How do you say "nanar" in your language? the Guzzi Quota is defined a "nanar"...

[p6x]

First, let's define what a nanar means in French; it is a coloquial adjective that is used for a variety of contexts.

For example, you could say that a movie is a nanar (nobody went to see it).

In the context of motorcycles, a nanar is not necessarily a "bad" product.

So what is a "nanar"?

-a motorcycle that did NOT reach any commercial success;

-because of its look; too futuristic, too retro, too strange,

-inadequate technology, engine architecture, capacity,

-good product but launched at the wrong time, too early, too late.

Feel free to give your own examples of what you deem is a nanar:

Honda Pacific Coast, Münch Mammut (some of you may remember this one), Yamaha GTS, Honda VT

Keep in mind that a "nanar" is not pejorative in this case. It is mainly a product that did not encounter success. I think in the US they may call it a failure, but maybe a "dude" would be a better analogy?

In any case, the Moto Guzzi Quota is in this category. Guzzi launched it after Laverda released their OR Atlas, Cagiva its Elephant. Confirmed by Mike Haven when he saw my Quota, he was a Guzzi dealer at the time, nobody wanted them. They had to discount them heavily to clear the stock.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 03:05 PM by p6x

[docc]

Haha, well, I had a Honda Pacific Coast for a couple years/ 11,000 miles. It was an excellent motorcycle, but hard to "connect" with as a "motorcyclist." Nanar? Absolutely.  Almost everything Honda built 1988-1991 was "nanar." Some pretty cutting edge stuff, but struggled commercially. Only to find "cult status" later. My GB500 Tourist Trophy would be another good example of "nanar?"

As well as my 2000 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport?

edit: Curious that google translate does not recognize "nanar" as French, but translates it from Indonesian to English as "sad".

2nd edit: I remember my local Honda dealer telling me the GB500 was "the biggest dog Honda ever made. " In effect: he could not sell them or make any money on them.   "nanar" =  "dog" in this south'n US vernacular.

[footgoose]

An Elvis Presley favorite snack was a peanut butter and nanar sandwich as I recall.

1 hour ago, p6x said:

"dude" would be a better analogy?

Do you mean dud maybe? A dude (dood) is a male. In the last century, a male with fancy attire.

To your point, a Guzzi Centauro is def a nanar

[Admin Jaap]

Some people in the Netherlands refer to an ugly motorcycle as an 'hok'. Which means shed (as in garden shed)

[p6x]

15 hours ago, docc said:

Haha, well, I had a Honda Pacific Coast for a couple years/ 11,000 miles.

I remember that one of my colleague purchased a Honda Goldwing the first year they came out. We were all proud of ourselves on our various Kawasaki triples, Suzuki T350 or T500, Yamaha RDLC... But the Goldwing is still here today, and going extremely strong.

Same for the Yamaha 500 XT when it came out. Nobody thought it would be a success. Of course, the GS took everyone by suprise. Who knew it would become what it is today...

Those could have easily been a nanar too...

[docc]

6 minutes ago, p6x said:

I remember that one of my colleague purchased a Honda Goldwing the first year they came out. We were all proud of ourselves on our various Kawasaki triples, Suzuki T350 or T500, Yamaha RDLC... But the Goldwing is still here today, and going extremely strong.

Same for the Yamaha 500 XT when it came out. Nobody thought it would be a success. Of course, the GS took everyone by suprise. Who knew it would become what it is today...

Those could have easily been a nanar too...

The first year (1975) GoldWing was a beast in a business suit - big valves, big carbs, hot cams. While it evolved into the touring bike everyone associates with "GoldWing", from the beginning it is an example of whatever the opposite of "nanar" would be . . .