Guzzi Hero

Would this be the same person who already had his appeal dismissed? http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/11041801.Jade_Clark_s_hit_and_run_killer_Brian_Hampton_has_appeal_dismissed/

Ooh, getting used to the R6 now. Already taken the tyres WAY past the previous owner's attempts and I don't even feel that I was trying. All I do is lean slightly to one side and it turns, then add bar weighing to add flavour. Sometimes I went what I thought was quickly into a turn only for the R6 to go "SORRY YOU ARE NOT A WINNER THIS TIME PLEASE TRY AGAIN". It makes a mockery of my attempts to mishandle it. The power... well, it was never going to be a patch on the FZR1000R but it is impressive enough without being intimidating. Pulls fast when pinned in 1st, pinned in 2nd it gets just a little light at the front but not too bad, and goes just fine above that. I did some speed-at-red tests. Now the FZR used to be 65, 100, 125, 145, 170. This is 65, 100, 125, 145, 160 and never saw top of 6th. Admittedly, I reckon 10% can be knocked off 4th and 5th for speedo inaccuracy but still, that's way more than I'll ever need. Was a bit surprised to see the fuel light at 109 miles, but then I was mostly between 12-14000rpm to get the engine braking I love so much. It moves along just dandy below that, but when caning the corners I like the motor to stabilise the back a little more. What has enormously surprised me though is... how comfy I am on it. I thought I would get off shaped like a question mark, I pre-apologised to my wrists for the pain they were about to go through, but there was no need. My right leg went to sleep a little from lack of use, other than that I am fine after 170 miles. Well chuffed so far. What I want to work on now is getting used to/practicing with the brakes. Any fool can go fast, I want to be able to get stopped just as quickly!

A 1380mm wheelbase after my 1520mm Griso, I'm sure it will be Cheers! Oh, as a 'bonus', here's a pic of my old FZR1000R-W!

Only this one pic so far, picking her up on Thursday: She is stock other than a Blue Flame exhaust and usual tank protectors. 18,300 miles on an '03 plate (not a lot of mileage!) and the tyres don't look like they've seen much of a lean angle! Seems the lad who had it before me got it for its style rather than its capabilities. Apart from the usual rusty nut or two, it is pretty much immaculate. I paid £3100 which is a bit over book, but the garage has set up the suspension for me and is giving it a full service and bearing check-over. Embarrasingly, everything had to be set to maximum for me (17st 4lbs in full leathers!), but I'm pleased I got it set - the former owner had softened everything off as far as it can go. I can't wait to show it some proper corners!

I test rode and bought a 2003 R6 today. Still not sure on the bar position but everything else is great!

Cheers, folks!

Okay, next question: How easy is the R6 to bimble on? If I don't want to be 100% on it, will it do decent mileage at, say, 4-7k rpm?

Both would be more in keeping with my Guzzi though, and since I want to do trackdays, an R is more my kind of thing. I also rode the MT07 and it didn't impress me. I already have 2 100-125cc bikes for commuting, I want this machine for fun blasts.

Yeah... I am leaning HARD towards the R6. I'm a bigger (read: fatter) bloke, so I'd probably have more room on an R1... but I just feel that the R6 would be more forgiving, more comfortable and dare I say it, more sensible for the road. Thanks for the input!

I am looking to get a Yamaha sportbike, something early 90's, as I have a bit of a growing itch for speed which my dream bike just can't scratch. Yeah, as the name suggests, I ride a Guzzi - a Griso 1100 to be precise. Insert tractor jokes here:- With that done, back to Yams. I have noticed that I can pick up a 2000-2002 R1 with 25k+ miles on, for about the same price as a 2002-2004 R6 with a bit less, for about the same price. I'd just like some advice on which would be best for what I want to do with it. I used to have a 1989 FZR1000R and loved the speed but it always felt a bit too much for me. The suspension was probably shot, in all fairness, but the engine was a beauty. So my conundrum is - do I get an R6 which is presumably lighter and more flickable, or an R1 which has better torque throughout the range and probably doesn't need to be worked as hard? I notice from the specs over at motorcyclespecs that wheelbase is about the same, weight is about the same. Obviously both are somewhat quicker turning than the Guzzi which is stable but not so responsive). I intend to have whichever I want as a second bike for when its too nasty to get the Guzzi out, for thrashing when I want a bit of fun, and the occasional trackday. Can anyone give me any advice/opinions? Which would you choose? Thanks in advance!

Hey there, I might be returning to the Yamaha fold after a few years away. Started off with an RXS100N back in the 90's, and got an FZR1000R-W ExUP just after I passed my test. Other bikes I've owned in order or purchase: 1979 Moto Guzzi V50/II 1982 Suzuki GSX400FX (bag of dog egg!) 2008 Haotian Swift (don't bother looking it up ) 2007 Moto Guzzi Griso G11 2014 Zontes ZT125-8A Whilst the Guzzi G11 is my dream bike and I will never ever part with it, I am looking to get a superbike for thrashing fun and maybe the occasional trackday. I cherish the G11 way too much to punish it in that way. I tortured my poor FZR1000R, but intend to treat whichever bike I get next with more love and attention.