With BSA back on the scene with their Gold Star, it appears that just about every motorcycle manufacturer is producing retro models. It's no surprise really with companies such as Royal Enfield and Triumph having incredible sales worldwide. It's quite obvious that the incentives are the most desirable machines from the 1960/70s era, and yes, I know Piaggio already make retro Guzzis, but surely they're missing the target by not building modern lookalikes of the prettiest bikes of the 70s. Previously they tried (slightly) with some borrowed engine dropped into a nice frame and called an SF something, but it really needs to be new engines that must look very similar to the originals. Triumph has done just this with the Bonnevilles. Okay, there's no direct lineage to the original, but boy they look good, reliable, and don't shake your fillings out. A retro Laverda probably wouldn't appeal to the members of this forum, but done right would be a big seller for Piaggio.
Retro Laverda?
- Thread starter natm
- Start date
No small Italian manufacturer has retro bikes with it's name on the tank.
Guzzi or Benelli are major marques in Italy. Laverda was always very marginal and only for 3 decades at the most compared to Guzzis century, Gileras century and the very long history of Benelli.
Not many people have heard of Laverda even though they did have their name on a quad.
But maybe the commercial department of Piaggio know's better.
The only hope is to sell the name to China, they'll make it a hit.
Paul
Alzero
Hero member
- Location
- Slow traveling
What’s the hottest type of bikes today: the adventure bike. Do you see a future in selling a new Atlas?
Cosi
Hero member
- Location
- Kingscliff
660 aprilia motor
Steve G.
Hero member
With current world ‘conditions’, it would be more accepted if it was Indian made rather than Chinese made.
I’ve spent a good amount of time on the current Royal Enfield twins. They are actually decent little bikes, especially with their price point. 270 degree crank gives an exhaust note full of character.
I’ve spent a good amount of time on the current Royal Enfield twins. They are actually decent little bikes, especially with their price point. 270 degree crank gives an exhaust note full of character.
a14rgs
Hero member
- Location
- Wiltshire, UK
I recently bought the nearest equivalent to a modern Atlas...
martymoose
Hero member
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Beige to match your cardigan? One of those 850TT guzzies came around Oz with us, 4litres per hundred km, range was incredible. Guzzi don't make retro bikes, they just never changed ...,
It would need an international competition heritage to merit the name SFC.
That's part of it's charm.
The Triumph Thruxton is just a variant of the New Beetle.
Paul
Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
I’m with Cosi on this. An up dated version of the proposed El Cid using a suitably tuned Aprilia 660 engine would be a good start. And then a modern Monty using a more highly tuned engine to follow.