Dietrich Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Here is my dilemma. I like riding and have since I was 16. I own a 2008 RT with all the farkles, well, I have seen more on this board, but enough. When the weather is right and I am in the mood to ride, I ride around Southern Ontario, know many roads and frankly I am getting bored with the whole scene. I am planning a trip to San Jose in August and arranged to rent a RT there. Will cruise for 7 days. Really looking forward to it. But here at home, I find the RT bulky and heavy on the few short rides that I do. I wish also that it was lower. So, I test rode a 2007 Breva 1100 with only 500 miles on the odometer. The guy can't ride it on account of the angle his knees are at. He added Guzzi side cases, small w/shield and is asking a reasonable price. The bike is lower than the RT, of course not as protected by a super fairing. I really liked the ride though, except for the wind exposure, which I think could be fixed with a better w/shield. The investment is about one third of the RT. Only problem is that the engine had a real peculiar knock on the right side at lower idle speed. Took it to a Guzzi dealer, he had no idea what it is but assured me that it is covered by warranty. So, what do I do? Buy it and ride it 'til the fall and than take it to the dealer to get it fixed. Find out if I like it and then sell the RT? That is kind of where I am going with this. Maybe on Monday he has it sold, but I doubt it. If anyone has any words of wisdom, I'd appreciate it. Link to comment
Boffin Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Listen to your heart. Logic has no place in a bike purchase. Andy Link to comment
rglassma Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Listen to your heart. Logic has no place in a bike purchase. Andy On the contrary, I believe you really need to think this through unless you have enough money to just throw money at the problem... If your gut is telling you there is a problem, pass on it!!! Keep lookin'. Take a look at some of the other offerings out there. Perhaps you would like the Yamaha FZ1 - new at less then half the price of an RT. There are many, many other choices. Also, dealers a plenty, etc... If you really, really are bent on the Guzzi, get an extended warranty while it is still in warranty. Link to comment
bayoubengal Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Listen to your heart. Logic has no place in a bike purchase. Andy Sorry Boffin but I must respectfully disagree. Don't follow your heart. Your heart falls for every imposter out there. (Think women!) You've got to lead your heart... Your heart is only right when the all the facts, logic, and data are already in place. Link to comment
tallman Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 So Canada has a great Guzzi dealership network? No wait for parts? If you started a thread saying you looked at a used BMW w/strange engine noise, took it to the dealership and they said they had no idea, but don't worry it's covered under warranty, I guaranatee the thread would get triple digits in responses. Around here there are still parts problems and myriad stories of warranty work taking months and months and months. YMMV Best wishes. Link to comment
AZKomet Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 My .02 is pass on it...buying a headache is not worth it. There is a glut of used bikes on the market. Ride some others, or look for another guzzi if that is what you want. I too looked at a Norge last year....big mistake. Waste of my time and I have no idea why I even considered it other than I like to be a little different than everyone else. It started "funny" and it seemed not in character with my needs and riding style. Beyond that I have read too many ugly fix it issues with guzzi. But hey, take the plunge if you desire.... Link to comment
Bheckel169 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Dietrich, Let me offer a suggestion. I too had an RT and though I loved it, found it at times to be a bit tall (even with low seat) and top heavy; especially for the western North Carolina roads here. So, I test rode a BMW R 1200R and it is the most fun bike I've ever owned. Shifting like butter, lower center of gravity and carves corners like you can't believe. I think it's the best kept secret in the BMW line. If you're patient, you might find a used one but even then, new ones are much less expensive then an RT. Test ride a R 1200R and I think you'll find it to be your answer IMHO. Bruce Link to comment
sdpc2 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I have to agree with Bruce... i think that the Roadster is one of the best kept secret's of the BMW line. My wife has had 2 of them, and i don't even want to ride an R1200R for fear of losing my RT. That and the fact that i heard an old-time Guzzi wrench that he would give a plugged nickle for any of the new ones... again, YMMV Link to comment
Boone60 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 See you live in Canada, which is almost as cold as Northeast Wisconsin today When I think that a change would be fun, I wait until I'm riding home in the evening and then stick a leg out from behind the RT's fairing. There is nothing like a nice ice-cold blast on the knee to warm my heart for my RT. Link to comment
betty Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 See you live in Canada, which is almost as cold as Northeast Wisconsin today When I think that a change would be fun, I wait until I'm riding home in the evening and then stick a leg out from behind the RT's fairing. There is nothing like a nice ice-cold blast on the knee to warm my heart for my RT. X2 Out this weekend in "summer" (ha!!) near the lakes where it was 55 I was very happy to have the protection of the RT. I couldn't go back to an open bike. Link to comment
Deadboy Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Why not pick up a 2nd smaller bikes for fun and short local trips etc....I ride the K75 all the time these days but still love my RT for the longer trips.... Link to comment
Bheckel169 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Of course, your summer may not be that hot, but riding an RT in hot weather can be stifling with no air to your body. Full protection works well in one season and maybe not so great in another. Good cold weather apparel and a heated vest will do the trick if it gets too cold. Test drive the R 1200R. I dare you. Bruce Link to comment
Dietrich Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Bruce, thanks for the dare. I had the "R" on the shortlist. So, I will go out and look for one to ride and go from there. Without that knock in the engine, I probably would have bought the Breva. Rides nice and has a good feel to it, right height too. But the "R" might be just the right thing. I also have a R27 to bum around on, but it is just too slow for me. Thanks for all the good advice guys, that's why I post here. Link to comment
Bheckel169 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Dietrich, Let us know what you end up with and especially your thoughts on the 1200 r. Bruce Link to comment
philbytx Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 U need another bike... I went for a "pre-ridden" R1100R...if u can find one....great little bike, easy to maintain and more fun than a box of frogs Link to comment
tallman Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 D, We just sold another R1200 R. Toruing screen, bags. 5 min to remove those and you have a naked roadster w/109 HP. W/them on it's an RT lite. ABS, telelever, steering damper, excellent HP/wt ratio, excellent mpg, a winner. Link to comment
ollka Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I test rode this big Breva when it was introduced (because my wife had 750 Breva back then). Compared to 12RT - no suspension, no balls aka. power feels like electric motor, diving front under braking, heavier than my sins, no ABS, Italian reliability. And the good parts were: nice looks, bargain when second hand, sounds great with Mistral exhaust. Under the line: not even in my wildest dreams would swap my RT to Breva - You lose. Link to comment
bendbill Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Another voice encouraging a Roadster test ride. I rented one several years back: quicker, lighter, and more steady in sweepers than my RT at the time. And looking down at those thrust out jugs at speed, I half-expected to lift off. It was a hoot to ride. Link to comment
Dietrich Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 This is a follow up to my original posting from a few weeks ago. I did not buy the Breva, even though I liked it quite a bit, but had obvious reservations. I took the advice and test rode a R1150R. I found a nice unit at a dealer and ended up buying it. It is a 2001, owned previously by an older gentlemen who traded up to an RT. Very sharp bike in mint condition. It rides great, very familiar handling etc and I like it. Except for the low seat, which is a real "Nut-Buster". I can't believe they build stuff like that. So I have to find a better solution. Here is a picture of my little collection: '38 DKW SB 200, '62 R27 and the new addition '01 R1150R. Great colour match, don't you think? My '08 RT is up for sale. I can't list it in the Classifieds since I am selling it through my company. But if anyone is interested here is a link: https://www.dlsaccelerator.com/webasp/internet_access/feature_sheet_pics.asp?Dealer=247&Del=247&L=1&Stocknum=D08124-148 Thanks again for all the good advice. I hear there is a new RT in the works, maybe I'll look at that in the future. Ride safely. Link to comment
Bheckel169 Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 An original "Three Amigos". Very nice Dietrich and all classics or soon to be. Bruce Link to comment
johnlt Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Wow, I really love the R27. You are indeed a lucky fellow, johnlt Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Very nice looking trio...... Link to comment
rabbibgr Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Keep in mind that when you equip an R with bags and an effective windshield, it will cost almost as much as an RT. Then it becomes a question of value Link to comment
SCOTTinNJ Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 That R27 looks awesome. Any other pics? Wanna sell it? Link to comment
Haynes Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 If there is any question at all in your mind about the purchase then the answer is NO! Link to comment
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