MPH got R done.  Thanks Mike!!!

If there was a dealer near by, was as good as MPH, I'd still own that 1200 Sport. Added Norge panniers, a Norge seat,  Breva bars, and heated grips and it will be the perfect Gentlemens Express.

Regards, Paul

[atadaskew]

I'd get the 8V Norge.

Sounds like you're basically going to try to turn the Sport into that anyway.

[Biking Sailor]

Great riding experience, questionable owner experience.

Sure to fail fuel filter, electronic dash failures, warning lights with no cause, shoddy oil pressure sending units, steering head bearings and final drive spooned with no factory grease...

If you don't mind the wrenching to fix the dodgey parts and poor assembly workmanship, along with sparse service opportunities while traveling, the bike is pure joy to ride, especially on twisty roads. I love mine.

[Bounce]

As a former HD owner (and a Sporty owner), only get one if it's you second bike. Keep something that does the miles effectively unless you're into Blvd Cruising locally only.

[toma nova]

As a former HD owner (and a Sporty owner), only get one if it's you second bike. Keep something that does the miles effectively unless you're into Blvd Cruising locally only.

Not an HD 1200 Sport, but a Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport:



It would have to be this red with matching red Norge bags.  

[Pete Roper]

I don't think you get the 1200 Sport with the 4Vpc motor in the US do you? Having said that and if that has changed the new motor, especially the version used in the Sport, which is not the same as the unit in the 4Vpc Norge, is very nice and produces substantially more power and torque than the 'Old' 2Vpc lump.

Having said that the 'Old' engine is a sweet and happy thing, it's main *Fault* is that it runs out of puff at the top end, it is limited by its obsolete design and small throttle bodies, as a touring mount they excell though. The question of whether to go for the 1100 or the 1200 is, in reality, a bit moot if talking about machines powered by the 2Vpc engine. The performance difference provided by the extra few cc's is negligible. The 1100 is though, (I believe, from memory.) geared slightly taller than the 1200 which uses the Griso/Norge primaries.

As for 'Reliability issues'? My Grisos, both my 1100 and my current 1200, are and have been tediously and faultlessly reliable. The dashboard on my 1100 did go west just before I sold it but only after a period of inactivity of about two months and I fear I may of voltage spiked it on start up which is hardly the component's fault! Other than that they have been and remain 'Turn Key' propositions. I've covered close to 100,000 kms on CARC Guzzis now and have never had an issue which leads me to believe that the majority of people who do have problems do so because either they or their shop has fiddled with stuff they shouldn't or the bike has never been set up properly in the first place!

If you're buying from MPH you're in very good hands. Mike, Todd et-al run a great biz. When I picked up an early 8V Griso cheap in 2009 I sent it to them for the cam recall and proper set up and they also set up my previous V11 Scura. Believe me, there are very few people I trust to work on my machines, (I run my own, principally Guzzi biznizz in Australia.) but MPH are the 'Real Deal'.

Pete

[johnnyquest]

For pics of a red 1200 sport with panniers, center stand, and Renthal Fat Bar, see my last post:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,73901.0.html

This is my first and only Guzzi. It's a 2008 2v motor. I purchased it new in the crate in 2010 from Moto International in Seattle for a sizeable discount. I just passed the 10,000 mile mark yesterday. So far the bike has been very reliable. She loves to rev and the sound is pure joy. My only issue was self inflicted when I let the battery die while working overseas. She can be quirky sometimes. For instance, when it's hot out sometimes the digital display on the dashboard won't come on. I tolerate it because I honestly don't think the Guzzi factory intended for me to ride every day in 100 to 110 degree temps in the summer.

I rode the bike from Seattle to Tucson after I bought it, and just last weekend rode from Tucson to Victorville, Ca. The seat is extremely comfy. There is some wind protection if you get low enough, but a stiff headwind will tire you on a long trip. As for legroom, I think you might find it a bit tight if you're that tall and long legged. If your legs are ok with the riding position, it really is a fun bike. Oh, and if you get one you have to be prepared to answer lots of questions about the bike everywhere you go. If you think the riding position is too tight for your leg length, perhaps a Stelvio or a Norge would be a better option.

JQ

[Orson]

As a former HD owner (and a Sporty owner), only get one if it's you second bike. Keep something that does the miles effectively unless you're into Blvd Cruising locally only.

I missed that memo  

Mine has been from Portugal to Romania and from Norway to Sicily  

[sagerat]

If MPH is your dealer, you have no worries.  I loved riding my '06 Breva 1100 and took it cross-country where alas it died on the next to last day of the ride.  Guzzi dealer in Utica threw a new battery in it and called it cured.

It wasn't, as bike stranded me twice more in less than a thousand miles when I was back home in Orygun.  Guzzi dealer in Podtland finally got it debugged, but by then I didn't trust the bike and sold it.  6,000 miles and three times it stranded me.  Oh, and let's not forget the warped front rotor, the balky latch on the luggage carrier so one bag was always loose.

But when it ran, oh my.  Find a twisty road and put spin that big twin up to 5K to 6K and the Goose was pure riding magic. Fantastic sound, handled very well, 6.6-gallon tank and 40-48 mpg gave great range.  And the sound was awesome with stock pipes.  Headlight threw a glorious beam, second only to my VFR.

Guzzis are great bikes, usually, I just got a lemon.  Did I mention the relays installed upside down at the factory?  The dealer who sets it up is critical; I bought my B11 used so I don't know set it up, but the Portland Guzzi dealer got the bike all sorted out. When I was in Houston for family stuff, I stopped in at MPH and Mike gave me all kinds of excellent advice.  They are a fabulous shop and Breva Sport is a great and sexy bike.

[Mr.Black]

Because your wife said no?