Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

[mangocrazy]

I have to say I really, REALLY like the look of this. It has the right blend of tradition and new tech, and looks like it will be fun to ride from a performance and handling viewpoint. I also think it looks bloody lovely. Here's the official web page:

https://www.motoguzzi.com/en_EN/v100-mandello/

The only bit I'm lukewarm about is the speed-actuated fairing inserts. I mean - why not just make them part of the overall fairing design and save some pennies? I very much like the way they've turned the cylinder heads through 90 degrees and made them water-cooled and 4v DOHC. I could even live with the shaft drive.

Unfortunately unless I receive a windfall exceeding £15k I doubt very much whether it will ever grace the hallowed portals of Mango Towers.

But I still think it's the best thing Moto Guzzi have produced in decades.

[KungFooBob]

The only bit I'm lukewarm about is the speed-actuated fairing inserts.

But then they wouldn't be able to say that it was the worlds first production motorcycle with active aero.

[mangocrazy]

The only bit I'm lukewarm about is the speed-actuated fairing inserts.

But then they wouldn't be able to say that it was the worlds first production motorcycle with active aero.

Yeah, s'pose. Manufacturers are like kids when it comes to bragging rights...

[Mr. Dazzle]

I love it, all except the new heads. Liquid cool it and 4v it for sure, that's fine. But those sideways exhausts just look weird

I can see WHY...it just looks odd.

[mangocrazy]

I love it, all except the new heads. Liquid cool it and 4v it for sure, that's fine. But those sideways exhausts just look weird

I can see WHY...it just looks odd.

Yeah, it does take a bit of getting used to, but the space saved is a major benefit. Over 100mm shaved off the wheelbase allegedly.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Looks like a late 70s BMW R100RS

[GuzziPaul]

On old Guzzis the spark plugs/caps are vulnerable should you drop the bike, I did both sides on seperate occasions on my old bike without head guards. I suspect the exhaust headers will get a bit damaged in a spill.
I'm waiting for the modern version of a Le Mans (and the money to buy it) and suprised MG havn;t done one yet, maybe this will be the engine they use.

[Dickyboy]

Riding position looks way too upright for me, back end is calling out for a tail tidy & bigger hugger, whilst the front mudguard looks like it has as much covered as a Newcastle lass on a night out. Any head guards are gonna be fuggly to protect exhausts & if that was only done to shorten the wheelbase MG are gonna loose a few die hard fans?

[mangocrazy]

Riding position looks way too upright for me, back end is calling out for a tail tidy & bigger hugger, whilst the front mudguard looks like it has as much covered as a Newcastle lass on a night out. Any head guards are gonna be fuggly to protect exhausts & if that was only done to shorten the wheelbase MG are gonna loose a few die hard fans?

MG are positioning this as a tourer, so a more upright riding position fits with that. Agree that for a tourer the mudguard/hugger are a bit on the skimpy side, but MG are also aiming at the roadster market. In an off Guzzis have always been vulnerable to heads etc getting damaged, so that's nothing new. And this is the first (and currently only) bike showcasing the new engine. The rest of the range will continue with the old 2v air-cooled motors, so the old-skool Guzzi fans will still have plenty of choice.

[The Spin Doctor]

On old Guzzis the spark plugs/caps are vulnerable should you drop the bike, I did both sides on seperate occasions on my old bike without head guards. I suspect the exhaust headers will get a bit damaged in a spill.
I'm waiting for the modern version of a Le Mans (and the money to buy it) and suprised MG havn;t done one yet, maybe this will be the engine they use.

I suspect the engine will get written off in a spill.

My brother's BMW1200 has just been written off... walking pace bump, but the van that hit him (he was actually stopped already) clipped the crash bar and ripped the mounting bolt out - apparently it's bolted to the cases. Five years old, virtually zero mileage.

[Cousin Jack]

That looks bloody lovely. Nice to see a new bike that offers some weather protection without also thinking it needs 150+ bhp. It will be expensive, and unfortunately the nearest Guzzi dealer is probably 100 miles away.

[mangocrazy]

I suspect the engine will get written off in a spill.

How is that any different to all the older Guzzis? They're still a 90 degree transverse V configuration, same as it ever was...

[Dickyboy]

I suspect the engine will get written off in a spill.

How is that any different to all the older Guzzis? They're still a 90 degree transverse V configuration, same as it ever was...

Totally agree, I've dropped a lemans V & a Centauro in low speed spills, never had any engine damage, certainly never written off and been able to ride on after too albeit with a bit of plug cap botching.

The exhaust headers on the v100 will be sacrificial though

[The Spin Doctor]

The exhaust headers are bolted to the head.

[mangocrazy]

The exhaust headers are bolted to the head.

I can't really imagine them being anywhere else... ?

As Dickyboy says, it will be the headers that cop it in an off and will to an extent be sacrificial. Better to replace an exhaust header than a cylinder head. At least with this design there is something interposed between cylinder head and tarmac. Think of it as a functional crash bung...

[The Spin Doctor]

My worry is that the headers take the bolts with them.

As I mentioned in my original post, the impact on crash bars ripped the bolts out of the casing on my brother's BMW just a couple of months ago.

The pipes are very exposed and when the bike goes down, the pipe won't just be crushed, it'll be pulled backward.

I may be wrong... but we'll see.

[Scootabout]

There seems to be no sign of a release date yet, and still no price given. Seems a long time since it was announced. Could there be a problem with its production? Or maybe Guzzi are having second thoughts about releasing it?

[KungFooBob]

It's Italy.

They'll get round to it when they get round to it

[Mr. Dazzle]

Plus no bugger can actually make cars or bikes at the moment!

[Supermofo]

Guzzi finally make a bike they might need semi conductor chips for and can't get any