Visual Gratification - Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Some time back, I had posted news relating to a new bike from Moto Guzzi and now it has finally happened. Since last EICMA, all motorcycles fans have been anticipating about a Café Racer from Moto Guzzi based on the V7 Classic. Well, the expected V7 Clubman, nee V7 Racer (as it has been named) is here finally. Now that the final version is out, we can very well say that not deviating too much from its concept models, Moto Guzzi has delivered a nostalgic beauty with modern features.
The bike of course looks awesome. C’mon, it’s Italian and it’s a Guzzi, what do you expect? Who would have expected a tank leather strap over the tank? Would you have expected a red coat on the chassis and swingarm? But look at this beauty. Beautiful hubs spoked wheels, adjustable rearsets, double tube shock absorbers, everything cries out loud of the 70s styling.

This is a compact bike which will inspire confidence on the rider with its superb handling and braking. A single disc on the front is of 320mm, with a 4-piston Brembo caliper while rear disc is of 260mm. Seats are well padded. This bike is mainly meant for people who would prefer to have a nice stroll around the city.Let’s not get too carried away as this bike is not going to be a great street racer as it features the same 750cc twin engine as the V7, but what Guzzi is trying to offer is more focused on the passion of a café racer. None the less, it gets a new exhaust system developed by Arrow to improve performance. The power output could be expected to touch around 50 hp. Also like the V7, you can also expect some vibrations north of the tachometer reading 7000. The thing is that there are only going to be a few, yes, the V7 Racer is a Limited Edition version, so Guzzi is not at all bothered about sales and other things. Price has been kept at par with the V7 Classic at 7,860.00 Euro, which is not cheap, but then being a L.E, what did you expect? Well, I do not expect to get hold of it, so why not let my eyes give me some visual gratification?

Source of photos: Motoblog Italy

In the News - New bikes from MV and Guzzi

The brand who was almost rulling all the racing circuits some 40 50 years ago, now just seems like a spent force. Of course I am talking about Moto Guzzi. Guzzi still have some very very good looking bikes, all capable of matching their competitors and being Italian is used to high quality besides being looking good. But Guzzi has a rich heritage of racing accolades and it seems to aim at winning a few accolades back. During the last EICMA in Milan, it showcased the V7 Classic and Cafe Racer, very plain looking bikes, very similar to the model of 70s yet very Moto Guzzi, meaning good looking. Well, along with that, they talked about a Clubman Racer V7, a 750cc bike in all Moto Guzzi originality, raw and so very chick. This is a real beauty and in all probability is going to be launched this October. The small bar-end mirrors, instrumentation without racing tachometer, the race number boards and heat wrapped exhaust all looks so delicious. What is not probably a good thing is that the engine will be the same from the V7 which is not really a performance machine although it will have a slight benefit due to the Arrow exhaust system. The V7 based machine will cost around $1500 more than a standard machine as result of some of the modifications and it is siad that the model is being launched due to public demand. Although Guzzi is definitely looking at the racing circuits as of now, the market picture sure does look more rosy with the Clubman.

Source: Motoblog Italy

It is a good thing that Claudio Castiglioni has bought back MV Agusta from Harley Davidson. I never understood why MV was bought by HD on the first place since the MV marque is not really into the HD image plus HD was anyway having trouble in selling the Buell bikes. Whatever be the business reason behind it, but these two brands have so strong brand images that they just doesn't gel in the public view. S that noe MV is back to CC, they have let the cat out of the bag by the soon-to-be-launched F3. Claudio Castiglioni has announced his plans for revitalizing the MV marque. HD did good in the short period by launching the new Brutale and F4, but now CC is goping to invest around 40 million USD after aquiring all the rights back to the Castiglioni family. According to sources, MV is planning to launch around 10,000 units annually and the biggest piece of news here is the price. MV Agusta: If sources are to be beleived, the F3 has a list price of 9,000 Euro (11,600 USD). That is a stael for any bike with the MV Agusta sticker.
So what kind of a bike can you expect from the most revered brand in current motorcycling scenario? The F3 ibikw will have a new three-cylinder 675 cc motor 'that will revolutionize the market, as well as our company' according to CC. CThere is also a Sport version lined up which will cost around 2000 Euro more and it seems to be in the direct segment currently hold forth by Triumph's sporting bikes. This seems to be a very good strategy since this will make the MV more affordable maintaining the same high class which MV is famous for and which means it is certainly looking for more in number of unit sales. What now you can expect is an entry level bike from MV with smashing goods looks a bit more common on the streets. But critics are also suspecting this will diminish the exclusivity value associated with MV. But then again, with the shadow of economic crisis always looming large now-a-days, MV had to take this step.
Source: Motos Blog France

In The News - New Custom and Factory Bikes

The Harley Davidson FORTY-EIGHT
If the Sporster was not beautiful enough, HD just had to release a new factory custom range for this bike with drop dead looks. This is the new Harley-Davidson® Forty-Eight™ motorcycle which has the ‘custom’ look to it. What stand out at the very first look are the neatly done stickers on the tank and the high quality finish in black. The looks may be retro inspired but with the rubber-mounted Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine assisted with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and a broad torque curve, this bike has performance under that classic "peanut" fuel tank, low solo seat, under-bar mounted mirrors, clean rear fender and fat balloon tires.
The ‘rebellion’ HD introduced in 1957 retains the classy spoke wheels and the short dual muffler pounds out the distinctive V-Twin sound. With forward foot controls, large mirrors on the handlebars, low profile custom handlebar, a unique dual texture solo seat with accessories like a passenger pillion, foot pegs and backrest, the bike will be available in three colours, Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver and Mirage Orange Pearl at a rate of $ 10, 499.

Link: Moto Caradisiac 1 & 2

Official Pictures of YAMAHA FZ8
Well, the official pictures of the much awaited YAMAHA FZ8 are out and this time it is not leaked, these are company pictures. But you still have to wait for the bike. The net has been having quite an activity with Yamaha lovers setting and doing their own designs as how this naked potential all rounder placed between the FZ6 and FZ1 would or should look like. Yamaha has not disappointed its fan and has made quite a beautiful bike with nothing radical, all in place as expected and a familiar design which looks good. The standout feature would still be the beautiful headlamp with the Yamaha logo on the pilot light.
The bike is seen as a sure fire winner, mainly because it promises to combine all the easiness of the smaller FZ family with the touring capabilities of the bigger sibling. Look wise it carries almost all the FZ characteristics except for the mentioned headlamp and a few other features like a more triangular design exhaust.
Any further information on performance is not yet announced but it is certain that the FZ8 will take on all the 750cc to 800 cc engines whether it is a triple or an in line four. Yamaha has announced March 12, 2010 as the official date of the launch of the FZ8. Both the pictures here are from the official Yamaha Motor Europe website. Whether this is going to reach the shores of U.S is not quite known as there has been no official release from Yamaha.
The official Yamaha Europe FZ8 website asks you to ‘Stay Tuned!’

Tamburi T1 by MV Agusta Corse
How can you improve perfection? Give it to Tamburini, I say… err… not exactly Massimo Tamburini, but you can give it to the same house. What I mean give it to Andrea Tamburini, son of the legendary Massimo Tamburini and you bet he will improve perfection to a new level. Well, by now the pictures of the Tamburini T1 from MV Agusta Corse must have made you realize that the son has inherited the genes from his father in the highest possible way. ‘The meticulous craft of perfecting what already seems perfect,’ says the Tamburini Corse website. The Corse wing is set up by Massiomo’s son Andrea in San Marino and what it offers is not for us mere mortals. Catering only to MV Agusta and Ducati bikes, it is a high quality accessory house for the hallowed bike customers.
I really do not need to emphasize on the quality as you just need to see the pictures of the Tamburi T1 in its original size to let your jaw drop off. It is really not possible to imagine how one can even further improve the MV bikes, at least not until you see the products. For those who have money to spend, they go get a Ducati or an MV and when they have more money to spend, they can just visit the Tamburini Corse studio in San Mariono. This is easy awesome and as awesome as it can get. I bet only God could have imagined a bike like this and somehow he made the Tamburis have a dream.
Visit the Tamburi Corse Store and you must visit the gallery to have a look at the T1. Believe me, it will make your day.

‘Sacred Cow’ by Deues Ex Machina
The hardcore Aussie custom designers Deux Ex Machina has pulled off a brilliant machine once again. Known for their naked metal bikes with very minimal clothing and an edgy distinctive look, you can spot a machine product by the look of it, a typical bare bones bike with extreme detailing, never ever over done but to a point where you just have to admit the brilliance of the team of Jennings, Rod Hunwick and Carby Tuckwell.
Their tag line says ‘Motorcycles for the post modern world’ and you know where there theme lies in. Their new product ‘Sacred Cow’ has probably sacrificed functionality for undeniable style, but look at what a clean product this is. And Mr. Billy Joel is too proud a owner of the donor Kawasaki W650 which he wanted it to be styled in a 60s bobber design and he also wanted a bigger bore, so the ‘Sacred Cow’ has infact a 720cc engine. In fact, Billy wanted a hardtail frame, so the W650 was it and now with 21" front wheel, spring-mounted saddle, handmade tank, Billy is all set to ride the beauty in east end of Long Island which Billy mentions ‘where there's plenty of twisty back roads, beautiful natural scenery and picturesque fishing villages.’
Link: DEUS EX MACHINA

‘Coppa Acerbo’ by Filippo Barbacane
Another beautiful custom bike here is the ‘Coppa Acerbo’ made by master designer Filippo Barbacane. Now we know Mr. Barbacane specializes in Moto Guzzi and this is no different. This beauty is based on the ever beautiful Moto Guzzi V11. The ‘Coppa Acerbo’ name refers to a race that was held in Pescara, Italy, from 1924 to 1961, which was then renamed (Circuito di Pescara) as the creator of the race, Giacomo Acerbo, was a government minister during Italy’s fascist period. The race was more than 25 kg long, and much of it was on a city track. This special edition Moto Guzzi features “Alpine” spoke wheels, hand-built chrome exhaust, aluminium front mud guards, and an Ergal transmission shaft. The seat is wider than that of a classic V11 and the rear lights are also new. This particular Moto Guzzi Coppa Acerbo has a few extra modifications from Rossopuro, specialists in Moto Guzzi accessories.
Link: Filippo Barbabcane

Buell 1125R based Magpul Ronin
And coming to the last custom bike, I really do not know what to make of this bike, but it is bloody fantastic. This is the Magpul Ronin, a very radical looking bike with quite a few futuristic imaging (just look at the headlamp, is it a headlamp? BTW) and the razor sharp cues and all this is mixed with something from the 80s, you know Mad Max style.
According to the official website, The Magpul Ronin is an experimental motorcycle project based on the Buell 1125R sport bike. The project itself represents the first iteration of a design exercise inspired by interests, hobbies, and passions shared by many within Magpul. Taken from the Japanese word for a samurai who lost his master, the name "Ronin" was chosen after the Buell Motorcycle Company ceased production and closed its doors in 2009. The model 1125R was selected due its high level of performance and aesthetic potential that were never fully realized by Buell as a subsidiary of Harley Davidson.” Yes, the engine is from Buell, but you get so caught by the design that you really forget to analyze the machine.Anyway, so, what we get to know is that it is still in the design phase. Oh, by the way, what is interesting is Magpul is a gun and rifle magazine innovator. And if you would like to know if it is only going to be a prototype or will cater to customer feedbacks, on the website, it is written “Due to the experimental nature of the project, it is not yet known if Ronin motorcycles or Magpul-designed components for the Buell 1125R will be made available for purchase. More information about Project Ronin will be released as the design progresses’. So there you go. But you can of course visit the MAGPUL RONIN website to have a look at the bike.

Time Out - MOTO GUZZI Videos

The new banner graphics has been created by Scott, owner of the fantastic website, Pipeburn. We became known to each other when we were guest writing for Bike Exif during December end and January start. Scott said this blog needed a permanent styling which I really agreed to and he said he would even do the styling! I was humbled and more so when I saw his beautiful designing. The graphics will stay and the motorcycle photo will keep changing to give the blog a refresh look now and then. Visit Scott's magnificent website, Pipeburn if you haven't already.

Thank You Scott for everything.

I have been off-blog lately, nothing stress related or overwork, just taking a break from the blog to get refreshed. In the meantime, thanks for all the mails and I should resume blogging soon. Posting some good Moto Guzzi videos lying on the hard drive.

Source: Moto Guzzi Italy

From fokewulf.

Another GUZZI 'Diamente' from Barbacane

At the first look, it reminds of the Yacouba's Bestiale somehow, but after a few seconds of hard look, you realize that this is different, in fact, very different. Cannot recall seeing a bike with this kind of center of gravity. And that is what will grab you when you see the Diamante for the first time. Diamante meaning diamond in Italian is Filippo Barbacane’s latest creation. Babacane has already made a name for himself with his edgy futuristic styling and the Diamente is no different, probably only better. I am sure you remember Barbacane and his Firestarter Garage. He had also worked with Ghezzi Brian on the remarkable Kimera. This looks like a new gen street fighter. Like most of Barbacane’s creation, the Diamente too gets a Moto Guzzi donor, and this time it is a Moto Guzzi Griso 8V.

It is not hard to guess how the name was derived. You see the faceted bodywork resembling a diamond in its shape and actually the bodywork also helps to bring in air to cool the engine. The engine is of 1420cc and it has a maximum power of a whooping and stunning 140 bhp. Wow! This is through addition of a new kit of pistons and connecting rods, new electronic injection and enlarged oil cooling, with the radiator positioned under the steering head. And if you think that is wow, see the multitude of tell tale features it brings to the road. In the factory born twin Mandello, the Grislo 8V 1200cc engine has been bored by Lombard Millepercento, a lover and Guzzi dealer. The talk of the bike has been the unique single arm front fork from Gilera CX 125, yes the futuristic bike from Gilera which was doing the rounds in the early 90s.The CX125 was a liquid cooled two stroker and to see what it looked, click here or here. Why that particular choice, well Barbacane just felt it would look good on it! But since the donor had to so far bear only with a 125cc engine, so it was heavily reinforced to deal with the added weight (it required addition of a special plate and major changes to the structure and the steering head with relative bearings), while the fuel tank has been repositioned under the custom rear subframe, leaving room for a huge airbox with a top-mounted intake. You see those wonderful embossed forks, they are also from the same bike which has been also modified. What remains from the original Grislo is the frame, which has not been cut or adjusted in any way, the finalshaft drive and a few things like the tyres and the rear brakes. The front brake isa disk of 320 mm with a bloated 4-piston caliper.

Overall the Diamente gets sharp edgy styling which takes away all the look of the original and if it was not the engine case, it would have been difficult recognizing it as a Guzzi, forget the 8V model. It has a definite forward leaning appeal in the stance. The rear end is just for the rider to seat, absolutely nothing at the rear. I wonder where the number plate will go. It has a minimalist but thick rear subframe. The rear suspension is the progressive link suspension on the single-arm transmission of the Guzzi original CARC. Overall the only black and white colouring is very distinctive and it further accentuated by the bright red wires and the bright red final drive section. The tank has been beautifully crafted by Barbacane and hats off to him for pulling that one so beautifully. Also adding to the ‘diamond’ look are the sharp air conveyors in front

It made its debut this year at the Motor Bike Expo in Vienna. Barbacane will be producing only 30 of these. So if you are looking for a stunning one-of-a-kind street fighter that is light, damn powerful and of course a sure shot head turner, you know where to look! This is one mean looking streetfighter which seems to have spent some rewarding amount of time at the gym.

There are two previous posts of the Grislo in this blog and they are linked here and here. Also there is a previous post of Barbacane and his Firestarter Garage.

Source of information and photos: Racing Café Blog & Solo Moto 30. You can also visit the Firestarter Garage or Barbacane’s Blog although I couldn’t find the Diamente in his blog.

R1200GS, Mana & Stelvio - Big Boys of Dual Purpose Tourers

So what goes to a tourer besides having a large fuel tank? Loads of carrying capacities, loads of comfy, big windshield and loads of techno gizmos telling directions, right. And yes, a very good pillion seat too. Well, all tourers have these and then some more.
This topic is more about 3 dual purpose tourers from the house of BMW, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi rather than full dressed ones like the Goldwing. These tourers are not that big in the U.S or Asia as it is in Europe. While in U.S, people just take their 4WD for their weekend getaways, it’s the Europeans who are more into these big bikes. In the U.S, it’s more about customs when it comes to weekend gateways with 2 wheelers. Probably the roads, the scenery, the atmosphere, the weather and all makes Europeans prefer their 2 wheel tourers over 4WD.
Any tourer whether a full dressed, a sports version or a dual purpose one, as such are not the best looking bikes, neither are they intended to be, I mean with so much excess baggage, one can definitely tend to look elsewhere is they are looking at a ‘stunning’ tourer and also as such this post shouldn’t be here as the blog more or less celebrates the beauty of a motorcycle. Well, having said that, I am fully and solely responsible for falling in love with these bikes, more because of serving the purpose for what they have been meant. Tourers are big, comfortable powerful motorcycles. Period. Not quite, lets add loads of torque and what… basically we shouldn’t compare tourers by the performance or power factor, I mean to an extent, you can, but when you have brands like BMW, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, well, there is nothing much to choose at the first place, leave along performance and comfort, so let’s see what kind of accessories you get on these bikes?

Starting off with the new BMW R1200 GS Adventure (the latest avatar of the former R1150GS Adventure), the most striking feature is of course the huge tank with a capacity of 33 liters with approximately 4 liters reserve. 33 liters does mean a lot, I mean you won’t have to search for a fuel pump station for at least 600kilometers with no matter how you ride. At a steady speed of 90 km/h or 56 mph, the R 1200 GS Adventure has a - theoretical - cruising range of 750 kilometers or 465 miles. Now isn’t that impressive? The BMW sports a big windshield which has been designed very carefully. The new windshield diverts the flow of air smoothly past the rider with hardly any turbulence or air swirl and so the head and the chest of the rider are fully protected at high speeds. And there is more as there are specially designed flaps behind the windshield which serve to minimize any diverted wind gush in the flanks (kidney area). Of course, like most touring motorcycles now, the windshield is adjustable for angle, so it offers riders of virtually any size excellent protection from wind and weather in all cases. The luggage rack is made of stainless steel with aluminum top case and they have practical fastening points. The volume inside can be quite generous if you stick to buying authentic BMW accessories. No matter how tall or relatively short you are, you won’t find difficulty in reaching the ground as the two-section seat on the new R 1200 GS Adventure can be adjusted to two different levels on the rider's area.

The rider’s seat is all flat, but plushy which helps the rider as they are without any steps in between and thereby the freedom to move back and forth. The seat height at upper position is of 915 millimeters and in the lower position, its 895 millimeters and so even for a relatively shorter rider, it’s not difficult to find the ground. This is also enhanced by the particular shape and design of the seat itself, which is distinctly narrowed at the front. Of course one of the most important aspect of a tourer or any tourer is the suspension unit. Here the BMW scores heavily by having an extra 20 millimeters spring travel both front and rear compared to the standard R 1200 GS (Non-Adventure) which is supposed to have one of the best suspension units of any motorcycle. The ‘Telelever’ featured on the front wheel measures 41 millimeters in diameter on its fixed tube, while the ‘Evo-Paralever’ at the rear boasts a central spring strut and travel-dependent damping unit (TDD) - the more the spring strut is compressed, the firmer the damper becomes.

Among other helpful features, you get robust stainless-steel pipes protecting the fuel tank and engine effectively from anything you won’t really like getting associated with. The handlebar is made of light alloy with a foam protection element and also has hand protectors as a standard feature on the new R 1200 GS Adventure. The footrests are wide enough and both the gearshift and brake levers are adjustable which aids in various riding positions and individual’s preferance.

Being a dual purpose motorcycle, the footrests are extra tough to hold the rider to keep standing for long duration if needed. While the height of the footbrake lever needs mechanical adjustment, the gear shift lever is adjusted by means of an eccentric kinematic unit. The benefits of the new model over the outgoing R 1150 GS Adventure are many like there is a substantial reduction in weight with significant increase in output and torque and now it also has a six-speed manual gearbox. There are additional gizmos on the dashboard like on-board single-wire network using CAN bus technology and newer instruments like ‘Info-flat-screen’. For safety, you would also get an electronic immobilizer.As for the engine specs, yes, it’s the same flat-twin power unit complete with a balance shaft introduced to give the more power and performance. Maximum output from this 1,170-cc engine is 100 bhp at 7,000 rpm with torque peaking at 115 Nm at 5,500 rpm. I of course like the ‘enduro’ look and it looks very powerful which it is! Knowing BMW and their penchant for high-quality materials (such as blast-treated stainless steel on the fuel tank and engine protection hoops as well as on the luggage rack, also epoxy-plated aluminum on the rims and knee covers) the bike has a superior look of technical and functional elegance. BMW Motorrad has proven itself as one of the premier brand when it comes to making off road and dual purpose motorcycles and have proven their suitability in any kind of tracks whether its high off-road speeds, red tarmac mountains or just plain roads. This is a motorcycle with which you just can’t go wrong, no matter from which school of biking you come out from.

Now if you look at the APRILIA Mana, you will most certainly miss many of its features as there are so many and you will most definitely need the manual just to know what goes inside this beautiful bike.
First of all, the Mana is a very practical and functional bike. You need to look beyond the image of Aprilia. Why am I saying this is because people think about the brand in the same pedestal of Ducati and the likes and not that it is not, but people generally tend to have the thinking like ‘Oh! It’s going to be expensive and we can certainly get a BMW for dual purpose with the same credibility’. Yes, you can but the price tag and that exotic pedestal is justified in the Mana in more than one ways. Just to repeat myself, the Mana is a very practical and functional bike. One example of this bike is the parking brake level, located on the left side, just behind the large round Sports Gear System cover, is quickly seen for what it is. When stopped, the rider simply pulls up the lever to activate the brake and releases it before moving off or starting the motorcycle. There are so many small features like this that the owner over a period of time starts appreciating these small things and does find justification for the extra dough shelled out. Small things like an electronic immobilizer system, which has more or less become a standard feature on two-wheelers have been featured on Aprilia since a long time and owners know how helpful this feature is. Overall, what people believe that there are too many features of which probably the rider won’t even use in a lifetime are actually features which the rider finds very convenient after some time. We all know about the Aprilia handlebar controls which are typically innovative, but for the Mana 850, even more changes have been made. On the right control, the rocker-style switch serves a dual purpose - it functions as the engine-shut-off switch for emergency use and when the right side is depressed (along with one of the brakes), it functions as the starter. Just above the red rocker switch is another important input - the Gear Mode control. When the motorcycle is turned on and idling, this button is toggled to select one of three primary engine mapping modes.

On the left control the centre mode switch provides three-way mode control for using and programming the on-board display computer. There are two electronic shift buttons, located within easy reach of the left thumb – the inside button is for Gear UP (+) and the outside button is for Gear DOWN (–). Besides the standard turn signal switch performs the standard left, right and push to cancel functions and front of the left side control housing the Passing Button/High Beam Switch, there is another button below it, the helmet compartment opening control - this electronic release only works when the motorcycle is running. A manual release mechanism is also provided under the passenger seat. Now you again got to thinking so many switches, right! But ask a Mana owner how he feels about it and he will delightfully list down the benefits. There are a lot of lights on the display panel including lights to indicate RPM range when the drive system is in the Sport Gear Mode, turn signal light, high beam indicator light, general warning light, fuel reserve indicator light, all in all, the display and input system is extremely sophisticated and easy to use. There are also the parking brake reminder and a side-stand indicator.

Okay, we are talking about a dual purpose tourer here, not some gizmo freak, so let’s skip the part for now and start with the touring prowess of the Mana. Starting off with the tank, what you see here as the tank is NOT the tank. So, where is the fuel tank? Well, the tank resides discretely under the rider and passenger seats. Why? Read on and you will know the benefits. Anyway, overall capacity is 15.5 litres including a 3.3l reserve. It’s not small, the BMW’s tank is extra big and this is actually the normal size. On average riding it gives an excellent mileage of 20kmpl which means with a full tank, you need not worry about the next fuel pump for over 300 kilometers. The tank is made of plastic which is a good way of reducing weight and it can be accessed via the flip-up passenger seat. It has a non-vented screw-on gas cap and to meet emission standards the tank is treated as a sealed unit, with all gaseous emissions routed to the Evaporative Emission System canister, mounted in a highly visible spot on the right front of the engine. Yes, the system can dent the overall good looks of the bike, but it is there for reasons and no wonders I keep repeating that the Mana is a very practical and functional bike. So why have the tank other the seat.

You see, the tank is not the most frequented component on a touring motorcycle. Usually you get the full tank and here it’s good for the next 300kilometers. There are other things which are more remembered during any tour for example the tool kit compartment. So Aprilia located the helmet/tool kit compartment strategically in front of the rider in the space erstwhile reserved for a fuel tank. Even with the motorcycle running, the trunk can be opened electronically via the left handlebar switch. The trunk can also be opened manually by inserting the key in the rear seat lock just below the taillight, flipping up the rear seat panel. The compartment has a courtesy light on the left side wall, however leaving the trunk open for extended periods of time will keep the courtesy light burning, putting a drain on the battery. The compartment is quite large and it can efforlessly hold a standard helmet along with the tool kit. Of course there are other storage facilities as well but the one mentioned is a standard. The other feature of a tourer is the suspension system. Aprilia suspension systems are all very good, in fact there is little to complain about suspension systems of Italian brands and the Mana’s is also Aprila and Italia! The rear shock, mounted on the left side, is mounted in line with the large diameter tubular trellis frame tubes. This shock layout helps keep the overall wheelbase short. The placement of the shock means that both spring and dampening adjustments can be made quickly: a small sticker on the shock body identifies recommended settings based on rider, passenger and luggage combinations – a small thing overall, but indicative of the attention to detail evident on the motorcycle. The front fork lacks adjustments but has been set-up for a wide-range of riding conditions. Factory seat height is 810mm with a very comfortable rider portion of the saddle.The odd thing is that the height is not adjustable.Adjustment ergonomic available are the shift lever and the rear brake pedal that can be repositioned somewhat via individual adjusters. Also the handlebars could be rotated slightly. Let’s not talk about performance as it will deliver more or less everything you throw it at. The engine is very quiet overall. The Mana with the 839cc V-twin SOHC 4V per cylinder motor provides enough punch and has a very very effective CVT transmission and not to mention its two main modes of drive, Sequential or Auto-Drive. The manual Sequential Mode has seven gear ratios by using the standard foot lever or you can also use the Up and Down buttons on the left handlebar control. By default, the Sequential operations are set in the Sport Gear mode. In all, three engine mapping modes are available: Sport, Touring and Rain. Sport Mode offers the most power - the engine runs at a higher RPM, gear changes are rapid and more engine braking is evident. For constant or sustained high speed runs, the Touring mode is optimal as the engine runs at a lower RPM and fuel consumption is increased. Rain Mode is the ‘softest’ mode and made mainly for urban and city driving. Although rider-selectable, the feature, by default is controlled by the Mana’s Auto-Drive system. In Auto-Drive, all the rider has to do is use the throttle and brakes - the system automatically handles the rest. During braking and deceleration, an additional mode ‘Semi Automatic’ can be brought into play, allowing quicker downshifting and more engine braking, etc. This additional mode is automatically engaged if the Gear Down (–) is activated, in which case the LCD display will display the Gear in use beside the DRIVE identifier. If the Gear Up (+) is activated, Semi Automatic mode will be disabled and Auto-Drive will resume. Talk about being innovative.Here is a bike with a high-output V-twin motor and a well-mapped engine and transmission management system which is for the true touring types with an occasional dash of city driving, sports racing and all. The higher price as you must have noted are due to the design features, the various technology and convenience of use for all kinds of riders. It’s no doubt good looking, very versatile and the best thing is that it can suit all type of riders. For academic purpose, engine output is 76 horsepower and 73 Nm torque at the crank. It has a primary belt drive and secondary chain drive for transmission.

And then we have the massive Guzzi. The MOTO GUZZI Stelvio is huge even to look at. Look at that massive engine. But don’t worry, even if you are 5’6”, you will be able to slip your leg. You see, to start off the seat height is adjustable, seat height on the lowest setting is 820 cm and on the higher setting brings it is up to 840 cm. Seat height is adjusted manually by inserting the left and right seat bracket cut-outs into one of two height adjusters at the front and then selecting one of two vertical holes at the rear in which to thread the removable screw knobs. Yup, just like old times!
Behind the behemoth windscreen is the dais and the handlebar which is 910 mm and quite comfortable for a full day tour. The huge windscreen is manually adjustable through a 5.5 cm (2.0 in) range. Some critics has mentioned that the screen on the highest fitting cuts out the air completely, but there is increased buffeting on the top, sides and bottom of the rider’s helmet, which translates into noise, and discomfort and as such the lowest setting provided a relatively calm cockpit environment as the helmet is in the airstream and there is minimal buffeting on the sides and along the bottom of the helmet. In one way, the Stelvio is a crossover between a full dressed and dual purpose tourer. Take that massive size, those indicator/ signal lights in the rear view mirrors and then look at the seating posture, the endure style built… it seems to be a fusion of the two class. And probably it’s a good thing as it may cater to a larger audience, but then again, may keep a larger audience at bay. The mirrors stick out beyond the bars while the external wire harnesses does detract from a decent handlebar environment. But as said, tourers are not meant to be good looking first, right? They have to be very practical. And practical the Stelvio is. For example, the mirrors are extremely functional and have the best rear view sight. Another good feature is that the Stelvio has a combination of analog and digital information displays in one neat instrumentation and information pod.

A large analog sweep tachometer dominates the left and centre portion while the multi- function digital display LCD sits in the lower right quadrant. Sometimes at bright daytime, it gets difficult to keep tabs on the LCD screens, so the analog tachometer is very practical for such purposes when you are touring as you keep a tab on the RPM.
The Stelvio has stylish black heat caps that have been installed as the rear portion of the each head surface. Further down, both the rider and pillion seat sections are broad and firm and has the large and well-shaped comfortable rider section and excellent cushioning. Compared to the former two, it’s quite heavy at 250 kgs, but the weight is very evenly distributed so once aside the stand, you won’t have problems in maneuvering it for parking. Fuel capacity is 18 litres which should see you run 350 kilometers without a look out for the fuel station.
The information displays are very comprehensive and has all the information you need but of course you have to go through the manual. There is a large "Mode" switch on the left hand control to start accessing all the info. Then the left hand control also has the horn button and the standard left/right/push-to-cancel switch. Also standard is the headlight Hi/Lo/Flasher switch. The left hand control also has the electronic release for the right-hand fairing compartment. For safety, to open this lid, the motorcycle has to be in neutral with the ignition switch turned on. On the right hand, you have the combined kill-switch/starter button along with the Hazard Light button and the ABS button (of course on the ABS models). As a standard option now-a-days, you have the key-based immobilizer system. Just like the Mana, two coded keys are provided with provisions up to four keys. As for storage, the lower left side of the motorcycle has the saddle compartment keyhole. Using the ignition key, the cable-activated switch releases the rear seat lock, allowing the rear section to be lifted up and off. This under-seat area features a large storage box for holding the small tool pouch, the owner's manual and his/ her small helmet. Another feature which is not very common is the power plug installed in the right front wall of the storage box rated for up to 180W. This is sure going to help a lot, if nothing at least to charge your mobile, what say? The glove compartment on the right fairing is long, narrow and deep.

The other important feature of the tourer is the suspension. The Stelvio's suspension is pretty good, the front end features a 50mm inverted hydraulic front fork with preload and spring adjustment, while the rear features a single shock absorber with adjustable rebound and spring preloading, and both are easily accessible. By default, it is set for the mixed road conditions which in a way are suitable for all terrains. Of course Moto Guzzis are famous for their suspensions and swingarms. Here too in the Stelvio, the massive single-sided swingarm assembly houses the CA.R.C. (Cardano Reattivo Compatto or Compact Reactive Shaft Drive) drive system. And of course as usual, it is very very well built and has one of the best shaft drives among all motorcycles. On the left side of the motorcycle, the eye catcher is the combination of the catalytic converter and exhaust can assembly blocks which are quite massive.
Again, we really don’t need to go at lengths to discuss its performance. Just so you know, this big 1151 cc twin is a high revving engine. The 8V motor is very powerful and the machine is built to be used hard and to cover large distances. It develops 110 hp @7500 rpm and 108Nm @ 6400Nm with a 6 speed transmission using a shaft drive as mentioned. All in all, this is a bike, okay a big bike which is probably more suited to touring than the other two more because of its high performance and bigger engine. But then again even the BMW is big where as the Aprilia is very much suited for actual dual purpose, that is touring, off roads, urban driving and all. It’s very little to choose from. Guess, ultimately it will come to a personal decision as to what you want. A big tourer like the Stelvio which has some limit in city roads, a sexy stylish Mana which is a bundle of tricks and the most rider friendly or the R1000 GS Adventure which like a typical BMW is a pure breed workhorse, choice is yours, but rest assured when you have brands like BMW, Aprilia and Guzzi, you just can’t go wrong with anyone of these 3 boys.