Modern Vespa

We recently have had number of post regarding new bike acquisition such as Royal Enfield or Ural. My new bike arrived today to Toronto and is still in the crate. It is from Piaggio family and it is not Moto Guzzi V85TT and it is NOT scooter, anybody likes to take a guess what's in the box?

Aprilia then? Dorsoduro?

No, it is Moto Guzzi. I've never owned anything but Vespa and Moto Guzzi, I hope it helps

MGX-21 would be cool!

Sure hope that Yamaha in the holed box is OK.
O.S.

Well, the picture was taken couple weeks ago in Quebec City just before they shipped my bike to Toronto. The problem they had to deal with is the collapsed roof of the storage where they kept most of bikes, snowmobiles, etc. Way too much snow accumulation and roof which eventually gave up

Harbinger: you are very closed, MGX-21 was a strong contender but I have to admit I chicken out and picked something more 'main-stream' with a touch of retro look

Roamer?

It would be nice to see a picture of a brand new Eldorado...so that's my quess, knowing that it's hard to describe as mainstream

It's just one of those bikes I have absolutely no interest in owning one, not even really riding one, but it's nice that some do - they just look sooo nice in the old school style.

Every guzzi is a great one. Cannot wait to see it.

It is a V85 TT?

I like the way you think. My favorite Guzzi at the moment.

come on!!!!

Oh, who gives a toss.

I know something you don't know was a game I played at school.

Drums fingers........

Gets bored.

Walks off.

Bill x

I think we have established Bill does not care. My guess is the other Bill doesn't either as he is too busy riding on his Kymco to Vespa Toronto to see the shop one last time before it moves.

Now I for one am interested...

I'll start.

Is it bigger than a breadbox?

You are right, it is Eldorado. Will post some pictures once dealer finish installing all accessories I ordered.

So, then it is bigger than a breadbox

Looking forward to seeing some pics!

Sorry for not being able to entertain you.

It is bigger than breadbox, a bit bigger/heavier than you BMW. The bike will look identical like the one on the picture below. At this point I'm not sure which pipes should I install, Agostini or Mistral. Mistral pipes sound very nice but they are twice as expensive as Agostini.

Awesome! That's a lot of horses you're going to have under yer butt. We'll have to meet up this summer sometime. I'll bring the Ural or BMW though as the Vespa may seem a bit wee in comparison!

Actually I think there are enough of us on this Vespa forum with bigger bikes that we could get together and do a bit of a road trip. Maybe even a simple ride over to GP Bikes or something like that. Where abouts in TO are you?

Excellent choice!

Beautiful but I prefer a car to something that big. Still...congrats. Very nice.

It's not the fact that I don't care, it's about the teasing.

One thing is interesting to me though and that's the increase of scooter riders moving over to motorcycles.

As I'm one of them I'm probably more aware of it.

That is a really big bike. Too big for me.

Bill x

ryjan
Do you have any long tours planned? I used to have a couple of Guzzi California's a long time back and quite liked them but this looks a lot ... well just a lot. What sort of range do you get on one of those? Does the tool bag in the middle of the windscreen obstruct your sight? can you get your feet on the highway pegs? What's it like to ride?

Yes, the main reason I bought this bike is to use it for long trips. I already own 2016 Moto Guzzi Audace but I don't want to convert it into touring bike, I like it the way it is. Couple months ago I sold my 2009 California Vintage which used to serve as touring bikes. Reasons I sold it:
- bad ergonomics
- the performance was not even close to what 1400 series MG bikes offer now
To answer you question re weight, Cal-Vin was 580lbs, Audace 659, and Eldorado 700lbs. I always take 700lbs bike if it provide performance and ride stability.
Range, I cannot say much about Eldorado, but my Audace is able to cover at least 250km on the tank of gas which is very similar to my 2009 Cal-Vin.
The picture I posted is NOT of my bike but my intentions are to make it look very similar. Couple things you are not going to see on my bike are any tool bags on windshield or tank bags. Still not 100% sure about top case but this accessory may end up on my bike because it is very handy to have despite the fact I hate top cases.
The last couple question I will be able to elaborate about once I get my bike and put few miles on it. "the highway pegs", I have to admit this is my #1 concern. If they are anything like Cal-Vin then I have to say I make mistake buying this bike. But... I sat on the bike number of times (bike was tight up in the front wheel choke) and it felt great.

This bike will be very similar to my Audace, just a bit heavier but I don't thing it will be any problems. I started riding motorcycles 4 years ago at age of 61 and my first ride was 2014 Vespa GTV 300. Next year I bought Audace and I've never had problems handling it. The Eldorado will be great touring bike and I'm sure you will understand the concept of having bikes for specific task.

I would love to meet you and have a look at your new Ural, this looks like amazing bike. I'm quite familiar with Ural bikes, I grow up in Poland and Ural, IZ (https://www.google.com/search?q=iz+motorcycles&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=tbZ_PO9e4IvEXM%253A%252CRpLD4hK31_9BOM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSrO_l9EdpsZhMfLjFQwvsvXDs77Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWq8TZi6HhAhVxxFkKHb1GAA8Q9QEwAHoECAgQBA#imgrc=nE8hmooPire8bM:&vet=1), etc. were quite popular.

I'm very closed to Lawrence and Black Creek, North York. It would be great to meet more local scooter/motorcycle enthusiasts and ride together, I'm open to any suggestions.

Thank you all for kind comments and participation, this includes you Bill. I agree 100%, this was not the best way to introduce my new bike. Promise to do better next time

congrats.
I am guessing bigger bikes besides added power give one some heft on the highway.
I used to ride a Triumph Bonneville, now I ride the Vespa and feel fine, I know many who have gone on long road trips on a Vespa, I doubt Ill do many long road trips on my Vespa.
How easy or difficult is it to maneuver these bikes in the city or one tends to avoid heavy stop go city traffic on such beautiful big bikes.

I'm with you on top cases.

Not only are they ugly ( apart from then they mounted to maxi- scooters) they make bikes top heavy.

Bikes are so much sexier with just panniers.

Even a GTS , ( which lets face it is the best looking scooter of all time ) looks bulky and uncomfortable with a top case.

Bill x

Yes! That is a cool bike, congratulations!

I really like the looks of this bike, I think it is the ultimately coolest big cruiser available today.

I'm surprised of myself saying this, but I think the top box goes quite nicely with the stylish panniers in the picture.

Seems you're familiar with large Guzzis, but I have to mention- not to dampen anyone's parade- I owned a new California Touring 1400 for a short time. For whatever reason, (steering geometry?) the thing just wanted to keep turning in on itself in turns. Didn't matter low speed, high speed, wide radius turns or narrow. It took muscle to keep it pointed where you wanted to go. After a long day's ride, when you're tiring, it would surprise you. I felt it was downright dangerous. And after I mentioned that on another forum, others chimed in that they felt the same. And I'm not a stranger to large sized, heavy bikes. I had been a motor cop on a Harley and I've owned about 10 BMW baggers and never experienced this.


Oh, and they don't seem to hold their value. Mine was optioned out, over $22,000 and I bought it at less than a year old with 1200 miles on it for $10,000.


Most beautiful bike I ever saw though. I would go out and just look at it in the garage some nights. I sooo wanted to like it.

Looks just like a police bike in a Clint Eastwood movie!

Very beautiful, but Corazzieri version for the escort of our President of the Republic is the maximum.

Today, the bike was finally delivered to the local MG dealer where all accessories will be installed. Since weather today was very nice I jumped on my Audace (first time since August 25th last year) and went to see my new ride. I have to admit I liked what I saw, I liked it very much. The dealer will install new rear rack which then can be used to put top case on it, the side panniers, engine guards, handle bar, and spot/fog lights. I will probably get mistral pipes but before I spend another $1.6K I like to see how original pipes sound.

I don't thing the weight of bike has any negative impact on riding in the city (stop and go traffic). The more important thing is the size, having side panniers limits the opportunity to filter. Line splitting in Ontario is illegal so this one is not a factor. The most demanding thing riding in go/stop traffic is constant use of clutch. This is, in my opinion, the huge advantage of scooters such Vespa with twist and go "arrangement".

I've never owned California 1400 Touring, not even had a chance to sit on one so it is hard for me to connect on this bike. One thing for sure it is very beautiful bike, specifically painted white. I own 2016 Audace and if my new Eldorado will handle anything like Audace I will be very happy.

Thank you!

I recently purchased an older BMW touring bike (2001 R1100RT) that weighs 620 lbs/282 Kg. Surprisingly, its the same length as my Vespa GTV with top case (both about 84") and about the same width at the handlebars but the (removable) sidecases add about 4" to the overall width. The BMW just looks a lot bigger because the ~7 gallon gas tank rides up pretty high and the fairing is large but in reality, it really isn't that different in terms of length and width.

I have found the most difficult thing about riding a heavy bike is low speed maneuvers. The weight on the front wheel is considerably heavier on the BMW and the much wider front tire creates considerable friction on the road making it challenging to keep in a straight line when going slow because the center-of-gravity can change dramatically and its hard left or right to compensate. The Vespa feels like a bicycle in comparison. On the Vespa, you can turn full left/tight and back quickly without a lot of effort. Not so on my bigger bike.The 7 gallons of gas makes the BMW considerably top heavy too so you can't tip it too far over because it can be quite heavy to hold up if you have to. I never experienced that on the Vespa.

A consequence of that is that when I come to a stop, I keep my focus forward till I come to a stop and I have both feet on the ground. Then I turn my gaze to look at cross traffic. On the vespa, it was all one smooth motion. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I've been focused on low speed operation for a while, like stopping cleanly and under control at stop lights to avoid getting off balance. Another skill I'm working on is simultaneously using the clutch, throttle and rear brake to control the bike at low speed. Something I never worried about with the Vespa. There's a technique that must be mastered and I'll get it at some point. I practice all the time. The goal is to be able to turn the bike on a narrow road without duckwalking.

Once underway, the BMW is more comfortable and easy to ride even in the twists but I don't ride hard and fast. If you want to go fast you can: 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds tho I've not tested it. MY GTV250 does 0-60 mph in 14 seconds wide open throttle.

I think it was Harbinger that "advised" me to take it easy and get to know the bike and its dynamics.I've put about 1100 miles on it and I'm still learning. I probably won't take Ms Miguel on it for another 1100 miles, that will be whole new dynamic.

The clutch isn't hard to master (its been decades since I rode a shifty), but in tight quarters and traffic you find yourself shifting all the time.

Hope that helps.
Miguel

Your Guzzi is gorgeous! I've always loved them.

When I test rode many bikes at the last Spring, I was reminded how dramatic difference weight distribution and the set-up of steering makes.

My last contenders were a BMW F750GS and Triumph Street Scrambler.
On the road, surprisingly similar bikes to ride, both twisties and straights.

But in walking speed: after riding 5min with the BMW, I could easily turn tight circles and eights. After one summer, it's still difficult with the Triumph, as the steering locks too early (the biggest downer) and has a bit different geometry.

Triumph also is a bit more top heavy - not a big issue, but it feels a bit when manouvering the bike at walking speed.

BMW was a bit heavier at 224kg, my Triumph is 213kg - but it definitely feels the other way round.

And as this is not a hobby to be mixed with pure logic, I of course chose the Triumph
It has good ergonomy which is a must for me to enjoy riding, rides nicely at speed (naked bike speeds, that is) and is tolerable at low speeds... and I fell in love with the engine

I find BMW bikes handle amazingly well. They aren't going to handle like a Vespa, it's a simply a matter of weight wheel size and wheel base. My C650GT and GTV handling's every differently but I am as comfortable on both. The BMW took a while to get used to and yes it's not something you want to tip at first as it is a LOT of weight (650 pds) to hold up. Now that I'm used to it I think nothing of it. I can lazily out a foot down and hold the bike up. I don't know what changed as I can't really think of what I'm doing differently. It comes down to muscle memory and just learning the bike I suppose. The Vespa feels like a toy in comparison which makes it a blast to ride. I'm 5'11' and about 185 pds so no small guy. I could see a few inches less make riding bikes harder as it seems most saddles are really made for people at least 5' 9". I know you can get shorter saddles but unless the bike is designed with that in mind I have to think there is a small difference.

One more thing I will say for BMW. You can literally let go of the bars and the bike will ride itself it is that well balanced. The Vespa? Oh god no! Think about taking your hands off the bars at that magic speed (about 40 kmh) and the front end will shake like a camp councillor in Friday the 13th when Jason shows up.

Congratulations on the new bike. As the owner of a '73 Eldorado I can't help but love your choice! Here's looking forward to some warmer weather.

Dear ryjan, thanks for buy an italian product ; if you like Moto Guzzi you can buy this one, it's a little old but it has all the pieces; and remember...a Guzzi is forever.

Congrats! That thing will eat up the highway. While you're keeping everyone in suspense, here's a pic of my V7 to ease the tension.

So do you have it yet??