Air cooled vs water cooled Guzzi’s

[John A]

This just came up in my feed, https://youtu.be/w-xEkvUinxI?si=jWlOmOCNtWcpKQft
I’ve not watched it yet so it’s a gamble if it’s any good.

[eljayski]

It's entertaining, with the expected doublespeak. The guy said the Stelvio is unquestionably the better bike but he'd prefer the V85 for a ride in the Alps.

[blu guzz]

I watched it as well.  I am not surprised.  The V85 is like a Black Lab, so comfortable and easy to love and it loves you back unconditionally like those fine dogs.  The V100 series seems to demand a little more from its rider.  It can also make you feel unworthy of it.  It is true that you can get more out of it when push comes to shove, but then, you have to focus a little harder.  The V100 series is more like a Doberman I think, you have to earn their respect.

[Ncdan]

The way I look at the comparison is that older rider, as the majority of us are, will be able to chose between the new liquid cooled vs air cooled, for the remaining of our riding time, as this change will be gradual for MG. For me it would be a difficult decision if money was not an issue.
I’d be interested to see how the majority of the MG family feels.

[twowings]

I enjoy the freedom of not having another mechanical system to maintain but that said, holding on too tightly to the past will just leave one with a handful of dust and and an aching heart.

[Moparnut72]

I have a Mandello and a V7lll Special. I am just a couple of months away from 80. I hope to be able to ride the Mandello for a couple of more years then the V7 it is. Might eventually wind up on a Vespa. It all depends on my aged body.
kk

[kingoffleece]

One of my main attractions to Guzzi is air cooled, easily maintained, and a lovely riding experience.  While I very much enjoyed my rides on the V100 I'm not the guy.
I WAS that guy for decades and I'm glad for it and happy to be here now.  Gimme simple.

[bronzestar1]

Like MoparNut, I have a '23 V7 Special Edition and a '24 V100 Navale, which are the 6th and 7th Guzzis I've owned over the last 40 years.  The V7 has the air-cooled simplicity that I've come to associate with having owned numerous Guzzis in the past.  It's a basic design, easy to work on, a classic like button-down shirts and penny loafers.  The V100, on the other hand, is a "welcome to the 21st century" kind of Guzzi.  With the rotated cylinders, more compact size, water-cooling, etc, it's what the Guzzis of the future will be like.  After I got my V7, I originally wasn't going to get the V100, having no real working knowledge of the bike.  But I checked the dealer's inventory on a whim, saw the Navale, did some research, and ended up buying it.  I would consider my V7 the "analog" bike, and the V100 the "digital" one.  Nice that you can get either from the same manufacturer!         

[Bulldog9]

One of my main attractions to Guzzi is air cooled, easily maintained, and a lovely riding experience.  While I very much enjoyed my rides on the V100 I'm not the guy.
I WAS that guy for decades and I'm glad for it and happy to be here now.  Gimme simple.

For me, Air Cooled/Shaft Drive have been my preferred way to ride and what I want out of the experience. My first was a 79XS1100 starting in 1984. Had a brief dalliance on a BMW RT1100 back in the early 90s, but returned it in 2 weeks for a 1996 ZG1000 Concours (LQ & Shaft) from 1998-2003, than and FZ1 (LQ & chain) 2004, and then an FJR (LQ & shaft) from 2005-2015.  I call those the years of languish.

I put 100K on the Concours, and 80K on the FJR, and they were highly capable, but lacking. I was miserable on the FZ1 due to my utter lack of confidence and experience with a chain.

The FJR was so capable, it sucked my love of riding dry. Only rode it 500 miles the last year.  Then I threw my leg over a 2007 Griso and rode it 2K miles the first month! The love and joy was back. Added a Norge that July, and havent looked back.

I spent a full day on a V100S I rented from Agostini in Mandello.  If I am being completely honest, I was VERY impressed. Yes it is LQ, but it felt every bit a Guzzi. I'm sure with a Cat eliminator and other 'adjustments' to my preferences, I would be very happy.  Between the Griso and Norge (and 1200 Sport), I just have no need to drop 15-16K for a new bike. That said, If I HAD to buy a new Motorcycle and wanted a NEW mid-full size Sport Standard or ADV, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new Mandello or Stelvio.

I just prefer to buy well cared for and sorted Air Cooled. In fact, if you add what I spent on the Griso, Stornello, 1200 Sport and Norge, it is less than a NEW Mandello or Stelvio with factory bags.

[Moparnut72]

I would have liked to have gotten a Griso. Every time I see one which isn't often I start drooling. Unfortunately a bit heavy and tall for my abused, aged body. I am able to handle the V100 just fine. The only thing I thought I would have to fix proto was the seat. After a couple of longer trips, no need it is a lot more comfortable than first impressions indicate. The only thing I totally disliked was the turbulence at my head level. I got a taller shield but that didn't help. The wind comes in from the sides. In the period of trying different things I took it for a spin with no shield at all. Viola, calm air and I like naked bikes anyway. I took off the raising and lowering mechanism, just a simple few bolts one of which was missing, Luigi or vibration from not being tightened properly. I made a cover for the hole in the front. Those at the National probably saw it.
The V7lll Special is my local run around town bike which does that job superbly. At some point in the near distant future it will be my long haul bike as well. My plan is at that point is to take some of the proceeds from the V100 sale and put them into a premium suspension for the V7 The OEM setup is ok for short rides but for more not so much. I had an R75/5 back in the day that I did some work on the forks and put Fox shocks on the rear. I haven't had anything since that rode as well as that bike did.
kk

[Bulldog9]

I would have liked to have gotten a Griso. Every time I see one which isn't often I start drooling. Unfortunately a bit heavy and tall for my abused, aged body. I am able to handle the V100 just fine. The only thing I thought I would have to fix proto was the seat. After a couple of longer trips, no need it is a lot more comfortable than first impressions indicate. The only thing I totally disliked was the turbulence at my head level. I got a taller shield but that didn't help. The wind comes in from the sides. In the period of trying different things I took it for a spin with no shield at all. Viola, calm air and I like naked bikes anyway. I took off the raising and lowering mechanism, just a simple few bolts one of which was missing, Luigi or vibration from not being tightened properly. I made a cover for the hole in the front. Those at the National probably saw it.
The V7lll Special is my local run around town bike which does that job superbly. At some point in the near distant future it will be my long haul bike as well. My plan is at that point is to take some of the proceeds from the V100 sale and put them into a premium suspension for the V7 The OEM setup is ok for short rides but for more not so much. I had an R75/5 back in the day that I did some work on the forks and put Fox shocks on the rear. I haven't had anything since that rode as well as that bike did.
kk

I was very fortunate to find one, and it was actually the first Guzzi I ever got to ride.  Is a great bike. I have had to make a few adjustments to be able to ride it. 1" Knight Lowering Pegs, 3/4" Risers from Ohnur, and Mana Bars. Very few farkles, just the OEM rear rack, Givi Tank Ring, Rear Fender Eliminator, Beetle Map, and Agostini Hydroformed exhaust. I don't ride it nearly enough.

[Moparnut72]

Very similar additions. I have added a Unit Garage rear rack, higher carrying capacity plus a larger plate for the wet bag. I put Rox adjustable risers on for a more upright riding position. Engine guards were the very first addition followed by a radiator screen. I don't like the side opening cases. I have thought about installing cBow racks and using my V7 cases which open on the top. I don't know if they can be installed with the rear rack as they look like they use the same mounts and they would be in the way of the factory bags. I would want to switch back and forth because the factory cases are quite large and better for Moto camping. I am hoping that someone will make some top loading cases that will fit the factory mounts. Maybe I should get some throw overs but I hate those things.
kk

[eljayski]

Coming from big Hondas (VTX 1800 and Valkyrie), water cooling is something I just took for granted. In my view, WC is peace of mind since it provides a more constant engine temperature--leading to better engine longevity or so they say.

This is good when riding aggressively in summer in the Colorado mountains and in the Arizona desert.

Never thought of WC as a maintenance issue. I guess it is in the Guzzi realm since MG is new to the WC game and there have been teething issues.

So far, so good with my 2023 Mandello.

I appreciate fully that air cooling is sufficient for my V7 in its role as grocery getter and back roads cruiser.

My $.02.

[Kev m]

Coming from big Hondas (VTX 1800 and Valkyrie), water cooling is something I just took for granted. In my view, WC is peace of mind since it provides a more constant engine temperature--leading to better engine longevity or so they say.

This is good when riding aggressively in summer in the Colorado mountains and in the Arizona desert.

Never thought of WC as a maintenance issue. I guess it is in the Guzzi realm since MG is new to the WC game and there have been teething issues.

So far, so good with my 2023 Mandello.

I appreciate fully that air cooling is sufficient for my V7 in its role as grocery getter and back roads cruiser.

My $.02.

Like what you like, but let's clear up the misconceptions and bad assumptions on which I you are basing your $0.02.

* WC IS NOT peace of mind that a motor will last longer.

It is peace of mind that the motor can make more power and meet tougher emissions standards because of tolerance differences and more precise control of combustion temperatures.

But a properly designed and built air-cooled motor can last hundreds of thousands of miles as well.

* WC is not offering you any advantages when riding aggressively in AZ heat. The motor doesn't care that it's 110°F outside anymore than it cares if it's 68°F. What is a big difference to flesh is but a tiny one to metal.

It is however an advantage if you're stuck in traffic in that same heat and don't choose to filter or ride up the shoulder.

* WC IS A MAINTENANCE item and a significant one in that you'll have to drain and flush the system to prevent corrosion and seal damage. You'll need to properly dispose of the hazardous materials. You'll need to keep an eye on the thermostat which will eventually fail and could toast the motor in that AZ heat if not properly handled. You'll also need to keep an eye on hoses and the water pump seals (JAPanInc. usually incorporates a week hole to let you know if seals in the pump are going bad).

Basically WC doesn't offer me anything I want or need, but it asks of me things I'd rather not give it. So I prefer air-cooled toys.

Over the years my air-cooled toys were "sufficient" to carry me coast-to-coast, and through Death Valley in summer. They are far more capable than just groceries and back roads, though the latter remains my preference on anything.

I'm super glad Guzzi makes the Mandello and the new Stelvio. I just don't want them personally.

[Tkelly]

If you get stuck in traffic the wc bikes are really hot .

[bronzestar1]

I used to have a '93 Ducati Superlight with the air-cooled 900cc engine, and a Ducati Monster S4RS Testastretta that was water-cooled.  The difference in engine appearance and complexity was readily apparent, with the S4RS having a lot more hoses, tubes, and other associated WC plumbing (incl the big curved radiator).  The air-cooled model was visually more appealing, and had a sound unique to an air-cooled engine.  But the WC model would walk it all day every day.  Like Kev said, I usually thought that a WC bike was more for emissions, more power, etc., as opposed to lowering the engine operating temps.  But the tradeoff is a much more complex cooling system, with more maintenance required and more things that could go wrong (hoses, clamps, coolant, radiator, t-stat, water pump, fan, temp sensor, etc), compared to an air-cooled bike.