Orson
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Posts posted by Orson
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I also had an Aprilia. A 2000 RSV Mille.
The Aprilia was like a doberman while the Guzzi is like a lovable Golden Retriever. Both nice but the Guzzi is more my style.
Thanks for posting the video
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http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/path_through_the_US.htm
That's a Monday.
I'm thinking of going to Caesars Head State Park, S.C.
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10,000 miles is just getting broken in
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Just found this site. I have #144. It resides in Azusa, CA USA.
Welcome aboard!
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I've wanted one ever since hearing Jay Leno say they're more fun than some of the supercars that he owns.
Given the size of his garage, that's really saying something
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Motorcycle parking is taken seriously in Mandello
Ultra Top Secret Guzzi wind tunnel
All the festivities take place on the banks of Lake Como. The people of Mandello really open their arms and welcome the Guzzisti with even butcher shops and dress shops displaying Guzzi regalia
From my hotel window, I can't help but take a shot of a father leading his daughter to the altar on her wedding day
Group shot taken amidst of a constant rumble of Guzzis
From Mandello, I make my way back to Parma, taking a day to explore the back roads of the Emilia RomagnaTabiano Castle
Bardi Castle-
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Pilgrims gather at the factory gates
Guzzi assembly line
While outside, Guzzis of all styles cruise the festivities
Some nicely modified Guzzis were spotted
An interloper
Nice juxtaposition between engineering styles
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I approach the Swiss border with a bit of trepidation as, the last time I entered Switzerland, the Border Guard treated me as if I was some sort of undesirable. Apparently Swiss Border Guards are immune to Guzzi's charms. This time however, I approach a bored looking Border Guard who languidly waves me through. YES!After Bellinzona, the road begins to get progressively more enjoyable as it climbs towards the St. Gothard's Pass, one of the oldest passes in the Alps. After crossing the pass, I get a room and spend the night in Andermatt. The next morning I continue towards Basel via the bumpy Furka Pass followed by the more enjoyable Grimsel Pass
With my friend at work, I have all day to get to Basel so, I stay off the main roads as much as possible. My friend recommends the Panoramastrasse which turns out to be a great little motorcycling route. I manage to find my friend's apartment by once again using my smart phone as a GPS. However, the phone can't make calls in Switzerland so, I'm left outside DD's apartment scratching my head wondering how to contact her when by some miracle, my friend arrives home just a few seconds later looking all continental-like on her commuter bicycle. After unpacking and doing some laundry, I enjoy a rest day in Basel as my friend play excellent host.The excellent weather streak continues as I begin my return journey. Sarner See Lake
The top of the Susten Pass
Descending...
Looking back up towards the Susten Pass in glorious sunshine
Lake Lugano
After crossing back into Italy, I stop for lunch at a nice lakeside restaurant. I enjoy a fantastic meal topped off with some home made Sambuca. When in Rome and all that. It used to irk me how long it took to eat lunch in Italy when I'd rather be riding but now, I just shrug my shoulders and go with the flow
The ferry landing at Menaggio is brimming with Guzzis as Guzzisti from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Mandello for the 95th anniversary of the founding of Moto Guzzi
A Nico Bakker framed Guzzi arrives at the ferry landing from the Netherlands
The streets of Mandello are brimming with Guzzis. It's as if I have been transported to a Bizarro World where Guzzis outnumber Hondas 10 to 1.
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It's interesting to watch the pre-race pageantry as teams prepare their cars on the starting line
The pit crews and press then vacate the starting line in preparation for the start. Mercedes takes up the front row with the two Ferraris right behind them.
Hamilton blows the start allowing Rosberg to grab the lead which he would hold until the end of the race. After the racing stops, the Tifosi are allowed the time-honored tradition of invading the circuit, led by a crew carrying a giant Ferrari flag
Pandemonium erupts! And this is with the Ferrari team finishing in third place. I can only imagine what it's like when Ferrari wins. Absolutely fantastic atmosphere with Tifosi, young and old in full Ferrari regalia. F1 is truly shooting themselves in the foot if they remove the Italian GP from the schedule.
The weather so far has been spectacular and with more fine weather in the forecast, an executive decision is made to cross the Alps to pay a visit to a friend in Basel, Switzerland.I head north towards the Swiss border, taking the ferry across Lake Como. Bellagio is a popular destination for day trippers from Milan and you'll never know what you will run into at the ferry landing
Stopping for a leisurely lunch at Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como
It takes a cold heart to turn one's back to Lake Como's beauty
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Jenson Button arrives in, natch, a McLaren
The Carabinieri arrive in a...Lotus Evora?? Sacriledge!
Alonso tries a different tact and attempts to enter the circuit incognito on a scooter
however, his ruse is quickly discovered forcing him to bail and continue into the circuit on foot
The F1 city is constructed like Lego blocks three-stories high
I don't know who it is but, nice Ferrari. Revving the throttle elicits full-throated cheers from the Tifosi
The photographer's scrum at the driver's entrance to the circuit
Nice Bimmer
The drivers are then paraded around the circuit on a flatbed truck
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After landing in Milan a quick bus ride takes me to the Milan Train Station which is a monument unto itself
From there, it's about an hour and a half train ride to team orson world headquarters in Parma to be reunited with my beloved Guzzi. Along with the Daytona-winning MGS-1, there are other Guzzi machinery strewn about Moto Gurareschi. A tastily restored Le Mans
A Monoshock Moto Guzzi
After being reunited with the Goose, we head north to Lake Garda. The tiny specs are windsurfers
From Garda, I head west thru the foothills towards Monza for that weekend's F1 Grand Premio d'Italia. I book a tour so that I can let a bus driver negotiate the labyrinth route to the circuit. Our hotel lies in the old, walled Bergamo Alta. Without a GPS, I'm forced to rely on my smart phone to get me to the hotel. Construction blocks the suggested route, leaving me to negotiate a series of backstreets to finally arrive in time for an evening cocktail.Bergamo Alta
We arrive early enough to catch the drivers entering the circuit. The Tifosi are wise to the drivers' arrival at the circuit and create a pinch point at the driver's entry. Drivers must negotiate the pinch point amongst a barrage of flash bulbs as the Tifosi seek to document their every movement. A Red Bull driver arrives in an Aston Martin
A Renault driver arrives in a...Renault
One of the team Haas drivers
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I spotted this at Moto Guareschi in Parma, Italy.
A Guzzi Bellagio donor bike remade as a cafe racer
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I saw a red V11 heading into Wales on the A44 on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Don't see too many around nowadays. I wonder if it was a forum member?
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Hey, Orson, when is this?
(Hoping it's not the weekend of Sept. 9-11 so you can get over the mountains from "Western North Carolina" to the Spine Raid!)
Yah. Unfortunately, it is September 9 to 11.
I hope to make the Spine Raid someday.
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I plan on being there.
I hope to meet up with any other V11-istas
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Excellent!
Thanks for the pictures and text!
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My favourite memory is the hissing of aluminum coming off the side stand letting that goose fly through the bends, the release of the machine as it hits redline in 4th, i force my foot against the tarmac to engage the next gear. That is Italian music. This Lemans is one of the Great Motorcycles.
Hard to believe you can sell the bike after writing such heartfelt prose
I'm sure it's a hard decision. Right now, I don't ever foresee me selling my Tenni but, one never knows what curves life throws you.
Good luck
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Add me into the registry. Just got a Tenni # 112, from a member on this forum.
Dang!
That thing looks brand new!
Nice!
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Just a note to mention...
2016 will be the 10th anniversary of Moto Guzzi's glorious vanquishing of the evil empire's Ducati NCR at the 2006 Daytona BOT race at the hands of young Gianfranco Guareschi on the MGS-01
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Orson
A couple of guys are planning a trip in 2016. Since you have ridden extensively in Europe what is your opinion on riding in the month of May? Would we most likely be dealing with a lot of rain and should maybe wait until June?
Thanks, Bob
I like riding from mid-May to mid-June for several reasons. The temperatures are quite comfortable in southern Europe and with the schools still in session, the crowds are smaller and there are more hotel rooms available. Many of the passes in the Alps don't open until mid-June so, I guess it depends on what your priorities are. I myself am not particularly enamored with endless switchbacks.
Without checking the internet, I don't think there is much difference in rainfall between May & June (in Italy). Rainfall would be a roll of the dice. Either you're lucky or you're not.
Late September through October are also good for the same reasons.
Croatia has some good roads and the food is almost like being in Italy. I really liked the Istrian peninsula. Lots of English spoken in the hotels and restaurants. Slovenia is also beautiful.
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I asked at Moto Guareschi about new models and was told that there may be a 1000cc V7 although, I wouldn't hold my breath.
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Just for the record, Agostinis in Mandello rents Guzzis
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A quick trip to Italy for a rideabout... I headed south towards Tuscany
Crossing the Apennine Mountains from Modena to Lucca via the Abetone Pass
Pitigliano
The Val d'Orcia has been designated a world heritage site. Google some pictures and you'll see why. I stayed with a couple who run a restaurant with a few rooms in Rocca d'Orcia. This is the third time I've stayed there and I feel I've become a friend rather than a client
Radicofani Castle in Tuscany.
After a few days motoring around Tuscany & Umbria, I headed north towards the Piedmont Region famous for its Barolo wines and white truffles.
The Langhe region with the Alps as a backdrop
The mighty, mighty Goose at rest. The old girl still running as strong as the day I bought her
A neat aspect of the Langhe region is the several ridge lines that cross the area. The tops of these ridges offer spectacular views of the surrounding hill towns. Sometimes you can spot three, four or even five towns from one vantage point
After a couple days puttering about the Langhe, I headed northwest to Lake Como to meet with fellow ST.Ners Daniel Kalal and DD and spousal unit Dan
First view of Lake Como
A recent precipitation had dusted the Alps with snow but, the weather was glorious
DD & Dan weren't scheduled to arrive until late afternoon so, as the good weather was holding out, I decided to head out and explore.
Waiting to board the ferry at Belaggio. Wherever you park a Guzzi, an oldtimer is sure to bathe it with admiring glances.
Looking south from the ferry from Belaggio towards Como
The Guzzi anxious to get going again. The ferry doesn't take long to cross the lake
A mountain village nestled in the hills above Mandello
Back down to the Lake in time for a late lunch
After lunch, I decide to pay a visit to the factory. Guzzi owners are required to make at least one pilgrimage to the factory during their lifetimes
Last time I visited about 13 years ago, I was the sole visitor. This time, I was but one of dozens clamoring to gain entrance to the hallowed halls. A clear sign of Moto Guzzi's impending rise to World Domination
350cc world champion
Carlo Guzzi's desk. The phone on the desk is a direct line to the Vatican
The mythical otto cilindri
The eight cylinder engine, almost unbelievably as small as a modern inline four engine
Pausing on the way back to catch the ferry at Varenna for a requisite Guzzi on Lake Como picture
Varenna is one of the prettier towns on the lake
After disembarking in Belaggio, I had the pleasure of meeting fellow Guzzisti Daniel Kalal at a lakeside restaurant for a quick beer. Unfortunately, he couldn't hang around for dinner as he had to catch the last ferry. Later that evening, I met up with DD and Dan for a nice cocktail and dinner at our hotel. It was great to finally meet after more than a decade on ST.N and a couple of near misses. Unfortunately, I had to return to Parma the next day in order to catch my flight home.
I covered approximately 3,000 km in about two weeks with only one day of light rain so, the trip was a great success.
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No coffee in the house this morning... so jumped on the LeMans. As I pulled into the local Starbucks, I noticed a car show getting started. Bunch of 60s iron, some modern sports cars (American and European), a few lead-sleds, some other oldies. Lots of dads with young boys. As I pulled in, one of the boys visually locked onto the Guzzi - hot Italian racing red and rumbly with my sawed-off Ti pipes. He tractor-beam focused till I parked.
While I was inside getting a pound of Komodo Dragon ground for the French press, I glanced out several times to see him still transfixed - no care whatsoever for the Ferrari, the Cobra, none of the cars... just gaping at the Guzzi and apparently lost in dream-land.
Reminded me of my boyhood fascination with motorcycles. I hope he's appropriately "scarred for life" and will be a Guzzisti in future.
Something similar happened to me as a kid although, not with Guzzis. When I wuz about 12 or 13 years old, we were on a family vacation waiting in the car to board the ferry to Vancouver Island. The first vehicles off the boat were two identical Kawasaki Z1s with sleeping bags tied on the grab rails. I wuz starstruck. The two riders were the coolest people on the planet, in my eyes.
Back to Guzzi content, i wuz walking around Amsterdam on vacation when I spotted a Guzzisti strapping on his helmet getting ready to ride. We made eye contact and I gave him a thumbs up. He gave me a smile and pointed to the bike as if to say,"All the glory goes to the bike. I just ride it".
Long before... ‘On Any Sunday’
in 24/7 V11
Posted
Great race footage!