Choosing a bike

In June 2003 I became the surprised owner of a Moto Guzzi Centauro.

Surprised because it wasn't at all what I had been looking for in my future. I had been very happy with the V65c Moto Guzzi I had had for many years and thought that if and when I eventually changed bikes, it would be something similar...

So I was actually looking for a California. Not anything like the Centauro in style or ride.

Life plays funny tricks sometimes. Good thing they turn out pretty good sometimes, too.

I had never seen a real Centauro when I made the purchase. I had of course seen pictures - both of the models when they first came out as the hottest Moto Guzzi models of their time, and of the one I eventually ended up owning after first beginning to toy with the idea. But I didn't really know quite what I was getting into when the deal was cut.

The Centauro is a dream of a bike. Guzzi has taken their powerful Daytona 4 valve motor and built a stylish Italian designed frame & body around it. Then they added top shelf components from specialty producers for suspension and brakes. Monoshock White Power rear suspension was a good start.The White Power upside-down front fork is massive. Powerful Brembo brakes with fully adjustable handles capped the T-bar chrome handlebars.

The motor

Handling is great. But the motor is the real point. The first impression of the bike is of the massive motor.

The trademark Guzzi V-twin is always impressive. A 90 degree V-motor turned the 'other way' in the frame is eye-catching on all the Guzzi models. The overhead cam, 4-valve machines are the top of the Guzzi range. The enormous cylinders sticking out at 45 degree angles give a definite 'beefy' aura to the design.... and to the ride.

The characteristic Guzzi twist from the gyro-forces from the transverse flywheel are only noticable at idle where the motor pulls the bike to the right when the rpm climbs. The machine pulls strongly and smoothly from about 2000. It reaches 100 km/h easily in second gear... and cruises at 100 in fifth gear at about 3500 rpm.

I never, ever, ever ride faster than that. Ever, ever, ever.

Some Centauro owners have experienced trouble getting an even run at 3000-3500 rpm. The injection has a tendency to miss a beat every now and then. This has been cured on my Centauro by changing the chip and careful balancing. It is a beauty on the road.

The Centauro was designed as a 'Ducati-killer' by Guzzi and was made to top the Monster. While basically a one-man bike, there is a fine passenger seat under the rear cowling. It might look extreme, but it offers comfortable, upright seating.

Of course, this is not the most sensible motorcycle for commuting. There is absolutely no baggage space... and I haven't the heart to mount luggage and destroy the looks of the bike.

...a good bike deserves the best. I tried to put it in the sofa for the winter, but it prefered to stand.

That was fine with me because I could use the sofa to get at all the fine parts that deserved a little polish after a long summer and fall. The saltly air in Austevoll is murder on the finish and I ride most every day - which gives much muck and little time for washing.