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That sounds like me years ago. I started by getting helmet jacket & gloves so I could test ride a few bikes. I have a maintenance background, so a second hand bike in need of TLC was OK. I rode a few bikes that were fine, but none had the appeal of the V11. A Bonneville was good, but not exciting. A Yamaha R6 was exciting, but didn't stir my soul. I think your friend should try lots of bikes.

So much worse, so much earlier than the Japanese; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel

I fitted a Wilbers 641-519-01 to my 03 long frame bike. It's an easy swap. It is 5mm longer than the original Sachs Boge. Sachs: 280.5mm center to center. Wilbers: 285.4mm. I only realized the extra shock length when the rear tire just touched the ground while on the maintenance stand, after I fitted the new shock and a new tire.

Wilbers web site spells it out clearly: 641-0519-00 for the KR, short frame. 641-0519-01 for the KT, long frame. That inspires more confidence than the listing in the Hyperpro catalog. Edit: Then for the hell of it, I check the OEM parts listing which shows GU02550201 for both the short frame and long frame models. So to answer my own question, it looks like all non Ohlins V11's have the same OEM shock, GU02550201. So now I suspect Wilbers took the initiative to specify a longer shock for all long frame models to match the Ohlins spec. I will try to contact Wilbers to verify my wild guess.

Just buy the top of the range Wilbers shock. Adjustable everything. H/lo speed compression, hydraulic preload adjuster, low speed rebound and shock length. The preload adjuster and reservoir fit the std Sachs mount. Phil

It would be easier to just go out and swap shocks docc, lol. My 2-3mm is clearly wrong as I halved the additional shock length instead of doubling it and subtracting a bit for the shock and swingarm angle. BTW the Penske suggestion is a good one. I've had one of these apart on the race bike and they are excellent quality and a step above the OEM Ohlins. People don't realise that Ohlins suspension comes in different grades and the OEM stuff while decent isn't the magic gold people thing it is. It's a marketing exercise by the manufacturers more than a massive upgrade in suspension quality. The Ohlins "benefit" has reduced as time has passed because the Japanese/Italian OEM suspension is so much better than it used to be. I say this not to denigrate the Ohlins stuff but to make people aware that there is many other superior options out there from aftermarket manufacturers that people seem to ignore in the "worship of the gold". The money asked for a second hand Ohlins shock for a V11 is ridiculous these days when you can buy a superior tailored shock of better quality new. Remember the original V11 Ohlins shock is now 25 year old tech and materials Phil

A great beginning, without having to already own a bike, is to take a local Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Beginner's Rider Course. A weekend course, typically, with some classroom, but a lot of "range time" performing specific skill exercises on a 250cc bike (usually various models to choose from). The course culminates with a riding evaluation and many states accept the completion certificate for a motorcycle license (varies by state). They offer a range intensive Experienced Rider's Course that is perfect to come back on the new rider's bike of choice.

I can only imagine this scenario with one of my own friends. That said, if he wants a Guzzi, get a new, small block. I would caveat to him, "you should buy something you can resell, possibly within a year". Given that advice, I'd recommend a Triumph twin over a Guzzi. Because, it's a great 'standard', with a larger dealer network and community.

I see the Öhlins shock fitted to my short frame Sport is 286mm (relative to the factory Sachs 280.5). The change is ride height was notable, yet also affected (likely more so) by the stiffer spring and more aggressive sag settings.

Yes by maybe 2-3mm. Phil [edit: corrected by Phil in his post later in the day (six posts below): "My 2-3mm is clearly wrong as I halved the additional shock length instead of doubling it and subtracting a bit for the shock and swingarm angle. "

Wilbers 641-0519-00 Blackline on my 01 Greenie. Great schock worth the money. Cheers Tom.

@Speedfrog Bingo! the guy answered; it has 31,000 miles, one owner. The actual seller bought it from the owner's estate, so he does not know anything about the bike but he said it looked in good condition. I believe that he is some kind of liquidator? his wording led me to believe the owner passed away. I am planning to go to Arizona to check it out the first week of January. If I like it, I will drive it back to Houston.

Double ish Phil

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Incredible value to buy, good quality, modest but adequate power, zero vibration 650cc fuel injected parallel twin with balance shaft, easy home maintenance, ABS both wheels, spare parts very cost effective and fast to get (example $350 usd for a new painted fuel tank shipped to your door) With aftermarket Stainless mufflers shown ( $350usd) 205KG and low C of G. Lots of aftermarket stuff available. I decided I'd like to use black front and rear guards instead of the standard silver so I purchased a set of new genuine RE front and rear guards from India. I had them in 10 days for a cost of $65usd delivered. Cheaper than painting them. Have a silly garage tip over and damage stuff? Well no grief to the hip pocket there. A brand new instrument set is around $125usd from memory. Delivered of course. have the same thing with your new Ducati or Guzzi and you'll be at the bank re mortgaging the house. Can't go wrong. Phil

Ok Phil, maybe I never heard that record. Could you tell me more?

He wants something that that stirs the soul. He saw my bikes and would love to have one of them, a V11. He will ultimately make the choice, but docc's suggestion I like best from a safety point of view for a guy getting back into it. I want him to be prepared as possible for the current breed of drivers out there and to reset all that needs to be reset. After all, I'm going to be known as the guy who got him riding again, and I have no clue what his family thinks of this. But that is not to lessen all the other comments. All are great! When you are brainstorming, no idea is a bad idea.

I'm going to sound like a broken record here but this every day of the week. Phil

If it is to be a commodity bike, any Honda will do and likely has the best resale. It is best to be passionate, to focus on the perfect moments, be capable of performing maintenance and have something in your wallet to own a Guzzi. There are many prior Guzzi owners. How much passion does your friend have to invest?

I don't think it is a one to one ratio between the shock and the rear wheels travel. I believe the rear wheel travels farther for every unit of travel at the shock. So increasing shock length 5mm should increase rear ride height by more then 5mm. How much more? I don't recall exactly. But if the ratio between shock and rear wheel is two to one that would mean an extra 5mm of shock length would lead to an increase in rear ride height of 10mm, with the corresponding increase in seat height being just slightly less then that (a guess would be 9mm). Somewhere on this forum is a thread where we dug deep into the ratio between shock travel and rear wheel travel. The design of the rear suspension is such that the ratio between the two is not fixed, it is a varying ratio. But I don't remember the starting ratio or how much exactly it changed as the suspension went through its travel. For that I defer to someone like docc to dig up. To my knowledge the V11 sport only came with one of two shocks, the Sachs shock or the Ohlins shock. The difference between the two is just length, with the Ohlins being a little longer as mentioned. The two shocks can be interchanged, running the Sacs shock (or a shock of the same length) would mean a slightly lower seat height and a shallower steering angle of the front forks, along with slightly less ground clearance. That would lead to slightly slower steering. Running the Ohlins shock means slightly higher seat height along with a steeper steering angle and the more aggressive steering that goes with it, as well as slightly more ground clearance. I think most around here would go with the longer shock option as it is generally accepted that the longer shock improves steering. But perhaps the best option is an adjustable length shock that allows you to fine tune the shocks length to where you are happy with it. One that starts at the length of the Sachs shock but can be adjusted to as long or longer then the Olins shock would be my choice. For those in the USA I highly recommend you consider a Penske shock. They are really high quality and they can make the shock to your specs. That is what the wife's V11 has, as well as the wife's Ducati Monster. For the Monster they made a shock that was shorter then stock to lower the seat height for her. It is shorter then stock, but can adjust to stock length.

Aha 5mm difference! Ha ha whichever way you go you'll end up with a better unit than the stock unit! I was going to go Wilbers back when I changed mine out but the supplier lost the ability to supply them at the last minute. So, we went with the Hyperpro which he could and as mentioned I'm happy with it. Cheers Ps I did hum and hah about whether to go Emulsion ( basic ) or the all singing all dancing version at the time but have no regrets.. The Emulsion 460 does the job well for me.

It's called "natural selection". Phil

G'day mate I have the Hyperpro 460 Emulsion shock on my 01 Sport and think it's same size as standard. I sometimes wish that I'd ordered it with the optional length adjustment ability to enable the rear to be raised by the 8mm of the Ohlins, but I'm pretty happy with how she handles as is with forks raised in triples by 8mm. .It's been a while since I did this so will leave it to wiser heads to prevail on that and fitment to your LeMans. Whichever way you go I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with the Hyperpro units... I know I am! Cheers

Courtesy of @Randy and @KINDOY2:

Over the years I have encountered a number of more or less famous musical artists. The trend is, the better and more experienced they are at what they do, the more likely there are to be relaxed and friendly. The difficult ones are those who are not as good as they would like to be (and know it deep down inside...).