A very competent player through the twisties.

2008 MOTO GUZZI BELLAGIO 940 CUSTOM

by Boris Mihailovic

" a beautifully proportioned, matte-black motorcycle..."

Not many tears will be shed over the demise of Moto Guzzi's comic-tragic California -- which was one of the mostludicrous offerings to ever come from such a venerated factory. Sure, I know that certain owners will want to kill mefor disrespecting their beloved Californias, but since these owners would be flat out riding the wretched things out oftheir driveways to make good on their hatred, I reckon I'm safe.

Quite frankly, I'm sure Moto Guzzi realised thatthere was little future in building and selling1970-era bikes in 2008 and decided to replace theCalifornia with the altogether more delightfullyengaging Bellagio.

And I can only encourage you to test the truth ofmy words by going to your nearest Moto Guzzipurveyor and demanding the keys to one. You'll beas surprised by the order-of-magnitudeimprovements as I was.

As usual, I was determined to be cynically scathingabout it as I departed the Milperra headquarters ofMoto Guzzi (pronounced gooh-tsi, not guh-zee, youvile philistines), but was soon smiling like an idiotdespite the fact that I was tragically lost in theindustrial wasteland of Milperra and riding in circlesdodging semi-trailers driven by exasperatedtruckies.

Hmm, I thought, as I zig-zagged past anotherjack-knifed trailer trying to reverse into a narrowdriveway, this Bellagio thingy is certainly a nicelyflickable cuss. And there appeared to be poweravailable where I needed it, provided I wasn't shyabout using the throttle and the gearbox. And I'm

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2008 Moto Guzzi Bellagio 940 Custom http://www.bikeme.tv/bm_articles/bikes/2008/moto-guzzi-bel...

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One of the prettiest-looking motors to ever turn a crank.

Brakes: twin piston Brembos front and rear

not shy.

It's obvious Moto Guzzi has benefited greatly fromits association with Aprilia. Gone is the nefariousfalse-neutral-filled gearbox, third-world finish andquestionable styling of the California. I've yet tohear a rational explanation from an owner aboutthe crud-filled container Moto Guzzi once imaginedwas a gearbox, and the ones I have heard arebasically concerned with how I wasn't being"deliberate enough" with my gear selection. Myresponse to these inanities is normally: "Listen,numbnuts, I rode a Godless stroked Shovelhead foryears and I know all there is to know about beingdeliberate with gear selection."

I eventually found my way out to the main road andopened the Bellagio's taps a touch. Once again, myinnate cynicism skulked back to the cave I keep itin and I paused to admire my reflection in a shopwindow on Canterbury Road after a rather briskspurt through the light midday traffic.

I was astride a beautifully proportioned,matte-black motorcycle with glorious spoked alloyrims, a tear-drop tank that blended nicely with agunfighter-style seat, and powered by a what Ibelieve has always been one of the prettiest-lookingmotors to ever turn a crank.

While it's not the thundering eight-valve 1200V-Twin that makes the Griso such a fabulousmotorcycle, it is still a very willing and enjoyabledonk that will propel you with eagerness and asurprising degree of smoothness. Of course, youmust use the gearbox with a will, but the fact thatyou now have a gearbox up to the task, makes thisa real pleasure.

Apart from the Bellagio's superb finish and chicstyling by comparison to its predecessor (in mytime with it, a cute girl on a scooter told me it wasa really nice-looking bike and a truck-driver at theend of the M2 managed to relay to me that heowned a California and that the Bellagio would soonbe replacing it, 'cos now that he'd seen one, hecould finally admit that his California was garbage)the gearbox is the bike's single biggestquantum-leap improvement. It's smooth, preciseand acts just like you'd expect a 21st centurygearbox to act. Just don't be afraid to use it to make the Bellagio dance. 'Cos it does so like to dance.

Moto Guzzi has always prided itself on making motorcycles that handle well and boast a high degree of stability atspeed. The Bellagio, while not a sportsbike and not capable of blistering warp-speeds, certainly doesn't let the sidedown. Good ground clearance and adjustable front and rear suspension (just keep turning the big black knob to theright if you need a stiffer rear) make the Bellagio a very competent player through the twisties.

I found the wide low seat comfortable and the ergonomics quite suited to either commuting or touring. The bike'snarrow enough to fit through most gaps and certainly comfy enough to churn out the miles.

I didn't like the dash layout, and found the numbers on the LCD screen to the right of the analogue speedo too small toread quickly on the go, but all the info is there -- including two trip meters, average fuel consumption and a nicegraphic of the battery and how many volterings it's currently deploying.

The shaft-drive is great and relatively unobtrusive, the brakes (twin-piston Brembos front and rear) offer nice feel andgood stopping power for a not-so-light 224kg dry weight (the back is kinda easy to lock up if you're a recidivistback-brake user), and the Magnetti Marelli fuel injection is a joy to behold through the entire rev-range, and since 80percent of the Bellagio's torque is available between 2800rpm and 4800rpm, the bike is an honest pleasure to ride atspeeds that won't put you in prison.

Aimed squarely at the buyers of Harley-Davidson Sportsters, the Bellagio is actually quite a good deal more than justan Italian alternative in a very unique niche market. Better-handling than the Sportster, it's got far superior brakes, amore willing motor and is altogether a more rewarding bike to ride. Ladies will love it and people who are new to bikeswill not find it intimidating in the least. Given enough beer and some rowdy mates and I could actually enjoy trickingone of these up for a weekend plaything.

The Bellagio is yet another feather in what is rapidly becoming a full-on Cherokee war-bonnet for the newly resurgentMoto Guzzi.

Molto bene, you fabulous wogs. Keep 'em comin'.

2008 Moto Guzzi Bellagio 940 Custom http://www.bikeme.tv/bm_articles/bikes/2008/moto-guzzi-bel...

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Specifications:

Engine Four-stroke V 90 twinCooling Air cooledCapacity 935.6 ccBore and stroke 95 x 66 mmCompression ratio 10Timing 2 valves per cylinder commanded by light alloy cam acting on rocker arm and mechanical tappetsTiming diagram Intake valve opening 24 ° before upper TDC.

Intake valve closing 52 ° after lower TDC.Exhaust valve opening 54 ° before lower TDC.Exhaust valve closing 22 ° after upper TDC.measured with rocker arm/valve play

Maximum power output 55 KW at 7,200 rpmMax Torque 78 Nm at 6,000 rpmFuel supplì Multipoint sequential electronic injection, Magneti Marelli IAW phased, alfa-n system; 2 � 40 mm throttle bodies

with Weber IW 031 injectorsStarter ElectricIgnition Digital electronic with Magneti Marelli IAW 15RC inductive dischargeExhaust system 2 stainless steel pipes connected to 1 expansion chamber connected to two chromed steel silencers; 3-way catalyser

with Lambda probe.Homologation Euro 3Transmission Gearbox 6 speed -- constantly engaged cogs with integrated flexible couplingsGear ratios 1st 17/38 = 1 : 2.235

2nd 20/34 = 1 : 1.73rd 23/31 = 1 : 1.3484th 26/29 = 1 : 1.1155th 31/30 = 1 : 0.9686th 29/25 = 1 : 0.862

Lubrication Forced lubrication with lobe pump and pressure regulatorPrimary drive Helicoidal gears, ratio 24/35 = 1 : 1.458Final drive Shaft drive, ratio 12/44 = 1 : 3.667Clutch Dry mechanically operated twin plate

Chassis Frame Very rigid high tensile steel tubular twin cradleWheelbase 1,570 mmRake 165 mmSteering angle 28°Front suspension Marzocchi � 45 mm adjustable front forksFront wheel travel 140 mmRear suspension Single swingarm with progressive action -- single rebound adjustable shock absorber with easy to operate pre-load

setting knobFront brakes Twin floating 320 mm stainless steel discs, floating Brembo calipers with 2 parallel pistons.Rear brakes Single 282 mm fixed stainless steel disc, floating Brembo calipers with 2 parallel pistons.Wheels Spoked aluminium alloy (tubeless)Front wheel 3.5" x 18"Rear wheel 5.5" x 17"Front tyre 120/70 ZR 18 M/C (59W) TL Roadtec Z6Rear tyre 180/55 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL Roadtec Z6Electrics Voltage 12 VBattery 12 V -- 18 AhAlternator 12 V - 350 WDimensions Length 2,270 mmWidth 890 mmHeight 1,310 mmSaddle height 780 mmMinimum groundclearance

150 mm

Dry weight 224 kgFuel tank capacity 19 litresReserve Tank Capacity 4 litres

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2008 Moto Guzzi Bellagio 940 Custom http://www.bikeme.tv/bm_articles/bikes/2008/moto-guzzi-bel...

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