Author Topic: Guzzi in Cycle World August 2015 - Peter Jones & the weird tribe of migrant serfs (Read 25708 times)

Railroad Bob · « **Reply #30 on:** July 16, 2015, 01:32:47 PM »

Yep. Forgot to mention the title of the article was "Weirdos and Wallflowers of Two Wheels."

Oh well. I didn't get many dances at my high school Friday night dance events either. But the few I did get were really great!

It's the quality, not the quantity...

normzone · « **Reply #31 on:** July 16, 2015, 01:36:15 PM »

I think I really like that review. It's not a bike you ride if you don't want people to come up to you and ask you questions. I enjoy going past people on the sidewalk (them, not me) and seeing that quick turn of the head as they think " What am I looking at ? "

" weird tribe of migrant serfs "

Can we get some WTMS patches made up ?

rocker59 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 16, 2015, 02:10:46 PM »

merged

elvisboy77 · « **Reply #33 on:** July 16, 2015, 02:12:25 PM »

Opinions are like axesholes - everyone has one. Including the author of the article. I think he's trying to say you won't be able to identify with others in the comfort of a big group. Or something.

JBBenson · « **Reply #34 on:** July 16, 2015, 04:34:59 PM »

My V11 Sport is the only bike I have ridden that gets a thumbs up from both the Ducati and the Harley crowd. I guess both recognize their superior when they see one.....

gfritzmeier · « **Reply #35 on:** July 16, 2015, 11:15:51 PM »

I tried being normal once, worst two minutes of my life. Just yesterday I was in a Harley shop and was approached by the owner. She asked me if I've changed if she could put me on a Harley. My reply was 'Judy you know I have nothing against Harley's and rather like them but I just don't want to ride what everyone else is so I couldn't afford one. If I bought one it would look like others. Then I'd have to put thousands into it to look different. Then it wouldn't be fast enough even though I'm seventy so I'd have to put thousands into the engine and still I'd only be faster than another Harley. Nope just can't afford one'.
Today I got a copy of Motor Cyclist and they had a small write up on the Eldorado and Audace and it was rather complimentary. Myself I like the Audace but would be happier on the Eldorado. I'm not going back to work so I won't be getting one but I'm happy on my Aluminum.

Kent in Upstate NY · « **Reply #36 on:** July 16, 2015, 11:23:10 PM »

I get lots of compliments about my Cal Special. One guy thought is was the most powerfully sounding bike he'd ever heard. I've even got positive remarks about its looks even if it does need paint.

segesta · « **Reply #37 on:** July 17, 2015, 10:20:08 AM »

For what it's worth...
When I'm on my Ducati, I get thumbs up from guys in Porsches.
When I'm on my Guzzi, I get thumbs up from guys on motorcycles.

ScepticalScotty · « **Reply #38 on:** July 17, 2015, 11:34:58 AM »

"weird tribe of migrant serfs" - thats got a ring to it!!

There was a great quote about being in the club of Guzzi ownership from a US journalist...it involved chickens........

Kent in Upstate NY · « **Reply #39 on:** July 17, 2015, 12:14:20 PM »

Serfs don't migrate. They are bound to the land.

rocker59 · « **Reply #40 on:** July 17, 2015, 12:44:02 PM »

Quote from: Kent in Tehachapi on July 17, 2015, 12:14:20 PM

Serfs don't migrate. They are bound to the land.

I guess writers aren't required to use a Thesaurus or Dictionary in this day and age...

bouts · « **Reply #41 on:** July 17, 2015, 12:57:14 PM »

I like being a little different, I like being the only Moto Guzzi to show up somewhere. Nothing wrong with that. I love the bike and the ride it gives. I love the looks of wonder on people's faces. Second night out and a cop pulls up beside me and asks what kind of bike it is, I love that! Had MG taken the motor and turned it like the HD twin, I wouldn't be riding it now. Don't want to look like that.

Railroad Bob · « **Reply #42 on:** July 17, 2015, 01:07:07 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on July 16, 2015, 02:10:46 PM

merged

Oops, sorry Rocker Fifty Nine. I never saw Testarossa's orig. thread. Need to stay on top and visit WG more often!

The Bob

matchless62 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 17, 2015, 02:04:31 PM »

Quote from: normzone on July 16, 2015, 01:36:15 PM

I think I really like that review. It's not a bike you ride if you don't want people to come up to you and ask you questions. I enjoy going past people on the sidewalk (them, not me) and seeing that quick turn of the head as they think " What am I looking at ? "

" weird tribe of migrant serfs "

Can we get some WTMS patches made up ?

Funny how MG just came out with 'Clan' apparel........now all we need are the patches to go with it. Anybody out there know an embroidery outfit that will do them?

akcapwild · « **Reply #44 on:** July 17, 2015, 04:03:08 PM »

Motorcycle Consumer News goes out of there way to anchor the 'real' end of the journalism spectrum. They know how to analyze a brand or a bike without succumbing to their bias -- and then when it comes down to their personal preferences they use sidebars and don't pretend their opinions are universal.

Here's my sidebar: what the Peter Jones article represents is a writer projecting his own oddball eccentricities onto a brand -- and using absolutely nothing concrete to suggest the opinions have merit.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #45 on:** July 17, 2015, 04:10:18 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on July 17, 2015, 12:44:02 PM

I guess writers aren't required to use a Thesaurus or Dictionary in this day and age...

Or a brain..

jbell · « **Reply #46 on:** July 18, 2015, 03:13:22 PM »

Quote from: Testarossa on June 27, 2015, 02:23:29 PM

I'd ask the same question about BMW. In the late '60s Guzzis were no odder than Beemer boxers of the same era, yet BMW gradually achieved traction in the market while Guzzi just plodded along in second gear. Why and how did that occur?

BMW upgraded the R60/69 into the R75/90 series and then the K Bikes and added in the Oilheads then singles and twins. Diversity. They also had the R&D and $$, I suppose, from the car division and an ultimate goal of a performance brand. I don't think Guzzi had the direction and certainly not the resources to progress, not to mention the changes in management (ownership) over the years.

Re. the Peter Jones article, I'm just happy to see somebody saying something about the brand and in general, the article seemed to portray the brand in an attractive (not for everyone) way. While I may not agree with his views all the time, I do enjoy his writings.
ps, I also own a Ducati 860GT which he derided in the article. His opinion, mine..........the first gen Multistrada is the ugliest Ducati ever made, the GT second.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #47 on:** July 18, 2015, 04:37:29 PM »

Quote

Ducati 860GT

My first Duck. Great bike, really.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #48 on:** July 18, 2015, 04:39:07 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on July 18, 2015, 04:37:29 PM

My first Duck. Great bike, really.

Yep , the BMW of Ducaties

Dusty

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #49 on:** July 18, 2015, 06:38:54 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on July 18, 2015, 04:39:07 PM

Yep , the BMW of Ducaties

Dusty

Except it handled, was (relatively) fast, come to think of it.. pretty darn fast for the day..and had character.. <shrug>

tiger_one · « **Reply #50 on:** July 18, 2015, 07:13:26 PM »

Reckon the Dealer in BR, Louisiana is going to let MG go. They did not send a tech to school for the new bikes so will not get any. Said, when they sell a MG, they never see it again, as most owners work on them instead of bringing them in for service. They don't make that much on selling them, so they will let them go.

Lcarlson · « **Reply #51 on:** July 18, 2015, 09:12:11 PM »

I'm new to Guzzi ownership, so don't have experience with earlier models (but always found them appealing). There was always one word, though, that you seemed to find in every review of a Guzzi, and you all know what it was: "quirky". That wasn't necessarily a pejorative, but there it was.

I now have about a month with my new Cali 1400 Custom, and (except for the dipstick) "quirky" is not a word that springs to mind with this motorcycle at all. It is a thoroughly refined, modern motorcycle in every respect. This is not to diminish the character of older Guzzis at all; just my observation that Guzzi may -- in one sense -- have moved the bar.

pyoungbl · « **Reply #52 on:** July 18, 2015, 09:39:51 PM »

Last week I was at the 2015 Norton National Rally near Asheville, NC. There were over 450 registered attendees so this was a really big deal. Remember that the newest Norton was made in 1975 (OK, there were a few attempts to bring the brand back to life but that's another story). The interesting part is that I saw at least 4 MG Califorinas (EV's), 5 or 6 Griso's, two newer V7s, and a Stelvio. This leads me to believe that people who appreciate motorcycles recognize Guzzi as a desirable machine and one that they can live with. Quirky might be in the eye of the beholder. If you are used to a steady diet of inline 4 engines with chain drive then anything else is quirky. Heck, by that standard the HD brand is quirky...rubber band drive, for example. Oh well, I guess I'll have to pitch my tent outside the castle walls and wonder if their view is as nice as mine.

Peter Y.

segesta · « **Reply #53 on:** July 18, 2015, 09:42:02 PM »

Quote from: Lcarlson on July 18, 2015, 09:12:11 PM

I now have about a month with my new Cali 1400 Custom, and (except for the dipstick) "quirky" is not a word that springs to mind with this motorcycle at all. It is a thoroughly refined, modern motorcycle in every respect. This is not to diminish the character of older Guzzis at all; just my observation that Guzzi may -- in one sense -- have moved the bar.

Indeed, the California 1400 is my first Moto Guzzi, and to me it just seems like a really nice, well-made, technologically advanced motorcycle. You want "quirky" in 2015? Go ride a Ural, not a Guzzi.

rocker59 · « **Reply #54 on:** July 18, 2015, 11:29:02 PM »

Quote from: pyoungbl on July 18, 2015, 09:39:51 PM

Last week I was at the 2015 Norton National Rally near Asheville, NC. There were over 450 registered attendees so this was a really big deal. Remember that the newest Norton was made in 1975 (OK, there were a few attempts to bring the brand back to life but that's another story). The interesting part is that I saw at least 4 MG Califorinas (EV's), 5 or 6 Griso's, two newer V7s, and a Stelvio. This leads me to believe that people who appreciate motorcycles recognize Guzzi as a desirable machine and one that they can live with. Quirky might be in the eye of the beholder. If you are used to a steady diet of inline 4 engines with chain drive then anything else is quirky. Heck, by that standard the HD brand is quirky...rubber band drive, for example. Oh well, I guess I'll have to pitch my tent outside the castle walls and wonder if their view is as nice as mine.

Peter Y.

Vintage bike guys like Moto Guzzis.

Or, Moto Guzzi riders like vintage bikes.

There is a similar phenomenon at NTNOA Lake O the Pines in Texas each October. Quite a few Guzzi faithful show up for the weekend of Norton love.

I think it says a lot for the average Guzzi owner: "Motorcycle Enthusiast".

Semper-guzzi · « **Reply #55 on:** July 18, 2015, 11:43:15 PM »

Quote

Guzzi owner: "Motorcycle Enthusiast".

Bingo. I love Guzzi but I love all motorcycles. Hell I think the Honda pc800 is a rad bike and it looks boring and ugly as sin but if it were in my garage I'd ride it. I'd ride it a lot.

bpreynolds · « **Reply #56 on:** July 19, 2015, 07:20:14 AM »

Quote from: Testarossa on June 26, 2015, 10:56:00 PM

Peter Jones writing in the August issue:

"There's too much to admire about Moto Guzzi motorcycles to not want them to succeed, but they're just a bit too strange for the masses. So, since we want them to survive, I thing that you should buy one, while you might think that I should buy one. Neither of us will. Moto Guzzis are great bikes, but they're bikes that only Moto Guzzi owners would own, and somehow we all know what I mean by that, even though I can't explain it.

But then there's Moto Morini . . . "

Mr. Jones seems to be on the receiving end of much vitriol here; yet, I can't see that he's saying anything that is inconsistent with admiration nor truth.

mtiberio · « **Reply #57 on:** July 19, 2015, 07:28:09 AM »

Any more of a cult, it would require chickens

Kent in Upstate NY · « **Reply #58 on:** July 19, 2015, 09:09:00 AM »

SteveRivet · « **Reply #59 on:** July 22, 2015, 07:58:01 PM »

Quote from: kevdog3019 on June 26, 2015, 11:03:06 PM

Boy is there truth in that statement. That's pretty funny.

I identified with that diatribe a lot more than I expected I would. Great article if you don't take yourself too seriously.

Steve

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Author Topic: Guzzi in Cycle World August 2015 - Peter Jones & the weird tribe of migrant serfs (Read 25708 times)

elvisboy77

matchless62

akcapwild

oldbike54

Lcarlson

bpreynolds