Author Topic: California 1400 Merged Threadfest (Read 855515 times)

rocker59 · « **Reply #990 on:** October 10, 2011, 11:49:31 AM »

That's from way back in the early part of the year.

According to Galuzzi, the white Cali was a preproduction mock-up. It's been changed a bit since this was filmed.

The only things being said about the scrambler are that it was a styling exercise and won't make it.

It's not long until EICMA. What Guzzi has on display there will be the tell.

Kev m · « **Reply #991 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:49:07 PM »

I'm hoping the final production model looks more like the white mock-up than the latest (black one) that I saw.

saguaro_squeezer · « **Reply #992 on:** October 10, 2011, 02:19:44 PM »

That white mockup Cal is really something.

JJ · « **Reply #993 on:** October 10, 2011, 04:48:57 PM »

I rather like that little V7 Scrambler as well! :) 8) ;-T ;-T Is is coming stateside?

Skeeve · « **Reply #994 on:** October 10, 2011, 09:59:35 PM »

Am I the only one here afraid to say "the Emporer is naked?" The notched tank so the Big Bore motor will fit looks...

dumb. ::)

Glad it's not even a prototype, but a concept bike intended to stir things up! ;-T

rocker59 · « **Reply #995 on:** October 10, 2011, 10:10:47 PM »

Quote from: Skeeve on October 10, 2011, 09:59:35 PM

Glad it's not even a prototype, but a concept bike intended to stir things up! ;-T

Skeeve,

The bike has been taken to prototype. There are running examples in Mandello, according to Galluzzi.

There will probably be one on the podium at EICMA in a few weeks time...

samfrank · « **Reply #996 on:** October 10, 2011, 10:13:47 PM »

Quote from: Skeeve on October 10, 2011, 09:59:35 PM

Am I the only one here afraid to say "the Emporer is naked?" The notched tank so the Big Bore motor will fit looks...

dumb. ::)

Glad it's not even a prototype, but a concept bike intended to stir things up! ;-T

I agree. I don't like the notched tank.

IceBlue · « **Reply #997 on:** October 11, 2011, 12:24:22 AM »

Well - I do like it! Guzzi obviously want the Cal to look big. Well if that's the goal why not go HUGE. I think it's an original way to do it and I think they succeeded. It's a beaut ;-T

I have always liked the Cal. I like this even better. Looking forward to see the final result at the EICMA.
I sure like the Scrambler too. Nobody was sure the Racer came around, and suddenly it was there.
I think the Scrambler is a hit and I hope Piaggio is smart enough to put it into production.

Ciao

crc · « **Reply #998 on:** October 11, 2011, 01:19:27 AM »

Frankly I think the Cali is a design balls up. ::)

JohninVT` · « **Reply #999 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:09:12 AM »

Pricing is going to be the deal breaker on these models. If Guzzi puts a 10k MSRP on a Scrambler they are going to languish in warehouses for years. I don't know how large a market for scrambler type bikes there is in the US but I think the price needs to be at or under 8 grand.

Triumph can't sell their Scrambler at list price because when you add a few reasonable accessories, you surpass the price of a new Tiger. The Tiger is more capable in every way than the Scrambler so unless you just really HAVE to own a throwback, it makes no sense.

Guzzi will run into the same problem. There are too many very capable bikes above the 8k price point. Hell, a Kawasaki Versys can be bought for 6 grand and the updated V-Strom 650 ABS has a MSRP of 8 grand. The Versys and V-Strom aren't classic scrambler's in appearance but they do serve that function. A "Scrambler" is a very specific type of machine with a limited appeal(and performance).

Would Guzzi sell a hundred Scramblers a year? How many of those 100 bikes would simply be cannibilizing existing V7C sales? I dunno the answer to either question but think they're questions worth pondering if you work at Piaggio.

If they sell them in the US I'll be happily suprised.

Lee Bruns · « **Reply #1000 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:21:56 AM »

Johnny, you really need to compare the scrambler to other SHAFT DRIVE bikes in its class. Like . . . . . .oh, there are none. That alone will help sales a lot.

JohninVT` · « **Reply #1001 on:** October 11, 2011, 07:16:16 AM »

Quote from: Lee Bruns on October 11, 2011, 06:21:56 AM

Johnny, you really need to compare the scrambler to other SHAFT DRIVE bikes in its class. Like . . . . . .oh, there are none. That alone will help sales a lot.

You and I both enjoy riding DR650's...I don't think adding shaft drive to a DR would improve it in any way. In fact, it would decrease its' performance in some very important ways.

If Guzzi swayed some Bonnie Scrambler owners to the Guzzi brand, we would see reports of final drive failures within months. The minute the wheels start coming off the ground and full power is run through the shaft at max angles, stuff will break. Take five minutes to read the Triumph Scrambler thread on ADVrider. There's no way the Guzzi shaft drive will hold up to the kind of abuse Triumph Scrambler owners dish out.

I love the idea of a Guzzi Scrambler but I've had mechanical sympathy beaten into me by my machinist father for 42 years. I would use one for gravel road cruising and very light powerline exploration. I wouldn't take it across the TAT. I wouldn't hammer it across Baja 90 mph. I wouldn't enter it in Enduro's. I wouldn't ride one as if my bones are unbreakable. Those things are done frequently by Triumph owners.

If Guzzi isn't trying to steal Triumph sales...what exactly IS the business model? That takes me back to my previous question; would a Scrambler model crib sales from the existing V7C or cafe?

Lee Bruns · « **Reply #1002 on:** October 11, 2011, 07:11:33 PM »

The smallblock V7 Scrambler would not be a comparable bike to the DR650, it would better compare to the DL650 V strom or the G650 BMW. Gravel roads or very light trail, not a TAT bike.

cruzziguzzi · « **Reply #1003 on:** October 11, 2011, 08:47:05 PM »

John's comments above about the abuse to the rear-drive of an enthusiastically ridden scrambler has "Scared me straight" in my directions for resurrecting my Breva.

I wonder though about the rear drives on the Guzzi's past, serious SB dirt attempts. Maybe the riders had the foresight to generally keep the rear wheel down?

Digitaltown · « **Reply #1004 on:** November 08, 2011, 09:26:23 AM »

It may be worth keeping an eye on the Milan motobike show news http://www.eicma.it/en/news/.1.htm

My dealers had been on a Guzzi training course last week and they had been told it could be launched at the event with bikes in the dealers in Europe by end April.

The show already has a news item on the 3 different versions of the V7 on about page 6 which was one of the early news items of the show.

gooseontheloose · « **Reply #1005 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:35:05 AM »

From TLM facebook page (world dealer meeting)

Semper-guzzi · « **Reply #1006 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:45:59 AM »

Nice. Looks more power cruiser than anything. Rear fender/light from the Griso? What about those schocks? Anyways I like it.

lti_57 · « **Reply #1007 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:52:21 AM »

looks sexy, kind of retro looking.
The swing arm assembly looks interesting

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #1008 on:** February 03, 2012, 07:58:00 AM »

typical Italian seat, no comfort.

nick949 · « **Reply #1009 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:11:32 AM »

Have they left enough room in the tank for any gas?

Nick

dnovo · « **Reply #1010 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:24:16 AM »

Quote from: Semper-guzzi on February 03, 2012, 07:45:59 AM

Nice. Looks more power cruiser than anything. Rear fender/light from the Griso? What about those schocks? Anyways I like it.

Yes, exactly, just what Guzzi needs, a 'me too' in an already saturated market segment that also happens to be on the wane to start with. Good move Piaggo! Dave

Kev m · « **Reply #1011 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:51:00 AM »

Are those wheels spokes or cast, can't tell?

Instrument housing is kinda cool - I like the functions.

I think I'll chose to remain cautiously optimistic.

The real question remains HOW CLOSE TO ACTUAL PRODUCTION IS IT?

John Ulrich · « **Reply #1012 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:56:39 AM »

It kinda reminds me of a Honda Rune......which I like!

JohninVT` · « **Reply #1013 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:07:43 AM »

Quote from: Kev m on February 03, 2012, 08:51:00 AM

Are those wheels spokes or cast, can't tell?

Instrument housing is kinda cool - I like the functions.

I think I'll chose to remain cautiously optimistic.

The real question remains HOW CLOSE TO ACTUAL PRODUCTION IS IT?

Yup. I'm with you on the optimism. I like the layout of the clock but the numbers are small and will be hard to read in sunlight. The spokes look too beefy....like the wheels are cast, to me.

This will sound weird but I think mirrors and directionals will make the bike look a lot better. I also think they need to do wome work on cable routing. The rest of the machine is so clean that the brake lines stick out like a sore thumb. The remote resevoir line on the rear shock does too.

I like the shape of the seat. I think black paint and the skunk seat will be the prettiest version. I dunno how that tank shape would look painted red. If the engine were black, red paint might look pretty sharp.

Kev m · « **Reply #1014 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:11:27 AM »

I definitely think the tank shape is an improvement over the current Cali.

I'm a black engine guy, so I can only hope on that too.

We'll see.

Dilliw · « **Reply #1015 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:12:35 AM »

I'll give it a thumbs up although in as a naked bike I'd opt for the Griso.

Do they have a touring version? It's not a Cali if you can't hook a trailer to it, cover the seat in dead sheep, hang some massive cases on it and stick my wife on the back on the way to a rally...

As for looks of this one, I think it still stands as unique in today's cruiser market. And the Cali has always been differentiated from the other cruiser by the way it turns and stops. Doubt that's missing here.

But did I say I wanted a Griso????

Luxexterior · « **Reply #1016 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:15:34 AM »

I think this looks great. Different very Guzzi which surely what most of us want. The wheels look cast but in the style of spoked which is eccentric but in a good way. ;-T

By the way it looks nothing like a Honda Rune, the Rune being possibly the ugliest & most stupid bike on the planet.

Kev m · « **Reply #1017 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:25:33 AM »

Bags are a must, but I'd rather put HBs on them have the OEM put something like the current pricey and fragile Cal-Vin bags on it.

youcanrunnaked · « **Reply #1018 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:28:46 AM »

I don't understand the criticism of this bike. It was past time for an updated California, and that's exactly what this is. There are just enough styling cues to echo past Cali models; just enough modern elements to distinguish this as something new. Good job! I think the touring version will look even better.

sbaker · « **Reply #1019 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:42:25 AM »

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2270119332205&set=a.2269025904870.84368.1825274229&type=1&theater

1400

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Author Topic: *California 1400 Merged Threadfest* (Read 855515 times)

crc

JohninVT`

JohninVT`

Digitaltown

lti_57

dnovo

JohninVT`

Author Topic: California 1400 Merged Threadfest (Read 855515 times)