GS500 vs W800 vs Guzzi V7 Classic

mister · October 09, 2011, 03:43:01 AM

We all know our beloved GS500, right? Well, there are other more expensive bikes out there that have similar Specs to ours...

GS500	W800	Guzzi V7	Bonnie	Harley 883
47hp	48hp	48hp	52hp	between 45 - 53

As you can see, our humble little under-estimated bike is pulling the same numbers as larger far more expensive bikes. Of course, it doesn't look so retro and has less torque. But still...

There are rumors the Bonnie's HP is up near 70. But who really knows. I do know, of these four pictured there is one I have Zero interest in. And the V7 would have to have the nicest sounding Stock pipe of the rest. Which of them would you own?

Michael

pave_spectre · October 09, 2011, 04:14:10 AM

a liitle more power and i would take the guzzi. I like guzzis

Twisted · October 09, 2011, 06:12:48 AM

On a side note - The Guzzi all while looking retro has a plastic fuel tank. I don't know if they have expansion issues with this but in countries that use ethanol blend fuels bikes with plastic tanks have been known to have issues.

If I had to pick it would be the Triumph but not the Bonnie. It would be the Thruxton. Same motor as the Bonnie just a lil more cafed up.

missk8t · October 09, 2011, 03:25:17 PM

Be cool to find a guzzi frame and restore it but alas, I do not have the

slipperymongoose · October 09, 2011, 05:10:24 PM

I'd go the Moto guzzi, on the fact that my ex's old man had the triumph. Yes I'm
Shallow.

yamahonkawazuki · October 10, 2011, 01:25:35 AM

id take the HD. makes its torque down low. no need to rape it

mister · October 10, 2011, 03:47:52 AM

I like all black. So the Bonnie has a special spot. I've ridden the W800 and do quite like it. However, I think I'd take the Guzzi as well. It has a certain je ne sais quoi the others do not have.

What I like about these types of bikes is, they are not meant for racing, they are meant for riding, enjoying the road, the bends, the scenery. And when you ride one, it's like it draws you into that milieu.

Michael

bombadillo · October 10, 2011, 02:58:12 PM

I surprisingly like the harley out of the bunch, but would opt for the 1200 for the power alone. You can find a used sporster 1200 with pipes and extras for pretty dang cheap.

mister · October 11, 2011, 03:21:17 AM

Quote from: bombadillo on October 10, 2011, 02:58:12 PM
I surprisingly like the harley out of the bunch, but would opt for the 1200 for the power alone. You can find a used sporster 1200 with pipes and extras for pretty dang cheap.

Yes, but we are talking about bikes that have the same HP as our GS. A 1200 Sportster is not in the same league.

For you Twisted... (in the color I like)

Michael

Twisted · October 12, 2011, 12:12:13 AM

If I was loaded there would be one parked next to my Ducati. They look even better in the flesh. Pity they only average around 180k's to a tank.

madjak30 · October 12, 2011, 08:09:07 AM

I think I still prefer the GS500...it's not trying to be anything but a motorcycle...I would prefer a Gladius to any of the other options offered...but I don't feel like I fit on one...maybe a Vstrom is in the cards...who knows...

For now I am just gonna rebuild my GS replacement...

I just have some work to do to get it back to that look...

Later.

mister · October 12, 2011, 05:00:03 PM

Quote from: madjak30 on October 12, 2011, 08:09:07 AM
I think I still prefer the GS500...it's not trying to be anything but a motorcycle...I would prefer a Gladius to any of the other options offered...but I don't feel like I fit on one...maybe a Vstrom is in the cards...who knows...

yeah but.... the Gladdy and Strom have more than 48-ish HP the others have which makes them compatible with the GS. The Gladdy has 72hp and the Strom has 65-ish HP so they don't enter the Compatible Picture the other bikes have.

In somewhat related news... Suzuki announced a 400cc Gladdy version at the 2009 Tokyo Motorshow. If the same HP-to-Cc was applied it would put out around 45hp and would enter the compatible realm. And if this was the case (a 400cc Gladdy) they'd be doing it to compete with the Honda CB400 in Japan where it's bulk hard to get a license to ride something bigger than 400cc. But it would also mean, it would be a likely contender to replace the GS500 as a mid range bike with fuel injection.

Word is, it's the same bike as a 650 but with the smaller CC engine. Which would make me think, it's just a resleeved 650, resleeved down to 400. And rumor has it it is for the home market and will have ABS. Hmmm...

In other news, a pop into my local Suzuki dealer showed an 11th month 2010 GS500F on the floor. No sign of a 2011 model yet.

Michael

Roxtar · October 13, 2011, 05:33:56 AM

I'd go with the Guzzi, mostly because I need something Italian to complete my "Axis Powers Garage".
I have something German (Porsche 944)
Something Japanese (GS500G and Subaru Legacy)
but nothing Italian

Twisted · October 14, 2011, 03:42:32 PM

I wonder how the Guzzi would go in a drop? I mean look at how far the engine sticks out each side. Would suck to get a leg under it.

pave_spectre · October 14, 2011, 07:58:35 PM

Cant imagine it would do much worse than a flat 2 beemer.

mister · October 14, 2011, 08:43:33 PM

Another bike with similar horsepower to the GS is the Ducati Monster 600...

From the mid to late 90s and early naughties, it has a smidge over 50hp which puts it in this league. While not available New anymore - now 696 with HP more like the SV650 - they still fit in this category. Could even throw in the 400 monster with a touch over 40hp. Oddly, in Australia, the prices of 2nd hand 600 and 400 monsters are quite close to a new GS500 (naked). I suppose the idea is, you're paying for Italian Quality and Character and Identity.

Michael

slipperymongoose · October 14, 2011, 11:15:44 PM

Hell yeah I'd take a 600 duke!

Big Rich · October 15, 2011, 02:00:01 AM

Quote from: Twisted on October 09, 2011, 06:12:48 AM
On a side note - The Guzzi all while looking retro has a plastic fuel tank. I don't know if they have expansion issues with this but in countries that use ethanol blend fuels bikes with plastic tanks have been known to have issues.

Glad you mentioned this Twisted. I have a plastic tank on a project bike and all the stations near me are 10% ethanol. I'll have to keep an eye on that........

mister · October 15, 2011, 03:07:51 AM

Quote from: aussiegs on October 14, 2011, 11:15:44 PM
Hell yeah I'd take a 600 duke!

Yessum. I am really growing to appreciate them more.

Michael

Twisted · October 18, 2011, 01:04:53 AM

Quote from: Big Rich on October 15, 2011, 02:00:01 AM
Quote from: Twisted on October 09, 2011, 06:12:48 AM
On a side note - The Guzzi all while looking retro has a plastic fuel tank. I don't know if they have expansion issues with this but in countries that use ethanol blend fuels bikes with plastic tanks have been known to have issues.

Glad you mentioned this Twisted. I have a plastic tank on a project bike and all the stations near me are 10% ethanol. I'll have to keep an eye on that........

I think the issues occur when the blended fuel is left in the tank over the winter. I know Ducati had a problems with there tanks deforming and now use a different plastic. I would be researching any bike that has a plastic tank by going to a forum dedicate to it and asking some questions.

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GS500 vs W800 vs Guzzi V7 Classic