alannn

I also questioned "less practical" as I typed it because the V11 Lemans is not an impractical bike overall compared to many other more specialized bikes. Perhaps I should have instead said, less versatile. Yet again, it is more versatile than many other more specialized bikes. The Griso and V85tt both simply happen to be excellent do everything bikes. The most obvious answer is @Oxfo-Moto needs the V11 Lemans so as not to miss out on it's extraordinary riding experience. Very very different experience than riding my Stelvio which I love in a different way.

V11 Le Mans is less practical, more engaging, and more fun.

On a motorcycle trip, I always try to schedule to avoid brutal summer sun when over 100 degrees. It can turn what should be an enjoyable ride into an unpleasant endurance test. At least in a convertible I have the option of top up with a/c on. On the freeway surrounded by trucks, the bike beats the convertible. Sports cars and motorcycles are both for fun. Sometimes in the worst conditions, the isolation of the luxury car is preferred to both.

My 2002 MR2 Spyder is 2200 lbs and 138 hp, sporting 15 inch wheels. It's a true 2 seater convertible sports car. Only the experience of driving a car with the engine behind, allows appreciation of that handling difference. Whether winding through the misty forest in the morning, or cruising under the desert stars at night, a true convertible is sweeter than the same ride in a closed sedan. It's ideal for group rides through the mountains/hills with my wife who has retired from motorcycle pillion duties. Admittedly, I still prefer my luggage equipped Stelvio for grocery runs. I can shift up and down through the gears, even to redline without reaching speeds unsafe for public roads. That's why I chose it over the too fast, yet lovely Porsches. I upgraded the exhaust, so it sings sweet, not too loud. I upgraded the floaty oem suspension with quality shocks and swaybars, all adjustable. So it is generally fast on the super twisty bits, yet compliant, not jarring over bumps. Compared to the Lotus dream machine of my youth, it's 6 inches taller, so easy entry/exit now for my old bones. How I survived summers in Virginia without air conditioning is a mystery of my youth. A/C is now a requirement. It's got the build quality and reliability that Toyota is famous for, easy to work on, and doesn't strain the wallet. Easy to own, compared to the classic Italian sports cars that are more fun to look at. P.S. Washing a car is more pleasurable than washing a motorcycle.

My favorite too. The beautiful Miura is proportioned so well, you can't appreciate how low and ground hugging it is until you are standing next to it, towering over it. Although they weren't crazy expensive when new, they sure are now. Well above my budget, so I enjoy driving my Toyota MR2 Spyder instead.

Out of respect for science, I prefer to consider the character ( ) of my V11 as artificial intelligence rather than soul.

I run heavy gauge lamp cord to my speakers. Compared to fancy speaker wire, it sounds the same, and it keeps my wallet heavy gauge too.

You guys have quick answers. Scura's and Tenni's single plate clutch is a potential problem, so I'm fine without it on my best bang for the buck, unlimited '02 Lemans. I'm sure my Lemans revs up slower in neutral without it. I can live with that. Titanium nitride coated forks sound nice. Perhaps longer lasting? I wonder if any other Moto Guzzi's have titanium nitride coated forks. The coating I've heard of on Jap bikes for low stiction is teflon. That doesn't sound as durable, does it? I'm happy with my '02's wrinkle paint. So perfect, that I'm sure the engine cases were replaced under warranty. A tiny touch up on my gearbox case was easy enough.

2024 is the year I bought my first V11, the Champagne Lemans. So I'm still learning. This thread seems like the obvious place to ask: Does my '02 have the same lightweight single-plate clutch and titanium nitride coated forks as the Tenni?

I may be wrong, but my head is wrapped around the idea that the V11 Tenni is a rare color, not a rare bike.

I wish I could have gotten that signal instead of being stuck out on Long Island at my parent's.

102.7 was WNEW. Alison Steele perfected the sultry, whispering dj technique there.

Alison Steele, WNEW, 10 pm - 2 am. That was the reason I slept with my Koss headphones on. My alternate dj was Alex Bennett on WPLJ. I suppose NY FM radio was a big influence on my teenage musical tastes during the 70's decade.

Standard lengths of 16ft and 25ft can be combined using optional DIY® Couplers for longer lengths

I still have fond memories of the sound and smell and fun of my Yamaha Daytona Special (RD400 style 2 stroke). I sold it because of overwhelming feelings of inadequacy when an associate showed up on his Suzuki RG500 "Gamma." Sadly my excitement over the Gamma exceeded that of my Daytona, and I never even rode it. What a sound!