Headline power & torque figures do not maketh a bike. Yes, although Guzzi's in the past have always seemed to have been behind in this particular curve, it hasn't necessarily stopped them from becoming fine & rapid point to point machines. In today's traffic I'm not sure an extra 50 bhp would make things that much better. Once you get into their 'vibe' they prove to have that easy speed and not a little character to bring joy & a smile. And what is it they used to say, if you want to go to the south of France take a Ducati... if you want to come back take a Guzzi.
I get that and agree to an extent. But being on my third GS, now a 1250, I do not want less than 135bhp and 100lb torque for my do everything bike. Neither power or torque appear close to expectations for a modern 1000cc bike, though can accept that the ride may be a lot better than the figures suggest. Again, I do like the look of the new Guzzi. Other factors for me include dealer network etc. Where I am in France, this has also ruled out Ducati as my nearest dealer is Limoges….they did not impress when I had the Monster R and unless all of the 1260 V twin Multis handle like there is a hinge in the middle, suspect their test bike had massively under inflated tyres or very strange suspension settings!
Looks like part of the Guzzi logo DRL on rhs of pic has failed already,…that would drive me nuts if I’d just bought it
IUOTE="guzzi eleven, post: 2038574, member: 26842"]Got white one at w/e It's likely to replace 10 year old Mts 1200 for 3 week 2 up trip to Corsica ,a fun ride ,you need to test one!! View attachment 285594 [/QUOTE]
I hear you... am I correct in thinking the 1250 has the new whizz bang engine with the twin cam shenanigans? From what I have read it has got the best of both, stomping low down torque and decent high up power. However I always seem to let my heart rule the head and go for the slightly left field Italian one. Perhaps one of each is the answer
Yes, the shift cam engine. Surprisingly it is the extra flexibility that really shows on the road. From lower revs to higher revs, which means you can hang on to one gear for longer (mountain roads/cols…) which works for me. It has much more top end too, where the previous ones were reluctant to rev out, these keep going. I did around 35,000 miles on the previous 1200gs and had the Monster 1200r for company. Took out an XR for a test run. Hated the bland inline four. Shame as everything else about the bike was just right. Later on took out the 1250GS and realised it just does everything I want and traded both bikes for one. Very impressed. Just ditch the OE tyres for good road biased stuff and they are a blast. Many people think of a GSA, which is a much bigger and heavier beast than the GS…the difference imo is huge.
I do have both! Was waiting for the new Guzzi two years ago and there was nothing to hear, my plan was a replacement to my ST3. So I think that will never be a new bike, late that year they advertised. And there come a 1200RT 2015 20000km in my way. I got very spoilt and my wife to from that bike, but I could not sale my Ducati, it is to fun to ride. So I now have one for the brain and one for the heart, perfect combo
Big figures on paper don’t necessarily make a great bike, especially for road use. Certainly would like to try the new Guzzi when the opportunity arises.
I was in Mandello today. Had a mooch round Agostinis. There was a nice Mandello in there. I prefer the red though
I have owned an ST4 and ridden a Mandello. They are very different beasts really. The riding position is more comfortable than the ST4 wider bars and not too cramped. The torque is fantastic it pulls cleanly from low revs and heads for the hills. The brakes are fantastic and the handling very stable It is heavier than the ST. Its a lot more modern bike so you would need to have a long test ride.
