New California 1400

[Aero]

Looks nice, perhaps not the bugle silencers but I'm sure the aftermarket will take care of that.

http://www.motociclismo.it/moto-guzzi-california-1400-scoop-ecco-come-e-fatta-moto-50882





Edited to insert Motociclismo linky

[falconati]

I want it.

[atadaskew]

The styling reminds me of a cross between a Yam Roadliner and a Honda Valkyrie.

Not really digging it. Maybe more photos would change my mind.

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

It's hard to tell what the size the bike is with no body right next to it. I guess the bike girl is on a break. I would like to see it outside next. I am not a cruiser guy but i am interested in seeing more.

[Justin]

Meh, not doing it for me. I like the old ones a lot better.

[Rincewind]

It looks changed from a Retro model to a Power Cruiser model.  

[BobW]

I def want to see more  

[coho]

I love Guzzis, but the rear end on this one looks a little too 'Rune-like' for my taste.  

[Badclassicist]

There's a bunch of photos over at

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/moto-guzzi-california-1400-revealed/20019.html

My first reaction was "oh no" but it's growing on me a little - some very nice touches.

[velofishy]

Forward controls.  

Burn it.

[falconati]

Can't handle those advanced controls?

[sagerat]

Guzzi makes beautiful motorcycles.  This is not one of them.  

[Kraz]

I don't think I'd consider buying it, but with bags and a windshield, I'd certainly ride the country on her, given the opportunity.  

Most interestingly - they didn't end up going with the rumored water-cooling...

[crispiegee1]

If they made the bike taller, they could put a proper fuel tank on it, instead of the faux cover. Why do they have to make every cruiser as low as a Sportster?

I know I'm biased, but I would absolutely LOVE to see them do a modern interpretation of the Eldorado with the big block engine. Imagine how cool it would be to have a retro cruiser with proper brakes, USD forks and some serious power. And I know from experience that the original seat, which my dad's bike still has, is extremely comfortable.



With such a machine, they could even steal fleet sales from the Electra Glide and Road King police bikes, just like they did in the 1970's with the LAPD Eldorado.

 

[WitchCityBallabio]

If they made the bike taller, they could put a proper fuel tank on it, instead of the faux cover. Why do they have to make every cruiser as low as a Sportster?

I know I'm biased, but I would absolutely LOVE to see them do a modern interpretation of the Eldorado with the big block engine. Imagine how cool it would be to have a retro cruiser with proper brakes, USD forks and some serious power. And I know from experience that the original seat, which my dad's bike still has, is extremely comfortable.



With such a machine, they could even steal fleet sales from the Electra Glide and Road King police bikes, just like they did in the 1970's with the LAPD Eldorado.


Sorta what this is, no?



 

[atadaskew]

I only like the Cali Vintage 'ok' after a test ride.
The wide tiller handlebar was a bit much, but I could not stand the floor boards and shifter/brake pedal placement.

If it was more like the Eldo, then it would have been great.

[crispiegee1]

I only like the Cali Vintage 'ok' after a test ride.
The wide tiller handlebar was a bit much, but I could not stand the floor boards and shifter/brake pedal placement.

If it was more like the Eldo, then it would have been great.

Exactly!  My Eldorado does not have floorboards and it handles quite well.

The Eldo didn't have pullback bars (check the vintage picture), which steer like crap. (Reference the original photo.)

The tank, despite being 5.3 gallons, was intricately shaped and had that classy chrome patch. The bulbous California tank is ugly and devoid of style.

The saddle was not a drag-your-ass-on the-ground step-down style, but a nice, comfortable perch from where you could command the bike with authority.

The California, to me, is like Ford's mid-90's Mustang: A few styling cues vaguely reminiscent of the original. Triumph's Bonneville is like Ford's 2005-current Mustangs: A blatant rip-off of the original's character and styling, with a modern powerplant, transmission and suspension. And guess which sells like crazy? The current Mustang and the current Bonneville.

[WitchCityBallabio]

The police Eldo's had pull back (weird shaped bars). I also like the Ambo/Eldo package, but I actually think it's perfect as is. Doesn't need a thing. Okay, well maybe a real fork (which a buddy of mine is working on with Traxxion and Racetech), but other than that...

I've put over 30,000 miles on my Ambo since I restored it, and I couldn't love riding it more. It's amazing that after 40 years, it's still the bike I go for first in the garage.

[crispiegee1]

The police Eldo's had pull back (weird shaped bars). I also like the Ambo/Eldo package, but I actually think it's perfect as is. Doesn't need a thing. Okay, well maybe a real fork (which a buddy of mine is working on with Traxxion and Racetech), but other than that...

I've put over 30,000 miles on my Ambo since I restored it, and I couldn't love riding it more. It's amazing that after 40 years, it's still the bike I go for first in the garage.

Yours is looks as nice as I want mine to look in a year or two. I have a disc brake Eldo, as you may recall, which was originally equipped with the LAPD bars, which I'm not fond of. Too wide, too light steering... yuck.

I'm going to try to see if I can fit the master cylinder on the standard bars. My brother thinks I won't be able to do it, but I want to at least try. The standard bars (like yours) fit my body so much better, and look better on an unfaired bike, which is the way I want to have mine after it's restored.

Mine also has Bub pipes, which are too short and too loud, so I'm saving for some replica slashbacks, as it was originally equipped. (I like your torpedoes, too.) Mine has a solo saddle and bitch pad, but I'm going to get the reproduction original seat.

Anyway, like you said, it's a perfect bike as is, but if they made a new one that kept the spirit of the old one, I'd aspire to get one of those too.

[WitchCityBallabio]

I'm pretty sure the m/c will fit on the civilian bars. I have a couple of friends with Eldo's with disc brakes and the civilian bars.

[WitchCityBallabio]

Nice. Biaggi on the new Cali....

[atadaskew]

I dunno.
The new Cali 14 looks like one of Yamaha's Roadliner/Stratoliner bikes.

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

Ride it 100%!  Buy it 65/35

[Rincewind]

I dunno.
The new Cali 14 looks like one of Yamaha's Roadliner/Stratoliner bikes.

+1

[Rincewind]

First "official" pic revealed.  I like how they blend traditional lines with modern style.  

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2012/November/nov0912-2013-moto-guzzi-california-first-pic/

[Hambonee]

Oh man the touring varient is nice lookin

I gotta find something easier on my knee than the Norge, this might just be an option depending...

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

New Picture

From fasterandfaster.net

The 2013 Moto Guzzi California 1400 has finally been unveiled at the EICMA, in all its 1950s-style art deco glory. No, really, it’s a beautiful motorcycle, this Guzzi – almost makes us want one, floorboards and all. Hand-assembled at Guzzi’s Mandello del Lario plant in Italy, this is one luxury touring (not adventure touring, thank god!) bike that shows what the Japanese still can’t do.

Guzzi have been building touring bikes named ‘California’ since the early-1970s, with varying engine capacities – 750, 850, 1000 and 1100. Most of these have been, we’re sorry to say, more than a bit crappy, but all is forgiven with this new 1400 California. It’s not just utterly gorgeous to look at, it also seems to be, mechanically, quite capable. Mated to a six-speed gearbox, the bike’s 1380cc opposed-twin 8-valve engine produces 96bhp and 120Nm of torque at only 2750rpm, which should mean that low-rev performance should be damn good. There’s even ride-by-wire, traction control and selectable engine mapping (Turismo, Veloce and Pioggia, and who cares what they mean or do…) here. What are Guzzis coming to?!

The California 1400 also has a brand new double cradle steel tube chassis for improved riding dynamics, and a new cardan (shaft) final drive for smooth operation and low maintenance. The quality of paint and brightwork is the best in the business and the Guzzi even has LED daytime running lights. The bike rides on 16-inch (rear) and 18-inch (front) wheels, shod with 200/60 and 130/70 tyres. There’s a beefy 46mm fork up front and twin shocks at the back, Brembo brakes with twin 320mm discs at the front and, of course, ABS.

Since the California 1400 is a luxury tourer, it’s kitted out like one – large windshield, plush two-tone saddle, 35-litre side panniers and a factory accessories catalogue that you can spend days poring over. Honestly, we love this Moto Guzzi and we want one in our garage. Parked right next to our Ducati 1199 Panigale R, of course! ;-)

[Mr.Black]

Not doing it for me.


I like to imagine Guzzis (Guzzies?) as sexy Italian babes.
Like this-


This new one looks like one of those big old Soviet farm women you see on the television.

[crispiegee1]

I guess we all have our opinions on what a Guzzi should look like. I wish that if they were going retro, they'd do real retro (like the Triumph Bonneville and Ford Mustang do) rather than the caricature retro (like the Chevy Camaro).

To me, a real 'retro' touring Guzzi would look like this bike, but with the modern engine:

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

This new one looks like one of those big old Soviet farm women you see on the television.

What the hell are you watching?

[Pete Roper]

It's going to be interesting. 7SM ECU, ride by wire, single throttle body, roller tappets, traction control, cruise control. No it's not going to appeal to 'Traditionalists' but there again that's not the market they're chasing. The old bike riders will never abandon their old pushrod engined bikes, which is fine but doesn't mean any sales and the old design was way past its use by date, too noisy and dirty.

Pete

[crispiegee1]

Hey Pete,

Would one of the new engines fit in an old loop frame?  

Just dreaming, but if I ever found an old Ambo with a blown engine, it would be a cool thing to try.

Chris

[Pete Roper]

Would it physically fit? Probably, but the sump would be about 1mm off the road, if not touching it, also the loops made <50HP, the new Cali motor makes twice that. It would twists loop frame up like a piece of limp spaghetti and spit it out. Also the gearbox wouldn't fit, you'd have to use an old five speed and bevel box from an earlier model. A few aggressive dumps of the clutch and it would grenade the driveline! Don't even ask about the clutch and tyres........

Pete

[crispiegee1]

Aw crap. Okay, maybe when I'm a wealthy author, I'll figure out a way to marry the tank, side covers and seat from an Ambo/Eldo onto some kind of frame to accommodate the newer engine, transmission and suspension.  

[velofishy]

More info:

The 5th pic on this one worries me.  Looks like the riders shins are up against the cylinders.  Being an arthritic old fart, ergos are important to me.  


http://www.motoservices.com/essai-moto/Essai-moto-guzzi-1400-california-2013.htm


http://blog.motorcycle.com/2012/11/09/manufacturers/moto-guzzi/2013-moto-guzzi-california-1400-revealed-in-touring-guise/

[velofishy]

One more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/moto-guzzi/9692716/Moto-Guzzi-California-Touring-review.html

Some excerpts:



The headline change is to the engine, the biggest ever Guzzi at 1,380cc, although only the top end has changed significantly.

The chassis is all new, including the frame, the first for many years, and it’s distinguished by an ingenious rubber-mounting system designed to isolate the vibrations inevitable with the increased capacity.


it’s pretty quick, too, even though the power falls away as the rev counter needle nears the red line, certainly pulling harder than a Harley, while the fuelling is smooth and dependable. There are three engine maps, Veloce for sport, Turismo for gentler stuff and Pioggia ostensibly for wet weather, when the torque is cut by 25 per cent. But this also makes the bike smoother around town, and it’s very easy to select while on the move. And how refreshing to have the map names in the bike’s native Italian instead of universal English. You also get traction control and ABS, so it’s well equipped

Comfort is very good but the screen is not adjustable, so shorter riders will require one of the lower, accessory screens. Also the intake tract on the left side pushes against the inside of your leg and can start to irritate .

I’m a little concerned about the fuel economy, too. Guzzi says it’s very good, and quotes 42mpg in normal riding, but I was getting figures as low as 30mpg while trickling around in traffic, and at higher speeds the consumption was about the same. With 4.5 gallons in the tank that’s a range of only 160 miles, which isn’t enough for a bike with touring pretensions, and even if the 42mpg does prove accurate, 190 miles is adequate at best.

 Price/on sale: £15,770/now

Power/torque: 95bhp @ 6,500rpm/88lb ft @ 2,750rpm

Top speed: 125mph (est)

Fuel tank/range: 4.5 gallons/170 miles (est)

[velofishy]

Some sounds to go with the pics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvTCO-qdov4&feature=share

Not the greatest sound quality.

[velofishy]

[velofishy]

That all came from here:    http://www.performancemag.it/tecnica-dentro-al-progetto-california/

[Hambonee]

More info:

The 5th pic on this one worries me.  Looks like the riders shins are up against the cylinders.  Being an arthritic old fart, ergos are important to me.  


http://www.motoservices.com/essai-moto/Essai-moto-guzzi-1400-california-2013.htm


http://blog.motorcycle.com/2012/11/09/manufacturers/moto-guzzi/2013-moto-guzzi-california-1400-revealed-in-touring-guise/

Hmm..that is a worrysome as I am old, bunged up knee, and tall.

Cruiser is a possibility as the ergos should be better and GUzzis actually handle. Will have to sit on one once Moto International gets one in house.

[crispiegee1]

It's too bad that the modern interpretation of a classic touring bike means that your ass drags on the ground. The old 1200 cc Harley Electra Glides did not sit terribly low and neither did the original Ambassador/Eldorado/California.  I actually stand on the balls of my feet on my Eldo, but that's mostly because the previous owner shimmed the forks and put jacked up springs on it. That, and the police seat (which I intend to replace with a reproduction two-up saddle) spreads my legs too far apart. But I'm definitely not bunched up when I have my feet on the pegs.

[WitchCityBallabio]

One more:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/moto-guzzi/9692716/Moto-Guzzi-California-Touring-review.html

Some excerpts:



The headline change is to the engine, the biggest ever Guzzi at 1,380cc, although only the top end has changed significantly.

The chassis is all new, including the frame, the first for many years, and it’s distinguished by an ingenious rubber-mounting system designed to isolate the vibrations inevitable with the increased capacity.


it’s pretty quick, too, even though the power falls away as the rev counter needle nears the red line, certainly pulling harder than a Harley, while the fuelling is smooth and dependable. There are three engine maps, Veloce for sport, Turismo for gentler stuff and Pioggia ostensibly for wet weather, when the torque is cut by 25 per cent. But this also makes the bike smoother around town, and it’s very easy to select while on the move. And how refreshing to have the map names in the bike’s native Italian instead of universal English. You also get traction control and ABS, so it’s well equipped

Comfort is very good but the screen is not adjustable, so shorter riders will require one of the lower, accessory screens. Also the intake tract on the left side pushes against the inside of your leg and can start to irritate .

I’m a little concerned about the fuel economy, too. Guzzi says it’s very good, and quotes 42mpg in normal riding, but I was getting figures as low as 30mpg while trickling around in traffic, and at higher speeds the consumption was about the same. With 4.5 gallons in the tank that’s a range of only 160 miles, which isn’t enough for a bike with touring pretensions, and even if the 42mpg does prove accurate, 190 miles is adequate at best.

 Price/on sale: £15,770/now

Power/torque: 95bhp @ 6,500rpm/88lb ft @ 2,750rpm

Top speed: 125mph (est)

Fuel tank/range: 4.5 gallons/170 miles (est)

I'd bet that like most Guzzi's, once the big girl loosens up after 10,000 miles or so, she'll see 45mpg.

[Biking Sailor]

In a weird sense, I really want to like this type of bike, but I can't make myself do it.  I've had a floor boarded low seat heavy cruiser/touring bike that I kept for about a month.  I quickly realized I hate the foot position and low seat as I can't make the bike respond like I can a standard with pegs under the seat.

The 2010 Calvin I rode had similar ergos and completely turned me off.  I'm stuck with my 1200 Sport as it still ticks all the boxes for me, torquey twin, shaft drive, long range, standard ergos, and decent suspension.  I guess I'll never be right for this kind of bike. YMMV.

[rocker59]

This just in:




courtesy MPH Cycles - Houston

[WitchCityBallabio]

Price is pretty much where I thought they'd put it. I think at that price, they'll do well with it.

[sagerat]

The Cali Touring is gorgeous; the Cali Custom got beat with the fugly baton.

[Croak]

The Cali Touring is gorgeous; the Cali Custom got beat with the fugly baton.

Funny how tastes differ.  I was thinking it was the other way around, much to make my eyes bleed on the Touring, while I find the Custom rather soothing.

I find it amusing (and somewhat unfortunate) that the headlight on both bikes looks an awful lot like the "bar and shield" from a certain Wisconsin manufacturer.

[atadaskew]

742 lbs for a Guzzi.

Italian bikes are meant to be nimble.

742 lbs...

Apparently it also lost a whole bunch of cornering clearance.  The old Cali had plenty.  A shame.

[Hambonee]

742 lbs for a Guzzi.

Italian bikes are meant to be nimble.

742 lbs...

Apparently it also lost a whole bunch of cornering clearance.  The old Cali had plenty.  A shame.

My Norge pushes the limits of what an Italian bike should weigh..

Damn it..whenever they cater to Amuricans it always seems to be with a cheese burger diet...

[atadaskew]

One thing I noticed is the old Cali Vintage had leg/wind blockers mounted on the crash bars.  Those worked great, it really was a smooth, wind free ride at 80mph,

The new one seems to be missing those.  It that is the case, it will be like every other cruiser bike with big shield and no lower protection. It will buffet really badly. (that is caused by turbulence from air coming under the windshield)

p.s. $3K difference between the Cali Custom and Cali Touring for two saddlebags and a windshield? Dang.

[falconati]

It will buffet really badly. (that is caused by turbulence from air coming under the windshield)

I find that most cruisers are pretty good with buffets  

[atadaskew]

 

I find that most cruisers are pretty good with buffets  

[ToadRide]

Is it just me or does the rear drive look a little skimpy? After liking the beefy look and bulletproof performance of the CARC  I gotta wonder.
I know, I know. Retro. But will it last?

[Croak]

It's not single-sided, so it doesn't need as much structural strength on the shaft side.  

Gotta remember, the actual shaft spinning around inside that housing isn't very big at all, but this one is likely a bit beefier than what's on your 1200.

[Pete Roper]

New bevelbox is a 'Stand Alone' design for the Cali. Its crown wheel and pinion appear just as massive, if not more so, than those in the CARC bevelbox. Oil change interval has been extended to 50,000km! I think that it will be anything but flimsy!

It is not a reactive drive but the length of the swingarm means that torque reaction will be minimal.

Pete

[WitchCityBallabio]

This was posted on another board from a guy that actually got to take one out for a spin. Pretty good review methinks..

Wow. It may look a bit weird, but riding it is something else. The running boards are quite far forward, but my (short) legs are nowhere near the cylinders. The seat is set quite far back so longer legged people can cope. Gear change is heel and toe only, and really works well, but when you take off and put your feet on the running board you’ve got to be careful not to nudge the gear change. Not much transmission snatch. The steering feels far forward, but is quicker than I thought it would be. Quite neutral. More like the Norge. The throttle isn’t as snatchy as the Norse and Griso. Just heaps of low down gentle power. Until you open it, that is.

Quick? Very. Mario says quicker than the 1200 8V’s. Don’t know. Hard to tell in city traffic. Heaps of low down torque, and its happy in any gear. Coming off the Norge, the power and torque don’t feel appreciably greater, but if you came off a standard Cali you’d be in for a big shock. This thing is a quantum leap ahead of old Calis.

Does it handle? Sure does. It seems to carry its weight lower than I’d expected, even with a full tank of fuel. It's very bulky, but doesn't feel it when you are up and running. In fact weaving around in traffic is a breeze. Lane splitting too. (No panniers) Coming off the freeway on an almost circular bend it laid over beautifully, weaving round a couple of cars with ease. It didn’t scrape, but I was probably not going quick enough.

It’s still a Guzzi, with a few familiar quirks. The odd false neutral, of course. Not hard to ride at all. Comparing this with a Road King, like they do, is ridiculous. Road Kings, which I know well, are like boats in comparison. This responds to body English like a normal bike. It doesn’t feel like it has all that torque of a Harley, but comparisons are irrelevant. This bike can really be flogged. Griso owners will love it. Existing Cali owners will die for one. Their old Calis will never feel the same.

This is one great motorcycle. Beware of test rides. You will want one badly. If this bike had been around when I’d bought the Norge, I’d have bought one in a flash. It is very very good. I'm not entirely comfortable with the cruiser riding position over a long distance. Don't know if the old back would handle very long days in the saddle., like crossing the Nullabor. The Touring version might address the buffeting issue, but sitting astride the tourer later, in spite of the different seat and cow horn bars, the ergonomics seemed exactly the same.

It has a good side stand which will give more options parking on sloping terrain than the Norge. In fact it was much easier to manoeuvre around into parking spots than the taller Norge. Its easy to paddle it around while still seated. The running boards are well forward, so don't interfere with this, like they do on a Road King. On a heavy bike this is important. I like the low set tank, which doesn't intrude like on most modern bikes.

I didn't like the ugly speedo, but it has all the info, tacho on a needle, and digital speedo with large numbers in the middle. It has a gear indicator, which is great, so its all there. I didn't get into the computer side of it. It has cruise control too. I think its ugly from the rear. Two big fat exhausts with unfinished looking ends, and those naff tail lights. The looks will probably grow on us. You can't see how ugly a bike is when you are riding it, which helps. I got a lot of odd looks from Harley riders. I guess I'm biased, but I didn't think it owes anything to Harleys at all. Its a very relevant evolution from the Ambos of old, and that is the picture I had when riding it.

[MisterSmooth]

I'm stuck with my 1200 Sport as it still ticks all the boxes for me, torquey twin, shaft drive, long range, standard ergos, and decent suspension.  I guess I'll never be right for this kind of bike. YMMV.

Dammit, me too.  I'm just stuck with this dang 1200 Sport.  

Great motorbike, eh?  

BTW, I like the Cali Custom (what marketing genius names motorbikes?).and am looking forward to a test drive.  

[WitchCityBallabio]

Nice new ad for the Cali with Ewan. Pretty hi quality. Could it be that Guzzi is starting to get the marketing thing?  

[atadaskew]

This was posted on another board from a guy that actually got to take one out for a spin. Pretty good review methinks..

..
Quick? Very. Mario says quicker than the 1200 8V’s. Don’t know...

No way the new Cali is going to be quicker than a Griso 8V.
It weighs almost 200 lbs more and makes 20 hp less!

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1307_moto_guzzi_california_touring/

It’s an all-new, four-valve-per-cylinder engine with single overhead cams and a total displacement of 1380cc. Does that say torque? It does to our dyno, where the Cali hit its peak torque of 70.2 lb.-ft. at just 2300 rpm. Horsepower climbs the graph smoothly, peaking with 77.5 at 6500 rpm.

[Pete Roper]

Certainly won't be faster but, surprisingly, it may in fact be quicker! Especially if the Griso isn't well setup.

This is one of the things that amazed me about the Cali when I rode both models at the dealer launch the week before last. We did over 350Km including some very tight and twisty stuff and the Cali acquitted itself with aplomb. Could I of got through it quicker on my Griso? Of course I could but the effort required would of been an order of magnitude higher. The truly astonishing thing is the way the Cali makes and delivers its power. Claimed torque figures for the motor are 120Nm of torque at 2,750RPM. The motor pulls from nothing and is eerily smooth due to its mounting system. When you throw in RBW and Tri-map along with ABS, Traction Control and Cruise Control and look at the price it quite simply knocks every other cruiser in that market segment into a cocked hat!

It really is an outstanding machine. Here's what I'm buying in the USA



And here's a gaggle of 'em at the launch.



Pete

[coho]

Hey, Pete, are you getting your Cali at MotoInternational?

[Pete Roper]

Nah, my good friends at MPH in Houston. Jude and I fly in on the 1st of June and then we'll drive across the southern deserts in an air conditioned hire car before picking the bike up in Houston.

Pete

[coho]

Nah, my good friends at MPH in Houston. Jude and I fly in on the 1st of June and then we'll drive across the southern deserts in an air conditioned hire car before picking the bike up in Houston.

Pete

Bummer, I don't live far from MI and thought I might get to meet the (in)famous Pete Roper.  

[atadaskew]

Certainly won't be faster but, surprisingly, it may in fact be quicker! Especially if the Griso isn't well setup.
 Claimed torque figures for the motor are 120Nm of torque at 2,750rpm]

Pete

120NM = 89lbft

Actual measured is 70lbft. Actual measured hp is 78hp.

730lbs..

I think that the bike feels quick because one doesn't expect 730lbs of lard to move in a sprightly fashion.

The Griso 8V dynoed at 96hp, 73lbft.  Butt... that torque peak is at 6Krpms.  Still, 20 more hp with 200 less lbs.  No flippin way is the Cali going to take it, unless it is in a top gear roll on from 30mph.

ProItalia has a demo Cali Custom, so I may drop by tomorrow morning to give it a test ride to see...

[Pete Roper]

Have you analysed the gear spread? I haven't, but the Cali's system is very good at exploiting the engine's characteristics.

Pete

[Biking Sailor]

Maybe the Cali is putting more torque down earlier than the Griso (RPM right off the bat vs time to spin up to 6K) and causes it to feel quicker off the line.  Kinda like the video of the rat harley beating the liter bike off the line several times in a row.

I know my launches really suck on my higher reving bikes, CBR600RR.  I don't practice much starting out with the revs in 10K range so it takes me a while to get to the power band, but when I do!  

[atadaskew]

Have you analysed the gear spread? I haven't, but the Cali's system is very good at exploiting the engine's characteristics.

Pete

No, no I haven't..
I didn't make it to the demo as it was 105 in the valley yesterday.  Hanging out at the beach watching the scenery strut by seemed much more appealing!

But next weekend it's meant to cool off so..