Miscellaneous Cool Italian Bikes

[ungeheuer]

I like the tires...

I think those are Avon Distanzias.

They are not very good for dual sport, but for road they probably are ok.

I'm having deja vu

... all over again  .

[Travman]

I just went to our Moto Guzzi National Rally in Buena Vista, VA and my Moto Guzzi infatuation is strong right now.

[Curmudgeon]

I just went to our Moto Guzzi National Rally in Buena Vista, VA and my Moto Guzzi infatuation is strong right now.

1978 850 Le Mans? Did you ride it? Your "new" bike is nicer.  I rode one and bought my RS Motorsport instead. 

BTW, there's non-ethanol several places in Buena Vista. Some chute coming off the parkway there, eh? 

[Travman]

1978 850 Le Mans? Did you ride it? Your "new" bike is nicer.  I rode one and bought my RS Motorsport instead. 

BTW, there's non-ethanol several places in Buena Vista. Some chute coming off the parkway there, eh? 

I haven't ridden an 850 Le Mans, but I will someday.  I have a ridden a 74 Eldorado punched out to 950cc. Also I owned a 75 850T for a year. I would agree that my Darmah is a nicer bike than either of the two, but the Darmah is nicer than a lot of bikes. It does some things better than modern Ducatis. I did enjoy both of those Guzzis for what they were good for.  They were excellent at cruising the back roads at a relaxed only mildly sporty pace.  You could ride the torque and enjoy.  They were my version of a cruiser.  The 850 LeMans should be a different animal than the two Guzzis I've ridden. The flywheels are very heavy on those bikes, but on the Le Mans it should be quite a bit lighter.  We'll see. Have you ridden Le Mans?

I did enjoy the chute coming into Buena Vista from the BRP. I liked going back up even more.

[Curmudgeon]

Rode one? See my earlier comment; fell into turns vs the RS Motorsport I bought which also needed a little sorting but Pridmore was making stuff off his AMA-winning Superbike for them. Simply DIY except for drilling the damper rods. Also fitted a CDI box.

Understand what you mean as I have an EFi 865 cc T-100 for cruising. Loads of smooth torque at low RPM. That's a base model Bonneville in your picture. They ARE heavy though. 

Agreed on the uphill. I'm too old to charge DOWN those corkscrews. On one trip back up that hill I encountered THREE Earles fork side hack BMWs charging DOWN that thing at a rate of knots with one wheel in the air! Must have been another rallye in the area and I was tempted to turn around at the top but was already late to meet somebody.

Had a 900 SS ~ 1990 so I know how your Darmah goes. Bit slow steering, so you are better off with the wider bars! Switched that for a 600 SL within six months which I much preferred. The NEW Monsters steer like THAT, which was what I was after.

[1KDS]

Not so much a bike but...










http://www.duccutters.com/MercifulRelease/Spartan-V-001.tpl

[ungeheuer]

I would agree that my Darmah is a nicer bike than either of the two, but the Darmah is nicer than a lot of bikes.

Interested in this.... See.. back when your Darmah was new.... I bought one.  Black and gold    Loved it.  But it was a close call between buying the Darmah and an 850 LeMans....   I've often regretted that I've never owned a Guzzi despite always desiring one.... yet when it comes to money-handing-over-time I always seem to make an other choice.... 

Still want a Griso though.  But not instead of   .

[Travman]

[jaxduc]

has this one made it here yet?

http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/11/ncr-millona-ncr-takes-the-desmosedici-to-new-heights/

[1KDS]

Yeah, it's a good one though, like that Guzzi too Trav, very nice.

[HotIce]

has this one made it here yet?

http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/11/ncr-millona-ncr-takes-the-desmosedici-to-new-heights/

Now, if you remove that fairing, and put a more classical looking round headlight, it almost make the new perfect Monster

[jaxduc]

I just never liked the rear swingarm on the Sedici. Wonder why they never went with the SSSa?

[xcaptainxbloodx]

I just never liked the rear swingarm on the Sedici. Wonder why they never went with the SSSa?

because for as poor a bike to ride as a D16 is, they really did try to have form follow function.

[DRKWNG]

because for as poor a bike to ride as a D16 is, they really did try to have form follow function.

Spent much time riding one?

I just never liked the rear swingarm on the Sedici. Wonder why they never went with the SSSa?

IIRC it was due to them (Ducati) doubting the single sided set-up could handle to power delivery and be rigid enough.

[jaxduc]

oh. so now I know.