Ralph Werner

Again, thanks for all of the input. Dan, I hope that your BRP ride was the greatest. Contrary to where I was heading, I finally decided on a BMW R1150RT and I will take delivery this weekend in Vermont (of all places!). My wife and I have owned and riden many Beemers and I guess that I finally realized that we are very comfortable on these Deutch wonders. Not to worry, the Rosso is still my main solo ride.

Down our way we call 'em seagulls. BTW - don't look up!

4,500 units! Harley would call that a rare limited edition model.

TX - glad to hear that you are doing OK. As per your request my money went to the RC.

Come on guys - it was just a farting contest!

db - that's a super offer and I might take you up on it! Thanks much.

Mike, you're right about riding first. I did ride a Cali when I bought the Rosso, but 15-20 miles is a lot different than 300. I would hate to buy another bike that was uncomfortable for my wife yet it seems unlikely that I could get to test ride an EV long enough to evaluate comfort for both of us. We have had many long days on Harleys so I know that one would work for us. The problem is that most asking prices are unrealistic (as evidenced by the large number of ebay listings that never make minimum bid or reserve). Make an offer and the owner says "I turned down more than that" or "I have a buyer at my price just as soon as he sells his bike" or "If it doesn't sell I'll keep it". I may have to take a serious look at the ST1300.

Thanks for all of the replies. My wife did ride her own bike for a few years but she decided to give it up. We also looked long and hard at sidehacks but she really doesn't want to ride in one. I suspect that I'm leaning heavily toward a Cali Touring.

My bride of 44 years has been a passenger on our Rosso twice - one trip of over 300 miles. She really doesn't want to ride on this bike anymore so I am considering a second mount for two-up riding. I think that Wildguzzi has covered this topic but it is not available right now. My two choices are a Harley Road King or a California EV Touring. We have owned and ridden HDs but have never been on a Cali V11. The asking prices for used Harleys are absurd. The only EV Touring that I could find is a '98 that the owner refused a $5500 offer for(which also seems absurd). Do any of you have any experience or comments in this area? (I'd rather not go the BMW route).

I agree - all Rosso Corsa valve covers were red.

Mike, sorry to hear about your injury. It sounds like your doctor has a handle on things so you should be fine in no time. If you would like to fly East, get down on all fours, and bark I will give you my expert veterinary opinion at no charge.

OOOOHHHHH!!! To both pictures.

The RKA has a real soft sheepskin backing and I have had no finish issues in over 3,000 miles but like Steve said, it might be prudent to add some Tankslapper strips for a little extra protection.

I have used RKA on my Sport 1100 and my Rosso. No complaints other than a leak after 8 hours of steady downpour even with the waterproof covers (everything else including my skin also leaked). The color matches nicely and they hold quite a bit. I'm sold.

Staedtler now that I know it's not you, yea she is HOT!

For some strange reason I didn't remember you as a cowgirl.

Hey Staedtler - you look much better since your sex change operation!

I have the heavy Throttlemeister on my Rosso and I had the same unit on two of my other bikes. The extra weight dampens vibration but in my opinion they are hard to work while riding. Recently I went on a 1600 mile trip and didn't use it once. In my hands I have to roll off the throttle to set it which isn't really great at 70-80 MPH. The quality is top notch and the few times that I use it are OK but there must be cheaper, easier-to-use systems out there.

My vote is for the carbon fiber oval Mistrals. Light weight, look good, and the sound is just right.

Joe, the bike would win hands down if it only had gold wheels.

As my hero Thomas Jefferson once said: "I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive."

Hey guzziownr, here's a photo of the MRA on my Rosso.

Re the 96 carb Sport vs the V11 - I have owned both. The v11 is way more comfortable for me (5'11", 175 lb). The stock carbs on the Sport are tough to tune properly and had I kept the bike I would have installed flat slides. Pete Roper has often addressed the apparently high rate of gearbox failures on the carbies. In my opinion the carb Sport is the much better looking of the two but overall I would opt for the V11.

Mine is a black faced speedo ('03 Rosso) and the photo is of the original cable housing. I straightened out the angle, and put in a Crown Auto inner cable ($4.00 or so) well lubed with oil and moly. In 7,000 + miles it still seems to be working fine. It sounds like your bike already has the "new improved cable". Lubing it up real good should do the trick.

Try this link: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5288&hl=