al_roethlisberger

I've really grown to like the OEM sidestand.... I think it's "quirkiness" is very cool... honestly Plus, I've totally gotten used to it, and it's no problem to deploy. Although, a different, and more practical issue is that some riders find the stock stand to interfere when really laid over in a turn. Touching down hard-parts in a turn can be an eye-opening(or worse) affair. So, if that is one's problem, then yes an alternate side-stand solution may be in order al

I don't really think this is quite true... see my most recent YAINJMG Thread Honestly, although MG has done some pretty knuckleheaded things, they seem to have about the same number of "issues" as some big guys, and they "own up to them" at about the same rate Yamaha has a "ticking valve" issue on the new FJRs.... that they won't hardly acknowledge. Honda had issues with the new GoldWing and VTX that took the owner community a while to get them to address... Kawasaki has cam issues.... (see thread above) Suzuki had piston defects in their Bandit 1200 that took a miracle to finally get them to admit. ... Ducati and it's cams, and the auto makers... sheesh Anyway, MG has some warts, and I think that a lot of the pain comes from the importers as well at times. But in general, considering it's size, I think MG has done pretty well by the newer bikes as far as most issues. There are some notable exceptions such as the initial responses to the hydraulic lifters and single plate clutch on the cruisers, but even those at least have their attention now. I am certainly one of the many that have complained about many an "issue" with the bikes, but am also the first to say that in almost every case, MG has taken care of me.... although it is also fair to say that I fix a lot of things myself so

...maybe someone can record it and put it online? al

MPH stocks them if I recall..... a search for the topic will turn up the approx pricing, but I think they are about $130 or so, but very nice. al

.... or similarly if Disney made a "scooter" http://www.defiantscooter.com/

..... of course, if you just lose the airbox all-together al

Every so often I run across another thread on other boards that illuminates that no matter how irritated or disappointed MG owners may be with specific "nits" and issues with the MG product and subsequential support, even the "big 4" have their issues, and some of them not so minor: http://www.sport-touring.net/cgi-bin/msgbo...=ST;f=1;t=27017 I honestly don't mean to celebrate someone else's misfortune, but it does put things in perspective sometimes. I mean, for example... it still surprises me that MGNA came through with big $$ on the cosmetic issues of the '02s alone.

It would be nice to get "everyone" in the Bay Area together somewhat regularly, say bi monthly or so.... but I wouldn't have been able to make this ride anyway because: 1) I still don't have my bike back yet 2) Even if it were done, I am in Austin until early February al

OH, and *first*.... enroll her in your local MC Safety Training Course.... most States should have them now, and you'll usually get a few extra benefits such as a reduced Insurance rate, and exemption from the practical(riding) portion of the license test. Call one of the local MC shops, or your local State Police. One or the other can usually give you info on any programs that you may have available. Typically they are a weekend deal, morning classes, afternoon riding and tests, perhaps with one weekday evening of classroom instruction as well. al

Well, first and foremost, IMHO... you want a used "pre wrecked" model ... that no one will feel bad about when it gets dropped(because it will). With that stress removed, she can concentrate on riding. My top picks: - Kawasaki EX250 or EX500 (cheap, lots of parts, and still a sporty ride) - Honda Hawk (harder to find, but good bike, short range can be an issue though) - Yamaha Seca II (easy to ride, air-cooled, a bit tallish, but a great all-rounder) The SV650 is a good bike, but as a beginner .... well, it really is quite a "performer". A lot of folks race these bikes for a reason, and although it's not technically out of bounds for a beginner, I would think twice about putting a new rider on one as opposed to one of the bikes mentioned above. But generally speaking, it is a great bike, better in many respects than any of the ones I listed above, especially as a second(long term) bike And BTW, unless you can find a well used and "pre-wrecked" Breva 750, I wouldn't put that at the top of my list, just because of cost alone. You want to spend less than $2000, and probably closer to $1000 on a beginner IMHO. al

Heh, maybe it'll inflate the "used" market back ot reasonable levels here in the USA, where the "Wal bikes" from Orange County depreciated our bikes by half in a year...

I thought Jaap had already created such a page a while back? It wasn't searchable or anything either, but also just a thumbnail list of all images. And yes, I think it is sorta useful... as a last ditch effort tool to find that elusive image from ages past when one can't remember the thread, etc... al

Man, that's a nice setup..... I every time I see Zeb's install Very clean.

....don't even try Honestly, it's some odd metric sized and pitch, reverse thread, weirdo that I spent weeks going to various fitting shops trying to find a match to. It's easier, and totally effective, to just spend $40 on the MG manual petcock al

I have purchased two Stucchi exhaust from MG Cycles, with excellent customer support The only thing I can recommend, regardless of dealer, is to ask them to check the crossover for straightness *prior* to shipping. The easiest test is to put it on a verifiably flat surface, and see... such as a glass tabletop. None of the Stucchi's I've ever seen are perfectly straight, although some are MUCH worse than others(my first one ) at MG Cycles should be happy to do a quick check and pick the best/straightest that he's got on hand. He did for me al

This is a good conversation, and one that's been had on forums like Wildguzzi several times, and one I had with Jason(owner) at Moto Italiano the other day... It's a paradoxical situation sometimes... The guys that most complain about any changes, and laud the "basic" design of the current Guzzi engine layout, design, etc... are typically owners of older bikes, that are the type that aren't really interested in a "reskinned" version of the old standby design, and are disinterested in any totally new ones either... and yes they do most maintenance themselves as well. So, although MG and Dealers hear their perspective, these "loyal old school" owners, typically do not go right out and buy new models, even if the old engine design is maintained. This BTW is not opinion, it is reflected in sales stats/demographics for the brand. With this in mind, to "grow" the brand, MG will have to develop some actually new designs.... What does this mean with regard to the "do your own maintenance" question... not much as a direct relationship, but as an indirect observation/relationship.... I would venture to say that most "new model" buyers will be of the newer mold(like it or not) and want a low maintenance bike, that would be of a "modern" design. So, simply put... typically the guys doing their own maintenance are of the "I like the older design school" and aren't "growing the brand", although they are indeed very "loyal"... but that doesn't always translate to real sales for MG... if you get my drift. So, MG needs to embrace new customers, and to do so, they need new designs(not reskins), and those customers will probably be of the type that expect maintenance(to some degree) from the vendor. I can't say whether this is good or bad per se.... but is just the business model/observation that many dealers have observed. BTW, this is not simply "Al's" observation, this is what I've gleaned from chatting with some dealers, and other conversation al

Others include: http://www.clubdesmo.com They even have a photo of the Smart 1000 on the front page al

I work on my bike because it is fun .... honestly To some degree my vehicles, esp of the recreational type, have been an equal part use(riding) and hobbyist tinkering I'm not sure I've really saved too much money doing anything myself, as most of the things I've done.... were practically unnecessary al

...yeah, I thought about that, but no offense to the G&B fans.... their bikes don't do much for me, even though I've seen a few in person To me, they are just kitted-up stock 2V'ers with some flashy bodywork(I know that's not entirely fair, but anyway ....) Thank goodness too, as that saves me the risk of spending a lot of money, as the Supertwins are becoming a lot more affordable as time marches on Now, Zeb's high-cam Supertwin bike, that's another story al

..... silly I would argue that most of us can't exceed the capabilities of the "conventional" calipers our bikes come with, much less radial, much less these wheel jewelry But yes, I am sure they are very nice

Do you know if the custom V11 pictured started life as a "regular" 2001 V11, or perhaps was a Rosso Mandello before he repainted it, etc?? If the latter, you conceivably could have a single-plate clutch as opposed to the normal dual-plate. I remember the ad for that bike online, it was posted here and on Guzzitech. http://www.guzzitech.com/Classifieds.html ...so it doesn't "sound" like it should have the SP clutch, but maybe you should check with the fella and see(or just run it by a shop, and have them look). If it *is* the SP clutch, it does make racket with the clutch lever "out"(clutch engaged), which is the opposite of the standard dual-plate clutch. So beyond the other concerns about the SP clutch(do a search on single or explode), the rattle would be normal. If however, you have the dual-plate, and it is making odd noises when engaged, I would have it checked. It shouldn't. al

I am here through most of Feb, so just curious... I know there is a Duc shop, but any MG stuff? al

Just drop by any CA specifc bike board and you are sure to see some lengthy threads on this subject, with varying opinions, quoted DMV code, and people's experiences. But bottom line, if you don't want grief, you do indeed hopefully still have the CA equivalent emissions sticker on the right side of your swingarm trellis. If not, you may be in for some trouble. Otherwise, the other rule that may, or may not, get you is the "7500 mile rule" which basically restricts one from bringing new vehicles in from a non-CA emissions state until the "used" vehicle has over 7500 miles. This latter law/rule seems to be sporadically enforced. Here are some recent threads: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...hl=registration http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...hl=registration al

I like traffic lights.... I like traffic lights..... I like traffic lights...... ... but only when they're green. He likes traffic lights....

The MG "anodized" red of the "porkchops" and valve-covers on some models, is paint. MG put a sort of candy finish to achieve the appearance of anodization, but in fact is a liquid application, and a thick one at that. This is readily apparent once one sees the gray/silver undercoat, and the thickness of the finish once it chips... and it chips very easily, especially around bolt holes. Because the valve covers are cast aluminum, they cannot be anodized.... well, technically they *can* be anodized, as all that is aluminum oxide But because of the impurites in the cast aluminum(sulfer predominantly if I recall), the anodization will turn black/dark-gray and splotchy.... unsuited for staining, red in this case. There are a couple past threads on this topic, and all concur, as well as after my visit to a couple well respected anodization shops here said the same thing. I am uncertain if the pork chops would have the same issue, as they may not be the same poor cast aluminum That all being said, I had two sets of valve covers, and one set of pork-chops, anodized a "candy" red.... that looks very good, and matches the bike well. A more "orange" red(which I have on one set) would be closer to the MG red, and perhaps one could find a "anodized red"(as referenced earlier in this thread) powder coating that would also work well. But mine is called lollipop red and looks more-or-less candy apple, perhaps a little brighter. With the pork-chops coated the same red, it goes well with the other red accents on the bike. But if you had a red-framed bike, I think this color would clash as the MG red is a bit more toward the orange end of the spectrum, than my powder coating, which has a darker hue. Anyway, I found the powder coating to be very durable, and great looking. I cannot speak to long term durability, but the PC shop I used coats lots of bike/auto parts and said the product has worked well for them in various applications. al