hoytstaab

thank you Paul.

Steve G & Al....comments from you are also welcome ....but, seriously, I've had a project in mind for a couple of years & this topic could be a deciding factor to move forward in one way or not.

Paul Minnaert, did you notice any changes to the gyroscopic affect in your chain driven Guzzi? What changes (if any) did the 90-degree gear change to the chain final drive have on the bike? The original post about gyroscopic results of the crank & other mechanical bits is a great topic...I would like to learn more about this subject (anyone know of other good books to read about it?). The Motorcycle Design book written by Aprilia can be hard to follow at times. thanks.

About 2 years after riding the V11 Sport, I test rode a Buell Firebolt. I liked it but not nearly as much as my Guzzi. The Firebolt seemed very difficult to flick side-to-side as I flopped it back and forth going down a straight road, which was a surprise. There may be other factors at play, but I think the longitudinal crank is a major factor in turning in and allowing fun lean angles. You don't need to blast through every turn to have loads of fun because the lean angles on the Guzzi are so much fun. Motorcyclist magazine had an interesting article by Alan Cathcart on the Moto Csysz. The gyroscopic forces were briefly discussed as it relates to turning. It is a good read. I could be wrong on this point, but isn't engine flywheel weight another contributor?....in the case of the Buell with the "sideways" crank, there is more inertia spinning forward (which wants to stay in that plane) as you try to change direction.... so much to learn about so little between 2 wheels.

Agreed & I know Guzzi's financial position hasn't been the easiest in the last 5 years (and, yet they still somehow managed to push-on & develop at least 3 new bikes - Breva 750, 1100, & Griso). The intent of my original post was to share an idea. Also, to discuss the next possible new model from Mandello. The MGS-01 has generated a level of enthusiasm that still exists throughout the whole cycle industry. Persuading the factory to deliver a street-performance sport bike is the goal (the "street performance sportbike" is an emerging market segment - e.g. Triumph 675) I agree with Murray's points about a successful MGS street-going version depends on having peformance to backup the looks. But, considering the weight reduction of about 60 pounds and a 2 inch reduction in wheelbase (when comparing the MGS to a V11 Sport), a lot of performance can be gained by reducing weight. Imagine your V11's weighing 60 lbs. less !! on a side note, the Centauro/V11 Sport specials I have seen since posting my photoshop'd version have been great to see. The Belgian with one-off fuel tank is sweet (more photos please). I also saw a home-made MGS-01 in the random photos...anyone know more about that one? The photo I saw was from the back and it had the cantilever rear shock. I would like to see if someone is reproducing the rear swingarm & rear shock of the MGS-01.

Jim, are those actual models or yet-to-be-created designs? I used Bablefish to translate the page & it seemed like they were designs. I'm not crazy about the MGS-F due to the undertail exhausts, but the "Intrepida" is very cool. thanks

If the 4 valve motor can't meet emissions, then Guzzi should not stop pursuing that motor or a sport model. Afterall, I still have loads of fun with my V11 & can either pull away from in-line 3's & 4's or hang with them depending on the rider. The 2-valve is still freekin' all-day, fun for the street...so much so, that I often wonder how much MORE fun it would be in a lighter package. Throwing in the shorter wheelbase with that trick rear suspension & wheels would be "ala mode". So, my hope still remains for a sportier ride that will put the other makes to shame when one looks at a streetbike. Performance & style in only a way Guzzi can provide. **if the 4-valve can't meet emissions, then how is BMW pulling off the performance with their latest air-cooled boxer? Happy New Year....ciao. hoyt

When the MGS-01 was revealed there seemed to be a lot of praise throughout the whole industry, not just Guzzi enthusiasts. Lots of people were checking it out at the International Motorcycle Show in Seattle. With that kind of response, why hasn't a street version been produced? There was/is an opportunity to convert more motorcyclists to become Guzzi owners. Sport Rider even had a positive write-up about the bike. (I say "even" because they focus on extreme liquid-cooled sportbike performance) Anyone else hope for a sportier bike in the coming line-up? The line-up is good except for something sportier is missing - I don't want R1 performance for the street. Guzzi showed the world they can produce a bike with good street weight and great street performance. A package that BMW is ready to sell this year. (entry-bike model, solid/vintage cruisers models, Sport tourers, Griso,______) http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2004/146_0...orsa/index.html

someone mentioned the bike was green. that's green? I just see a light yellow color

thanks Carl. The engine, wheels, & suspension of the MGS-01 are incredible. And, I've always thought Guzzi has created one of the most beautiful tail pieces in motorcycle history (they nailed the shape of that arc). The V11 tank is crazy with the "crease" in the middle, but without looking contrived. Why not combine the 2 concepts together into a naked street bike?

other items added: -1938 Brough Superior headlight -1938 Crocker tailight (inverted) -1949 Vincent speedo -dual exhausts on either side of the tire are 'modified' from a 1933 Stock-200

hello, The MGS-01 is an awesome motorcycle (stating the obvious, i know)....light weight, shorter wheelbase, great street performance, and the rear suspension probably functions as well as it looks. Hopefully Guzzi will make a street version.... My beginner photoshop skills can use some help, but attached is an idea --- take the tank, seat, & tail section of the V11 sport and apply it to the MGS-01 hard stuff. -use the rear seat as a storage compartment instead of a rear seat -Get rid of the gold Ohlins color (do they make their great shocks in any other color that doesn't clash with anything but red or black?) BMW is about to come out with a cool, boxer that is air-cooled, light, and has good performance.

someone had asked where are the aftermarket engine builders earlier in this post.... I would like to know where these builders are for Guzzi engines, too. There are dozens and dozens of shops in the US building clone H-D engines based off of the Evolution design and some off of the Twin Cam engine. [s&S, Patrick Racing, TP Engineering, Merch, etc. etc.] They are made out of billet aluminum and capacity is bumped very high. Are there any shops doing this with the Guzzi engine? thanks...I would like to stay air cooled & add performance

I completely agree with the above sentiment. A radiator (and its plumbing) have been ignored for years from a design perspective {or at least, companies have not listened to their designers due to cost}. Somewhere along the history of motorcycles someone started paying attention to the exhaust pipe as being functional and a stylish piece. The same can be said of the radiator. Within the custom car scene a led-sled can be won or lost with how the grille covering the radiator is customized. The Honda Rhune had hints of a led-sled "grille" in front of its radiator. But, Honda blew it with the side covers that hide what could have been a cool radiator. It should be interesting to see what becomes of the radiator and its hoses. We can hold the manufacturers to it, too by critiquing b.s. lazy design when it comes to the radiator.

Nogbad....Guzzis engineer & design teams have created some beauties over the years as you probably would agree. I wouldn't be surprised if the radiator is creatively evolved into a nice piece (and placed in various locations) on bikes in the coming years. H-D & Guzzi could be the catalysts to getting away from the ugly black "chunk" hanging off the front of motorcycles & un-sightly plumbing. Their styles almost count on a radical alternative & both companies probably have been well aware.

a series like this should not be concerned about homogolation numbers....allow the MGS-01, Ghezzi-Brian, & other specials (the San Jose BMW), etc. As long as the bikes are within reasonable range of performance capability of one another. Or, take a LeMans approach by having various air-cooled bikes racing at the same time but in different classes....like the Porches & 'Vettes race among the prototypes from Ferrari, Audi, Honda, etc. Take a less rigid approach - we're talking about racing with an emphasis on fun & a better connection to the street rider. the goal is to make racing fun to watch in terms of brand diversity, machine diversity...and before it is too late play a tribute to the air-cooled style..... Recognize mechanical excellence & evolution by acknowledging the final versions of how it all began. how will a liquid-cooled Guzzi look ? Radiator under the seat or in a faux gas tank? hard to consider.

maybe this type of race would get lop-sided, but it would be fun to see it unfold anyway....kind of a tribute farewell to the air-cooled days. Guzzi (or Ghezzi & Brian) won the championship years (10 years ?) ago against Ducatis, so it can be done. I'm sure there are some BMW riders/racers that would take up the challenge. Boxer Cup racers would probably love to take their machines against other brands. Fans would probably dig it, too. Ideally, this type of racing would be on road courses that would not have the long straights but full of corners....not to cater to one brand or another, but to highlight all twins torque & cornering attributes.

The Moto GP is fun to watch (obviously) but it would also be somethin’ to see the Guzzi MGS-01 (or V11 Sport), Buell Firebolt 12, BMW R1100S, & Ducati 900 Supersport go at it in an air-cooled cup series. (before the air-cooled engine is a part of history) ….maybe even include the Thruxton to round out all of the twin configurations. is "The Battle of the Twins" series still going on? thoughts?

hello, after the 12,000 mile service, my V11 Sport doesn't seem to handle the same. The adjustable settings do not seem to have any affect on compression or rebound. I have tried pushing down hard on the clamp-on bars while the bike is parked. This was done with the settings selected on both ends of the spectrum. There is no (or hardly any) compression or rebound and it is causing the bike to have a "falling-in-too-quickly" feeling. The fork oil was replaced a 2nd time with the heaviest grade oil available shortly after the 12k service. The mechanic also noted a difference in the fork oil level between the two forks. He does not know if this is normal. Does anyone have similar experience with their front forks ? - adjustable clicking knobs not working ? or - different levels of fork oil between the forks?

anyone know if the 2 forks have different fork oil levels? my 2003 v11 had two different levels of fork oil @ the 12k service and the new oil filled to two different levels. Is this normal? The tech and I are trying to determine if this is a sign of something wrong. thanks

i find the rear is very slippery when riding in the rain....i wonder if it has more to do with the low-end torque, shaft drive, and rear wheel weight (pulling force) than tires. It seems easy to spin the rear in the rain

hello, i have a '03 V11 Sport Naked with ~ 13 k miles. I recently had the 12k service in which the fork oil was replaced. The bike's suspension was too soft when I got the bike back (non-responsive front-end). I took it back to the dealer and another tech re-set the suspension to be more stiff. The bike is significantly more responsive in the front (much quicker steering). However, the same tech was wondering why the fork oil levels were different in either shock. He is going to take note of the next '03 that comes in for the same service....but I was hoping to find out from someone else if this is something normal or not. The new handling is getting more familiar, but he & I both are wondering about the rebound. I had one of the best rides ever shortly before this service (running with Buell XB-9, R1, & GSX 750 in a twisty mountain area) so I am really hoping to get the handling back to where it was or better. Very happy with the Guzzi's performance & the shop, Moto International. other notes: heavier grade fork oil replaced the stock oil. Rebound might not be enough since it springs back to quick (feels "bouncy" when i push on the bars while stationary). This model does not have the Scura Ohlins forks. I realize suspension settings are a whole realm by themselves, but any input on the differing fork oil levels and rebound would be helpful. With gear, I am ~ 180 lb. rider. thanks, Doug