*California 1400 Merged Threadfest*

[Lannis]

The riders seating position looks very "Road King-ish".

Probably thier benchmark.

That is SOOOOOO not my riding position ....

[Guzzi-Guy]

The foot position does not look that much different than my Cali.  I like the bags, they flow with the fenders.

[guzzisteve]

Looks like the same guy drew up that rain suit, a  green thingie.

[rocker59]

The foot position does not look that much different than my Cali.  I like the bags, they flow with the fenders.

Really?

[rboe]

They could be similar if the 1400 rider had not pushed his feet up so far.

[nick949]

On my 74 California, with my feet centred on the floorboards, my shin is vertical - a sane and very comfortable position.  Even if the fellow in the green suit pulled his feet back to the centre of the boards, his legs would still be forming an obtuse (both senses) angle IMHO.

It looks as though there would be way too much pressure on the buttocks for my taste.  But i do like the look of the rear end with those bags.

Nick

[Kev m]

Ohhhhh for gawd's sake already enough with the mountains from mole hills on the freaking board positions.

There's a difference, tiny to some, huge to others, but it's there.

Put me in the tiny difference camp (less than an Italian foot for sure lol).

Rocker without knowing your size and the test rider's size (not to mention a more comparable angle) those photos are useless to compare.

Not to mention your foot is hanging off the rear of the board and his is pushed to the front.

Plus, as we all know seat height would change things as well, so any changes there would effect the leg angle.

[Guzzi-Guy]

All this discussion about a new bike has got to be good for the brand.  it shows that we the consumer care about the bike that is about to come down the pipe!  The boy's at corporate HQ must surely be lapping all of this attention up.  Are they changing things based on our reactions who knows but I bet they are keeping an eye on this and other discussions.

[Kev m]

Agreed talk and buzz is a good thing.

Then again there was plenty of talk and buzz about the now defunct (in the US) XR and XRX from Harley  >:(

I would think that though this talk and buzz is encouraging, it would be even moreso on a NON-Guzzi site, and at the end of the day the proof will really be in the sales pudding (with which I hope it does fabulously well).

[Wayne Orwig]

My back hurts just looking at the photos.
Not that it matters. There are a lot of buyers looking for uncomfortable 'style'.

[Gary]

My back hurts just looking at the photos.
Not that it matters. There are a lot of buyers looking for uncomfortable 'style'.

No wonder, at age 91 you would be lucky to swing a leg over.

[moltoguzzi]

Northern Italians are tall, at 5'10" I feel short there as most men are 6' or more.
the problem I see is that the seat doesn't appear to have much padding and no recess for the tail bone like touring seats. The rest I like a lot, its why I expected the new Cali to be.

[rocker59]

Rocker without knowing your size and the test rider's size (not to mention a more comparable angle) those photos are useless to compare.

Not to mention your foot is hanging off the rear of the board and his is pushed to the front.

Plus, as we all know seat height would change things as well, so any changes there would effect the leg angle.

You know my size, we met face to face in Virginia.  For the others, 5'-11", 235-lbs, 32-inch inseam.

My foot position is arch on the PEG, toe under the shifter.

Seat height is stock Bassa 28".

Basically, though, you're right.  We don't know how big that rider is, but he doesn't look short like the Ducati test riders do in spy photos. 

One cool thing from the spy photo is that the boards are up at axle height.  That should dispell some of the "lack of ground clearance" postings.  This thing looks like it will have great cornering clearance.

[Kev m]

LOL, yes, I know I've met you - but I gather MOST people on the board haven't...  :BEER:

[the Bailey]

I figure the test rider is at least 6' 2" tall - possibly 6' 5" - based on my study of the photo.  8)

that is a good point.  6'5" is probably stretching it.  but the 1400 is a LARGE bike.  and this guy makes it look kind of tiny underneath him.  so there is a good chance that he's a fairly tall dude.

[Unkept]

One cool thing from the spy photo is that the boards are up at axle height.  That should dispell some of the "lack of ground clearance" postings.  This thing looks like it will have great cornering clearance.

 ;-T That's great news.

Guzzi seems to offer a rear-set kit for the V7's. Here is to hoping the 1400 will have a standard peg set option!  :BEER:

[bad Chad]

Three versions of the bike are said to be coming, they may not all have the exact same foot equipment and position.

If some of you guys would spend half the amount of time helping your wife do the dishes as you do trying to figure the ergos of this bike, you might get a little more action!

[rocker59]

Even down here in Arkansas we have those new-fangled warshing machines that take all the work out of it.

Automatic clothes warshing machies, too!  (Believe it, or don't believe it!)

I'm still not sure what the wimmin-folk do with all thier spare time these days...

[Kev m]

I'm still not sure what the wimmin-folk do with all thier spare time these days...

Well, today, while I was cooking dinner, she was the flight doc for the helicopter transfer of an infant transport between two different NICUs so she could get the baby on head cooling.  ;-T

[sbaker]

Do the dishes????? ... We use Paper plates.. and RECYCLE so we are environmentally conscience!

[Guzzirider]

Demo bikes will be available in UK dealers next month.

[Lannis]

My mother once told me the great emancipator for women was the wash and wear shirt. She used to spend a couple of hours a day ironing my Dad's dress shirts (he changed twice a day). Permanent press came out and - bingo. More free time - to do other work.

I don't know how many thousands of hours my Mom spent with the ironing board, an old Sunbeam iron, and an old green quart ginger ale bottle with a cork-and-tin sprinkler in the end of it, sprinkling and ironing my Dad's white (Navy CPO) shirts ....

Although back in the 80's, when I asked a 101 year old lady what was the biggest change that had happened in her long life, she said "Electricity.   Women used to work like dogs 16 hours a day till electriciy came along ....."

Lannis

[moltoguzzi]

Even down here in Arkansas we have those new-fangled warshing machines that take all the work out of it.

Automatic clothes warshing machies, too!  (Believe it, or don't believe it!)

Wow! You got TWO wifes/girlfriends, you must a Mormon or a Muslim.

[Oca]

Wow! You got TWO wifes/girlfriends, you must a Mormon or a Muslim.

And both are his sisters.

[JJ]

I can't wade through 57-58 threads...(sorry) :o :o :o :o :o

* When is the this model coming to the USA (fall 2012?)

* What is the reported MSRP?

[Kev m]

I can't wade through 57-58 threads...(sorry) :o :o :o :o :o

* When is the this model coming to the USA (fall 2012?)

* What is the reported MSRP?

Neither has been officially announced.

THOUGH some reports did insist it would be here this fall or possibly next spring.

Nothing more detailed than that yet.

Spring might be possible.

[bpreynolds]

I will just have to reserve aesthetic opinion of the bike until I can see one in person.  I've gone back on forth at least four times on the bike in terms of whether I like the looks of it.  First photos that came out, bright lights showroom pics, not so much, then later with the video and the bike in real time, I was back in the boat, then the rider spy vid and photos come out and this one above with the boxes and I'm back off the kool-aid again.  I can't make up my mind whether I like it or not.  Not that unusual for me and a bike, but in person I'll bet it will impress as most Guzzis do.

[rocker59]

I can't wade through 57-58 threads...(sorry) :o :o :o :o :o

* When is the this model coming to the USA (fall 2012?)

* What is the reported MSRP?

JJ, the finished product is supposed to be shown at the big international motorcycle show in November.  INTERMOT / EICMA.

I'm sure the dealers will learn about them at the dealers meeting this fall.

Like Kev said, no details have been forthcoming other than it's 1400cc, it's not water-cooled, it's going to be available in two or three variations.

[Guzzi-Guy]

The more I see of it the more I like it!..........

[JJ]

Thank guys - - and yes, I agree that I want to reserve my judgement until I see one in person. :)  Sort of like an Italian V-Rod? :o ??? ::)  

I test rode a Ducati Diavel not too long ago, and although the motor was brisk, it braked / handled well, (at least better than it looks in person...IMHO), that bike did nothing for me, personally.  It reminded me of an Italian V-Max. :o ;D :D ;).

I am currently torn between trading in my Triumph '11 Sprint GT (a great bike overall, by the way, but it lacks the "soul" of a twin), on a new Griso 8V, or keep the Triumph and buy another vintage cafe Guzzi like my ol' Le Mans-III...or maybe wait till this monster cruiser-rod-hot 1400 comes out... ??? ??? ??? ???

Ron B. had to torture me more this summer by letting me ride his Griso 8V for awhile...and that really got me thinking.... :) 8) ;-T ;-T  That is one sweet ride, believe me! :)