Just make a V85 Sport & LeMans and be done with it!

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I think most Guzzi riders find the early 70's V7 Sport and later 850 LeMans very attractive. So why doesn't MG just take ALL the styling elements and colors of the V7 Sport & LeMans and create new versions of each? Give them updated componentry. I think it they would sell! It's a no-brainer.

Kawasaki did a nice job replicating the '73 Z1 900.

[LowRyter]

This has been a common theme here.

[fossil]

Kawasaki did a nice job replicating the '73 Z1 900.

No, they did not. One is painted in a really ugly brown, the other flat black. Both are unconfortable to sit on.

[Kev m]

No, they did not. One is painted in a really ugly brown, the other flat black. Both are unconfortable to sit on.

I think you might be confused.

Sounds like you're complaining about the new W800 (and the brown looks decent to me).

But the OP is talking about the Z900RS which comes in Black/Red (gloss) or Green. Both look pretty damn good too.

[voncrump]

The problem that some of the Japanese retros have is that simply putting retro style panels and paint on to a modern design of engine and frame just doesn’t work.
The Retro Kawasaki Z900 is one of these as well as the Yamaha XSR series.
Moto Guzzi on the other hand still have the same style of engine and frame.
Let’s face it, this retro theme suits Guzzi almost perfectly.
The big step forward for Guzzi sales was the transformation of the Modern style of the 750 Breva into the V7 Classic.
This was an easy and cheap task, important considerations for a small manufacturer.
The idea of a V85 sport or V85 Lemans is the logical way for Guzzi to go.
When you consider that the V7 tanks were styled to resemble the sport and early Lemans tanks the thinking is already in place.
Bring on the road V85.
80 hp engine, decent suspension and V7 style.
Lemans and sport options.
Cheers, voncrump.

[Guzzistajohn]

Don't know why I'd need that??

[Kev m]

Don't know why I'd need that??

Well, according to your picture the original is dead.... so..... 

[Guzzistajohn]

Remember when we had the ignore feature?? Those were the days.

[Don G]

Look back in Guzzi's history to the 1000S, couldn't give them away at the time, maybe they are still afraid? DonG

[Guzzistajohn]

Look back in Guzzi's history to the 1000S, couldn't give them away at the time, maybe they are still afraid? DonG

Crazy how that turned out, I came close to buying one back in the day but the $$ of a new bike was out of reach for me then.

[JohninVT]

I don't want a new, 50 year old motorcycle.  Most people do not want a new, 50 year old motorcycle.  They want a new motorcycle with all the technological advancements in design and materials but that is styled like a classic bike from 50 years ago. 

[Huzo]

Guzzies are 50 years old the day they are built.
 Thank goodness.

[Perazzimx14]

Since the new V85 motor is a small block would it not be appropriate for MG to make a Monza.

[Cam3512]

The new "small block" V85 has more ponies than the old V7 Sport and the 850 LeMans, so it would work.

[JohninVT]

Guzzies are 50 years old the day they are built.
 Thank goodness.

Which is exactly why they don't sell. 

[bad Chad]

I recall how people were chomping at the bit in the late 90s for a new full fairing tour bike.  Guzzi teased with photos of the v11GT, guys were tweaking over it.  So many said I’ll buy, just bring it!  Finally in 07 the Norge debuted a very similar in style and application  but much more modern, it was only marginally successful from a sales standpoint.

It seems that many Guzzi riders eyes are much larger than their stomachs.

[Knuckle Dragger]

I'm sure Piaggio, with a watchful eye on the main chance, will invariably milk their V85 investment for all its worth.  Given that it appears they actually have a sales success on their hands, they'll amortise the living f#@k out of it in as many iterations & variants as they can reasonably get away with.

Good for them.  If it is (as is currently threatened) at the expense of the larger , much poorer selling motors, then so be it.  They can clearly ramp up production quite a bit in Mandello, being rather under-utilised at present & nowhere near capacity.  The production manager said so anyway.  Surely other possible manufacturing bottlenecks in their engine manufacturing plant/s (Noale? etc.) & 3rd. party OEM suppliers are ready, willing & able to supply outsourced componentry on a ramped-up just-in-time basis too.

I absolutely adore the concept of a modern, safe V85 LeMans V (or is it VI??) too.  But lack the physical capability to actually cradle & contort my ageing body into one any more.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Since the new V85 motor is a small block would it not be appropriate for MG to make a Monza.

I like the way you're thinkin.. 

[blackcat]

Look back in Guzzi's history to the 1000S, couldn't give them away at the time, maybe they are still afraid? DonG

I believe the list price for one was close to $10K in the early 90’s or about a million bucks to your typical high pockets, suspender snapping Guzzisiti.

[blackcat]

I don't want a new, 50 year old motorcycle.  Most people do not want a new, 50 year old motorcycle.  They want a new motorcycle with all the technological advancements in design and materials but that is styled like a classic bike from 50 years ago.

Exactly.

I have talked to more than a few young guys who HAD small blocks. Liked the bikes, couldn’t keep up with their friends on faster bikes.

[Bulldog9]

The Z900RS is the first Japanese Retro that gets my attention.

Like many, I am truly hoping Guzzi will take the V85 and build a sport platform. I think had they gone that direction with the V9, and avoided the mini tank and seat, they would have sold better.... I wonder though if they will threaten the sales success of the V7 with a Sport Version of the V85? With the loss of the CARC bikes (mainly Griso and Norge as most recent) They really dont have anything in the sport standard or sport touring range. I think with all the excitement the V85 has drawn from within and without Guzziland, a Lemans, Monza or Sport V85 would be a hit.  I wasnt in the 'family' or paying close attention when the Stelvio/Griso were introduced, but did catch and consider a Norge, but being a dirty unwashed heathen, I went with an FJR in 2008...  THe V9 was a dud out of the gates, the 1400 Series was pretty well received, but did the Griso, Stelvio or Norge stir the kind of excitement as the V85?

[bad Chad]

Exactly.

I have talked to more than a few young guys who HAD small blocks. Liked the bikes, couldn’t keep up with their friends on faster bikes.

Really, more than a few?  So you mean something like 10 or more young guys all riding small blocks, and they all complained how they couldn’t keep up?   Do you think maybe you might be misremembering?

[rdbandkab]

V85 Breva GT.

[fossil]

I think you might be confused.

Sounds like you're complaining about the new W800 (and the brown looks decent to me).

But the OP is talking about the Z900RS which comes in Black/Red (gloss) or Green. Both look pretty damn good too.

Oh yes, you are right. The Z900 is nice. Only a bit too watercooled.

[JohninVT]

Really, more than a few?  So you mean something like 10 or more young guys all riding small blocks, and they all complained how they couldn’t keep up?   Do you think maybe you might be misremembering?

The small blocks are great fun.  They're not fast.  People seem oblivious of the fact a V7III is about the same as an XS650 in terms of hp and performance.  No one in their right mind would say an XS650 will keep up with modern motorcycles yet guys on this forum constantly claim their V7 will chase down sportbikes on twisty roads.  A V7III is a beautiful, wonderful bike.  It's not fast enough to keep up with a modern bike unless Valentino Rossi is riding it.     

[blackcat]

Really, more than a few?  So you mean something like 10 or more young guys all riding small blocks, and they all complained how they couldn’t keep up?   Do you think maybe you might be misremembering?

Chad, Sorry, but if all your friends are riding 100+ hp bikes and you are always ending up at a destination where your friends have been waiting ten minutes for you to show up, it’s going to be a problem for a 20-30 something. 

Granted most small blocks could out run my 38 year old CX.

[JohninVT]

Chad, Sorry, but if all your friends are riding 100+ hp bikes and you are always ending up at a destination where your friends have been waiting ten minutes for you to show up, it’s going to be a problem for a 20-30 something. 

Granted most small blocks could out run my 38 year old CX.

Doesn't even have to have 100hp.  The retro style XS700 appeals to many of the same hipsters as the V7 but it has 75hp and costs the same.  I'd probably buy a V7 rather than the Yamaha but I'm 50 and like Guzzi's.  I also have another motorcycle.  If I could only have one motorcycle in my garage and had to choose I'd buy the XS700 rather than the Guzzi.

A V7 styled bike with a 4 valve, 80hp engine would be a game changer for Moto Guzzi.   

[Kev m]

The small blocks are great fun.  They're not fast.  People seem oblivious of the fact a V7III is about the same as an XS650 in terms of hp and performance.  No one in their right mind would say an XS650 will keep up with modern motorcycles yet guys on this forum constantly claim their V7 will chase down sportbikes on twisty roads.  A V7III is a beautiful, wonderful bike.  It's not fast enough to keep up with a modern bike unless Valentino Rossi is riding it.     

Except the average wanker you run across on a sportbike goes WOT on the straights and then hammers the brakes at each corner cause they're scared to turn.

Obviously no one is going to outrun/outride someone with equal or near equal skill on a sportbike using a V7.

I'm certainly not the most skilled rider, but I've got years of experience and can take a curve, I've run down sportbikes with horrible riders on a friggin 883 Low....

It's sorta like another real world example of Jame May's $500 renault vs. exotic car test from last week's Grand Tour. In the real world most can't or won't use that sportbike to anywhere near its capabilities because of other factors.

A V7 styled bike with a 4 valve, 80hp engine would be a game changer for Moto Guzzi.   

I certainly don't disagree. 

Include USD forks and dual disc brakes FTW!

[LowRyter]

I recall how people were chomping at the bit in the late 90s for a new full fairing tour bike.  Guzzi teased with photos of the v11GT, guys were tweaking over it.  So many said I’ll buy, just bring it!  Finally in 07 the Norge debuted a very similar in style and application  but much more modern, it was only marginally successful from a sales standpoint.

It seems that many Guzzi riders eyes are much larger than their stomachs.

Good history.

I have to think that the late 90s model until '07 Norge release might have a lot to do with marginally successful.

[rocker59]

I recall how people were chomping at the bit in the late 90s for a new full fairing tour bike.  Guzzi teased with photos of the v11GT, guys were tweaking over it.  So many said I’ll buy, just bring it!  Finally in 07 the Norge debuted a very similar in style and application  but much more modern, it was only marginally successful from a sales standpoint.

It seems that many Guzzi riders eyes are much larger than their stomachs.

V11GT was a spine frame bike.  Sport 1100 under the BMW RT styled bodywork.  It was an awesome idea for a sport touring bike.

Norge was something different.  Not nearly as cool.  Complicated, crappy design bodywork.  Heavy CARC chassis.  Blah...