Featured It Was Time For A Change

Owned my Triumph America for 5 years took us to Norway last year and did an amazing job but now it's sold to allow for the only bike I would replace it with.

A Moto Guzzi California 1400. Always hankered after one but thought to heavy for me. Well I rode one and realised how wrong I was.



Real shame I could not own both but I will now move myself over to the Other Bikes part of the forum

 

It's fine I am all for improving cross Atlantic relations and understanding, what better way than base humour

After all the Guzzi is a beaut.

 

No, I went for the custom version as opposed to the tourer for a number of reasons not least I did not want it in the touring guise permanently. As it's my everything bike.

So the solution to touring is to get Hepco and Becker C-Bow frames and luggage at some point soon. Plus I plan to swap out the current H&B rack on the bike with a H&B sissy bar and rack combo.

 

Hi, if I ignore new bike very happy syndrome this bike has been for me a real eye opener, one simple reason it is so better balanced than the America I have come from.

That means for me the extra weight only exists when moving bike about, engine off. So need to be careful when I park up but I can still move it and I am only 5ft 10" on a good day, 11st.

The weight is better placed than the America, I assume lower down as it rides and handles at very slow speeds so much better solo or 2up and of course due to the extra weight more stable at higher speeds in the crosswinds.

So to sum up the extra 50kg I briefly notice when taking bike off side stand after that you would not know.

Only caveat, I purposely went for the custom as I did not want the bike in full dressed tourer mode all the time and in itself that saves weight.

No regrets waiting till now to own one as the America is a lovely bike and we had great times on it but so glad I gave the Cali a go as no looking back, for me this was the bike to move on to

 

The custom version is 318kg/701lbs, tourer version 338kg/745lbs. So heavy compared to most Triumphs lower than most big Harley's and the Triumph Thunderbird.

 

The custom I do not think you would have any trouble moving about the tourer due to its extra girth may be different I do not know. I just start it up if I need to move it in a space where pushing/pulling it, might be hard.

As for corners, seriously compared to my America it's on rails holds the line very well. Again I might find the tourer version different simply because of the different handlebar style. The tourer being more pullback type. The reviews about this bike and how well it handles are spot on.