cycdude6

Hey All, Been awhile. 2004 V11 here, 12K, Red. Stock Pipes, Stucchi Crossover K & N Recent TPS adjustment CO Adjustment Valve Adjustment Power Commander -- My last power commander was used on a VStrom 1000 and worked great to improve fueling and mileage. With the V11 no matter how the PC is adjusted, mileage is stuck at 35mpg every tank, also, it makes no difference if the bike is whupped or babied, byway or highway. Anyone with insight on the problem? Thank you

I've had the Eastern Beaver relay and harness on my Ballabio with great results for six months or so. I'm guessing the light output is 25% or better than stock. Mine is direct to a subterminal off the battery. However, Motorcycle Consumer News mentions that the bulbs, as a result of higher temperatures, may lose a signifigant part of their life cycle. I'm willing to pay the price for the very good output from a single bulb setup. John

Well, after reading all the posts and discussing gas mileage with several local guzzisti, it appears that the consensus would indicate that the V11's inefficient design correlates to 38 mpg, plus or minus, on average. I am giving up the chase for better mileage and i'm just going to ride and enjoy this great bike.

It may be as simple as removing the sensor (found on the inner rear of the R/H head) putting copper grease down the hole and puting the sensor back in, if you do a search as suggested you'll understand why. Already done that but thanks for the idea! John

Hey all, '04 V11 with pipes and K&N is getting 38 mpg. 1) Adjusted valves, changed oil and filter. 2) Setup TPS (did not use 150mv (with cables and levers slacked) as bike wouldn't run there)). 3) Installed Dynojet. 4) Custom map by John (much Guzzi experience) at Cliff's BMW in Connecticut. 38 mpg average. 5) Leaned custom map first by 5%, then by another 5%. 37 mpg average. Any suggestions? Should I try playing with the TPS again? Hotter plugs? Thanks, John

Well Andy, it's all about the bars. I find the clipons on the regular V11's to limit the amount of time I can spend on the bike but with the Ballabio's "normal" handlebars I can ride most of a day. For me it's a huge improvement in comfort. That said, you can change the bars, with adapters and such, on the regular V11s. John

Hi all, Before I rush off half-cocked I figured I'd check with the experts here. The speedometer is still indicating the speed but the odometer and trip meter, while turning, are very slow i.e. a trip of 40 miles would show about 2 miles on the odometer. This seems to suggest the cable is ok but the speedo is not. Concur? And if so would it be best to attempt to repair it myself or have it repaired or replaced under warranty? Thanks, John

I had a similar experience and my problem was the connector to the tps. The female connector slots were opened up by the insertion of wires to read tps voltage and I repaired it by using a pin to tighten up the slots. Another culprit could be the tps or the adjustment of the tps. Also, if the bike is very lean at idle that could tend to make the bike harder to start. I discovered the lean condition (only at idle on my bike) during a dyno run to setup a power commander. So, richening the idle helped a little too. John

Found the problem...i've been playing with the tps a lot lately trying to set it up. As a result of sticking wires in the female connector to the tps the slots became enlarged and the connection became intermittent. A little work with a pin and it's all set now. Thanks for the input. John

That's what I'm theorizing as well and also there's a possibility that when I sit way back to drop my head at the higher speeds my weight may be forcing the seat onto the relays and perhaps deforming them. I'm gonna try and drop them a bit. John

The bike is running ok now after tps adjustment and tuneup. However, whenever I go up to or just over 100 mph the motor will stop dead, restart, stumble, cutout and barely run until I come to a stop. Then it usually returns to normal. It does this every single time. I do not believe it is a fuel issue because the cutout is pronounced and dramatic as if it is being switched on and off. Lights are working during this problem and no idiot lights come on. It's a little hard to get all the details when your bike cuts out at 100 mph tho. Bike has 3600 miles, power commander, M4 pipes and a K&N filter, Dan Prunuske relays, a new kill switch and a new tach. Any ideas on how to test for the problem, what to look for or common electrical issues that could cause this? Thanks!

This is my first Moto Guzzi and first GT standard type bike. I wish I knew now what I thought I knew then!

Nope, wasn't me.

Hey Rachet, Thanks for the vitriol, I asked for it, didn't I? And I appreciate all the help and advice I've recieved, too. I just didn't realize I'd purchased an AMF era Harley Davidson. I've maintained in total all my previous motorcycles with only minor setbacks and to date have found the Ballabio to be thrilling yet unreliable in all sorts of ways. My complaints about the tire usage and mileage are well within the profligate profile of the V11, as you maintain. I just wanted more. John

For Sale: '04 Moto Guzzi Ballabio, purchased new 10/07, 3500 miles, new rear tire, K & N air filter, recent service. Bike had numerous small issues when new which were repaired under warranty at Wagner's (Worcester, MA). There are a few minor blemishes on the tank (from a tankbag) but otherwise the bike is mint cosmetically. $6800 -- will consider interesting trades such as dual sports, bmw, triumph John jjshields01@snet.net