The Kneeslider

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Millepercento M2S and BB1

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Millepercento M2S
Millepercento M2S introduced at EICMA 2009

When I mentioned the new Moto Guzzi concepts at EICMA this year, one comment pointed to the Millepercento M2S. I'm not very familiar with the company, but I remembered some information I had filed away and took another look. It seems they make some rather interesting water cooled big bore engine conversions for the Guzzis, 1420cc to be exact, which could make for a fun ride with all of the extra power, 135 horsepower and almost 108 foot pounds of torque. Nice!

Millepercento BB1
Millepercento BB1

Last year, the bike they had on display was the BB1, a Moto Guzzi Griso with the big bore kit installed. From the info at that time, they planned to produce a limited number of the BB1 for sale in Europe but I don't know if they did.

Millepercento big bore Moto Guzzi engine
Millepercento big bore Moto Guzzi engine used in the BB1

The M2S introduced this year at EICMA looks interesting, but other than photos, I don't have much info. I prefer less bodywork on Guzzis because it puts the engine in plain sight and Guzzi engines look good. I didn't see any specs for the M2S, but it would be nice if they adapted their big bore kit to the 4 valve head.

Overall, it looks like Millepercento wants to develop the Moto Guzzi beyond where the factory is currently going and they seem to be doing a nice job. I think they're worth watching.

Link: Millepercento

Comments

  2. Other infos: as far as I know the bike was developed by Ghezzi from ghezzi&brian and designed by Terblanche. They will sell a normal version with the classic air cooled engine and one with the big bore liquid cooled conversion. Nice thing is the radiator under the seat. Something like this patent from Erik Buell:

    http://www.google.com/patents?id=87qxAAAAEBAJ&printsec=drawing&zoom=4#v=onepage&q=&f=false

    the M2S you posted has 2 air intakes, you can see them in the front view.
    This bike is really better than the HP2..

  3. The comment about missing the exposed engine is interesting. The red model is the first Moto Guzzi that I didn’t recognize as one at first glance.

  4. They did sell BB1 to consumers. There’s one registered in Finland. That dude even had it customized before it was enough to be his daily commuter/rider..
    It is a beautiful bike.

  5. Gianfranco Guareschi won the 2007 BOT class at Daytona on a Big-Bore equipped Moto Guzzi MGS-01. Guzzi didn’t mention the big bore motor in their press release. http://www.motoguzzicanada.com/servonline/news/dettaglio.asp?indice=230

    Here’s the ’07 bike with the BB motor:
    http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3559/grandeguarofb9.jpg

    He won in ’06 on the same bike with the standard MGS motor. Damn them for never making the road legal version of that bike!

  7. They are both gorgeous! The BB1 looks like something my arthritis could live with and the motor is fabulous. The Italian sense of design and beauty never fails to stop me in my tracks.

  8. I like them …. I think that girder style plate and rear light extension is a good design idea and I LOVE the idea of a big bore Grisso…..

    I’ve been looking at the California because I want a standard style bike with a big engine….. but it make me think what would be better than the Cali with a big bore engine?

    Could be a pure sleeper … ready to knock the socks off un-observant riders of certain other v-twins.

  9. @ommag
    It would certainly be a drop dead sleeper with the torque to weight ratio it would have, and look good doing it

  10. OK, this is ticking all of the right boxes. Time to thin the herd and make room for the new lady.

  11. I dunno. Could the wire spokes on a California handle that kind of torque?

    Of course, I understand that most people buy lots of power but not many people ever use it.

    -todd

  12. Hardware aside, the M2S, in my opinion, looks like a pretty girl in an ugly dress.

    The side is a deal breaker. (and my complete lack of any money doesn’t help either)

  13. this is such an interesting web site (ks). It brings so much to light each week.Guzzi’s are an interesting bike and these are truely beautiful. One day I need to ride a Guzzi.

  14. Lose the fairing, belly pan, and the rest of the “bodywork” (on the M2S) and you would have a great looking bike. Then of course, I prefer to party naked…

    Guzzis have always been attractive to me for their “mechanicalness”. A shame to cover all that up.

  15. Todd said: I dunno. “Could the wire spokes on a California handle that kind of torque?”

    I do not know but it could be fun to find out……. !

  16. Guzzis are great bikes with a very specific and personal look. It’s not really cool to have it designed to look like a random japanese sportsbike …

    I’d like to test ride the beast, though

  17. Nicolas, I tend to think that it looks more like a cross between a Buell, Triumph, BMW, KTM, Hyosung, and Ducati. I don’t see the Japanese connection you’re referring to.

    -todd