Looking to buy, what is the quality like?

[Nitonman]

Hi all
Looking to buy a V100, loved the test ride but when I got back to the dealer I had a look at a year old (according to the registration) V100 parked outside.
I was bit worried by the finish of some of the components, there was paint flaking, rust on some bolt heads and the engine block paint seemed to be three different shades of silver.
Is this normal or had this bike led a particularly hard, neglected life? Looking for a keeper so I would like some longevity!
Grateful for your thoughts.

 

[Seasider]

Hi all
Looking to buy a V100, loved the test ride but when I got back to the dealer I had a look at a year old (according to the registration) V100 parked outside.
I was bit worried by the finish of some of the components, there was paint flaking, rust on some bolt heads and the engine block paint seemed to be three different shades of silver.
Is this normal or had this bike led a particularly hard, neglected life? Looking for a keeper so I would like some longevity!
Grateful for your thoughts.

Hello

There is plenty of information on this site. For example, this thread about engine paint:

Thread 'Flaking paint on crankcases 🙁'

Apr 12, 2024

I have a V100s with 860 miles on the clock and the paint is starting to flake on the crankcases.
Has anyone else encountered this on their V100?
My dealer is contacting MG about this and I’ll report back on this forum on the verdict.
Ride safe everyone.

• wicksgas
• Replies: 30
• Forum: V100 Mandello

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Happy reading.

 

[Tebax]

Hi all
Looking to buy a V100, loved the test ride but when I got back to the dealer I had a look at a year old (according to the registration) V100 parked outside.
I was bit worried by the finish of some of the components, there was paint flaking, rust on some bolt heads and the engine block paint seemed to be three different shades of silver.
Is this normal or had this bike led a particularly hard, neglected life? Looking for a keeper so I would like some longevity!
Grateful for your thoughts.

Haven’t read about any special issues with the component finish, apart from flaking paint on the engine case front (as Seasider refer to).
But that’s cured with an engine protection bash plate.
Time will tell, but people and test riders used to comment the good outer quality at first glance.
A V100 with rust on screws and bolts have probably been parked outside all the time, and it’s hard to say if any other brand would manage better.
Could just as well be neglected care, dirt and moist that gives the illusion of rust, or at least surface rust mainly in the dirt.

 

[Nitonman]

Thanks, finally managed to work out how to post pics(!), these were the ones that I took.
Is it known if the newer bikes are better, re flaking paint, cylinder head covers?

 

[WMark]

I have one of the earliest 2023 Mandello S bikes and have not noticed those problems. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and we see plenty of heat, water, salt, and sand. I garage and cover her.

 

[Tebax]

Thanks, finally managed to work out how to post pics(!), these were the ones that I took.
Is it known if the newer bikes are better, re flaking paint, cylinder head covers?

Looking at especially the third pic it looks like a quite neglected bike imho.
Edit: …that header seems strangely rusty.
And according to the many stone chips on the head cover it may been driven unusually much on dirt roads?
My guess is that it has been parked outside unprotected from weather throughout all seasons, perhaps also been driven on salty winter roads?
Doesn’t have such problems on my early 2023 V100S, which has been driven about 6000 miles so far.
All look good, and I have driven in rainy weather many times.
It’s normally parked in a cold garage though.

 

[Katie]

Thanks, finally managed to work out how to post pics(!), these were the ones that I took.
Is it known if the newer bikes are better, re flaking paint, cylinder head covers?

I use mine extensively in appalling weather and it looks a lot cleaner than that one! Reckon you should skip that. Have you tried Downend in Bristol or Frasers in Gloucester? They're both MG dealers and not a million miles from you

 

[PITA]

As someone who's had nearly every brand and still has 5 others in my garage, this Guzzi is as good quality wise as the best Honda, BMW or Harley (yes, hogs from the past 2 decades at least, are quality pieces) that I've ever owned. This is my first Guzzi, and the only quality gripe is the paint on the engine doesn't perfectly match, and I don't like the feel of the Guzzi/Aprilia switchgear. But two years in - it's a fav of mine.

 

[BDS]

My late $.02… I have a V100S, build date 2/2/23. ~11K miles. I garage it, but, I’ve ridden in some nasty rain. If I’ve washed it, it still looks as clean as day one (2 yrs ago). No flaking paint or rusty bolts/nuts. The pics by the OP made me wonder if maybe it was in a flood, or ridden in some really harsh conditions. I’d say, if you get a new one - or used, in pristine shape - it should hold up under normal usage. That said, always a possibility a bad one can slip by, I guess. Good luck!