*California 1400 Merged Threadfest*

[Steve G.]

Well, it seems like the uber bike company is once again trying to keep up with Moto Guzzi.   

As is well know around these parts, Moto Guzzi showed off a prototype totally new 1400cc liquid cooled motor and chassie to their dealer network back in January.http://www.motoguzzicalifornia.com/2011/02/california-1400/

Now spy shots are out of an apparent liquid cooled BMW boxer!    Ah, the more things change, the more they stay the same!   Good luck BMW, your gonna need it to keep up with Una Storia Italiana
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/616/10853/Motorcycle-Article/Spy-Shot--2012-Water-Cooled-BMW-R1200GS.aspx

  I'll assume you're just kidding around,,,,your topic title may do well in an arena of jesus juice drinking Guzzisti [like me] , but could really not be father from the truth. this company runs F1 engines, V12's, etc, and currently the most potent supersport bike on the planet right out of the box. I can assure you Moto Guzzi's actions had nothing to do with BMW liquid cooling it's flat twin, but everything to do with The EU's upcoming super strict emmision and noise requirements. This is what will ultimately have Moto Guzzi AND Harley Davidson liquid cooling their engines.

  Steve

[JoeW]

Guzzi has a glorious past as well, racing and developing cutting edge engines....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V8

I don't think emmisions where a concern when this was built!

[Tom]

Wonder what capacity the fuel tank is.  The trend with the past is a smaller one.  Maybe 3 gal. usable.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[voncrump]

To get back onto the subject,you have to think about BMW chasing GUZZI or GUZZI chasing BMW.
To chase means that you have to be going in the same direction as your target.
BMW and GUZZI just cross paths and overlap sometimes.
The important point is that they both stay in the Motorcycle Industry.
Cheers, Voncrump

[Tom]

Current engine development to market.  BMW has Guzzi beat.  Look at all the latest stuff - inline 6, Upright twin, 4 cylinder and single. 

[Crusty]

Yeah; but when you paint a BMW white, people mistake it for a urinal. That doesn't happen with a Guzzi. ;)

[montelatici]

Guzzi had liquid cooling in 1956, of course BMW is following:

[leafman60]

I dont want water cooling.

[montelatici]

I dont want water cooling.

Neither do I.

[ohiorider]

I think BMW knows who is chasing them ..... it isn't Moto Guzzi .... it's Triumph.

Bob

[Steve G.]

Wonder what capacity the fuel tank is.  The trend with the past is a smaller one.  Maybe 3 gal. usable.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

    ?????
      You must be talking about the 1st series Stelvio.

  Steve

[mogu83]

Guzzi has a glorious past as well, racing and developing cutting edge engines....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V8
I don't think emmisions where a concern when this was built!

Yes - but that was over half a century ago.  Before most of the people on this list were born. ;) ;)

BMW is selling this at your local dealer today;


And it's very very sweet.

[Crusty]

It's got four cylinders too many, and it's bigger than a Volkswagen. It has more electronic gizmos than a Saturn 5, and just wait until a little corrosion makes its way into some of the electrical connectors. It's a freakin' two wheeled Bulgemobile.
Maybe it'll go head to head with a Lead Wing, but it's got nothing that I want in a motorcycle.

[Edelweiss]

I recall reading a review a long time ago where a Guzzi was
described as like a BMW, "....but with it's cylinders raised in
a mischievous V-sign..." I've always loved that desription!

LJK Setright, maybe?

Sounds like something he might have written.

                                                   -Tom

[JoeW]

Guzzi has a glorious past as well, racing and developing cutting edge engines....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V8
I don't think emmisions where a concern when this was built!

Yes - but that was over half a century ago.  Before most of the people on this list were born. ;) ;)

BMW is selling this at your local dealer today;


And it's very very sweet.

Sweet...yes but i am not about to spend 25k on a motorcycle!

[kevdog3019]

Guzzi has a glorious past as well, racing and developing cutting edge engines....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V8
I don't think emmisions where a concern when this was built!

Yes - but that was over half a century ago.  Before most of the people on this list were born. ;) ;)

BMW is selling this at your local dealer today;


And it's very very sweet.

4 too many cylinders that aren't needed.  I prefer to do more with less as I feel that's what a motorcycle is in the first place. 

[custimguitarman]

Dejavu!

I was at my local BMW dealer today .......because I have not been there since they moved. Anyhow, I used to lust after a Bumble Bee GS. I still love that bike. I could not help but notice the current 1200 GS Adventure at 21,000 dollars. But it had a 8+  gallon tank.

Anyhow, it was hard to ignore the bike their main Tech rides. A 97 GS with 103,000 + miles on it. I know him sorta and we got to talking after years of not seeing each other. All he has done are a clutch and throttle bodies. The throttle shafts were leaking causing poor running. He changed them at 70,000. Thinks maybe the injectors need replaced now.


I like all bikes. especially ones that seem to make a lot of sense AND hold up under the test of time. I will never pay 21 grand for a motorcycle. I would however like the chance to take off on his 100,000+ mile GS for a week or two.

OH, my buddy that drove us there is lusting after the New bike. It really sounded good! I do not know why he did not ride it. It was offered. I would have the 1600 BMW way sooner than a Goldwing. It still looks like a motorcycle!

[ohiorider]

Dejavu!

I was at my local BMW dealer today .......because I have not been there since they moved. Anyhow, I used to lust after a Bumble Bee GS. I still love that bike. I could not help but notice the current 1200 GS Adventure at 21,000 dollars. But it had a 8+  gallon tank.

Anyhow, it was hard to ignore the bike their main Tech rides. A 97 GS with 103,000 + miles on it. I know him sorta and we got to talking after years of not seeing each other. All he has done are a clutch and throttle bodies. The throttle shafts were leaking causing poor running. He changed them at 70,000. Thinks maybe the injectors need replaced now.


I like all bikes. especially ones that seem to make a lot of sense AND hold up under the test of time. I will never pay 21 grand for a motorcycle. I would however like the chance to take off on his 100,000+ mile GS for a week or two.

OH, my buddy that drove us there is lusting after the New bike. It really sounded good! I do not know why he did not ride it. It was offered. I would have the 1600 BMW way sooner than a Goldwing. It still looks like a motorcycle!

Sounds like you were at  Mathias BMW in New Philadelphia.  A really great motorcycle shop.  Gene, the owner, always has time to discuss the happenings of the day, lots of other friendly riders stop by, and Jamie and Eric, the mechanics, are tops.  I do most of my own work on the GS, but I know my limitations.  When the rear main tranny bearing needed replaced, I did the dirty work (pulling the tranny and reinstalling it).  Jamie did the benchwork.  Same for a final drive seal a few years ago.  Never an issue with their work.  BTW, that 1997 GS you mentioned doesn't live the easiest life, either. 

Bob

[custimguitarman]

Dejavu!

I was at my local BMW dealer today .......because I have not been there since they moved. Anyhow, I used to lust after a Bumble Bee GS. I still love that bike. I could not help but notice the current 1200 GS Adventure at 21,000 dollars. But it had a 8+  gallon tank.

Anyhow, it was hard to ignore the bike their main Tech rides. A 97 GS with 103,000 + miles on it. I know him sorta and we got to talking after years of not seeing each other. All he has done are a clutch and throttle bodies. The throttle shafts were leaking causing poor running. He changed them at 70,000. Thinks maybe the injectors need replaced now.


I like all bikes. especially ones that seem to make a lot of sense AND hold up under the test of time. I will never pay 21 grand for a motorcycle. I would however like the chance to take off on his 100,000+ mile GS for a week or two.

OH, my buddy that drove us there is lusting after the New bike. It really sounded good! I do not know why he did not ride it. It was offered. I would have the 1600 BMW way sooner than a Goldwing. It still looks like a motorcycle!

Sounds like you were at  Mathias BMW in New Philadelphia.  A really great motorcycle shop.  Gene, the owner, always has time to discuss the happenings of the day, lots of other friendly riders stop by, and Jamie and Eric, the mechanics, are tops.  I do most of my own work on the GS, but I know my limitations.  When the rear main tranny bearing needed replaced, I did the dirty work (pulling the tranny and reinstalling it).  Jamie did the benchwork.  Same for a final drive seal a few years ago.  Never an issue with their work.  BTW, that 1997 GS you mentioned doesn't live the easiest life, either. 

Bob

You are correct! I live in East Sparta. Approx. 15 or so miles north o them. Jamie in mineral city. I remember when he first got that bike. I was surprised to see he was still riding it. I remember at one time he didn't own a vehicle of any kind. Just the bike. ;)

[mogu83]

Guzzi has a glorious past as well, racing and developing cutting edge engines....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V8
I don't think emmisions where a concern when this was built!

Yes - but that was over half a century ago.  Before most of the people on this list were born. ;) ;)

4 too many cylinders that aren't needed.  I prefer to do more with less as I feel that's what a motorcycle is in the first place. 

Which one the eight cylinder Goose or the six cylinder Beemer

[kevdog3019]

Guzzi has a glorious past as well, racing and developing cutting edge engines....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Guzzi_V8
I don't think emmisions where a concern when this was built!

Yes - but that was over half a century ago.  Before most of the people on this list were born. ;) ;)

4 too many cylinders that aren't needed.  I prefer to do more with less as I feel that's what a motorcycle is in the first place.  

Which one the eight cylinder Goose or the six cylinder Beemer

This one.  This one is more with less!  ;)

[bad Chad]

I love cool aid! :)    That being said,

let's see who brings their liquid cooled ionic motor to the public first!  And which one turns out to be more fun.

[Tom]

Wonder what capacity the fuel tank is.  The trend with the past is a smaller one.  Maybe 3 gal. usable.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

    ?????
      You must be talking about the 1st series Stelvio.

  Steve

I was talking about the MG line in general.  Fortunately with the Stelvio.  The problelm may be fixed with the 3.0 series coming out. ;-T

[jj145]

Getting a little impatient waiting for any news on the Cal 1400. Even governments can't keep a secret this long. Has anyone heard any rumblings as to if or when this this bike might appear? Possibly some of our European members might have some info, by virtue of being closer to the source.

[Lannis]

Several companies, like Norton and BMW, have gotten themselves in trouble because they pushed a design which worked very well at 500 or 600 ccs to 850 or 1000 ccs, and suddenly either lost their business, or lost their reputation for quality.

I hope Guzzi doesn't do the same thing, pushing a design which worked well at 700 and 1000 ccs and even more, to unreasonable levels in order to chase some marketing desire to Be Bigger.   Of course, men have to Be Bigger.    1800cc?  2300cc?   Not enough, we have to Be Bigger.

At some point the design will fail and everyone will say "Why did they do that?"

I'm saying it now!

Lannis

[bad Chad]

What did BMW do?

[bad Chad]

As to the original question, wait a week or so.   It's fairly likely that some info will be released at the big Guzzi 90th birthday celebration
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/591/10502/Motorcycle-Article/GMG-Moto-Guzzi-Returns-to-Mandello-del-Lario-.aspx

[Kev m]

What did BMW do?

Gave up on that style of bike because the motor was deemed too small to remain competitive in the marketplace.

[Lannis]

What did BMW do?

Gone from a perception of no-compromise, white-glove, Teutonic tradition of hand-made high quality .... to photos of flaming rear axles, tales of drive-lines exploding and ruining Alaska trips while the KLRs soldier on, and a perception that things aren't what they used to be ....

Lannis

[bad Chad]

Ok, but the BMW cruiser was not a failur because the motor was pushed to too many cc, which is what Lanis is saying, right?