Each to his own?

Happy to accept that my example may well not have been representative of the breed as a whole, David.

But it was, by a long way, the most unreliable bike I have owned. IIRC it was from the batch that was repatriated from a failed Far Eastern distributor (Malayasia ?). Bought by its original owner as a retirement present to himself, I bought it at 3 years old with 1200 miles showing in mint condition.

Rear shocks failed first (oil leaks from both). Fork seals failed. Random electrical gremlins, including non starting, cured by replacing all the original relays with a different make (originally Siemens IIRC, replaced with Bosch). Rear drive seal failed. Rear wheel bearings collapsed (that was an "interesting" ride ! ). Persistantly dragging clutch replaced. It was just one thing after another. IIRC it had only covered 4000 miles when I moved it on - lost all confidence in it. When it was working it was quite nice to ride, but never did more than 45mpg & the early generation EFI was very on-off in operation.

I did try a Breva 1100i later, but didn't like the engine character (no low-down torque, needed much revving & gearchanging to make progress in a most un-Guzzi like way). Later again tried the Norge 1200 (loved that - but was more bike than I needed at that stage). Then had a Breva 750ie for over 5 years, which did all I wanted with total reliability & cost nothing other than service consumables, tyres and one battery. IIRC it was over 9 YO when I sold it & was still in pretty decent cosmetic condition, but my arm gremlins struck again & the heavy clutch brought on tendonitis. I have tried Mrs B's V7 Classic III once, but couldn't get on with the rather odd riding position - footpegs high & forward, coupled to a low, straight hanndlebar didn't fit me & the clutch brought on the tendonitis again after only 10 miles.

I didn't really appreciate the V50 mkII that Mrs B had as her first "big" bike after passing her test back in the mid-80s at the time. That too was reasonably well finished, easy to look after and mostly reliable (the one "no start" while out and about was down to a battery terminal come loose). But I too am looking for something lighter these days & a V50 may well push a lot of buttons now - if I could find an un-molested one. Shame that Piaggio just want to push larger, more powerful bikes under the Moto Guzzi brand these days.

Nigel B.