*California 1400 Merged Threadfest*

[Nick]

The stuff I saw of the new Cali didn't seem that ready,

Heck they showed a Griso with an 8 valve wooden engine not long ago....  ;D

[Moto Chuggin]

When I shopped for a new motorbike this past summer, these were my strongest selling points:

1.) Big Engine - 100+ponies is FUN.
2.) Stock suspension and seat had to be awesome = no "sorting out" these issues with aftermarket stuff.
3.) Reputable dealer within reasonable miles that is knowledgeable of the bikes AND can service them promptly (if necessary).
4.) Very low vibration in the handlebars & grips.
5.) Sold warranty longer than 2 years.

Unfortunately, I couldn't match a motorbike in the current Moto Guzzi lineup to the above listed.  When Moto Guzzi can produce a cruiser with these features again I will buy a new Moto Guzzi.

Sure had a great ride on the ol' Eldorado tonight!  But that motorbike fills a completely different niche. :-)

[pete roper]

Yup, chances are they will exhibit some sort of mu/o/ck up so that nobody buys the current range ::).

I really hope they do SOMETHING for the cruiser crowd and there is plenty of meat in the cylinder spigots of the 8V motor to allow for increase in displacement.

Personally I'm seriously considering a pair of 2009 Stelvio cams for my Griso as these are supposed to add a bit more in the midrange at the expense of a bit of top end. Given the fact that the number of times I need to exceed 200KPH on the road are few and far between but the number of times I want more midrange stonk are considerable it seems like it would be a good idea as long as I can get the PCV and autotune to work with it.

As I've oft stated before if you want outright power go and buy a bloody Dentist bike. There are plenty out there that produce 140-160 RWHP. If you want to ride a chromed whore's purse and dress up like a pox doctor's clerk the market is brimfull of lumps of sh!te that fit that criteria too. want those? go buy one. If you want a Guzzi? Buy a Guzzi. I can tell you that for most normal people who ride on the road there is no want of 'Power' in the 1200 8V engine. But I ride a Mana and a Convert as well as a Griso so I'm obviously totally inadequate in every way imaginable so pay no attention to me! :D

Pete

[Kev m]

As I keep saying I just spent some time on one of those top-dog type bikes that makes literally more than double the HP of my Breva 1100 - I STILL PREFER MY BREVA 1100 - I just don't have the NEED for more than that...

[pete roper]

As I keep saying I just spent some time on one of those top-dog type bikes that makes literally more than double the HP of my Breva 1100 - I STILL PREFER MY BREVA 1100 - I just don't have the NEED for more than that...

My Griso makes *more* than the B11 and in a different way but on paper it is still a three legged donkey with a case of the squits. Do I care? No, because like you it has everything I need power-wise. Once I've got the fuelling sorted an a quieter pipe on it it will be as close to a 'Perfect' bike as I, as a fat bloke in his mid fifties who doesn't want to ride a repli-racer or a whore's purse, could want to get.

Yes, I'd like wire wheels but I've decided I can't justify the expense on the Oz bike and the US bike isn't even getting a look in! I'm tempted to de-tune it with '09 Stelvio cams to give it some more midrange punch but apart from that? I can't see myself ever needing another bike. It's downhill physically from here on in, last thing I need is MORE power or speed! ESpecially as the constabulary already hate me and consider me to be a dangerous scofflaw! ;-T ;D

I'm with you Kev. Let 'em do what they want but I think they are liable to end up 'chasing cars' if they try to compete head on with the 'Big Boys'.

Having said that its interesting the 'Cruiser is based around the Griso platform. It's by far the best frame so it should handle well, even with Merv and Ethel and all their useless touring munt on it!

Pete

[Greg Field]

Imagine my plight: I can just barely keep my license with an Eldorado. What would I do with 100 hp?

[pete roper]

Imagine my plight: I can just barely keep my license with an Eldorado. What would I do with 100 hp?

Move to Oz. ;D. Our cops may be bigger bastards and our laws even stupider but population density means you can get away with stuff easier!!! ~;

Pete

[Chicago Mark]

I understand why some on this site want Moto Guzzi to remain as they are and not to compete against better selling brands and models. But, there won't be a Moto Guzzi if they do that. They simply have to appeal to a larger audience or Piaggio will close them down. How many years and how many owners are going to claim they've spent $$$$ on the brand with dismal sales as a result? Sort of like the American education system. We spend the most money per pupil and in general, get some of the worst results in the developed world.

Face it, the Breva 1100 was a parts bin dead model before it ever hit the the US, same with the Breva 1200. Doesn't mean they're bad bikes. Far from it, they are great bikes. They just won't be continued. I agree that the Griso platform is by far their best right now. Keep the 850 Griso, 1200 8V Griso and bring on the new 1400 or 1600. The Griso style for muscle/naked bikes and those same engines in the California series for 'standard' and touring models. Without the Norge getting at least the 1200 8V or a new larger version, it too will be gone within a couple more model years.

For the American market anyway, the 750 models don't seem to sell well enough to justify the import costs. The majority of American buyers seem to like big engines, hp and torque. Guzzi may not be able to compete with Harley, Honda, Yamaha et al but they should be able to expand their current base a bit with some careful model planning. They'll also need a much expanded accessory list, knowledgeable dealers and lower MSRP.


Just a few thoughts,

Mark

[Dean Rose]

Face it, the Breva 1100 was a parts bin dead model before it ever hit the the US, same with the Breva 1200.

Just a few thoughts,

Mark

What bike did the use parts from to make the Breva? Just curious?

Dean

[JohninVT`]

The 1100 and especially the 1200 compare favorably to the BMW R1200R.  They're down on hp but the OTD price differential is about 5 grand right now.  I don't know why the Breva models didn't sell better but I love my Breva Sport.     

[rocker59]

Face it, the Breva 1100 was a parts bin dead model before it ever hit the the US, same with the Breva 1200.

Just a few thoughts,

Mark

What bike did the use parts from to make the Breva? Just curious?

Dean

I was wondering the same thing...

When the 1100 Breva came out, it was basically all-new, was it not?

Frame.  CARC.  Transmission.  Engine internals.  Bodywork.  Etc, etc...

[donn]

For the American market anyway, the 750 models don't seem to sell well enough to justify the import costs. The majority of American buyers seem to like big engines, hp and torque.

It would be interesting to see sales figures on the V7 Classic, I had the vague impression that it was doing pretty well relative to other models.

The majority of American buyers are naturally herd followers, and it isn't obvious you can lure them away from the herd to buy a Guzzi.  Did Moto Guzzi save the company by making a decent entry in the big rough road touring motorcycle category, or have Stelvio sales been kind of modest while BMW continues to make out big time?  I'm not saying no one's buying them, I'm saying it really doesn't matter per se that the category is a giant seller - someone who approaches the subject with the point of view "all my friends have a BMW GS" will buy one of those - not loosely speaking, but specifically.  Moto Guzzi can get on board these trains only to a very limited extent, just because of who they are, or rather who they aren't.  They're better off, in my opinion, focusing on who they are.

[ronjon]

When the %&^#@# is someone going to leak a photo!! ???

No guarantee but this could be it...

[Dean Rose]

Oh!!!

That looks like a big change for the better!

Dean

[pete roper]

Well, I don't think it is. Note the crank mounted alternator and that sure ain't the Griso frame!

Pete

[ronjon]

Oh, the new Cali will use the Griso frame?  Wow, that will really change the look.

[Dean Rose]

Oh, the new Cali will use the Griso frame?  Wow, that will really change the look.

Maybe a tank styled like the Eldo one. I would like to see that, not another HD clone.

[Greg Field]

That's nothing like what we were shown.

[HDGoose]

That's nothing like what we were shown.

Will we still be able to use a trailer hitch with the new 1400 California?

[Wild Bill Guzzi]

I want one

[The GOOZE]

I think Guzzi is on the right path with the V7 classic!!  What ever happened to the Triumph 650 being the bike every one wanted.    1400 engine, give it to the Japanese market and stick to you Guns!!  The bikes that made you different.

                  Just MY opinion Geno

[rocker59]

No guarantee but this could be it...

That's a really old Photoshop from back when the Bellagio was new...

[Kev m]

I understand why some on this site want Moto Guzzi to remain as they are and not to compete against better selling brands and models. But, there won't be a Moto Guzzi if they do that. They simply have to appeal to a larger audience or Piaggio will close them down.

I pretty much disagree with most of your post, but rather than get into a pissing contest over it all, I'll concentrate on this one point.

I don't think ANYONE here is so naive to think (or hope) that Guzzi doesn't change, or grow.

The concern is whether or not in doing so will they stop making products that appeal to us.

[Chicago Mark]

The Breva 1100, Breva 1200 and Norge parts bin. My first thought when the Breva 1100 came out was it may not be around long due to the Norge 1200 engine. Then the Breva 1200 seemed not to have a long life once the 1200 8V engine came out. I really like all three of these bikes but I don't see them lasting as long as something like the California series. Owners of these models seem to really like them a lot though. Great news indeed. Personally, if my income and our economy were in better shape, I'd be all over a Breva 1100, 1200 or 1200 8V with bags and a shield.

Very similar parts bin to the EV/Bassa/Jackal/Special/Aluminum/Vintage. Just because Moto Guzzi announces hundreds of parts changes every few years doesn't mean it's always a good thing. There were some highs and lows in the last 10 years or so. Seems to me like the California series will continue for a while longer, especially if the 1400/1600 rumors pan out. Even if the rumored 1400/1600 cruiser style bike is on the Griso frame, it'll still be in the California lineage. Didn't the California name start with a Loop frame, then onto the Tonti frame and maybe shortly onto the Griso frame. I'm fine with all that. I'm thinking if there's a Moto Guzzi line up in 2019, it will have a California variation. IMHO, The Guzzi California series is already one of Moto Guzzis best selling lines.  

Kev M., I sincerely hope Moto Guzzi does continue to make a bike you like enough to purchase and consider a real Guzzi.   


Mark

[Greg Field]

Personally, I think the "California" name has never been an asset in the US. For most AMericans outside of that state, the connotations aren't what they may be in other countries who only know the US through re-runs of Baywatch and such.

Time to shit-can the name, IMO.

[Chicago Mark]

Greg,

     Maybe I'm just biased towards liking the California variations having owned a few over the years. Since I like them and the California name was never an issue for me, I supposed others do as well, But like I said above, I'd be all over the Breva with bags and a windshield if I could. My Bassa would go back to garage candy mode.

Forza Moto Guzzi, California name or not.

Mark
. 

[Greg Field]

Nothing wrong with a Bassa. It's a do-anything bike.

[jsh1120]

Personally, I think the "California" name has never been an asset in the US. For most AMericans outside of that state, the connotations aren't what they may be in other countries who only know the US through re-runs of Baywatch and such.

Time to shit-can the name, IMO.

I think that might be a particular Pacific NW perspective, Greg.  ;) Though I have to admit that when Mervyn's changed their name to Mervyn's of California up here, I wondered what the hell they were thinking.

[HDGoose]

Personally, I think the "California" name has never been an asset in the US. For most AMericans outside of that state, the connotations aren't what they may be in other countries who only know the US through re-runs of Baywatch and such.

Time to shit-can the name, IMO.

I think that might be a particular Pacific NW perspective, Greg.  ;) Though I have to admit that when Mervyn's changed their name to Mervyn's of California up here, I wondered what the hell they were thinking.

I have explained the 'California' model name to several folks out her in LA. As I have many other places.

[Kev m]

Mark,

I never doubted that you would hope Guzzi would continue to appeal to us (even if broadening their scope).

That said, I think Greg has a point on the Cali name.

I think it is easy for those of us who love the Calis and have gotten used to hearing the name to forget how odd it sounded the first time we heard it.

And definitely being a RIGHT coaster, it was off-putting at first to in any way associate the bike with the "People's Republic of Kalifornia"

 :BEER: