I have a Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic, a reprise of the 1970's v7 Sport, which was one of the first super bikes from Europe. After 40 years not having a bike, it's the perfect fit for me as it's not crazy horsepower, but handles really well in the curves as that's the kind of roads I have here, on the coast of California. It's a bike I understand, no surprises, and lets me live my youth again, much to the chagrin of my wife!
Just picked up a LM1 last week. One of the first shipped to the USA in 76. One of the few 70s bikes that is dependable and rideable today. Good brakes, power and handling.
LeMans I is getting to be a very desirable bike. I believe the price is starting to reflect that. Kind of strange since the wheelbase is a bit long and it is on the heavy side. From what i know they are good for clicking thru the miles and really does fit best into the sport touring genre. If you can adapt to the riding position long enough to get far they are a good bike for it.
I owned the first incarnation of the 850 Le Mans in about 1979 it was a series 2 with the rectangular tail light. I looked in the store window and thought I just gotta have that beast, hell, it looked like it was doing 120mph on the stand. This model was never the Mk1. it was just 850 Lemans. In looks it was streets ahead of anything the Japanese had on offer. A friend owned a Laverda Jota at the same time. It was the heyday of the Italian super bikes the afore mentioned plus the Ducati 900SS. My Guzzi cost a pound or so shy of 2000 pounds, while the Duke was about 2,300 pounds......It rocked to the right when you blipped the throttle...The carbs sucked in birds if they flew too close to the bell mouths .happy days posing....Hay! girls look at my machinery!!
Those V11 Sports are really nice. I bought one of the 2001 limited edition V11 Sport Rosso Mandello models brand new. I rode it for 17 years and sold it to a friend (Surj Gish, editor of CityBike) in San Francisco in 2017 to raise money to buy my 1950 Vincent Meteor. I first test rode a V11 Sport in Holland at Teo Lamers (we had no Guzzi dealer in San Antonio). I remember signing a release form in Dutch in order to ride a demo bike they had. To this day, I have no idea what I gave away in signing that release - they probably own my house. In any case, I loved the bike and bought the Rosso Mandello from my closest dealer (MPH in Houston). Magni in Italy makes some wonderful sinuous black megaphones for the V11 Sports. They sound extremely raucous. Thanks, as always, to you and Dave for sharing!
Mike Battle As far as Italian bikes, I have owned a ducati 860, moto morini 500 camel, laverda 3cl 1000, cagiva 650, and currently have a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 and a 2013 Moto Guzzi Stone 750. Have owned several German bikes to include BMW and Zundaps. Grew up with British bikes--meaning Triumph and BSA. Have never been interested in Harley. Owned several Suzuki's to include 2-stroke models and the Wankel rotary 750. The Moto Guzzis have been my favorite above all the rest. Quirky, reliable, tractor-like in that the Japanese "refinement" is not there--but if you love just being connected to machinery and sound--Moto Guzzi! 1 year ago Own a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT that carried me 130 miles on one cylinder at highway speed (even passed other cars) when a plug wire crapped out on a Sunday morning and no options for replacement. Also own a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone and love its handling, lighter weight, and quality of manufacturing. Have owned Kawasaki, Suzuki, Moto Morini, Laverda, BMW, Triumph, BSA, Zundapp, Indian and will ALWAYS STAY WITH GUZZI!!!
When I was setting up the ignition timing on my MkII Le Mans the flywheel marks were annotated D and S. Thankfully we were taught Latin in school, and Italian for Right and Left is just about the same. You never know when an education in the Classics will come in handy.
Never fancied or thought to much about MG, but that doesn't stop me enjoying listening to Dave & Terry talking about theirs. Thanks to them for making it to 'The Cul-de-sac' history book, & thank you Mike for stitching.the footage together. atvb t ..
Still at the drooling over everyone else's Guzzi's Just managed to find my poor man's Guzzi, a 1982 Honda CX650 ! But keeping my eyes open for the right Guzzi for what I am looking for ! Two gorgeous bikes gentlemen ! Thanks for taking the time to share them with us !
A nice pair of Guzzi's. Certainly unique in their configuration. I remember reading about the legendary Moto Guzzi V8 in the magazines back in the late 60's, and fantasizing about ever seeing one for real. Like the saying goes, " variety is the spice of life".
This is an awesome video Mike - thanks for posting! I know I had mentioned the '84 LM III in a previous video and think Terry really captured the essence of owning a MG when he stated "MG captures the soul"...I watched with quite the sentimental tear at my heart for my red 84 LM III in the final shots as he pulled away. I've never got over owning that beaut more than 30 years after letting her go. Thanks again for posting this - it made my Sunday morning even more glorious that it usually is...
Many thanks to you too for such a great note! So glad that you enjoyed it. I loved seeing how passionate the guys were about their bikes. It was a really fun video to make. Best wishes, Mike
Oh MY ! Feel the rumble... Yes I understand the Italian fever! All to well. After a week of wrenching and riding my Brit iron, I think I will take the 900SS out today for a shot at the twistys. Thanks Mike for another great entry and an enjoyable cuppa on Sunday morning.
The best looking motorcycle in the history of the universe is the Moto Guzzi lario/1986.. it is a Lemans style, but they gave it a different name because it’s a 650.. I have had for Moto Guzzi’s since 1979.. they ain’t perfect. They have their little glitches, but, I have never been stranded, or had to wait for parts. One of the machines in this video is the V11 sport.. I had one. I love the motor. That’s why I bought it after the first test ride which lasted about 15 minutes. I should have taken the machine for an hour at least on that first test ride, because, that was the most uncomfortable motorcycle I ever had. I have never had problems with my kneew ever, until I bought that V 11 sport. I could not ride that machine for more than an hour at a time, and when I got off of it, I had to walk around for a few minutes to revive my knees. I know that the foot pegs without rubber on them to absorb the vibes had a lot to do with it.It’s amazing how just having a rubber on the foot pegs does isolate you a lot. I tried everything to civilize that machine. I eliminated the clip on bars, I drilled the upper triple clamp and installed perches. For low handlebars, I had a set from my old CB 400 F that I put on there. I bought a Corbin seat. That seat put my balls to sleep within 10 minutes because their seat had a hump the roads to meet the gas tank for some reason.I installed Buell Ulysses foot pegs which bolt right on,They are about 1.5 inches lower which helped out a lot. I put a small 14 inch fly screen windshield on, I installed foam grips....All of these mods helped a great deal, but that machine is a knee Buster. I don’t know what it is about that machine, maybe it’s the angle combined by the width and the vibes. I have owned sport bikes before, I road raced for eight years,rds,tz250,ect, so that writing position is not something new to me, but I tried for two years to symbolize that machine and I had to give up. I ended up buying a Norge, which is one of the most comfortable motorcycles I have ever owned. I have owned dozens of motorcycles ..The V 11 sport is by far the most uncomfortable machine I ever rode. Anyone considering buying one, make sure you take it out for at least an hour test ride. You will probably not find one that has high miles on it.. As for that Le Mans. An acquaintance of mine is also a Guzzi fan..He has a mid-1980s LeMans. He is a good rider..He bought the machine new. He takes it on track days, he goes out with the guys to try to find the gnarliest most technical roads. He swears that he redlines that machine every time he rides it.. he has never had the motor apart, it has over 100,000 miles on it..
Big Brit and Guzzi fan here. Owned a lot of both and older Harleys. Still have my very non std T140 i bought new in in 1979. Thats 41 years and counting. Still have my 1989 very non std Guzzi Cali lll i bought around 1999, thats 21 years of ownership. A big regret was selling one of those 8V Centauros that i had, with that BRG gorgeous paint. Another was a 2001 V11. Identical to this one. Red frame, lime green tank, flyscreen, aftermarket pipes, seat cowl, wonderful motorcycle. Sigh.
My first bike has been a 2004 MG Nevada. Boatloads of fun, snarls like a wild cat on bad whiskey, and makes me fight to get into first gear almost every time, unless I get her rolling just a little bit first. We fight now and again, and I take wrenches to her insides, then we make up and play some more. Best relationship I've had in years. I have friends with Harleys, friends with Valkyries, who tease me for only having 750 cc's, but you know what? My Guzzi and I are the only two like us in town; a touch of class and a handful of mischief.
That V11 is fine! ... and he is right -- Italian bikes... I learned how to speak some Italian when I owned Ducati's, so I could talk to her and tell her how beautiful she was in her native language
Nice Moto Guzzi's and I have a Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans 2 1980 White Black original color, and renewed this Winter the ignition parts and inside the gas tank cleaning !
What a treat.Rode an 850 T3 back in the 70's.Like the self retracting sidestand on the Le Mans.Reminds me of my '55 AJS Model 18.Really good editing Mike.
I rode an 81 La Mans for ten years.... Got in a lot of trouble having the best of times ( when it ran... it RAN, when it didn’t it needed a priest / not a mechanic...ha ha ha ....left it for 25 years of bummers... but still consider it the best bike ever.
@@billycaspersghost7528 Hey, the bike was a workhorse and done great, on the way to Italy I didn't plan as well as I should have/plus travelled through that African heat wave that came over in August 2020. I travelled 11hours through France in 40C heat. but my route back from south Italy-Switzerland-Germany-holland was great, the bike had zero issues and one of the best features is the large fuel tank, I think I was getting max 220-240 miles per tank the only thing I would recommend is buying a screen as I got a sore neck on the motorways, but I was hammering the miles in at times which didn't help. (really you want to avoid motorways but that was just planning on my end) I still have the bike and service it myself as it's very simple, my brother was looking to get rid of his Ducati 1200 Multistrada to get a more fun relaxed motoguzzi..
@@911Shac Good to hear that. I bought a V7 III Stone last August. The dealers were giving huge discounts so I bought one instead of the Triumph Street Twin I was going to buy. One of the best things to happen in 44 years of motorcycling . I did buy a screen .A Genuine Moto Guzzi item and it gives me a more comfortable cruise speed but to be honest I/We prefer the back roads. With the screen , big tank ,the shaft drive and my simple throw over luggage ,she is a great tourer for small money. love the bike and it`s simple design suits me. 2 cylinders ,air cooled ,push rod 2 valves per cylinder. Like my BSA`s but actually run. The new one is 850 cc and 65hp but I`m in no hurry. I think I would feel guilty about changing .
Great bikes with plenty of character. Fewer vibes, less oil leaks and more reliable than the British bikes. I toured around Europe in the 80s on a mk1 and mk3 and agree with Terry, they were the best looking Le Mans.
Thats right, pronounce the Bike as it should be. Carlo Guzzi. Next Year is his his “100 st Birthday“. But unfortanetly, they say in Mandello del Lario, where there is the Factory from MOTO GUZZI, that there will be no Party, because of Covid 19. What a shame. Greetings from Lamspringe Germany from DANIEL. Moto Guzzi California III.
I have a soft spot for Italian motorcycles too, in the 1980's I owned two Moto Guzzi's. a 1980 V50 Mk2 and a 1979 SP1000 Mk1. I also owned a 1981 Laverda 1200 and I still have a 1980 Benelli 900 Sei Mk2 which I bought in 1986.
That LeMans sounds pretty nice but i finally bought a Moto Guzzi that sounds fantastic! It's a 2003 California Stone, cruiser style but i love it. Has LaFranconi mufflers. All S.S. exhaust including mufflers. Just wrapped the first section of pipes a few days ago.Bought it north of Seattle and rode it back to the Portland area only in Washington along the Columbia river. Only 5,800 miles on it. A startling change from my 1976 i convert which i have not rode in a few years but i remember well how it was to ride. Now i am slowly doing a semi restomod. I am amazed at this Cali Stone and so glad i didn't wuss out and buy a Honda or something with actual dealers a resonable distance away. Well, to pick sort of an orphen brand in the parts and service realm i think i did good. Sure runs like it will keep doing so forever. IT IS AN 1100cc and to me it has great power and i own an 1100XS Yamaha from 1980. Honestly this feels as strong almost and exceeds what my initial expectations were in every way. Oh, almost forgot. it was just dropped from $3,500 to $2,800 on Facebook Marketplace just a couple of months ago. At 68 it was time to stop dreaming about uncomfortable crotch rockets and i like this a lot. Except that it is one of the lower Cali models. Which i like the simplicity but not so much the lower level of trim. I have chrome spoked rims where as the Cali EV and a few others have spoked alloy Borrani wheels like my i convert i think. No ABS or rider modes which i don't miss. Having never had a bike new enough before. For $2,800 my experience riding south nearly 200 miles was not that different than if i had bought a new or very late model for over 10K so to say i am happy is an understatement.
Mike, I told you about the Ambassador. But on Friday I had spoken to another guy about a nice 87 MG Lemans 1000MK lV. I have the 2000 MG V11 Sport in the lime green and red frame.
Owned a mkIII Lemans mid 90, and have a V11 since 2010. V11 still has the character but with a hydraulic clutch and injection a much easier bike to ride. Remember everything on de LeMans being heavy, but a rewarding ride. But i really love my V11 cafe, really a keeper.
This is easily better than praying, Mike. On any Sunday! Australia saw a lot of Guzzi’s introduced after many riders liking the power, speed and reliability but not the handling of the Japanese super bikes wanted a cross between the two markets. Something between the English and Japanese bikes and who also did not like the “0utlaw” tag, or attention the Harley riders got. The police here had also moved to the Japanese super bikes and these big Italian motorcycles: Guzzi, Laverda & Ducatti etc could still out pace them. Along with the big English triples and the big 850 Commando they were all unofficially considered at that time as a motorcyclists motorcycle.
Thanks Dave &Terry for showing those Guzzi's and Mike for the excellent video! BTW if anyone doubts that Guzzi's aren't cool, watch this video ruclips.net/video/_jAb0kWJHxY/видео.html.
George Martin not quite Fellini - and never heard a bango playing in an Italian film before , though it does feel a bit Carry On or Benny Hill. I presume the photo box is in the middle of the Rome International Airport.
Saw a Guzzi 850 Le Mans in 1977/8. the original Le Mans in the front window of a London bike shop.....next day I went in and bought it its price was 1,999 pounds ....
Great! I am kind of a Guzzi-fan - I still remember looking to a 1981 1000 Le Mans and listening the Lafranconi open "silencers" in an empty car hall... It was for sale and I decided to wait a little to have a good bargain! Fail!
When I was in my teens in the 1970's, before I could legally ride, the ONLY bike I wanted was a Guzzi, the T3 not the Le mans, oddly (although my fantasy involved immediately bringing the T3 engine up to Le Mans spec/tune). Never happened in the end :-(. However, a friend of mine's brother bought a black/gold Le Mans II (1980?) and then promptly returned to his native Argentina, leaving the bike in Alex's shed (nice and dry). Alex also rode bikes but just wasn't interested in the Le Mans at all (I just couldn't understand it), he had more of a penchant for cruisers. So guess what? I ended up borrowing the Le Mans for weeks and months at time. Loved it's rude'n'crude nature, and It was something of a babe magnet, I have to say.
Great pair Guzzi’s, nice to hear a bit of their histories. Always fancied a Le Mans mk2. I worked in a Honda main dealers, which was a Triumph (Hinckley), Ducati and Moto Guzzi dealers as well, spent many a hour servicing these wonderful machines 😀 They indeed move the the soul 🙏 Pity about the ad half way through 😏 Have a great week Mike, all the best to you all 👍
Hi David, thanks a lot for your great comment as always. Hmm, sorry about the Ad. I don't know how that happened but I have just turned it off. It sometimes adds them to longer videos when I'm uploading them and I forget to turn it off. I find them distracting myself. Cheers, Mike
The V7 first saw light of day in 1967, the 750 Commando in 1968, they were rivals. They were both 48hp, both long and lean. The original V7 evolved into the "big block" bikes you see here. The current V7 is the "small block" motor.
Hi Mike, recently discovered your channel and I have really enjoyed every episode. Though I personally don't ride motorcycles I have worked on many of them over the years as most of my family does ride. I love the mechanical aspect of them and your series on restoring your Vincent Rapide was very good. Be safe and keep the videos coming!
Interesting, I had a LM V with linked brakes and found the system to be very effective and user friendly. I also had a V 50, ditto the brakes. I've had bikes without linked brakes too, just fine.
Mike thanks for the video on the Guzzi's They sound pretty good, but not quiet like the Commandos or Triumphs and BSAs. Still prefer the Brit Bikes! Thanks again so much to another Brit bike lover! Tom
Yes, when you see a double zz, its pronounced tt, not tee, tee, as in the T for Touch, Talk, got it. great - Oh, great as always and especially the Guzzi
Hi Mike, a beautiful brace of guzzies, always fancied one of those things or maybe a Laverda, there’s just something about that type of V twin that calls to me. Really not a fan of BMW’s. nice video Mike. 😎👍👍👍🇬🇧🏍
Probably if I'd the choice it would be the le mans for me seems a bit more analogue and interactive than the newer one,, might have a bit more work to do if it's left sitting though,,, from Northern Ireland greatly appreciated thank you and your mates ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️👍
I have a black V11 Le Man's which is a fantastic machine full of character. People pronounce the name in different ways, goozie, gootzie but in Northern Ireland we call them Guzzys.... But hey it doesn't really matter. They're a fantastic machine...
Nearly bought a brand new MK1 back in the day. You needed long arms and short legs to fit it properly, so I decided to pass. Thanks for showing these Italian classics.
Jump on a 1200, Aidan. ‘Goot Si’ ; ), changed the seating urgomomics away from the uncomfortable and unadjustable ‘rail’ experience you get on long distance rides on the earlier models. The MK2 here has a Corbin seat for the same reasons, I’m sure. Still, wouldn’t flinch to own a 750ss or v7 Sports. Best
I'd say one would be spoilt for choice here if I hadn't been loving the Le Mans III since it came out. Never bought one though. I went the Ducati Pantah way but there are times I regret I never got a for Guzzi.
Well done Terry! Your Italian isn't bad :) Love the Guzzis in your videos, the other one with the 750 Ambassador is a gem. I live in northern Italy and own a carbed 1997 Nevada 750. Right now I'm keeping my eye on the ads for a V11 Le Mans, or an early 80s 850T3. As Dave in the video put it: "it's some kind of crazy", I couldn't agree more! Most Italian bikers say that "to be a Guzzista is basically a medical condition". (But this could be applied to Ducatis as well.) By the way you've got some kind of North of England accent, but I can't pin it down to one place... are you originally from Sheffield or upper north by chance? I've got some friends from there, you remember me of them speaking Keep up with those sweet videos, hope the fires will end soon!
Hi Eugenio! Many thanks for your kind and funny comments 😉. I'm glad that you like the videos. They are a pleasure to make and it is so much fun to have friends visit and talk about their great bikes. I have really enjoyed seeing the Italian motorcycles. Yes, I am from the north of England (Lancashire/Yorkshire) and have a funny accent now that it is blended with some American 😉 Best wishes, Mike
![1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador 750 [visit 26 of 31]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nEiyx3b3_TY/mqdefault.jpg)
![1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador 750 [visit 26 of 31]](/img/tr.png)
I have a Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic, a reprise of the 1970's v7 Sport, which was one of the first super bikes from Europe. After 40 years not having a bike, it's the perfect fit for me as it's not crazy horsepower, but handles really well in the curves as that's the kind of roads I have here, on the coast of California. It's a bike I understand, no surprises, and lets me live my youth again, much to the chagrin of my wife!
Just picked up a LM1 last week. One of the first shipped to the USA in 76. One of the few 70s bikes that is dependable and rideable today. Good brakes, power and handling.
LeMans I is getting to be a very desirable bike. I believe the price is starting to reflect that. Kind of strange since the wheelbase is a bit long and it is on the heavy side. From what i know they are good for clicking thru the miles and really does fit best into the sport touring genre. If you can adapt to the riding position long enough to get far they are a good bike for it.
Guzzis are so cool. They sound like a small block V8, which is awesome.
One of best looking bikes ever made IMO.
I owned the first incarnation of the 850 Le Mans in about 1979 it was a series 2 with the rectangular tail light. I looked in the store window and thought I just gotta have that beast, hell, it looked like it was doing 120mph on the stand. This model was never the Mk1. it was just 850 Lemans. In looks it was streets ahead of anything the Japanese had on offer. A friend owned a Laverda Jota at the same time. It was the heyday of the Italian super bikes the afore mentioned plus the Ducati 900SS. My Guzzi cost a pound or so shy of 2000 pounds, while the Duke was about 2,300 pounds......It rocked to the right when you blipped the throttle...The carbs sucked in birds if they flew too close to the bell mouths .happy days posing....Hay! girls look at my machinery!!
Had a LeMans III in Norway, LeMans IV as a US Guzzi dealer and now have a Norge 8VGT. Definitely connected with this video.
Those V11 Sports are really nice. I bought one of the 2001 limited edition V11 Sport Rosso Mandello models brand new. I rode it for 17 years and sold it to a friend (Surj Gish, editor of CityBike) in San Francisco in 2017 to raise money to buy my 1950 Vincent Meteor. I first test rode a V11 Sport in Holland at Teo Lamers (we had no Guzzi dealer in San Antonio). I remember signing a release form in Dutch in order to ride a demo bike they had. To this day, I have no idea what I gave away in signing that release - they probably own my house. In any case, I loved the bike and bought the Rosso Mandello from my closest dealer (MPH in Houston). Magni in Italy makes some wonderful sinuous black megaphones for the V11 Sports. They sound extremely raucous. Thanks, as always, to you and Dave for sharing!
Mike Battle
As far as Italian bikes, I have owned a ducati 860, moto morini 500 camel, laverda 3cl 1000, cagiva 650, and currently have a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 and a 2013 Moto Guzzi Stone 750. Have owned several German bikes to include BMW and Zundaps. Grew up with British bikes--meaning Triumph and BSA. Have never been interested in Harley. Owned several Suzuki's to include 2-stroke models and the Wankel rotary 750. The Moto Guzzis have been my favorite above all the rest. Quirky, reliable, tractor-like in that the Japanese "refinement" is not there--but if you love just being connected to machinery and sound--Moto Guzzi!
1 year ago
Own a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT that carried me 130 miles on one cylinder at highway speed (even passed other cars) when a plug wire crapped out on a Sunday morning and no options for replacement. Also own a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone and love its handling, lighter weight, and quality of manufacturing. Have owned Kawasaki, Suzuki, Moto Morini, Laverda, BMW, Triumph, BSA, Zundapp, Indian and will ALWAYS STAY WITH GUZZI!!!
Truer words never been spoken.
Motto Guzzi Moves the soul.
When I was setting up the ignition timing on my MkII Le Mans the flywheel marks were annotated D and S. Thankfully we were taught Latin in school, and Italian for Right and Left is just about the same. You never know when an education in the Classics will come in handy.
Sinistra & Dextra!
@@timhicks2154 sinistra i destra
Never fancied or thought to much about MG, but that doesn't stop me enjoying listening to Dave & Terry talking about theirs.
Thanks to them for making it to 'The Cul-de-sac' history book, & thank you Mike for stitching.the footage together.
atvb t ..
Thanks Mike, I've always had a soft sport for Moto Guzzis, especially the Le Mans.
A Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 and a Norton Commando MK III - believe me, this is a fantastic garage 😉
I had a LeMans 3 for many years. Finest of the LeMans marque.
Still at the drooling over everyone else's Guzzi's
Just managed to find my poor man's Guzzi, a 1982 Honda CX650 !
But keeping my eyes open for the right Guzzi for what I am looking for !
Two gorgeous bikes gentlemen !
Thanks for taking the time to share them with us !
Thank you very much for your great comment! Best wishes, Mike
A nice pair of Guzzi's. Certainly unique in their configuration. I remember reading about the legendary Moto Guzzi V8 in the magazines back in the late 60's, and fantasizing about ever seeing one for real. Like the saying goes, " variety is the spice of life".
Hy from Germany to Ontario! You drive 850 Le mans, I' m 850T3 Cali from 1978. These bikes are brothers. Just beautiful! Enjoi
your rides! Thomas
This is an awesome video Mike - thanks for posting! I know I had mentioned the '84 LM III in a previous video and think Terry really captured the essence of owning a MG when he stated "MG captures the soul"...I watched with quite the sentimental tear at my heart for my red 84 LM III in the final shots as he pulled away. I've never got over owning that beaut more than 30 years after letting her go. Thanks again for posting this - it made my Sunday morning even more glorious that it usually is...
Many thanks to you too for such a great note! So glad that you enjoyed it. I loved seeing how passionate the guys were about their bikes. It was a really fun video to make. Best wishes, Mike
I love it every time he says 'moto goosie'
I love this !
My first V11 was green exactly like yours .Kermit 🐸. The V11s are such a great bike
モトグッチ、大好きバイクです。観てるだけで 心 踊りますねー。良い映像をありがとうございます。
こんにちはマモ、素敵なコメントありがとうございます。よろしくお願いします、マイク
Oh MY ! Feel the rumble... Yes I understand the Italian fever! All to well. After a week of wrenching and riding my Brit iron, I think I will take the 900SS out today for a shot at the twistys. Thanks Mike for another great entry and an enjoyable cuppa on Sunday morning.
The best looking motorcycle in the history of the universe is the Moto Guzzi lario/1986.. it is a Lemans style, but they gave it a different name because it’s a 650..
I have had for Moto Guzzi’s since 1979.. they ain’t perfect. They have their little glitches, but, I have never been stranded, or had to wait for parts.
One of the machines in this video is the V11 sport.. I had one. I love the motor. That’s why I bought it after the first test ride which lasted about 15 minutes. I should have taken the machine for an hour at least on that first test ride, because, that was the most uncomfortable motorcycle I ever had. I have never had problems with my kneew ever, until I bought that V 11 sport. I could not ride that machine for more than an hour at a time, and when I got off of it, I had to walk around for a few minutes to revive my knees. I know that the foot pegs without rubber on them to absorb the vibes had a lot to do with it.It’s amazing how just having a rubber on the foot pegs does isolate you a lot. I tried everything to civilize that machine. I eliminated the clip on bars, I drilled the upper triple clamp and installed perches. For low handlebars, I had a set from my old CB 400 F that I put on there. I bought a Corbin seat. That seat put my balls to sleep within 10 minutes because their seat had a hump the roads to meet the gas tank for some reason.I installed Buell Ulysses foot pegs which bolt right on,They are about 1.5 inches lower which helped out a lot. I put a small 14 inch fly screen windshield on, I installed foam grips....All of these mods helped a great deal, but that machine is a knee Buster. I don’t know what it is about that machine, maybe it’s the angle combined by the width and the vibes. I have owned sport bikes before, I road raced for eight years,rds,tz250,ect, so that writing position is not something new to me, but I tried for two years to symbolize that machine and I had to give up. I ended up buying a Norge, which is one of the most comfortable motorcycles I have ever owned.
I have owned dozens of motorcycles ..The V 11 sport is by far the most uncomfortable machine I ever rode. Anyone considering buying one, make sure you take it out for at least an hour test ride. You will probably not find one that has high miles on it..
As for that Le Mans. An acquaintance of mine is also a Guzzi fan..He has a mid-1980s LeMans. He is a good rider..He bought the machine new. He takes it on track days, he goes out with the guys to try to find the gnarliest most technical roads. He swears that he redlines that machine every time he rides it.. he has never had the motor apart, it has over 100,000 miles on it..
Big Brit and Guzzi fan here.
Owned a lot of both and older Harleys.
Still have my very non std T140 i bought new in in 1979. Thats 41 years and counting.
Still have my 1989 very non std Guzzi Cali lll i bought around 1999, thats 21 years of ownership.
A big regret was selling one of those 8V Centauros that i had, with that BRG gorgeous paint. Another was a 2001 V11.
Identical to this one. Red frame, lime green tank, flyscreen, aftermarket pipes, seat cowl, wonderful motorcycle.
Sigh.
My first bike has been a 2004 MG Nevada. Boatloads of fun, snarls like a wild cat on bad whiskey, and makes me fight to get into first gear almost every time, unless I get her rolling just a little bit first. We fight now and again, and I take wrenches to her insides, then we make up and play some more. Best relationship I've had in years.
I have friends with Harleys, friends with Valkyries, who tease me for only having 750 cc's, but you know what? My Guzzi and I are the only two like us in town; a touch of class and a handful of mischief.
That V11 is fine! ... and he is right -- Italian bikes... I learned how to speak some Italian when I owned Ducati's, so I could talk to her and tell her how beautiful she was in her native language
These kind of films... what a brilliant idea
Thanks for the Guzzi fix. My last new bike was a MG 850 Stone Metal. Great bike
Nice Moto Guzzi's and I have a Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans 2 1980 White Black original color, and renewed this Winter the ignition parts and inside the gas tank cleaning !
In love. . . watching twice.
The Le Mans is prob the best looking motorcycle ever ...mind you that seat would have to go !
Yes also the owner looks like an awesome guy ahah
Splendid Sunday morning movie . I remember back in the 70s Guzzis were popular with people with short legs . Love the Le mans though ..
Great video and it’s fantastic to see some Guzzi action! Lovely pair of bikes. Have to say there’s something very smart about that MkIII!
What a treat.Rode an 850 T3 back in the 70's.Like the self retracting sidestand on the Le Mans.Reminds me of my '55 AJS Model 18.Really good editing Mike.
Had a Guzzi in the 70's for eight years. Soon after began my affair with Harley Davidson. Hay! Nobody's perfect!
Another good one Mike. Thanks
I rode an 81 La Mans for ten years.... Got in a lot of trouble having the best of times ( when it ran... it RAN, when it didn’t it needed a priest / not a mechanic...ha ha ha ....left it for 25 years of bummers... but still consider it the best bike ever.
love them, I have a Moto Guzzi V7iii special and I'm leaving on Thursday to travel through Europe on it
How did that work out?
@@billycaspersghost7528 Hey, the bike was a workhorse and done great, on the way to Italy I didn't plan as well as I should have/plus travelled through that African heat wave that came over in August 2020.
I travelled 11hours through France in 40C heat.
but my route back from south Italy-Switzerland-Germany-holland was great, the bike had zero issues and one of the best features is the large fuel tank, I think I was getting max 220-240 miles per tank
the only thing I would recommend is buying a screen as I got a sore neck on the motorways, but I was hammering the miles in at times which didn't help. (really you want to avoid motorways but that was just planning on my end)
I still have the bike and service it myself as it's very simple, my brother was looking to get rid of his Ducati 1200 Multistrada to get a more fun relaxed motoguzzi..
@@911Shac Good to hear that.
I bought a V7 III Stone last August.
The dealers were giving huge discounts so I bought one instead of the Triumph Street Twin I was going to buy.
One of the best things to happen in 44 years of motorcycling .
I did buy a screen .A Genuine Moto Guzzi item and it gives me a more comfortable cruise speed but to be honest I/We prefer the back roads.
With the screen , big tank ,the shaft drive and my simple throw over luggage ,she is a great tourer for small money.
love the bike and it`s simple design suits me.
2 cylinders ,air cooled ,push rod 2 valves per cylinder.
Like my BSA`s but actually run.
The new one is 850 cc and 65hp but I`m in no hurry.
I think I would feel guilty about changing .
So true, the quote..." if you're a bike guy and you sell a bike you're definitely buying guarantee another bike with the most ey. You don't save it. "
hehe, it's only going to get spent on bills otherwise 🙂
Thank you Gentlemen, to own a early LeMans has always been a dream of mine. 🇺🇸🏍
Gootsie as in footsie. Wish I still had either of my Mk2 or Mk3 LeMans'.
Love my Guzzi's and love my Nortons, they definitely compliment each other
Great bikes with plenty of character. Fewer vibes, less oil leaks and more reliable than the British bikes. I toured around Europe in the 80s on a mk1 and mk3 and agree with Terry, they were the best looking Le Mans.
Yet another dissing my MkII.
Guzzi’s are cool! Especially with the starter motor that looks like it belongs in my Chevy truck.
There’s nothing like the sound and looks of a sporting Moto Guzzi.
Nice had a moto guzzi calie mk3 in1976 great for long distances
Beautiful beautiful bikes!
Red one for me.
Good morning Mike something different today .. I went touring with a guy to the pyrenees and he was on a sport same as Daves. Hero, lol take care 🙂
Dave, please listen to Terry - it's pronounced "Goot si".
Give the poor sheltered guy a break,,,he didn't even know what "bonjourno" means...
Actually they both have it wrong. The “u” in Guzzi is pronounced like the oo in book, not the oo in boo.
Except in lombard, where it's "Goosie". They're made in Lombardy, the "u" becomes "oo" and the "zz" a long "s", no glottal stop "t"
@@quonston in english the "oo" in book can be pronounced like the "oo" in boo, regional.variation.
Thats right, pronounce the Bike as it should be. Carlo Guzzi. Next Year is his his “100 st Birthday“. But unfortanetly, they say in Mandello del Lario, where there is the Factory from MOTO GUZZI, that there will be no Party, because of Covid 19.
What a shame. Greetings from Lamspringe Germany from DANIEL.
Moto Guzzi California III.
Ufffffff BEAUTIFUL BIKES NICE CLEAN 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I just love Guzzis!
I have a soft spot for Italian motorcycles too, in the 1980's I owned two Moto Guzzi's. a 1980 V50 Mk2 and a 1979 SP1000 Mk1. I also owned a 1981 Laverda 1200 and I still have a 1980 Benelli 900 Sei Mk2 which I bought in 1986.
Gotta love a Goose. Love my LMIV.
I like mine as well
Love that Le Mans 3, other than the LM1 bike best looking in the series for me. Looks great in red, maybe even better in white
That LeMans sounds pretty nice but i finally bought a Moto Guzzi that sounds fantastic! It's a 2003 California Stone, cruiser style but i love it. Has LaFranconi mufflers. All S.S. exhaust including mufflers. Just wrapped the first section of pipes a few days ago.Bought it north of Seattle and rode it back to the Portland area only in Washington along the Columbia river. Only 5,800 miles on it. A startling change from my 1976 i convert which i have not rode in a few years but i remember well how it was to ride. Now i am slowly doing a semi restomod. I am amazed at this Cali Stone and so glad i didn't wuss out and buy a Honda or something with actual dealers a resonable distance away. Well, to pick sort of an orphen brand in the parts and service realm i think i did good. Sure runs like it will keep doing so forever. IT IS AN 1100cc and to me it has great power and i own an 1100XS Yamaha from 1980. Honestly this feels as strong almost and exceeds what my initial expectations were in every way. Oh, almost forgot. it was just dropped from $3,500 to $2,800 on Facebook Marketplace just a couple of months ago. At 68 it was time to stop dreaming about uncomfortable crotch rockets and i like this a lot. Except that it is one of the lower Cali models. Which i like the simplicity but not so much the lower level of trim. I have chrome spoked rims where as the Cali EV and a few others have spoked alloy Borrani wheels like my i convert i think. No ABS or rider modes which i don't miss. Having never had a bike new enough before. For $2,800 my experience riding south nearly 200 miles was not that different than if i had bought a new or very late model for over 10K so to say i am happy is an understatement.
I rode a buddy's red mk3 like the one there in the mid 80's and I was impressed,I think it had integral braking.
I think the 2001 green sport is the best looking Guzzi ever. I have 2 a 2020v7 and v85tt. I really enjoy the Guzzi bikes.
Thank you Mark. Cheers, Mike
Mike, I told you about the Ambassador. But on Friday I had spoken to another guy about a nice 87 MG Lemans 1000MK lV.
I have the 2000 MG V11 Sport in the lime green and red frame.
My old LM3 around town you could never get it past 3rd gear - such a long legged bike
Owned a mkIII Lemans mid 90, and have a V11 since 2010. V11 still has the character but with a hydraulic clutch and injection a much easier bike to ride. Remember everything on de LeMans being heavy, but a rewarding ride. But i really love my V11 cafe, really a keeper.
This is easily better than praying, Mike. On any Sunday! Australia saw a lot of Guzzi’s introduced after many riders liking the power, speed and reliability but not the handling of the Japanese super bikes wanted a cross between the two markets. Something between the English and Japanese bikes and who also did not like the “0utlaw” tag, or attention the Harley riders got. The police here had also moved to the Japanese super bikes and these big Italian motorcycles: Guzzi, Laverda & Ducatti etc could still out pace them. Along with the big English triples and the big 850 Commando they were all unofficially considered at that time as a motorcyclists motorcycle.
Thanks Dave &Terry for showing those Guzzi's and Mike for the excellent video! BTW if anyone doubts that Guzzi's aren't cool, watch this video ruclips.net/video/_jAb0kWJHxY/видео.html.
George Martin not quite Fellini - and never heard a bango playing in an Italian film before , though it does feel a bit Carry On or Benny Hill. I presume the photo box is in the middle of the Rome International Airport.
I love my push button Triumph. Nice bikes.
They are very nice bikes. Dead reliable and decent power. And highly customizable too!
Thank you Mike what a beautiful pair of Guzzi’s
Keep 'em coming please Mike. Mille grazie.
Great video, never had a Guzzi had a couple of Ducatti's, loved them, might be time for a new bike? All the best Lenny, Leicestershire Uk
Isn’t it always time for a new bike?
Saw a Guzzi 850 Le Mans in 1977/8. the original Le Mans in the front window of a London bike shop.....next day I went in and bought it its price was 1,999 pounds ....
Great! I am kind of a Guzzi-fan - I still remember looking to a 1981 1000 Le Mans and listening the Lafranconi open "silencers" in an empty car hall... It was for sale and I decided to wait a little to have a good bargain! Fail!
When I was in my teens in the 1970's, before I could legally ride, the ONLY bike I wanted was a Guzzi, the T3 not the Le mans, oddly (although my fantasy involved immediately bringing the T3 engine up to Le Mans spec/tune). Never happened in the end :-(. However, a friend of mine's brother bought a black/gold Le Mans II (1980?) and then promptly returned to his native Argentina, leaving the bike in Alex's shed (nice and dry). Alex also rode bikes but just wasn't interested in the Le Mans at all (I just couldn't understand it), he had more of a penchant for cruisers. So guess what? I ended up borrowing the Le Mans for weeks and months at time. Loved it's rude'n'crude nature, and It was something of a babe magnet, I have to say.
I think the black and gold Coburn and Hughes' were the best colour combo, and the ad. campaign with the bank manager was brilliant.
2 BEAUTIFUL BIKES GOD BLESS BOTH IN THE ROAD 🙏👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you! You too!
Great Guys..Love their bike 🏍..V11 reminds me of the Early Speed Triple, Colour and tail- Piece.. Another great entertain video..😎🏍🇬🇧🇺🇸🌏
Great video both bikes look really nice stay safe 🇬🇧👍🏻
Nice one🙂
Being of limited height shall we day, I have always had a soft spot for MG. Fine pieces of Italian exotica (except the Mk4).
I have a MK4 and in my opinion it's lines are just as beautiful as the earlier ones,Maybe more so.
Great pair Guzzi’s, nice to hear a bit of their histories. Always fancied a Le Mans mk2.
I worked in a Honda main dealers, which was a Triumph (Hinckley), Ducati and Moto Guzzi dealers as well, spent many a hour servicing these wonderful machines 😀 They indeed move the the soul 🙏
Pity about the ad half way through 😏
Have a great week Mike, all the best to you all 👍
Hi David, thanks a lot for your great comment as always. Hmm, sorry about the Ad. I don't know how that happened but I have just turned it off. It sometimes adds them to longer videos when I'm uploading them and I forget to turn it off. I find them distracting myself. Cheers, Mike
Finally, someone else who likes the MkII's 😎
Thanks 4 this nicely video and many greetings from Mandello del Lario 🇮🇪🤚
Thank you Alberto! Best wishes
@@TheMightyGarage also to U Man and We will waiting next year here! 😉
Beautiful Guzzis😊😊 love them.. great vid brilliant bikes. I ride a V7 😊 Pete
Thanks Pete! 👍
I have the 2000 V11 Sport in. lime green .and 2001 California EV.
The V7 first saw light of day in 1967, the 750 Commando in 1968, they were rivals. They were both 48hp, both long and lean. The original V7 evolved into the "big block" bikes you see here. The current V7 is the "small block" motor.
Nive video. I have a 77 Lemans 850, had a 83 850 Lemans for 13 years when in a I sold it for a K75S.Dumb. Still miss that bike.
At least it wasn't just a regular K75. :-)
@@swooshdave In defense of the K75S it was a very competent bike. And they do seem to run forever.
56cote No need to apologize, you already admitted that you missed the LeMans. 😁
Great Video, Both fantastic machines and very nice to ride.
True about the bleeding mate. I had a Le Mans 111. Le Mans 11 is my thing brother unless I can get my Guzzi paws on a *50 Le Mans
A little something different, thanks to the guys for the stories.
Great video! I had a 1981 V50 Monza. Also had a 1000 LeMans. Two more bikes I should have kept! Oh Well, perhaps I shall learn one day! NOT!!
Hehe, we have all done it Jim, let bikes go that we wish we would have kept hold of! Cheers, Mike
Hi Mike, recently discovered your channel and I have really enjoyed every episode. Though I personally don't ride motorcycles I have worked on many of them over the years as most of my family does ride. I love the mechanical aspect of them and your series on restoring your Vincent Rapide was very good. Be safe and keep the videos coming!
Many thanks Thomas! I really appreciate your note. Best wishes, Mike
Getting One 😎
love the sound of the LM3 , i used to have LM1 but i could not warm up with the ergonomics being 6.3
Both Italian bikes and cars fit people best with long arms and short legs. Of which I have the exact opposite.
@@swooshdave What you mean is someone who resembles a gorilla, which is me, and why I get on so well with my MkII.
Carl Jones Exactly!
LOVE Guzzi's
Interesting, I had a LM V with linked brakes and found the system to be very effective and user friendly. I also had a V 50, ditto the brakes. I've had bikes without linked brakes too, just fine.
Mike thanks for the video on the Guzzi's They sound pretty good, but not quiet like the Commandos or Triumphs and BSAs. Still prefer the Brit Bikes! Thanks again so much to another Brit bike lover! Tom
My pleasure Tom. The Moto Guzzi guys live their bikes and ride them a lot!
Stupende!
Yes, when you see a double zz, its pronounced tt, not tee, tee, as in the T for Touch, Talk, got it. great - Oh, great as always and especially the Guzzi
Hi Mike, a beautiful brace of guzzies, always fancied one of those things or maybe a Laverda, there’s just something about that type of V twin that calls to me. Really not a fan of BMW’s. nice video Mike. 😎👍👍👍🇬🇧🏍
Probably if I'd the choice it would be the le mans for me seems a bit more analogue and interactive than the newer one,, might have a bit more work to do if it's left sitting though,,, from Northern Ireland greatly appreciated thank you and your mates ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️👍
Many thanks Cecil for your nice note. We hope to see more of the Guzzi's this year. Best wishes, Mike
They should bring back the V11. Give Norton's 960 Commando a good run for their money.
with the size of the front rotors on the green bike the brakes must be very efficient
That they are!
Love my SP1000.
I have a black V11 Le Man's which is a fantastic machine full of character. People pronounce the name in different ways, goozie, gootzie but in Northern Ireland we call them Guzzys.... But hey it doesn't really matter. They're a fantastic machine...
Thanks a lot! I hope to see the bikes again in the new year. Best wishes! Mike
Nearly bought a brand new MK1 back in the day. You needed long arms and short legs to fit it properly, so I decided to pass. Thanks for showing these Italian classics.
Jump on a 1200, Aidan. ‘Goot Si’ ; ), changed the seating urgomomics away from the uncomfortable and unadjustable ‘rail’ experience you get on long distance rides on the earlier models. The MK2 here has a Corbin seat for the same reasons, I’m sure. Still, wouldn’t flinch to own a 750ss or v7 Sports. Best
@@KymHammond
Cheers for the advice Kym.
I'd say one would be spoilt for choice here if I hadn't been loving the Le Mans III since it came out. Never bought one though. I went the Ducati Pantah way but there are times I regret I never got a for Guzzi.
Well done Terry!
Your Italian isn't bad :)
Love the Guzzis in your videos, the other one with the 750 Ambassador is a gem.
I live in northern Italy and own a carbed 1997 Nevada 750. Right now I'm keeping my eye on the ads for a V11 Le Mans, or an early 80s 850T3.
As Dave in the video put it: "it's some kind of crazy", I couldn't agree more! Most Italian bikers say that "to be a Guzzista is basically a medical condition".
(But this could be applied to Ducatis as well.)
By the way you've got some kind of North of England accent, but I can't pin it down to one place... are you originally from Sheffield or upper north by chance?
I've got some friends from there, you remember me of them speaking
Keep up with those sweet videos, hope the fires will end soon!
Hi Eugenio! Many thanks for your kind and funny comments 😉. I'm glad that you like the videos. They are a pleasure to make and it is so much fun to have friends visit and talk about their great bikes. I have really enjoyed seeing the Italian motorcycles. Yes, I am from the north of England (Lancashire/Yorkshire) and have a funny accent now that it is blended with some American 😉 Best wishes, Mike
Bellissimo!