Author Topic: What can you tell me about the V11 GT? (Read 6652 times)

Travlr · « **on:** February 11, 2015, 11:47:20 AM »

I enjoy touring on my Scura and the spine frame bikes are my favorite Guzzi's.

But the still born V11GT prototype sticks in my mind as a bike I would have really liked. A real sport touring V11.

Who can recall any details about the bike?

The fairing bears a resemblance to the Norge. But a V11 would ride differently.

Here are a few pics.

Mike

rocker59 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2015, 11:54:45 AM »

It was only shown a couple times. It never got beyond prototype. It died when Aprilia took over in '99/'00.

It was built on the Centauro/Daytona RS/Sport 1100i spine frame. Engine is the 2vpc Sport 1100i unit. Styling was by Luciano Marabese.

It would've been a nice alternative to the BMW R1100RT of the time, though sportier.

Notice the nostrils on the front side edges of the fairing. I'm sure those feed the pressurized airbox of the Daytona RS/Sport 1100i.

It would've been a popular bike.

rocker59 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2015, 11:58:21 AM »

Quote from: Travlr on February 11, 2015, 11:47:20 AM

Arizona Wayne · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2015, 12:36:31 PM »

It would've been a nice alternative to the BMW R1100RT of the time, though sportier.

Notice the nostrils on the front side edges of the fairing. I'm sure those feed the pressurized airbox of the Daytona RS/Sport 1100i.

It would've been a popular bike.
[/quote]

Hard to say. Why wasn't the SP III, Norge more popular? I'll bet it's because there aren't more competent dealers around. :'(

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2015, 12:36:31 PM »

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2015, 01:28:46 PM »

When they first showed it, I told myself that if they ever build that, I will have one. They didn't, but I got in line for a Norge. I think I would have preferred the V11, but that's just water over the bridge.

arveno · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2015, 02:26:40 PM »

thats a great bike , or should i say it would have been a great bike ?

Basically a 1100 sport with a tuxedo. Fast , reliable , stable , suitable for two up riding in comfort , big hard saddlebag .

Moto guzzi actually has more un-produced prototypes than any other company in the world...go figure , and they are all very good and "high tech" for the period .

They had a v twin water cooled engine ready in the 40's or 50's i don't remember , it's exposed at the museum....

:beat_horse

rocker59 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2015, 02:41:04 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on February 11, 2015, 01:28:46 PM

When they first showed it, I told myself that if they ever build that, I will have one. They didn't, but I got in line for a Norge. I think I would have preferred the V11, but that's just water over the bridge.

I was all fired up about the V11GT. I had owned my Sport 1100 (carb) for a year, or so, and really wanted something with a little more touring in it.

I ended up with a Triumph Sprint Executive, though I'd have rather had the V11GT.

radguzzi · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2015, 04:03:15 PM »

I have kept that very same photo and another one of the V11 GT on the wall of my garage for years.

When I first found the photo I even sent a long blathering diatribe of a letter to the then head of Moto Guzzi North America, the name that I have since forgotten but anyway...
I went on and on about how Guzzi needs to build this and send it to the US because there is a hole in the machine styles that Guzzi offers between full Sport to Touring/Cruiser sleds and this would round things out very well.

I also stated that without this model I would be tempted to go out and buy the German equivalent... Well as luck would have it I wait for a few more years, bought and rode several other Guzzis and I was happy with them but always had that V11 GT in the front of my brain... always. Ask my Wife, she really got tired of hearing about it.

I bought a Norge when they showed up and rode that for about 45K miles. Since then of course I have purchased a Stelvio and that suits me better for riding position an other reasons but that first prototype really lit my fire at the time.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Best,
Rob

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2015, 06:57:45 PM »

I don't get why that would be any better than a Norge? the newer motor is better right? tranny too?
what so special about a spine frame? isn't the Norge a spine frame too?

it looks too much like a BMW to me.

rocker59 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2015, 07:07:02 PM »

Quote from: fotoguzzi on February 11, 2015, 06:57:45 PM

I don't get why that would be any better than a Norge? the newer motor is better right? tranny too?
what so special about a spine frame? isn't the Norge a spine frame too?

it looks too much like a BMW to me.

d00d... You owned a V11 LeMans and have to ask this question?

Under the skin, the V11GT was a Sport 1100i, a motorcycle very much like your V11 LeMans. A true sporting Guzzi.

The V11GT was based on the endurance championship winning Dr. John spine-frame chassis.

The Norge is a completely different animal. Funky perimeter tube frame and CARC rear end... Not to mention a little bigger and a little heavier...

Yes, the V11GT styling is looking a little dated 17 years down the road, but so is its intended benchmark, the BMW R1100RT.

bad Chad · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2015, 07:14:21 PM »

Your assuming the Norge weighs more than the phantom v-11GT, that is a big assumption from what I can gather.

Even so, the Norge certainly does everything the V11 gt would have done within 9/10th either way. I don't get the hang up for the GT, but I have never ridden a lot of miles on a spine frame, so maybe there is something I am just not getting.

Regardless, the gt never saw day light, and its very close cousin the Norge has, so quit your winning!

rocker59 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2015, 07:18:30 PM »

Quote from: bad Chad on February 11, 2015, 07:14:21 PM

I don't get the hang up for the GT, but I have never ridden a lot of miles on a spine frame, so maybe there is something I am just not getting.

Yes. Apparently.

Quote from: bad Chad on February 11, 2015, 07:14:21 PM

...quit your winning!

But, I don't want to quit winning...

And I will continue to do it on a vintage spine-frame Guzzi.

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2015, 07:20:52 PM »

And the winner is

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2015, 07:28:27 PM »

What Rocker said. ;D The Norge isn't in the same league, at least the first gen, which is all I have experience on.

bad Chad · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2015, 08:31:02 PM »

Got to call you guys out on pure dreaming. None of us have ever seen, let alone ridden the phantom V-11 GT.

Fantasize all you want, and I might too. But in my dream, the real Norge kills the phantom v 11 gt every time! :D :D :D

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2015, 08:44:13 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on February 11, 2015, 07:07:02 PM

d00d... You owned a V11 LeMans and have to ask this question?

oh.. get it then. I've never ridden the Norge.. sort of forgot about that

now that my wheel base is about 3" shorter..

sorry for the spam.

I'm on the scout for a nice Green V11 Sport or a Nero I can afford for my backup bike.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2015, 09:05:02 PM »

there is this...
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/mcy/4883435615.html
if I had funds I might make contact..

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2015, 09:15:35 PM »

There was a greenie in that scooter store up there in Minnie a few months ago. I never got by to look at it though. Too far a walk from the hilton

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2015, 09:20:24 PM »

Quote from: Joliet Jim on February 11, 2015, 09:15:35 PM

the hilton

Jim, that's across the street from where I work. (during session I have office at the Capitol in St Paul)
let me know next time your in town and I'll drive us over there..

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Author Topic: What can you tell me about the V11 GT? (Read 6652 times)

Wildguzzi.com