Seriously—how cool would it be if Guzzi brought back their singles??

[Dirk_S]

When doing some cursory research, I’m finding projections and data aligning to my observation that single-cylinder bikes are rising, particularly in the US. Gas prices rising, cost of living, cities becoming denser, congested. Scooters are definitely on the up, so why not lightweight bikes? Cheap bikes DO sell—imagine how many Chinese bikes will be on our roads in ten years. So, in my mind, it absolutely makes sense for these manufacturers to continue putting out thumpers. The KLR 650 is a single cylinder, liquid cooled bike, and still popular. A number of other enduro/dual sports are single cylinder as well. Urban scoots are necessary to avoid congestion (now if only the US would adopt lane filtering more quickly, but I think we’re moving in the right direction). The lightweight standard market—be it modern classics or standards with some objectively ugly fairings/styling—is hands down the number one segment in the rest of the world, and e-bikes are really ramping up. And, with US cruisers continuing to cost quite a penny (even the new cheap Harley coming out next year might not be cheap enough at $6k)…you see where I’m going.

But again, perhaps these biased eyes have been looking at the GB350 for too long and wondering out loud why the heck the rest of the world gets to enjoy that bike and not us here in ‘Murica

[Clifton]

...... perhaps these biased eyes have been looking at the GB350 for too long and wondering out loud why the heck the rest of the world gets to enjoy that bike and not us here in ‘Murica

I like the GB350 also. But we're going to get the GB500 which is yet another version of the CB500 which I have no interest in.

[Dirk_S]

…and goshdang I want a modern Galletto. 18” front, rear, and include the spare.





If Vespas, Lambrettas, Ruckuses, the various Honda mini bikes and all the knockoffs of these machines sell well, I think the Italian Cockerel would, too.

But hey, I guess the manufacturer always knows best ;)

[DoubleGuzzi]

…and goshdang I want a modern Galletto.

Get yer $$$ ready!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205650171304
Moto Guzzi Galletto 192cc 1955 Full Restoration



5e dice roller

[chuck peterson]

Here you go…





These sell like hotcakes everywhere except the US, horizontal single, water cooled, 4 valve step thru just like the last two photos…tubeless…200-250-350-500cc versions

Available at your local Aprillia/Piaggio dealer

[faffi]

It is strange how almost all of the motorcycle OEMs have decided to all but abandon the beginner bike market.  Back in the 1970's all the Japanese OEMs had "familys" of bikes.  You could almost look at the line ups and guess the rider ages they were targeting.  I suspect market research says internal combustion engine vehicles don't appeal to the younger potential buyers.

Demographics rule I suppose....

At least in Europe, I find - happy to report - that there are quite a few options for beginners. Some examples, but there are plenty more: Honda CFR300, CB300, CL500 Suzuki: DR-Z400, AN400 Kawasaki: Z500, Meguro 230S  Voge: 300AC Royal Enfield: 350 Hunter, 450 Himalayan KTM: 390 Duke, 390 Adventure BMW G310 Husqvarna 401 Triumph Speed 400, Scrambler 400X CF-MOTO 450 Bobber Yamaha Xmax 300 Fantic Carabello 500 Scrambler

[rocker59]

A 500cc single and a 1000cc 120-degree twin based on the same architecture would be cool and would look back at successful racing designs of the past.  (yes I know those were 500cc twins based on the 250cc architecture).

bicilindrica !!!

Seems like everyone is releasing 400cc-500cc singles these days.  It would be a way to share lots of parts between two models.

[Dirk_S]

…Husqvarna 401 Triumph Speed 400, Scrambler 400X…

The Triumph 400 singles have indeed been popular here in the States since they arrived at our doorsteps as well.

[faffi]

A 500cc single and a 1000cc 120-degree twin based on the same architecture would be cool and would look back at successful racing designs of the past.  (yes I know those were 500cc twins based on the 250cc architecture).

bicilindrica !!!

Seems like everyone is releasing 400cc-500cc singles these days.  It would be a way to share lots of parts between two models.

I like the idea. Vincent 500 single was half a 1000 twin, and the Buell 500 was half a Buell / Sportster 1000 twin, Glen Curtiss made twins out of singles, and I am sure there are more examples.

[egschade]

Either a single or modern V50/65. I downsized from my V85TT to a Triumph Scrambler 400X but would have been willing to spend more for a 400-500cc MG if only they made one.

[bad Chad]

I still think this is but an old mans fever dream.  But I hope for the sake of of you guys having it, it comes true.

[Shorty]

Tremendous established competition in the sub 500cc class, and much of it available at a price point Piaggio would not, or could not match.

[ridingron]

I think my V85TT  is as low powered as I want to go! I don't want arms ripped out of sockets power but I want a bike that can get out of it's own way.

[faffi]

I have never felt my 55hp V9 lacking power, but if traffic regularly moved at 80 mph I may have felt different.

Then again, being able to use all the power a bike has without breaking the law can also be satisfying. When I first began riding at the age of 16 in 1980, I was limited to 7hp and 50 mph for two years. Top speed according to my speedo was 78 kph / 49 mph. With a strong tailwind, my restricted Honda CB100 would do an indicated 85 kph / 53 mph without sounding stressed. I remember thinking if my motorcycle would do that under every condition, I would not need more. I dreamt of upgrading to a KL250 when I turned 18, but ended up buying a CX500 instead. It was 107 kph / 66 mph faster than my CB, and I kept the throttle pinned more often than not. Too fast for my skill level, a KL250 would have been better.

[DoubleGuzzi]

..a KL250 would have been better.

Great machines, except when a gear lever rattles off on a dual carriageway or another time, it was the kickstart. At least I retrieved them and could bump start with the latter. Their only major design flaw, like the Z200, was the plain bearing for the overhead cam. I had to get a machine shop to make a bronze bush for my Z200 but the motor was well past its best by the time that was done. I gave that bike away for free to some local kids, for off-road use. 

[faffi]

The 200 engine was far more fragile than the 250, from what I have read. A friend of a friend's dad owned a Z250C, an electric start standard model with cast wheels and drum brakes front and rear. I loved its looks back then, although nothing looked better to me than the SR500 with cast wheels. Neither the CB100, Z250 or SR500 had balancer shafts and would vibrate heavily. For whatever reason, my CB100 would run significantly smoother if I rode it very gently for the first 3 miles, and the smoothness (or lack of if ridden too frisky when cold-ish) would remain regardless of how long the ride was. After cooling completely, all was reset.

[Matteo]

After Ed Milich rebuilt the heads and flowed the manifolds on my V50III it pulls firmly to redline and can maintain 75mph (indicated) all day. 350lbs dry.

[SIR REAL ED]

1980s Guzzi prototype big single.

Mono 670

Around 1987, given the great popularity enjoyed by enduro bikes powered by the large-displacement single-cylinder engine, Tonti decided to build an engine of this type. The project was designated M 71 and led to the construction of several prototypes, duly tested on the bench. It was a water-cooled "mono" with dual overhead camshafts and four valves, featuring two auxiliary balance shafts driven by a double-toothed belt. To minimize the engine's vertical bulk, dry sump lubrication was adopted. The crankshaft was monolithic and operated entirely on bushings. The water pump was driven by the rear auxiliary shaft. A toothed belt was used to drive the timing, but a switch to a chain drive was planned. This 670cc single-cylinder engine, a displacement achieved by combining a 102mm bore and 82mm stroke, delivered a power output exceeding 60 horsepower on the test bench, a true record for the time. After all, Tonti was a true racer...

Another article.
Tonti also dared to use a single-cylinder engine for a supposed trail range (and surely some sporty one to compete with the beautiful Gilera Saturno 500). It was apparently developed in 1987 and was certainly totally modern: 670cc (102x82mm), liquid cooling, double overhead camshafts driven by a toothed belt, four valves per cylinder, two balance shafts to mitigate vibrations and dry sump lubrication, making it very compact. It was said that on the test bench it produced 60 hp (barely 48 hp for the Japanese single-cylinder engines of the time), but as I mentioned in " some trail bikes from the 80s and 90s that set the course ", in those years single-cylinder trail bikes were beginning to fall into disrepair, unable to stop the twin-cylinder engines and their greater road capabilities. Yes, it would have been above the Gilera Bi4 engine and on par with the Suzuki DR 800 Big, but Moto Guzzi decided not to continue with the project.

Fascinating.  Reminds me of the japanes deciding to abandon two strokes.

Same time frame as Yamaha's SRX600 which sold like lead balloons in the US.

[Clifton]

Fascinating.  Reminds me of the japanes deciding to abandon two strokes.

From my recollection street 2-stroke sales had been declining to the point they were hardly selling and one factor was the poor fuel mileage at a time when gasoline was becoming expensive. Of course the EPA put the final nail in the coffin.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Fascinating.  Reminds me of the japanes deciding to abandon two strokes.

Same time frame as Yamaha's SRX600 which sold like lead balloons in the US.

IMO, the SRX600 (and SR500, later SR400) would have sold better if they had electric start.

[rocker59]

  I’m finding projections and data aligning to my observation that single-cylinder bikes are rising, particularly in the US. Gas prices rising, cost of living, cities becoming denser, congested.

I live in a suburban metro.  The local Triumph dealer sells more 400s than anything else.  All to older grey beards who are downsizing for one reason, or another.  These guys don't care about gas prices and we don't really have any big city congestion.  They're buying them because they're light, fun, cheap.  They're aging baby boomers and older Gen Xers who could buy anything on the lot, but choose lightweight fun.  Major trend going on that Guzzi really should be capitalizing. 

But they won't.  We'll just get bold new graphics on a V7 variant.

[SIR REAL ED]

IMO, the SRX600 (and SR500, later SR400) would have sold better if they had electric start.

Yep!

[jrt]

Completely serendipitous, but I was looking at fairings and ran across this. I've never seen one of these- don't know if they made it to production.  But it sure looks like it took inspiration from the Galletto and a few other bikes. 

https://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/smgs/digital-archive/2_bike/ss4_068.php#p1

[bad Chad]

I live in a suburban metro.  The local Triumph dealer sells more 400s than anything else.  All to older grey beards who are downsizing for one reason, or another.  These guys don't care about gas prices and we don't really have any big city congestion.  They're buying them because they're light, fun, cheap.  They're aging baby boomers and older Gen Xers who could buy anything on the lot, but choose lightweight fun.  Major trend going on that Guzzi really should be capitalizing. 

But they won't.  We'll just get bold new graphics on a V7 variant.

I think you're wrong there Rocker.  The 25 v7 is a far cry from just new graphics.  As well, as a fair amount of evidence indicating that Guzzi is planing on release of a 400ish twin.

[normzone]

Out of curiosity, disregarding emissions laws and market driven issues, what is the sane engineering upper limit displacement for a single cylinder / drive shaft bike?

[rocker59]

Out of curiosity, disregarding emissions laws and market driven issues, what is the sane engineering upper limit displacement for a single cylinder / drive shaft bike?

Real motorcycle:  779cc engine found in the Suzuki DR800S.  bore of 105mm and a stroke of 90mm.

For the Hell of it motorcycle:  The largest single-cylinder motorcycle engine ever made was in the NSU Bison 2000.  Built by Fritz Langanger specifically to break the record for the largest single-cylinder motorcycle engine. The engine's cylinder was taken from a radial aircraft engine and modified to fit the motorcycle.

Stationary engine:  The Otto is a very impressive single-cylinder, stationary, natural gas engine and is the largest remaining single-cylinder engine we know of in the world.  It weighs about 25 tons and the Deane pump weighs 20 tons.  The engine has a 21 inch bore and a 30 inch stroke, which yields a displacement of 10,391 cubic inches, or approximately 170 liters.  Its nameplate rating is 175 hp at 180 RPM.  When operating at these conditions the engine produces over 5100 ft lbf of torque. 

[cliffrod]

1700cc single-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTBRLk6eVlA