The Centauro

[Litre1000]

One model I never see anyone talk about is the Centauro. Is it the style of the bodywork? Maybe the engine and it’s design issues (aluminum gears, oil pump design, etc...). Maybe it’s the ergonomics that plague its acceptance? I see them for sale. Asking price seems very high compared to other models. Being a newbie to the fold, I wonder why this model seems shunned by the community?

[MiLD GRiSO]

 Other riders say look here-http://www.centauro-owners.com/index2.html

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

It's got an iconic engine, but they need a lot of sorting out to be good reliable runners.   Most people who have them love them, but thats usually if they have put a good deal of work into them.

The cosmetics are a real issue to me, I think it's the ugliest bike Guzzi has ever made.. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I would love to build a custom out of a well-sorted example..

[Lannis]

I put 34000 miles on mine, a 1998 GT.  Fantastic engine, a few very clear and well documented items to sort out, got a lot of attention, some love the styling, others not so much. FOR ME, extremely comfortable riding position and a great mile eater.

Burns through rear tires at 3500 miles per, and you have to work hard to find the right combination of tire brand, pressure, and suspension settings to make it handle right.

It'll always be a specialty orphan that people will buy because it's different and they love it. They are good motorcycles.

Lannis

[pete roper]

I bought one from the widow of a good man in the US but couldn't import it here so it got on sold.

The Centy is like grandfather of Griso. They were a styling benchmark and had the best that Guzzi could afford at the time. Sadly they were afflicted by all the 'Poverty Period' Guzzi issues. I think Chuck said they only bothered assembling them to make sure purchasers got all the parts!

It was also 'Poverty Pack' in the fact that, like the Daytona, it was lumbered with the ancient and outdated five speed gearbox and the 'Heath Robinson' reactive rear drive system.

I've heard reports of weird handling causing crashes but every Centy I've ever ridden has been fine up to extremely illegal speeds on even the crappiest roads so as far as I'm concerned the jury is out on that one.

The FI is primitive. The aesthetics are not to everyone's taste but I think it, like the Griso, is one of Guzzi's styling benchmarks. I doubt we'll see anything anywhere near as adventurous under Piaggio ownership.

You may not 'Love' the Centauro's appearance but to ignore its historical importance renders anyone who can't respect it a philistine, an ignoramous and an idiot.

Pete

[CT Dharma]

"I think it's the ugliest bike Guzzi has ever made.. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Very true as I believe it's the best looking bike Guzzi has produced; a true exercise in design that looks like it's in motion while parked. Love mine and wouldn't part with it.

[Joliet Jim]

The BEAST

Rides like it's on rails, prototype for the new Progressive Motaur commercial, Wicked above 5000rpm, Like Lannis said loves to eat miles, helps with the Earth's rotation when going west and slows it down when going east. yeah there are a couple of niggles and the gearbox isn't the smoothest. style is similar to the Buells of the same era. Love mine and always want to sell it until i ride it. Currently in the number 1 spot in the garage.

[steven c]

Working on getting this one back on the road.

[JJ]

I've owned and ridden a few Guzzi's in my time ('78 850 LeMans, '02 V11 LeMans, '93 SP1000-III, '83 850 LeMans-III), and this one, by far and hands has been my favorite. 

I upgraded all the weak points - steel timing / oil pump gears / Will Creedon chip / gel-cell battery / loud Hella dual horns / LED headlight / Pirelli tires / Hyperlites on the rear etc. - no issues so far.  Bought it with 6500 miles...now has >14,500 miles.

It fits me like a glove, and I have ridden it 400-500+ miles days with no problem. Brakes / handling are superb!  The looks of the bike has grown on me...mainly because it's different!    They only made about 1,918 of these worldwide.

...and Pete Roper is correct about the historical importance of this model.

The 8V Daytona motor is fierce, especially above 5,000 RPM.  Like a buddy said when he rode it...."It's a different motorcycle above 70pmh."

I think about selling it and getting a V85TT...but I believe I would regret it.  

[usedtobefast]

Where are you located?  In CA, San Francisco Bay area, I've seen a few very nicely priced ones.  One was $2500, owned by someone that didn't know Guzzi's and the bike needed a lot of care and attention (IMO).  There was another for $3500 that seem well sorted out.  To me, that is cheap.

I ended up getting a Quota, the only Moto Guzzi that is uglier than the Centauro.   

I never rode a Centauro, but from my "research" the motor from the Daytona is not a low rpm stump pulling powerplant ... more of a "let it rev" type of powerplant ... and if the previous owners have not sorted out the fueling then the low end power is even weaker and more stumbly.    I wanted the lazy low rpm chug chug pulling power, so v11 Quota for me. 

But I do kind of regret not getting that $2500 one ...

[JJ]

Where are you located?  In CA, San Francisco Bay area, I've seen a few very nicely priced ones.  One was $2500, owned by someone that didn't know Guzzi's and the bike needed a lot of care and attention (IMO).  There was another for $3500 that seem well sorted out.  To me, that is cheap.

I ended up getting a Quota, the only Moto Guzzi that is uglier than the Centauro.   

I never rode a Centauro, but from my "research" the motor from the Daytona is not a low rpm stump pulling powerplant ... more of a "let it rev" type of powerplant ... and if the previous owners have not sorted out the fueling then the low end power is even weaker and more stumbly.    I wanted the lazy low rpm chug chug pulling power, so v11 Quota for me. 

But I do kind of regret not getting that $2500 one ...

I am now living in northern Arizona (just outside of Sedona).  Lived in the Bay Area for 5 years - 2006-2011...I still have lots of Guzzi friends in that area...you should hook up with them...they have a monthly gathering near San Jose, CA.

These days, nice "stock" Centauro's go for about $4500-$5500 and above.  But again, one will have to spend $500-$750 to sort them correctly, (IMHO)

The Quota is a nice bike...always liked them!

[rocker59]

One model I never see anyone talk about is the Centauro. Is it the style of the bodywork? Maybe the engine and it’s design issues (aluminum gears, oil pump design, etc...). Maybe it’s the ergonomics that plague its acceptance? I see them for sale. Asking price seems very high compared to other models. Being a newbie to the fold, I wonder why this model seems shunned by the community?

They're super-rare.  There are threads about them, and a couple of regulars here own them.

In The USA, they're the same under the skin as a Daytona RS, another super-rare model here.

When new they were shocking, but the styling has aged well and still looks current, 20-years later.

I like them, but wouldn't want to ride a Daytona-powered machine daily, or as an only bike. 

[Litre1000]

 I have read that the rear sits lower than the Daytona RS. Is that true? And if so, what causes it? Has anybody tried to adjust or change the rear end so that it sits higher like the Daytona RS?

[Guzzistaracing]

Absolutely loved my Centauro, and I agree on that it is the grandfather of the Griso. Loved my Griso also. 
Put in a Creedon chip and it transform the bike. So much fun in the twisties. Never had any problems with mine. Sold it with heavy heart but I needed something a bit more touring oriented. Buy a sorted one and you will love it.

[Deno]

A Centauro was my first Guzzi. I still have it. It is no where near perfect but I still like the looks and the way it rides.
I suspect they will always be affordable. Sort of surprising considering the rarity. There always appears to be one (or more) for sale at any given time.

[wirespokes]

What does it take to convert one to a Daytona?

[Chuck in Indiana]

A Centauro was my first Guzzi.

Mine, too. I rode it all over the country. Pretty maintenance intensive, but it was *fun* maintenance.  Never failed to give me a grin. Styling was sort of a "Love it or Hate it" thing for most, but it aged well.

[bad Chad]

I only know one guy who rides a yellow Centaro,  he's absolutly short of a full deck.  Not to mention I could eat him for lunch with my trusty B1100.  I'm not going to mention names, let's just say he is a fan of the Blues Brothers.

[blackcat]

What does it take to convert one to a Daytona?

I would guess that you'd just need all the bodywork from a Sport. The front fairing might be an issue as the heads on that high cam engine are larger than the sport. A set of clip-ons,etc.etc.

[Joliet Jim]

I only know one guy who rides a yellow Centaro,  he's absolutly short of a full deck.  Not to mention I could eat him for lunch with my trusty B1100.  I'm not going to mention names, let's just say he is a fan of the Blues Brothers.

I didn't know Stormtruck was a fan of the Blues Brothers.

[Ryan]

I wanted one very badly before I found my Tenni, but when I sat on one the ergos did not match my body at all. Just as well, the Tenni was awesome but I am one who loves the style of the Centauro.

[Tusayan]

I would guess that you'd just need all the bodywork from a Sport. The front fairing might be an issue as the heads on that high cam engine are larger than the sport. A set of clip-ons,etc.etc.

An 1100 Sport fairing can be trimmed into Daytona RS form, I’ve done it and it’s what the factory did.  Otherwise, the best way to build an RS replica would be by combining a crashed or otherwise abused Sporti with a crashed or otherwise abused Centauro, making sure nothing unavailable is missing, restoring what you need and selling what’s left.  With prices for both models as they are, low, it’s probably a reasonable thing to do it you are so inclined.

The Centauro is a flawed but simultaneously high quality bike... in what used to be the Italian way.  Fix the flaws as others have described and you’ve got a bike that has exceptional quality - for example, how many production bikes came for the factory with Carrillo con rods?

[rschrum]

Ugly? I think not. Full staintunes, creedon chip, etc. The only flaw this one has is when the speedometer registers 135, you are only going 132.

[Joliet Jim]

Ugly? I think not. Full staintunes, creedon chip, etc. The only flaw this one has is when the speedometer registers 135, you are only going 132.

Love the greenie

[Phil G]

Love mine
😎

[Lannis]

Mine, too. I rode it all over the country. Pretty maintenance intensive, but it was *fun* maintenance.  Never failed to give me a grin. Styling was sort of a "Love it or Hate it" thing for most, but it aged well.

It was my first Guzzi too. Not a lot of maintenance after the original sorting.

And to think I could have owned a B1100 too if I had just known where to go. People who haven't ridden them don't understand the top end rush on that engine...

Lannis

[Litre1000]

I've owned and ridden a few Guzzi's in my time ('78 850 LeMans, '02 V11 LeMans, '93 SP1000-III, '83 850 LeMans-III), and this one, by far and hands has been my favorite. 

I upgraded all the weak points - steel timing / oil pump gears / Will Creedon chip / gel-cell battery / loud Hella dual horns / LED headlight / Pirelli tires / Hyperlites on the rear etc. - no issues so far.  Bought it with 6500 miles...now has >14,500 miles.
I see you’re a Vision Pilot.... My first Vision was pearl-white. My current Vision is a 2010 ANSS Vision in black. I never liked the looks, until I rode one! What a fantastic machine. I been hunting for a Guzzi. Initially a Daytona was on the list. So hard to find and “capture” one in red. Then, I moved on to the Sport 1100. But Andy keeps nabbing those before I can! Then, I focused on the V11. Just not sure that’s the model I’d enjoy the most owning. But, this darn Centauro is really tugging at my heartstrings. Knowing it’s a Daytona in sheep’s clothing really interests me. The styling and rarity may be influencing my choice to purchase. Kinda like the Vision did...

[Chuck in Indiana]

IMG_4243 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

[JJ]

Love 'em...or Hate 'em...at the end of the day...Moto Guzzi did not make a lot of them!!

[Huzo]

Talking to these guys outside Agostini’s, I thought chopping away some of the bodywork did the looks no harm.