Reliability, Suitability?

Anything to do with the 1200 'strada' series
MickeyMoto
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Reliability, Suitability?

Post by MickeyMoto »

Hi,

I have a 20 year old Beemer that is just fantastic for reliabilty, part quality, comfort and economy but would like something more modern that goes around corners and is excellent on motorways. A 200 mile (320km) range is also required as I hate having to stop when doing long journeys.

I have been reading all the posts in the new 1200 sections, and see that there have been a few 'teething' troubles with the engines and some cycle part quality problems, especially with earlier bikes. In the opinion of the masses here, would it be fair to say these have now been resolved satisfactorily? I was thinking the 91/2 or 1200 Sport would be a suitable replacement. Any comments please?

Thanks,

Mike.
Emmohaswheelsagain
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Reliability, Suitability

Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Hi Mike,

As always your choice will be a personal one based on your experience with the BM and from feed back gathered from this forun. I would however recommend that you test ride those bike in the range which you might find suitable. North Leciester would be a good start. I have a 9 1/2 which whilst not perfect ticks most of the boxes, yes I would like the bike to have a longer range between fill ups but then again you get a stonking engine which is great fun to ride. The seat was too hard for me but after buying at the right price I could afford of the nominal cost of placing gel in the seat and adding a rack & screen to help with the touring capabilities. I will in time add the tank cover, bag and pannier which are all available for the bike. if you are any where near Stafford later in the month I will be on the MRC stand (with of course the bike) so please drop in. Best of luck with your search.

Paul
joc
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Post by joc »

Mike, Paul,
I'm also close to doing the deed. I'd be interested to use a 9 1/2 'properly' e.g. lots of miles and daily commuting. Realise it's not your usual ideal commuter! Interested to know of the tank range you mention Paul? Would gentle daily riding get 200 miles/ 50mpg? And how the front of the bike holds up to weather/corrosion, espec exhaust, starter motor (looks rather exposed). Do you reckon a small bellypan is needed to protect the front of the motor? I've had most of the BM range through the years and reckon the build quality has deteriorated quite a lot in the later models. I just fancy a change! And I have a good MM specialist nearby.
Cheers, sorry for loads of questions!
joc
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corsaro chris
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Post by corsaro chris »

Both;

~I have ridden both the Sport and the 9.5. Of the two the Sport just cuts it as the "better", as for me it has a nicer riding position with slightly narrower bars and a stickier tyre. But the 9.5 has a classic simplicity that is just so attractive...

I have the Corsaro, and really riding style doesn't make that much diference - in fact riden with more revs gets a slightly better consumption. I'd be interested in Pauls feedback on this topic as well,

Difficult choices!

CC
"I'll use the Morini"
MickeyMoto
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Post by MickeyMoto »

Hello everybody,

Thanks for the responses. The 'reliability' question hasn't been raised so assume these motors are bulletproof like the old 31/2 - rev the nuts off the thing and change the oil regularly!

Would be interested in the tank mileage, I get about 170 before the fuel light comes on with another 40 or so left. If the Morini does the same then I would be happy to swap. It would appear that in 20 years efficiency has gone backwards! I do not expect 55-60 mpg (4.7 - 5.2l/100clicks) which my beastie delivers at motorway speeds, but anything in the 30's (>7l/100clicks) would be disastrous. 45 mpg (6.3l/100clicks) would be satisfactory.

Any comments on the pillion seat, as my son likes to come for a ride occassonally? He doesn't mind a Dart pillion for short journies! Massochist.

thanks,

regards,

Mike.
Emmohaswheelsagain
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Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Mike, Joc,

It is difficult to comment precisely on fuel consumption because quite frankly early on in my search for a new generation Morini I came to the conclusion that fuel economy was not going to be its strong point. For that reason i have'nt kept a log of fuel used as I have simply ridden the bike and enjoyed for what it is. In general I would say that balancing performance with fuel consumption the bike delivers 40 plus and may on a long run achieve significantly more. My commute you see is Louth to Horncastle passing Cadwell Park and taking in many changes of gradient. Whilst this does little to assist fuel consumption the grin factor easily compensates for the cost of fuel. Regarding the seat I have improved comfort through the gel inserts and had the pillion seat reshaped to allow greater stability for the passenger. Two up the bike works well and the pillion (my wife) stays in position even under heavy breaking. In answer to the weather and possible corrosion I must admit I have a perfectly good car which I use in the winter. Its 30 years since I had to cope with salt, ice and the full force of a british winter so I'm not the best person to ask. The bike is though substantial and I believe well capable of taking on all weathers. If economy is the over riding consideration you might have a look at the grand passo which I understand has been tweaked to give improved economy. It also has a larger tank and a generous seat, particularly for the pillion. The down side is that it relatively new and if you are looking for second hand they do not exist. A 9.5 however can be bought for as little as 5K (may be less) giving you scope to do your own improvements. Whilst Chris prefers the Sports the 9.5 has the classic looks which all admire and very few own. Its your choice.

Paul.
joc
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Post by joc »

Indeed, Paul thanks vm. I'm familiar with those fantastic bike roads near Cadwell too and would have no problems trying to achieve the worst possible fuel economy if that were my daily commute! Of course, going for the MM is not an economy decision really. A nearly new 9 1/2 or sport would be great, but the GP is just a bit too new and costly for me to put shed loads of miles on in all weathers... That said, I'll be keeping an old winter hack for the worst of the commuting so I should stop procrastinating and get the chequebook out.
Cheers,
Joc
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corsaro chris
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Post by corsaro chris »

Joc;

I am sad enough to do a fuel log, and got 37.5 mpg from a 1,600 mile round trip to Ullapool and back last summer. Fuel was up to £1.25 a gallon then!

You are so right - get the cheque book out and buy that nice 9.5 from TecMoto...

Good riding, whatever you decide - you know it makes sense!

CC
"I'll use the Morini"
MickeyMoto
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Post by MickeyMoto »

Hi,

The original question included a request for tank range. It would appear that it is too embarrasing to quote a full to empty range! :? 21 litres - 180 miles with a little to spare would be good advice that would make me consider a purchase. I take it as a given that the bike is fun. I do not want to part with hard earned brass to find I have a grin like a Cheshire Cat but get to have an intimate relationship with the petrol station attendant. :)

My original point was that I hated stopping too often, the cost of fuel etc was not a concern. If the 91/2 / Sport cannot do 180 miles before a fill up then I shall look elsewhere, which is a shame really.

thanks,

regards,

Mike.
Emmohaswheelsagain
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Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Mike, Joc

Pleased that you have made up your mind Joc. I know NLM have three good used examples, two 9.5's and one Sport should you want the extra choice. Have a look on their site. I'm going over a week on Wednesday Mike so I will check the fuel consumption for you. I don't think it will match your expectations but at least it will give you a bench mark to work from. May be the factory in October will uncover a new model range where fuel economy is more to your liking. I can remember the 350 Strada, Sport and 500 Strada all giving 70+ to the gallon. You could even get home on one pot if you had too. Those were the days, no fuel injection, computer controlled starter mechanisms and cooling fans just good old fashioned push rod engines with the gear lever on the right side. Well we all must move on and the new bikes are distinctly Morini in every way. I hope you both have the opportunity of owning one.

Regards

Paul [/code]
MickeyMoto
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Post by MickeyMoto »

Hi Paul,

A check would be good, thanks. The range is the only thing stopping me at present. It would not be so important if I had the bike solely for thrashes around the Dales, but I also use it to go 'down souf' for work so early starts are called for. I like my bed, so I would object to getting up before Sparrow Fart just because I had to stop and fill up.

My 'old' BMW has fuel injection, DOHC, shim adjustment, water cooling, cooling fan and a 21 litre tank, just like the Morini. Only differences I can see are the shaft drive and the Morini will go around corners! :D so perhaps things haven't moved on very far in two decades.

regards,

Mike.
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corsaro chris
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Post by corsaro chris »

The Corsaro with a 17 litre tank will get you about 110 - 120 miles before the reserve light comes on, with about another 15 miles worth of fuel. If the 9.5 has 4 extra litres that should get you another 32 - 35 miles which would give a range (in theory) of just over 150 miles. What do you get, Paul, as I understood that the softer engine (as used in the 9.5 Sport and Scrambler) has a better fuel performance :?:

The GP has a far larger tank, and is again tuned for better fuel economy...

Good hunting,

CC
"I'll use the Morini"
MickeyMoto
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Joined: 22 Nov 2008 17:41
Location: Even further oop North

Post by MickeyMoto »

Hi Chris,

Doing a bit of CSE Maths a 91/2 / Sport should go 180 miles ((21/17)*120+30) assuming same consumption as the Corsaro.

Thanks for the info.

Regards,

Mike.
Emmohaswheelsagain
Posts: 358
Joined: 28 Jun 2008 21:13
Location: Lincolnshire

Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Hi Mike,

Taking the softer engine of the 9 1/2 - Sport against the Corsaro, it would be reasonable to expect an improvement in the fuel economy of around 10%. This should put you towards or near the range you are looking for. One point to remember though is that the tank needs to be full, a task that is not always easy to achieve when filling up. Remember also that there is no fuel gauge and the warning light comes on when you have just 3 litres of fuel remaining in the tank. Just for the record the exact capacity of the tank is 20.8 litres.
Just as a foot note, I have the last two days used the bike for the daily commute to work, prefering to leave the car at home. The only hazards here in lincolnshire are Pheasants, Monk Dear would you believe and usual Rabbits and Badgers. The bike managed to avoid all hazards and I was able to enjoy the Morini to the full. Get yourself a test ride and see for yourself what the modern Morini's have to offer.

Good luck

Paul
Emmohaswheelsagain
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Work in Progress

Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Hi Mike,
As promised I have checked the bikes fuel consumption to see if I could come any way near your target of 180 miles on one tank of juice. Well the good news is that you could probably achieve your target however you would almost certainly be running deep into reserve and in my view run the risk of pushing the bike to the nearest filling station. By the very nature of the bike fuel consumption can vary, remember this is no tourer, even though it has a softer engine it does have a strong sporting edge.
For the record I managed 41 mpg in heavy traffic with some short stretches of open road. One encouraging note for all those Morini owners with hard seats, the gel inserts were a great improvement. :D

Regards

Paul
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