Why Do We Buy a Guzzi?

[Dukedesmo]

I always remember the first time I saw a Le Mans in the flesh back in the late 70's in Italy, I immediately wanted one.

Of course back then, still in High School it was way out of my reach so I started with more affordable, smaller bikes, quickly progressing to larger, faster bikes and ultimately developing a penchant for Ducatis but I never lost that desire for a Guzzi.

Then, many years later an old family friend in Italy was selling off his collection of Italian bikes (I'd have liked to buy the entire collection but needed to be realistic  ), consisting of mainly Ducatis but also a couple of Guzzis, including a 1979 Le Mans II that he had owned from new so I flew over to Italy and bought it.

I'm not really looking for any more bikes at the moment as I've got too much going on with other projects for now but, despite having never ridden a modern Guzzi, I do have a strange hankering for a Griso so - watch this space...

[PeteS]

I notice a lot of Norton owners also have a Guzzi. The Norton is a sprinter that breaks down frequently. The Guzzi is a long distance runner that rarely ever fails no matter how hard you thrash it. Its never left me at the side of the road unlike my Norton. Someone mentioned V8s. My 850 LeMans with its Rennsport exhaust sounds like a small block Chevy at the drags. I never tire of the sound.

Pete

[Toecutter]

My first street bike was a '70s UJM. I stuck with 70s UJMs until a decade ago (and still own that one).

The V7 just "hit right"... and I fell in love with it the second I laid eyes on it.

It ticks all my boxes, it does everything I want it to do as well as I need it to do them.  I've done weeks long motocamping trips in all weather, commuting in city and rural areas, fireroads and cutlines, mud, gravel and dirt. It's light, simple, and it works for me.

I don't know of another modern bike that tickles my fancy like it does. Simple.

[blackcat]

I grew up on the bottom of a long winding hill road and my then girlfriend lived down the street, her father was a big BMW Airhead fan and we were standing outside her house looking at my girlfriend's then new Airhead that her father bought for her 16 year old birthday (I think she rode it once or twice) when we heard a rumbling twin coming down that hill and at first I assumed it was a HD. This was about 1970 and the bike looked new so I assume it was either a 69 or 70 black Ambassador. I had no idea what it was but my girlfriends dad blurted out Moto Guzzi! I didn't own one for many years later but always thought they were cool bikes. 

This was the photo from one of Mick Walker's books that made me want a 1000S:



Walker notes in his book that the photo was taken on “Douglas Promonade, Isle of Man in June of 1993”

[Scott Carpenter]

I came from the world of trials, dirt bikes in my teenage years, and then on the road I owned lightweight Yamaha singles with a lot of character...SRX600 and SZR660. They are not to everyone's taste. When it was time to decide what I REALLY wanted a bike for, which was all round use with an emphasis on a neutral riding position for touring solo....these were in the mix;

Breva 750ie
BMW R850
BMW F800S
Kawasaki W650

Kawasaki wouldn't do test rides so that was out. The BMWs were too tall for me. I didn't want a four. The Triples of the time (2003) were too heavy with high centre of gravity. Muz 660 Touring was as rare as hens teeth.  I went for a test ride on a Breva from InMoto in South London and just loved it - the sound feel, vibes, and the way it handled. So I came back from the test ride and said "I'll have one of them!". Got hard luggage fitted from the dealer, and a centrestand.....and I rode a Breva from March 2004 to....well now. Still riding one, as well as having a V7 850 Sport. 

PS - "The Perfect Vehicle" had a pretty big influence back then too. Fell in love the Story Of Guzzi........tiltin g at windmills...somethi ng I have always admired.

[MikeP996]

Taste in "appearance" varies dramatically.  One person's "good looking motorcycle" is another's "no way I'd buy that!"  As James T Kirk once said, "There's no accounting for taste!" ;)

[John A]

A Guzzi requires a certain amount of involvement from the rider.  One doesn't 'Ride" the motorcycle, one needs to partner with it.
SO many motorcycles are like an appliance.  They do whatever the riders commands.  A Guzzi, when the rider partners with it, will gracefully work with the rider.
Sort of like a great dance partner.  A Guzzi reminds you that THIS gear is proper now.  THIS is where I (the bike) wants the rpm's.

It's exactly what some new owners do not understand when they first get a Guzzi.  We see it here often. "My bike shudders (or some such thing) at 3K in top gear.  What's wrong?"  Nothing.  Listen to the bike and ride it like it wants to be ridden.

I agree with that and I’ll add that while Guzzi’s are not fast, they oftentimes can be ridden faster than others.

[Bulldog9]

I used to dread valve adjustments myself on many bikes, especially with shim-under-bucket systems like found on my KZ650 and CB400SF. However, I have learned that valves rarely need adjusting these days. Engines like the Honda 52-dgree V-twins (500, 600, 650 and 750s) will typically go well beyond 50k miles without requiring adjustment. My son's MT-07 is scheduled for checking the clearances every 26k miles, but you can usually just forget them "forever". Checking them, not to mention adjusting them, is a massiv PITA, however, being buried deep inside the chassis and also featuring shim-under-buckets.

On my V9, closing in on 12k miles, I have yet to check the valve clearances. I will do so this spring before I put it up for sale, otherwise I would not have bothered as there is no sign of them being off. The engine is still on the original spark plugs, which have never been out. Will be interesting to see what the valve clearances actually are, and how the spark plugs fare - they will be replaced anyway, but I see no reason why they should not last 25k.

Easiest bike ever, in my experience, to set the valve clearances on was my CX500, which make the V9 procedure seem very elaborate in comparison. Better still would be bikes like the Honda Nighthawk 700 and Shadow 700, to name just a couple that have hydraulig valve lifters that never need attention.

This post is why I only buy new 

Well...... For cars anyway..... It IS why unless I'm getting the vehicle for the price of a bag of chips, I want assurance it has been properly serviced.

NFN, but this answers many of your claimed issues. Clearances CLOSE on these motors, especially at the initial and first adjustments  and settle in at the 18-20k with little movement afterward aas long as you are regular on a proper OCI.

Plugs are less critical, but do make a difference in engine smoothness and response. R&R of the plugs every valve adjust helps keep any corrosion from the threads. Nothing worse than having the aluminum threads strip out with your spark plug if it's been sitting there too long and corroding (possibly).

I'm going to venture a guess that your valves are whisper quiet without a tap tap tap. This means they're too tight. You've probably not done any permanent damage to the motor, but it's definitely not running As well as it should or could if you've never touched the valves.

[Bulldog9]

To each their own.  I can't imagine ever owning a motorcycle that didn't fill me with emotion.  Why have it if it doesn't?  That's rhetorical-I understand why.

For me it's not about "emotion" but perhaps I'm just a cold dead soldier inside.... There is however a visceral feel that is intangible and unexplainable, but speaks to me and connects at an inner level. Without it no vehicle will stay in my paddock long. It's why I've had my XS 1100 since 1984, why I drove my Jeeps for 10 to 12 years, and why my Porsche cars will never leave my garage and will be bequeathed in my will. Last month, a little hussy by the name of the Ford Raptor Ranger almost wooed me away from my Toyota Tundra, that truck too is one that provides immediate connection and satisfaction.

It's that feeling the GRiSO triggered. I rode what was arguably the Pinnacle of Sport Touring  Motorcycling to the dealer, encountered the GRiSO and did not look back . Unless I was riding the FJR  at go to jail or the morgue speeds, it was mind numbing and soul sucking. 500 feet on the GRiSO woke me up, and I've remained awake. It pulled me away from the spec sheets and the reviews and engaged me at a deep level. I don't know if it's an emotion, but it brought tremendous satisfaction. Even though it is the least ridden of my little collection mileage wise due to lack of luggage, etc,, it is still my most favorite.

[TN Mark]

this is why I bought Guzzi.  Sadly they've lost the plot during the last couple decades of the Piaggio regime.

I think I understand what you mean. But, racing breaks financing.
Look at Polaris Indian with their Bagger Racing. Great fun to watch but without any possibility of paying off with bike sales.
Polaris made the exact same mistakes with Indian they did with Victory.
They built a better bike to compete with Harley and too few people cared.
If Piaggio goes racing with Moto Guzzi, the end of Moto Guzzi could quickly be at hand.

What should Piaggio do with Moto Guzzi?
I really don’t know. There isn’t a new Moto Guzzi I’d buy so I’m in no position to tell them what to do.
The last bike they made that I loved, I bought. An all black Eldorado 1400. Sadly, they apparently sold quite poorly.

[Rons]

Why? Great looking and performing motorcycles.

That bike is so good looking. Not sure I could handle the long reach to the bars, but what a smokin’ design.

[faffi]

I'm going to venture a guess that your valves are whisper quiet without a tap tap tap. This means they're too tight. You've probably not done any permanent damage to the motor, but it's definitely not running As well as it should or could if you've never touched the valves.

They make just the right kind of noises for my ears, same as they made at 2.5k miles. If they went silent, I would check them ASAP.  Same if starting or idle changed.

[MikeP996]

I ride with earplugs - always have - though on very short rides I sometimes don't.  I have found that when I ride my V7 without earplugs my impression is the engine is coming apart!  ;) 

[Toecutter]

For me it's not about "emotion" but perhaps I'm just a cold dead soldier inside.... There is however a visceral feel that is intangible and unexplainable, but speaks to me and connects at an inner level.

Just so we're clear... that's the emotion we all talk about.

it's ok. It's ok to have emotions about things, I promise.

[yrunvs]

Why Guzzi's? Vtwin to start with then.....

I can't afford all the expensive BMW clothing and gear and so I just wouldn't fit in.
The last time I rode with a group of Harley's it felt like I was in a cheap hollywood movie.
Have owned a couple of twin Triumphs so for something different....
Guzzi.....No rules no costumes no shiny doo dads for me.

[PilotJet]

This is a Good Thread and I usually dont say very much.

Approaching my mid 60's, I have been riding ... like everybody here ... since I was 14. Mini bikes, dirt bikes and then onto street bikes. Racers, cruisers, muscle, touring. Still have most of them in the garage.  Back in 2013 I saw an ad that featured the green Griso parked on the side of the road. Wow, did that bike catch my eye. I thought it was the absolute coolest looking bike I had ever seen. Just from that picture.  I knew of Guzzi's but never thought they were that great looking, but that Griso just blew me away.

Went to the closest dealer .. AJ Cycles and took out the black devil for a ride and then paid him for it that day. Still one of the sweetest bikes I've ever ridden ... or still ride.

[YellowDuck]

Because I am a luddite who believes that an air-cooled two valve motor with screw tappet adjusters is all you need for street riding.  Everything else is just unnecessary complication that detracts from the enjoyment of DIY maintenance.  Not enough power?  Increase the displacement, no need for more valves or liquid cooling.  And I can't use any more than 65 hp or so anyway for the type of riding I do.  My air cooled Ducati makes 85 and if I wind it up I am going lose-my-license speeds before I shift into third.  It's also bloody uncomfortable. As far as I can tell, Moto Guzzi is the only manufacturer left making easily maintained air cooled bikes with the amount of power I need and want, and an all-day comfortable riding position.  My RE Interceptor was close conceptually, but not quite enough power, and extremely uncomfortable no matter what seat I put on it (I tried 4).  I guess a BMW R9T might also be close to what I like, but $$$.  The V7 is just the sweet spot for me, and if I got serious about touring, the V85 would fit the bill perfectly.

[MikeP996]

"I guess a BMW R9T might also be close to what I like, but $$$"

I find my R9T quite UNcomfortable after about an hour.  My 850 V7 is the most comfortable bike I own.  One would expect my BMW R1200RS to be more comfortable than the V7 but it isn't.  My '73 Norton Commando is quite comfortable as well.  I find I have always preferred a seat that I can easily move about and change my position while riding.  I have never owned a bike with a "sculpted" seat - like most sport bikes (and I've owned a LOT of them) - that was comfortable for extended time in the saddle.  I rode my Ducati 996 for four hours from out on Long Island up to Lake Placid and could barely move when I got off the bike...and I was MUCH younger then!  Funnily enough, I tracked that bike almost every weekend and never felt uncomfortable on it!  ;) 

[Moparnut72]

I have told this story before but it fits here so I will do it again. In 1968 I was going to be inducted into the Army in the fall. Not drafted but not my choice, used up my deferment. Any way I had a couple of months before I went so I bought a used R50/2. After a few months laater I wound up in Denver at my semi permanent duty station which actually became my only. I had the Beemer shipped out to me. I soon found out that it was not suited for the altitude and high passes. I test rode an Ambassador and an R75/5. I decided the BMW would be the better bike for me so I bought the demo which was the first on in Denver. Anyway I had never forgotten the Guzzi.

Fast forward to 2017 when I lived near Reno. I was in town one day when I was looking for a new tank bag for my Harley. I was visiting all the bike shops when I pulled into one and saw a V7 parked in the lot. I waited for the owner to appear which when he did the first thing out of my mouth was "where did you get that bike." He was taken aback at first but then after I introduced myself we had a nice talk when he told me about a small dealership in the south part of town. I immediately went to visit the store. The rest is history but it was a couple of years before I finally owned one, an Audace and as of now several more. Currently a V7 850 and a semi basket case T3 which is under a slow rebuild due to experiencing numerous stumbling blocks. I just found the solution to the latest in Guzziology.
kk

[Bulldog9]

Just so we're clear... that's the emotion we all talk about.

it's ok. It's ok to have emotions about things, I promise.

If course it's ok, but they are not necessarily the same.

Not making a direct correlation or comparison of course, but for example..... You know that sense of satisfaction that floods you after you take a good dump? Would you call that an emotion? Or would you call that a feeling and sensation? That's what I'm talking about. Or that sensation you feel when you eat your favorite food,. The sense of satisfaction you feel from taking a great dump, eat your favorite food, visit your childhood haunts, could very well trigger an emotional response such as Joy or happiness. I could go on......Bottom line: A sense of satisfaction is generally not the same as a raw emotion (like fear, joy, or anger), but a more cognitive state of contentment or fulfillment. That sense can obviously trigger and lead to an emotions.

[red stripeguz]

Bit more recent of a story. I didn't get my motorcycle license, or learn to ride a motorcycle, until 2 years ago for my 60th birthday. As I was anticipating my class I was spending time looking at used bikes on Marketplace when I saw an ad on Facebook for AF! and Moto Guzzi. I had always liked the brand visually as a kid in the 70s and early 80s so I figured I would check them out even though I was sure a new Italian bike was out of my price range. I was shocked at what (leftover) '23s were going for (cheap) so that weekend my partner and I went down and I fell in love with a '23 Special in white w/ red stripe.
Shortly after that we got my partner a Royal Enfield (what I had been leaning towards before I found the Guzzi) which we thoroughly enjoyed but unfortunately was totaled in an accident last April. With the insurance money from that I bought Fat Bob's Norge off of here and after riding it down to Texas from Wyoming I decided that I had no reason to buy a bike with a chain and hard to reach valves again.
My partner had test ridden and fallen in love with the V85s so as soon as she is in shape to get back on a bike, we'll most likely be picking one up for her/us.

[wirespokes]

Why do I ride Guzzis? Why do I like motorcycles? Equally tough questions. I could give you all the reasons - easy maintenance, durability, quality, simplicity, aesthetics, etc - but in the end, the question still isn't answered. Your wife/mate/girlfriend/significant other isn't perfect but you love her. Can you answer why? It's not perfect, but it works for me and without it there would be a big aching hole in my life.

[coast range rider]

I suspect that some of the Moto Guzzi appeal is the engine vibration frequency. 

Similar to the purring of a cat, some frequencies are naturally soothing.

Not all that different for Harley riders.

The appeal is the engine vibration frequency, plus the big block torque curve, plus the sound. Soothing, fun, mood lifting.
(The exact opposite of an inline 4)

[John A]

You could say one Guzzi is almost too many and one more is not quite enough. I bought a used ‘71 Ambassador in ‘77 . The more I rode it, the more I liked it so when I found another I bought it. I’m down to three now after a high of about eight. I keep looking and have to remember that I don’t have the room and time for a Griso….