Come on Everybody Do the Retro!!!

[bpreynolds]

It's the newest dance craze in town and kids are diggin' it!  Don'tcha love it???  Yr hips are swaying, I can tell already. 





Okay, maybe not.  Except for the Triumph.  Ducati extending their Scrambler line to a 399 even.  Boy, Guzzi does Retro as well or better than just about anybody, I think. 

It would seem right now that all those elements - Vintage, Custom, ADV elements even - are combining to create a market that favors retro machines in a way.  Good for Guzzi.  I hope.

[molly]

The retro look is combined with water cooling and sophisticated electronics. Can Guzzi go retro/modern too?

[Aaron D.]

Of course they want to go retro. Most of the styling and such of older bikes was the result of decades of experience in making a motorcycle work. Good design is timeless.

And my take on our Scouts: The genius of making such a simple bike using such advanced technology.

[vstevens]

There is so much to like in 'retro' bikes...  For motorcycle companies and customers.  Easy to ride ergonomics, reasonable power, perhaps easier maintenance.  And the visual appeal is universal and cross generation.  My 26 year old daughter will soon take the MSF course, inspired by my V7 stone's aesthetics and character.  After a ride with me yesterday she said she preferred the "smaller, leaner bikes".  Moto Guzzi would benefit greatly by marketing simple, beautiful, and practical machines to the twenty somethings as well as the 50+ boomers.   Vespa has been doing a good job selling bikes with nostalgia and beauty ... and not a lot of power.

[wrbix]

......screw the RETRO,


..........do the VINTAGE!

[slowmover]

What about Harley? They need some stuff that looks old.😁

[Guzzistajohn]

I like 'em. Not a sport bike or a cruiser. I've gotten tired of everything looking like a Harley

[LongRanger]

I've gotten tired of everything looking like a Harley

Or a Praying Mantis

[Petrus Rocks]

I like the idea of retro- I like updated vintage better!  Keep it simple, focus on good handling and a little style.  Show us yer motor!
Scrambler and cafe appeal to me because they both tend to be stripped down and the motor is a strong visual element-as it should be

[Rox]

Retro looks look and looks good longer.... Time proves this.


Never thought I would say this but I really really like that Yamaha....

[rocker59]

I'm not seeing "retro" in that Yamaha thing that's pictured in the first post.  Looks like a modern liquid-cooled Japanese standard, to me...  It just happens to have a "normal" headlight instead of some melted modern art thing.

[rboe]

I really missed the Standard Bike so when Honda came out with the CB1100 I pounced. There is a lot to like about the bike. I found out two weeks ago she makes a very decent touring bike (which really should not have been a surprise since the old 750's excelled at it and the CB1100 is so much better than the old 750's).

It utterly lacks any hint of design influence from Hasbro too - to me this is a very good thing. Hasbro, Tonka and Mattel have had an influence far beyond their normal sphere; and in general this is not a good thing.

[Shorty]

Then there's faux Brit re retro:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Other-/191740655484?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ca4a2377c:g:r~8AAOSwI-BWQAV0&item=191740655484

[oldbike54]

Then there's faux Brit re retro:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Other-/191740655484?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ca4a2377c:g:r~8AAOSwI-BWQAV0&item=191740655484

 Putting a Lyta fiberglass tank and an ironing board seat on an SR 500 does not a Manx make .

  Dusty

[kirkemon]

I've posted this picture before of my W650 that I ride almost everyday.

8 valves, bevel drive motor that is the most reliable bike I've owned.

[oldbike54]

I've posted this picture before of my W650 that I ride almost everyday.

8 valves, bevel drive motor that is the most reliable bike I've owned.

 Ya gotta stop posting pics of that beauty , some of us are jealous 

  Dusty

[jas67]

Ya gotta stop posting pics of that beauty , some of us are jealous 

  Dusty

The W650 is a great looking bike, and also a great bike to ride.    Heck, even Kev M has praised it, and he hates Japanese bikes (JapanINC he calls them).    This and the Honda CB1100 (2013-2014, not the ones from the 80's), are the only Japanese bikes he ever had anything positive to say about.   

Many have praised the W650 for being more true to the 60's Bonneville than the 2000-2015 Bonneville.

I have to agree with Rocker, there is nothing retro about that Yamaha, or the XSR700 (based on the FZ-07) for that matter.

As another here said, the Thurxton R is the best looking retro bike (soon to be) on the market today, PERIOD!

[Kev m]

The W650 is a great looking bike, and also a great bike to ride.    Heck, even Kev M has praised it, and he hates Japanese bikes (JapanINC he calls them).   

Woah woah woah, I wouldn't say "hate".

I have no prejudice against Japan (hell, I've devoted a good part of my life to training in one of their arts, have artwork representing that art tattooed on my body, love parts of the culture like the cuisine, and currently drive one of their cars [though not for much longer]).

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new Scoobie (WRX) or some other Japanese products.

I call the bikes JAPanInc. because of a commonality of design philosophy and technology, not as a put down.

It is true though that those common characteristics are generally ones that I don't gravitate towards.

So yes, few of their bikes make my LOVE list, but I can't say there are many (any) that I bother hating.

I've owned a Honda, a Suzuki, and a Yamaha...and could again with limited models.

The W650 is the one Kawasaki that comes to mind that I really wish I'd bought when new.

Not sure if I'm interested in someone else's leftovers anymore, but it's also one of the few I'd consider.

[Shorty]

Putting a Lyta fiberglass tank and an ironing board seat on an SR 500 does not a Manx make .

  Dusty

No, but to me, most "cafe" culture is pretty faux. What's one more? I would like this bike better with a tuning fork on the tank. 

[Penderic]

You realize it is HIP to be Retro .......

So

Lets

Get

With

The

Times!

Merry CHRISTMAS everybody!     

[oldbike54]

No, but to me, most "cafe" culture is pretty faux. What's one more? I would like this bike better with a tuning fork on the tank. 

 Yeah , me too .

  Dusty

[LongRanger]

Missing out on a new W650 fifteen years ago helped motivate me to grab a CB1100 while I could. Zero regrets.

[guzzisteve]

......screw the RETRO,


..........do the VINTAGE!

++1 when they're dead & wore out, I'll still be riding My Original.
Like this one, nice original, used to have a 70 350D
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/5303550400.html

[brenwin]

I've posted this picture before of my W650 that I ride almost everyday.

8 valves, bevel drive motor that is the most reliable bike I've owned.

It's a beauty . Dusty is right ! A fellow biker in my neck of the woods has one and he say's it's his favorite ride in his stable which includes a Vincent and a couple of BMWs . Whenever he brings it to a gathering someone always wants to make him an offer . Times change as I remember when they first came out and not everyone was so enamored . Thanks for the pic .        Steve

[Cool Runnings]

Let's Twist Again

Like we did last summer........

[Chuck in Indiana]

There are very few Japanese bikes that interest me at all.. Ok ok, that 07 and 09 Yamaha are pretty kool even though I don't particularly like the looks of them, but that W650 rox. I was heavily into Ducks then, but I had a wandering eye.. still do.  If I didn't have the Aero Lario, I'd have one. 

[Penderic]

Izat a dance? Is there a Moto Guzzi version - without the 40 ouncer?

[bpreynolds]

Izat a dance? Is there a Moto Guzzi version - without the 40 ouncer?

Let's Twist Again

Like we did last summer........

Now everybody sing!
First, you throw your brown seat on
Then your single headlight
Put Roamer in your name
and...
uh...
well...
you know you're doing right?
Sorry, I forgot the last part of the verse. 

[Penderic]

Good start! For the Roamer maybe Dell Shannon.

For the Bob.... er Bobber, maybe Mr. Bean?

Now thats HIP!

[ohiorider]

It's a beauty . Dusty is right ! A fellow biker in my neck of the woods has one and he say's it's his favorite ride in his stable which includes a Vincent and a couple of BMWs . Whenever he brings it to a gathering someone always wants to make him an offer . Times change as I remember when they first came out and not everyone was so enamored . Thanks for the pic .        Steve

I was fortunate to be able to buy a brand new W in (2000).  The dealer had 3 new ones in stock gathering dust, and advertised them for $4995, vs MSRP of around $6300.  Put 50,000 on the little machine over 7 years.  A truly fun little bike close to home that wasn't afraid to take to the highway.