Might be buying a brand new bike, opinions welcome.

[Rat400F]

I have a '75 CB400Four that I am doing some pretty in depth custom work to and love it, but it's old. I'd like to get a bike that is new so I can ride two up on the highway with no worries. I figure I'll keep the CB400f forever as a project bike. My preference is vintage styling and naked. I also want to add performance upgrades and custom stuff like, lights, seat, and what have ya. I've been looking at these three.

So right now I'm having trouble deciding.

I've always been a fan of the xr750 and even though the xr1200 is the heaviest and probably not the fastest or best handling, I like it. Please keep the HD bashing to yourself I know some people think of them as crap or what ever. IMO the xr1200 is infinitely customizable and that's important to me. I can get most of the stuff I want from http://www.storzperf.com/index.html and just bolt them on.

The V7 is the cheapest but it's only a 750, not really a problem for me just worth pointing out IMO. Not a lot of aftermarket performance upgrades available so I'd really only be able to change the look and be stuck with the power. I really like the styling of this bike though and if I change the rear fender, indicators and bars it would pretty much be done.

The Sport 1000 is obviously the most powerful, lightest and best handling but even though it has some vintage styling it still looks pretty modern to me. There is a decent amount of changes I can make for performance, not sure it would even need them, but as far as changing the look goes I'd probably have to make everything custom from scratch.

My question is, if you were me, which bike seems like the best fit and if you were buying a new retro style bike for yourself which one would you get?
I'm open to other bikes as well I just like what these have to offer.

 

[Tim]

I like the Guzzi - would surely be relatively unique most places you go, and I think it's one of the best looking 'retro' bikes out there right now. It would also likely be one of the easier bikes to wrench on given the engine design with easily accessible heads etc.

Another factor (may or may not be a concern) is how much insurance would cost. The Ducati would likely be a small fortune to keep insured vs. the Guzzi or even the HD.

If two-up riding is a must-have option, the V7 seems like the most logical choice. A modern 750 is PLENTY of power. Heck, my 34 year old BMW 750 is more power than I ever need.

I rode a GT1000 last year on a demo ride and scared the shit out of myself. It was the first bike I'd ever ridden that was less than 30 years old.

My vote is for the V7.

 

[Rat400F]

Thanks, I hadn't even though about insurance cost. I like to have a bike that is unique as well so I agree with your points about the V7.

 

[Tim]

Only reason I mentioned insurance was I had been considering an old Ducati single some time ago, and when I called my insurance co. to confirm costs, I was told regardless of model, any Ducati has a 100% markup on the premium.

I would have still bought the bike, as it was a very small displacement engine, so the insurance would still have been cheap, but it makes me think twice when I drool over an old 900ss or the like.

I'm also a BMW rider (1975 R75/6) and the V7 reminds me a lot of those bikes, so I'm a little biased.

I think I'd have to paint the Guzzi some retro color that the original V7 was available in. Seems odd that they only appear to be available in white.

I'd give my left nut for one of these - even just the wheels.

 

[Rat400F]

The '09 brochure has "moon white" as the only color available. I agree I might go with a different color too.
If these were on the market I might have to add #5 to the list of options.
http://www.bmwxplor.com/bcc

 

[Skyeye]

Rat,

I was toying with that same idea myself....if the new job works out....I might buy my self a present. Here's my 2 cents.

Having owned both Harleys and Buells and having seen the new Sportster I was very impressed, oil cooled heads top notch suspension and a pretty good riding position. If I was going to stay American I would buy it or a new Buell 1125r. In my opinion, the Harley dealer will make the decision for you. Let me explain. If they look down on the Sportster as a beginners bike or a girls bike (some still think like this) then my advice is to turn around and walk out. They are looking for posers and not riders. Sporty's will run rings around anything else in the product line and you want a dealer that likes riders. My dealer is great and I really feel at home there and wouldn't mind giving them future business.

Personally I'm leaning to the Moto Guzzi Breva Sport. It's got 1200 ccs and I think is just plain beautiful. The tough question is red or black!!!

Still thinking Italian then the Ducati would be an alternative. I like the Sport Classic with the fairing. Probably the most leaned over riding position of the three but then it's a Ducati!

Good luck with your purchase and......SEND PICTURES!!!!

 

[Represto]

Why would insurance for a Ducati be any more expensive than a bike of similar size and style?

 

[Tim]

Good question. May or may not be the case with newer bikes, but my broker (JR Duffy with Jevco insurance) told me at the time Duc's were basically double.

My other bikes are all pretty much cc based rates. Just liability on them. For a 150cc bike it's about $300, $575 for a 750cc and a little less for the 650. Paying just over $200 for the 49cc Vino scooter.

 

[VonYinzer]

Cant go wrong with the new Thruxton.........

 

[Uncle Ernie]

Mr Tim, I can't belive how much you're paying for insurance. Maybe it's the ZIP, or maybe it's I'm an old marrried geezer... Wow.

Anyhoo- I would get the Guzzi. Great size, handling, price, and look. I worry about what's going to happen with the company, though. Just makes me nervous.

The Duc- what's left to do? It's already done. Unless you're doing all the maintenance- lots of money for up-keep. Better give your passenger a say if you really want to do 2-up.

I have a sneaking suspicion you really want the Harley. So- everybody else can piss on a flat rock. Get the Harley and stand proud. It is what it is, and so are you.

 

[bigblue]

I own a Sportster and think they are great (for what they do) Once the XR1200 came along I was hooked. Pipes have to go, other than that, easy choice Sportster. I would get the Ducati if I wasn't going to mess with a bike in any way (not going to happen if your on this forum). It looks hot the way it is. And that model is really comfortable and FAST. The Guzzi would be higher on my list if it was a Grizo.

1. XR
2. Duc 1000
3. Guzzi

 

[Represto]

The Harley is nasty. I might piss off a few people by saying this but S&S engines NEVER look right in any bike that is going for even a little bit of a sporty look. They're just too fat to run.

The Duc is polished, but expensive as shit to buy, insure and maintain.

The Guzzi is easy choice out of the three. Modest but has a lot of style. You never really see them out and about and the price is right.

Maybe it's the ZIP

Nope, it's the country/province. I'm paying abotu $1000/year for my CB550. Last year I paid $1500 for the same bike...although it was my first year. If I were under 25 it would have been even more.

 

[DrJ]

Personally, I'd rule out the Harley but not because it's a Harley. I just feel it does a poor job of replicating an XR750. A street/flat tracker style bike with 17" wheels looks ridiculous, which has always been my argument about modern retro bikes with 17" wheels. I know, the best tires are only available for 17" rims so manufacturers are going to spec them. Compound that with a very heavy looking chassis and engine and the proportions are way off and the Ducati demonstrates this even further. The Guzzi Classic does the best job of looking retro, nice and balanced.

The Thruxton also looks pretty good but not as peppy as the others.

 

[Rat400F]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Everybody is pointing out some great things to think about.

 

[Deviant1]

I like the guzzi, but my idea about a breva was nabbed a few posts back. I've always been partial to guzzis though, it's the unusual motor layout that does it for me... I like any bike where the motor is like "hey look at me!" except for v-twin cruisers... just never liked 'em.
Having said that, I've read nothing but good things about the sporty, so much so that I think it would run a close second for me. Seems like everyone was impressed with the handling, which is highly unusual for something from Harley.
The duc is amazing, but not terribly practical or affordable IMO. It's the bike I'd buy were money not an issue... but it seems like money's always an issue. A gorgeous bike though.
The thruxton... For me you gotta be a real brit bike guy to get that bike. If you've always loved old triumphs, that's the way to go. For me, though, If I were buying a triumph, I'd have to go modern and spring for a speed triple. There's my two cents.

 

[Rat400F]

I have a sneaking suspicion you really want the Harley. So- everybody else can piss on a flat rock. Get the Harley and stand proud. It is what it is, and so are you.

You're kind of right, the xr is ahead in customizing, I like the sound of an HD more than anything and everybody in my family has ridden HD's for 30+ years. The thing is, I can't decide to with with:
Cool=XR
Smart/best vintage look=V7
Fast as bats=Sport 1000
Those are just my opinions of course.
My mind has been spinning, every five minutes I like one more than the other.
I considered the Thruxton for awhile too but I don't think it has the power I'm looking for. It is definitely the most retro of the options.

 

[sakibomb]

Good question. May or may not be the case with newer bikes, but my broker (JR Duffy with Jevco insurance) told me at the time Duc's were basically double.

My other bikes are all pretty much cc based rates. Just liability on them. For a 150cc bike it's about $300, $575 for a 750cc and a little less for the 650. Paying just over $200 for the 49cc Vino scooter.

Holy crap, i called my ins agent to get a quote on a GSX-R before i knew i couldn't fit on them. For the hell of it i just said a hayabusa just to get the worse case scenario for a newer bike vs the 2 '70's i have.

A new busa for me was 470 a year with full coverage. I dont know what a ducati would run but i thought that was insane for one of the fastest scariest bikes around.

 

[VonYinzer]

You're kind of right, the xr is ahead in customizing, I like the sound of an HD more than anything and everybody in my family has ridden HD's for 30+ years. The thing is, I can't decide to with with:
Cool=XR
Smart/best vintage look=V7
Fast as bats=Sport 1000
Those are just my opinions of course.
My mind has been spinning, every five minutes I like one more than the other.
I considered the Thruxton for awhile too but I don't think it has the power I'm looking for. It is definitely the most retro of the options.

just remember if you go with the harley, theres the added cost of replacing everything you own with officialy licensed HD stuff. new clothes, new furniture, have to buy an HD edition F250.... it goes on and on. a 10,000 dollar bike will end up costing 200,000 once you fully immerse yourself in what the harley catalouge calls the "lifestyle". ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[Rat400F]

just remember if you go with the harley, theres the added cost of replacing everything you own with officialy licensed HD stuff. new clothes, new furniture, have to buy an HD edition F250.... it goes on and on. a 10,000 dollar bike will end up costing 200,000 once you fully immerse yourself in what the harley catalouge calls the "lifestyle". ;D ;D ;D ;D

Hahahaha ;D

 

[Uncle Ernie]

Personally, I don't need a bike as big as a 1200. BUT- I've had a cafe Guzzi T-3 and I understand why they call them the Italian Harley. That (or any harley, really) has a lot of customizing potential. I have seen some great Harley cafes. Awesome, as a matter of fact. I think you should get an 883 and put it in a big blend with stuff you want. Hell- with the money you save you could get an aluminium tank, good shocks, mid-contols or even rear-sets, blah blah blah.
Rorty. Hooligan. Hot shit urban, good handling, and amazing sound.

OK- I'm sitting down. Tell me I'm wrong.