Does the bike make a difference in the real world to how you ride? This week I compare my 1991 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 with my 2006 Benelli 1130 TnT on a tight twisty road.
The Moto Guzzi is gorgeous! I remember when these came out and they had the reputation of being the fastest road vehicle between two points bar none. I’d like one of these originals but they’re probably priced out of reach now. My 2013 Benelli is just the bike I wanted: it’s much lighter than my 2007 CB1300 (with substantial suspension upgrades) and my 2011 Sprint GT. It’s actually very much like my well set-up Triumph 750 Bonneville but with excellent brakes and a truly formidable engine. The ‘flickability’ is the same but happens at higher speeds. But as you correctly assert the limiting factor is, or should be, the nature of public roads and the desirability of maintaining one’s health, life and license. Into that is our obligation not to endanger other road users. 👍🏻
Good points. I have a few completely different bikes but ride them at a similar pace, the speeds Im happy with. But it is fun to use to use the acceleration and braking of a sports bike, 2001 ZX6R.😊
I didn't understand the Binelli's insane spec.s even now! AND no underlying ABS & TC? Thank Heaven's you are an adult competent driver. I may be too impulsive to handle under 400#s w/ that much power and no nannies. Cuz, I'd be going stupid speeds if it ever let go. You know, laws of physics type stuff? I subscribed for the Moto Guzzis of past 'n present & my respect has gone up considerably.
I currently own a 1990 lemans 1000 and have owned a few 90+ hp twins and fours (95 vfr 750, 98 vfr 800, 93 Ducati 888, Aprilia Falco(mind boggling bike, btw)). Also a 91 Ducati 900ss and multiple 850 lemans’. Nearly More vintage British, Japanese and Italian bikes than I can even count. That said, when I got out of motorcycles 16 yrs ago I sold off everything but the lemans 1000. IMHO, it’s 60-ish hp and 50+ ftlbs of torque are a sort of sweet spot for real world roads. Still, I’d dearly love to have the vfr 800 and 888 back in my garage. But that will never happen C’est la vie. In addition to getting my old LM 1000 going again I also bought another 60-ish hp bike. A 2006 Suzuki 650 Vstrom. This bike really affirmed my opinion that 60-65 hp at the rear wheel is really just about right. For me, anyway. YMMV, obviously. Thanks for posting, Mike. I enjoy all your videos. Fwiw, I’m currently on the hunt for a single cyl bmw f650 gs.
But what bike would rather have keeping you company on long ride? The sound, feel and strength of the Guzzi every time. Nice ‘91 MkV. Mine’s a ‘92. They are wonderfully reliable things.
@@MikesMachines Mine too🤗 Just from a viewers point it seems more relaxed on the Guzzi. Next year i will compare my trusty SS with my "new" Pantah. Greetings
Dear friend please help me help to find the steering head , chain and sprocket part for my Benelli TNT 899 2016 model . Which other motorcycle models use these tnt 899 parts could you help me. Here in India 899 parts are not available.
Interesting Mike, I have a Le Mans 4 that I am still coming to terms with in so far as the way I ride it, because it is quite different to anything I've ridden before. It takes a different set of skills to ride the Guzzi quickly and I think more in its element on fast sweepers and open highway. I'm liking it better and better with every ride. That Benelli of yours though, is chalk and cheese! Weapon of a bike.
Counter steering and engine braking are the key to hustling a Guzzi through tight corners. Don't rev the engine to high on tight roads either or you may find that the momentum in the heavy flywheel will work against you.
@@MikesMachines I noticed in your video how relaxed the engine sounds. like you're not working it at all, compared to the more frantic Benelli. Thanks for your reply, I'll keep practicing but, there's also more tinkering to do lol
Master Mike, the tachometer of my Benelli TNT restarts constantly, if I plug and unplug the relay it starts again but when the bike is on it begins to restart again, have you faced this issue before?
The Moto Guzzi is gorgeous! I remember when these came out and they had the reputation of being the fastest road vehicle between two points bar none. I’d like one of these originals but they’re probably priced out of reach now.
My 2013 Benelli is just the bike I wanted: it’s much lighter than my 2007 CB1300 (with substantial suspension upgrades) and my 2011 Sprint GT. It’s actually very much like my well set-up Triumph 750 Bonneville but with excellent brakes and a truly formidable engine. The ‘flickability’ is the same but happens at higher speeds.
But as you correctly assert the limiting factor is, or should be, the nature of public roads and the desirability of maintaining one’s health, life and license. Into that is our obligation not to endanger other road users. 👍🏻
Good points. I have a few completely different bikes but ride them at a similar pace, the speeds Im happy with. But it is fun to use to use the acceleration and braking of a sports bike, 2001 ZX6R.😊
I didn't understand the Binelli's insane spec.s even now! AND no underlying ABS & TC? Thank Heaven's you are an adult competent driver. I may be too impulsive to handle under 400#s w/ that much power and no nannies. Cuz, I'd be going stupid speeds if it ever let go. You know, laws of physics type stuff?
I subscribed for the Moto Guzzis of past 'n present & my respect has gone up considerably.
I currently own a 1990 lemans 1000 and have owned a few 90+ hp twins and fours (95 vfr 750, 98 vfr 800, 93 Ducati 888, Aprilia Falco(mind boggling bike, btw)). Also a 91 Ducati 900ss and multiple 850 lemans’. Nearly More vintage British, Japanese and Italian bikes than I can even count. That said, when I got out of motorcycles 16 yrs ago I sold off everything but the lemans 1000. IMHO, it’s 60-ish hp and 50+ ftlbs of torque are a sort of sweet spot for real world roads. Still, I’d dearly love to have the vfr 800 and 888 back in my garage. But that will never happen C’est la vie. In addition to getting my old LM 1000 going again I also bought another 60-ish hp bike. A 2006 Suzuki 650 Vstrom. This bike really affirmed my opinion that 60-65 hp at the rear wheel is really just about right. For me, anyway. YMMV, obviously. Thanks for posting, Mike. I enjoy all your videos. Fwiw, I’m currently on the hunt for a single cyl bmw f650 gs.
Heading up from St Andrews to Kinglake!
But what bike would rather have keeping you company on long ride? The sound, feel and strength of the Guzzi every time. Nice ‘91 MkV. Mine’s a ‘92. They are wonderfully reliable things.
Enjoyed the video, Mike. Two very nice bikes. RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!
Very interesting comparism. It seems you need more leaning angle with the modern bike/wider tires. Nice road!
My riding style is pretty much stuck in the seventies because of the crap tyres we had back then.
@@MikesMachines Mine too🤗
Just from a viewers point it seems more relaxed on the Guzzi. Next year i will compare my trusty SS with my "new" Pantah. Greetings
Dear friend please help me help to find the steering head , chain and sprocket part for my Benelli TNT 899 2016 model . Which other motorcycle models use these tnt 899 parts could you help me. Here in India 899 parts are not available.
Cool video Mike 😊Million $ question. In comparison which bike did you prefer riding?
The Benelli is the most satisfying of the two to ride fast. But hustling the Guzzi has its own rewards.
Interesting Mike, I have a Le Mans 4 that I am still coming to terms with in so far as the way I ride it, because it is quite different to anything I've ridden before. It takes a different set of skills to ride the Guzzi quickly and I think more in its element on fast sweepers and open highway. I'm liking it better and better with every ride. That Benelli of yours though, is chalk and cheese! Weapon of a bike.
Counter steering and engine braking are the key to hustling a Guzzi through tight corners. Don't rev the engine to high on tight roads either or you may find that the momentum in the heavy flywheel will work against you.
@@MikesMachines I noticed in your video how relaxed the engine sounds. like you're not working it at all, compared to the more frantic Benelli. Thanks for your reply, I'll keep practicing but, there's also more tinkering to do lol
Master Mike, the tachometer of my Benelli TNT restarts constantly, if I plug and unplug the relay it starts again but when the bike is on it begins to restart again, have you faced this issue before?
I haven't had any issues with my tachometer. The best place to ask is the Benelli forum.
www.benelliforum.com