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@Kostarika posted this pic in his Gallery, but a lot of members don't pay attention or comment there. This stunning image deserves front page news, IMO . . .

Yes, she feels at home. 1day today, NOT FOR SALE. NOT much for total original. Duc 900 faring? Original paint tank, sidecover. 17500m. [emoji16] [emoji482] Cheers Tom Sent fra min SM-A525F via Tapatalk

What's that noise? Oh the sound of 60 million Italians groaning "Mamma Mia" and palms hitting foreheads. Ciao

@MartyNZ shared this with me to link for those interested in this beautiful piece. I know @VtwinStorm recently expressed interest . . http://www.magni.it/v11_fairing.htm

Considering Harley just released a water cooled bike in a similar vain, it seems like Guzzi is following instead of leading! I do like the swingarm.. that’s a nice touch. Maybe it’s just me, but all these screens and electronics don’t need to be on a motorcycle. You think in 20-30 years time there will a forum dedicated to trying to fix those long out of production and unobtainable parts? People are paying many multiple of thousands to replace ECM’s on 360 Ferrari’s as they are not serviceable. I’ve grown weary of this disposable wave of the future. Just in the last week I had to send the circuit board from my dyer to a specialist to have it repaired. Both my GPS units were also sent in for repair. Now I find out Sunfire is out of business and the subwoofers I have are now very expensive door stops as they are no longer repairing anything. So if you have any working Sunfire speakers etc.. now is the time to get rid of it… I’ll be busy listing my crap on eBay this weekend… I’ll stick to older stuff thank you!

@VtwinStorm Agreed. Back then, a Moto Guzzi was an inspiration. The V11 lignée had that charisma no many bikes could arouse in anybody riding one. I am not going to be judging the V100 just yet. I know it is not love at first sight, but I do not trust my judgement to be unbiased. I am too much of an old lace and I am no longer able to see beyond the past. The more I progress, or rather digress, the more I am looking behind instead of ahead. I do not think this bike was conceived to thrill the people on this forum; rather trying to appeal to those who have heard of Moto Guzzi but never considered one because they looked ancient? I read in another article that (new) British riders were into Royal Enfield.

You mean at Piaggio? I bet the Moto Guzzi steering is happening at Pantedera, not Mandello del Lario.... I agree with you about the Le Mans; somehow, I am pretty sure they have a Le Mans in the pipe using that engine.

"Hopefully" the jelly mold bodywork is just a ruse and they are going to stun us with something distinctly Italian, even if it is polarizing. Who could love the era of auto styling likened to a month-old bar of soap?

“full digital engine management (injection and ignition) was a Guzzi trademark long before being adopted by other makers.” Well, I for one didn’t take this as an absolute literal claim of being the first in “using EFI long before anyone else” - but more in making the point it was a feature, that was commonly adopted as a “trademark” feature before most other manufacturers had switched over to adopting EFI. In fact, is that “anyone else” quote actually accurate or has it been somewhat paraphrased? Anyhow, the article got far more right than wrong in capturing the V11’s qualities, in this case the Scura, and my absolute favourite line was one of the photos captions... Bravo! Give that man a cigar!

Excellent choice of machine. Went on a ride out around Derbyshire today with some friends, I was on my Griso 8V, seen here parked next to a friends fabulous MK1 Le Mans, whilst we were stopped for tea & bacon butties

Looks like it comes in the original colors, so I assume it is made for the red-framed bikes. Does anybody happen to know the cost or whether it will also bolt up (without modification) to a longer, black frame? As exhaust, I have not heard the Magnis, but I've heard Mistral and Staintune. Those are nice, but the best sound, (IMO) is from the Moto Guzzi Factory Titanium Racing cans. Sadly, if you want a set of those, you probably have to buy a motorcycle that already has them.

Neat. Some old gals don't lose their beauty. Now why can't new V7s and V9s look this good?

Found here: https://wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/events/moto-guzzi-presents-the-unique-futuristic-project-for-its-new-factory-and-museum-in-mandello/index.html

Heh don't put that shit on us, that little dodge was first thought up by the Japanese. Apple are a disgrace and I'd never purchase any of their products. Don't get me wrong they look amazing and apparently work well. It's just a matter of principal that if I can avoid purchasing from a company who will screw over their own customers I will. Take a newer I Phone to replace the battery to a non apple shop and find features on the phone mysteriously stops working after replacement. Circuitry within the battery, is paired to other chips on the phone. So unless Apple replace the battery (at an exhorbitant cost) the phone loses features. Oh and the chip suppliers have a deal that they only supply to Apple. They also had to come clean that when you upgraded to the latest OS on your older Apple phone it became very slow was a deliberate strategy. I'll get ma coat

Just as the '55-'57 Chevys had 90º V engines, so also did Moto Guzzi's own '55-'57 GP racer. But, while racing could tolerate liquid cooling and frequent replacement of consumables, the road bike owner would likely not. I see the Ducati Apollo and Ariel Square Four being examples of too many air-cooled cylinders, given the heat dispersion and lubrication abilities of the day. So, why not cut the cylinder count down to a more manageable level, give them fins and rotate the cylinders out in the air stream? There being no O-ring or X-ring chains at the time, and given the bike's intended use, the air cooling and shaft drive made perfect sense. Particularly since a bevel drive would have to be added to use a chain. The design made such sense at the time, that Honda famously copied emulated it (probably claiming Lilac inspiration, but come on) with a new twist of the heads and the liquid cooling that the V8 possessed 20 years earlier. Laverda also gave a tip of their hat to the basic layout in their V6 test mules. By way of truism, as it is with all things that are, the V11 is what it is. Motorcycling history is littered with the carcasses of various men's brilliant ideas - ideas which were doomed for a variety of reasons. We have our idiosyncratic bikes through the persistence of the human will.

He also sells a pretty sweet set of cans http://www.magni.it/v11_exhaust.htm Got a pair on my 1100 Sport and they sound pretty dammed good Only problem with Magni is trying to get him to reply to your mails, it might take several attempts (Don't ask how I know)

Yes, hope springs eternal. I am sure they will build another worthy successor to carry the LeMans name. It can be Guzzi's flagship halo bike. This machine, though? It's not lighting my fire. I'm sure it's great, but it seems a bit too much of a bland styling exercise and has none of the verve that Guzzi bikes are known for when you look at them. You could throw "HONDA" on the tank, and call it the CX100, and I wouldn't know the difference. Don't give Honda any ideas! EDIT: Okay, it looks a LOT better in motion on film. It looks damn high quality, but the style is a bit interchangeable with so many other bikes (aside from the engine, of course). I have high hopes for the new Guzzis!

So, even with as many commonalities we can name between the Moto Guzzi "Big Block" and the beloved American V8, the Guzzi motor is a thing of its own, purposefully designed, and elegantly executed. " . . . with the presence of a Norman horse . . . "

Alright, alright, I apologize about about the whimsy of that last one especially after such genuine, quality, and refined musical posts. I probably posted this before, but on the eve of heading to the Seventeenth South'n SpineRaid, and to acknowledge those SpineRaiders who have tried, but could not arrive, I am reminded of this ballad of The Last Chance Texaco. A place we have all been to. I still hear the forlorn whine of the trucks flying by . . .

A good friend just sent me this recently re-posted article from motorcycle.com. Very enjoyable read best paired with a glass of red wine or Peroni. Enjoy!: https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/moto-guzzi/church-of-mo-2002-moto-guzzi-v11-scura.html

It's been discussed many times in the past, so I'm surprised no one has mentioned it here. The guzzi engine is basically the last 2 cylinders of the old Chevy 350 V8, ie. 90 degrees, low compression, 2 small valves, pushrods, rocker arms, going back to a dry clutch, tranny and drive shaft. fwiw

Little be it known that the engine was not intended for something so plebeian as a tractor. It was actually to power Italy's locomotives, adding engines in series as needed for the Alps. It was decided that the power impulses would frighten the rail passengers.

On the injectors used on V11's and CARC bikes the o-rings are a standard Bosch injector seal. I just buy them from my local *Better* auto parts joint in Canberra. Just take the injector in and brandish it at the parts interpreter. If they gurn vacantly at you and ask "What's it out of!" Try to resist the temptation to bury your index finger down to the third knuckle in their eye socket, thank them, leave, and go and find a real parts shop where they pay decent enough wages that the staff don't spend half of them on clearasil and wet-wipes.

I didn’t intend to post a anti-progress manifesto. It just tweaks me to see the blatant hypocrisy. Electric vehicles were tried and abandoned 100+ years ago. The same problems that caused its failure then are the same problems today. Henry Ford developed car bodies using hemp and also engines that ran on it. Totally renewable energy source and the bodies were rust proof and durable. See how that turned out…. The ecological damage batteries cause not only in the extraction of the rare earth minerals, but also in the fact that they are not readily recyclable makes me think it isn’t for “saving the earth” The same issue that plagues wind turbines. Read up on the graveyards of those monstrosity’s. Diesel engines are highly efficient (I can personally attest to that) clean burning and can also run on renewable energy (as that was the reason they were invented)

You know, I am just grateful Guzzi built the V11 LeMans. I guess I'm a knuckle-dragging cave dwelling ape, but I think every car and motorcycle I will ever own has already been built. I just can't get worked up with anticipation over TFT screens, ABS, TC, quick shifters, heated grips, GPS, Bluetooth, etc. I'm glad I got a V11 so I can experience and preserve the classic air-cooled Guzzi V Twin experience for myself moving forward into the impending dystopian, anti-DIY hell... EFI? 6 speed gearbox? Digital ignition system? Analog gauges? No tubes in my tires? That's as new as I will tolerate. I can hardly accept water-cooled engines. I am a dinosaur. Rawr.

…who are at the mercy of the people who pull the strings of those puppets.

What can I say, to me a green frame , oh well. Great weekend to everyone, SF guys enjoy the companionship. IPA time here cheers tom

Got the truck fixed, may come tonight if I can find a room lol otherwise, tomorrow morning to say hello and pick up my package. God willing and the creek don't rise.

They could have incorporated the radiator into the fairing instead of a big black square..

This really should have been a LeMans… not a warmed over 85t imo… Somebody needs to get fired at the Eagle and bring someone in that can harness the legacy and create real Guzzi’s….. I’m super underwhelmed

More pictures released. can't be bothered trying to copy them. https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=112212.0 I can't believe they've managed to make something so hideous! The V85 was bad enough. This thing looks like??? I dunno? A grab-bag of every styling disaster from most manufacturers in the last 30 years! What was that awful thing Ducati made? The TL 650? It looks like one of those that's been stuck in a pencil sharpener and sprayed with silage!

Who knows, possibly. Most engineering design is built on what's been done before and then re jigged and enhanced. There's not that many truly original ideas out there anymore. Off the top of my head without thinking about it "maybe" the Wankel engine and the other would be the Cosworth Head and "barrel turbulence" style cylinder filling as opposed to the accepted "swirl" style of the day. That was revolutionary, original and made a massive difference to combustion efficiency. Ciao

But, it's got a HEMI!!! Guzzi v. Chrysler 426.

Well, I think there is a better case that the old BMW flying brick engines were car technology stuffed in a motorcycle. Except they made the flywheel and clutch spin opposite of the engine, which is pretty cool. That made it motorcycle only.

The 1980 Kawi KZ1000H was the first fuel injected production bike, but AFAIK it had no integrated engine management system. Interesting that it was rated at 98bhp, but 264killos! Ouch! And I thought the V11 was heavy! https://japan.webike.net/KAWASAKI/Z1000H+KZ1000H/12708/m-spec/ "any sporty 600 will trounce it in the twisties, a 900SS is a better handler and an R1150R is a much more sophisticated and refined machine." Proof that some guys just don't get it.

Mine mine mine And that LeMans and Elderado are gorgeous.

Likewise. Got a startup video. No smoke, ran and idled like a champ. Took a leap of faith, as I said. At least cosmetics will not need any attention to bring the bike's dignity to where a Guzzi truly belongs. Bike is a 9.5/10... Looks nearly new.

That was a fun read. And the concluding sentence was prescient: "Before the dynamic new management of Aprilia turns the 80-year-old factory into a fashionable and marketable "brand", we can still enjoy a cycle that's really built in the old way, and acts it."

I've been saying that about the V11 for years. 🤣 It's what to love about them. By the way. Some did actually come around and fix their Fiats right....

They only passed on adopting the V-twin because Mandello del Lario was not able to supply the required number of engines. Guzzi did not have the output capacity. And that's a shame.... had they been able to have Fiat as a customer, who knows what Guzzi would have been able to achieve....

As I remember, you didn't even give the Mighty Scura a second look. You could have had one of the best V11s in the country..

Single cam in the V, with push rods to the valves is more common on cars than motorcycles. But really I would not call any of this "automotive engineering". Old school engineering perhaps. Once upon a time many motorcycles used similar engineering.

I recently had a good auto parts store experience. I needed a serpentine belt that was a little longer than the one I had (new power steering pump had a larger pulley on it that the old one). The parts guy did ask what it was off of, but once I said that no longer matters, I just need one the next size up, he went in back and came forth with one a little larger. And it worked.

All of the above is true, as it comes from rider/owners. Guzzis are an acquired taste. Growing up around radial aircraft engines, certain parallels may be seen. They are, by definition, the road less traveled - and for many of us that is precisely what we seek. Being shafties, they prefer to corner on the gas, or at least neutral throttle. The shaft itself is very well controlled and your rear wheel will be dusty rather than greasy - a more than fair exchange. The suspension runs from very good to excellent. Cruising at 4K or just above, the engine is notably smooth and you make excellent time, provided that where you are going allows (or overlooks) such velocity. You don't always want penne arrabbiata - but when you do , nothing else will satisfy.

“Progress” in the sense of big, soulless corporations using the contrived “climate” excuse falls flat on the people who critically think and have a healthy knowledge of history. ICE will always be available to the monied class imo. While the rank and file will struggle with maintaining ever diminishing quality of life. Idiots can’t even keep the power on during a bad rain storm (Texas)…. Now imagine your electric car, plugged into the matrix as it wer e..taxed by the mile, rendered inoperative for any infraction by some bureaucracy. Tracked and monitored (for the children) yeah… anyone see the movie “The Last Race”? It’s worth watching to see how this has been foretold decades ago…

Pressed up cranks are usually because the engine uses rolling element main or big end bearings or both so there's little choice although I think MV's may have used a split roller bearing, can't remember. The one piece slipper bearing crank is a much better design and used on virtually all performance engines these day and for many years. Rigid and along with plain/slipper bearings has no practical rev limitations. The Norton crank is a bad example, ridged as a piece of black pudding. So wobbly in fact you need to use barrel shaped (Superblend) roller bearings on the mains to stop them exploding. The crank flexed so much a standard roller bearing inner and outer ends would collapse under the strain of the angular displacement as the crank flexed and wobbled about. My main point is the continual drift towards the disposable engine. I find it offensive from an engineering and philosophical perspective. Piston engine technology isn't progressing at a break neck speed anymore like electronics and software. Modern engine design is all about the corporate profit. Make it as cheap and profitable as possible and bugger the long term owner. Ciao

I agree Pete and your point is a valid one but I'm a bit of an engineering purist plus it goes deeper as well. The modern engine is a wonderful thing as long as it's a "good one" Will give many trouble free miles without any issues. The modern mass produced philosophy falls apart though over the long term and the short term if you have a serious issue. The long term may not bother you and fair enough but here's an example. My Sunday drive car is a Focus RS 2.3 Turbo 4. The engine is as is common practice these days a friction drive camshaft system, no crank or cam keys on anything as god knows that would cost and extra $10 in machining and 3 keys. The Upshot? well now you when you need to do a simple job like change the front timing cover crank seal here's the process. Release the crank pulley bolt, the cam timing is now gone. Remove the cover and replace the seal. remove all the cam drive and oil pump drive to fit new friction drive washers behind the cam drive sprocket. Remove the HP fuel pump off the exhaust cam, remove the vacuum pump off the inlet cam remove the cam cover and then the drive end and journal off the inlet cam so you can install the cam timing tool. Install the crank TDC stop. Re fit and seal the front timing cover set the cam timing and then torque up the TTY pulley bolt without disturbing the cam timing and re assemble half the freeking engine. This is what you get to save a few pennies on some keyway machining. Now the hard part, how many Ford dealership workshop drones do you think are capable of doing this task without screwing up at least 1 of the processes. Ford had a recall on this engine to replace head gaskets and when I saw what was involved I predicted a world wide total catastrophe for owners. I was proved totally correct, it's been a nightmare for just about every one of the 27,000 owners involved. Not me fortunately. This is the modern corporate engineering philosophy in practice. personally if they offered and old style build engine at a premium cost I'd be the first to opt for that if for no other reason than a dealership mechanic would have less chance of screwing up any significant maintenance when it's required. Ciao

Gorgeous, elegant machine. Great choice. So jealous.

It's been ages ago since i sold my v11 Sport, but after some HD, a Norge and a Cali i finally got a V11 Lemans 03 and hope to put on a lot of km's .