Best Guzzi for racing.

[BRIO]

Quick question:

Which is the best handling and most powerful Guzzi for track days? (apart from the Corsa).

[oldbike54]

Quick question:

Which is the best handling and most powerful Guzzi for track days? (apart from the Corsa).

 The MGS 01 , and if you can afford one , may I start calling you Uncle B ?

  Dusty

[BRIO]

The MGS 01 , and if you can afford one , may I start calling you Uncle B ?

  Dusty

As I said, apart from the Corsa;)

[fotoguzzi]

RSV4... oh sorry that's Aprilia..

[Yukonica]

The MGS 01 , and if you can afford one , may I start calling you Uncle B ?

  Dusty

 

[Yukonica]

Pretty questionable question actually. You are obviously thinking of 'vintage racing' as MG doesn't produce anything that can compete in any class. So the next question is are you looking to closed track, speed record, or Isle of Mann? Probably not thinking of trials.          Are you interested in open class or a more affordable and sedate cc limited competition?
And finally: I know jack-shcite about any of this but as a pseudo-librarian I can't resist a good reference question.   

[BRIO]

Pretty questionable question actually. You are obviously thinking of 'vintage racing' as MG doesn't produce anything that can compete in any class. So the next question is are you looking to closed track, speed record, or Isle of Mann? Probably not thinking of trials.          Are you interested in open class or a more affordable and sedate cc limited competition?
And finally: I know jack-shcite about any of this but as a pseudo-librarian I can't resist a good reference question.   

There is an amateur racing club nearby. They offer classes. I'm gonna take the Norge to start. I wonder if an old modified Daytona or something like that would be suitable. If not, I may just look into an old 916 when the time comes...

[Yukonica]

There is an amateur racing club nearby. They offer classes. I'm gonna take the Norge to start. I wonder if an old modified Daytona or something like that would be suitable. If not, I may just look into an old 916 when the time comes...

I'm not a racer but I've been around a track once or twice and (this is my personal opinion) you will have more fun and learn more about physics on a lightweight mid-powered machine than anything with more than 80 hp. There is a point where you stop learning and start crapping. The fun stops. Of all the bikes I've owned or ridden my favourites have all been smaller & lighter.
Except my buddy's LeMans from years ago that I still cannot shake out of my memory. Should never have got on that machine

[oldbike54]

 A 916 Duc , while being maybe the sexiest modern sportbike ever built , will be a money pit . Go with an SV 650 , or even a Kawasaki 250 Ninja . Even modern 600s are a better choice . A smaller bike won't scare the poo out of you while learning , and the track won't be crowded with testosterone filled 18 year old Kevin Schwantz wannabees hell bent on causing themselves and you bodily harm .

  Dusty

[Yukonica]

A 916 Duc , while being maybe the sexiest modern sportbike ever built , will be a money pit . Go with an SV 650 , or even a Kawasaki 250 Ninja . Even modern 600s are a better choice . A smaller bike won't scare the poo out of you while learning , and the track won't be crowded with testosterone filled 18 year old Kevin Schwantz wannabees hell bent on causing themselves and you bodily harm .

  Dusty

Eloquent. Accurate.  Sage advice.
... not 'sage' like the spice but 'sage' like those ancient Greek philosophers... worth heeding.  :1:

[toma nova]

This is a great question!

I've had my Stelvio on the track twice and I am comfortable enough on it to push in the corners, but I also would like a MG better suited to Novice track days.



I was thinking V7 but older would be even better.  I know it will never be on par with a modern 600 supersport, but neither is a Ninja 250.  If I'm going to be on a slow bike, it might as well be unique.

Tom

[Vasco DG]

For a track day bike a Guzzi makes no sense. Not saying you can't have fun on one, I know lots of people who do, it's just they are expensive and also vulnerable due to the engine design.

If I was going to go track walloping again I'd love a 250 Aprilia two stroke or an RGV. Alternatively buy any three year old 600 supersport, stick some cheap AM plastics on it and flog the date out of it.

Pete

[fotoguzzi]

you could get a brand new KTM RC390 for just over $5k.. and then wail on those 600's

[Yukonica]

For a track day bike a Guzzi makes no sense. Not saying you can't have fun on one, I know lots of people who do, it's just they are expensive and also vulnerable due to the engine design.

If I was going to go track walloping again I'd love a 250 Aprilia two stroke or an RGV. Alternatively buy any three year old 600 supersport, stick some cheap AM plastics on it and flog the date out of it.

Pete

I'm not sure if you can even buy 2 stroke dirts bikes in this marketplace anymore let alone street-ables. (haven't looked).
But if we are going on a 'I'd like' hunt I want my RZ back. Or... a Gamma ; even though it is a far better bike than I was a rider.
Really miss the sound of F1 as it was meant to be.
The 600 advice is sound for sure. Dump it, stitch the plastic together, dump it a few more times and buy a different machine...
Preferably of the same marque/vintage so you build up a supply of parts.

[AH Fan]

What about a Griso?
Those monsters piloted by a reasonable man can give you all that your probably up for. .............. not sure what class you are after though!!!!

JMTC                  Ciao   

[Yukonica]

you could get a brand new KTM RC390 for just over $5k.. and then wail on those 600's

Apparently we live on different economic planets. 
Whether dirt or asphalt I've always bought a trasher to learn on.
Once I've beaten that machine to the point of useless I'd know I either liked the sport or I didn't
To be honest: I mostly liked the sports but lacked the talent.... Still, I wasn't locked into a heavy investment and I learned a ton.
 

[Triple Jim]

..or even a Kawasaki 250 Ninja...

Funny you mentioned that one.  I just bought an '05 so my newly licensed daughter would have something to ride that fits her.  I rode it about 30 miles, got home, and said "If that were the only motorcycle I could own for the rest of my life, I'd still be happy riding."  It handles really well, has plenty of brakes, and will do over 100 mph.  I've since put another hundred or so on it, leaving the H2 and Mille sitting in the garage.  I wholeheartedly agree that it would make an excellent bike to learn track riding on.  As a bonus, the older generation, up to 2007, is cheap.  Mine was $1,100.

[oldbike54]

 Hell , for learning purposes , an older dirt bike with stiffened suspension and race tires is about as much cheap fun as anything . Our own Triple Jim has a modded 100 CC Yamaha that looks like great fun , although I might go with something a bit bigger and more modern . You really want something that was built in large numbers with cheap spares , because , well , you are probably gonna crash .

  Dusty

[Yukonica]

Funny you mentioned that one.  I just bought an '05 so my newly licensed daughter would have something to ride that fits her.  I rode it about 30 miles, got home, and said "If that were the only motorcycle I could own for the rest of my life, I'd still be happy riding."  It handles really well, has plenty of brakes, and will do over 100 mph.  I've since put another hundred or so on it, leaving the H2 and Mille sitting in the garage.  I wholeheartedly agree that it would make an excellent bike to learn track riding on.  As a bonus, the older generation, up to 2007, is cheap.  Mine was $1,100.

Not trying to divert the thread but you should look at the specs for an early GPZ. Shames the current V7.
There is one posted locally that is cheap/cheap/cheap. Seriously thinking of buying it but the morale question comes back: Is it right to modify (cafe) an original machine in good condition. Should I be the one to preserve the heritage or is a machine just a machine and therefore open for customizing.

[guzzied]

It is cheaper to just go out and buy a Japanese bike that will blow your socks off. Why worry about dropping something that parts are really expensive and hard to come by. Yes, I did take my Ghezzi Brian on the track, but while I did have fun, it was always in my mind, if I drop it, it will be costly. Ended up buying a Kawasaki 636 for track days and guess what, I dropped it coming out of a no brainer turn setting up for the back straight. Wasn't able to work for over a year.  But, it was the most fun I ever had on 2 wheels.

Mike

[Yukonica]

Hell , for learning purposes , an older dirt bike with stiffened suspension and race tires is about as much cheap fun as anything . Our own Triple Jim has a modded 100 CC Yamaha that looks like great fun , although I might go with something a bit bigger and more modern . You really want something that was built in large numbers with cheap spares , because , well , you are probably gonna crash
  Dusty

There was a guy (mid 1980's) who ran at RaceCity Speedway in Calgary on a lowered dirt bike with street comp tires. It was Yellow (assume Yamaha). My memory says a  500 thumper running in the under 400 class. An early Motard so to speak. The first time I saw him I thought 'yeah... right' until he started picking off back markers in the early laps.

[Murray]

Plenty of fun can be had on a Super Motard plenty available, tracking a Guzzi, Ghezzi Brian still do race frames upon request RS daytona but with only 300 ever made you are buying a collectors bike to race, or maybe a Mille Percento Albia but have no idea what they ride like. As others have said the MGS-01 is hands down the best track Guzzi Guzzi has every made. Having said that its pretty much had no development in 10 years and things that a de-rigure on modern track bikes like slipper clutches traction control cassette gearboxes and been able to re-gear easily with a rear sprocket change are all un available for a Guzzi.

The earliest examples of the carbed 1100 sports are now eligible for rule 20 if your local historic club runs it (bikes over 20 years old). Although there are quiet a few people in historic racing with quiet a bit of money having a lot of fun on mid 80's methanol burning inline fours that happily hold their own against the lower grade modern bikes i.e. you will need to be the right combination of brave mad and good if you are a particularly competitive type.

Depends on how seriously you want to take things

[jas67]

you could get a brand new KTM RC390 for just over $5k.. and then wail on those 600's

Or the Yamaha R3.    From what I've been reading, this is the best bike in the 300-390cc class.

Check out the RC390 thread over on ADVRider.    They've been having some quality problems, which is a shame, because, it looked like such a promising, fun, lightweight bike.    One of the members over there rode a Ninja 300 for a couple of years, looked real hard at both the RC390 and R3.   After riding both, he sold the Ninja, bought the R3, and hasn't looked back.

[oldbike54]

Or the Yamaha R3.    From what I've been reading, this is the best bike in the 300-390cc class.

Check out the RC390 thread over on ADVRider.    They've been having some quality problems, which is a shame, because, it looked like such a promising, fun, lightweight bike.    One of the members over there rode a Ninja 300 for a couple of years, looked real hard at both the RC390 and R3.   After riding both, he sold the Ninja, bought the R3, and hasn't looked back.

 Yeah , the R3 looks like THE bike in that category . The KTM may be a bit faster , but the R3 will be reliable like , well , a Yamaha.
 Not to denigrate anyone's riding ability , but even the big boys train on small bikes , from KR using XR 100s at his Spanish ranch, to Rossi training on supermoto bikes .

  Dusty

[jas67]

Yeah , the R3 looks like THE bike in that category . The KTM may be a bit faster , but the R3 will be reliable like , well , a Yamaha.
 Not to denigrate anyone's riding ability , but even the big boys train on small bikes , from KR using XR 100s at his Spanish ranch, to Rossi training on supermoto bikes .

  Dusty

The particular ADVRider member I mentioned above who bought the R3 said that the chassis was way better than the Ninja 300 that I replaced with it, and also better than the RC390.       

Personally, I love the torque of a mid-sized V-twin.   I'd go with an SV650, or, maybe a pre-owned Monster 620.    The M620 can be had for about the same money as a decent SV650, around $3k.

[jas67]

Ducati 749 and 748 are another bike that come to mind  for track days and racing.     They're pretty cheap to buy these days, $4k-$5k.

[BRIO]

So it's not going to be a Goose. Still leaning towards a red 916. I have plenty of rational reasons for picking just that. No subjectivity here

[oldbike54]

So it's not going to be a Goose. Still leaning towards a red 916. I have plenty of rational reasons for picking just that. No subjectivity here

 Uh , sure , no subjectivity in THAT decision 

 Dusty

[PeteS]

I've done about 15 track days on my 850 LM. Have yet to take the motor apart for any reason since I built it for this purpose. Not sure any Italian bike is the best choice for this though given initial cost and cost to maintain. Never rode a 916 but have ridden built 900ss's and 851 Ducs. Between the two I would take the 900s for the drive out of the corners. The 851 had less low end than my LeMans but better top end.
As a starter bike I would think something like a 500 Ninja, SV 650 after a suspension upgrade, or an old Honda NT 650 Hawk would be a blast.

Pete
 

[fotoguzzi]

Not trying to divert the thread but you should look at the specs for an early GPZ. Shames the current V7.
There is one posted locally that is cheap/cheap/cheap.

nuff said, I had a GPZ1100 for a short time, felt supersonic compared to the Guzzi I had then ( a Cali of some variant)



I bought at a garage sale for $650.. it had a bent tie rod between the carbs so didn't run.. fixed for under $150 rode for 1 summer then sold for $2400..  it was fast!