Author Topic: New Eldorado: Brilliant Homage or Travesty? (Read 9831 times)

Sheepdog · « **on:** June 05, 2015, 08:09:07 AM »

These photos and some copy were released on the Cycle World website.
http://links.mkt3362.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MjI3NzQ0MDIS1&r=NzM4NjM3NjU5NTYS1&j=NTgwMzQ0MTMzS0&mt=1&rt=0

HDGoose · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2015, 08:34:07 AM »

I like the looks. But will not but another bike with spokes. I just do not trust the longevity of the 'sealed' spokes.

Orange Guzzi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2015, 09:05:35 AM »

Real world pictures are much better than studio pictures. The bikes are much smaller than they appear in the pictures. I have pictures of my skinny, 5' 10" behind sitting on a 2014 model. I was surprised at how small the bike appears with me on it.

kevdog3019 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2015, 09:31:06 AM »

I personally think it's a well done throw-back. The chrome piece on the tank, the pin-striping and white-walls give it a nice old-school look about it. Thumbs up here.

lazlokovacs · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2015, 09:32:50 AM »

decent bike, luverly engine....but leave the old names alone!!! that bike's got nothing to do with an eldo!

resurrecting the names of old classics (in almost every bike/car brand) just feels so overused, uninventive and dilutes the identity of the originals...

rant over, phew...

ps That front end looks great, can I have one for my Ambassador, sorry, V7 special please? No, no, not the new(-ish) v7... the original one, from the 70s... (you get the picture..)

pps headlight? no thanks.

John Ulrich · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2015, 09:34:17 AM »

For years people on here "pined" for the real Ambo/Eldo to come back. Now it has in the best package yet!

Vasco DG · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2015, 09:57:07 AM »

Quote from: John Ulrich on June 05, 2015, 09:34:17 AM

For years people on here "pined" for the real Ambo/Eldo to come back. Now it has in the best package yet!

Yup, maybe, but you know full well John that some people will NEVER be happy and never accept the fact that things have moved on.

As you know I bought a Cali and had a fantastic holiday on it. It's a truly stunning bike. BUT it's not *My* sort of bike and, having ridden a 'Cruiser' on a long trip I know I'll never buy another.

Oddly enough though a few years ago I bought an old Loopy, a nice but a bit shabby Eldo. I originally planned to bring it back here as at that time I had a fantasy about owning an example of one of each of the iconic 'Big Block' Guzzis.

Thing is I realised, sacrelige though it is to some, I really don't like the loops very much. I think even for their time they were heavy and horribly suspended with questionable retardation. So I sold it.

Likewise my brief flirtation with the V11 series in the Scura RC, now owned by Chuck. That is a seriously stupid motorbike but I could never bond with it. I know Chuck thinks it's sex on a stick! Me? Meh!

And that's the whole issue. Whether the 'New' Eldo is the Bee's Knees or simply a parody is completely subjective and therefore of precisely zero relevance! I hope they sell shitloads of them. I won't be an owner any more than the Hard Core, Corn-Cob Pipists and Suspender Twangers' but arguing about it's 'Relevance', 'Respect' and 'Worthiness' is as pointless and futile as trying to plough the sea or build a machine for counting sand!

Pete

Kev m · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2015, 09:59:17 AM »

It should come as no surprise that I like it.

I could very much see adding one to the stable at some point, but as usual I'm picky and would have to borrow much from the Audace.

Wonder if it would be easier to put an Eldo rear fender and tank on an Audace... ... quite possibly.

John Ulrich · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:24:29 AM »

Yup, You are either a cruiser or sport "perch" type of person. I need to stretch my legs out. I cannot make it around the block on a V11. I lusted for a Centauro until I sat on one. If I had a Norge or Stelvio I'd have to rig up some highway pegs.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:41:05 AM »

Neither. Has no effect on me whatsoever. But to each his own, I'm just tired of looking at "cruisers"

lazlokovacs · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:44:22 AM »

yeah pete, you have a point...

but what I'm ranting pointlessly about is why it should be called an Eldorado in the first place... to me, that is a perfect example of NOT moving on.

I rode a 1400, and I thought it was a pretty good bike. Great engine, good progression from the tonti calis. I didn't quite understand why it vibed so much at idle and thought the footboards were weirdly placed. All round, a good bike. A great bike maybe if that was the kind of thing you were looking for..

all power to guzzi for developing a new engine and bringing out a new model, I too hope they sell shedloads.

The marketing strategy is surely to co-opt some of the mystique of the old name, and take some nods from the styling of the original?

But if the bike is good enough it doesn't need another bike's name or styling (Stelvio, Breva, Griso for example.) If it's good enough, It'll develop its own mystique and following and probably have nutters like myself using it as a daily commuter in a major metropolis in 44 years time.

Which may indeed be considered a somewhat quixotic pursuit.

Kev m · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:53:20 AM »

Quote from: lazlokovacs on June 05, 2015, 10:44:22 AM

yeah pete, you have a point...

but what I'm ranting pointlessly about is why it should be called an Eldorado in the first place... to me, that is a perfect example of NOT moving on.

<snip>

The marketing strategy is surely to co-opt some of the mystique of the old name, and take some nods from the styling of the original?

But if the bike is good enough it doesn't need another bike's name or styling (Stelvio, Breva, Griso for example.) If it's good enough, It'll develop its own mystique and following and probably have nutters like myself using it as a daily commuter in a major metropolis in 44 years time.

I'll dissent (no surprise).

I don't even think the tie-in with the original is THAT important to the marketing. Growing up and into my young adulthood (when I started riding) I literally had ZERO knowledge of Guzzi motorcycles.

I'm not even sure I'd ever heard of the original V7 when the V7C was introduced. But the new V7 and the tie, not in name so much as looks/style is one of my favorite Guzzis.

Similarly I've never ridden an Eldo and have zero emotional tie to the original bike.

I also have been trying hard to like the Cali1400 but the early-models (T and C) have left me cold.

The STYLING of the new Eldo more than the name is what is turning me around (and the Audace too).

And the use of the name therefore doesn't bother me in the slightest.

I mean honestly, there are only so many names, and I like the sound of Eldo a LOT BETTER than "Breva" or "Norge" hell, I'm not even sold on "Griso".

I see no reason why names like Thunderbird, Eldo, Bonneville, etc. shouldn't be used to evoke bikes that are styled in some ways like the original bearer of those names. Same goes for Mustang, Camaro, Beetle, Mini Cooper etc.

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2015, 11:00:56 AM »

i like it for what it is, but not a bike for me. Floorboards & 16' wheels with big whitewalls... no thanks! Now the Audace, that could open my wallet!

Two Checks · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2015, 11:11:09 AM »

Dump the fire extinguisher pipes!

Bill Havins · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2015, 11:13:31 AM »

When considered from a design perspective I really appreciate both bikes - I believe the design team achieved their goals. The Eldo particularly acknowledges its ancestry while opening the door (kicking down the door?) to a new era for Guzzi.

From a personal perspective the red Eldorado really floats my boat! The black Eldo is okay, but I've had an Anthracite EV for a while now, and I'm ready to move to red.

As many of you know, I have long said the SP is the best bike (for its time) that Guzzi ever produced. But my knees can no longer tolerate a sport-touring riding position so I have to look at more upright riding positions, and, in today's market, that generally means cruisers (for people who are less than 5'9" tall).

I am looking to buy a new bike in the next several months and a red Eldo would be at the top of my list if it was available in the U.S. Heavy sigh.... I'll vote with my wallet very soon; if red arrives at a Guzzi dealer somewhere in the U.S. I will likely hop a plane and cast my vote.

I believe homage is the more appropriate term. Ain't no travesty.

JeffOlson · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2015, 11:24:18 AM »

I like it! I love spoked wheels and whitewall tires...

rocker59 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2015, 12:24:23 PM »

Quote from: kirby1923 on June 05, 2015, 11:23:13 AM

People that go to this site Cycle World..PLEASE read Ienatsch piece on "fingers up". (intersections) Could save your life!!
I've been doing what is described for years

mike

+1

If you're not already covering the front brake on closed throttle, while slowing and/or approaching a stop, you should be!

bpreynolds · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2015, 12:51:12 PM »

Not so much the Audacity, but I do love these Eldorados, much moreso even than the Custom.

John Ulrich · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:03:49 PM »

Quote from: Two Checks on June 05, 2015, 11:11:09 AM

Dump the fire extinguisher pipes!

LOL, Think of those as penis. Bigger the better!

Shorty · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:14:56 PM »

Pretty bike. About 1/3 bigger than I would prefer.

AJ Huff · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:22:27 PM »

Not a travesty but not a brilliant homage either. Pretty bike, but too big for my tastes and I find some of the trim gaudy.

-AJ

canuguzzi · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:51:00 PM »

Nice to see chrome. At least they didn't go for the flat black that seems to be on everything these days. As someone else said, it's probably less bulky in person, it was that way with the MGX21. I've never liked cruisers but this and more so the Audace would do nicely.

The engine though, what a nice upgrade that would be for a Norge to run head to head with other heavy STs.

rocker59 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:08:17 PM »

Quote from: Shorty on June 05, 2015, 01:14:56 PM

Pretty bike. About 1/3 bigger than I would prefer.

A 470 lbs big block Guzzi would be awesome. Something tells me we won't be seeing one anytime soon.

I think the last big block under 500 lbs was the Carb'd Sport 1100, twenty years ago.

rodekyll · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:19:55 PM »

kirby1923 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:28:10 PM »

Does he have his skivvy's on backward?

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #25 on:** June 05, 2015, 04:18:28 PM »

I think he borrowed momma's granny panties.

Sheepdog · « **Reply #26 on:** June 05, 2015, 05:38:15 PM »

I saw Big Elvis years ago in Vegas. He was so big that he couldn't climb the stairs to the stage! However, it was really a fun show...

Penderic · « **Reply #27 on:** June 05, 2015, 06:47:33 PM »

But not if the bear is a smokey in a patrol car!

bpreynolds · « **Reply #28 on:** June 05, 2015, 08:34:17 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on June 05, 2015, 03:08:17 PM

A 470 lbs big block Guzzi would be awesome. Something tells me we won't be seeing one anytime soon.

I think the last big block under 500 lbs was the Carb'd Sport 1100, twenty years ago.

I've said this many times before but I didn't want the 1400 luxo power cruiser; I wanted the 8V 1200 California. Of course, it wouldn't have slotted in at less than 500lbs no way but it would more match my 145lb frame.

Muzz · « **Reply #29 on:** June 06, 2015, 03:37:21 PM »

Funny how the thread morphed from a big Guzzi to fat Elvis....

Personally, cruisers are not my thing, crotch rockets aren't either, hence the baby B.

I guess the Eldo looks ok if you like that sort of thing. <shrug>

News:

Author Topic: New Eldorado: Brilliant Homage or Travesty? (Read 9831 times)

Orange Guzzi

Vasco DG

Bill Havins

bpreynolds

canuguzzi

kirby1923

Penderic

bpreynolds