Modern Vespa

I'm lusting over either a BMW or one of these Moto Guzzis


Nevada Classic 750





California Vintage 1200

I ride a Sporster from time to time. I like the power, it is a 800 kited by Harley to a 1200. Clutching is great "smooth" acelleration is also great. The only downside and this is why you should do a extensive test ride before you buy is that I find it turns into a wind tunnel over 70mph literally filling my jacket up like a balloon and trying to lift my helmet. A small windscreen will help with that. The other is the thinner front tire does not give the same handling as the larger tire offered on the bigger bikes. Although the Sporster is at my disposal whenever I want I still choose to log more miles on my 250. Oh yea and the Harley guys I ride with would never dream of riding across country on them. My GTS has done it twice. Hope that helps

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Correct me if I am wrong but I think Jess has or had a Nevada Classic?

There's nothing wrong with the Shadow, it's just cheaper than the Harley because it is cheaper.
All bikes, as long as they are running!, are fun.

hey desmo

where in venice are you

As long as this turned into a non-vespa pic thread, I thought I'd show off my Harley project. I'm having a 2009 Harley Cross Bones transformed into an old school looking bobber mixed with modern technology.

SANDMAN that's a sweet bike 8)

I will be getting one of these some day - I think the wife is warming up to it a BMW R 75/5:

A guy at my job bought a 2008 with 1,000 miles about 2 months ago and likes it.

Thanks. It's about half way done now. I cant wait to ride it again, but these things cant be rushed. I'm glad I have my GTS to ride around in the meantime.

Larry, drop the stereotyping. While I'm not exactly slim, I wear a textile jacket. My hair is short and not gray, but it's thinning. I always wear a full face helmet. I know I'm a puss, at 41.

My wife's Sportster's front tire is the exact same size and model tire that's on my 'bigger' Super Glide.

Sandman, that's a sweet looking Cross Bones!

Screw the Sportster...save your pennies and get one of these.....it's a twist & go too, one speed 'tranny', Chevy V8 reliability and parts availability.

If i had the money and space in the garage, this is the HD i would get.

If you like it, go for it. Having owned a Buell like the one below (which was a ball to ride) which used a modified sportster motor, the one thing I could caution you about was to take it for several long rides before you decide. The engine vibration irritated my carpal tunnel like no other bike or scooter ever has.

Just off Abbott Kinney between Venice and Washington

The one thing I found dissapointing about an 883 is it's lack of power in 5th gear compared to a 1200. Twist the throttle and make some more noise but not a lot else happening whereas the 1200 is still pulling hard.
The one bad thing about Harleys is they're like foreskins...just about every prick has one.
Hey...jokes..just jokes!
I have owned a 1200 sportie.
Preferred my 900 Bonneville though.
If you're tall you may not find them too comfortable and look somewhat like a gorilla on a tricycle.
I do like the look of the XR1200.
The way your economy is over there you really need to keep some money in your country too.

Very nice Crossbones Sandman! I have already received quite a few compliments on the denim black color on my Iron and I've only had my ride for a few days...

Just so happens I rode one this morning at the HD factory test rides in Rapid City. This is the machine I rode (not me on it).


It was the only Sportster-based bike that I was interested enough in to ride today. It's a fun bike, and it felt so good to ride a machine with somewhat rearset foot controls and shorter bars. No rocketship, but 'spunky' in a nice rowdy motorcycle kind of way. Didn't vibrate your fillings loose, thats always a nice thing. Could easily make a bit of a hooligan out of you if you weren't careful. $11,000 U.S. not bad for that, but no FZ1 either. At least it had enough snot to beat my Burgman 650, something not all Sportsters can do. Overall impression is positive.

I also rode a Road King, and a 'Something-Glide' dresser. I might go back this week and ride a few more.

First off: I love just about anything on two wheels with a motor. They're all beautiful to me and each brand and model has it's own appeal. I've owned a lot of motorcycles and three of them have been Harley Davidsons: A full dresser Ultra model, a Springer Softail and a Softail Custom. They were reliable and fun to ride. I rode the dresser for 50,000 miles and the only problem I ever encountered was a starter that went kaput at 20k miles. If I ever decided to buy another motorcycle (not likely), I would consider a Harley again but with the large number of low mileage, used ones that are for sale, I would probably look for a used one.
I recently sat on a new Moto Guzzi V7 and I liked the way it felt. It was lightweight and I suspect that it would handle well in the twisties. I don't intend to ever do any more long distance riding like I did when I was younger so this is the type of bike that I would be more likely to buy.
For those of you who are knocking Harleys..................I don't get it. Since the introduction of the Evolution engine in the mid-80's, the big twins have been proven to be very reliable machines. I was never one to join in and ride with clubs and events but if people enjoy doing that sort of thing, more power to them. Same thing with the scooter crowds: Whatever floats your boat...............go for it!

I've always thought it was interesting that Harley seems to generate more emotion and stereotypes, for and against, but mostly against, than any other brand. Of the Harley owners that I know, NONE even remotely resemble, in dress or attitude some of the stereotypes. I think its mostly on the www, really.

I love the looks of the Iron. Congrats! When I think of the mods I would do to that bike, I start salivating. LOL. Take my advice, dont get started, its very addicting. And VERY expensive. Black denim is a color that will never go out of style. I am thinking about repainting my Vespa in that color. Funny thing is, people that couldn't afford paint used to just put a coat of black primer on, which is where the idea of black denim came from. Now, with the special clear coat it requires, it's the most expensive paint job.

BTW, the best thing to clean it with is Windex. It is one of the few cleaners that wont leave streaks or an oily residue that is damn near impossible to get off. The windex is so easy, and any that gets left behind just evaporates.

Thanks Mongoose.

since i can't get my 72 amf flh 'the buyback' back

the 1200 nightster is for me

Nice post I agree 100%

I would LOVE to own this K1300R.

Yes

1, If you don't have money and can't really afford it.
2, If your wife is not ok with you riding a Motorcycle for any reason
3, If you worrie to much about what others think of you
4, If you don't have proper trainning

Other then that your money your choice.

Form follows function is my general outlook. I guess it all depends on the function one desires.

Vespa: 76in long
Harley 883: 88in long
Vespa: 326 pounds
Harley 883: 550 pounds
Vespa: $6200
Harley 883: $6700
Vespa: 65mpg
Harley 883: 50mpg

You can custom each to your liking - admittedly the cruiser has more options (engine dress, seat height/function, storage, suspension, lighting, handlebars, windscreen, etc. etc.)
The harley with the pegs down (as opposed to pegs front) competes with the triumph, moto guzzi, or any other middleweight 'standard' motorcycle. Don't like the power delivery, there is a mod for that, don't like the brakes, there is a mod for that too.
Harley's can be just as loud or quiet as a scooter as it depends on the pipes on each.

Personally, the only reason to get one over the other is preference for self-shifting and pass through v. straddling the fuel tank riding stance. Otherwise there is no difference in day to day usage.

This is called the solo tour pak and you can get color paint matched top case and saddle bags:

Safe to say, if they ever came out with a CVT you'd see a LOT of cross shopping....looks just like a scooter.

For the aformentioned reasons, it makes sense to get a post 04 sporster and mod it to taste as then you get a customized-for-you motorcycle for the cost of a new one out the door that has the base config.

Seth

Keeping things in perspective, the HD is only 3 inches longer than my BVC 500, 40 - 100 pounds heavier, mpg about the same, and $1400 more expensive.

I went to another dealer today and got a nice comprehensive brochure booklet with all the new models that are coming out as 2010 models next month.

One interesting thing is that Harleys are about 40% more expensive here than in the USA. Where you would pay $8000 I would have to pay 8000 Euros ($11,200) given the current exchange rate

That sucks!

Now I know why you all cry about buying over priced Vespas

I really wanted the Cali Vintage (it's an 1100 not a 1200) but a test ride cured me..
Why? Lovely bike but no matter what I did I could not stop my shins from banging on the cylinder heads. Nor could anyone else who rode the bike.
Bummer.

Desmolicious: I also test rode CA Vintage Guzzi and had the same problem. I don't know who designed the seating position but they must not ride motorcycles. I loved the looks of the bike and probably would have bought it but the test ride killed the whole thought of owning one of these beauties.

The original poster asking about this was from Germany, so I imagine the cultural aspect of Harley ownership is totally different than mine is in Iowa.

I was smitten with the looks of the 883 Iron and 1200 Nightster, so I drove them.

They vibrate a lot, like a cheap Honda CB350 or something. The ride is pretty unrefined. Get up and go isn't any better than my Kaw W650. The cool thing is that the test rides totally got me past my obsession with the looks of the bike. Then I decided I was just going to build my own bike that looked how I wanted it to, and it was going to cost under 1000 dollars. So I bought a Yamaha XS650 that I've been messing with. My plan is to end up with something much more fun than the Harley and not have to deal with the Harley culture around here. If anyone gives me crap for riding a Japanese bike I'll ask them how much of their bike they built themselves.

Life is short enough that I like trying out as many vehicles as I can. Eventually it might not even be legal to drive stuff with internal combustion engines, so we need to live it up while we can.

I just wet myself.

It is very interesting that none of the 'professional' reviews mention this issue. Which goes to show that you have to try a bike out for yourself before dropping the dough.

In the USA, Harley riders consider the sportster a "girl bike." Not that it's actually designed for women; as in female focused functional design and ergonomics. But rather, "girl bike" as a general disparaging insult. If you want a cruiser, consider the Guzzi Griso. Or even better, slap together a nice custom chopper/bobber yourself. If you start now you will easily have a completed bike rolling out your garage by spring.

My son-in-law had a Guzzi and sold it after one season. Major complaint, shin banger and leg warmer.
Leg warmer was O.K. in the Spring and Fall, but a bitch in Summer on long hauls.
Other than that, he said it was as slick as cat shit on linoleum.

It's only the cruiser Guzzis that are the shin bangers due to their footpeg/floor board placement. All others are fine.