hoytstaab

The lower fairing is off. First thing to go.

It is heartbreaking. I had a chance to talk with Erik Buell and he is genuinely passionate, yet humble. He's done a lot for mass produced motorcycles. From what I read, I also liked how he ran his business...no egos need apply. There are so many ways HD could have proceeded instead of cutting off their sporting wing (future downward spiral?). When will CEOs be held more accountable? HD & their dealerships did not treat Buell, their customers, & prospective customers right at all. Prime example: HD dealership in Bellevue, WA put brand new Buells in their used building across the parking lot. There are loads of alarming comments about the do-rag HD attitude throughout HD dealerships towards Buells. Why the f*ck would I want to buy, and then have those clowns do major service on a higher-spec Buell? Here's to brighter days ahead for both Mr. Buell and American sport cycles.

Do they have the wheelbase listed correctly? 57 inches seems longer than what I thought.

Hello - Is the difference in hub sizes between a V11 & the MGS-01 akin to rear sprocket differences on a chain-driven bike? The MGS-01 appears much smaller (and lighter). If the hub is actually smaller is it because of the racetrack intent (i.e. smaller rear gearing)? If yes, that would offer a profound difference in power delivery for the street, right? thanks

The sculpted lines are a big improvement. The front fender bracket is missing. If alloy rods are used (e.g. Ducati Sport Classic), then that would be a nice addition. V14 would also be nice.

That is cool. The rear seat cowl is included, right? It completes one of the best-looking tail sections on the market. welcome back

Dangerous - interesting bikes. Don't forget the French Dollar prototype v4. Unfortunately, I don't think this beauty ever made it to production. In my view, this bike gives the Brough Superior a run as far as aesthetics go. In regards to the very cool Indian.... From the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum website: "E. Paul duPont, who controlled Indian, had so much faith in the 841 design that he got one for his own use. He rode it around the country, stopping to show dealers and friends, and had grand plans for turning the military 841 into a civilian tourer." Just another of many examples that Indian was the true innovator of the American companies and another missed opportunity. I ran a similar blog topic here that includes the French Dollar: http://ridethetorquecurve.blogspot.com/200...nk-v-twins.html

pics don't do the 999 justice (especially black). Still like it more than the 1098 styling. Congrats

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...mp;#entry142875

Andrew - good luck with the test ride. It is a great bike. Does the 4 hour away distance put the location of this V11 closer to Detroit? If it does, perhaps you can let the owner know we are trying to get someone to visit Durrani Wheels so they can take measurements of the bike's wheels. Light weight wheels will enhance the fun factor for any bike, especially a Guzzi.

Hey Raceboy and All, I received a call yesterday from Francis Cologne at Durrani Racing. He said they are in production and shipping wheels. contact info.: francis@durraniracing.com They are interested in taking measurements of the V11 wheel. Since it is not a single-sider, the process may not be too much of a change for them. So, if you are interested, contact him to arrange a meeting. He also indicated that the manufacturing of the wheels is no longer out of Toronto, so the measurements will be taken at the corporate HQ office. Probably better that way.... Anyone in the Detroit, Chicago, etc. area willing to get their bike measured? I am pleased to see the follow through from Durrani. Francis must have got my name and number from Sheryar, the founder because he is the only person I called previously. I'm still interested. Anyone else?

That is a beautiful shade of red...is it stock?

Woodford Reserve bourbon, Casadores tequila, Rodenbach Grand Cru (sour ale), Walla Walla Vintners "..piss water in US?" haven't been in touch with the hand crafted beers throughout the northeast or northwest, eh? Dogfishhead Ale will knock you out with a smile on your face

The front-end reminds me of the Honda NAS concept. Cool. Clever airbox Where are the reservoirs? http://www.animaguzzista.com/page_builder....amante_body.htm

Looking at the photos from the site Paul provided, it looks like the battery is down low, between the foot pegs side brackets

Even though I wrote "beauty" I'm not big on the tailsection, especially since it is difficult to improve upon the original's shape. The tiny fly screen would come off too if it was mine...those are the easy pieces. The more difficult stuff are well done: the swingarm side plates, headers & pipe, and wheels. The color combinations are great too, which can be difficult to pull off without proper restraint. I wasn't sure about the headers "flatness" at first, but they work. The cross-over looks better than the stock cross-over. Modify a stock tail-section into a solo seat and larger storage compartment, then add a rear hugger fender.

hello - not sure if this beauty graced these pages yet or not, but I thought you would appreciate this bike... No info. except that the photo came from: http://bubblevisor.blogspot.com/ (This reminds me: any update on the Durrani Wheel visit?)

Good post, and the questions asked should be addressed by Piaggio. There is market room for "MGS/HP2 Sport/Sport Classic" level of performance, especially as the supersport performance continues to go through the stratosphere for the average rider. Why would I want exponential performance that is controlled by the use of techno trickery that I don't control? http://ridethetorquecurve.blogspot.com/

I learned the original Indian company had its own transverse v-twin design, which appears to be the 1st of any motorcycle I would like to get a hold of one of those. See: http://www.mcnews.com.au/ClassicsCustoms/I...n/Indian841.htm http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=72

fotoguzzi - yes, the gearing would require a 90-degree change in direction for chain drive (with accompanying power loss). I think the biggest reason to go through that is to allow for easier racetrack setup variability.....the "Swallower Guzzi" riders would be the best to talk to about that topic. Hey John - I was going to ask if that was a Spondon frame until I saw "Spondon" as part of the image filename in your post....so that tipped me off. Riddle solved.

The only advantages I have heard of about chain drive is the ability to adapt to varying racetrack setups. I don't know if weight-savings would be another advantage or not. The other design features seem to compliment one another. That is, the transverse configuration allowed for a short wheelbase by also using an alternative front suspension (engine moved forward). He may have wanted to make up for power losses in the chain drive by using desmo valves. Nice bike. The Spondon frame looks good. Was Spondon going to be part of the production supply?

Hello - I know this is not a Guzzi, but I thought you fine folks would appreciate its "direction" By the way...when I went to the library to find articles on this design, I came across the CycleWorld magazine's debut article of our beloved V11 Sport in the Sept. 1999 issue (almost 10 years already!) The pictures in the CW issue were very sharp. Anyway, I hope you find this interesting (most of you probably already know about it).... write-up is on my blog at: http://ridethetorquecurve.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the link. Did he forget to comment on the styling? It is not a matter of this bike being ugly on its own. Its not. But, it is also not one to grab the onlooker like the V11 & MGS still do today. The problem is that someone in Guzzi decided to branch-out the Breva model line in a "sport" direction instead of capitalizing & continuing the true Sport model on its own, which left behind the great looks of the MGS and V11. Perhaps a sport chassis, a 1400 cc engine, and styling will come together before the air-cooled engine is history. (chassis should include light weight wheels) p.s. One look at the new Ducati Streetfighter and this should give the Guzzi Marketing types some inspiration. Guzzi's air-cooled performance is still highly capable and beautiful to admire while parked. The "naked" styling of that streetfighter and the Tuono are weak

Along with the new engine (as Paul mentioned), your comment/question underscores the level of frustration with this new Sport model. That is, Guzzi has accomplished the most difficult task from the engineering & financial perspectives which is increasing the performance*of a street-legal, air-cooled engine, but now, the chassis and styling are missing from this "sport" model. (we waited a long time for the biggest challenge to be accomplished and then, when it was accomplished, it fell flat on the less challenging areas of execution) This new model is more frustrating when you consider Guzzi already has excellent styling to tap into: MGS-01 bodywork and the V11 bodywork. Derivatives of either of those styles would be fairly inexpensive, but Guzzi went with a Breva-derivative. I think most (if not all) of us do not want another Breva. The current Breva line is serving that genre well. However, the Sport line is being ignored, meanwhile the fanfare generated by the debut of the MGS-01 is starting to fade from all rider's minds but the Guzzisti's minds (read: missed sales opportunities while at the same time Guzzi is spending money on a model that won't reach its sales potential). One of the only pieces that remain (for Guzzi to produce a historical, sporting motorcycle for the ages) is the new chassis. Relatively-speaking, this should not be difficult or expensive. It definitely would not be expensive in light of sales numbers that "could have been" vs. missed sales forecasts.... (the V12 sport we all want vs. the current V12, respectively) There is one bike that would significantly tempt me to trade up my V11 for a new bike: something along the lines of the photoshop image in the previous posts. A V12 Sport that looks as good as it will go with the new engine and sportier chassis with light wheels. The factory & dealerships will cash-in from new sales from existing Guzzistis + new riders to the brand. The dealerships would also cash-in with the trade-ins on the used V11's. The CW magazine forum recently had posts about riders "gushing" over the V11. People are trying to find good used examples. How many of us would be willing to trade your current V11 for the current V12? * - "Where the road matters most" type of performance.

Thanks, Paul. It would be nice for the factory to engineer a new frame that has very similar geometry as the MGS-01 (wheelbase, rake, trail) and mate it to the new motor. The hp and torque are now there from the factory, just complete the deal with a chassis. (and scrap the breva styling when it comes to the sport model line....the Breva is good for its intended purpose)