*California 1400 Merged Threadfest*

[Kev m]

Cycle World just corrected the weight from 843 to 743 pounds:

 ;-T

[ohiorider]

Motorcycle Daily first ride:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/11/md-first-ride-2013-moto-guzzi-california-1400/

A very favorable review by Motorcycle Daily!

[LowRyter]

maybe the weight issue is better than we thought?

I was checking MG Specs:

Fully Equipped bike is 742 lb

The "Kerb Weight" is 709 lb for the Dresser & 661 lb for the Criuser. 

I think my EV was about 620 lb without the bags & windshield.

OK, it might be pure fiction but the new bike is in the 50 lb heavier range than the old Cali?  Maybe I'm missing something or drinking the Koolaid but this sounds promising.

 :o

[rtbickel]

Does anyone know if the gas tank is steel or plastic?

[Kev m]

The "Kerb Weight" is 709 lb for the Dresser & 661 lb for the Criuser. 

The curb weight of what? Are you referring to versions of the Cal 1400???

I think my EV was about 620 lb without the bags & windshield.

MCN put a 1999 Cali EV at a wet weight of 605 lbs.

[rboe]

It's 620lbs dripping wet.  :BEER:

[youcanrunnaked]

California Vintage is heavier than the EV; California 1400 is heavier than the Vintage.  The extra features and equipment aren't free.

[LowRyter]

koolaid

 :BEER: :BEER: :BEER: :BEER: :BEER: :BEER: :BEER: :BEER:

[rocker59]

koolaid

[youcanrunnaked]

If anybody in England is curios enough about whether the valves need adjusting on the nuovo California, I see that this is available:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/370699905480?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

[Kev m]

If anybody in England is curios enough about whether the valves need adjusting on the nuovo California, I see that this is available:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/370699905480?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

The answer isn't in there.

Pete and Steve have already reported that the relevant section is missing.

Actually, I believe the whole engine teardown section is missing currently.

[youcanrunnaked]

I assumed that if the book is for sale, it had been completed.  Maybe not.

Anyway, here's an interesting photoshop -- the California 1400 in red:

[Kev m]

I assumed that if the book is for sale, it had been completed.  Maybe not.

Well, the first thing I'll note is that I'm almost certain that's an illegal copy that is being sold (along with the rest of what that Ebay seller is offering). Last time I checked Guzzi manuals sold for more like $100+ not $11.00.

But more importantly, Steve and Pete have downloaded the manual directly from Guzzi. I don't think there's going to be a more complete copy than what the dealers have available.

Adding a different color to that bike (other than black) really changes the look. When everything is black it makes it one big mass/black hole. But color on the tins breaks this up really nicely. I like it, even if red wouldn't be my choice.

[Kentktk]

 When everything is black it makes it one big mass/black hole.

Exactly why I do not like black wheels either.

[Kev m]

Exactly why I do not like black wheels either.

Funny, I'm the opposite - but it's largely because I'm practical.

I mean, I do like the way black wheels blend into the tire making it look like one large mass.

But more importantly, I like motors, swingarm/fork components, and wheels to be black so they tend to hide grease, oil, brake dust, road tar etc.

I like the contrast to be in the bodywork.

[Dean Rose]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk7lf-IoqAQ

Sorry it's in French.


Dean

[Bill Hagan]

****

Anyway, here's an interesting photoshop -- the California 1400 in red:

Quite nice.

Any chance you can do that in Carabinieri blue?  I'll spring for a (better) beer for your trouble next time you visit the Quad Cities.   :BEER:

Bill

[Bill Hagan]

****

Easy. I won't attempt H&D though.  ;D

 :drool

Thanks, Carl.

That is a winner.  Like it even better than YCRN's red version.

I either need to wait for one of those or -- the WAY smarter choice on all sorts of levels -- buy a beater old Cali and get it up in Carabinieri livery.  Already have most of the decals; just waiting on the right Guzzi.  I mutter about repainting the HDM, but that would be like painting over a Da Vinci.   :D

Bill

[Kev m]

Looks great in blue.  ;-T

[Moto]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk7lf-IoqAQ

Sorry it's in French.

Dean

Dean,

That's a MUST SEE video. It looks as though the rider exerts very little effort banking it into turns, and it also looks like he's having a lot of fun.

Thanks for posting.

Moto

[bad Chad]

The video transcends language, appears that this big bagger can drive at least as well, likely better than any of its competion.

[Chicago Mark]

Wow, the red and bue really look great. My favorite color combination was the blue and silver on my 2000 Bassa. Can you photoshop a blue/silver version of the C14?

Thank You,

Mark

[Bill Hagan]

Dean,

That's a MUST SEE video. It looks as though the rider exerts very little effort banking it into turns, and it also looks like he's having a lot of fun.

Thanks for posting.

Moto

Yes, impressive video.  Fine scenery, too. 

The last few secs with the engine vibrating just a bit as the sun sets are darn nice.

Allez!

Bill

[sbaker]

Yes, impressive video.  Fine scenery, too. 

The last few secs with the engine vibrating just a bit as the sun sets are darn nice.

Allez!

Bill

Great Vid.. .Too bad we don't have a translation, but it seems to be effortless to ride. Looks really good on the road. Interesting camera shots whilst underway!

[grebmrof]

I think they should have used a couple of lower tone horns, or a couple of horns that quickly alternate, or this idea where a normal crap horn sounds first for 3 or 4 seconds, and if you keep the horn button down, the much louder air horn (wolo like) will sound automatically next.

http://www.gizmag.com/screaming-banshee-motorcycle-horn/22994/

Great idea.... can still give a friendly 'toot' or hold down the horn button continuously for a much louder horn a few seconds later.
 

[/color]

Search in ebay for a "Stebel Nautilus" you can find them for around $50, not sure if they come with a relay, but they would need one.  Have one on my KLR650 and it is very effective.

[Moto]

"Quirks aside, the California's an impressive beast. It handles well, the steering is perfectly neutral and the bike changes direction with astonishing agility considering its size, making it a real pleasure on twisty mountain roads where it ought to be a handful."

That's from a "review" by a UK website called Bennett's. I don't know a thing about them. It looks like a report based on the French press event, judging from the photos. Here's  the link, FWIW:

http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2012/2012/december/2013-moto-guzzi-california-1400-touring-first-test/#.UMUZVxBNezo

**************************************************************************************************************************
EDIT: I've now noticed that this "review" is apparently based on reading the ashonbikes.com review, and borrowing some photos from the same set used in Ash's review. Sorry not to have detected that earlier. M.
**************************************************************************************************************************

[Murray]

Local dealer had sales brochures rock up today.

[moltoguzzi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=3GCo8e2_L74&NR=1A video viewed from the 1400's tank mount.

The second half of this video shows at great length the lean angles achievable and ground clearance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc5iIBJvrXQ

[Kev m]

The second half of this video shows at great length the lean angles achievable and ground clearance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc5iIBJvrXQ

For the record, I'm a fan of this bike and I WANT it to be excellent. I want it to convince me it's a better mount than an RK when the time comes to add one or the other to the fleet.

But that video was NOT impressive regarding handling or lean angles.

It's probably fine, but that's not evidence of it to me.

[Wayne Orwig]

For the record, I'm a fan of this bike and I WANT it to be excellent. I want it to convince me it's a better mount than an RK when the time comes to add one or the other to the fleet.

But that video was NOT impressive regarding handling or lean angles.

It's probably fine, but that's not evidence of it to me.

Yes, boring riding there. It needs someone to push it a bit in the corners.

What I fear, a bike with a small fuel tank. They call it a 'touring' model, but the luggage is small and the range on a tank is barely going to be 100 miles I suspect. Hopefully there will be fixes in the future.