Busy Guzzi

[2DFlyer]

Comparatively speaking the Guzzi board has been pretty busy.  Five current threads today compared to Suzi's 3.  

So what's with MG?  Where's all the interest coming from?  Not trolling just wondering what it is about MG that gets the heart rate up.  

I gotta admit I got a bit of a bobo listening to Rabidsnipe's video.  Stock exhaust with some character???  Biggest downer for me - other than more plans than money - is the closest dealer is about 2.5 hrs away.  

Two dealers I know of have dropped MG lately.  Is the brand losing traction in the US?

[Orson]

I gotta admit I got a bit of a bobo listening to Rabidsnipe's video.  Stock exhaust with some character???

That's a big part of it.

Start up a Guzzi in an enclosed garage and the dulcimer tones do have an effect on the heart rate.

Gasoline molecules willingly sacrifice themselves at the altar of internal combustion just to be a part of that sound  

Out on the road, it's an extension of that. The engine note engages you and keeps reminding you that you are riding an internal combustion device. Hit a set of fast sweepers at 5000 to 6000 rpm and you just bought yourself a ticket to Nirvana   You may not be able to hustle a Guzzi thru the tight stuff as easily as you would on an R6 but, the extra effort is almost negated by the involving character of the ride. The extra effort at "getting it right" thru a technical section is somehow more rewarding than on an R6. Anyone can carve a road on an R6  

In a sentence, Guzzis engage you in such a way as to make all of Honda's engineering prowess fade into insignificance.

Edit to add: That's not meant as a bash towards Honda. I've long admired Honda's engineering prowess such as their CBX six cylinder.

It's more of an apples to oranges thing  

[Biking Sailor]

Well said Orson.  The Guzzi does have a split personality also, putting around at 3500 to 4500 rpms they will pull nicely and have a pleasing, yet docile, rumble.  However, as Orson said, hit a set of sweepers and spin it up between 5000 and 7000 and you will realize the motor has a darkside (meant in a really good way   )!

Seems like most of the guys riding the Cals are older, experienced riders that still like to have a bike that goes well through the curves and they ride them pretty fast.  I've not seen many young persons astride a "cruiser" Guzzi.  Shame as the bikes are almost a hidden gem in the motorcycle market.  All day comfort and suprising handling when things get a bit sporty!  And once sorted, very trouble free.

[blackbuell]

2DFlyer,

I'm relatively new to Guzzi. I've had lots of different bikes over the years and I have found that I get the most pleasure out of bikes with "character". I realize that this description is often used to rationalize the purchase of an expensive hunk of good looking iron that is severely lacking in performance. Not so, in this case: my Norge is comfortable, has good brakes, and moves right along. It's hard to describe what this "character" business is all about--it's visceral more than cerebral. The Norge motor has a wonderful feel to it--very managable power, just enough vibes and sound. The overall package just seems to work well, even though the bikes often have numerous minor problems that take some time to sort out.

I also like bikes that are unique--don't know why, just do--and there's not much out there similar to the Guzzis.

I'm not convinced that Guzzi shops are having any more difficulty than those of other brands--the past several years have been tough on the entire industry.

Jon

[Dean]

Well said Orson.  The Guzzi does have a split personality also, putting around at 3500 to 4500 rpms they will pull nicely and have a pleasing, yet docile, rumble.  However, as Orson said, hit a set of sweepers and spin it up between 5000 and 7000 and you will realize the motor has a darkside (meant in a really good way   )!

Seems like most of the guys riding the Cals are older, experienced riders that still like to have a bike that goes well through the curves and they ride them pretty fast.  I've not seen many young persons astride a "cruiser" Guzzi.  Shame as the bikes are almost a hidden gem in the motorcycle market.  All day comfort and suprising handling when things get a bit sporty!  And once sorted, very trouble free.

Yeah, I've got a '06 Breva 1100 that I seem to ride a bunch. I still have my '02 California EV, and I probably won't ever part with it. Something about that bike that just spins my crank. She sure is a mile eater too, you want to go on a trip, just start strapping the stuff on it and go. She'll get you there in good time and comfort too. Those Tonti frame bikes will really surprise you the way they handle. I changed out the rear drive on mine from the stock 8/33 to a 7/33 made a huge difference it's like a different bike. The 8/33 is just geared too high, you really never use 5th gear except as an overdrive +70mph. I live in the mountains of Southwest Virginia so now I can use all five gears on the EV. The Breva 6 speed is geared just right the way it comes.


Dean

[2DFlyer]

Well said Orson.  

+1.  I too appreciate Honda's engineering prowess but find it interesting that few people speak as passionately about their cutting edge tools the way others do about bikes like these.

 It's hard to describe what this "character" business is all about--it's visceral more than cerebral. The Norge motor has a wonderful feel to it--very managable power, just enough vibes and sound. The overall package just seems to work well...

Basically what I've been looking for the last uh, long time.  Triumph has some of that in its 1050.  It'll turn 10K when you feel like it but is perfectly happy to pull hard at 3.

The Guzzi does have a split personality also, putting around at 3500 to 4500 rpms they will pull nicely and have a pleasing, yet docile, rumble.  However, as Orson said, hit a set of sweepers and spin it up between 5000 and 7000 and you will realize the motor has a darkside (meant in a really good way   )!

And maybe this is the essence of character.  Saddled to a frenetic I4 you're always aware of the sensation that the bike is beggin to be wicked up.  So in that respect they're just shades of gray and not split personalities.

I've not ridden a Guzzi but can't help but wonder how the experience differs from a Boxer.  How do they compare?

I dated a R1150R for a time mainly because a bike swap that put me on GS/A for a day surprised the hell outta out of me.  The handling was good and motor okay but over time left me kinda cold - in fairness most of my miles were putzing around town so I really didn't give it much of a chance.

[BobW]

Because they are fun and unique way beyond any price tag or number comparison could define, you simply have to ride one to see for yourself what doesn't translate on paper  (on a properly set up bike).

The dealership issue has had a couple of 1-2 punches that exacerbated their poor coverage. When Piaggio took over, things definitely were not good and they employed Reps that appeared to have signed up any person that could place an "X" on a contract and made them a Dealer. Between carrying too much or not enough product and having negligible quality control on shop requirements, you had no product knowledge, no service ability and places going in and out of business/carrying the Brand quicker than a customer base could be established. The few established good "Go-To Guys" shops and a few new high quality ones carried a huge % of the Brands standing in the U.S. I heard they have made a major effort to correct this, but a bunch of compound damage was done and now tough times make it harder to regain lost ground. The new bikes are very well made and easier to sort than it may appear from some posts, it's mostly just proper set up and servicing. I have enjoyed many new and old Triumphs, BMW's, UJM's, etc., etc., and the Moto Guzzi's are just great motorcycles.

Cheers

[Orson]

I've not ridden a Guzzi but can't help but wonder how the experience differs from a Boxer.  How do they compare?

I've rented a few boxers and they are very similar in power and torque delivery.

both are well suited for riding the pace.

A big difference is the sewing machine soundtrack provided by the Germans versus the basso profundo V8 roar provided by the Italians  

[2DFlyer]

Rep... signed up any person that could place an "X" on a contract and made them a Dealer.

I have enjoyed many new and old Triumphs, BMW's, UJM's, etc., etc., and the Moto Guzzi's are just great motorcycles.

Cheers

I hope MG finds its way back to the Triangle.  I think we had one of those X's locally.  They only ever had a sign, never a bike in sight.  But maybe you're the reason the only NC dealers are west  

Edit:  and now I find out one of the 3 NC "dealers" has no mention of MG on their website and one other doesn't even have site. I guess it makes the choice easier.

A big difference is the sewing machine soundtrack provided by the Germans versus the basso profundo V8 roar provided by the Italians  

What is inefficiency to the Germans is music to the Italians. Gotta love the 'em, boisterous in every way.  

[Rabidsnipe]

For me, the biggest reasons I got interested in MG was the sound and the simplicity.  Oh and this video...

[cbsnbiker]

Moto Guzzi bikes are a bit like what a BMW airhead would be like if it were still offered today: an old-fashioned engine design mixed with more modern parts such as brakes and suspension pieces.

I've ridden a few of them. They're okay, but not enough to my taste for me to buy one.

[Dean]

Moto Guzzi bikes are a bit like what a BMW airhead would be like if it were still offered today: an old-fashioned engine design mixed with more modern parts such as brakes and suspension pieces.

I've ridden a few of them. They're okay, but not enough to my taste for me to buy one.

Can you guess in what country the most Moto Guzzi's are sold? It's Germany. That tells me a bit about the product it self. The Germans are mechanical nuts, there are also a huge number of Guzzi speed shops in Germany. Riding a Guzzi around the block or just a few miles will tell you nothing about the brand.
 Same thing about going and test riding one at a dealer if you are new to the brand. You really need to ride one that been set right and ride for a day or two. These things are habit forming, I know I have two now and if I had the funds and room I'd own a fleet of them.


Dean

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

+1 on the habit forming. i got a Griso 8V because i fell in love and no other bike on the market made me stop wanting one. its the 1st new bike i ever owned (also the 1st out of the early 80s ). as of right now i don't think i will buy another brand. (yes i'm THAT guy). with the people who ride them and the soul that Moto-Guzzi machines have i am hooked. now all i do is look for the next MG i can get.

[WitchCityBallabio]

Comparatively speaking the Guzzi board has been pretty busy.  Five current threads today compared to Suzi's 3.  

So what's with MG?  Where's all the interest coming from?  Not trolling just wondering what it is about MG that gets the heart rate up.  

I gotta admit I got a bit of a bobo listening to Rabidsnipe's video.  Stock exhaust with some character???  Biggest downer for me - other than more plans than money - is the closest dealer is about 2.5 hrs away.  

Two dealers I know of have dropped MG lately.  Is the brand losing traction in the US?

This sound is what the excitement of Guzzi is all about....

Turn it up LOUD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOjtSd8lXv4

[Daniel Kalal]

This sound is what the excitement of Guzzi is all about....
Turn it up LOUD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOjtSd8lXv4

I never knew who put that video on youtube, but, here's the original (in .wmv format).  The sound is even better.  I shot this in Mandello in 2006.

http://www.dankalal.net/2006trip13/videoSportMandello.wmv

[staedtler]

+1, no shit...

can your ducati do that?!  





i used to have a V11 sport   it sounded like a musclecar,....
just like this:



this threads bumme out  

[Blunder]

Biggest downer for me - other than more plans than money - is the closest dealer is about 2.5 hrs away.  

The closest official dealer is about 2.5 hours away for me, but the bike is so easy to work on and online support for parts and helpful tips is tremendous.

There's even a shop on HWY 1 in Mendocino County-

http://www.thezenhouse.net/index.htm

-that I might have to visit for tires and stuff during a small holiday weekend with the Missus later this Spring.

As for that peculiar attraction I feel towards my Guzzi? I dunno, but it's just so comfortable and responsive when going down a good road at anywhere from 80 to 110 MPH.

[jsanford]

The bike I wanted to learn to ride when I was a young adult before I learned to ride was the Ducati Monster.

The only bike I've ridden since I learned to ride that constantly feels like how I imagined it would feel to ride a motorcycle when I was little is my Breva 750.  A real it-was-worth-growing-up-for-this reaction.  

[Flightar]

The biggest problem with Moto Guzzi is that the vast majority of people don't know they exist. My room mate has a Breva 750 and almost everyone she mentions the bike to says the following statement, "what is a Moto Guzzi...never heard of them before."

In fact she didn't know about them either until I mentioned the company and took her to see one.

Shame the company doesen't do a better job of marketing. Only through marketing will they ever become profitable enough to truly compete...and yes, they are great bikes, quirky and different (which is why I have always liked them) and BMW's too.

BTW: Her Breva 750 is currently for sale...see the listing in the for sale section.