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First ride

Posted by Brickboy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Brickboy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 1, 2025, 1:26 pm

Just 40 miles because it's baking hot and no petrol station in the south west seems to have any E5 at the moment. I suppose now that the tank is virtually empty I could take it off and have a look underneath!

It's an utterly fantastic bike to ride - endless torque, a wonderful deep exhaust note. No faults I've found yet except perhaps that the lights and indicators work when the ignition is off but not when it is in the first position - some investigation might be be necessary one day but certainly not soon. I need to adjust the foot controls lower for my lanky legs but that seems very simple.

On the basis of the massive V twin look, condition, colour, brakes and ride this has got to be one of the very best classics I've owned. I'd go so far as to say I prefer it to the Laverda 750SF and 1200 triple that I've been lucky enough to own. The engine note and brakes are way, way better, performance pretty similar but the way it is delivered is intoxicating!

Re: First ride

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 1, 2025, 1:34 pm, in reply to "First ride "

I wonder when its for sale again Simon ?
It does look very nice. I liked the new giant engined ones, about 1400 CC as i remember then i saw the price and bought a 1700 Triumph.
I always liked the Lemans MK1 but i could never ride one now.

Re: First ride

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 1, 2025, 1:40 pm, in reply to "First ride "

Enjoy! On E5, every now & then the local stations are out of it for a week or more. So I keep the tanks full on the three road legal bikes, & a 2 gallon Jerry can.

Re: First ride

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 1, 2025, 3:04 pm, in reply to "Re: First ride "

Does Jerry know you have got his can

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: First ride

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 1, 2025, 3:15 pm, in reply to "First ride "

Two weeks.

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Re: First ride

As long as that !!

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: First ride

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Re: First ride

Tonight, i visited a mate in Exmouth and he has a very late 850 Commando that looks brand new. He builds bikes for a hobby and wins every show he enters bikes in. white with the blue and red stripes. There was also a 350 gold star in brand new condition. He builds about 6 bikes a year.
I didnt like to ask the prices as i was just collecting a spare part.
His next build will be a T160.

Re: First ride

Posted by Brickboy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Brickboy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 1, 2025, 7:22 pm, in reply to "Re: First ride "

Geoff, I'd once have been very interested in a late Commando but the stupidly high footpegs allied to the inevitable unreliability do put me off.

I realised over the last few years that 50s singles, particularly AMC 500s are the only Brits I really like, and perhaps a very late T140/TR7RV. In contrast both my 70/80s Laverdas were built like tanks, as is the Guzzi I've just bought. They have the same 'classic' feel but loads more power, smoothness and decent braking. None of them leak oil.

Each to their own, of course, and I do wish there were a classic Brit that was reliable and comfortable enough for touring and as an only bike for the riding I do ( I'm looking forward to lots of brickbats now!!). The reality is that there isn't, and that the Italians are much better but, inevitably, my 2018 V Strom is streets ahead of any of them in terms of easy and relaxing riding. It's got no soul at all but it's a joy to ride in a different way to classics.

Re: First ride

It will be interesting where this Commando ends up. He dismantles and completely builds them up. The new electric start parts cost over 500 pounds. I would guess at least 8k even in the crap market now.
He was saying the dealer he buys from, who imported a very large USA stock, has found he is not getting any buyers. Coupled with taxes for importing container loads, its not working for him.
Dealer is in Totnes nearby.
I would not think an old British bike could be totally reliable. Mine always develops a problem which requires a fair bit of work. The BSA, however, has never broken down in 16 years.
I intend to use the old Triumph to bat down to Paignton once a week this year as usual.

Re: First ride

Posted by Stuart <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Stuart' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 3, 2025, 11:05 am, in reply to "Re: First ride "

Hi Geoff,

>He builds bikes for a hobby and wins every show he enters
>His next build will be a T160.

If it's conkers he's winning, tell him a conkers T160 is best only for looking at, T160 for riding needs better brakes and electrics.

Regards,

Re: First ride

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 2, 2025, 12:54 pm, in reply to "First ride "

The engine note and brakes are way, way better, performance pretty similar but the way it is delivered is intoxicating!

Indeed - the Mille GT offers a pretty unique experience. I have tried many bikes since I sold mine but have not found anything that came close to having all that it had in s single package. My Ducati ST2 came close, but that had a severly compromised riding position. I did have a California 1100i for one "season" which came close for the engine "feel", but at the expense of comfort, economy and - critically - reliabilty. Looked lovely, but it was forever in getting something fixed & it is the only bike I have had that came close to going "legal" to get the issues resolved. My Mille had very few issues in the 3 years I owned it.

Riding while "baking hot" is very similar to riding in a deluge - all a matter of rider attitude to the conditions & having the right gear. A summer weight ventilated suit really does make a big difference. We were out and about over the last couple of days, taking lesser travelled roads up to St. Bees in Cumbria on Wednesday (150 miles), over night there then back through the Lakes & North Yorks Moors yesterday (180 miles). Temps up to 27 C & both generally comfortable (me on the Him, Mrs B. on her R65LS) Both wearing FLM brand (Polo "house" brand from Sporstbikeshop) spring / summer weight textile suits with the linings out & vents open.

Nigel B.

Re: First ride

Yes, I agree, Nigel - no suffering on the actual bike but it's warm off it. I have a lovely ventilated Oxford Montaine jacket and Hood jeans. Boots and jeans are warm once you stop.

I had an ST2. Immaculate looks but it had stood for a year in an underground car park. £600 to buy, £1200 to rebuild and I recall: the clutch had been done up so tightly that I broke the official locking tool whilst undoing the centre nut using my 2'6" extender bar; the starter solenoid aperture was so tight in tolerance that on a hot engine the solenoid stuck on. I realised this when I stopped and walked away. Engine off, key in my hand, starter motor turning merrily away. It was quite the job to get to it and the battery in a hurry as both are under the fairing. Next the sprag spring gave up - more fun. It was only marginally worse in the build quality and trustworthiness stakes than my immaculate 900SSie but significantly less tortuous to sit on. I'd never buy a Ducati again after having those two.

In comparison, Guzzis and Laverdas seem very well made. I'd be happy to do a tour on either, but more especially the Guzzi as it's less raucously anti-social and comfier plus all that lovely torque. I'd never tour on a Ducati - I'd take the bus, bicycle, train, car, plane, my own feet - anything, in fact, that I could genuinely trust to get me to my destination!

Re: First ride

I guess I was luckier with my ST2, Simon.

It was a 2003 late model (gunmetal grey frame, 3 phase alternator) Japanese market "grey" import in yellow. Bought it from a guy who had a rally school in Shropshire who couldn't get along with a big twin, having only previously ridden Japanese fours.

18 months old, but not yet had its first service, it was basically as new. I had it serviced & new belts at the local Ducati dealer, then self-serviced. No problems whatsoever in my ownership, but eventually got so that I couldn't ride it due to wrist / forearm issues. Miss that one almost as much as the Mille, but such is life.

Nigel B.

Re: First ride

Posted by calidavid <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=calidavid' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 3, 2025, 8:31 am, in reply to "Re: First ride "

Each to his own?
My California is just getting too heavy to manoeuvre around the garage and I avoid putting it on the centre stand out of respect to my back, or dropping the ruddy thing. But a lovely ride with bags of torque. Mine has never given me any serious issues.
My twenty year old Ducati Multistrada however is my daily run around now and does what it says on the tin. Light enough to manoeuvre, reliable so far and fun. But not one for long distances, although I did ride a previously owned one once from Nice to Rome. But I was a lot younger then, although older than Jerry at the time.

Re: First ride

Yes, David, each to his own. I think the three muot beautiful bikes made are: Le Mans MK1, Ducati 900SS in black/gold and a Triumph T160. I'll not own any of them - the Lemon is far too small, the Duke far too expensive and the Trumpet - well, I've never heard of one not requiring loads of dosh/angst and stress at some point. I am always tempted by a T160 but I must be getting wiser with age as I can resist without any problem.

Re: First ride

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 3, 2025, 12:06 pm, in reply to "Re: First ride "

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.

Re: First ride

Yes, there certainly are some rogue bikes Nigel and I am sorry that you got a real humdinger.
My EV used to eat wheel bearings, they all literally do that sir(for some inexplicable reason), the cams were recalled as they were originally made of chocolate and when the engine was sandblasted prior to painting it was discovered that the crankcase had been cracked and the Italians just filled the crack with glue.
But, after all that, it was a great bike.

Re: First ride

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 2, 2025, 5:19 pm, in reply to "Re: First ride "

St Bees to the other side? Coast to Coast a la Wainright, to Robin Hood's Bay? I did that with mates a couple of years ago. A grand day out. we tried to do it October last year the other way: East to West. But my bike got stolen overnight in Scarborough before we started.

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Re: First ride

St Bees to the other side?

Same St Bees, but we didn't do the Coast-to-Coast.

Huddersfield to St Bees via the Trough of Bowland, then back to Huddersfield via the Honister Pass, down the A6 to Kendal then across to Aysgarth & back via Kettelewell.

I'm always wary of parking up at hotels, having had my CX500 stolen from outside one in St Etienne in 1983. 42 years later, still check the bike is where I left it first thing next morning - some experiences leave a deep inpression ! Not a lot more you can do other than park in as visble a location as possible, lock it up, put on a cover & hope for the best.

Nice roads in those parts - hope you go back & try again at some point.

Nigel B.

Re: First ride

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 4, 2025, 5:42 pm, in reply to "First ride "

Having seen a couple of Commandos close-up in the past couple of days, I was taken how small they actually are, cpmpared to modern bikes. I'm tempted, as prices appear to be dropping on our old fekkers.

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