W650 or V7 to replace XBR?

[mthee]

Some unexpected cash arrives next month and rather obviously, my mind turns to purchasing bikes 

I can only afford one at a time, the XBR would have to go, so W650 (£3500) or V7 classic (£4500) to replace her?

Sorry it's not a thumper, but I only really liked the MT-03 which seems to have some issues.

[Half Ton]

I hope you don't mind me suggesting an alternative for you (as I hardly know you ) but have you considered the earlier Hinkley Bonneville in 790cc,I have had mine over 3 yrs now and love it to bits,It's a bit different to a standard one as I have done most of the engine mods to mine,But it rides and goes like a good un now,You should be able to find a nice one for the money your talking about,Mine is around the 70bhp mark and has been totally reliable (so far)
      Did I mention that I love mine 

[SteveC#222]

You'll regret it....

[Andy M]

I've had two out of the three

https://sites.google.com/site/threewheelguzzi/arriverderchi

https://sites.google.com/site/threewheelbonnie/

The Guzzi is a plaything that looks OK at first, is fun to ride but utlimately needed the sort of remedial work you'd expect of a Ural. The 790 Bonneville is almost as good in the look, noise, ride department but much more solid. At 8 years old I'd have little fear of taking one to Germany, while an out of warranty Guzzi needs thought.

I looked at the Kawasaki. They were harder to get bits for than even the Guzzi as Kawasaki don't care less if it isn't snot green. Its as heavy as the Bonneville but as low powered as the V7. I'd try one for sure.

Andy

[Andy M]

And another thing  for that sort of money you can get a MASH and tell me what they are like (my likely next buy)

Cheers

Andy

[mthee]

You'll regret it....

But if I sell and trade up, I can always buy again if I seriously regret it. I just wish the XBR had a bit more oomph. A couple of times, I've been mid-overtake when the idiot car driver who was happily sitting at 50, has put his foot down and left me hanging in the right lane!

Thanks Half Ton and Andy. I'll take a look at the T100 and try for a test ride on a W650 which mostly, I like for kickstarter, bevel drive to valves and rarity. I'm lucky if I get to do 1200 miles a year btw.

[mthee]

Just been searching for the Bonnie and found this humourous review;

And if you found that amusing, here's another one of his on the W800, worth watching for the valve adjustment engineering alone;

[spooky]

can i suggest something please ?     (but i would say w650 out of your choices)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sachs-Roadster-650-/222333497214?hash=item33c41bef7e:g:YiwAAOSwnHZYQcVb

[booxbr]

I have been a owner of a XBR  since November 2011 and in 2014 a Aprilia pegaso strada joined the collection if i had to choose between them the italian thumper with the Yamaha engine would be the first to go ............  the XBR will always have a space in the garage 

[mthee]

Thanks, Spooky, but the Sachs doesn't do it for me aesthetically, although I'd love a go on one. Can I ask why you prefer the W650 over the Bonnie that's been suggested?

Another thumbs up for the XBR as well. I wish I could have a stable of 2 

[spooky]

i just prefer the looks, i was only `choosing` between the w and the v7, a t100 would be very nice too.. 

[Andy M]

If I failed to put you off the Guzzi, the manual I wrote (nothing usable from Guzzi is available ) is here

https://flic.kr/s/aHskUb2H9q

The order is a bit out as it got moved to flickr when Picasa became useless google pictures.

Out of the choices in post 1 I'd pick the W650. Throw in the Bonneville and I'd be torn. I picked the Bonneville for having 60HP and lots of support over 48HP and Kawasakis total lack of interest, but given my current direction is smaller and lighter would find it hard to choose (or I'd keep the XBR). I had a bad experience with the F650, so something so similar from Sachs would put me off.

I'll throw another one in: Harley Sportster. I had a test ride when I got the Bonneville. Its a good bike, but you have to live with the owners, club, marketing, dealers, public perception..... Probably a better bet than the Guzzi if you want a V twin though, Harley understand the electronics and there are independent workshops who do too.

Andy

[mthee]

Ahhh, looks! Yes, so important. I couldn't own an ugly bike, even if it made me ride like a champ.

It didn't take much to put me off the Guzzi (nice manual, btw!) which probably tells me how much I really like the W650. Last year, when I bought the XBR, there was a really nice W650 with fruity pipes and jet kit installed, just up the road from me which I wish I'd blagged a test ride on. At the time, because I was well short of the asking, I just pressed my nose against the shop window for a while and moved on.

A sportster?! My life would become instantly intolerable through mikeytaking, so unless I have to go into the witness protection scheme ...! A casual acquaintance has a big hog and goes on the rideouts which sound great -  you and 15 mates on a run, but the whole "Son's of Anarchy" association puts me right off.
I might yet keep the XBR, but this money won't hang around long and I'd hate to be dispensing my ice from the front of the new fridge freezer, plonking myself down on a new sofa and dozing off in front of a super sharp picture on the new TV, only to dream of a different bike...!

[spooky]

get the w650....

[mthee]

I'll definitely find a local dealer who'll give me a test ride, and then think long and hard before giving up the XBR.

I'm hoping someone here has owned or test ridden one? Even better, someone who has experience of the XBR as well.

I'm assuming the W650 (actually, 676cc) will overtake better, but won't corner as well? This would present a dilemma - keep the sweet handing and accept the lower HP, or sacrifice some handling for more HP?