John in Leeds

Loads of these in Turkey

Anyone who likes to speed on public roads (and that includes me) still have a really good chance of getting away with it. Government and agencies are not really serious, if they were we wouldn't have brightly coloured fixed cameras to catch you. If they were really serious cameras would be hidden and mobile. If you want to wind it out - use a bit of common sense, don't follow the weekend bike mob, take the less used roads away from population centres and try not to piss people off. There still loads of space to push on round here. Oh, and if you do get caught don't winge, take your licks, it is the law. ride safe John

I'm not sure about this - should I MIND about a naked or half naked person.

Absolutely nothing

and now my all time favourite especially if they are wearing soccer boots - what a mind wipe

Was that Master Bates or young Wayne Kerr

I felt like you when I first picked up 'Red Sonja' and still it goes on many months later. Back from a lovely ride just 35 mile in occasionally slippery conditions, still the happy grin. Never in 45 odd years of motorcycles have I so continually enjoyed a machine. Praise from an older bloke will ensure they will never be popular but that suites me. Welcome to the Guzzi experience

There is a saying - ' People who love sausages and respect the law should never watch either being made' My own feelings are that the law is a minefield for its subjects and its enforcers. I would be happier if it was applied to everyone equally, in my experience it certainly is not. John

Traditional freedom from or traditional freedom to? Maybe it's time that police were made to have video recorded for all time on duty (cap or helmet cam) then at least there would be some evidence either way. Don't think they would like it though, must be some police members what do they think?

Guy How do you keep your hearing over long fast runs? You must have a very quiet helmet. They are however the best thing to ensure a good night when sleeping away from home

The way I see it (as another rank amateur) Two sets of forces - Gyroscopic and torque Guzzi, gyroscopic forces allows roll but resists pitch and yaw - torque on rising or falling engine speed assists or resists the roll In line 4, gyroscopic forces allow pitch but resist roll and yaw - torque on rising or falling engine speed assists or resists pitch (wheelies or stoppies) I suspect the way I ride neither make a jot of difference

Thanks Gallo_SE that's confidence inspiring. If it does give problems please be kind enough to post a warning. BTW your pic shows a pannier set up, what is it and how does it look with the bags off? The Le mans looks pretty poor (to me) with pannier racks but I would like the option to use narrow panniers occasionally. Point taken Zoom Zoom but appears that the addition will not be needed regards John

The alloy Guzzi rack looks great and feels strong but rated at 3kgs (nowhere near enough). I have converted my Hepco and Becker 45 litre top box to fit the rack directly as the H&B steel adaptor is both heavy and ugly. I'm hoping to carry about 7k, will I have to add some additional support, some formed foam between rack and tailpiece? Any ideas please?

k I appreciate many of your sentiments and can understand your weariness of a blame culture. Many of us benefit from savings taken from needy causes yet hipocritically blame governments when the shit hits the fan. Probably I should let it lie, but make no mistake, having poor is only about a lack of political will. There are marked desparities around the world in the numbers of poor in individual countries and it is not dependent on GDP. Poor crime infested areas are not inevitable. It is not about charity, it is about the certainty that for our rich countries poverty is just unacceptable. kind regards John

I wonder if anyone would say 'They had it coming' in this context. I refer of course to a previous sympathy thread that was deleted. We all like to enjoy freedoms but one freedom that seems to little considered is 'freedom from', particularly for the poor people of the Southern states. Freedom from hunger, disease, crime and government lies in a democracy. Already people a jumping to conclusions but I hope that people will look at the evidence of this catastophe and prepare for the future accordingly. Would it be unduly cynical of me to observe that those left in NO were predominantly people from the sink areas where crime and unemployment is rampant. How many of the outlying (safe areas) want this problem transfered to their own doorstep. Pictures of dozens of parked and flooded school buses that could possibly have been used for evacuation do give additional cause for concern.

Help where we can. Watch carefully and LEARN There but for the grace of god go any of us.

My last bike 1150gs for 3 years 15000 miles. Longest day 700 miles, I was never happy with this bike. Rosso Corse for 2 months and only 1500 miles. Longest day 400 miles, gave me a sore backside but I really feel I have come home to this bike. Should have had one before.

Great stuff Dlaing - you certainly bought a smile to my face. BTW Bob, as a Canadian do you have to do the flag saluting stuff?

Took mine to Edinburgh and back on Saturday afternoon up the A68. Fantastic road and a fantastic ride. I do this run on all my bikes to get a real feel over a distance. It didn't miss a beat or put a foot wrong. I'm still not to the tyre edges yet but am creeping closer. Pulled 7500 most of the way from Borobridge to Wetherby but was down to 36mpg on one fill up. If this bike stays reliable I think it will stay with me for a long long time. BTW this bike is standard

A real treat to watch the man who finally has it all - even wet weather dominance. The last person I saw with near this level of quality and the ability to recover from mega slides was Jarno Saarinen and that was a long long time ago. What a cool bloke - he even lives in London

Ye Gods David, I nearly bought that bike off you. I suppose that seeing you had all that Guzzi experience made me a little nervous and I'm sure if you could not sort it then I would have had no chance. However my expectations would be somewhat lower than yours. As consolation I would say that my V11 rosso corse seems well sorted and as it is similarly equipped yours must be able to be made to work. Lastly these Guzzis are just not making any money and for me a sorted one must be the bargain of a lifetime. regards

Many years ago I took my wife to look a new Spada III to commute 30 miles each day through heavy traffic. Reliability was questioned and so we came home with Kawa GT750 shaft. Divorce then change tried a new Cali 1100i, bad fit for me so home comes CBR1000. New partner and planned long distance tours tried Cali stone, two up comfort and tales of impressive reliability brings home BMW1150gs. Can't get Guzzi out of my head - try a well sorted Centauro - close friend says bid really low - try it, like it, think about it, damn it, it's gone. Hang about round local new Guzzi dealer agonising over brand new '02 model V11 Le Mans in black (so cool) heavily discounted. Family say 'buy it now' but....... See add for 14 month old Le Mans Rosso Corse, 3000 miles, price. Nearly 350 miles later I see it in the pouring rain. The hairs stand on the back of my neck - this is the most gorgeous motorcycle I have ever seen. Start it and the engine chuffs at idle, the connection is made, the test in pouring rain shows her metal and my lack of recent practice. She must be mine - pay the man now! 350 miles home and now one week later the bonding is ongoing, long legs, very good speed - 7000 in top no problem, power everywhere, fantastic. Just a little firm on the bungees for me but I'm getting to the edges and with time and adjustment it will be right. Deep gloss paint polished again, no more rain for this beauty, not for a while anyway - How wonderful to have a motorcycle that stirs the blood again. The sun has come out must go ride now, sorry!