Street legal MGS 01

[rocker59]

I thought the Strada version would have been a de-turned version of the race bike; essentially the Daytona engine with the later V-11 Sport transmission.

Yeah.  the standard Daytona mill, I think.

Personally, I don't care how fast it would go but how it would handle in the turns. A 100HP or thereabouts Guzzi is fine by me.

Me either.  A carbed Sport 1100 engine in that chassis would suit me. 

[pete roper]

As a styling excercise it's superb, no question. If you've ever been up close and personal with one you'll know hey are drop-dead gorgeous but that doesn't alter the fact that it's a fragile and deeply flawed anachronism.

As I said I as much as anyone yearn for a new Guzzi 'Sportsbike' but the MGS isn't it and never will be.

Pete

[QuattroValvole]

Fellas,

My "fragile and deeply flawed anachronism" has about 5000 miles on it now, mostly on the street but I've had it out to track days a bunch of times as well. The recommended maintenance in the manual is for full on racing conditions, and isn't much different than any other production racer. Take a look at the manuals that came with a '73 Honda Elsinore or Husqvarna MX'er from the '70's and you'll see the similarities. Ask someone who knows how much is required to keep a modern 450 dirt bike in racing condition! My maintenance routine is mostly an annual fluid change and air filter service. I did change the plugs last summer but the old ones looked pretty close to new. I've never had to add a drop of oil to it. I did put a new set of tires on last season, second for the front, the third for the rear. Even with "only" 120 hp or so, it doesn't have traction control, and it's unbelievably fun to twist the throttle so that back tire takes some abuse. It'll exceed any speed limit in the US without getting out of second gear so the "low power" isn't a problem in my mind, and there's four more gears past that one and I personally guarantee that mine will hit the red line in sixth. The trans may not shift as slick as the average rice rocket but its pretty nice, far and away better than any other Guzzi I've owned or ridden. It's pretty high spirited to ride on the street, not difficult to control or anything, it's just that you know you're holding it back all the time. The MGS is much more fun on the track where I can flog it to the best of my ability, it certainly doesn't seem overstressed or useless.  I know a street version of it wouldn't sell, but it works for me. I've never been one to ride a spec sheet and nothing else I've been on gets close to it's "manner of going". If you ever get the chance to ride one, don't pass it up.       

[rocker59]

 

[blackcat]

You lucky bastard. 

[Aaron D.]

Thanks for the report QV. Beautiful machine-glad to hear it's fun too.

[cruzziguzzi]

Cool news QV but I'm still a little scared by verbi-porn from the Tropic of Capricorn and feel engi-shamed into not taking your MGS seriously.

Anyhow, I'm glad you like it and sure would enjoy one myself if they weren't such masturbatory POS's and likely appendage augmenters like my Smith & Wesson .44 is.

What a great lottery pay-off one would make, right after I fit a trailer hitch to a Ferrari GTO!


Todd.

[pete roper]

I'm sure its fun but even the owner admits that he's only done 5,000 miles on it in how many years? I think its great that there are people who have gone to the trouble and expense to get an MGS-01 on the road but it doesn't alter the argument I'm making that it is not a *practical* road bike in the way that other 'Sportsbikes' are. Its also not about 'Performance' per se but comparable and perceived performance.

Pete

[Doppelgaenger]

It's an absurdly over stressed platform that is effectively useless as even a rarely used road tool!

I think this to be true of most sport bikes... they might last 50,000 miles if you're lucky. Of course most of that luck usually has to do with not destroying them into a wall or a tree.

I would still like to see a water cooled V4 in a guzzi mounted in the traditional guzzi style. The nimbleness of a bike with a longitudinal crank goes unappreciated until you ride the alternative.

[QuattroValvole]

Pete,

You are right, that's not a lot of miles considering the time I've owned the bike. I save riding it for special occasions. My point to you is that I haven't had to "throw anything away after several hours of use", and "fragile" is not a word I would use to describe this machine.

Regards, 

[weevee]

The prettiest of all guzzi-engined sportsbikes were built by Mr. Magni IMHO.  I passed over an MGS being sold locally in order to buy this one - and with 18,000mls under its wheels it still runs like a Swiss watch.  As a long-term Ducati 888 (Strada & SP) owner/rider, I can tell you that the 'kitted' Australia isn't only more practical, it's truly a match for the Ducs of its era.  It may not make the kind of power modern-day sportsbikes make, but when given the beans it puts enough down to have me sliding back in the seat!  It's chuckable too, and despite its size it feels lighter than my old Le-Mans ever did.   

Given the current trend for 'retro & classic replica' machines, were Guzzi to bring something like this to the market with Griso mechanicals, I'm sure they'd sell as many as they could make. 


picture upload

       

[huub]

QV, congratulatios owning such a beautifull bike.
if you ever get fed up riding it , just park it in your living room.

i cant see why every bike should a practical road bike.
i own several bikes that are fun , but far from practical.
a bike just being gorgeous is good enough for me.