Long Distance traveling

[yosi]

I just sold my BMW and I'm consideriung a Guzzi V11 Le mans. I routinelly do long distance traveling, In the beemer I used to do 400-500 a day. How feasible is on a Guzzi Lemans. Confy enough for long hours? I conmute to work every day 30-40 miles.

This will determinate my decision so please as much info wll be usefull

 

Many thanks

 

Yosi

[G.POLEGATO]

Hi Yosi, well the Le Mans was a beautiful motorcycle for long run with a well fairing protection and great torque. The only fault is a 3500-4000rpm. low vibration on the handlebar,this in 6th gear is equivalent at 100/120 Kph. But i think is a good substitute of your BMW. Kind regards #60

I just sold my BMW and I'm consideriung a Guzzi V11 Le mans. I routinelly do long distance traveling, In the beemer I used to do 400-500 a day. How feasible is on a Guzzi Lemans. Confy enough for long hours? I conmute to work every day 30-40 miles.

This will determinate my decision so please as much info wll be usefull

 

Many thanks

 

Yosi

83866[/snapback]

[Tracey]

I have both, a BMW 1150RT(52,000 miles since new in 02) and a Lemans. The Lemans is a recent addition and has only made a couple trips so far... (200 mile days).

You are likely to enjoy the Guzzi but might make a few modifications to make it more confortable. Thier are many threads on this forum that will help. Some are cheap and others are not.

Maintenace is much simpler on the Guzzi but parts can be an expensive problem.

Modifications to my Guzzi, purchased after a crash:

Gustafson +5 windshield

SAENG winglet + micro-swirl edge

Evolution foot rest relocator kit

Hot-Grips, heated grips

BMW power outlet

Buell mirrors (better view)

Ducati rubber covered foot pegs

Tekno removable bags

Guzzi luggage rack

After the crash(previous owner) I spent about $1,400 total encluding other parts not listed.

I'll take the BMW for that 5,000 mile trip, but have more fun on the Guzzi on the 2,500 mile trip... just my

[bridgepress]

I just sold my BMW and I'm consideriung a Guzzi V11 Le mans. I routinelly do long distance traveling, In the beemer I used to do 400-500 a day. How feasible is on a Guzzi Lemans. Confy enough for long hours? I conmute to work every day 30-40 miles.

This will determinate my decision so please as much info wll be usefull

 

Many thanks

 

Yosi

83866[/snapback]

 

Yosi,

 

I sold my R1150R last summer after falling in love with a V11 LeMans. While I haven't yet done a long distance on the Guzzi, I do plan to this summer, and have adapted the LeMans to touring distances with a higher windshield, bar-risers (not cheap), lower rubber pegs, Buell mirrors, hard bags and top case (Hepco & Becker), and a rebuit seat. I haven't been troubled by vibration issues. I've been very happy with the bike so far. It is exciting in a way I found lacking in BMW's (I've owned seven).

 

Brian

[Ouiji Veck]

I've done some 400 mi days on the LeMans.

A 2700mi one week trip to Cape Breton last July.

I've never owned a BMW but I imagine it would be much

more comfy on the SLAB but when you get on the back rds. I'm real

pleased to be on the LeMans. The only comfort mod I have is a gel seat.

I'm 55, 200lbs 5'9 (what are you wearing? )

I have the Teknos and rear rack too. Travel w/ camping equip.

If your into sporting about once you get to where your going you'll

love the Guzzi.

I gotta check out the lower pegs. Sounds like a good, cheap comfort mod.

[DVH]

I find my very comfortable, once the bars controls etc adjusted to suit. Knocks spots off the VFR I had, I could only manage 200 miles on the VFR.

Best I have managed is 14hrs 985miles to Austria in one go.

Normal use is out for the day for 250 -300 miles

I strongly suggest a long test ride not a quick whizz round the block, they tend to grow on you

Dave

[Guest redguzziv10]

patiently waiting for Martin Barrett to reply.

What was it again? 5500 miles in 9 days on his Le Mans?

 

[Guzzirider]

Just as Dave has recommended, a long test ride would be a good idea- I personally find my V11 Le Mans quite comfy, and have spent some long days in the saddle, but everyone is different.

 

Guy

[Guest Nogbad]

Until I changed jobs I used to commute 45 miles each way weekdays on my V11. never had a problem with the mechanics or the electrics, started rain or shine on the button and was fairly comfy once you get used to the "feeding gerbil" riding position.

[yosi]

Many thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. I'll try and get a long(ish) test ride on one before deciding. Funny enough, no easy in the UK. Dealers seem a bit reluctant to let you try. ..

 

Yosi

[Martin Barrett]

Mine is standard. I use Teknos (paniers), Bagster (tank bag) and a tailpack and bungy cords.

 

I've done a few longish days strung together.

 

I find numb bum to be the only issue and after 100miles of slab a stretch is welcome.

Last week in the cold I did 505 miles one day.

 

Most of my really long days, on last years RBR was broken down to managable legs by alternating between fuel stops and landmarks.

 

She will do slab work but is better off the slab. If it's 500 miles on the slab in one go to get to where you want to go there are better choices ( a car ) but if you can mix the types of road and are stopping to see things on route and fuel ( I do 130 between fills - could stretch it further -fuel light on at 120)

[Guest bshpilot]

ive done 850mi in a single day on my V11 (houston to atlanta)

and then 700ish from atlanta to virginia...

 

and ive got TBR clip-ons installed on my V11...considering

the range on the bike is only about 160mi per tank its a bit

difficult to get stiff/sore w/ jaunts so short.

 

Im traveling on the STOCK seat and other than soft bags &

clip-ons im completely stock.

 

get yourself some kinda throttle rocker/rest and youll be perfectly fine.

[jrt]

Im traveling on the STOCK seat and other than soft bags &

clip-ons im completely stock.

84079[/snapback]

 

You're a manlier man than I yam. I put on handlebars, a Rich Maund seat and still I use a sheepskin and wear an aerostich suit. With that, I've done many 800-900 mile days, no problem. Aspirin helps, too.

[Guest bshpilot]

You're a manlier man than I yam. I put on handlebars, a Rich Maund seat and still I use a sheepskin and wear an aerostich suit. With that, I've done many 800-900 mile days, no problem.  Aspirin helps, too.

84102[/snapback]

 

 

most ive ever done in a single day was 1350miles...but that was on

"the flying Kouch"...personally i dont feel that INTERSTATE riding

counts...but sometimes you gotta be there in short order...and NOTHING

beats interestate driving to "git 'er done" as they say.

 

you should know too that i can be a bit of a nut about this stuff...

i once made a run from houston to virginia in our F350 pickup truck

in 19.5hrs (an all time personal best) with my WIFE as

passenger....750miles between fill ups...means i can make some

GREAT time <eliminating stops>

 

and i thought 325mi per tank on "the flying Kouch" was good !

[Bill Hagan]

most ive ever done in a single day was 1350miles...but that was on

"the flying Kouch"...personally i dont feel that INTERSTATE riding

counts...but sometimes you gotta be there in short order...and NOTHING

beats interestate driving to "git 'er done" as they say.

 

you should know too that i can be a bit of a nut about this stuff...

i once made a run from houston to virginia in our F350 pickup truck

in 19.5hrs (an all time personal best) with my WIFE as

passenger....750miles between fill ups...means i can make some

GREAT time

 

and i thought 325mi per tank on "the flying Kouch" was good !

84112[/snapback]

 

Not sure I really want the details, Don, but having spent some time in your pickup between Virginia and Atlanta, I don't recall a ... uhm ... "facility." Guys can hang, but never known a sweetie like yours to have an iron or large bladder.

 

And, on the merits, while hardly worthy of mention here given your and other LD riding claims, I've ridden my Ballabio to SW Missouri (and edging into Kansas and Oklahoma). Four 400 mile days or so. Actually like it better than EV when not two-up or needing serious wet/cold protection. No comfort issues beyond that of aging, with its creaks and groans!