What is it with this word ‘cool’ in our modern world? It seems it no longer means something that’s not hot. More like, ‘you’re so cool’, ‘that’s cool’, ‘ I feel cool’, or just simple ’cool’, which I think plainly means the forgotten English Oxford dictionary equivalent of good, or nice.
Whatever the explanation is for this icy word it seems it’s here to stay, much like the engine configuration of the Moto Guzzi brand. And, if you wanted to use this word in another context use it profoundly when you ride this Audace (pronounced Orr-dach-eeh, if you don’t speak Italiano), because I haven’t ridden anything for a long time that makes you feel so damn cool – so there.
Believe it or not this gargantuan motor, which Moto Guzzi call their ‘big-block’ engine, is the largest V-twin ever to be manufactured in Europe, or Mandello, Italy, to be more precise. And what a whopper it is and very cool to look at, and I don’t mean myself in tight fitting underwear either, or maybe I do – visit www.advanced,ego,com if you’d like to see the images, maybe not?
Soft porn pictures aside there’s nothing soft about the imposing appearance of this monster muscle bike or power-cruiser as I’d prefer to call it, along the same mould as the Ducati Diavel, Suzuki Boulevard, Harley V-Rod, etc… and after week on this beautifully made beast this is my favourite bike in this class because it makes you feel, er, cool (must stop that now or my old English teacher will send disbelief messages on Bookface).
No other Guzzi I’ve ever ridden is so well built and I think its R209,000 asking price justifies the amount of metal you get, and there’s lots of it with a weight of 299kg, which sounds a lot I know but all big cruisers substitute mass for outright performance anyway. But do not be fooled by this massive transverse air/oil-cooled 1,380cc lump, because it chugs out 98hp, which doesn’t sound too big for 1400cc, but how about 121Nm @3,000rpm, oh yes, now that’s cool, er, very impressive I mean. And that’s where the heart of the Audace lies with more torque than a battle ship and short shifting in that fat figure is a trait the ‘others’ cannot come close to. Not to mention, from the front view, that nothing is so dramatically imposing and this is without doubt my favourite Guzzi of all time and I’d certainly be extremely happy and pleased with myself to wake up in the morning and see this in my garage. A bit like finding Jennifer Aniston making coffee in my kitchen wearing one of my treasured t-shirts, but due to my bank account situation probably neither will happen, but you never know, right?
Hollywood fantasies aside the finish on this gorgeous matt/orange/brick-like colour tank cover would easily match Jennifer’s complexion and as much fun to polish, did I just say that? But honestly, if you wanted to waft down Hollywood boulevard and look enviably cool to every pedestrian, buy a Moto Guzzi Audace, it deservedly belongs there.
So cruising and showing off is where the Audace excels but what about when you come to a series of twisty bends you ask, and rightfully so, because most power cruisers in this area are about as much use as a snorkel on the moon. Well in this case the Audace isn’t like that at all, in fact it’s surprisingly good. Proper suspension is the result of its quick turning attributes, even thought it has a 1695mm wheelbase. The forks are non adjustable but the damping parameters are well chosen as are those ‘cool’ twin rear shocks with remote gas tanks. Just tip and turn and the Audace enjoys your commands with vigour and it’s quite an entertaining package, unlike some Guzzi’s I’ve ridden. And, if you’re going too fast, which you probably will be, then the powerful radial Brembo monobloc calipers and 320mm discs will stop you as quick as a vicar walking into a brothel when the blindfold is removed.
A lot of the riding fun has to do with the riding position, I’m sure. The footrest are only slightly forward instead of extending your legs like you have TV sofa cramp that most power cruisers seem to have and the low 740mm seat height, that even a crab could sit on, keeps you where you need to be. The tiny rear seat is also detachable so you can expose the big rear fender with its pretty LED lights in a true ‘bad-ass’ manner, which is nice. However the best thing about the riding position is that super-chunky flat ‘bar that makes you feel like you’re going drag racing instead of posing. And, in front of that is the world’s biggest rev-counter, more like a wall clock, and I really liked that at night, a lot.
This giant clock shows off all the stuff you need to know with a LCD display in the middle relaying your electronic choices. Oh yes, the Audace is also full of the modern day desirable electronic packages buyers demand. Three levels of traction control (ABS), three power modes that I just left in maximum veloce mode and you can pair the Audace to your i-phone or the like and fiddle with a thousand things to add even more flavour. There’s also a cruise control and heated grips for winter warmth, so as you can see the Audace (meaning ‘Bold’ if you’d like to know) is well equipped to say the least.
So this Audace, as you’ve gathered, is my choice of the power cruisers at the moment because it’s so unique, individual, very good to ride and so damn cool, and that’s the last time I’m going to use that word. Cayenne are now the official importers for Moto Guzzi www.cayenne.co.za and even though their shop is in Gauteng they guarantee they’ll get your new Audace, or any new Guzzi, properly serviced nationwide, which is reassuring. Or, if you’re in the area go for a test ride and experience the Cool Factor on a completely different level, I did and loved every minute.
