V100 Mandello Merged Threadfest

[jrt]

That would be disappointing.  In my (so far imaginary) ownership, I would have something like that re-painted/powdercoated. 
I have not seen this point definitively addressed yet, so I withhold any judgement. 

[Huzo]

Huzo,  it's a pretty safe bet that you will have one within 2 years.

Therefore Chad, you’ll have no reluctance in wagering USD 10,000 at 10,000:1
If I get one, I owe you $10,000
If I don’t, you owe me $1.00
Wanna’ play…?
After all..It’s a “pretty safe bet…” 
Let’s see now, I’ll set my alarm for 10:36 pm on Feb 23 2025….(tick…tick…tick…).

[Bulldog9]

To my Eye Palate, I think the Mandello would look much better with a black motor and trans/swingarm. The Gold Valve Covers make sense with the Gold Rims on the Base Red, but not with other color combos. Over time, the silver gets stained and is harder to keep looking pristine (if that matters to you).

My 07 Griso has a very interesting bronzish color on the swingarm and CARC that I wished translated to the engine and valve covers. But I like uniformity.

As for those who think this is NOT "Guzzi" enough, I'm wondering what else on the market is 'more' Guzzi? I think this is a perfect modern evolution of the Marque, if 5 years late. There is obviously a ton of 'parts bin' happening with Aprilia/Piaggio but it is what it is, and I think they did a great job overall. Will be interesting to see what they do with the Stelvio and possible other derivatives.

[Phil/TX]

Sure hope I’m not the late order ,as I ordered in October.

[Tusayan]

As for those who think this is NOT "Guzzi" enough, I'm wondering what else on the market is 'more' Guzzi? I think this is a perfect modern evolution of the Marque, if 5 years late.

The V85TT, as mentioned several times.

The V100 looks like a very good mechanical design spoiled to a degree by Japanese/Aprilia styling, particularly the fairing and headlight which are really quite ugly and inappropriate to my eye.  The bike is good but not ‘perfect’,  I think it could be better.

Guzzi’s industrial design ‘thing’ is, or should be, good taste.  The issue there is not parts bin engineering affecting the V100 because I’m not aware of any shared parts. The issue is sharing designers with Aprilia, which at its core is a scooter manufacturer selling to adolescent tastes. 

That is not to say that the V100 is less atttactive than its competitors from BMW, KTM, Ducati etc.  In 2023 those are generally visually horrific and I think the V100 is well above average.  But I think the standards for a Guzzi should be much higher.  I don’t buy those bikes and I do buy Guzzis for a reason.

It would be interesting to know if the V85TT and this one were designed/styled by the same people, or not.

[bad Chad]

Just a gentlemen's bet dear Huzo no money need be placed.   I'll be paid enough when you inevitably announce your new procurement.

[Huzo]

Just a gentlemen's bet dear Huzo no money need be placed.   I'll be paid enough when you inevitably announce your new procurement.

No Chad, not for me and at what point will you concede that you were mistaken ?

I would however like to get my Norge to 300,000 k just for fun. There’s some intangible quality that I seem to need these days regarding a bike, that was not always thus. If I look at the Norge, it looks to me like it’s “my bike”, the same with the V85. I know there are a couple of things with both that lend that particular appeal to me.
It is the “uniqueness” that I perceive in both bikes that I seem to be drawn to these days and I think the V100 for mine, does not possess it.
I have become comfortable in the world that my Norge provides for me and I just seem to have mis placed what used to be my wandering eye. To my way of thinking, the V100 has begun to “compete” with the bikes within it’s design brief and must now go head to head on the spec sheets.
It’s a strange notion I’ll admit, but my bike reminds me a lot of what I hope I am, not fantastic at any one thing but has forged a place in the masses where it seems to have found a comfortable niche’ and have no desire to change or be anyone else.

[Bulldog9]

The V85TT, as mentioned several times.

The V100 looks like a very good mechanical design spoiled to a degree by Japanese/Aprilia styling, particularly the fairing and headlight which are really quite ugly and inappropriate to my eye.  The bike is good but not ‘perfect’,  I think it could be better.

Guzzi’s industrial design ‘thing’ is, or should be, good taste.  The issue there is not parts bin engineering affecting the V100 because I’m not aware of any shared parts. The issue is sharing designers with Aprilia, which at its core is a scooter manufacturer selling to adolescent tastes. 

That is not to say that the V100 is less atttactive than its competitors from BMW, KTM, Ducati etc.  In 2023 those are generally visually horrific and I think the V100 is well above average.  But I think the standards for a Guzzi should be much higher.  I don’t buy those bikes and I do buy Guzzis for a reason.

It would be interesting to know if the V85TT and this one were designed/styled by the same people, or not.

V85? Well of course.... And V7 and V9 for that matter. But those are different (air-cooled) chassis and likely out going. This is a fresh page. To me it's as different to the other models as the CARC bikes were to the Tonti based bikes that preceded.
.
Its all in the eye, but the V100 does not have an insectoid face (Japanese) like most other offerings.

No parts bin on the drivetrain, but suspension, brakes, controls, dash/screen, switchgear, etc etc.... There's loads of it.

[blackcat]

Reported today by a USA owner:


“We are happy to announce your Moto Guzzi V100  Mandello is just a couple of weeks from arriving at your selected  dealer, and you should be receiving confirmation from your dealer  representative shortly.
Once your dealer has confirmed your unit arrival, they will be in contact with you set a specific date on the vehicle pick up.
Thank you for your interest, and congratulations on your new Moto Guzzi.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Moto Guzzi USA”

[ridingron]

I would however like to get my Norge to 300,000 k just for fun. There’s some intangible quality that I seem to need these days regarding a bike, that was not always thus. If I look at the Norge, it looks to me like it’s “my bike”, the same with the V85. I know there are a couple of things with both that lend that particular appeal to me.
It is the “uniqueness” that I perceive in both bikes that I seem to be drawn to these days and I think the V100 for mine, does not possess it.
I have become comfortable in the world that my Norge provides for me and I just seem to have mis placed what used to be my wandering eye. To my way of thinking, the V100 has begun to “compete” with the bikes within it’s design brief and must now go head to head on the spec sheets.
It’s a strange notion I’ll admit, but my bike reminds me a lot of what I hope I am, not fantastic at any one thing but has forged a place in the masses where it seems to have found a comfortable niche’ and have no desire to change or be anyone else.
I see this as a bike that could be anyone’s 

This quote pretty much defines my feelings for my "soulless" Honda. Mine is about the same red color even! Strangely, since it's even been said they are too plain Jane vanilla, I would like a white one! I've owned an ST1100 for over 20 years. After a few other bikes, (Guzzi, BMW F650, Suzuki, Yamaha, and a Valkyrie) I still go back to my ST. Now I find myself looking at the V100 wondering, will this be the one to move me?

[Tusayan]

To me it's as different to the other models as the CARC bikes were to the Tonti based bikes that preceded.

Yes, and that's the potential problem.  The first CARC bikes (meaning 2005 Breva) were very ugly and had little Guzzi in them compared to what they replaced - meaning the V11 Sport based spine framed bikes mostly, not the cruisers.  Eventually the whole Aprilia designed BMW-replica range was discontinued and never directly replaced.  It did not take Guzzi anywhere.

The first step in getting Guzzi back on track after that misstep was the 2007 Griso (a Centauro re-do), then the little ersatz-V7 small blocks looked backwards and sold nostalgia + low cost to make some money and eventually the V85TT solidified this much better direction in a forward looking product, gathering lots of positive press and buyer enthusiasm as a result.  Better press than any other Guzzi since maybe 1998 when the EV made Cycle World's Ten Best. 

To me the V100 looks a bit like a repeat performance of 2005 although that's definitely an overstatement and the fix would (will?) take a lot less effort than the 2007-2019 saga because the 2023 engineering appears to have a lot of potential and the styling miscues are relatively minor.  I still would have hoped for better in terms of the overall Guzzi product, building better on the inertia of the V85TT versus looking like an innovative Guzzi driveline in a fairly generic Aprilia package.

Its all in the eye, but the V100 does not have an insectoid face (Japanese) like most other offerings.

All in the eye indeed, because I think the V100 fairing and headlight looks very much like that, perhaps not quite as bad but as mentioned I think the industrial design standard for a Guzzi needs to be higher.  It needs to be the best on the market, especially since virtually every other manufacturer is making really ugly bikes in 2023.  There's an opportunity out there, and the reception to the V85TT proved it.

No parts bin on the drivetrain, but suspension, brakes, controls, dash/screen, switchgear, etc etc.... There's loads of it.

Maybe so, it would be interesting to list the specific parts that are shared - I hadn't noticed that parts commonality with other Piaggio products.  But regardless the parts you mention would have no impact on the the overall design of the bike in the sense that I'm trying to convey.

[twowheeladdict]

Ride on the autobahn.

https://youtube.com/shorts/OAEDj8X5RQo?feature=share

He does do a full review.

[ScepticalScotty]

I very much liked his review. He is a very "considered" reviewer.

[rocker59]

No parts bin on the drivetrain, but suspension, brakes, controls, dash/screen, switchgear, etc etc.... There's loads of it.

Italian motorcycles have always used vendors for all those parts  Suspension, brakes, controls, switchgear.

Grimeca and Brembo brakes interchangeable with Ducati and others.  Marzocchi and Ohlins suspension used Ducati and others.  Campagnolo, Brembo, and Marchessini cast wheels used Ducati and others.  It goes on and on, since the 1970s, and is nothing new.

[blu guzz]

I liked on the autobahn how well it moved up to and past 160 clicks. my v85 would have been much more deliberate attempting that pass.

[bad Chad]

I guess that's what an additional 35 horsepower will do for you!

[blu guzz]

yes, you can feel that in the seat of the pants. a few bikes back, i had a fast 4 cylinder bike with good aerodynamics and it could blow by a line like that as quick as you thought about it.  but, that was its best trick.

[bad Chad]

Me as well.  I had a inline 4 liter bike, the acceleration was intoxicating!  And it was a first gen liter bike, i have no idea what a modern one feels like, but I know I don't want to own one!

[Bigtime]

Me as well.  I had a inline 4 liter bike, the acceleration was intoxicating!  And it was a first gen liter bike, i have no idea what a modern one feels like, but I know I don't want to own one!

. Totally agree. Last fall a good friend asked me to Ride his 4 cylinder Kaw. to the dealership ( he having a lot of health issues. He didn't feel he had the strength to ride). The power and acceleration was amazing, but uninspiring. I was glad to be back on my Norge.

[Bulldog9]

yes, you can feel that in the seat of the pants. a few bikes back, i had a fast 4 cylinder bike with good aerodynamics and it could blow by a line like that as quick as you thought about it.  but, that was its best trick.

I rode IL4 bikes almost exclusively from 1983 till 2015. XS1100's, then a Concours, an FZ1, and an FJR 1300. probably 200K miles all tolled, tons of Iron Buts, cross country, etc. The power and sound was a standard I was addicted to until I wasn't. I had my FJR from 2007-2015, and barely rode it the last couple years. Unless riding at go to Jail or Cemetery Speeds, I found the bike so competent it was boring and without character. The FJR excelled at passing, overtaking and closing gaps. But it sucked my love of riding out of me. I discovered my first Guzzi in a 2007 Griso and was hooked and intoxicated. Added a Norge 3 months later. On my first 2 up ride with my wife her only comment was 'It is VERY slow" lol......

Not that my CARC big blocks are slow, they just make power differently, and FAR less severe than those liter plus IL4s.  To each his own...........

[Huzo]

I rode IL4 bikes almost exclusively from 1983 till 2015. XS1100's, then a Concours, an FZ1, and an FJR 1300. probably 200K miles all tolled, tons of Iron Buts, cross country, etc. The power and sound was a standard I was addicted to until I wasn't. I had my FJR from 2007-2015, and barely rode it the last couple years. Unless riding at go to Jail or Cemetery Speeds, I found the bike so competent it was boring and without character. The FJR excelled at passing, overtaking and closing gaps. But it sucked my love of riding out of me. I discovered my first Guzzi in a 2007 Griso and was hooked and intoxicated. Added a Norge 3 months later. On my first 2 up ride with my wife her only comment was 'It is VERY slow" lol......

Not that my CARC big blocks are slow, they just make power differently, and FAR less severe than those liter plus IL4s.  To each his own...........

You might want to get your wife to jump on the front on her own and ask her to ride it as fast as it can go around a twisty mountain road with certain death drop offs like in the Tarn Valley in France..(Valley of the Gorges…).
More like the valley of the Norges….
Anyway, I’m sure it won’t seem slow then…..

[Bulldog9]

You might want to get your wife to jump on the front on her own and ask her to ride it as fast as it can go around a twisty mountain road with certain death drop offs like in the Tarn Valley in France..(Valley of the Gorges…).
More like the valley of the Norges….
Anyway, I’m sure it won’t seem slow then…..

Working on that with my recent purchase of the Breva 750. Hoping she will take to riding herself. If not I have a fun little bike in the shed.

As for her sense of passing power, when riding as a pillion, the FJR was an absolute beast for passing power and she got used to that. None of my Moto Guzzi's are able to compare. Just a reality.

I have a 150 horsepower Porsche 912 and a 480 horsepower Mustang. There's no comparison  in power and speed of these cars but on any given day I would prefer to drive the Porsche over the Mustang without hesitation equivocation or question.

Besides.. what does a pillion know anyway? :-)

[twowheeladdict]

Looks like top speed is 200.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PndNgP5zqVU

[lazlokovacs]

kms not miles right?

[Bpreynolds2]

Me as well.  I had a inline 4 liter bike, the acceleration was intoxicating!  And it was a first gen liter bike, i have no idea what a modern one feels like, but I know I don't want to own one!

Yeah, I’ve owned several at least.  That’s the thing, I had to work it up to enjoy it and while I do like the sounds of triples and 4s I just don’t personally find them as rewarding for everyday riding.  They are also not good for my health as I often found myself taking them out just to find places where I could go fast and get to that enjoyable part of the motor (for me).  But I’ll say this, the Triumph triples are just plain fantastic motors I have a great amount of appreciation for but I still find them a bit soulless at the end of the day.   

[Murray]

Looks like top speed is 200.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PndNgP5zqVU

I doubt that, when my old !@#$heap 1100 sport can stagger up to 230, although much after 180 you need some time and space to wind it out and the last little bit takes forever.

[bad Chad]

I'm sure it's over 200 kph/ 124mph, he just backed off.  I got 200kph on my B1100, and it's heavier, and down at least 30hp to the Mandelo.

[lazlokovacs]

yeah, looked like there was more to go

[Bulldog9]

I'm sure it's over 200 kph/ 124mph, he just backed off.  I got 200kph on my B1100, and it's heavier, and down at least 30hp to the Mandelo.

I agree, and that was NOT a road to spend much time at those speeds.

I had my Norge to 125 regularly and it had more in the tank, same for the 1200 Sport, but unless it is a clear day on an open road, usually superslab, I don't ride at those speeds. Too much sense these days.

I imagine the V100 would top at the 140 range

[Tusayan]

A Greek magazine dyno test says the V100 makes 100 RWHP, which is about the same as a stock '99 ST4 Ducati.  The bike is otherwise fairly similar in size and weight.  That bike does 150 mph or 240 kph, so that's what I'd expect from the V100. 

I also read its geared for 149 mph at redline in top gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIR2qpw1Gtc