EICMA 2015 - New V7 Roamer/Bobber and MGX-21 Bagger The photos are rolling in.

[bpreynolds]

On the other hand, just about every brand goes thru duller periods of design

I don't think I personally am quite ready to declare this a duller period of design.  In fact, I see more going on here from Guzzi than I've seen in many years and that's exciting.  Also, I'm not sure I'm ready to take the curmudgeons opinions on this board  as any sort of final determining factor on a bike's success or failure.  I recall the V7 wasn't exactly welcomed here as the savior of the company but in reality that's exactly what it is. 

[oldbike54]

I don't think I personally am quite ready to declare this a duller period of design.  In fact, I see more going on here from Guzzi than I've seen in many years and that's exciting.  Also, I'm not sure I'm ready to take the curmudgeons opinions on this board  as any sort of final determining factor on a bike's success or failure.  I recall the V7 wasn't exactly welcomed here as the savior of the company but in reality that's exactly what it is.

 It was the R80GS that saved BMW , and the BMW faithful hated that modest design when it hit the market .

  Dusty

[PJPR01]

All fair comments, and could be...although I'm a couple decades away from being a curmudgeon just in case that was headed my way...and no offense taken!  :)  But I was referring more to this one model, rather than to the entire lineup.  Not every bike in the lineup can be an earth shattering revolutionary design...some will be less innovative.  Doesn't mean they won't sell well or be appreciated and bought by many folks...and absolutely are needed to keep the company afloat.

I've been a long time Land Rover and Porsche owner, and many of the newer designs in the product line up of both marques don't appeal to me that much, but I do recognize they have appeal to others and  they help provide the funding to keep the company profitable, and eventually when I'm ready to change, I'll have something interesting to choose from.  I wouldn't buy an Evoque or a Panamera or Cayman, but I'm happy they exist to broaden the base and help provide a steady flow of income to the company so that one day when I change my stable, I'll have something interesting to choose from.

Let the Bobber and Stornello have much success!

[tonUPRacer]

Can someone please explain the "Flying Fortress" nickname I've heard in reference to the MGX21? I know the B-17 WWII airplane, but I just don't see the similarity?

[rocker59]

Can someone please explain the "Flying Fortress" nickname I've heard in reference to the MGX21? I know the B-17 WWII airplane, but I just don't see the similarity?

It's not a "nickname".  It's what they've decided to call it.

http://mgx21.motoguzzi.com/en/


"THE FLYING FORTRESS IS LANDING ON EARTH

Dark, elegant, powerful.

Futuristic and exclusive, with a limited production run, will be shortly available for reservation online.

First contact with the asphalt from 8th to 14th August 2016 at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the most famous US bikers event that for 75 years has been the coolest gathering for thousands of bikers and for the best motorcycles of all time."

[Chuck in Indiana]

Can I have a roll eye, brothers?   

[rocker59]

Can I have a roll eye, brothers?   

I have always like those names  "Flying Fortress", "Super Fortress", "Strato Fortress".

"Flying Fortress" is a great name.  It may have some appeal to the Sturgis Bagger Crowd.

It strikes me as odd, but I'm not the typical American bagger customer.

I guess Boing doesn't still own that name.  I'm a little shocked that an Italian company is applying it to a motorcycle.

[ritratto]

Geez, did someone from Milwaukee move to Mandello?  If so, maybe he could get them to do what the employees of HD did in 1979 and buy the company from Piaggio and get it back on track!!! 

[tonUPRacer]

It's not a "nickname".  It's what they've decided to call it.

http://mgx21.motoguzzi.com/en/


"THE FLYING FORTRESS IS LANDING ON EARTH

Dark, elegant, powerful.

Futuristic and exclusive, with a limited production run, will be shortly available for reservation online.

First contact with the asphalt from 8th to 14th August 2016 at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the most famous US bikers event that for 75 years has been the coolest gathering for thousands of bikers and for the best motorcycles of all time."

Wow, OK so they are calling it that. I guess they call my 45hp bike a "Racer" so why not. They should make it with some pin up girl art on the fairing, guess that would be too sexist.

[rocker59]

  They should make it with some pin up girl art on the fairing, guess that would be too sexist.

You haven't seen the accessories catalog, yet. 

Stickerz!  Stickerz!

[PJPR01]

Well...probably not.  There is a lovely redhead sitting on the back of the Flying Fortress in the EICMA photo. 

[bad Chad]

You have got to watch the video for the MGX, I don't know what to say???

[ohiorider]

I have always like those names  "Flying Fortress", "Super Fortress", "Strato Fortress".

"Flying Fortress" is a great name.  It may have some appeal to the Sturgis Bagger Crowd.

It strikes me as odd, but I'm not the typical American bagger customer.

I guess Boeing doesn't still own that name.  I'm a little shocked that an Italian company is applying it to a motorcycle.

I believe the Brits actually named several of our plane that they also flew.  Boeing probably left it at "B-17."  Think it was the same case for the P-38 "Lightning", and P-51 "Mustang."  Huh ...! So they (MG) really do want to be the "Italian Harley Davidson."  Good luck with that. (IMHO)

[PJPR01]

You have got to watch the video for the MGX, I don't know what to say???

Somewhat reminiscent of Schwarzenegger's opening scenes in The Terminator!  Big, badass, industrial...sounds like a perfect fit for a hard core Rally, just missing the whip hanging from the handlebar! 

[mtiberio]

Why only 5 more HP? Because that is all the marginal transmission and rear drive can handle.

[Kev m]

Why only 5 more HP? Because that is all the marginal transmission and rear drive can handle.

Ed Millich doesn't seem to be having problems with more than that on an older transmission and rear drive.

Not to mention the transmission was just redesigned.

No, I'm not buying your answer.

[Scud]

Can I have a roll eye, brothers?   

 

[rocker59]

I believe the Brits actually named several of our plane that they also flew.  Boeing probably left it at "B-17."  Think it was the same case for the P-38 "Lightning", and P-51 "Mustang."  Huh ...! So they (MG) really do want to be the "Italian Harley Davidson."  Good luck with that. (IMHO)

Nice try, but...  "Richard Williams, a reporter for the Seattle Times, coined the name "Flying Fortress" when the Model 299 was rolled out" before the first flight in July 1935.  "Boeing was quick to see the value of the name and had it trademarked for use."

 

[rocker59]

I hear Cycleworld will be doing a comparo test in an upcoming issue:




vs.

[oldbike54]

 Damn , you had me there for a moment 

  Dusty

[leafman60]

Yeah, I don't get some of the English translations the Guzzi people come up with.

Flying Fortress?

They shoulda called it the Black Batbike or Dark Bat Bike or something like that.

I just wanna see the character that actually buys one of those and rides it down the road with a straight face.

Eyes rolling.

[leafman60]

Sheezaminny.  Ugly as sin.

I gotta go find that Triumph picture to clear my mind so I can get some sleep tonight after viewing that Guzzi Batbike.

[Vasco DG]

Why only 5 more HP? Because that is all the marginal transmission and rear drive can handle.

Mike, the smallblock has an all new gearbox, sox speed with forced lubrication. The V9 seems to have a scaled down version of the Cali 14 bevelbox. Certainly the casting for both box and arm are new. It is also mentioned that the new cardan shaft incorporates two hookes couplings rather than the one of the earlier smallblock.

Pete

[oldbike54]

Yeah, I don't get some of the English translations the Guzzi people come up with.

Flying Fortress?

They shoulda called it the Black Batbike or Dark Bat Bike or something like that.

I just wanna see the character that actually buys one of those and rides it down the road with a straight face.

Eyes rolling.

 Actually that would be me , well , if I win the lottery , otherwise my old beater will have to suffice .

  Dusty

[Vasco DG]

Yeah, I don't get some of the English translations the Guzzi people come up with.

Flying Fortress?

They shoulda called it the Black Batbike or Dark Bat Bike or something like that.

I just wanna see the character that actually buys one of those and rides it down the road with a straight face.

Eyes rolling.

Changing the rear tyre is going to be a laugh a minute too.......

[leafman60]

Changing the rear tyre is going to be a laugh a minute too.......

When the factory reps brought those around earlier in the year for public feedback, there was something they told us about the rear tire.  Something comes off to give you better access to it.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. After all, a few (very few) people have actually bought a Victory Vision.

[Dogwalker]

Why only 5 more HP? Because that is all the marginal transmission and rear drive can handle.

The transmission is completely new. The V7 II gearbox is practically a Shiver gearbox turned 90°, and there is a new two-joints (BB-style) driveshaft in the V9.

[jas67]

I hear Cycleworld will be doing a comparo test in an upcoming issue:




vs.

I heard that the MGX-21 is going to be used in the filming of the next Batman movie.
It's going to be filled at Sturgis next year.   

[ohiorider]

Nice try, but...  "Richard Williams, a reporter for the Seattle Times, coined the name "Flying Fortress" when the Model 299 was rolled out" before the first flight in July 1935.  "Boeing was quick to see the value of the name and had it trademarked for use."

 

Nice try ....... but no cigar for me!  I had forgotten the story about the Seattle reporter putting the 'fortress' tag on the 299.  Here's where I got it confused.  The RAF did use their own series designations for various Fortress models:
USAAF   RAF
B-17C    Fortress I
B-17F    Fortress Mk II
B-17E    Fortress MK IIA

[rboe]

Swing and a miss on the Fortress name. Doesn't look like an old bomber, has no design cues to hint at an old bomber (hell, a brown seat with sheep skin trim would be good enough) but there are plenty of indications they could have dipped into DC or Marvel Comics for a name.

I'd fire the ad agency that came up with that one.