Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: willowstreetguzziguy on December 03, 2016, 10:51:16 AM
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We've seen it many times over the years that the major motorcycle manufacturers put out "mostly" bland bike for the USA market. Then we enthusiasts spot some cool bike given to other markets around the world. We cry for these bikes and then when they come here, they sell a few, but mostly sit in the showroom for a year or two and then they're gone because they didn't sell. The Honda GB500 mentioned on the cragslist here several days ago is a good example, but there are many others.
I'm sure they sell a few of the cool niche bikes. But why do bland bikes sell here but the cool niche bikes sit in the showroom?
QUESTION: Why isn't the enthusiasm here in the USA that seems to exist in Europe and other parts of the world? Is it culture, the roads, disposable income or something else?
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I think it's the same phenomenon where an artist or an author can't sell any of their work when they're alive, but when they die of malnutrition in a garret apartment, suddenly their work is selling for millions.
"THEY'RE NOT MAKING ANY MORE OF THESE!!"
Lannis
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It hurts for sure. I listed my bike twice on craigslist, then twice on ebay, nothing but viewers and watchers. Not a single email or question, and I had a really good price to start and no reserve.
So I keep riding, but probably will list again in spring when the possible fly and ride buyers can get out in the weather. 17s for most bikes will not be released till the 16s sell, lots of 16s SDRs, R1200R/RS, K1600GTL . . . etc.
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QUESTION: Why isn't the enthusiasm here in the USA that seems to exist in Europe and other parts of the world? Is it culture, the roads, disposable income or something else?
I think it's because in a lot of cases the Europeans didn't get many, or possibly didn't get any, when they were manufactured. I know that in the Kawasaki triples world, the Europeans are hot to get them and pay more than they could get them for here, because they are quite a bit more rare over there.
I was told by a couple Europeans that my Mille GT is very desirable there because they are rare in that country (can't remember which ones).
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Some times bad timing. The market isn't ready yet or in some cases the niche bike can help start a new market segment tat takes some time to grow.
Cafe racers were very popular starting about 10 years ago. Had Honda introduced the GB500 then it may well have taken off. Look at the number of factory cafe bikes now.
Also look at the adventure touring market. In the 1990 's there were bike that fit that yet unnamed segment and they were pretty much niche bikes. The BMW bikes were there, but not really hugely popular compared with today. But they and bikes like the translap and other laid seed to the segment.
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I think it is because most of the buyers are bland people. That's why they buy bland bikes.
My 750 aero Shadow is about as bland as they come, until I get my hands on it and set it up as a sidecar machine.
A good sidecar machine needs a bland bike with a wide torque band and heavy frame to take the stresses of sidecar miles. It has filled the bill for seven years now and is still going dependably. Two cylinders with one carb is easy to synchronize and never gets out of tune. Bland bikes only need simple maintenance, and don't cost much.
I got mine brand new with no miles in 2009 for 4 thousand out the door. Put the hack on it and have been using it ever since. It is on it's fifth rear tire and 4th front tire and about 4 sidecar tires. Recently I put on new throttle cables and clutch cable. The rest is oil and filter changes and valve check about every ten thousand miles. This last time I had to adjust the exhaust valves only, the time before that no adjustments. Sometimes bland can be good.
Oh, and on its' third set of front calipers, Rear shoes still original.
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Motorcycle magazines are part of it, too. Look at the American offerings. All of a sudden a 135hp Speed Triple is "old news" against the new KTM 1290 with over 160hp-for a road bike. Geez. I'm not telling anybody what to ride but every American bike mag touts the latest and greatest high hp bike as a must have.
I get several European magazines as well and it's a totally different read. Besides way less emphasis on hp they are much more interested in writing about all the different machines. For this reader BIKE and MSL are 100x more interesting to read than CycleWorld or Motorcyclist.
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Because ..... 'I wanna a niche bike' buyers are fickle and easily tempted by competing desires!
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic004/diy-ugly-Christmas-sweater-ideas-14_zpsq6s9mgzz.jpg)
"there was this nifty little shoppe right next to the motorcycle store and I just couldn't resist! "
:huh:
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My Suzuki VX800 is a good example. A great dependable, relatively fast bike for it's size when it was new, `90. But since it only cost $4,500 new and the handlebar made for a twitchy feeling ride, I figure that's why it didn't sell better. The US had them for 3 years but in Europe they sold for years longer. I replaced the handlebar to a superbike bar and then the bike handled GREAT! :shocked: I figure too many customers thought since it didn't cost more thought it was a POS when in reality it was the opposite with a top speed of 127 mph. Until I got my `00 MuZ 660 Tour single it was the best handling bike I had ever owned. I still have both. :boozing:
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Might be a blessing in disguise. If Guzzis sold in the tens of thousands, they wouldn't be as "niche", and then when you saw ANOTHER BLOODY ONE, you'd hardly take a second look, something like a GS 500 Suzuki or similar, very reliable and good at what they do, but so is a wooden spoon or plastic bucket. Do you agree that when you see a stranger in your neighbourhood on a Guzzi, you're inclined to go and try to see who he is and what does he think of his bike ? I think there's something in "us" that want to be seen as "fringe dwellers" because I'd dare to mention that on most KPI's a Moto Guzzi does not rate as the "best" bike any particular where, but for me after 30 or so road registered bikes, I've never wanted a different or another one less. If you crashed your Guzzi today and totally destroyed it but was still able to walk away, would you buy another one the same ? I would try to get one identical to mine again, never been able to say that about any of the others, even a couple of so called "boutique" sport bikes.
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It's true I don't want something most everybody else has too, no matter what it is. I'm an individual. :smiley:
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We've seen it many times over the years that the major motorcycle manufacturers put out "mostly" bland bike for the USA market. Then we enthusiasts spot some cool bike given to other markets around the world. We cry for these bikes and then when they come here, they sell a few, but mostly sit in the showroom for a year or two and then they're gone because they didn't sell. The Honda GB500 mentioned on the cragslist here several days ago is a good example, but there are many others.
I'm sure they sell a few of the cool niche bikes. But why do bland bikes sell here but the cool niche bikes sit in the showroom?
QUESTION: Why isn't the enthusiasm here in the USA that seems to exist in Europe and other parts of the world? Is it culture, the roads, disposable income or something else?
The FJR wasn't slatted for the America market.
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Sorry one more thing... I reckon a lot of guys buy a certain common bike so they can say inaudibly "look, I'm just like you", I mean why the hell else would you get an R1 with #46 on it in blue and dayglo yellow? Or here in Oz it was a Casey Stoner replica Repsol CBR 1000 Honda. Would a guy buy an R1 in the same livery as Rossi's, if it had #91 or some other non descript digit splashed over it or Casey's CBR with something other than 27 ? I'd say not. They wanna say "I'm just like him, look at me" in our case I contend that what we say is "I'm different to him, look at me". With a Guzzi you've made a statement, with the CBR or the R1, someone else has made it for you... I think ! And please don't become indignant and say "I didn't get a bike so people would look at me", that's not the driver I know, but you can't deny that when you walk back to your Cali or whatever and it's parked next to a GSX 1100 Suzuki with faded black paint and a cracked fairing screen , you just know which bike the questions will be about and how did that make you feel last time ???
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I think you make a good point Huzo. I most certainly don't want to go round a corner and find another half dozen bikes the same as mine. I want mine to have a certain uniqueness.
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I think you make a good point Huzo. I most certainly don't want to go round a corner and find another half dozen bikes the same as mine. I want mine to have a certain uniqueness.
I dunno, there are pluses and minuses.
On the one hand I like the uniqueness. Though frankly I think part of that (if we're honest with ourselves) is partially a smugness, we know better...
On the other hand it means dealers are far fewer between, as are parts sources, and especially accessories.
Harleys may be downright ubiquitous, but you can buy nearly anything you can think of, from multiple sources and in multiple colors.
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Last year I paid good money for a 2003 Royal Enfield 500 Bullet in maroon and chrome. It had 1300 original miles on it.
Its next to my Cali III in the garage!
In many places that would be a sign of mental illness. ;-)
ETA; Putting a Ural sidecar on the Guzzi too. Don't want my collection to be seen as too common!
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I think you make a good point Huzo. I most certainly don't want to go round a corner and find another half dozen bikes the same as mine. I want mine to have a certain uniqueness.
... and yet, the owners of rare bikes flock to breakfasts, rallies, rides, fora, campouts, shows ... any excuse to jaw with owners of rare bikes similar to theirs.
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Guzzi could quadruple its sales in north america and still be a niche player, so there is plenty of room to grow without selling out!
Interesting point, putting some blame on moto mags, not sure its justified, but thought provoking. I can't even begin to count how many times I have read something about the KTM 1290, I mean really, how many can they possibly be selling, yet every mag seems obsessed with the bike?
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I can't even begin to count how many times I have read something about the KTM 1290, I mean really, how many can they possibly be selling, yet every mag seems obsessed with the bike?
Funny, after riding the 390 Duke on the Dragon this spring, I'm a little obsessed with it. :laugh:
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I bought my CB1100 because: it reminded me of the glory days if in inline fours (more me, think the first Mad Max movie), looks like a proper motorcycle for this old school mind and was big enough, chassis wise, for my long framed body. It ticked a lot of boxes for me.
And it seemed to me to be a niche bike (which seems to be somewhat true) and not nearly as common as Griso's are in my neck of the woods.
The fact that it handles very nicely in town, superb brakes, has a certain character to it (much different than the Guzzi, no better, just different) - it's just damn nice and easy to live with. As I age and my body gives me problems, I'd rather not have other problems crop up with my bikes (and I don't really have that many issues with myself falling apart either - but I ain't 16 any more either). Besides; my 650L has given me enough drama for three bikes. :p (I'm hoping a new, properly sized liner, will finally cure its' woes)
If Kawasaki imported the W800 I'd be very keen on getting one. But I'm trying to limit the size of the fleet. Between taxes, batteries and tires (to say nothing of carbs) I'm finding fewer is better than a lot.
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I dunno, there are pluses and minuses.
On the other hand it means dealers are far fewer between, as are parts sources, and especially accessories.
Yeah if you'll excuse my uncharacteristic smugness and tendency to talk about myself... who needs a dealer, I live a nice riding distance from BUNGENDORE !!!! Suffer lads...BTW, that'd be plusses and Harlies. (Plural for Harley) but happy to start a thread and debate those two. (Just for fun of course) Not sure I'm right (for once) c'mon Kev, out with the sword.
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Yeah if you'll excuse my uncharacteristic smugness and tendency to talk about myself... who needs a dealer, I live a nice riding distance from BUNGENDORE !!!! Suffer lads...BTW, that'd be plusses and Harlies. (Plural for Harley) but happy to start a thread and debate those two. (Just for fun of course) Not sure I'm right (for once) c'mon Kev, out with the sword.
It's all good my friend.
I can only dream what it would be like to be able to fall back on Mr Roper when the need hit, even with a whore's purse if I was so inclined.
That said yeah other then the occasional warranty service I've not let a dealer touch anything in decades.
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... and yet, the owners of rare bikes flock to breakfasts, rallies, rides, fora, campouts, shows ... any excuse to jaw with owners of rare bikes similar to theirs.
Yeah that's a good point too I guess. How big can a gathering get before you have to stop saying, "look at us, we're unique". I'm reminded of that great quote by Murray Walker, the voice of Formula One, when he screamed in high pitch "That car of "........'s, is absolutely unique, just like the one following". Oh dear. Even he laughed when played back to him.
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It's all good my friend.
I can only dream what it would be like to be able to fall back on Mr Roper when the need hit, even with a whore's purse if I was so inclined.
That said yeah other then the occasional warranty service I've not let a dealer touch anything in decades.
Damn right one point # 1 Kev. Trying not to sound like a complete tosser,( more like an incomplete tosser), having a drink the night before and a private tutorial (none of which I really understood) then an escorted ride to check and THEN... "would you like to try the other map".. Bugger me, like owning a cat house and thinking, which one ????... Sorry, (sort of).
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I dunno, there are pluses and minuses.
On the one hand I like the uniqueness. Though frankly I think part of that (if we're honest with ourselves) is partially a smugness, we know better...
On the other hand it means dealers are far fewer between, as are parts sources, and especially accessories.
Harleys may be downright ubiquitous, but you can buy nearly anything you can think of, from multiple sources and in multiple colors.
Well smugness, though I would call it satisfaction myself, if you like Kev.
I have never owned a bike that had a local dealership ('cept for an A7 Kawasaki that I couldn't get rid of fast enough)
There were Motorcycle shops (as opposed to Honda shops etc.) but they had very little if anything on the shelves for a 16 year old BSA A10 or later for the BSA Rocket 3 (as there were only 12 of those sold new in the country) and even less for the Vintage Royal Enfield I owned for a while and rebuilt.
I guess I'm just used to having to establish good lines of supply, usually from overseas, and having to send for anything I need so I don't perceive the disadvantage there.
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I haven't traveled Europe, but I have family and acquaintances who have. They seem to consistently report swarms of two-wheelers among urban traffic. I've seen that in Asia, too.
S.W.A.G.(Scientific Wild Ass Guess)
I suppose one could infer that other countries may have more 2-wheeled DNA than the US either through convenience or necessity. Not everyone can afford a motorcycle - or several - as a luxury. Many may require it as a supplement to public transportation?
I've got a hunch that the size of the niche cycle market is probably right-sized in proportion to the number of riders overall. The combined manufacturing capacity of "niche" machines likely exceeds the market. "If you build it; they will come" doesn't necessarily work unless the entire pie is getting larger. I also suspect that's why some manufacturers are trying sooo hard to get the 1st-time buyer with models like the Ducati Scrambler, or KTM 390's, or Guzzi V7. Everyone's fighting hard for the 1st purchase, and the consumer hasn't had time to become an enthusiast, yet. The bikes are comparably awesome looking way back to my first little Ninja 250.
Back to my regularly scheduled PBR. :grin:
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Funny, after riding the 390 Duke on the Dragon this spring, I'm a little obsessed with it. :laugh:
I have deep want for an RC390!
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There were Motorcycle shops (as opposed to Honda shops etc.) but they had very little if anything on the shelves for a 16 year old BSA A10 or later for the BSA Rocket 3 (as there were only 12 of those sold new in the country) and even less for the Vintage Royal Enfield I owned for a while and rebuilt.
Would be nice to still have the Rocket 3 though wouldn't it Kev ?
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Sorry guys but I always do this... just re read the thread title "Niche bikes, why don't they sell?" I guess if they sold really well, then they wouldn't be niche bikes anymore.
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I have deep want for an RC390!
Anyone ride both an RC390 and a MG V7II? Not interested in specs, just subjective riding feel.
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"If you build it they will come" is from a fictional movie and is the opposite of reality. Many products are made, but if enough customers don't buy them, they disappear.
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Dealers ? Like any dealer in their right mind would even look at either one of my worn out beaters :rolleyes:
As for niche bikes not selling , sometimes a product only appeals to a small number of consumers , and even then only for a short time . The 1200 C beemer sold fairly well for a couple of years , then faded until BMW discontinued them . It took the MoCo a couple of attempts with the Road Glide , a shovelhead version that flopped , a twin cam model that did marginally better , and the new one .
And ... then you have the Edsel :laugh:
Dusty
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"If you build it they will come" is from a fictional movie and is the opposite of reality. Many products are made, but if enough customers don't buy them, they disappear.
No, I would say it's spot on, but the definition of "it" is that you specifically build the thing that is wanted.
The problem is figuring that out.
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No, I would say it's spot on, but the definition of "it" is that you specifically build the thing that is wanted.
The problem is figuring that out.
A fella once told me he wanted " a bike that sounded and attracted chicks like a Harley , handles like a Ducati , rides like a GW , weighs 450 LBS , and costs less than a 3 bedroom ranch style did in the 1950's" . :rolleyes:
Dusty
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Would be nice to still have the Rocket 3 though wouldn't it Kev ?
I rode it for 37 years Huzo, many of which it was my only vehical (and most of the rest my main one). It was a hell of a bike and sometimes yes, I do miss it.
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I rode it for 37 years Huzo, many of which it was my only vehical (and most of the rest my main one). It was a hell of a bike and sometimes yes, I do miss it.
Some bikes are more than the sum of their parts.
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"If you build it they will come" is from a fictional movie and is the opposite of reality. Many products are made, but if enough customers don't buy them, they disappear.
Actually, "If you build it they will come" is not only from a fictional movie, but it's a fictional quote - the character never said it. Sort of like "Play it again, Sam" ....
Lannis
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Anyone ride both an RC390 and a MG V7II? Not interested in specs, just subjective riding feel.
I have not ridden a V7II, but the 390 is very light and has lots of broad torque wheelie type power, like mid 40s hp at the crank. Handling is stable but capable of knee dragging fun without much effort. I suspect I'd rather ride to California on the V7II, but for fun on a track or in the twisties, the 390, with similar horsepower to the V7 and about 100 lbs less weight, is in a whole different sport category.
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You are trying to figure out which 'niche' is popular now. I can remember when bikes like Triumphs and BSA's were a dime a dozen and no one wanted them, except maybe to turn into a chopper. Now Triumph has made a comeback partly based on the 'niche' of classic bikes. Even the big three auto makers have gone to that 'classic' niche with the emergence of 'modern' muscle cars.
Same with ADV bikes. Someone pointed out that when ADV bikes first appeared they were not that popular. The scramblers seemed to become popular for a while, especially after Steve McQueen was riding his. The ADV's were a logical extension but didn't seem to sell well back them. Now days they have taken off in sales, kinda like SUV's.
Why is one 'niche' popular and another not? If you can forecast that you can make billions in any business you desire :D
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PS why did I ride a Guzzi? Because it was different. This presents an interesting dilemma. I am not a people person, at all. But, I rode the Guzzi partly because people would notice it. But, I did not want to talk to them. Just look, thumbs up and move on.
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Actually, "If you build it they will come" is not only from a fictional movie, but it's a fictional quote - the character never said it. Sort of like "Play it again, Sam" ....
Lannis
Yeah but he did say "play it again Sam"
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Yeah but he did say "play it again Sam"
"Play it Sam, play As Time Goes By"
Sam was told to never play "her" song (in case it was requested?) so when Rick told him to play it he was a little surprised. Rick didn't tell him to play it "again" as he was not supposed to play it in the first place!
First bike was a '72 Eldorado
Second bike a '00 Jackal
Third bike a '75 Eldorado (still have it, rode it to work on Friday)
Fourth a '04 V11 Sport
Fifth, sixth and seventh bikes Grisos
I really like Grisos!
It's a nice niche...
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Yamaha Radian. One of my favorite cult bikes. I had one. It ran very well. I liked baiting Earl Larkin with it. :grin: (http://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/1986/22362_0_24_3_yx%20600%20radian_paula%20evans.jpg)
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"Play it Sam, play As Time Goes By"
Sam was told to never play "her" song (in case it was requested?) so when Rick told him to play it he was a little surprised. Rick didn't tell him to play it "again" as he was not supposed to play it in the first place!
It's funny what people "remember" sometimes. Well-meaning people will swear blind through a 9-inch plank that they heard Winnie Palmer tell Johnny Carson that she kissed Arnie's balls before a tournament for luck, or that Harry Callahan said "Do you feel lucky, punk?" or something similar.
OR that they KNOW that a buddy on a CH in 1968 did a 10-second quarter-mile, because they had measured out a quarter-mile on Penn's Straight and timed it with the coach's stopwatch, and what, you calling me a liar? Or that a built WRX will do 225 MPH because they saw it on the reality show "Tokyo Drifters".
Nowt queer as folk, as they say. Gotta use your judgment sometimes.
Lannis
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Yamaha Radian. One of my favorite cult bikes. I had one. It ran very well. I liked baiting Earl Larkin with it. :grin: (http://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/1986/22362_0_24_3_yx%20600%20radian_paula%20evans.jpg)
Yeah , but let's face it , that was easy to do :evil:
Dusty
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I have not ridden a V7II, but the 390 is very light and has lots of broad torque wheelie type power, like mid 40s hp at the crank. Handling is stable but capable of knee dragging fun without much effort. I suspect I'd rather ride to California on the V7II, but for fun on a track or in the twisties, the 390, with similar horsepower to the V7 and about 100 lbs less weight, is in a whole different sport category.
Thanks. How was the pull from 2k - 4k rpm? I know it's no big twin, but if it's totally dead down low, that's something to consider.
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The Radian must have been a pretty solid bike. Some may have followed it but a couple of years ago or so a gal that went by something like RuffnTuff on the ADV Rider forum bought a used Radian and rode it from SE US to Alaska and back with fairly minimal problems. She wrote great, was a very interesting read. Her first road trip too!
GliderJohn
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The Radian must have been a pretty solid bike. Some may have followed it but a couple of years ago or so a gal that went by something like RuffnTuff on the ADV Rider forum bought a used Radian and rode it from SE US to Alaska and back with fairly minimal problems. She wrote great, was a very interesting read. Her first road trip too!
GliderJohn
Fun bike. I didn't own mine very long. I've always had bikes that made 30 to 50 HP and weighed 5-600 pounds. That little Radian threw off my timing. It did everything much faster than I was used to. :copcar: I sold it and went back to my grandpaw bikes.
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Thanks. How was the pull from 2k - 4k rpm? I know it's no big twin, but if it's totally dead down low, that's something to consider.
It had excellent torque throughout the range. It was last May, and I don't specifically remember how it felt at 2,000 rpm, but I was impressed with its broad torque, and I never had to downshift due to finding it in a flat spot. When I left the Deals Gap motel and headed up "Wheelie Hill", I consciously took it easy to avoid a big wheelie on someone else's bike. I recommend you find one and test ride it.
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I put on a Guzzi campout near Quincy, Ca. in `97 and thusly met a new Guzzisti on his new yellow1100 Sporti with his wife on her 600? Yamaha Radian. Notice it has 16" wheels and a small gas tank. The Sporti rider worked for the factory Yamaha road race team and the Sporti was his 1st Guzzi.
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I think most people need to be part of a "mob" to confirm
their belief/choice is correct. They need the confirmation of
others believing what they believe to feel "right" about any
particular thing.
People who think their own thoughts and follow their own
path are rare until the "herd" notices them and enough of
them thinks - oh that looks interesting enough for a critical
mass to form.
In a way the "herd" takes up what has been proven to work
by the adventuristic few.
Maurie.
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"Play it Sam, play As Time Goes By"
Sam was told to never play "her" song (in case it was requested?) so when Rick told him to play it he was a little surprised. Rick didn't tell him to play it "again" as he was not supposed to play it in the first place!
First bike was a '72 Eldorado
Second bike a '00 Jackal
Third bike a '75 Eldorado (still have it, rode it to work on Friday)
Fourth a '04 V11 Sport
Fifth, sixth and seventh bikes Grisos
I really like Grisos!
It's a nice niche...
Bugger, that's what happens when you go up against guys who know what they're talking about. Thanks fellas.
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I think most people need to be part of a "mob" to confirm
their belief/choice is correct. They need the confirmation of
others believing what they believe to feel "right" about any
particular thing.
People who think their own thoughts and follow their own
path are rare until the "herd" notices them and enough of
them thinks - oh that looks interesting enough for a critical
mass to form.
In a way the "herd" takes up what has been proven to work
by the adventuristic few.
Maurie.
That's an astute observation Maurie. So have "we" left the mob to show our individualism and thereby produced another "mob" ? Is that the effect at play here you think ? BTW, How's the new chairlift?
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That's an astute observation Maurie. So have "we" left the mob to show our individualism and thereby produced another "mob" ? Is that the effect at play here you think ? BTW, How's the new chairlift?
I think the term is pissing in the wind.
We're tribal by nature, genetically driven towards it.
Real loaners are rare enough to generally be freaks.
That said, I feel a little freakish... Or at least I'd like to think I am.
Then again that's the same marketing that the Harley "rebel" thing is tapping into.
And the irony doubles when you realize that some here make fun of the Harley faithful for becoming rebels together when the Guzzi rebels are just sheep of another color.
Me, the more I realize about this the more I can just enjoy what I like and not worry about the BS.
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I think the term is pissing in the wind.
We're tribal by nature, genetically driven towards it.
Real loaners are rare enough to generally be freaks.
That said, I feel a little freakish... Or at least I'd like to think I am.
Then again that's the same marketing that the Harley "rebel" thing is tapping into.
And the irony doubles when you realize that some here make fun of the Harley faithful for becoming rebels together when the Guzzi rebels are just sheep of another color.
Me, the more I realize about this the more I can just enjoy what I like and not worry about the BS.
I don't think anyone's really worried about any aspect of it Kev, it's just sort of interesting. The more you learn about others, the more you find out about yourself. I'm happy to admit I'm a self serving, attention seeking show off, that only talks about himself and stands back looking at where everyone else is wrong and walks around smugly thinking he's superior to everyone else 'cos he's got the nicest Norge in Australia. Actually only one of those observations is incorrect, but it's a great lifestyle isn't it ?
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That's an astute observation Maurie. So have "we" left the mob to show our individualism and thereby produced another "mob" ? Is that the effect at play here you think ? BTW, How's the new chairlift?
Chairlift? No no no sport - we got Gondolas now but not yet
- not yet .............. At the mo all they're doin' is dirtying up
All those beaut hairpins around the steep side :violent1:
Kev's right too we are naturally tribal - it's all around us, sport,
religion, politics, racism. I reckon as Motorbicyclists ( Vale Smith)
we're our own distinct Mob, as people who like Guzzi's more
Distinct from that mob, and if you only rode Guzzi's you might
be one of the adventurous few. :wink:
Maurie.
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It had excellent torque throughout the range. It was last May, and I don't specifically remember how it felt at 2,000 rpm, but I was impressed with its broad torque, and I never had to downshift due to finding it in a flat spot. When I left the Deals Gap motel and headed up "Wheelie Hill", I consciously took it easy to avoid a big wheelie on someone else's bike. I recommend you find one and test ride it.
Thank you Triple Jim, that's just what I was wondering about.
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I don't think anyone's really worried about any aspect of it Kev, it's just sort of interesting. The more you learn about others, the more you find out about yourself. I'm happy to admit I'm a self serving, attention seeking show off, that only talks about himself and stands back looking at where everyone else is wrong and walks around smugly thinking he's superior to everyone else 'cos he's got the nicest Norge in Australia. Actually only one of those observations is incorrect, but it's a great lifestyle isn't it ?
Ah so we're more similar than not...
... Except for that Norge thing. [emoji28] [emoji13] [emoji28]
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I started ridding at 12 years old and I'm near 64 now. I've had moat all makes, styles and sizes. I just got a 07 Calvin a couple months ago and it will probably be my last bike. It's not only a sound comfortable ride it's the center of attention everywhere she shows up. At this point of the game in my motorcycle life being different is cool, especially when it involves a trouble free great bike.
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Yamaha Radian. One of my favorite cult bikes. I had one. It ran very well. I liked baiting Earl Larkin with it. :grin: (http://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/1986/22362_0_24_3_yx%20600%20radian_paula%20evans.jpg)
So awesome that Guzzi copied its style for the top selling market leader, the Breva 750 !!!
:wink:
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I buy what makes sense to me, what I use it for, how it feels and ease of maintenance. Always have. This V7 will be the LAST new bike I will buy. I have decided to stay with the three most favorite bikes I have ever owned the last 45 years. RD400, GT500 and PC800. They do EVERRYTHING I ever wanted from a motorcycle and more. I think someday in the not to distant future I most likely wont be allowed to ride those old timers, I will lament at the time but I guess I will still have the V7.
The PC could be called a "Niche" bike. The RD400/GT500 was actually only made for 2 years, you could argue that the RD350 and T500 were basically the same design, BUT??
It seems to me almost all bikes made now are "niche" bikes. they come out and then disappear in a few years. I get what this post was meant to be? but is a niche bike one that just didn't catch on or a bike that is different, Modus, guzzi bat wing, Chopper like designs?
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I agree Dofin. There have been many bikes that appealed to me over the years but were not accepted by a lot of others and were either discontinued of never produced. I remember when the GB500 was proposed/leaked. I was also working for a Honda dealer at the time and actually considered one. It looked the part but was an absolute slug. All show and no go. The Honda Way. A short time later, the owner traded in a Mille GT. THAT one hit the Buy it Now button for me. It occupies a niche in my garage.
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Ah so we're more similar than not...
... Except for that Norge thing. [emoji28] [emoji13] [emoji28]
Ok young Kev, off you go now and wash that mouth out, "Norge thing" indeed !!! Hmmpfh.
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Anyone here remember the first time you saw what became your favorite bike?
I first saw Moto Guzzi's in Italy while on liberty from my submarine. Police bikes. The cops all carried submachine guns and looked the part. I found that is I was very respectful, they would allow me to study and admire their bikes. A few were 100's but most were the small block models. This was in the mid 80s.
I have always liked different machinery and stayed away from what was popular. For instance, as a teen, I never liked muscle cars. I preferred little revy foreign cars that handled well. In high school my favorite car was a 69 Spitfire.
I loved the Guzzi's architecture. Like a slice off the front of a V8! Shaft drive. After I finally got to ride one, a Cali II, I was very impressed by the on rails handling and the terrific Brembo brakes.
After I came home from the Gulf War, I came across a guy locally on a old 650 Cali. He put me in touch with the local Guzzi owners. For me, the rest is history. 29 Guzzis later......... ;-) I still own #27, Lannis's old Cali III. Still working on attaching the sidecar. I just don't have the energy I had back in my 40's.
Only Urals have affected me the way Guzzi's have. I wouldn't hesitate to grab another one of those either.
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Motorcycle magazines are part of it, too. Look at the American offerings. All of a sudden a 135hp Speed Triple is "old news" against the new KTM 1290 with over 160hp-for a road bike. Geez. I'm not telling anybody what to ride but every American bike mag touts the latest and greatest high hp bike as a must have.
I get several European magazines as well and it's a totally different read. Besides way less emphasis on hp they are much more interested in writing about all the different machines. For this reader BIKE and MSL are 100x more interesting to read than CycleWorld or Motorcyclist.
Absolutely TRUE ......... Those north American magazines are absolute sh--t compared to the one out of the UK.
:thumb:
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For me, the rest is history. 29 Guzzis later......... ;-) I still own #27, Lannis's old Cali III. Still working on attaching the sidecar. I just don't have the energy I had back in my 40's.
And glad I am that you hung in there and fixed that bike back up! The difference between what I THOUGHT I was buying and what I actually BOUGHT when I got that bike was an almost unbridgeable chasm.
Even after I ripped out about 200 feet of zip cord, duct tape, house wiring nuts, and built in shorts, and Clifford cleaned up some of the rest of it, you still had a bugger of a job to get it on the road .... Hope you have many happy miles on it ....
Lannis
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I buy what makes sense to me, what I use it for, how it feels and ease of maintenance. Always have. This V7 will be the LAST new bike I will buy. I have decided to stay with the three most favorite bikes I have ever owned the last 45 years. RD400, GT500 and PC800. They do EVERRYTHING I ever wanted from a motorcycle and more. I think someday in the not to distant future I most likely wont be allowed to ride those old timers, I will lament at the time but I guess I will still have the V7.
Why would you not be allowed to ride the RD400, GT500, or PC800 in the not too distant future? :huh:
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Why would you not be allowed to ride the RD400, GT500, or PC800 in the not too distant future? :huh:
I assume the fear would be that riding these bikes with their primitive pollution controls might be legislated into illegality at some point.
However, I don't think that anyone who has been riding for 45 years will still be around to see that! I for one don't expect to be ....
Lannis
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If they sold, they wouldn't be NICHE bikes anymore!
Jurgen
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If they sold, they wouldn't be NICHE bikes anymore!
Jurgen
A bit like what that idiot said in reply #28