SueCanada's "accidentally" customized F650GS

[NC Steve]

So Sue, are you thinking of coming back to see us this summer? Are you up to that lengthy of a ride again yet?
Have you decided yet what to replace the GS with?
Still thinking about the V7 Classic, or the Bonneville?

Have you seen the new V7 Classic Cafe yet? Although I don't think it'll be in the U.S. until next Fall, you Canadians might get an earlier preview, like you did on the F650 and 800s...

[Ed Miller]

Sue, thanks for sharing.  I hate things that happen when we'll never know why.  But they do.

I am with Bob though:  no Iron Butt rides for me.  

Well, maybe if my wish comes true and speed limits are repealed.

[Justin B.]

Ed, if you can ride fast enough maybe the fuzz will think it too much of a PITA to turn around and go after ya!  

[Justin B.]

Drew, is there something about GIs and falling asleep?  I had the same thing happen to me going through New Mexico at about 01:00.  I remember waking up goingt about 20 mph 15-20 feet off the road.  Luckily it was desert and nothing of consequence to run into so I just stopped, laid down, and went to sleep!

[suecanada]

Hey Steve,
If all goes well I AM planning the trip to the National to see you all. Stew Wallace will be riding with me just like last year to the Gathering. He rides more secondary roads and likes the Blue Ridge more than David who is my Iron Butt friend. David intends to ride to the 4 corners of the USA right after the National. To the Florida Keys first, then CA, WA, then over to Maine. His 81 yr. old lady friend Jean who David has helped out immensely to want to live after her husband died is actually thinking of joining him on the back of his RT for the leg from WA. to Maine!!!! She has macular degeneration in her eyes and can't see forward but she loves riding on the bike. You outta see the neighbors peering out when they ride off!! David started off just walking her dog for her as that is what he does to make money. Now they are good friends. David is deaf; Jean can't see, so together they add up to one perfect person!!  A symbiotic relationship if there ever was one!

My future bike: either the 2009 Triumph FI Bonneville OR the Moto Guzzi V7 or that MG cafe model!!! Only thing about the cafe is the cafe styled seat which is hard to put the duffel on. I had redesigned LRB's seat to look similar to the cafe style and now I ended up buying the flatter original OEM one from not-so-fast Ed's friend for travelling. That seat is higher but my Herman Munster boots get me heels-flat on the ground without even any heavy luggage onboard. That's a good thing.

[Bob_Roller]

So Sue, are you thinking of coming back to see us this summer? Are you up to that lengthy of a ride again yet?
Have you decided yet what to replace the GS with?
Still thinking about the V7 Classic, or the Bonneville?

Have you seen the new V7 Classic Cafe yet? Although I don't think it'll be in the U.S. until next Fall, you Canadians might get an earlier preview, like you did on the F650 and 800s...

I've checked Cycle Trader on line, and I see a few Moto Guzzi dealers have them for sale for $8490US, plus all of the other charges that are added on.

Not a particularly bad price for the bike .

[suecanada]

Maybe I'll have some change left in my pocket just like Melena and her new boots! One MG shop here says they will not pump up the PDI/freight etc charges...just what they have to pay and they also say...make an offer for the MG. Never found my BMW dealer inviting an offer....take it or leave it attitude.

[steve_wicks]

I figured out what happened to your bike ...... it overheated!

On a serious note, I understand your frustration.

I was in a major car accident in Portugal and to this day I don't know how, what, where etc .....I wasn't even driving. I don't remember a month of my life or even flying back to South Africa.

Now I feel safer on a bike than in a car and it was the accident that put me back on two wheels!!

[NC Steve]

So Sue, are you thinking of coming back to see us this summer? Are you up to that lengthy of a ride again yet?
Have you decided yet what to replace the GS with?
Still thinking about the V7 Classic, or the Bonneville?

Have you seen the new V7 Classic Cafe yet? Although I don't think it'll be in the U.S. until next Fall, you Canadians might get an earlier preview, like you did on the F650 and 800s...

I've checked Cycle Trader on line, and I see a few Moto Guzzi dealers have them for sale for $8490US, plus all of the other charges that are added on.

Not a particularly bad price for the bike .

That's the regular V7 Classic, whcih has been available since late last summer, usually in white only. Guzzi also made a black version with gold trim that really looks nice, but I don't know if any made it to the U.S., or will.




This standard V7 would be easier to attach luggage to, an probably be more comfortable over distances as well.

Personally, I still really dig this Bonneville cafe myself... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[MrRiden]

Gotta love the Bonnie, Thruxton makes me look too. Gimmie any of 'em on mad Sunday on that little Isle in the Irish sea!
rich

[nhmaf]

I really like the looks of the V7, but I have a feeling that for me I'd have a bit of a problem with my knees and their proximity to the cylinder head even more than the issue I have with my feet and the carbs on the airhead.   Sue would probably be fine on either, depending on seat height/width.

The thruxton is very nice, but for me I'd keep my R65LS as the "cafe" style bike and go for a more standard style Bonneville for longer distance comfort and carrying capacity.

[suecanada]

I am just a tad swaying towards the Bonnie. For the extra hp  (67-70), the seat height is a very low 29.5 inches this year and with that height I would hope that the extra 50 lbs. and a good C of G would make the Bonnie (Bonnie Black $8699.; SE $9399; T100 $9799). Sat on the Bonnieville and love it. The dealer is 45 minutes away.
The MG has the mechanical (valves and shaft) advantage but 50hp, lowish torque at a low rpm-good, and a 31.9 seat height, ($9995.00 CDN) I just wonder how different the MG would be in comparison to the R65LS? I have not sat on the MG for C of G feeling for me.
Dealer is in the big city 2.5 hours away.

With a slight unsteadiness remaining from the accident, the 29.5 inch seat height is major. BUT, the 51 pounds lighter stat of the MG may be perfect with a "carving knife job on the seat"
Gee, just deliver one or the other and surprise me!!!!

[Justin B.]

Get both and give me the one you don't like!!    

[NC Steve]

Sue, to add a few more things to your list to ponder, the Triumph lineup sells for $1000 MSRP less, across the board, than the prices you listed above. I'd bet Aida might could do you even a bit better.  

And, the V7 retails for a whopping $1500 less here in the lower 48, at $8499. There's a excellent dealer in Ohio that'll even buy your airline ticket, up to $500, if you wanted to do a fly 'n' ride trip. And then, to further complicate matters, there are the leftover '06 and '07 Breva 1100s that can be found for around $8K...

Of course, you'd have much better knowledge that I about what's involved in getting a U.S. bike back across the border, both politically and financially...

[msbuck]

  Gasp! Literally...Those pictures took my breath away!!!  WOW!!!  Oh my, Sue - you were so lucky to come out as well as you did!!

Another lesson - ride with someone that you trust and have similar riding styles.  Just think, if Stew had been with you, there would be someone that could tell you what had actually happened.  Plus you have more input for decision making, something else to keep your attention, someone to remind you to take breaks, drink, etc.  

As far as bikes, I really love the look of the Bonnie.  Don't think we've had one of those on the floor, though.  Although I usually keep my head buried in the books in the back office and don't even look at what's on the showroom.   I need to change that bad habit!  I couldn't tell you what we had in stock right now if I had to (except for those police bikes).  I put a lot of weight on the lightness as well as the height.  I think how it feels for you is what counts.  I like both MG and Triumph - they make great products.  Don't know about working on any of them.  I just know I HATE working on my Italian bike - don't know how it would be for a Guzzi, though.  They're not the typical Italian...