Modern v older

Just a few musings based on the last three days.

Tuesday Wednesday went to work on the Varadero, SWMBOs car was in for the
bonnet spraying so she needed my car to transport the munchkin. After
covering 170 odd miles going to the BOSM on the Guzzi it was noticeable
just how big, heavy the V is. It did show though how civilised the whole
package was. Engine, handling, brakes all extremely capable resulting in a
package that handled really well. The only 'problem' is that to some
degree its was 'too' good. In order to have some fun I was doing silly
speeds.

Today I thought I'd have a change and take the Guzzi. Immediately it was
apparent just how comfy the V is. The Guzzis not bad but the Varadero is
an absolute armchair in comparison. The other thing was the difference in
wheelbase paired with the skinny tyres makes the Guzzi a lot more
responsive or twitchy depending on your POV. You do feel like you are
perched on top of it though. The major difference was the fun levels. I
was having a right hoot yet never went over 80. The noise it makes is
awesome particularly bouncing off dry stone walls or the cars as you
filter though them along the M60 past Stockport.

One really weird thing though. For some reason I feel more confidence in
teh crossply tyres of the Guzzi than I do in the radial Anakees. I feel
that the Anakees 'squirm' abit too much if the road is greasy. Its
probably all in my head but its hard to get over it when you get both
wheels sliding through teh bends

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, entwisi belched forth and ejected the following:

<Snip>

I've had more fun on my GS450 than my R1.

Maybe when the winter elements have finally faded into a distant memory
that POV will change but for pure thrashness riding round London and
wobbly suspension with crap brakes, the grin factor was much higher.

 

There are of course differences due to carcass construction and
thread pattern. But the narrow tyres on the Guzzi might contribute
by cutting trough the crap a bit better. In countries where cars
have a separate set of winter wheels, these are usually slightly
more narrow for this reason.