belfastguzzi

Seventies superbikes: Ducati 900SS, Moto Guzzi Le Mans and Laverda Jota Just the thing for spring: the most desirable machines 35 years ago were crafted in small volumes by the artisans of Italy. [ In the rosso corner, the Moto Guzzi Le Mans reposes on its sidestand, oozing style. Notable features include the sculpted fuel tank and a tiny flyscreen, apparently just about big enough to keep the ignition key out of the slipstream... >> the Daily Telegraph

Yeh, Gary: I reckon that 800 would be a good one. Someone who was out at one of our main bike dealers today - Philip McCallen's place (Triumph, Kawasaki, KTM....) said 'When you look at all the sold bikes in the shop not one is a sportsbike....all trail / street / SM style'. Mind you, local dealer who does Aprilia and now Moto Guzzi has sold every RSV4 he can get his hands on incl the APRC SE @ £17K. They are also getting a few of the final production Tuono V-twins, which should disappear @ £8,200. Meanwhile, uncle Griso and the wee V7 cousins are - still - sitting - there - . 1200 Dorsoduro has arrived in.

Unfortunately it is indeed too far to travel for a day, but what I meant was that it is impossible to even imagine creating a list like that, over here. If I was to organise a Guzzi track day, there might be maybe 1, 2 or 3 bikes on the list, with a few more to watch. It's amazing to imagine as many as 70, or 80 or 100!! all together – and at the track! You will have to make a sound recording.

Yes, a fine bike. I just think that the last photo is funny. Is it from their own publicity, or a magazine photoshoot? That photo reflects & appeals to the age group that will be buying them I suppose, rather than the old model's imagery/identification with café racing rockers about 15 or 20 years younger.

A bike for old men, GR. A bike for old men: judging by the last photo. Have they all just recently stepped off Moto Guzzis?

No http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_gxLKSsSIE

Thanks for all the considered replies folks. As I suspected, the answer is, YES; and NO. ..

Bolgna, Italy Bonvicini - Marino 1953 100cc B-M Used NSU engines (among others) NSU Fox ohv 98cc Rare bike, I saw it in Belfast on Sunday. Don't know what the significance of the mouse is.

But it seems there are no details, there are never any details, it's just, "Guzzi are investing millions, they're really committed to big things... some time in the future'. The guy from the dealers was saying that when he gets a service bulletin in, he can believe that... but that's as far as concrete, believable facts go: the rest is just talk. I don't see that your dealer could be waiting for new models. The new models are here now. If he is waiting until 2013, then he's a dreamer-spoofer, not a dealer. The business of becoming an official dealer seems quite flexible now. A few years ago the deal was that the full range of bikes had to be in the showroom: sellers and no-hopers alike, That's one of the reasons that local man was reluctant. Then he got a deal where he only had to take a few of the range.

Now you're talking. Think future and progression and not retro and regression. The Diavel is maybe a bold plan, but IMHO with guts. Exactly.

OK clue coming, in the form of the city of production: what city?

That's what I heard from the dealer a year ago as well. Then I was surprised at the weekend to hear exactly the same thing from the dealer: was at a recent conference and Piaggio Guzzi were all excited about how they're about to pour millions into new models! It may be so. Sounds like just the same talk though, year on year. >> Are the dealers being led up the garden path? If Piaggio Guzzi have been so sure for so long that fantastic new things are coming, why aren't they in a position yet to simply communicate some facts?

Yeah, you said GOOD THINGS about MG. That's what this topic is for: an exploration of Good Things, even confirmation of what the MG GTs are, which are to be celebrated in our time.

What is it?

It is not whether or not it works that I am questioning. It is why it was built and why is it so ugly. Porsche builds a SUV that works very well, but some people, myself included, question WHY Porsche built it to begin with. Why would you think the Diavel would not do what any other Ducati does, albeit with less cornering clearance and more weight. And reading how the shills at some glorified brochure fawn over any motorcycle means little. But I am sure it will perform beyond the expectations and abilities of those who buy it. But just when I thought Ducati had regained it design tastes they bring out this.... Yes, but I'm not commenting upon the Ducati Diavel per se, rather the comparison that it invites (in all aspects and areas) with Guzzi's 2011 product.

It's just the obvious, in relation to the other threads about Guzzi's current output and possible future direction: i.e. is there a sunny silver lining in the clouds of guzzi-doom? Should we look past the tragic customer service and clutching-at-straws new product delivery? Darn: see what you made me do! That was sneaky. Right, start again. Should we all just enjoy the past and think on the heritage high points and close our eyes to the present, just like Piaggio Guzzi themselves do. Argh – you made me say that, with your tricky question. You're bad, bad, naughty. To use a modern football analogy: Guzzi is 'a game of two halves'. Should we just play in the half where the sun is shining and ignore the way that the wind is blowing?

Have a look on Youtube and you'll probably find info on ways to finish, both mat and gloss. There are certainly videos on making parts from CF; covering parts in CF; and giving those parts both types of finish.

This bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gh1rzHktMU

I've posted some of this movie before, some years back. Not this bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErRgBfuvDFk

So, now I have to say, 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'. When it first appeared, the shock of the Diavel made it look like a ballon modeller's best effort at depicting a pot-bellied pig. According to first ride reports, actually – it works! Ducati has moved forwards and produced something new, innovative, in keeping with contemporary performance and delivered the proof of the pudding: it rides, it performs. Everyone will be aware of the Diavel. In keeping with Guzzi's abysmal marketing, no-one much will know about Guzzi's version of a 'cruiser', appearing on the stage at the same time. Us Guzzi buyers know about it though, and really, I don't think that it's Ducati that should be laughed at any more.

Just reading the first full review of Ducati's Diavel. I'll post rest of review in the old Diavel thread. Gotta admit I scoffed at the pumped up look of the beast when first revealed, but the superlative report, plus in particular the comparison with Guzzi's new '1200 cruiser' delivery at the same time, demands a reappraisal. Historic Moto Guzzi, the guys who made MG what it was, must be turning in their grave over what has become of their legacy. Ducati and Aprilia are knocking nail after nail in Moto Guzzi's coffin. MG better come up with something proper by 2013, or R.I.P. Eh, what?

What does that mean? A backtrack on using them as a base for the new engines and models that have talked about? The Cali cruiser is really the only 'new' idea that they can actually produce... or what? The future is cancelled? Better buy MCN to find out.

Possibly Guy... I'm not keen to commit to too much – my brother is extremely ill. It was more that I'm wondering about the V.11 event as that would be the priority. I want to see what to arrange here locally around May time so it would be good to know what the V11.com plan is first. As I understand it, the two things are: a meeting organised by Soren and possibly something in the UK (England or Scotland). I'm not sure though.

Somebody is going to have to decide something sometime I should think