*California 1400 Merged Threadfest*

[sarg]

the cali makes me horny. any guess on the weight?? my stone weighs about 550. if this new one is no heavier i could be interested. woul d like to see it with a bag and screen option! looking forward to see some specs.  are there any yet??

[LowRyter]

I just got this from Motorcycle Classics regarding the new 1400.  Basically confirms my fears that it might be a heavy beast.  MC compares it the Triumph TBird.  At least price seems competitive:

"The real surprise to us was the unveiling of the California prototype, a huge, 1,400cc cruiser featuring an all-new 90-degree V-twin. The California was apparently inspired by Triumph’s equally ginormous 1,600cc Thunderbird, a model designed to lure customers from Harley-Davidson and the Metric Cruisers of Japan.

"Moto Guzzi has a short press release about the V7 Scrambler and California on the Moto Guzzi website, but no information on the V7 Racer. Expect the V7 Scrambler to list for around $8,900 and the California to be competitive with the Thunderbird, which starts at $12,499." – Richard Backus


Read more: http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/blacksidedown-moto-guzzi-prototypes.aspx#ixzz1DbN8YpPb

[Pescara]

This is a good point.  I'd imagine mid-50s with two Guzzis in the garage is a good average.

40-60 being the other sides of the bell curve.  Some owners with 3+ bikes in the garage.

This is something PGA is up against here in the USA.  Most of the buyers are current customers.  They need to find a way to keep reselling to the same few thousand people each year.

I'm about to turn 44 and currently have 3 in the garage.  If things work out over the next year, or so, a Stelvio v1.2 will be in the garage as well...

I have several Guzzis and will be riding them by my current estimate until about 2045.  I've spent $40K cash on recreational vehicles in the last year.  No plans to buy Piaggio products (regardless of name on the tank) based on what they've made so far, there are better places to spend money.  They're not gaining buyers with the current product strategy, they're losing them.

[ohiorider]

Only 3,000 people a year buy a new Guzzi.  If Piaggio decided they were going to sell Guzzi's with inline 4's, how many people would know any different?  Most of the people who really care about Guzzi history don't buy new Guzzi's.  They are still trying to wear out Eldorado's they bought 30 years ago.  The other two million people who buy a bike each year have never heard of Guzzi.  They have no idea what a "Guzzi" is supposed to be.    

Piaggio can introduce anything they like because the potential gains would far outweigh the loss from old-time Guzzi owners.  I'm not suggesting that is what they should do, I am just pointing out that there are maybe 100 active posters on this forum and they probably represent a large portion of the US Guzzi demographic.  That has to change if the brand is going to survive.  You can't build a business around a bunch of negative, old men.        

I think the new Cali looks great and I honestly don't care if it's liquid cooled or not.  I also think the new Norge and Stelvio are also great.  While liquid cooling seems to have a stigma attached by some Guzzi riders, the vast majority of motorcyclists don't care if a bike has a radiator as long as it's fun to ride, doesn't break all the time, they can afford it and there is a decent dealer nearby.      

Well said, John inVT! 

Bob

[ohiorider]

Victory might sell as few bikes a year as Guzzi...

Looking at the numbers from another post ($81,600,000 year ending 2009 or 2010).  I would estimate the average Victory sale averages out at $16-18k.  Say $17k.
$81600000/$17000 = 4800 units.  So, give or take 500 bikes one way or the other, probably the same approximate number of new bikes on the road in recent calendar years.  Revenue comparison, have no idea.

Bob

[booger]

But it's not JUST Guzzi...

BMW, Triumph, Ducati, Royal Einfield, Ural all still sell air-cooled bikes (along with a handful of the Japanese models), they must have SOME collective lobbying presence in Europe no?

Look, I'm a bit of hippie from an environmental standpoint.

I bought an EFI bike as soon as I could for that reason.

I've kept the cat-cons on my bikes that have come with them.

I don't tune for max power at the cost of pollutants.

But for gawd's sake, would someone wake up and see how small an amount of pollution motorcycles are contributing to the overall picture.

We've cleaned up 2-strokes, with EFI we've seriously cleaned up motorcycles in general.

And just look at the overall fuel efficiency of smaller air-cooled models like the V7 or Bonnie... leave em alone...

+1000

[Kev m]

Victory might sell as few bikes a year as Guzzi...

Looking at the numbers from another post ($81,600,000 year ending 2009 or 2010).  I would estimate the average Victory sale averages out at $16-18k.  Say $17k.
$81600000/$17000 = 4800 units.  So, give or take 500 bikes one way or the other, probably the same approximate number of new bikes on the road in recent calendar years.  Revenue comparison, have no idea.

Bob

DOH, thanks for posting that - I put an extra zero in when I was coming up with my estimate.

So yup, this means Victory sells in the same ballpark as Guzzi...i.e. very few.

[Atlanta Guzzi]

To all Dealers,

Any word on when the new California becomes a reality? 

http://www.motoguzzicalifornia.com/2011/02/california-1400/

Is it rumored to be a 2012 model?  Does that mean we might see something this fall or next spring?

I'm just trying to plan upgrades to my current 01' California accordingly.  If there's a chance I might be able to shop the new California in less than a year...I might just sit tight and hang on to my money for a possible bike swap.

Thanks!

[Skeeve]

Any word on when the new California becomes a reality? 

Overwhelming consensus seems to be that it's "too ugly: go back to the drawing board!" so doubtful that we'll see it. Don't forget that it took the MGS '01 and the Griso both about 5 years to actually make it off the concept vehicle stage & into the dealer catalog... Despite Piaggio's takeover of Guzzi, I don't think that part is going to change all that much! ;)

[Kev m]

Any word on when the new California becomes a reality? 

Overwhelming consensus seems to be that it's "too ugly: go back to the drawing board!" so doubtful that we'll see it.

I guess that depends on where you stand in the consensus, I remember it being fairly well split.

[JohninVT`]

I dig it.  If the ergos are reasonable I would consider trading my 1200 Sport on one in a year or two. 

[Mark West]

I think the first question to answer is if it will become a reality. As everyone should know by now just because Guzzi shows something, doesn't necessarily mean it will ever be made.

As for me, I like the looks but the controls look a bit far forward and I'm wondering about the tank capacity. Anything smaller than the current Cali tank would be a non-starter for me unless it gets fabulous gas mileage. I'd like to see a 200 mile capacity without having to fret over the low fuel light for 50 miles.

[Kev m]

Actually, I'm not really under the impression it's an "IF" - I'm under the impression it's more a WHEN... just because of tightening EU standards...

[Pescara]

Time is a flexible thing when it comes to Guzzis...  it might be "when, not if" but that assumes the sun will still be coming up at that time.  I think they'll do a lot more work to the bike shown before releasing a 1400 cc engine.

Some are still waiting on the Ippogriffo...  :D



Some have aged a lot waiting for the Falco  ;D ;D

[Kev m]

Understood, but there wasn't an emissions-regulation motivation for something like the Ippogriffo.

[Guzzi-Guy]

Any word on when the new California becomes a reality? 

Overwhelming consensus seems to be that it's "too ugly: go back to the drawing board!" so doubtful that we'll see it. Don't forget that it took the MGS '01 and the Griso both about 5 years to actually make it off the concept vehicle stage & into the dealer catalog... Despite Piaggio's takeover of Guzzi, I don't think that part is going to change all that much! ;)

I liked it.

[bad Chad]

There seems to be a fairly pronounced disconnect with Piaggio and it's previous customer base.  Piaggio is still very much a Italian company, with all it's warts and all.  But, yet it is far and away a much more modern company.   I don't think the same old constructs can be applied today.

Think about it.  Since Aprillia took over, how late have models shown up?  The Ipogrifo, was pre Aprillia.  The MGS -01 was never going to go street using the old 4v.  The Griso and Breva showed up in the US about a year after there intro to the EU, the Norge and Vintage, as I recall about 6 months.    Things are not what they used to be, for better or worse.

[jj145]

Has there been any further information on the California 1400? Some crappy pics appeared last February with no real info on specifics. It then it fell of the radar. Has MG thrown in the towel already?

[bad Chad]

Wait till the Milian show in November.
www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/crystal-ball-2012-moto-guzzi/18080.html

[rocker59]

Some crappy pics appeared last February 

[yogidozer]

Some crappy pics appeared last February 

Now isn't that attractive :-O

[Chicago Mark]

If this is as good in the execution as it is in promise, I'll be looking at turning the Valkyrie Interstate and the G12 into a single Cali 14 in the next few years.

Mark

[Atlanta Guzzi]

I'm thinking it's gonna be a hit!  The photos really don't look that bad and it'll probably look much better in person.

My guess is we'll see the California finally get the CARC drive, the six speed gearbox, a better charging system, maybe a new sportier suspension closer to the Norge even though I see twin shocks, and an all new more powerful water cooled engine which will be a huge step forward in performance.  Once again just my personal crystal ball, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

  

[JohninVT`]

I'm thinking it's gonna be a hit!  The photos really don't look that bad and it'll probably look much better in person.

My guess is we'll see the California finally get the CARC drive, the six speed gearbox, a better charging system, a new sporty suspension closer to the level of Norge, and an all new more powerful water cooled engine which will be a huge step forward in performance.  Once again just my personal crystal ball, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

 

I hope you're right because if you are, it'll be the first cruiser I've ever bought. ;D  My main concern is going to be the price.  If they bring it out and announce a 17 or 18 thousand dollar MSRP, it's going to be beyond my pain threshold. 

[wildduck]

I think at least 17K, and that's about where my pain threshold is located as well. Good looking bike,

John

[Murray]

I think at least 17K, and that's about where my pain threshold is located as well. Good looking bike,

John

With the current value of the USD? Probably be at least that!

[Luap McKeever]

I would hope they make a real touring model as an option.  It's one thing to spend 17K on a new bike, but it's another to have to plop anther grand or two in accessories and then have to wait for them.  They should offer a fully dressed version up front.

My bark is same as my bite.  Offer one fully loaded up front, and I'll get one without hesitation.  Dang good looking motorcycle. ;-T, however the photo looks like a close up of a 1/18 scale model.

[jim mac]

rumoured to be £10k in UK,  should be cheaper in USA, every other Guzzi is

[wyno]

If it comes to Australia, it'll be at least $25k
Mike

[Atlanta Guzzi]

I would hope they make a real touring model as an option.  It's one thing to spend 17K on a new bike, but it's another to have to plop anther grand or two in accessories and then have to wait for them.  They should offer a fully dressed version up front.

I agree.  A full touring version with bags similar to the California Vintage and a great full coverage windshield.