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Moto Guzzi

3K views 17 replies 15 participants last post by  renegade1alpha 
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#1 ·
Ok i know this is a Triumph site but i also know that Triumph riders are not so "brand" obsessed that you would turn your nose up at a nice bike here goes, any opinions on the newer Moto Guzzi Le Mans bikes??? Getting a real sweet deal on a champagne colored one (not my fav. but the price is right). That old style fairing with the round headlight shouts "cafe" to me, what do you all think.
 
#2 ·
Not as familiar with the LeMans but I really love the old V7 sport that came out in the mid 70s. Also, am in the market for an old El Dorado or Ambassador tourer to compliment the Thruxton. These are late 60s early 70s bikes that took on the Harley market. Other than some electrical stuff that needs sorted out, these things are supposed to run forever, kind of like the BMW bikes.
 
#3 ·
I test rode a Red LeMans at Daytona 3 years ago. It was an incredibly satisfying ride.

Not quick like a GSXR, but that's not what I'm into. Had Ohlins all around and brembo brakes. Handled pretty well for a heavy bike. The best part was revving the engine at stoplights to feel the engine torque the whole machine to the left...talk about lots of character. Very nice, indeed.

Fit and finish were superb and you're right, the thing reeks of modern day cafe racer. It's rivaled only by the Paul Smart Ducati.

I'd pick one up if the price were right. See if they'll let you take it around the block for a test ride. Best of luck to you.
 
#4 ·
My best mate in the UK had a Cafe'd Guzzi Le Mans back in the 80's. It was a great bike...so go for it. His was a MKI (I think..round barrels anyway). I think he still has it..probably in the back of his shed, needing some TLC. He told me a couple of years ago he'd never sell it. Hopefully he'll get it up together again...one day
 
#5 ·
I love the old LeMans MkI, and the V7 Sport is pretty nice as well. The newer Guzzis are nice, but they look kind of klunky, and I've heard ride kind of klunky as well. They're supposed to be old technology, from what I've read. I like the new Griso a lot though, and this thing is amazingly cool:



I like how it's all engine with just a sliver of plastic on top.

If someone gave me a Harley, I'd trade it in on something else. If someone gave me a Guzzi, I'd keep it and consider myself lucky.
 
#6 ·
When I was in the market for a new bike a couple of years ago, I was working for the HD dealer at the time and knew that I did not want to go that route, but wantd something more unique.

I wanted a Guzzi V11 Lemans badly, but there is no dealer here in Hawaii.

So I looked at the BMWs, which as good as they are, left me a bit cold.

A Triumph had not even crossed my mind untill I saw one go past in Waikiki, so I thought I would check out the range.

Well I walked into the dealer and spotted my '04 TBS and the rest is history.

I would not swap my TBS for ANY bike that I have seen, but I would have a LeMans in the garage in a heartbeat.

I have even considered ways that I could mod a LeMans with a sidecar....maybe in the future.
 
#7 ·
Mancha!

That's the one! I've been emailing the guys at Moto Guzzi North America asking "why why why why dont you bring the MGS01 to the market!!??"

No explicit reason is stated, just "no it aint gonna happen." To me, that is one huge mistake. The world truly is a puzzle to me.

Why does the Bimota V-Due get built and anything that Harley stamps out gets snatched up? And a motorcycle with real heritage (Guzzi's got to be one of the oldest marques on the planet) and stunning looks ('ey! It's Italiano, ci?) and technology that's maybe not state of the art, but pretty darn good, get's passed over!? The Ghezzi Brian guys are good. Guzzi should build those things, offer them for $15,000 a copy and sell them in the U.S. into a clearly growing market for bikes with more to them than a zippy paint job, state of the art chassis and a high output engine. It's hard to believe that as good as motorcycles have gotten lately that there is still room to improve them. For me personally, some of the best performing bikes, just simply lack character, and for a lot of folks, that kills the deal. For all their efforts, most Japanese engineering efforts fall in this category. The bikes go like stink, shift well, handling's great etc. etc. but lack what Guzzi's got buckets of, character.

On a slightly different tack: Triumph's doing a great job of cashing in the the cache of retro. Harley's done it well. Now Ducati's on board. Why hasn't BMW put out a re-make of the "toaster" bike or even an R-69 with the latest engine cosmetically altered a bit?? Just a thought.

kjazz

[ This message was edited by: kwajazz on 2006-03-13 20:09 ]
 
#8 ·
That's the one! I've been emailing the guys at Moto Guzzi North America asking "why why why why dont you bring the MGS01 to the market!!??"
That Guzzi is a wicked looking bike (a slab of engine with a seat and gas tank added almost as an afterthought), but if I had the money for this I'd be thinking of the Ducati MH900e instead:



If I didn't get laid every time I mounted this thing I would be astonished!

Er, we were talking about Guzzis, weren't we? Sorry, I digress...
 
#12 ·
On 2006-03-13 15:00, ruiz212 wrote:
Ok i know this is a Triumph site but i also know that Triumph riders are not so "brand" obsessed that you would turn your nose up at a nice bike here goes, any opinions on the newer Moto Guzzi Le Mans bikes??? Getting a real sweet deal on a champagne colored one (not my fav. but the price is right). That old style fairing with the round headlight shouts "cafe" to me, what do you all think.
The champagne color means it's an '02, which was the first year of the revived LeMans. A couple of things:

1. The engines had a not particularly durable coating/paint on them that frequently bubbles, curls up, basically looks bad. It doesn't affect the mechanical stuff, obviously, but an engine that looks like it has a skin disease might put off some people.

2. Some, not all, not even a majority, had a stalling problem traced back to a tank vent problem. This was sometimes exacerbated by the fuel pump, with the result that you had a devil of a time opening the gas cap to put gas in the bike.

You can find out about these things and more at http://www.v11lemans.com.

Edit: Running as it should and with the suspension set up right, a LeMans is a hugely satisfying beast to ride. It's not especially fast - heck, my Trophy 900 will take it - but if you accept it for what it is and ride it the way it wants to be ridden, it will put a BIG smile on your face.

[ This message was edited by: blue885 on 2006-03-14 19:48 ]
 
#13 ·
i had a 88 mk4 le mans sold it last year to buy a trident dame thing had 320.000kms on it had owned it since brand new only had one rebuild and a couple of new clutch bosses and 1st and 5th gears replaced had a staintune system on it sounded sweet have ridden a few new ones and they have the same soul you either love them or hate them .
 
#14 ·
Ace57,
Saw your post about looking for an older Guzzi, my local BMW dealer also deals Moto Guzzi, and they have some older Guzzi's on the showroom floor and I think even in storage. If you are still looking. They are definitely enthusiasts, and they are very reasonable. I have been pleased with the service they provide, and it is definitely a mom & pop shop.

The name is Judson Cycle's, located a few miles west of Mankato. Give them a call and ask for Ron or Caroline. Chances are one of them will answer the phone, 507-947-3852.
 
#15 ·
Buy the La Mans. You will enjoy it. I have a 1972 V-7 Sport that I bought new. Has Double 300 mm Brimbos on front, Side car gears (520 to 1 vs factory 456) 900 cc big bore kit, stock heads and 30mm square slide carbs. It is a real torquer. Not super bike quick, but a real joy to ride. Mother Goose is a gentleman's bike. Very fast in the high speed sweepers, and in the down and dirty twisters, a bike you can not shake-I will probably go around you if you flinch. Had an 1996 Red La Mans I bought from the original owners estate. He died of kidney failure. This bike had a Reno Leoni race spec engine. Very quick and fast bike. Close ratio transmission and all, 40mm Del Orto pumpers, Electronic Ignition, K&Ns ETC. Dumb S**T pulled out in front of me and I TOOK the LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL at 40 MPH. Bike totaled, engine case broken, and spent 8 days in the hospital with several broken bones(thank God for Bell Star) . Buy That Gold Mother Goose and have fun. They have some quirks, BUT are stone reliable. Guzzis of old had some electrical problems, But by 1998 Most of that gone. Got a good bud with a Centurion (ugly bike) with 40k and has been as reliable as a claw hammer. Watch out for this FUGLY GOOSE as he comes around you at 50mph in a 25 in the canyon. Steve. I love all bike Italian. I LOVE ALL BIKES. :cool: :-D :cool:
 
#17 ·
ruiz212,
I've never ridden a Moto Guzzi, but the Le Mans, V11 Sport, and especially the V11 Coppa Italia, have been on my short list for awhile now.

I love the looks of these machines. No doubt they are not the fastest on two wheels, but they have plenty to offer you in terms of real world riding. Everything I've read about them, would indicate superb reliability, especially from '03.

Back to the Coppa Italia. Drop dead gorgeous. Not available in Canada. I'm very jealous of you lot.

Well, back to tweeking the Sprint.

Have fun what ever you decide.

Mark
 
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