What is more attractive to you about the Guzzi V-twin vs. the Harley V-twin

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Just curious for those who have some experience with the Harley V twin's as well as the Guzzi. What is it about the Guzzi-V twin engine that captivates you more so then the Harley twin? Overlooking the cultural differences, is it the feel, torque, power delivery… What is it that causes you to choose the Guzzi over a Harley?

[pyoungbl]

The Guzzi engine orientation is superior, from an engineering point of view, in that it offers better cooling.  With the crankshaft inline with the frame it's also more logical for shaft drive, which I like.

Peter Y.

[tazio]

Harleys are ubiquitous.
Moto~Guzzi is not.
I like that.

[LowRyter]

besides the brakes and the handling, if you're just talking the V-twin style engines, one term comes to mind:

RPMs.

[drlapo]

Moto Guzzis don't shake and rattle
They have brakes and suspension
The chrome to power ratio is better

[Triple Jim]

As hinted at above, the 90 degree layout has better natural balance, although the newer rubber mounted Harley engines feel pretty smooth to me when I'm riding them, which is really only when a friend tells me to try riding his.  I also like not having the same thing that so many others have.  And all my jeans are black, because so many people wear the blue ones.

[Kev m]

I like them both.

Compared to everything else out there they are more similar than dis-similar.

They both make generous torque and run at relatively low rpm.

The is about a 1k difference in general rpm range between a 2V Guzzi and a Sportster, and a 2k difference between the Guzzi and a BT.

That said the difference does mean enjoyable revving on the Goose and even more of a freight train strong pull on the Harleys.

The Guzzi engine orientation is superior, from an engineering point of view, in that it offers better cooling. 

This isn't necessarily true. I've posted data on it here over the years.

[lucian]

Guzzi's 90 degree twin achieves near perfect primary balance without needing to counter balance the crank . Also the shorter stroke makes for a quicker and higher revving motor. As mentioned the cooling and shaft drive advantages are also big. Easy valve adjustments and the lack of having to  join a cult  are pluses  for me as well. Sure , dealer support is important if you want to ride a less than reliable motor bike. 

[Shorty]

Design and character. From the early years of the Guzzi twin, the Guzzi was more oil tight than the Harley. The crankcase is a box with a removable bottom sump, not an external tank with hoses. Also not split vertically. The rocker boxes, carbs, and spark plugs are where you can get at them for easier maintenance than HD, or Brit bikes. The shaft drive meant less oil being flung about. The overall gearing and superior cooling meant that the bike could be ridden further, faster. The primary balance meant that the engine could achieve much longer service life than HD or brit bikes. It was about the best you could buy.

[lucian]

Lucian , are we not a cult 

  Dusty

I think we're more like a quilt. 

[Tom]

I think we're more like a quilt. 

Fixed it for you.

[Aaron D.]

I like Guzzis but easy valve adjustments compared to a Harley?

[cleatusj]

Can reach the ton on a stock bike for less money.

[bpreynolds]

Lucian , are we not a cult 

  Dusty

Cult of personalities.

[sib]

The Guzzi engine orientation is superior, from an engineering point of view, in that it offers better cooling.  With the crankshaft inline with the frame it's also more logical for shaft drive, which I like.

Peter Y.

I do agree with you and personally prefer the Guzzi engine orientation (after all, that's why I have one), but if I wanted to argue the other side on these issues, I would point out that a chain or belt drive is more efficient than a bevel drive, and also that the inline crankshaft layout causes the whole bike to want to lean when the engine is revved.  Some find this disconcerting.

[lucian]

How about some quilted doo rag winter rocker covers?

[Lcarlson]

if I wanted to argue the other side on these issues, I would point out that a chain drive is more efficient than a bevel drive

Chain drive? H-D?

[lucian]

Maybe thinking about the chain necklaces. 

[cruzziguzzi]

Being so decidedly different other than the most basic descriptive elements - I find them hard to compare.

I recall that fella's lateral crank, Guzzi specials as being notably unattractive to me so, when the orientation is equal, the Guzzi fails for me.

Then too, there's exposure, so many Guzzis take little advantage of the overall visual appeal of the engine. This one, elsewhere on this page, really makes a point of what we're missing on Guzzi engines. Exposure and body/frame color choices truly make the engine stand out wonderfully.



Then to HDs: there are still times when I'll walk past a "big twin" and am distracted by how good looking and elemental it can be. Generally, it has to be in an FX/Dyna to not have a bunch of distracting crap all over the bike.

But the cake-taker for me is a proper XR motor; 750 or my own past 1000 in particular.

Anyhow - to directly answer the question - gots to go big Guzzi 2 valve, square head with carbs.


Todd.

[Bonafide Bob]

In my opinion the Harley Shovel Head motor is on of the best looking motors ever built of any brand.
Bob

[fatbob]

Ease of maintenance most certainly.

[Matt Story]

I prefer the Raven for the best of both worlds

http://raven-moto.com/

[bad Chad]

In deed. How many years do you have to go back to find a stock Guzzi that won't do the ton?

Compare that with how far you you need go back to find a HD that won't do the ton?

[Mile High Guzzi]

What Kev said +...I own both, wonderful motors with character....alive, with some shake, total bliss!!

I like them both.

Compared to everything else out there they are more similar than dis-similar.

They both make generous torque and run at relatively low rpm.

The is about a 1k difference in general rpm range between a 2V Guzzi and a Sportster, and a 2k difference between the Guzzi and a BT.

That said the difference does mean enjoyable revving on the Goose and even more of a freight train strong pull on the Harleys.



This isn't necessarily true. I've posted data on it here over the years.

[Cam3512]

Funny story.

A coworker and I decided to ride our bikes to the office one nice spring day.  I was on my white Calvin, he rode (rarely) a blinged-out Road King.  We were stopped at a light, and he points down to the rocker cover sticking out of the right side of my bike.  He then asked "What is that thing, your air filter?"

Couldn't stop laughing as the light turned green and he and his bike got smaller and smaller in my mirrors.

[Vagrant]

"IF YOU HAVE TO ASK"!
Many people want to "play the roll" or be part of the in crowd. they also seem to like their nuts cooked like a sweet potato. lots of money helps and it doesn't matter if they can't screw a cap onto the tooth paste. they can pay somebody to do it for them. and that's why Harleys still sell. and yes I've owned 5 and am still a life hog member.
But for me now I just like to ride with a big smile on my face in whatever riding gear feels just right to me and on a bike that doesn't weigh a thousand pounds but does handle and stop.

[Rich A]

I prefer the power band on Guzzis--enough grunt getting off the line but willing to rev quite happily.

Rich A

[Sheepdog]

I like both, but admit that I prefer the Guzzi. I've always been partial to 360 or 180 degree engines for street bikes. Balance and scavenging are so much easier to maintain with evenly spaced firing intervals, though that Harley sound is pretty cool. Also, the Guzzi configuration deletes the primary case, provides better cornering clearance, and cools more evenly. HD's don't require much fuss under the rocker covers, but the Guzzi provides access that makes a valve adjustment a breeze. Lastly, I've always considered belt-drive to be a bit industrial. I know that it works okay but those big ugly sprockets and toothed belts turn me right off. In execution, both bikes are loaded with personality and fill a very fun niche. I just lean toward the sportier side, I guess.

[RayB]

Other than depreciation, I like the difference in the cost of ownersip and maintainability.

[rocker59]

I like Guzzis but easy valve adjustments compared to a Harley?

You know that HD has been running hydraulic lifters for decades, right?  No valve adustment on Sportster or Big Twin.