belfastguzzi

Yam 80 Advert, comparing it to a Shelby Cobra! There are some nice little bikes for sale on here: http://pembrokeshireclassics.com/shop/products_new.php?page=6&osCsid=af4e63d79fb13b125a0fbc4aef15fc82 Not referring to this, Yam 80 (£395) but have a look at the others. And there's this:

but when the hill went upwards, he was gone. SLOWLY

My first bike was a Yamaha 80. It wasn't a GT. It looked much more like the red bike that Soren posted. And... it had leg shields! I used to whip a Honda CD175 downhill and round corners, but when the hill went upwards, he was gone. Your GT80 looks like a shrunken version of my XL250 silver-tank.

Suggestion? Yeh... 'GUZZNACKERED'. PS I asked a question on MGCGB a couple of days ago – but you can't see it, cos it's in the Members Only forum. PPS Why have you an apostrophe in 'the rider's past it?'? – Hmmm that quotation led to an interesting use of a double question mark.

:grin: I am not sure what is their relation with Piaggio/MG (official club?) so far they organize some events in Italy mainly. Mailed them to ask about if there is going to be a GMG 2011(90yrs), reply was that they have no info although they are based in Mandello Del Lario :!: I thought that it is the official club.

Good question ? Do you think so.

...yes but...if everything else is in Italian shouldn't it be MGClubbo Mundo or something? Roman numerals would be just fine. Oh dear. I omitted a question mark. Didn't I. As for the ever confusing and inconsistent world of all things Moto Guzzi, there are a few other words that often crop up, such as: Mondial; Raid; mucholoadsa Euros; 5 Star Hotel. So why don't they call it MG Raid Mondial Mondo Clubbo 5 Star? They could even keep that question mark.

The actual name of the club is MG World Club... isn't it? Would you have liked to have seen the dates in roman numerals. Moto Guzzi is Latin for Massey Ferguson. I'm more curious as to why there's a big sprocket in the logo, when Massey Gussi is known for being shaft drive? And why have they put the average age of Guzzi owners in the middle of the badge, behind the pigeon?

Right. A bit of a look around does give that impression. Italian gents of a high order organising expensive trips from one upmarket hotel to the next. Nice badges for 2011 mind you. I see that, in keeping with tradition, not all who joined in 2010 received their 2010 membership pack and will, erm, receive a pack in 2011 instead, perhaps.

What's the World Club all about? Is there any value or purpose in taking membership? I'm wondering because of organising local NI 'club', though it's not a proper, formal club. I'd like a badge:

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.