Just because it's provocative.....

[pete roper]

And it's winter here

Just looking at Tonti framed big blocks, (Essentially from V7 Sport to the last of the Cali 1100's) with the five speed gearbox. Which ones in an order of 1,2,3 would you list as the exemplars?

While cosmetics will almost certainly trigger gut responses, and that's fine, can we also look at overall practicality, comfort, and 'Performance' with a long term and no doubt jaundiced view of ownership.

Pete.

PS. I'll give my opinions when others have jumped on board.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Number one is easy.. V7 Sport. Number two? Tonti LeMans. Pick your year.  Number 3? I'm really partial to the G5.  Really, the T and T3 started the "touring" versions, though. The G5 is a little more sophisticated version of them.

[fotoguzzi]

1000S, LeMans 1, SPNT.

[blackcat]

Lemans I, V7Sport, 1000S

[Joliet Jim]

2002 Cali. nothing recalled on that model. run forever

[pete roper]

This is all about Tonti's Chuck. There were a host of versions over the years. I was asking people to balance the quantifiables of aesthetics, performance and anything else. I can see the attraction of the V7 Sport and yes, it is really *The* most aesthetically pleasing of them all to many but I'm asking for the 'Combination' of factors that make a *Great* Tonti, not looks alone and the 1, 2, 3 isn't supposed to be based on any one criteria.

The V7 Sport was always a bit of a turd in many ways, it was slow, uncomfortable and missed everyday accoutrements like air and oil filters. Did that matter? No, because it was sex on wheels! But being sex on wheels doesn't make it the 'Best'. Not in my book at least.

Pete

[Lannis]

1. 1000SP

2. SP3

3. Mille GT

Me personal, I can't do footboard bikes.   These do it for me.

Lannis

[TN Mark]

I had Converts, a G5 and a CalVin, but the Tonti framed bike I thought Moto Guzzi got 'right' was the V11 Bassa. I bought both a 1999 model and a 2000. Only those two model years had the attributes (adjustable forks/tubeless wheels) I'd spend my money on.

Aesthetics: IMHO was nice as the bike flowed together well instead of simply looking like assembled parts. The V11 Bassa still looks good all these years later while many of the other Tonti framed bikes look odd and dated with obvious shortcomings from the design department.

Practicality: Completely depends on opinion, wants, needs and desires of the owner.

Comfort: Was much improved with an EV floorboard subframe and V10 Centauro bars and risers

Performance: Way under powered but then again, I knew that going in.

Long Term Durability: Perhaps the last of the most reliable Tonti framed bikes. Plus this generation of models sold fairly well (in Moto Guzzi terms) so parts will be readily available throughout my lifetime and beyond.

Only the 2016 Eldorado has me considering a new(er) Moto Guzzi since the Bassa. Nothing else they've put out has garnered even a second look or any consideration.

For the Spine frame bikes I had a V11 Sport which I literally hated. In a years time I had to force myself to put 100 miles on it. I also had a Griso 8V which I loved in form of but didn't like the function a bit.

[chuck peterson]

Granted I live in New England w lots of fun two laners out the back door and I have the pleasure of avoiding interstates all I want. Those of you in Kansas will have a different lust.

#1.....850 T3FB what a sweet motor displaced by,..displacement. Perfect all arounder once you put on a decent suspension. I'd want this bare with no fairing, stock visuals. To me, similar to the British vertical twin experience, when the motor got bigger you lost something in smoothness. My choice today to replace it? All the new small-blocks

#2.....V1000 Convert, ducking and running for cover...its still controversial after all these years, yet there they are still running and available..I'm telling you roll the throttle on at 55 in low range with an extra 300 lbs of people and gear and you might be surprised at how well these hippos skate. Paint matched windjammer, DB bags, wide bars. No such thing as an auto EV to replace it

#3......a race spec lock wired ported polished racing slicks Hecht built fire breathing hi cam bigger carb alum alloy body work and the money to campaign it LeMan. Since I'm old and creeky I'll hire a racer and just hang out at the track and watch.

Howz that?

[Charles in Lake Charles]

 Convert, Lemans 1, SPIII

[steven c]

The T and T-3s, do any thing bikes my T went from cafe to tourer to a standard over 13 years, and they still look good after 40 years. My T-3 had that I brought back from a rusty mess.

[Daniel Kalal]

I'd have the long-seat Cal2 up there. The cal3 and all those variants that came later had poor ergos for me, but the long-seat model was really ideal. Not especially attractive, but so what...

[flangeman_70]

SPIII
Le Mans V
1000 S

[Dave Swanson]

With all factors considered:

2003 Hydro EVT.  The best motor ever in a Tonti IMO - once sorted of course.  The one I shouldn't have ever sold.

1000S.  Something sportier, uber rare, and style for miles while still being very functional.

T3 California.  To me the coolest of the 850s. 

[pete roper]

Interesting the number of votes for the SPIII. My mate Peter had one and deeply regrets having sold it. Every time I go to Townsville I have to listen to him raving on and on and on about it! I've only ever ridden a couple and can't remember seeing what all the fuss was about!

Pete

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

1. 850 T5 with 16" wheels on both ends. The height of Tonti frame beauty and handling.
2. SP II
3. Cal III FF

  

I'd rather have a Loopframe than any Tonti... 

[pete roper]

That last line was horribly predictable Charlie!

[nick949]

Performance, aesthetics





Practicality and comfort (Convert)





Nick
(but I'm with Charlie on this one.... )

[Lannis]

Interesting the number of votes for the SPIII. My mate Peter had one and deeply regrets having sold it. Every time I go to Townsville I have to listen to him raving on and on and on about it! I've only ever ridden a couple and can't remember seeing what all the fuss was about!

Pete

I can only speak for myself, but they're beautiful, still somewhat "simple" and reasonable to work on, well developed, and the ones I've seen will go forever (like Ron Good's one).

Downside is that your knees have to fit behind the fairing two up, and ours don't.   Otherwise, it would be our touring bike.   But I don't hold that against it; Guzzi can't be held responsible for Fay's 34" inseam ....

Lannis

[rocker59]

LeMans V - Pinnacle of the sporting Tonti Guzzi. 
1000 S - The Aesthetics of the V7 Sport and S3, but with the mechanicals of the LM1000.
California Vintage - the Breva 1100 internals give it a leg-up over the V11EV, though the CalVin did lack tubeless wheels.

[oldbike54]

 I love them all , well , at least when the *green* wire isn't being a Richard 

 Maybe the Calvin or the Bassa , depends on my mood , some days the Jackal or the Lemans 5 , some days the V7 Sport . So many Tontis , so little time 

 Dusty

[Rick in WNY]

My first Guzzi... 2004 California Titanium. Third year living with her, and she's still as exciting as ever.

Someday she may be retired, but she will never be replaced.

[BrotherJim]

Nothing says "sex on wheels" like a Whale Dork!  Another vote for the '02 CalStone!   

[redrider90]

In no particular order (I do not do floor boards)

1.Lemans V big valve
2. Bassa (pearl white only)
3. Mille GT ( I prefer my Red Italian Stallion)

In 91 Fran was having a fire sale at Midway (more like he had cash flow problems  ) and offered me a LMV for $5900 out the door or the Mille for $5200. I was broke after a divorce so I took the Mille. I ended up putting bitubos and Writh progressive front springs on it, F0 9 front right caliper with sticky pads all around, Euro jetted with Agonstini stainless and at 6'5" it fits my frame. Even 2 up loaded with my wife and fully loaded soft bags and luggage rack it comes in a 1000#s and I can handle it well in the twisties and do 300 mile days with my wife or 500 solo. It's versatile and fast enough and a great stopper. With the 30 mm front end modified I have no issues with handling.
But those other 2 I listed I would love one of each.
The 1000S kills my back and legs so I could not list it: not functional

[wolfeguitars]

2002 Cali. nothing recalled on that model. run forever

Hope you're right!

[Cam3512]

1. V7 Sport

2. 850 LeMans

3. 1000S

[injundave]

Le Mans Mk 1
1000S
T3

[geoff in almonte]

In no particular order -

LeMans Mk 2
SP2
1000S

[Two Checks]

Cal III Touring. Maybe one of the best fairings in the biz. Detachable Givi bags and trunk. Remove the trunk and you still have a useable rack.
Sort the forks and the seat and you have a serious mile muncher that handles.


SP/SPII/SPIII
All pretty much the same bike with a few upgrades along the way, the latter two being square fins. Again, Some of the best frames in the biz. Kinda sporty but tour well, too.


I would like to throw in a LeMans but I've never ridden one. But they are bike porn.


For the naked bike maybe the 2000 Jackal. Probably some of the best bikes Guzzi made. The ergos don't work for me, though.

[Shorty]

I agree that the "sporting" models look the best. I cannot ride them, so that leaves out even the SP. Of the upright seating Tontis,

1) G5, later model with FBs and mag wheels. Very comfy and solid on the road. No chrome bores, all the power I will ever use, decent brakes. If it has a weak spot, it's the puny charging system. (with crap wiring) Oldest Guzzi you can get and not make excuses for braking and the need for a nickasil top end. 
2)  Mille GT. Lovely, nice bike with the "world" engine. Too bad about the iggy system.   
3) CalVin. I don't do fuel injection, but if I were to take the jump to light speed, I'd get a Calvin. Black with a skunk seat. Damn fine looking bike. Probably change the tail light to an older loop frame unit.