EICMA 2024 Milan Motorcycle Show

[Dirk_S]

I just want a bigger f***ing frame so I can take my girlfriend for a ride without the two of us (who only weigh a combined 305 lbs, but aren't short) feeling like a couple of circus bears on a gawdamn miniature tricycle.

The frame’s not the issue—it’s the tank, or more accurately, what the tank does to the seating position. Before Guzzi came out with the V7 Classic, that tank was never on a small block. All other small block bikes had tanks that ended near where the frame’s top tube terminates and/or didn’t bump-stop the rider so far back. This allowed the seat to often sit farther forward. And if anyone has ever ridden a V7 and wondered why they reach forward a little more than they do on other standards, I think it’s primarily that reason. The V7 is the only standard that I’ve owned or ridden which I found myself seeking a solution to that forward reach—makes longer distance riding a bit uncomfortable.

Here’s an animation comparing the ergonomics of a V50 II and a V7 Stone Ten, overlaid on top of one another using wheelbase as reference (click the thumbnail to view the animation):





Slap on an older tank and seat from a V50 or V65–or at least throw on a tank that doesn’t block your crotch like a Volkswagen attempting to drive through the Berlin Wall, and I bet you’d have the seating room that you and others seek.

[Vagrant]

The correct answer is, V85! Perfect for two up, and solo.

[bad Chad]

Not sure I’m following this accurately, but the SB frame is absolutely smaller in most every aspect when compared to any BB to to frame.

[Tkelly]

I put bar extenders on our v7 to get a comfortable riding position.

[adri]

The frame’s not the issue—it’s the tank, or more accurately, what the tank does to the seating position. Before Guzzi came out with the V7 Classic, that tank was never on a small block. All other small block bikes had tanks that ended near where the frame’s top tube terminates and/or didn’t bump-stop the rider so far back. This allowed the seat to often sit farther forward. And if anyone has ever ridden a V7 and wondered why they reach forward a little more than they do on other standards, I think it’s primarily that reason. The V7 is the only standard that I’ve owned or ridden which I found myself seeking a solution to that forward reach—makes longer distance riding a bit uncomfortable.

Here’s an animation comparing the ergonomics of a V50 II and a V7 Stone Ten, overlaid on top of one another using wheelbase as reference (click the thumbnail to view the animation):





Slap on an older tank and seat from a V50 or V65–or at least throw on a tank that doesn’t block your crotch like a Volkswagen attempting to drive through the Berlin Wall, and I bet you’d have the seating room that you and others seek.

Tomato tomahto. It's cramped! lol
That's a cool diagram though :)

[Kiwi_Roy]

I wonder if the Chang Jiang 750 Defender will be there-------------------

https://www.rideapart.com/news/687891/changjiang-v750-defender-sidecar-design/

If that's not a Guzzi Ripoff nothing is

[Bulldog9]

I’ll concede that not all buyers want the same thing, but even if 3% of the motorcycle buying public wanted a liquid cooled 850 cc Guzzi, that would still translate out to 100’s of thousands of orders.
Also there have been a hell of a lot of people turn away from a V85 to get something else because of easily remedied things like excessive seat heights or too heavy (V100), (new Stelvio) et al…
The best R&D people are the buying public….Listen to them…!

Yeah, opinions vary......... Does Guzzi listen to its fanbase? or look to go wider into the market? Tough call, and has to be a bit of both.  The V85 has made tons of converts to the brand, and the V7 audience is growing as time passes, especially for those who long for a more authentic MC experience.

The new V100 twins are also making headway, at least people are talking about them and considering.

V100 Mandello/Stelvio are heavy? THey are around 530 +/-. That's just about perfect for a purported Sport Touring bike (Mandello). I dont see it as one, the fairing is too small, rear seat is too much like a sport bike, and luggage too wonky in looks and attachment, but that is just me. The Stelvio is well, fugly, and uses the same luggage, but decent racks and ADV cases may work better.

IMHO, a WC 750/850 V7/9 styled bike will be a fail unless they keep faux fins and incorporate the radiator the way Triumph does.

Me? I want them to run with AIR cooled as long as the Euro Environazi's will allow. I'd also like to see a 1200cc 130HP successor to the Norge, and am hoping the upcoming California will have a larger displacement motor. I still believe if they could have stuck with the 1400 series bikes, they would be very popular.

[Kev m]

hoping the upcoming California will have a larger displacement motor. I still believe if they could have stuck with the 1400 series bikes, they would be very popular.

I feel like I'm the perfect target customer for a Cali. And the 1400 was nearly a complete fail in every way for me.

* I don't need the performance valve adjustments add on this type of bike
* It was too long (longer than a Road King) with too much wheelbase (3" more than an RK), and felt too wide too.
* It had wonky bags and windshield that were quick detach like the Harleys
* It had maintenance that required removal of things like the bags and the rear wheel.

And it just didn't offer any benefits for these things.

[Huzo]

Bulldog understandably suggested a 130 hp version of the Norge and I’ve no doubt it would be a success for them if they did, although I have not lamented the relatively modest performance of mine at any time.
If it was aimed at 130 hp it would need to be a 4 VPC unit one would think and then how would the cooling around the valve area be satisfactorily achieved ? That seems to suggest liquid cooling again and so you are back to radiators and all they bring with them.
I’d ask, other than trying to compete, why is 130 hp seen as a necessary feature ? The  case could be made I guess, that in Europe and some other places where 200+ km/h speeds are quite legal, you could use such performance, but here in Australia, your licence would be gone in a week.

[Bulldog9]

Bulldog understandably suggested a 130 hp version of the Norge and I’ve no doubt it would be a success for them if they did, although I have not lamented the relatively modest performance of mine at any time.
If it was aimed at 130 hp it would need to be a 4 VPC unit one would think and then how would the cooling around the valve area be satisfactorily achieved ? That seems to suggest liquid cooling again and so you are back to radiators and all they bring with them.
I’d ask, other than trying to compete, why is 130 hp seen as a necessary feature ? The  case could be made I guess, that in Europe and some other places where 200+ km/h speeds are quite legal, you could use such performance, but here in Australia, your licence would be gone in a week.

I'm just saying to be taken seriously in the modern ST world, it will need at least that much. Me? I'm sticking with the 105 HP'd Beetlemap and Cat bypassed with Mistral Exhaust 2012 Norge............



 **Not my bike, don't have good pics of it yet.

[Moparnut72]

I had a 1400 Audace. Due to the wheelbase, rake and trail and the weight I had to sell it. I just wasn't confident on it anymore, dropped it three times and almost three more times. I went to a 1200 Triumph, MG didn't make anything that would fit my needs. When the Mandello came out I came back, I still had a V7 though. I am just a few months short of 80 and can handle the V100 just fine. I figure another year or two, maybe more. However a V100 California would have been my choice if the frame and engine etc were similar. I am not buying anymore new bikes, but as they say never say never. I will probably be riding off into the sunset on my V7, maybe a Vespa as a final ride.
kk

[Dirk_S]

Here’s hoping when they do come out with their next muscled highway muncher, it doesn’t look like it’s in the midst of engaging warp speed with that lady taffy stretched middle section.

[Huzo]

Yeah, I understand the concept that to be taken seriously you do need to be able to play in that league.
As a penis extension 130+ hp is nice, but I didn’t notice the lack of ponies in the 100,000 km I did in Europe plus the 100,000+ that I did in Oz on this.


A lot of guys use the “distance munching” statistics to somehow legitimise their presence in the touring scene, then go chasing cheaper tyres because they burned them on the back of their mega monster.
Most of the time I was taken fairly seriously…