I want something with character!

[Devans]

Had my VFR V-tec over a month and it's my 1st big bike, Done around 3.5k miles on it including a trip up to Scotland last week.

It's an awesome bike, and i quite like V-tec and i love it too bits, but i see Ducatis and KTMs etc and just want that ooooze you get from riding one!

But equally i like to tour and a VFR is a continent crusher, easy pushing 500miles a day.

Am i getting this feeling because the VFR is a typical no problem do it all bike with no issues, or is it normal to get that urge for abit of Ducati?

As much as i know i could travel Europe on my VFR with no problems at all, i doubt it would be the same as riding a Monster or Multistrada just for the sound and pure sex of a Duke!

Equally those big KTM super motos look sexy as fook tbh!

HELP

[G]

[Devans]

Haha, this is what i can't understand, it's just every time i see a Duke or something, i want one!

[radical]

Moto Guzzi, thats all I have to say on the matter.

[Alex A]

Have you removed that silly throttle stop yet? If not, that could brighten up your impressions

Otherwise, you could probably get a rather nice and relatively modern, relatively dependable Ducati for the value of your VFR. Though you'd be hard pushed to find one as quick and practical and well behaved as the VFR that is also reliable for the same money.

KTMs supermotos (Superduke included) really aren't 'continent crushers'.

How about a 954 Fireblade or Blackbird. Very much more exciting than the VFR, as well made and just as practical. Though not really the kind of thing you buy to restrict...
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[iooi]

When someone says

"My bike has character!"

What they mean is its a good ride, but is always bloody breaking down, so they never actually get anywhere....


Must admit Moto Guzzi here too
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[DrDonnyBrago]

Character is this undefinable quality that some bikes/brands have and others don't... i.e. it is marketing talk by the manufacturers of over priced and/or unreliable bikes to get people to pay the premium to have their badge on the tank.

Harley, Ducati and Triumph spring to mind here - the bikes are good (harley excluded) but the brand snobbery surrounding them is rediculous.

[Nai]

Just googled Moto Guzzi, pretty bikes!

[Teflon-Mike]

[Kickstart]

Hi

To me character in a bike is where it has some flaw that is put up with as it gives a benefit in an area that some people appreciate. So tends to be things that were not designed by committee and tested against potential customers before it is released. Probably bikes which reflect was the designer wanted, what they cared about and what they didn't give a fig about.

Examples would be things like early 'blades where they put up with flighty handling to keep the weight down, RS250s where the engine life is 2nd to getting power from it, old BMW twins where ground clearance was sacrificed to ease of maintenance and low centre of gravity, old Ducatis were reliability was sacrificed for a narrow chassis and good handling. Even the Hayabusa where the need for speed was paid for with looks that not even its mother could like.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[radical]

I would say that when it comes to touring a shaft drive is essential and also a grunty low revving twin would i.m.o be preferable to a high revving four cylinder bike, for me a Moto Guzzi ticks all the boxes but neither a Harley nor a Ducati ticks any as far as touring is concerned. A Moto Guzzi is not going to be as fast as a Jap four but in the real world they are more than fast enough so it all comes down to personal taste at the end of the day.

[G]

I always define the majority of 'riding' character as a bike's failings. The bits it doesn't do well, that you have to make up for.
So, soggy suspension, bad tyres and a lacking engine for example.

The character I DO like is when you find a bike that encourages you to lean a little more, turn the throttle harder a little bit earlier and the like - however that's even less quantifiable and does depend on the rider too.

[Redoko]

For those that can't be bothered to Google Image 'Moto Guzzi'.



https://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/data/articlestandard/dealernews/472007/473749/MotoGuzziStelvio.jpg
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20C/Moto%20Guzzi%20Griso%201200%208v%20%2008.jpg
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"Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing."
Sudika Sportsman SK50QT > Gilera DNA50 > Honda CBR125 RW7 > Kawasaki Zephyr750 > Suzuki GSXR600 > Honda Hornet CB600F '51

[WishayKillie]

[Teflon-Mike]

https://motoprofi.com/bikephoto/4678/moto_guzzi_mille_gt_1991_2.jpg
More 'my' idea of what a Guzzi should look like, but no accounting for taste, is there!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Alex A]

Wrong

https://www.guzzitalia.com/images/zoom//agostini_moto/viewsize/01_mgs01_corsa.jpg
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[mattgirv]

I had a Moto Morini 3 1/2 for a few months and it was a lovely bike. Shame about the shitty electrics, but it certainly had character.

https://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/vintagebike-images/moto_morini_three-and-one-half_344.jpeg

Mine was not as tidy as that one, I'd say it had more character!
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Bikes: 1998 Honda VFR800Fi, 26,500 miles
1989 Honda CB-1, 38,000 miles

[JAMSXR]

Aprilia Tuonon - stonking bike!
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Honda SFX50 > Aprilia SR125 > Aprilia RS125 > Honda RFV400 > K4 GSXR600 > KTM Duke > C1H 636 > K3 GSXR1000 > Aprilia RSV-R > Triumph Street Triple R > Ducati 899 Panigale > Aprilia Tuono 1100 > Triumph Daytona 675R > KTM SuperDuke 1290 2.0

[cyberglass]

DL1000 vstrom
Fun vtwin decent power and can go practically anywhere throw some knoblies on it and youve got a nice heavy green laner
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DL650 Vstrom 2004
DRZ400S 2003
Yamaha R1 2005

[yen_powell]

Don't panic. Your VFR regulator/rectifier will soon go pop. When it does and your battery flattens leaving you attempting to bump start the bike miles from home, your bike will have gained 'character' and all will be well with you.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[ThoughtContro...]

[mattgirv]

[panrider_uk]

[Devans]

Already had my VFR blow 2 fuses, while away in Scotland, i damn hope i don't have the dreaded rectifier issues

Hmm....

[Alex A]