"New" 2011 Guzzi Nevada

[atadaskew]

I did not like the old ones, butt this one is surprisingly nice.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/658/8350/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Moto-Guzzi-Nevada-Anniversario-1st-Look.aspx

[BobW]

Looks nice and clean and the small block is a hoot, but I would like to see it side by side with a Classic to compare.

[chornbe]

Just get this beauty and be done with it. *snerk*

[MotoMorbo]

"Nevada Whuffario"

[falconati]

Looks good, but the Classic and Cafe look way better.

[crispiegee1]

Huge improvement. If I were steering a beginner away from a Harley Sportster, as I often find myself doing, this would be a great bike for someone who wants an unscary cruiser.

As it is, I always recommend that a first bike be used. A friend was asking me for recommendations on his first bike - he wants something versatile enough to tour on, but not overpowered or incredibly heavy - and I recommended a Bonneville. He said it's exactly his style, but then started favoring the Bonneville America for its lowered seat and laid back ergos.    Oh well... to each, his own.

I told him that in the spring, I'd have him sit on some different bikes and different models of Bonneville to see what felt better.

As for a Monster 696 over a Nevada, I rode my friend Kim's 696 recently and thought it was a terrible bike for a new rider. For months after she got it, she continued to ride her Rebel 250, as the Duc was frighteningly fast for her. Mind you, I had a GREAT time, but I could see where she would have been intimidated. The other thing I noticed was a lack of low end torque... coming from a Guzzi, you really have to rev a Duc! Once on the boil, it was very zippy and I really enjoyed myself. (She's enjoying it now too.)

[Pete Roper]

I did not like the old ones, butt this one is surprisingly nice.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/658/8350/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Moto-Guzzi-Nevada-Anniversario-1st-Look.aspx

No it isn't. It's still a hideous little shitbox and anyone who buys one should be trepanned with and axe and have battery acid poured into the hole until they decide to burn it. Nevada? Take a perfectly pleasant, if uninspiring, little motorbike and turn it into a turd!

Pete

[Daniel Kalal]

No it isn't. It's still a hideous little shitbox...

In Italy, this oddly styled thing  is actually popular (to some people).  I think even the much-worse Ducati Indiana was sort of seen as a nice looking bike.  Very strange.  The original V50 from years back remains a good looking bike (even if I wouldn't really want one).

Here's Rod's

[SLK50]

Just get this beauty and be done with it. *snerk*

  "Indiana want's me, Lord I can't go back there......"

[chornbe]

No it isn't. It's still a hideous little shitbox and anyone who buys one should be trepanned with and axe and have battery acid poured into the hole until they decide to burn it. Nevada? Take a perfectly pleasant, if uninspiring, little motorbike and turn it into a turd!

Pete

You keep holding back like that and you're going to get an ulcer.

[crispiegee1]

You keep holding back like that and you're going to get an ulcer.

 

[ConPilot1]

Just get this beauty and be done with it. *snerk*

God that is ugly as sin itself.

And the Nevada qualifies for a big "Do Not Want" as well.
Guzzi has some great looking bikes but this thing is awful.

[chornbe]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this bike, when considering what it is and who it's for.

They're making something for everyone. I say "good on ya", Guzzi!  

I've also decided I want a California for 2-up use.  

[crispiegee1]

I know I'm biased, but they could vastly improve the California by using a tank that mimics the Eldorado. I also wish the spotlights were inline with the headlights and the turn signals underneath, like a properly set up Eldo.

 

[chornbe]

Then it would be an Eldo, not a Cali.  

[County Tar]

I'm reminded of what Cycle World (or some other rag) said about the Kawi 750 Vulcan:

"So 80's you can hear Duran, Duran."

I tried to get my wife to buy a Nevada once.  Didn't work.  I wish they would bring the Bellagio over.  

[crispiegee1]

Then it would be an Eldo, not a Cali.  

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. But if you called it an Eldo and it wasn't a really faithful replica (like the Bonneville is to its forebearer), people would say, "That's no Eldorado!"

But maybe that's something they could consider, like they did with the V7 Cafe Classic. Take a California, put a more traditional shaped tank and seat on it, offer the option of a clear screen or batwing fairing (like the Wixom and Electra Glide fairings) and call it the 1200 Eldorado.

I'll bet there are a couple thousand people in the world who love the style of the Eldorado, but don't want to be bothered with restoration or the ride & handling characteristics of an old bike. While I enjoy my Eldo, there is no question that the new Bonneville appeals to me more than the original, and Triumph sells a boatload of them.

Are you listening, Piaggio?

[atadaskew]

I've also decided I want a California for 2-up use.  

I rode one at the bike show.  Really comfy bike, windshield is great - no buffetting at all.  Had the gf on the back no issue at all and she said it was really comfy.
Nicest part about it is the surprisingly good suspension.  Coming off my Harley where I basically had to do a majoe makeover to make it 'ok', this was an eye-opener.

Huge bummer was my shins kept on smacking the cylinder heads and I could not figure out how to comfortably get to the rear brake pedal.  Maybe this can be adjusted ?  Others were complaining of the same issue.

[crispiegee1]

Huge bummer was my shins kept on smacking the cylinder heads and I could not figure out how to comfortably get to the rear brake pedal.  Maybe this can be adjusted ?  Others were complaining of the same issue.

It can be adjusted, but it's a long operation by an orthopedic surgeon and you'll walk funny for the rest of your life.