Author Topic: California 1400 Merged Threadfest (Read 851546 times)

jomcgui · « **Reply #1650 on:** March 20, 2012, 10:47:34 PM »

I like that bike. Now if i ever get one it needs to come with the leather sports jacket that the guy on the left was sporting ;D

sbaker · « **Reply #1651 on:** March 21, 2012, 07:57:23 AM »

Hello;

If you listen carefully to the language they used, they are telling us that the bike in the Video is a 'mock up' and that the design center will "finish" the design work over the coming months. So until we see the real bike, speculation is fun, but we can only guess.

Kev m · « **Reply #1652 on:** March 21, 2012, 08:02:44 AM »

Quote from: sbaker on March 21, 2012, 07:57:23 AM

Hello;

If you listen carefully to the language they used, they are telling us that the bike in the Video is a 'mock up' and that the design center will "finish" the design work over the coming months. So until we see the real bike, speculation is fun, but we can only guess.

Absolutely, but the BASIC BIKE is probably finished. I mean we've heard reports of the Aprilia test riders being "amazed at how well it handles" (I forget who posted that, was it one of our beloved dealers?).

So I suspect it's the look and details that are yet to be sorted - seats, fenders, sidecovers etc, more than the basics - motor/frame/forks etc.

rocker59 · « **Reply #1653 on:** March 21, 2012, 10:14:56 AM »

Quote from: jomcgui on March 20, 2012, 10:47:34 PM

I like that bike. Now if i ever get one it needs to come with the leather sports jacket that the guy on the left was sporting ;D

"that guy on the left" is Miguel Galluzzi, VP of Design.

the one on the right is Marco Lambri, The guy who runs the Piaggio Style Center.

sbaker · « **Reply #1654 on:** March 21, 2012, 10:29:48 AM »

Quote from: Kev m on March 21, 2012, 08:02:44 AM

Absolutely, but the BASIC BIKE is probably finished. I mean we've heard reports of the Aprilia test riders being "amazed at how well it handles" (I forget who posted that, was it one of our beloved dealers?).

So I suspect it's the look and details that are yet to be sorted - seats, fenders, sidecovers etc, more than the basics - motor/frame/forks etc.

Probably true.. To get the bike past EPA and DOT takes a while, so they must have the engine, drivetrain, etc done and a test mule or two ready to go. The new engine will require a ground up testing, including hours at the track racking up mileage.... Then there is the government "red tape" that has to be managed before the type acceptance is granted.

THEN then can do the styling treatment ..

Lots to do by Fall!

Luap McKeever · « **Reply #1655 on:** March 21, 2012, 10:40:32 AM »

Love it...hate it, it will be here...it won't be here, it's pretty...it's ugly. Say what you will, I cannot remember a single model motorcycle sparking so much conversation on this board since it was born. That says something in itself.

Put bags on it, pillion seat, nice wind protection, and real horns on it, bring it to USA by April 2013 and I will buy one.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #1656 on:** March 21, 2012, 10:49:08 AM »

In the video they kept saying "next Fall" - do they really mean this Fall (2012) or Fall of 2013? It does seem like a lot to do before Fall 2012...

Tom · « **Reply #1657 on:** March 21, 2012, 11:49:50 AM »

That was progress for Moto Guzzi! ;D :pop :pop :pop

Avvocato · « **Reply #1658 on:** March 21, 2012, 12:08:45 PM »

Quote from: Luap McKeever on March 21, 2012, 10:40:32 AM

Love it...hate it, it will be here...it won't be here, it's pretty...it's ugly. Say what you will, I cannot remember a single model motorcycle sparking so much conversation on this board since it was born. That says something in itself.

Put bags on it, pillion seat, nice wind protection, and real horns on it, bring it to USA by April 2013 and I will buy one.

:+1 :drool

Tom · « **Reply #1659 on:** March 21, 2012, 12:13:41 PM »

One big improvement to the design that I can see that would improve the mock-up. Make a seat option that has the old style bench seat available. Make the rider portion with more foam to build-up the rider part. Add the pillion part so that it can be used for a passenger and allowing the rider to slide back for more room. Voila!!! Adjustable seating for everyone.

Travman · « **Reply #1660 on:** March 21, 2012, 12:21:31 PM »

I think most bikes look best from the rear three quarters angle, especially long bikes.

Tom · « **Reply #1661 on:** March 21, 2012, 12:23:12 PM »

That's a good point! IMO the proposed 1400 doesn't look that long.

Gary · « **Reply #1662 on:** March 21, 2012, 12:37:21 PM »

If it is even close to what we think it is, I will be inclined to be purchaser of a new one in 2 +/- years. It's the closest thing to what I have been looking in a long time.

iamz · « **Reply #1663 on:** March 21, 2012, 03:28:27 PM »

Quote from: Travman on March 21, 2012, 12:21:31 PM

I think most bikes look best from the rear three quarters angle, especially long bikes.

No truer statement. ;)

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #1664 on:** March 21, 2012, 05:09:06 PM »

ok just cause i have one handy, i agree

Travman · « **Reply #1665 on:** March 21, 2012, 08:13:38 PM »

The rear three-quarters view works pretty well for women too.

dddd · « **Reply #1666 on:** March 21, 2012, 08:45:11 PM »

I really like the appearance of this bike, accept the taillights which I feel are a bit over the top. If the specifications are right I will get one.
I see its main competition to be triumph's thunder bird which at 1600-1700 and a massive long stroke engine at that, the 1400 MG can never compete on torque with it, however with a much smaller stroke and less capacity in general I'm hoping it will be able to rev harder say 7000-7500 and produce good HP say 115-120 .
I feel it needs a wet weight around 270-280kg at most (thunder bird 340kg)
Radial mounted brembos will be superior, as to I have no doubt will be the general handling and suspension.
In short I think MG could well bring out a new type of cruiser (and when I say cruiser I mean forward controls and foot boards) one with a lively engine that's happy to rev a bit with reasonable weight, good handling and suspension with sports bike caliber brakes.
All I need to know is what HP at what RPM, and the weight figure

Arizona Wayne · « **Reply #1667 on:** March 21, 2012, 11:58:43 PM »

The bigger(wider) the pistons, the less high rpms they can safely go to. I have a 660cc single, therefore it's red line is @6,700 rpm. A rev limiter makes sure of that. ;)

rocker59 · « **Reply #1668 on:** March 22, 2012, 12:17:49 AM »

Quote from: Arizona Wayne on March 21, 2012, 11:58:43 PM

The bigger(wider) the pistons, the less high rpms they can safely go to. I have a 660cc single, therefore it's red line is @6,700 rpm. A rev limiter makes sure of that. ;)

It really has a lot to do with bore/stroke ratio and piston speed, not to mention valve train spec.

Guzzi generally redlines its twins between 7600 and 9000 depending upon the particular engine.

dddd · « **Reply #1669 on:** March 22, 2012, 12:40:55 AM »

Quote from: rocker59 on March 22, 2012, 12:17:49 AM

It really has a lot to do with bore/stroke ratio and piston speed, not to mention valve train spec.

Guzzi generally redlines its twins between 7600 and 9000 depending upon the particular engine.

I agree, mainly piston speed, (ie the stroke) assuming the valve train is similar to the existing 4 valve heads, we know the valve train wont be limiting the RPM
Higher RPM is the only advantage it's engine will have over the huge stroked (and huge capacity) twins of its opposition and even they can rev to 6000

Cruzerdog · « **Reply #1670 on:** March 31, 2012, 03:17:06 PM »

I'm sold .... a hot Italian with "perky" 1400c jugs ... ;-T

I will definitely have one in my garage when it hits the USA ....

Atlanta Guzzi · « **Reply #1671 on:** April 07, 2012, 02:43:11 PM »

After looking at the photos of the upcoming California 1400 I'm very encouraged. Like many people I'm hoping they'll make a few adjustments (I really don't like the tail light) but over all I'm pleased.

Today I noticed how big the oil cooler is on the front of the bike and I was wondering if there might be a way to hide it? It's so big that for quite a while many people thought it was a radiator. I really love the look of an air cooled engine, and my 2001 California doesn't have any oil cooler to obstruct the view. So today I'm simply speculating since the bike isn't even out yet, and wondering how you might be able to hide this huge oil cooler. I wouldn't want to paint it black, since having it silver at least matches the engine cases. But, has anyone ever mounted a oil cooler to the bottom of the frame to hide it?

Thoughts...suggesti ons?

Thanks,

Robert

nick949 · « **Reply #1672 on:** April 07, 2012, 03:12:37 PM »

I don't mind the oil cooler and I love the fork leg treatment. Reminds me of certain well loved bikes from the seventies.........

Get rid of that scalloped thing and stick a nice flat dual seat on it. Shorties can buy the cruiser version. Change that rear fender and give it a normal rear light and an industrial strength luggage rack. Move the footboards back a couple of inches. Throw in the heaviest flywheel Mandello can come up and dial-out any smoothness. Never mind any 'top end rush'. I want thudding great torque from about 1500 rpm. Now we might be getting somewhere. We been asking for it for years - Eldorado is almost here.

With those minor changes, I would happily trade in the Breva.

Nick

Shorty · « **Reply #1673 on:** April 07, 2012, 03:24:15 PM »

Yes, the front at least does look like a loop frame, eh? Could this be what Greg Field was hinting at a little while ago when describing the mysterious new Guzzis?

kirkemon · « **Reply #1674 on:** April 07, 2012, 03:43:33 PM »

I agree that the cooler is not attractive. Maybe a shroud that could direct the air could improve the looks.
Even though the Griso has the cooler on the side, the Griso 850 didn't have a cooler at all and looked much better (too bad they never brought the 850 to the states!)
BTW how's that front brake line routed?

nick949 · « **Reply #1675 on:** April 07, 2012, 05:33:34 PM »

Others have commented on the valve covers, but they are in the same proportion as roundheads. Not meaning to hijack, but I don't mind the oil cooler.

Nick

Cam3512 · « **Reply #1676 on:** April 07, 2012, 06:23:47 PM »

Oil cooler underneath the engine = BAD idea.

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #1677 on:** April 07, 2012, 06:43:03 PM »

If they make the oil cooler large enough, if might hide the ugly parts more. ;-T

:beat_horse

JJ · « **Reply #1678 on:** April 07, 2012, 06:50:56 PM »

Honestly, that photo is the best one I have seen to date, :) but I will reserve my final judgement until I see one in person. :) Maybe it will look better in person ???

Even though I think it is a little "sausage-like", I do like it better however, than the Ducati Diavel, that's for sure. ;-T :)

bad Chad · « **Reply #1679 on:** April 07, 2012, 09:16:06 PM »

The oil cooler is substatially smaller than similar H20 cooled bikes radiators. Yes it's bigger than what we have seen before on a Guzzi, but dam, so is the motor!

To me, it's not distracting in the least. But if you have target fixation, well then I guess your gonna get what you see.

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Author Topic: *California 1400 Merged Threadfest* (Read 851546 times)

jomcgui

Gary

iamz

dddd

dddd

Author Topic: California 1400 Merged Threadfest (Read 851546 times)