To the best of my knowledge and taken from the best sources I could find those weights are wet weights with full tank. I may have misinterpreted the weight issue but new bikes for sale in the Eurozone have to be described as wet weight with oil, coolants and fuel. AKA kerbweight. I may be wrong about this but I am sure some one will let me know if I am? PS I got the weights from each individual manufacturers own web pages. I really was amazed at the Guzzi. The Transalp because it is so top heavy and such a tall bike feels much heavier than an old 865 Bonnie I test rode a couple of years ago.

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www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

Yep, I think you are right with the kerbside weight business; I just couldn't quite remember which way it is done nowadays, although I suspect that the manufacturers can still be economical with their own brand of truth.
It also makes a lot more sense of the figures which are mainly north of 200 Kg.
Weight low down does tend to feel better than when the same weight provides a higher overall CofG, so long as other factors are even.

I've highlighted, in red text, an anomoly with the inch-metric conversion of the seat heights; no big deal.

I didn't realise how heavy the 650 Transalp is either!
It will be interesting to hear from those who have owned these bikes about how they got on with them (or present tense as and when that applies).

I did try to chat up a V7 owner on the side of the road a couple of weeks ago, but with his helmet on and the engine running he was more interested in
Not that I blame him for that!

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Dave

Thank you for the kind words. I would like to thank my stylists at LeatherBoys-R-US, my lawyers Firkem and Buggeroff, my accountant Mr. Titus Ducksarse, the Ladies and Gentlemen at the West Yorkshire Probation service, my proctologist Dr. Rod Dyno… Oh Gosh ….um.. Inventor of the sidecar Sir Rodney Trysicle, Italian design guru Umberto Friggabitextraone….

Back to the manual though: When you strip out the bits about inspecting the air filter and checking there are two wheels fitted (all charged at goodness know how much an hour), the requirements become pretty easy to live with;

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Andy

Stan if i may put in a bit input - depends what your looking for -

Wet weights usually have just enough fuel to make the bike run otherwise big tank bikes would way more than they want to show, often they remove other bits like tool kits etc as well.

The WR (and take into account i do not like jap stuff) Is a good looking copy of a traditional bike, it will do everyhting well no doubt and be very easy and reliable. Its very heavy at 215 without fuel and a parallel twin is never as nice as a v twin in my experience.

The triumph like wise is very heavy for the size and again lacks the genuine tag - its a copy dressed up to be and look like a triumph of old. I think they are reliable enough but look beyond the frontage and the build quality and components are very much compromised to cost.

The Guzzi is what it is, an original old bike built today with much higher build quality and standards, you are buying into the original history, design and character of this marque. Its lighter as a V& (the 2) adds weight with abs and stuff) the v7 comes in at 179 kg thats almost 5 stone lighter than the wr 800, (almost one of your panniers half full !!) and 7 1/3 stone lighter than the triumph. Even though the triumph makes more power - its lost on all that extra weight pulling.

The guzzi has most of its torque from 2 rpm making it very easy to ride in wet and slippy conditions

The hondas a different chice and not in the same comparison table to those above. so i will leave that to you

If it were me the Guzzi would win hands down without any doubt but I really love Guzzis ..

My local dealer is excellent - and have some good deals on a couple of new pre registered V7's Mo-tech Motorcycles Moto Guzzi.


Jake.

I wrote a long reply thanking Everyone and it disappeared into the ether when I went to preview it

I will try and recreate it later but the gist was thanks everyone for the answers and apologies if I have inadvertently hijacked the thread or pushed in another direction

GM

(stan)

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www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

I simply could not resist - so eventually got my 1979 Guzzi tourer / travel bike back together and up and running well. I do like Guzzi's maybe more than any other bike. Not because they are better they are not in any way but they do have something about them that just grabs you a bit.

Like i said in an earlier post in this thread Guzzi build is somewhat variable even when new in the 70's.

So my Guzzi Spada for you young un's - an old blokie bike maybe - low compression big twin , 949cc air cooled, 70 to 80 bhp(so they claim when new i reckon less now) , massive torque from tickover, fairing, panniers, linked rear pedal operated brakes (exceptional) she does average over 50 mpg, 220 mile tank range, has shaft drive.
Everything is simple to service and repair and easy to get at (you need that as you will need to repair her somewhere along the road. She has no nonsense like fuel pumps, electronic gadgets (does have a clock and voltmeter though).

She handles very well and weighs 210kg. Lights are poor - fairing brilliant better than most modern stuff, lots of room on the seat for two. Not good off the road though. (suspension is typical good handling - firm Italian of the day.

So a very relaxing and low revving bike to ride she has an understated maybe slightly odd look, but is functional, practical.

But as an Italian lady, 37 years old she will be good company - if not a little temperamental at times i am sure.

skål - Jake.

Attached Thumbnails

 

The 1000 SP is probably one of the best Guzzis from that era. Great bike! Had one too, rebuilt for classic racing purposes.

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

With the oil changes and covers we now have something like a manual:


https://picasaweb.google.com/1044429...eat=directlink


Andy

https://picasaweb.google.com/1044429...66000158789938


;-)

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Dave

The how-to is now in order and resetting the maintenance light video'd


https://sites.google.com/site/threew...ntenance?pli=1


Andy

Hi guys I did say I would let you know what I ended up with. As TWB said prices for 2nd hand stuff were extortionate. It was hard to find a Guzzi south of 6k and the same goes for the Kwacker. I did test ride a Bonnie and the seat was like a plank and the suspension made my fillings rattle. (False teeth may be the answer here?) I have to admit the sound out of the Bonnie was glorious and the engine pulled like a train.

I finally came across a Kawasaki W800 SE with only 2.5K on the clock in showroom condition for £4.8K (Special thanks to Touring Ted for this gem) I bought it and rode it home last night and have to say I was nursing a semi all the way home. It appears to do everything the Bonnie does but with much kinder suspension for these old bones.

My much loved Transalp has gone to Touring Ted who I am sure will give it a nice home and look after it. I will periodically post up notes about servicing and ride conditions for any one to make a comparison with the Guzzi. I would have loved to have bought one and it was my first choice but for £2k less the Kwacker will do.

I still have the Dommie for camping trips and solo projects. If prices of a 2nd hand Guzzi drop drastically over the next couple of years I may trade in the W800 for one.

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www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

Thanks for the update, much appreciated.

I guess you will write in the Kawa tech section.

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Dave

Nice one.

Can we now finally do a three way comparison (well in a month or three when you've got the miles in)?

Theory said the W800 had less go, but as all manufacturers measure power anywhere from the main bearing to the wheel and weight as loaded/unloaded/kerb/ready to ride/without oil/without paint/calculated/came to them in dream etc. we need a test to know. Personally I bet there is no noticeable difference unless two up.

What's the real world range? Again theory says the Kawa has better efficiency than the Bonnie but not the V7's big tank? 200 miles without a nervous breakdown?

Any annoyances? Stuff employing chocolate fireguard designs or monkey metal construction?

Enjoy your ride, I think the W800 maybe a bike you'll want to keep.

Andy

Stan, Well I think the bike is a fine choice (even though its Jap !) but fine all the same. They are very pretty and have something about them - i can see the attraction. (That's hard praise coming from me Honest !).

I am surprised you could not find a Guzzi for similar money there are plenty around the £4500 mark but hey ho i bet your a happy man - but the images in my head of you riding with your semi really does not bear thinking about - less details - please Stan.

Skål Jake

Andy