Bill Hagan

Thanks for the reminder, docc. Went here: http://lodgeattellico.com/ Now have room ... and roommate. Ci vediamo a settembre! Bill

True. Interestingly, while George is married to a very attractive 100% first-gen Italian lass , he persists in riding a Honda 1300ST. To prevent my untimely -- tho possibly deserved -- death at the hands of George, his comely bride, or (most painfully ) Kathi, I had best avoid any further analysis, despite several explanations leaping to mind. Perhaps I might survive by simply noting that Nipponese machines require little maintenance, but deliver so much less joy than Italian moto-metal. Some men have their limits. Bill

Yes to all. But ... I just realized how troubling appropriate "9-11" is for a SSR. Based on my observations of previous 'raids, it would be a toss-up whether the first responders would have blue or red flashing lights! And, whichever, might be as likely at the Lodge as on the roads. Bill

George said "Let there be Whatever ..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWwv2ZOxf64&feature=em-upload_owner In the meantime, my Norge is nekkid in the Moto Grappa ... ... and the Griso is 800 miles away having been "rollerized. At my present wrenching pace, may be riding my trusty 100K-miler to the SSR. Bill

He's a Yankee. Worcester, Massachusetts. http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8328&p=93636 Well, unless he's moved since '06. I have ... twice. Bill

Noted. Actually, my first reaction was that of some others here: "Uhm ... turo ... how much for the RC?" But, as I have about 10 big-ticket items of all sorts vying for my limited discretionary pennies (e.g., a tractor, kayaks, another motorcycle (or two), etc.), I'd better pass. Or not. Kathi did not roll her eyes when I mused aloud about it, so maybe I should leap. That, or she just knows to ignore my ramblings. I have to say that I think the Rosso Corsa is the epitome of Guzzi moto-art. Best-looking of any since 1921. I lust after one as I do after -- truncated thought; Kathi is looking over my shoulder now. Anyway, gorgeous: So ... to the merits. At 54, you are youngster! I am 68 (gasp) and yet seem to have fewer of the "aches & pains" complaints that plague aging motorcyclists. OTC drugs help, of course, but a beer or bourbon (or both ) at the end of the day see me through, too. My Ballabio was not such a timeless looker, but had its charms. It had the higher, wider bars that some of that series used, thus it was not quite the RC in various ways, tho I did add an Ohlins rear and Mistrals, which made it even finer. I regret selling it whenever I think about it ... which is often. That said, I always find it interesting to read that others who have or have ridden both beats find the V11 series "more visceral" than the 8v Grisos, and the latter "more refined." Obviously, "YMMV" in all such things, but that is not how how I view the two. IMO, my '10 Griso -- which is, btw, being "rollerized" at Rose Farm Classics just now -- is the brute worthy of its Italian literature namesake. While its engine is indubitably more mechanically advanced -- spare me the DLC-disaster jokes -- its conversion of fossil fuel to fun is, again, IMO, way more robust, UNrefined, and visceral than my beloved Ballabio. The Griso is a rodeo bull compared to the Ballabio. The latter never disappointed, but there is no comparison to how the Griso grunts, stomps, and delivers fun. Shown here with my Norge along the Susquehanna River near Farrandsville, Pa., on SR 120. I use this pic to illustrate that it can tour. This was a four-dayer and -- as stated, with appropriate dosages of Mexican food, beer, and a Kentucky nightcap or two , I was (more or less) ready for the next riding day. Here is another pic, taken in Wisconsin, of it also rigged for longer trips. Yup, I love it, and pray -- rather literally if not selfishly -- that I have many more years of (safe) riding ahead. Good luck with that decision; I recommend that you keep the RC ... and buy a Griso. Every harem needs "diversity." Best, Bill

Great post. You gotta move fast when you find what you want. Nicely done. What part of California are you in? Doh. Missed the California part. Guess I won't see him at Rose Farm Classics. Still, Keith, do call Jim for the background on your machine. Bill

Sorry to disappoint anyone, but that bike is already sold... to me! After a long search I'm finally joining the V11 club. I'm a little curious on its history if you know anything about it. I did a VIN check and the dealer had some details but not everything. I'll post pics and give updates once it comes in. -Keith Congrats ... darn it. Call Jim at Rose Farm Classics in Woodstock. He knows the bike and its past. Good stuff, as I recall. RFC is also where I recommend you have any work done that is out of your reach. That I am driving 800 miles tomorrow to have Jim do the roller-for-flat tappets swap should demonstrate how much confidence I have in him. Heck ride or drive over on Tuesday and say howdy. Best wishes for miles of smiles. Bill

Taking -- code for trailering -- my Griso to Rose Farm Classics so that Jim Barron can "rollerize" it. In the course of coordinating that, Jim suggested that I could avoid having to tow an empty trailer 800 miles back to Virginia by buying this at a nearby beemer dealer: http://cyclewerks.intelisrv.com/?page_id=9&id=1037 Hmmmmm. Kathi is out of town and I really do miss my Ballabio, and even with winter coming on, my Griso will be hors de combat for quite awhile, and ... Anyway, though I cannot afford this in all $ort$ of ways just now, looks to be a fine buy. Low miles and Jim knows its history. Bill

After you check out George's vid, above, you may wish to see the pix I took. Be warned: Lots of 'em. Get something to sip first. You can just scroll down or watch as a slideshow in full screen mode. Ensure you can see captions. https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/SSR-2015/n-TwrSR8/ Here, too, is a very short video of the departure. What great sounds. https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Misc-Videos/n-TXR6gS/i-xqnSZxJ/A Kathi and I had a fine time; thanks to docc for making it all happen. Bill

George asked me to post this for you to see how someone of his ilk -- an interesting and inimitable genetic class, btw -- saw the SSR: George (along with friend Dennis, neither Guzzisti) had a fine time, btw, and trust that you see the video as a humorous, even affectionate, tribute. For my part, I plan to sue him for using some old fat guy to portray me in the little movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfmNhR8voPY Bill

Got home about 6 p.m. last night. Yes, three days on the road back from Tellico. But what a grand trip. Will post (many) more pix later today ... or, depending on "real life," soon. Bill (& Kathi)

A teaser pic. Many more to follow with tales of derring do.

Pouring outside now, but we needed it badly. Breaks seem to appear in Doppler "future" shots, but we will most likely get soaked along the way today, because, as we all know, TWC doesn't coordinate its forecasts with God. Spent a few minutes earlier, while listening to the roar on the roof, watching this from last year's SSR. Ah, the memories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8r0tbjmSls&feature=youtu.be See all tomorrow. Bill

Bet it's not that clean on Friday evening. Nor your butt as pain-free as now. Beautiful machine, tho. Bill

Not that anyone really cares about the details of our journey, but it's therapeutic to emote about the challenges. We are gloomy about the weather. Here, we have needed rain. Badly. Now it comes. Can’t complain. But. Were going to launch early tomorrow, take back roads, and spend night about halfway, e.g., Bluefield, W.V. Now, will hope rain (at least) mostly done tomorrow afternoon or evening and slab it to motel vicinity of Harrisonburg, a mere hour or so away. Then, on Friday, do a LONG back-road leg on to Tellico. Bringing grappa, but I may drink all of it tomorrow night! Bill

No clue about what Farmhouse even is. Besides, I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself checking the weather. But, as the Texas Turnip, Ken Hand, says: "If you watch Weather Channel, you'd never ride." And, have you noticed that the various weather services seem never to agree: compare accuweather.com and weather channel for any location for any given day. Be that as it may, looks as we'll launch as planned on Thursday, as an earlier Wednesday departure gets us just as wet and in steamier temps. Kathi is being more of a trouper about this than I am. Lucky me. Back to praying about the weather ... Bill

Well, I'm a bit worried we're going to get a good blaster. The weather is looking fine enough for the SSR, but not necessarily for those of us starting out on Thursday from the top of Virginia. C'est la vavavie. Kathi is hard at work packing. She is troubled by my decree that she can only one bring one hair dryer and my insistence that her cosmetic and toiletries, etc., be kept to one pannier. With the other and the top case filled with her clothes, that leaves me the tank bag and my pockets. I'll make do. Would prefer run the Norge on SR 42 down the spine of Virginia, but the present plan for our axis of advance -- based a bit on getting behind the front -- is 220/219 to vic. Bluefield, W.V. for first night. We'll see if the plan survives contact. Hope to arrive at the lodge before 5. Are Walt and Anna serving meals on this weekend? Supper? Breakfasts? If not, is there a supper gathering anywhere? Bill

Ah, meteorology. Makes astrology and alchemy seem real sciences. Bill

Interesting. Will watch for that. Thanks. Bill

I should start by saying that I love my Griso. I say that because what follows might seem a bit less enthusiastic about it as an all-'rounder than the others. They may be right. Comma but. At the outset, I would say what I don't think the others addressed, i.e., your comment about the 1200 Sport. IMO, that is a much better do-it-all-well motorcycle than the Griso. I have a 2010 1200, but rode a 1100 2000 miles r/t on all sorts of roads. I have put about 13K on my own 8v, and, save the obvious engine differences, the ergos, etc., are pretty much the same. I now mostly use my Griso as a day-tripper in the grand Virginia, W.V., Md., and Penna. roads, but have commuted with it and, on the opposite side of things, had it (with H-B luggage and a tank bag) on a number of multi-day rides. I have no issue with it comfort for that, but we all know how subjective such a statement is. Moreover, in the interest of full disclosure, I have been accused -- among other things in that physical area -- of having no nerves at all down there, as I find '98 EV seats quite comfortable. My point is what the others said: try to ride before buying. If not doable, c'est la vie. Much of this turns, as it would with any motorcycle, your ... erm ... "dimensions." I am 5'11", 30" inseam, 34" reach, and (gasp) 220 before ATGATT. The bars, pegs, saddle, etc., are all fine for me. Even with my own unenviable "fighting weight," I still found the as-delivered suspension settings rock hard until tweaked and I still need to work with it more seriously now that my type of riding has steadied to "serious" back-road assaults. OK, I see that I am rambling now, with babbling next. As are the others, happy to answer any other questions or address what we may have missed. Best from the top of Virginia, Bill

Not farfetched. See, e.g., evidence of my own uses of bourbon corks ... after, of course, the bottles had been properly emptied.

Ik wou dat ik was!

How true all of that is. Plus, the strides in tire technology for m/c and cages (and likely everything else including forklifts!) over past decade or so are amazing. Suppose that by now the OP has the new tires. I, too, am a MIchelin fan, but also recognize the silliness of the "I'd only own a [Ford][Chevy][Dodge][Whatever]." Have tried various others on my Norge, Griso, and EV, but find myself coming back to Michelins. Have MPR3's on my Norge, and just put MPR4's on the Griso. Considered the GT versions for the Griso, but -- despite my "fighting weight" making such concerns possibly irrelevant -- wanted more sidewall flex than those seem to deliver. Might go that route on Norge as it is my C-130 2-up, LD machine; we shall see. FWIW, my brother just put (regular) 4's on his '14 Norge. He got amazing (and somewhat annoying) mileage out the Pirelli ST's he's had on it. Being a GMC (oops) man, I ascribed that to his lighter saddle weight and less-eager throttle hand. Bottom line is, as said above, virtually all modern tires are mighty fine. And, unlike the blondes, brunettes, and redheads we may have married, we will have a chance to choose again ... and way less expensively. Bill

Ja!