961 servicing/guarantee

Beetleything said:

V100S Mandello - i think it's very similar to a 961 - but better built - it has the same Brake adn Clutch set up - Brembo Radial mounted - Active Suspension (which IMHO would be better ) most reviewers think the engine has character (a 961 trait ) shaft drive - a real plus in my book - you can put panniers on it and tour - another plus (or go to the shops on it ) etc etc..

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V100 Mandello users are reporting lots of problems, and not just little niggles.

MAK said:

V100 Mandello users are reporting lots of problems, and not just little niggles.

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i've read some have had issues with coolant leaks due to bad connectors and the odd engine paint bubble... Do you want to expand on what you have read.

Just do the service yourself. These engines are incredibly basic. Like 1970's basic. Torque the head and check timing chain. That's the hardest part of the service. the rest is stuff you should already do often, like rear wheel chain tension, tire pressure, brake wear, look for leaks. etc. Torque the head to #1 on the list.

Beetleything said:

i've read some have had issues with coolant leaks due to bad connectors and the odd engine paint bubble... Do you want to expand on what you have read.

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MAK said:

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Oh dear .... makes me feel better about some of the issues with the 961.... i guess no bike /brand is problem free.......

Beetleything said:

V100S Mandello - i think it's very similar to a 961 - but better built - it has the same Brake adn Clutch set up - Brembo Radial mounted - Active Suspension (which IMHO would be better ) most reviewers think the engine has character (a 961 trait ) shaft drive - a real plus in my book - you can put panniers on it and tour - another plus (or go to the shops on it ) etc etc..

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If you’re going to look at and consider a V100 Mandello , Can I suggest a HD Pan Am ST ? Just give it a try and you won’t believe how great it is ! It will do everything the V100 can do just better. I looked at this , and when you consider the fuel range/capacity , comfort , handling and POWER it’s not close. The only issue is the chain maintenance which is solved with an oiler .

Lippo said:

Well, there are alternatives, but nothing else modern approaches the character of the 961. I recently rode a modern Bonneville 1200. It was a nice bike, but very bland at the side of my 961. This week I went and rode the new Atlas, at the Norton Roadshow at Judd Racing in Nottingham. Also nice enough, but again very bland. You’re bound to get this when the brand is going for global sales. You’d perhaps be looking at a CCM, but they are now out of business, or something like a modern Brough, but they’re very expensive and, as far as I know, no dealers in UK. Or a Langen, if you’ve got £45k to spend, and again, where to get it serviced. There’s Ducati …….

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Yes agree. I test rode the T120 a couple of years ago and it was indeed bland, but then it's a modern bike dressed up to look like a classic Brit twin. The Atlas I suppose is a modern bike which looks modern. The main thing which appeals to me about the 961 is that it's a traditional air cooled roadster which, as you say, has character and it has simplicity, there doesn't seem to be anything quite like it. I don't want or need loads of tech on this type of bike.
Brough £60K! Langen, sportsbike I think, Ducati a bit too tech, and snatchy throttle so I've read (one reason I'm selling my Tuono). I actually saved £1K on the MGV7 I bought last year by buying a 2024 model rather than the new 2025 which had tech I didn't want, and ride by wire throttle (to allow cruise control I suppose, as I shy away from dual carriageways and avoid motorways like the plague on this type of bike, that's something I don't need)

richard-7 said:

Just do the service yourself. These engines are incredibly basic. Like 1970's basic. Torque the head and check timing chain. That's the hardest part of the service. the rest is stuff you should already do often, like rear wheel chain tension, tire pressure, brake wear, look for leaks. etc. Torque the head to #1 on the list.

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Yes I do like to service my bikes. I would be taking a risk with the guarantee however as there's nearly a year still to run. What could possibly go wrong?