I HAVE COMPLAINTS!

[stomatomoto]

  First of all, let's kick this off with the following: why didn't THIS HAPPEN?! Granted, that thing is a bit rough around the edges, but it's a concept so it gets that pass. However, it is basically an awesome-r version of an Aprilia Dorsoduro--what the hell Guzzi?! I'd buy that in a heartbeat, especially if the look got cleaned up somewhat!

Nextly, I want a new bike. I'm actually selling the V7. Not that I don't like it, it's just there's....problems, with this brand and with owning one of these specific types of Italians. The V7 is lovely and always turns heads, but also, as I've evolved as a rider, I've quickly realized this thing does not do it all for me. Looks aren't everything! Anyway, the point of that is, I'm looking at an adventure touring type bike, and the one at the top of the list is the BMW F 800GS. Why? Because it's not so damn esoteric that I can't get parts or aftermarket items for it in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable cost, and with a reasonable variety of options. AF1 Racing has a monopoly on my accessory purchases basically, so far! I've been waiting over 1.5 weeks for a luggage rack to even be ready to ship to me! It's just welded tubular steel and some hardware, for $280 and a fortnight to ship, for f*$%s sake!

Now, some of you will be all "well no shit junior, can ya count the number of Guzzi's you seen on the road with one hand or two? heh heh heh" and then spit a hearty wad into an old-timey spittoon with a cartoonish *p-too*, and let's just skip to the part where I acknowledge that this is a rare bird that most people expect to DIY a majority of stuff. Even accounting for that, I feel like it just doesn't have to be this way. I feel like this marque lacks direction and a sense of ambition in design that I'm seeing in other manufacturers. It's frustrating, because the uniqueness and overall design essence and history of this brand is so substantial, it seems like wasted capital to keep producing the same tired old things over and over ad nauseam for the handful of people that like that. I'm not going to ask if I'm wrong, because I ain't! There is both piss and vinegar in this tank, and I want to see more from Guzzi, for real. Dollar vote, out. 

[LowRyter]

I am tired of buying jeans, $40 Levis, $20 Sams/Walmart, that pull the belt loops out after a couple of washes and wears.

WTF?

[stomatomoto]

I am tired of buying jeans, $40 Levis, $20 Sams/Walmart, that pull the belt loops out after a couple of washes and wears.

WTF?

I'm no engineer, but there might be too much strain on those belt loops... 

[LowRyter]

OK .....  you have a point but still...........

[rodekyll]

OOOO!  I got one!

Camera filters are measured in "stops" of light where one stop = .5 light transmission.  You can't get to zero, although you can find a point of a curve that approaches zero.
Window tint -- also essentially an optical filter -- is measured as a percent of transparent.  It's a straight line, not a curve.  So zero (complete opacity) is possible.

I want a sheet of window tint the same a a 3-stop filter.  I don't know what to spec.

[stomatomoto]

OOOO!  I got one!

Camera filters are measured in "stops" of light where one stop = .5 light transmission.  You can't get to zero, although you can find a point of a curve that approaches zero.
Window tint -- also essentially an optical filter -- is measured as a percent of transparent.  It's a straight line, not a curve.  So zero (complete opacity) is possible.

I want a sheet of window tint the same a a 3-stop filter.  I don't know what to spec.

Isn't there an engineering joke about how everyone wants to come up with a new standardization to simplify and consolidate all the disparate standards, and all we end up with is more standards? I don't know how to Google for that with only that description. :/

[rocker59]

My 13th motorcycle and my 7th Guzzi is the 2014 V7 Special that I bought in August. It's my second V7. Two spines and two small blocks. I find that interesting.

The V7 appeals to me on the same level as a vintage Triumph Bonneville. I get my vintage elemental fix with a modern reliable machine.

 

[stomatomoto]

My 13th motorcycle and my 7th Guzzi is the 2014 V7 Special that I bought in August. It's my second V7. Two spines and two small blocks. I find that interesting.

The V7 appeals to me on the same level as a vintage Triumph Bonneville. I get my vintage elemental fix with a modern reliable machine.

 

Both are great bikes for sure, but as a daily rider/commuter and long-distance ride, it's been falling a bit short for me. If I could have two bikes, I'd keep it and get something else as a daily rider. On group rides as well, the performance in several dimensions just isn't there, most importantly in stopping power and cornering/handling. Test riding an Aprilia Shiver really underscored this for me. I would totally be in the market for a Griso that puts out 80+ horses from a small block-sized engine and with modern features like ABS and electronics, basically.

[Kev m]

Stom, couple of random thoughts.

1. - most important thought. Follow your bliss. Bikes are about passion, NOT LOGIC. Pursue em with logic and either you'll always find you were wrong, or you'll find you're really boring. But it's a journey we each have to take for ourselves.

2. I took the journey over the past few decades and I've been lucky to dabble in a ton of bikes (press, demo, loaners) that I didn't have to buy. You see, after riding the top dogs, and owning better performers, I still turn to the most simple and slowest bike in my fleet (and in the last year sold the fastest).  Your journey just might lead you back here, but it may not.

3. Don't use Aprilia as an example if you're going to complain about lack of variety/support/quickness of parts and accessories.

4. BMW is often the exact opposite of Guzzi, design and complexity for the sake of itself as opposed to the beauty of simplicity in design.

Don't get me wrong, I CAN enjoy both. I'm equally attracted to say the WRX STI and the Jeep Wrangler... Guess which one I just ordered from the factory?

Anyway, best of luck with your journey, have fun and most of all RIDE SAFE!

[cruzziguzzi]

What the hell is with the cashew ration in mixed nuts!?!

Filberts? I get yer filberts right here!

Todd.

[Lannis]

What the hell is with the cashew ration in mixed nuts!?!

Filberts? I get yer filberts right here!

Todd.

Or worst of all - the PEANUT ration in modern "Cracker Jacks"!   PaTHETic .....

Lannis

[Green1000S]

Thats when I woke up and had the hand in the toilet bowl...

[cruzziguzzi]

Or worst of all - the PEANUT ration in modern "Cracker Jacks"!   PaTHETic .....

Lannis

Don't EVEN get me started on those "prizes" these days!


Todd.

[fotoguzzi]

everything you said is RIGHT ON! thanks for organizing and publishing everything I've been thinking the last couple years.

First of all, let's kick this off with the following: why didn't THIS HAPPEN?! Granted, that thing is a bit rough around the edges, but it's a concept so it gets that pass. However, it is basically an awesome-r version of an Aprilia Dorsoduro--what the hell Guzzi?! I'd buy that in a heartbeat, especially if the look got cleaned up somewhat!

Nextly, I want a new bike. I'm actually selling the V7. Not that I don't like it, it's just there's....problems, with this brand and with owning one of these specific types of Italians. The V7 is lovely and always turns heads, but also, as I've evolved as a rider, I've quickly realized this thing does not do it all for me. Looks aren't everything! Anyway, the point of that is, I'm looking at an adventure touring type bike, and the one at the top of the list is the BMW F 800GS. Why? Because it's not so damn esoteric that I can't get parts or aftermarket items for it in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable cost, and with a reasonable variety of options. AF1 Racing has a monopoly on my accessory purchases basically, so far! I've been waiting over 1.5 weeks for a luggage rack to even be ready to ship to me! It's just welded tubular steel and some hardware, for $280 and a fortnight to ship, for f*$%s sake!

Now, some of you will be all "well no shit junior, can ya count the number of Guzzi's you seen on the road with one hand or two? heh heh heh" and then spit a hearty wad into an old-timey spittoon with a cartoonish *p-too*, and let's just skip to the part where I acknowledge that this is a rare bird that most people expect to DIY a majority of stuff. Even accounting for that, I feel like it just doesn't have to be this way. I feel like this marque lacks direction and a sense of ambition in design that I'm seeing in other manufacturers. It's frustrating, because the uniqueness and overall design essence and history of this brand is so substantial, it seems like wasted capital to keep producing the same tired old things over and over ad nauseam for the handful of people that like that. I'm not going to ask if I'm wrong, because I ain't! There is both piss and vinegar in this tank, and I want to see more from Guzzi, for real. Dollar vote, out. 

some days I wish I had my Bassa back in the garage, somedays..

[Aaron D.]

Good points. Sissy.

[Penderic]

We'll be right with you.

[cloudbase]

Isn't there an engineering joke about how everyone wants to come up with a new standardization to simplify and consolidate all the disparate standards, and all we end up with is more standards? I don't know how to Google for that with only that description. :/

Well, I did author the cycles to Hertz conversion tables.  You can find it at resale shops and discount tables everywhere.

Also, a bitching Guzzi rider is a happy Guzzi rider.

[rodekyll]

I was playing with the radio in the twisties and high sided the kilocycle.  I can tell you it hertz!   

[canuguzzi]

Stomatomoto, as you can see same ol loves the same ol. If the market is lucky, MG will actually produce a new 800 class bike and do more with it than make another also ran semi cruiser confused looking bike.

You'll probably really.like the F800.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I'm looking at an adventure touring type bike, and the one at the top of the list is the BMW F 800GS.

I had one, a yellow and black 2009, all loaded up with with all the Touratech goodies, Clearwater lights, Jesse bags, etc. At first I liked it, but it didn't hold my interest that long so I sold it.  Engine too buzzy. Not enough tourqe.  Not that much lighter than the R1200GS.  Too heavy for off road riding for me.  Chalk it up to..... So many bikes, so little time.

[JBBenson]

OOOO!  I got one!

Camera filters are measured in "stops" of light where one stop = .5 light transmission.  You can't get to zero, although you can find a point of a curve that approaches zero.
Window tint -- also essentially an optical filter -- is measured as a percent of transparent.  It's a straight line, not a curve.  So zero (complete opacity) is possible.

I want a sheet of window tint the same a a 3-stop filter.  I don't know what to spec.

Thats easy, neutral density 0.9. Comes in gels up to 40" wide.

[blackcat]

  AF1 Racing has a monopoly on my accessory purchases basically, so far!

If I really want a MG part fast and the local sources don't have it I just email Agostini and get it from them, especially now that the Euro has come down in value. Yeah the shipping cost will be more but I'm not waiting for a bundled shipment from the American source.

[rocker59]

If I really want a MG part fast and the local sources don't have it I just email Agostini and get it from them, especially now that the Euro has come down in value. Yeah the shipping cost will be more but I'm not waiting for a bundled shipment from the American source.

 :1:

Getting parts has never been a problem for me.  One of the usual suspects is always able to take care of my order.  And using Agostini's isn't too inconvenient, when USA suppliers don't have what I need.

[Dean Rose]

The reason this didn't happen is that it was BUT ugly and nobody would buy it.

Dean

[bpreynolds]

First of all, let's kick this off with the following: why didn't THIS HAPPEN?! Granted, that thing is a bit rough around the edges, but it's a concept so it gets that pass. However, it is basically an awesome-r version of an Aprilia Dorsoduro--what the hell Guzzi?! I'd buy that in a heartbeat, especially if the look got cleaned up somewhat!

Nextly, I want a new bike. I'm actually selling the V7. Not that I don't like it, it's just there's....problems, with this brand and with owning one of these specific types of Italians. The V7 is lovely and always turns heads, but also, as I've evolved as a rider, I've quickly realized this thing does not do it all for me. Looks aren't everything! Anyway, the point of that is, I'm looking at an adventure touring type bike, and the one at the top of the list is the BMW F 800GS. Why? Because it's not so damn esoteric that I can't get parts or aftermarket items for it in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable cost, and with a reasonable variety of options. AF1 Racing has a monopoly on my accessory purchases basically, so far! I've been waiting over 1.5 weeks for a luggage rack to even be ready to ship to me! It's just welded tubular steel and some hardware, for $280 and a fortnight to ship, for f*$%s sake!

Now, some of you will be all "well no shit junior, can ya count the number of Guzzi's you seen on the road with one hand or two? heh heh heh" and then spit a hearty wad into an old-timey spittoon with a cartoonish *p-too*, and let's just skip to the part where I acknowledge that this is a rare bird that most people expect to DIY a majority of stuff. Even accounting for that, I feel like it just doesn't have to be this way. I feel like this marque lacks direction and a sense of ambition in design that I'm seeing in other manufacturers. It's frustrating, because the uniqueness and overall design essence and history of this brand is so substantial, it seems like wasted capital to keep producing the same tired old things over and over ad nauseam for the handful of people that like that. I'm not going to ask if I'm wrong, because I ain't! There is both piss and vinegar in this tank, and I want to see more from Guzzi, for real. Dollar vote, out.

The coffee is warm and fast at Starbucks.  Aerostitch and adventure awaits you!  Good luck.   

[MGPilot]

I feel your pain. Over the years I owned a number of somewhat obscure vehicles. I liked their novelty, uniqueness, character. But at some point, parts hounding and finding good support can tip the reward balance to, "It's more hassle than the benefit I'm getting."

So, then I get a mainstream replacement. That really works until the blandness starts to get to me.....and I start looking for character. My wife warned me about her before we got married, "You won't always be happy, but you'll rarely be bored."

Seems to apply to many of my choices as I swing back and forth between logical and interesting.

Whatever you decide, you can always change your mind do something else later.

[elvisboy77]

Complain if you like, but Moto Guzzi will always be a small production niche bike.  If they sh!t them out like Honda does, they would just be another Honda.  No, thank you.

You do have valid complaints, but I can envision dudes sitting around 30 years ago bitching about Guzzis in the same way.....

[charlie b]

My brother had an F800GS.  Too heavy for single track and 'not enough bike' for highway.  He now has a 1200GS.  Works well on dirt roads and really good on highway.  He also really disliked the chain on the baby beemer.

I'd look at a VStrom or Super Ten if you want a heavy dual sport.  KLR or similar if you want a lighter one.

[Cam3512]

Bye.

[bpreynolds]

You do have valid complaints

Valid how?  The dude's on the wrong bike.  Not a criticism of him - we each like what we like, eh? - but he's on the wrong bike.