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[Fido]

Oh dear. Took a ride out to look at a Moto Guzzi V7 Special in Verwood today. Love at first sight sprang to mind. There's nothing like seeing the real thing - and what a looker it is. Then popped in to my RE/Triumph dealer to have a good look at the Triumph options. The fact is, we are all guided by those factors unique to us, so I know I must now make my mind up. In my case it's do I want to have an additional bike or do I stick with one and if so, the one I've got or another and how soon. So thanks for the help so far. I'll think about it a bit more then decide.

[ed.lazda]

I don't know if it matters to you, but the current Bonnevilles are bigger and heavier, and have a significantly shorter tank range, than the Guzzi. I went to look at a Guzzi (thinking of replacing my Pan European with something smaller), the only thing wrong for me was that my knees were a bit too bent up. So I'm still looking. My current thought is the Triumph Tiger 800; the only thing wrong with this is the modern rather than classical looks, and I can't decide how much that matters.

[Alan R]

Hi Matey------------ rode alongside a Guzz this evening------------long trail of drool down the Dual carriageway ( YES !! I take my Classic 500 onto a Dual carriageway and LOVE IT !!).... But I've just bought a Suzuki 800 Marauder, 'cos I could afford it..... Anyone want a 1975 GL1000 Goldwing ?? NORM, spares for yours, perhaps ??

[ed.lazda]

Fido, I've got the obvious solution for you. I know of a 2007 Pan European, 30,000 miles, going for £6000. Then spend the rest of your budget taking your new bike to the Black Sea and back. You know it makes sense.

[Bullet Whisperer]

That sort of money would get a nice, well sorted Meriden Trident - or a later [NVT] T160 if you want an electric leg amd a Honda XBR 500 as a knockabout and possibly some change left over. I don't think there is a new bike made that I would buy at present.Paul.

[m1ks]

For new with a retro look, while in derbyshire this last week among the many bikes enjoying the sudden sun there I saw a couple of 05 reg Triumph twins, very classic styled, nice exhaust note throught the bullet like silencers, (overbaffeld as modern ones are but thats' rectifiable i'm sure).
No idea what model, but they looked nice and i'd be happy to ride one for the classic look with a modern touch.

[Fido]

An interesting experience today. I'm interested in the Moto Guzzi V7 Special. No demonstrator is available yet so I took the offer of testing the V7 Racer - same drive shaft engine. I didn't much like the seating position but was able to experience the gears and engine performance. And much to my surprise, I simply didn't like my first experience of a drive shaft engine. I find it difficult to explain what I didn't like - the sound or the feel of the engine just didn't turn me on. Perhaps it's unfamiliarity takes some getting used to. I've decided to wait for a test ride on a V7 Special - I'll give it a longer ride to see if I overcome my concerns. I'd welcome any feedback about other people's experience of drive shaft engines.

[Alan R]

Hi matey---------3 Guzzis, 1 Virago, 1 GL1000 Goldwing, and a Lambretta LD125, all shafties and, what's not to like ??.... No messy / stretchy chain, keep an eye on the flexi-coupling and bevel-box master O-ring on high-mileage machines..... ( Both straightforward to renew.).....The shaft torque wind-up when pulling away from a standing start can be a bit "unusual" at first.....Put petrol in & RIDE !!

[m1ks]

Shaft drive have their faults too.
The virago I had was very snatchy in operation, especially on downshifting.
The BMW K1l, lovely and smooth, great transmission and drive, however, the output splines are prone to damage if not greased at service intervals, the UJ can wear, new shafts are 'kerching' pricey.
Personally I wouldn't now buy a bike based on it having shaft drive against the minimal hassle of cleaning lubing and adjusting a chain, if a bike I liked happened to be shaft drive, fair enough.
The Guzzi also, to be frank while the V7 cafe thingummy is OK overall I don't like the look of the v twin poking out the sides and wouldn't really say that the cafe classic could ever pass as a classic machine convincingly.
For that you'd need a triumph retro or the W650 / W800 kawasaki