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Z Custom Leathers made me an amazing racing jacket and pants for me almost twenty years ago to custom match my Sport. For a while there, they had seemed to have shrunk . Still, I only use them for "ceremonial" rides, and not usually the racing pants as they are not made to carry much (nothing) in the pockets. And my pocketses serve more like a day-pack . . . http://www.zcustom.com/

You can find rental bikes in Italy at Top Rent Moto. Unlike in the US, Motorbike rental is (very) expensive in Europe, and as I am certain you are aware, there are more restrictive rules than in the US. And to make matters more confusing, the same rules don't apply across Europe. Good news are, the police is generally more forgiving when they understand that you are not from Europe. For example in France, you have to wear one of those hi viz yellow jacket, and reflective stickers on your helmet. Helmet needs to be with Euro certification. No use to bring your DOT helmet if you were planing to.

Some Bilt items are better than Sedici. Even better than Alpinestars. But as a rule it's the lower end and cheaper stuff. Most important, get something comfortable and functional. If the cheaper gear works, that's good enough. If not, pay enough to get what you need. The next factor is how long it will last; you can check for quality when you purchase it but ultimately don't know until you own it. I don't have an inflatable vest. I think they make a lot of sense. For heat, like in Okla & TX, I have mesh gear. It works well. Mesh jacket and mesh over pants.

How about a Kawasaki Z440.

Thanks for sharing. What an epic trip! A pilgrimage to Mandello is most certainly on my 5-year list. I'm probably not committed enough to ship my bike, but I'm sure I can find a rental:).

The Rukka stuff looks really nice. Their prices seem in line with higher end gear. You should have gear that doesn’t get in the way and that you trust and like to ride in for the years to come. If you’re keen on going the bespoke route, in addition to Vanson Leather in MA, there is Langlitz Leathers in OR, and Bates Leathers in CA.

Hi, from Italy (Tuscany)

Here you go, one of my favourite Aussie road images. Always enjoy seeing this through the screen just before popping up for the braking marker. Turn 1 Phillip Island Bass Straight in the distance. Ciao

https://denver.craigslist.org/mcd/d/denver-2000-moto-guzzi-v11-sport-price/7249213055.html Consignment dealer in Denver area, they sold my VFR, good experience with them. Happy new year folks!

Hi Paul, Thanks for contributing! I have seen that a lot of equipment is being sold on eBay. But I think I will go brick and mortar just because I need to try on everything and will probably test multiple solutions. I am usually around 13+ for shoe size, depending on the brand. Medium/large for helmet; but again, some helmets are uncomfortable when wearing prescription glasses. I live at the limits of Spring Valley. For the time being, I am planning to drive the bike from Florida. I may rent the gear for that single trip, or purchase my own. I will test drive once I am there, and if I don't feel comfortable, I will get it shipped. I have driven rentals with long interruptions in between, never really felt uneasy before, but I am not going to take any chance. I never imagined there was so many Guzzisti enthusiasts in Texas. I have been a couple of times to the Lonestar Rally in Galveston, and mainly saw HD's and Japanese bikes. Again, thanks for the information.

+1 on the modular helmet with glasses (and also being able to expose our face for a conversation, whether it is to accept a compliment on our V11 or explain where your vehicle documents and permits are. I haven't settled on the perfect modular as my Shoei NeoTech II is so horribly noisy, I rebuilt some of it myself. Shoei only said, "Sorry you don't like your helmet." $700US worth of sucky. I am hoping the AGV Sport modular fits me for helmet-next. One feature that really surprised me (as I considered it a gimmick) is the flip down "fighter pilot" sun visor. As it turns out, I no longer switch between clear and sun glasses. This is an awesome improvement as it precludes me fumbling with two pair of (prescription) glasses to change out and stow. There was that time that I got the changeover all down except zipping the stow pocket. $800 worth of litter on the roadside out there, somewhere. Also, the advantage of instant change riding in and out of sun/shade.

All the good stuff has been said, and I’d only add a couple nuance items: As noted, Bilt and Sedici are house brands at cycle gear, and vary a lot in quality, with one model/item being great and the next model being pretty junky, so you just need to evaluate each item on its own. That said, their warranty is arguably the best, at least in a practical sense. Since it’s house brand stuff, they have long warranties and pretty much just let u swap it for a new one if you have an issue. I only used the warranty once on a Bilt ADV suit I bought for my son, but it was totally painless and devoid of any need to ship anything.... just walked into a local store and they gave me a new one, and there are hundreds (?) of their stores around. And I’m another big fan of the roadcrafter. I don’t live in hot climate, but plenty of friends who use the Roadcrafter suit and just vary what they wear underneath based on season/weather.... fleece or just boxers and a T, and they have seemed happy for a very long time that way. On big euro trips they really shine, where rides may take us into the alps or down in a hot Italian city, so just bundle up or unzip and it’s pretty easy. It was my go-to outfit for about 20yrs, though recently I’ve changed it up mostly just for the hell-of-it. Dainese, always a great choice. That’s what I’ve been eye balling again. Bad idea for me since I’m mostly too skinny even for dainese, and it’s expensive, but such nice gear. And if u have a cool/cold season when u ride, do NOT forget heated riding shirts! Maybe it’s age, or getting soft, but I love it. On a long distance ride where you’ll have cold weather at some point, having that relatively little heated shirt in your kit rather than a big bulky 4-season jacket is a no-brainer. Last fall I rode a couple thousand miles through weather with ice in the morning at the hotel, and then later at 100+ deg in Death Valley, and the heated jacket allowed me to focus on the hot weather gear and just have the heated shirt in the bag for the cold stretches. Way less bulk, and it’s warmer than any jacket ever made. Just make sure it fits snug. I’ve got a couple brands, but warm-and-safe I think is the brand of my heated sweater. Only complaint is that the sweater is hard to take off, if u get the good snug fit. I’d recommend a full zip front instead (my old jacket is that way, but it’s loose, so not as warm.... u want that heat close to your body). Helmet- as noted, get what fits. And some disagree with me on this, but I’m a huge fan of the modular helmets. I have a Nolan 104. Riding the road, face shield down. At a stop light, or around town on a hot Texas day at slow speeds I have my helmet flipped up so I can breath. Except for track days, I’m never going back.

Converted to handlebars..I think.

Are you sure you want to do this ? Unless someone else has done it successfully , IDK if I would go there .

Could be worse (as in: Mick Walker ) Must agree about the recycled content in these sorts of books. A few new models with a few new pictures in each subsequent edition. This is how the damn "tractor motor" crap got perpetuated.

Don't see Rukka mentioned, quality from Finland. My biggest $$$ ever when it comes to riding gear, Rukka Amaros. Another IPA, yes, enjoy life guys. Cheer tom. Sent fra min SM-A505FN via Tapatalk

To be fair, it's only hot and humid here in Houston during the summer months, which is why you'll likely need to have gear for summer (lighter weight or mesh) vs. gear that works the rest of the year or can be used with layers. Anywhere else in Texas will be hot, but much less humidity once you get away from the coast a bit. If you're looking for good brands to try, you can find lots of good gear on Ebay also, whether that's Fieldsheer, Kathmandu style jackets, Aerostitch, Joe Rocket, Alpinestar or Klim gear. Best way would be to figure out if you're sticking to a budget. Depending on what size gear you wear or helmet, I have some very lightly used extra boots (I think size 10.5, will check) and practically brand new helmet (Nolan in XL) that a friend of mine no longer uses and they are too big for my use. If those are in your sizes, happy to have you take a look. Occasionally also on Wildguzzi a fellow by the name of Bikelee has very good deals pop up on high quality gear, I've bought a few of his items...impeccable, very lightly used high quality Aerostitch items. You can also look online for gear thru many online motorcycle vendors...tons of gear available at reasonable prices. Depending on where you are in Houston, let me know and can arrange to show you the gear. Once you get your bike in your hands and are comfortable riding again, there are several of us Guzzisti who go out regularly for weekend rides/coffee/lunch. Hopefully in 2021, the rallies will resume as well, there's the GRIT rally (you can also sign up on Facebook for the GRIT - Guzzi Riders in Texas) site, where we post up if we're doing a lunch somewhere around the state. October is when the Texas GRIT rally occurs, also the Oklahoma rally (Talihina state park) and then there's Cedar Vale Kansas in May, Louisiana rally, New Mexico rally etc...) So if you can get your V11 and self into a comfortable touring condition, those are fun events to meet other Guzzisti. Cheers, Paul

In a word, Roadcrafter! I have crash experience and it saved me from serious road rash and maybe worse. I believe they have the best armor, TF something..it's soft until impact then indestructible. but yeah, an airbag vest would be even better.

It’s best to try stuff on in person, but this is difficult in many locals, and very hard right now with Covid. I think Revzilla and Cycle Gear may be the same company. Revzilla is user friendly with returns which is often necessary to get the right fit. Alpinestars and Dainese make good stuff, but the fit is Euro slim. A good sizing chart will get you close with jackets and pants, but helmets and boots are more particular for matching helmet shells and shoe lasts to your head and feet. I have Daytona boots which are great but it took two times with Helimot to get the fit right. My Shoei helmet I was able to buy at a local store, and I’m glad that I did as all of the helmets I tried fit differently from each other. I have a great vintage Cal Leather horse hide jacket I got cheap on the fedora lounge forum. It predates the use of armor in jackets, but it’s like a suit of armor and is in great shape (I have an extra one if anyone is interested). I have newer Vanson leather pants which are what I like to ride in; they’re a little pricey but very nice. I also have a new Vanson jackets but the fit is not great and I need to send it back. These things are expensive and it takes a while to have them made, but the idea is that you’ll end up with a perfect fit. I dunno. In spite of having the custom Vanson and vintage Cal Leather jackets, the jacket that I use the most is an inexensive Cortech jacket I bought on sale from Revzilla. It fits and works great and has full CE armor. It a combo mesh/leather jacket and is great in hot weather, and with a windproof base layer it works in the cold. For gloves I use the Lee Parks DeerSports, and after a year’s use they’re holding up ok. I think if I was riding a lot in wet weather I’d be looking at an Aerostich suit. I don’t know if they’re open now as Covid has disrupted a lot of operations. Good luck!

That is a kind and thoughtful offer Paul. I once was a member of a now defunct local vintage moto forum in which one thoughtful member started a "pay it forward" thread where members could give away items that were say, not of particularly great value, but too good to throw away. In the vintage scene all sorts of bits and pieces were utilized for all sorts of applications. The only requirement to claim the free item was to, shortly thereafter, continue to "pay it forward" and offer up something else. Value was not relevant. Cool idea. I took advantage of the first offer, a book of the history of Harley D advertising. I then offered up a motocross helmet I had got in a parts purchase, and on, and on it went. That particular forum later started a Facebook page and completely lost all semblance of a moto forum. Too bad.

Merry Christmas (Eve)! Temperatures are dropping in a cold wind from The North Pole. All is well, though, as I have my Christmas lights on to cheer me (and me Sport) . . .