Baldini

.....Course there's always the other point of view KB

Not saying there's not a problem - but it's a problem that can be solved one way or another. It's the general slagging off of Guzzi I don't like. If he doesn't like it, doesn't want to sort it, then get rid & move on. KB

David, Hi! We corresponded some long while back regarding tuning Tontis...it got held up! Got a Scura instead. Still got me Tontis (always) & it will happen... Like they all say - it can be sorted & can be got to run pretty good stock too. Missed this thread lost down the bottom here - will digest & reply more wholeheartedly later. Meanwhile, best wishes, Keith

Orson - let me know when you're over - try & meet up. I'm 40 mins from Shrewsbury. If you want to do jobs yourself I could help out. There is a shop in Shrewsbury just took on the Guzzi franchise - Pete Jones M/c. I've not used them but it's an established m/c shop - fraid that's all I know. Colwyn Bay - yeh as BFG says Other Big Jon rides up from Cardiff to get them service his bike & is very happy w/them. Windchill on here also says good things about them. I've not used them, but they've been dealing Guzzis for a while now. Twiggers - I'm surprised Guzzirider heard bad things. Mark there was the one who originally let on about the reason fore the pawl spring breaking, when no-one else knew sh*t. For that reason alone I'd think well of them. They do mostly Guzzis, look like they stock little else. They're helpful & friendly but I've not had any work done there so can't comment. Corsa Italiana in London are very, very good, but not cheap & Moto Corsa in Dorset have been good for me. KB

Yes. Pretty much same effects as described above going to 160 on the 4.5". It improves turn in - front & back turn in together rather than feeling like there's a hinge in the middle with back turning in seconds later than front. But depends also on tyre type. I changed from 180/55 BT020 to 170/60 Diablo, which gave a massive improvement in turn in. It also has a slightly larger circumference than 180/55 which like Steve says is no bad thing. But Diablo profile is different to BT020 also & IMV gives better handling regardless of size. I went back to a 180/55 Diablo (not as sweet as the 170/60) because I was concerned that the 170, being stretched flatter across the 5.5" rim would run off the tread earlier than the 180 (this is just my theory - but it seems logical to me - anyone know for sure?). I use the edge of the tyres a lot, & although this didn't happen I was concerned it might. If you don't push the tyres that hard I think the 170 is all good, the V11 just doesn't have the drive to need real fat tyres. 170/60 & 180/55 are listed fitment for 5.5" rim in manufacturers table (can't remember which - probably Pirelli). I will try a 4.5" rim/160 one day I think the 5.5" is just fashion & totally unecessary on these bikes. Try something on smaller rims & tyres (I noticed it recently riding J O'S's Centauro) - see how much sweeter handling can be. KB

agree with Daniel. Nogbad - Maybe Guzzi doesn't do it for you but a lot of us love em regardless. Time to sell up & move on? Either way - constant bitching is just dull. KB

Yep!

You fitted a bit...the bit you fitted fell off.... Good luck with the Buell ... KB

Ralph, thanks. I'm just trying to save meself a job - I've got one I can measure up but was just wondering if it's already been done by someone else. thanks anyhow. KB

Has anyone done measured drawings to build a copy of the MG workshop stand. Bloke is after making one. Search didn't show anything but I'm sure I've seen someone made one. Thanks, KB

wrong tyre pressures? poor suspension set up? thanks for all the feedback.....probably try the Diablo Corsas, a bit more of what I know. KB

I found BT020's would break away quickly & unpredictably. KB

Supercorsa Pro SC1, Mich. Power Race, Metz. Racetec K1, D209GP, BT-002. I just wonder - with the Mich Pilot Power; It looks more like a racetyre than the Diablo - could that be why it's popular? I mean the Diablo looks like a street tyre tread....Looks count for a lot I think. KB

Well now I'm more confused. I dug out a recent copy of MotorCycle News which had a comparison test with all latest tyres. Test was done on a track & laps timed, using 2 riders: They put tyres into 3 categories: sports, performance & extreme. Mich Pilot Power was classed along with the std Diablo as a sports tyre. Lap times were similar but they preferred Diablo. Diablo Corsa was categorised as a performance tyre & rated the best of the bunch. This backed up by lap times that were markedly faster than either the Diablo or the Pilot Power. KB

We're about 1,000 feet here......... I know it's not what you want, but think what's best for the bike.... KB

Is this on road or track? what's difference between Pilot Power & Pilot Sport? Thanks, KB

With Pirelli does it go progressively Diablo, Diablo Corsa then Supercorsa in stickiness & associated characteristics. So the Diablo Corsa isn't really an extreme sports tyre? If you gone from BT020 then I guess that's a big jump. Things used to be so much less confusing. What's the downsides of running sticky tyres on the road (wear, warm up time, wet weather grip) & are they worth it for the grip at the extremes & on track? Thanks. KB

Need new tyres. I'm very happy w/ Diablos & maybe I'll stay w/ them but I just wondered about stickier compound tyres. Never used them & would like to see what grip they offer. Use it for twisty road & very occasional trackday. Corner grip is what I want most but not really daft wear (Diablos do about 2.5 - 3K miles) or weird behaviour. My understanding is that track/sports type tyres offer better grip & sharper profiles, but take longer to warm up & are not so good in the rain (cos of less tread cuts & higher temp operating range?). Are they also more sensitive to tyre pressures & ambient temperatures? I've noticed that the Diablos are good straight from the off, & work good in the wet. They're grippy enough, but if you corner them very hard for a few miles, they sometimes start to slip (very slow & predictable, consistent, not like they suddenly break away) - feel like they're overheating. Do sports tyres have a higher temerature operating range than sport/touring tyres? I like Pirellis so was thinking of Diablo Corsas. Metzelers? I've found Michelins very sticky in the past, but not sure which ...Pilot Power/Pilot Sport etc...They also seem to have a very sharp (towards triangulated ) profile... Can someone describe the pros/cons of using sports/track type tyres & which currently are best? Thanks. KB

I think you are right to be concerned. This sort of use could be very detrimental to the engine. May I suggest a solution: I live in a rural area without any local congestion, I would happily keep the bike here & furthermore would be prepared to exercise it regularly on fast, open roads to ensure it remained in good health. KB

Ohlins R&T forks manual: http://www.ohlins.com/pdf/07282-02.pdf http://www.ohlins.com/pdf/07282-04.pdf Both cover R&T forks, not sure what the difference is. More manuals & info at: http://www.ohlins.com KB

Both times mine went it was pretty much without warning. Really only the previous couple of changes around third were a bit rough. Dan, Oh well least it's happened now - you can stop waiting on it! Good luck. KB

Whaaaattt? Jaap - you came down off that thing?? That's a long way down. Sounds like you got off lucky. Glad you're OK. Take it easy, we'd miss ya! Get well soon.... KB ps. funny story Bill great avatar soloNH!

Sure flatspot is character - poor character. PC111 & dyno worked for me. Means fueling can be tailored exactly for the demands of specific bike. Bike pulls clean thru to redline & mpg is improved. Has intake/exhaust mods but I'd be surprised if you wouldn't see improvement even on a well set up stock bike. PC111 is the punter's only easily accesible way of tuning fueling across the rev range to specific bike. And it works. They use it on TT superstock bikes for why? Cliff's ECU sounds great & is probably the better solution but it needs more knowledge/effort than I could give. I've only ridden early Buell. Bottom end was a real hoot but no top end at all, handling not my cup of tea & reliability/finish worse than Guzzi. No doubt they've improved them. But they still don't look the sort of thing I'd wanna spend much time on, outside of the high street or the cafe carpark. Still, horses for courses.... but I've already got a Gas Gas . Toecutter, if you like the look of the Guzzi, ride one - but take it for as long as you can - they take a bit of getting used to. They ride like nothing else really. They're heavy, quirky, not that quick, handle slowly but are very stable, pull like a train, pretty comfortable, & more like a heavy horse than an R1. I love em but they ain't for everyone. KB

Ohlins recommend changing fork oil once a year. I did at 1K miles also, think that's also Guzzi/Ohlins rec. Aprilia used same forks on Mille R, also Ducati. But like Belfast says, an Ohlins shop or specialist suspension shop is probably your best bet, if there's one around. You could do w/o fork cap tool.... You could just knock the caps round with a punch & mallet ... but they'd be a mess. If you spent some time & have the skills you could make something to do the job. I bought the tool. It's well made, works well & I figure on keeping the bike so will use it. KB

No, Guzzis don't suit everyone, take a while to figure. Scura's got 13k miles, mostly fast sports use, mostly on torque. Runs like a train. Doesn't use much oil. Happy Bunny KB