Orson

A small castle stands sentry over a mountain pass From Norcia, I travel the breadth of Umbria in one day to reach the Autodromo dell'Umbria near Perugia, where the following day, I get to attend a classic bike race. Gianfranco Guareschi, champion to Guzzisti faithful everywhere for his slaying of the NCR Ducati at the 2007 Daytona was in attendance on a V7 Cafe Sport. A loyal fan base keeps applying to have him anointed a saint, but the Vatican insists on raising the technicality of people being dead before attaining sainthood. Here, team Guareschi fends off rabid fans. Gianfranco in the grey shirt with Papa Guareschi in red. There were a lotta neat bikes at the meet. These Kawasaki KR250s, ruled the world championships in the 1980s. This was the first time I'd seen one up close, and couldn't believe how small they are. FOR SALE- Franco Uncini's 1982 world championship winning RG500 Suzuki Not for sale, a Benelli 500-4 The riders take the grid, with Gianfranco having qualified fourth in a field comprised of about 80% Guzzis and 20% Ducatis. A Ducati 996 was on pole. The flag dropped and Guareschi entered the first turn in fourth place. By the exit of the first turn, he was in front with about a 50 foot lead. The Ducati's horsepower closed the gap on the back straight, but once they reached the twisties, Guareschi wuz gone, leading every lap. After the races, I headed back into Tuscany on the final leg of my journey. This was the first time I had been to Tuscany during the springtime, and I must say I wuz impressed. everything was green with a vast carpet of red poppies. The roads don't fail to impress either. Tuscan hill towns picture post card roads Monte Amiata, the highest peak in southern Tuscany watches over the Val d'Orcia

In all my travels and all my reading, I had never heard of this stretch of road. Discovering a hidden gem of a road is worth massive bonus points. The spectacular stretch of road ended all too quickly after only 30 kilometers, much the same as the Pacific Coast Highway does as it approaches L.A. It marked a fine ending to my longest day in the saddle, a good eight hours. The next day, I travel inland across a small mountain pass. I had the road blissfully to myself, seeing only a couple of other cars before lunch time. The farther south you get, the fewer the hordes of German & Dutch bikers who plague the Alps like locusts. After crossing the mountains, I reach the southern coast of Italy, the sole on the boot if you will. It's too early in the season for most of the coastal hotels to open and I have to ride all the way to the port city of Taranto before I find a hotel room. From Taranto, I turn around and start heading north. The terrain of the Basilicata region is a pleasant vista of rolling hills which provide mostly straight, but throwing in enough high speed sweepers to keep things entertaining. Stopping for lunch in Italy is a bit of a conundrum. Most Italians eat lunch at about 1:30 before going home for a mid-afternoon break. If you don't find a restaurant by 2:30, you're out of luck as all the restaurants close and won't open until 7 or 8 that night. This is the way they've done it for centuries and they're not about to change Coming from the land of 24 hour breakfasts, this is hard to adjust to. It's a bit maddening at times, but when it comes down to it, I'm glad Italians preserve their way of doing things. I still haven't been bold enough to order wine at lunch, as nearly all the locals do. By late afternoon I enter Puglia and reconnect with the coastline at the Manfredonia. The Parco Nazionale del Gargano takes up the bump protruding from the back of the Italian boot. La costa Pugliense The towns in this region are whitewashed giving you the impression that you might be in Andalusia or Morocco. From Puglia, I blast north along the autostrada before heading inland in Abruzzo, just south of Pescara. I was mighty impressed by the size of the mountains in Abruzzo. Not quite the Alps, but beautiful nevertheless. Near the Umbrian town of Norcia, in the Parco Nazionale dei Monte Sibilini, lies the vast open plain known as Piano Grande. In the springtime, the plain is covered with yellow rapeseed and red poppies. Unfortunately, there were no poppies when I rode thru, but lots of rapeseed. The village of Castelluccio in the distance is the highest settlement in the Appenines at 1,452 meters. The mighty, mighty Goose waits impatiently as the team orson photographer dawdles

A secluded grotto viewed from the road Heading back towards the hotel Southern Italy is known for limoncello, and this time of year, lemons are bursting off the trees. Two glasses of this stuff will put you down for the count. That might explain the crooked horizon in the picture Another view of Amalfi from the hotel. After leaving the Amalfi coast, I continued south into the region of Campania. I stopped briefly to view the impressive Greek ruins in Paestum. Venturing deeper into Campania, the terrain began to resemble the California coast. I had no idea of what lie ahead of me. At Praia a Mare, the mountains rise straight from the sea, as the road clings to the cliffs in a perfect mirror image of California's Big Sur.

My 2012 vacation would mark the tenth anniversary since the inception of team orson. One would think that a grand tour would be called for to celebrate the occassion however, as I left Saudi Arabia for team orson's palatial world headquarters, I didn't have a clue where I wuz going. Befuddled and confused, I packed maps for both France (north) or Italy (south). A late start meant that it was 4 P.M. before I left Parma and headed over the Appenines via the Passo della Cisa towards the coast, still without a clue which direction I wuz headed. I stopped for the night in Portovenere, exhausted after a little over 100 kn :eek: Portovenere isn't as famous as its Cinque Terre neighbors or as posh as Portofino, but has a pleasant enough waterfront. I usually sleep 6 hours a night, but that first night I slept 10 hours! :eek: Holy kwap! Wuz I becoming a lightweight in my old age? Watching the TV news, the decision on which direction to go was made by the weather report. Rain in France while southern Italy basked under sunny skies. As I had ridden thru the Apuan Alps in northern Tuscany on previous trips, I headed south along the coast towards the Marrema region of southern Tuscany, off the beaten tourist trail, but gradually becoming discovered. After only 6 hours, i was already toast, and decided to stop at a very chi-chi resort on the Monte Argentario peninsula. This place was so quiet and relaxing that team orson made an uncharacteristic decision to stay another night. The next day, we sallied forth and rode around the peninsula on a blazingly hot spring day. The road was scenic, but a bit too congested for serious shredding. I circumnavigated the peninsula in about two hours and was back at my hotel just after lunch. The high temperatures and the lure of a refreshing swim was too hard to resist, and I parked the bike for the day. The leg that I injured in South Africa was giving me a lot of pain that I didn't have when I rode last year. Swinging my leg on and off the bike was accompanied by excruciating pain. Once was under way, there was no pain, but stopping for photos now was an ordeal. I developed a system where I grabbed my stitch by the ankle, and slowly lifted my leg on & off the bike. I'm sure people watching this thought I wuz nuts. A view of the cement pond that lured team orson off the roads. Wheeee dawgie! team orson's gonna hafta buy something other than t-shirts to blend in with this crowd. Sunrise over the Monte Argentario peninsula. After three days of whiling away the hours with the glitterati under crystal blue skies, team orson felt refreshed enough to finally hit the road. I continued south along the coast until turning inland at Civitavecchia. A rugged looking hill town somewhere north of Rome. After skirting around Rome and its heavy traffic, I continued making my way south along the spine of the Appenine mountains through the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo. Even this far south, there was still a dusting of snow covering the peaks. The following day, I reached the scenic Amalfi Coast, and found another, all too comfortable hotel. Team orson was rapidly becoming spoiled. A view of the town of Amalfi from the hotel balcony. The Amalfi Coast road has acquired a fearsome reputation as one of the scariest roads in Europe, although it's not too bad on a motorbike. I think most of the reputation comes from tourists being driven by locals. It's always scarier when someone else is driving. a good definition of Hell might be having to drive a bus on that road on a daily basis. Heading west on the Amalfi Road Looking back east

Al Roethlisberger wrote this up on whut to look for in a V11 (most of these issues were sorted by the 2003 year model): 2002 was a bit of a double-whammy for the LeMans. It was Aprilia's first year of MG ownership, they stirred things up a bit such as consolidated/relocated much of the parts inventory that year, and was the first year for the LeMans and "long frame" bikes. With that in mind, although the V11 Sport had been in production for a couple years at that point, the new LeMans(and other V11 models of that year) had a few "bugs". 1) "fuzzy engine paint" - As you've no doubt noticed, the black engine paint introduced in ~02 tends to bubble and flake off of the drivetrain, especially in areas of higher heat. There was a "recall" some years back where MG would either provide new engine cases with ostensibly improved paint(which required a rebuild) or exchange for swag such as riding suits, etc. I suspect that this program is no longer available, or that a previous owner may have opted for the swag(and I'm relatively certain there aren't any other new cases). But most owners just chose to live with it as it isn't service affecting. Some folks also have chosen to strip off the black paint, and repaint with a different engine black or silver. Bottom line, this is a cosmetic issue. 2) Relays - As mentioned the stock relays have had issues for many, but there are several aftermarket varieties available that are much more reliable. It is often just a good idea to change out the whole batch of stock relays to avoid problems down the road. 3) Longer frame - This isn't a problem per se, although some folks were disappointed with the "slower handling" of the 02+ bikes. For some this isn't an issue, and some have said that tire choice can ameliorate the change. The same is true of the wider rear tire on the 02+ bikes. The 02 bikes carried over all the 00-01 body panels and in the case of the fuel tank was a little different "fit". It really is a cosmetic issue with the tank looking a bit "short", which was fixed with a new tank in 03. 4) Tank suck & Vapor Lock - These two related, although not necessarily dependent issues were a product of all pre 03 models and the external(of tank) fuel system, after which the fuel pump system was moved into the interior of the fuel tank. Not everyone has experienced the VL problem for a variety of reasons(which includes where the factory placed your fuel pump), but it does seem more susceptible to those in hot and higher altitude climates. For more detailed info on this issue, check out the FAQ at www.v11lemans.com. Although the vapor lock issue isn't consistent for all owners, the tank suck issue seems more prevalent and can cause tank deformation. 5) Transmission - There was a transmission recall for some 00-01 V11s, but I don't think any of the 02 LeMans fell within that recall. However some 02 and 03 bikes did receive a defective transmission side plate where the shift spring boss was 1mm too large, 16 instead of 15mm if I recall. In these examples the shift return spring would bind and eventually break, leaving the transmission stuck in the gear it was in. This is an easy fix. Early repairs were to install a heavier spring, but we soon found the mis-sized boss to be the real problem. The fix is to either get a new side cover or just grind down the boss.

I'm not sure, but it was labeled the "Gentleman's class". It seemed to be about 80% Guzzis and 20% Ducatis of various styles. There were even a couple of V11 Stones that performed respectably.

The silence is deafening. did nothing happen at this event? must be some secret everyone was sworn to keep

Yah, that's the bike. For the record, he qualified in fifth place, got a good start and entered the first turn in about fourth place, when my view was obscured by an overhead pedestrian walkway. When he exited the first turn, he was in first place by a good 50 feet, so yah, it appears a lot of it was rider talent. Heading down the back straight was when I saw the Ducati cut the lead to about 10 feet, but then it was back into the turns and the lead grew from there. Still, I was hoping someone like Paul might be in the know as to how much horsepower can be added to one of these things.

I'm in Italy on vacation and had a chance to attend some classic bike races in Umbria. Gianfranco Guareschi, he of the glorious victory over Ducati at Daytona a few years ago, rode a V7 Cafe to victory over a field that included a Ducati 996, several Guzzi V11s and a couple of Grisos The 996 spec sheet show 122 hp, so I'm flabbergasted. I'm sure some of it is due to rider talent, as I watched the 996 gain on him on the back straight on the first lap, but once they got into the curves, it wuz all over but the crying. The 996 finished second. I asked dad, Claudio Guareschi in my limited Italian if they had bored out the cylinders, but he assured me that it wuz still a 750. I'm afraid my Italian isn't good enuff to ask more incisive questions. The only exterior mods I saw, were a header made by Zard and air filters, along with Ohlins rear shocks.

I did a forum search on this topic a few weeks ago and someone replied that it is a reversible process, but may take a few months. I don't know how accurate the response was, I'm just passing it on.

Just for the record, wearing a Japanese helmet on a Guzzi is tantamount to wearing white after Labor Day

Any updates? I'm curious, as I thunked the V11 engine was fairly bullet proof (minus the single-plate clutch issue). 76,000 km (+/- 47,000 miles) on my Tenni.

Wow That is gorgeous

I have a 2000 Aprilia RSV Mille. Very nice! Way more bike than I am a rider. The Tenni is more my speed. Although the Mille is a beast, for touring duties, the Tenni is hands down the winner

I'm a bit clueless about this bike. I know who Arturo Magni is, but what is the history of this particular model? Was it built in extremely limited numbers? How does it compare to the MGS-1?

Here are some fairings I spotted at the GMG:

I rode in the Langhe Hills region of Piedmont after I attended the GMG. Pictures here It was like a smaller version of Tuscany without the hordes of camera toting Japanese and American tourists

I will buck the trend by stating flatly that I do not care for hairpin switchbacks. Stelvio makes for pretty pictures,but contrary to what the article says about "putting a smile on any enthusiasts face", banging down thru the gearbox and hard on the brakes every 200 meters is not my idea of fun. Give me fast sweepers at above 5000 rpm please Of all the roads I've ridden, California's Highway 1 still remains at the top of my personal list

Fortunately, besides the banner, I didn't see much else that matched anything you might see at Sturgis. No tattoo places or ear piercing places. Maybe they were hidden in the periphery I really didn't see much of any type of vendor other than food stalls

That's exactly what I thought when I read the "Deep Vibrations" banner... A little too close to Harley's "Days of Thunder"

This site is littered with the carcasses of members who rued the day they sold their V11

I enjoyed reading The Perfect Vehicle. She did a good job of conveying that intangible something that makes riding so appealing. I had read that Melissa H. Pierson was no longer into motorcycling and had moved on to horses. Maybe the pull of a Guzzi twin was too hard to resist

It's a bit disconcerting to realize that our V11s are now old enough to be considered "restoration projects"

Just a quickie one week trip report in Northern Italy for the Guzzi gathering and a trip to the Piedmont Region... I arrived in Italy just in time for Moto Guzzi's 90th anniversary party in Mandello del Lario on the shores of idyllic Lake Como. From Parma to the Italian Lake District is but a mere three hour jaunt via la autostrada. Usually, seeing another Guzzi on the road is a rare event however, as I approached Lake Como almost all the bikes seen on the road were other Guzzis, which was rather a strange experience. The only hotel I could find was across the lake in Bellagio, but this really wasn't a problem as Lake Como ferries run regular routes across the lake. After checking in to the hotel, I boarded the ferry for the 15 minute ride across the lake to Varenna. Taking in the views and the cool lake breezes on the crossing Nuthin but Guzzis on the ferry. I met some Dutch riders who had ridden from Holland to Mandello in one day. Approaching ferry port of Varenna on the eastern shore of Lake Como. From Varenna to Mandello was a quick 15 minute hop. Many businesses along the road to Mandello had Guzzi banners hung out to welcome the hordes. I arrived late Friday afternoon and the place was already brimming with Guzzisti. As I walked around taking in the sights, Guzzisti from all over Europe continued to roll into town. I've posted a more detailed report on the Guzzi gathering here: Moto Guzzi's 90th Anniversary Party After two days spent ogling the bikes, it was time to move on. Leaving Lake Como, an early snowfall had dusted the alpine foothills I headed west along the base of the Alps. The roads on the southern side of the lakes are clogged with traffic and it's not until you get past the western most lake, Lake Orta, that I begin to get a respite. I spot a road on the map that heads up into the mountains before dead ending at the ski resort of Alagna Valsesia. I'm always intrigued by those end-of-the-road places and decided to make that my stop for the night. The town seems a veritable ghost town with most hotels closed for the season, but I luck out and manage to find a hotel that has remained open. The following morning dawns with clear blue skies providing a clear view of the largest mountain in the area, La Monte Rosa. Heading back down into the lowlands of the Po Valley There's a rather abrupt transition from the mountains to the plains A small village with the snow peaked Alps in the distance As I continue southwards, the terrain begins to turn to undulating hills as I reach the Langhe area of Piedmont. The Lonely Planet refers to Piedmont as ‘Tuscany without the tourists’, as its hills lined with vineyards bears a resemblance to its southern counterpart. The area is famous for its wines as well as its white truffles. I stay at the Hotel Castello di Sinio run by an American woman with a super friendly staff and a great ambiance. I manage to arrive right during the white truffle season and get an opportunity to sample truffles in the local cuisine. The Piedmont Region has become known as the seat of the Slow Food movement in Italy. I've stated before that it's almost impossible to get a bad meal in Italy. Piedmont has an undiscovered air about it, as the vast hordes of tourists and tourist buses seen in Tuscany are absent, making you feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. The area around Asti and Alba is crisscrossed with roads snaking their way through farms and vineyards. As it was harvest time, I often encountered farm tractors on the road but they moved slowly so it was fairly easy to pass them. After two days in Piedmont, it was time to make my way back to home base in Parma. I think that one of the reasons there are so few visitors to the Langhe area is that it is difficult to traverse from east to west. Most of the main roads run perpendicular to the coast, leaving paved goat trails running east to west. This might be why most people stay on the autostrada and continue on down to Tuscany. Still, I was determined not to take the autostrada to Parma and forged ahead, stringing together a series of backroads. Just south of Tortona, I decided to stop for the night. I continued forging my way eastward by sticking to the backroads. The terrain was still hilly, but less picturesque than the Langhe, so I didn't stop for any pictures. Sometimes I took a wrong fork in the road and would end up on a remote goat trail before my instincts kicked in and told me that this didn't seem like a major artery. Finally, at around two in the afternoon, I reached the town of Bardi with a main highway leading to Parma. The road from Bardi to Parma is a stellar motorcycling road with fast, sweeping curves seemingly custom made for the Goose. The Guzzi's massive torque, like an avalanche sweeping away everything before it, easily overtook any cars in its path. Before long, we were back in Parma bringing a great week of riding to an end. Trip statistics: Riding Days: 7 Rest Days: 1 Mileage: 2500 km Police encounters: 0 Bee stings: 0 Route Map:

By Saturday morning, the place was really filling up an elusive inline four Guzzi This Guzzi has an interesting story as it was built in the Ferrari workshop by a Ferrari employee. The tank, fender and tail section were machined from aluminum. I liked the unfinished aluminum as opposed to polished aluminum. "This one goes to eleven" © Nigel Tufnel Honda's attempts to infiltrate the event with industrial spies were woefully inadequate. This is a picture of people waiting to get inside the factory tour, or angry customers storming the castle demanding spare parts Italian fast food Team Vespa Club di Monza were in da house This guy had a glass port hole on his valve cover La Policia Stradale The town of Mandello unveiled a new statue dedicated to Carlo Guzzi along with a sketch of his famous eight cylinder GP bike. Somehow, a Benelli managed to infiltrate the event This picture epitomizes the wide array of machinery that were ridden to the event Just when you'd thought you'd seen every conceivable type of Guzzi, sumthin else showed up. This bike featured a new Guzzi engine shoehorned into a classic chassis. Designed by Michael Galuzzi and was up for sale