Hello Clifton as far as newer bikes working better .My bike its a 2017 about three thousand miles into the ride the CEL comes on and does not shut off and it comes on ever ride I have a little over three miles on it.As far as being better motocycles no i dont think it is.So far I have replaced both lamba sensors the cam sensor and oil pressure sensor and guess what i still have the CEL still comes on I don't know how that is better than a older bike that is. And I just love cat converters which are big pain in the ass.And I don't think you can base on how great a motorcycle is by what horse power it pumps out .That really is not what MotoGuzzi is about.And I do like BMW motorcycles but do you really did 201 horse power from a S1000xr I call those coffin cycles because sooner or later you be in a coffin.The BMW R1300gs is nice heavy but nice. As far as those two BMW's being the best I know a lot of people who own BMW's from the 1970's and 1980's who would disagree with you on that one.But everyone is entitled to there own opinion and this is mine.Thank You Scott.
Scott, I'm sorry to hear of the frustrating experience you're having trying to diagnose just what is triggering the check engine light. That's something I would have trouble with as well but a good tech
should be able to do diagnose this. In my experience I've encountered
far more problems on my older bikes than the newer ones. For example my 1993 R100R now has 31,000 miles and the list of what I have had to do as far as maintenance and repairs is too long to list here, but it includes leaking transmission, output seal, diode board and other electrical, transmission bearings, etc. Currently there is no spark to either plug.

There are certainly things I appreciate on older stuff, mostly the relative simplicity, overall finish work, and especially styling.
When I mentioned "newer bikes just work better" I was referring to power, handling, brakes, MPG, and safety, as well as they require almost nothing other than gas, oil, tires, and a new air filter every few years. No points, timing to set, carburetors to balance and adjust, valve checks have been extended. My first Guzzi was a 1972 V7 Sport which I loved. It was a heck of a motorcycle back when I bought it in 1973 and I like the styling more than most new bikes today. BUT it would be a pig compared to the V85TT I ride now, The V85 is quicker, better handling, nicer suspension, far better lighting and brakes, electronic ignition, FI, cruise, better mpg, Nikisal cylinders rather than chrome line ones that flake off on the V7, the list goes on.