Hello,

Are there any benefits to a longitudinal V twin arrangement? Moto Guzzi seems to be the only manufacturer that bothers with it. Does it have any benefits regarding weight, cooling, balance, vibration, etc.? It seems the engine would be mostly in the way of your legs...but obviously I have no experience riding one.

I guess the opposed twin (BMW) would fit in the same category...it appears the design puts the engine weight lower in the frame.(?)

Thanks

+Ideal crank orientation for shaft drive.
+Cylinders in the breeze = good in the era of air cooling
+90deg V layout has perfect primary balance = ability to make a large-displacement twin cyl without making the wheelbase overly loooong. Hellooooo Ducati.

It is clearly not an "ideal" layout (is there one?) and I think it's largely maintained now for branding issues. It's iconic. Guzzi had great success with this and it is now valuable as much for what it isn't as for what it is.

A lot like the BMW twin -- has its drawbacks but it's iconic.

Quote from: 5thAve on April 06, 2009, 06:55:00 PM
+Ideal crank orientation for shaft drive.
+Cylinders in the breeze = good in the era of air cooling
+90deg V layout has perfect primary balance = ability to make a large-displacement twin cyl without making the wheelbase overly loooong. Hellooooo Ducati.

It is clearly not an "ideal" layout (is there one?) and I think it's largely maintained now for branding issues. It's iconic. Guzzi had great success with this and it is now valuable as much for what it isn't as for what it is.

A lot like the BMW twin -- has its drawbacks but it's iconic.

ive owned one and no probs wiht legs at all. i liked it cause cys were up high if a laydown, damage usually was minimal

Not terribly exciting but reliable and well finished. If I ran across one for the right price I'd snag it.

Yea I never been a fan of the BMW's engine configuration.  Guy in the bike club I rode with came off his and lets say all those fancy bits that hang out of the engine were lets say HANGING out of the engine.....and hanging all over the road.

I like the engine in the engine bay where it belongs not hanging in the breeze.

Just my opinion on BMW's though  (ducks for cover as the BMW fans pipe up)

Honda had the CX500 for a few years which was also a longitudinal v-twin.  Not sure if it was 90 degree, but I think so.