Steve G.

Actually it's about a GS1000, not an RG500, you get confused easy! Steve

Yup, I'd go for a 1000E as a donor. They can still be had cheap. Steve

My question to you Richard, is why oh why you'd want to sell your ELR, clearly in 'that' group of "must have" Japanese classics we all know about? A big Suzuki 1000S is certainly in that group as well, but less known, and as a result perhaps a bit less sought after by those who would desire it. Prices I've observed for both of these bikes show that they are close, but an ELR would probably cost more these days, simply because Eddie Lawson went further in the game than Wes Cooley. I have noticed there seem to be way more fake 1000S's out there than real ones, kind of like the fact there's more red framed V7Sport's out there than were ever built by Guzzi. Is there a serial numbers series which indicates one of these is the real thing? Steve

I personally think that the street version 1000S is a much nicer looking bike than the full faired model. It's also going to be a better investement to go the GS1000S street model route, it will be much more collectable and valuable. I know the parts are tricky to find for old Suzuki's, but it will be worth it. Steve

Early Laverda triples used the big handsome 9" Bosch unit, still available. The V11 Sport 8" unit is readily available, in fact it's the same unit, and part # used on late 70's and newer Laverdas. I say, the bigger the better, go with the 9" Bosch. A 7" unit off an English bike will look too small. Steve

Oh boy, this thread has the same potential as an oil, or tire thread, as in it's rarely about the best product, but more about the favourite of each. Steve

I have used 1 of my two GPS's [ short for Global Positioning System] on my V11. My old Garmin 276CS I put in my tank bag. My other one[ Garmin 376C] spends most of it's time on my Paris Dakar, but I have a RAM mount that will be going onto the V11 to fit this one. This company [RAM] will have the hardware you need to fit it. Steve

Thanks for pointing this out. They do have alot of good stuff, for sure!! Steve

Politics always bring such fierce emotions, I just think there's no place for it on a motorbike forum. Steve

There's no place for politics on a motorcycle forum!

The neat thing about the yellow Norvil Commando above is that you can still get this bodywork new, quite inexpensive actually. Norton frame serial numbers did not specifically designate model, just year, so you could have up to 5 different models depending on which yr your bike is.

As an owner of 2 bikes that are in the same catagory as the Stelvio, the 'Adventure Bike', I can say that yes, the Stelvio is beautiful in it's ugliness just as the rest of them are. It's ugliness is quite unique I must say, like a giant bug. I must say. I do like the panniers for it, they look like they are quite usable. As for the wire wheel issue, I am shaking my head why Moto Guzzi, Triumph, and others do not adopt the style of wheel that they use out of Spandau. Having the spokes attach outside the sealing of the tire rim makes perfect sense. Having individual seals on every one of the spokes, to me just makes no sense. The possibilioty of a seal compromise must be higher. Steve

I agree totally. To this day I call modern Triumphs 'Hinckleys'. And Modern MV's do not have any lineage to the proper Count Agusta MV's. They are Castiglioni MV's. The new UK Nortons that may or may not be available soon, actually are offering two Nortons from different lineages. The parallel twin appears to be a continuation of the Kenny Drear bikes. Kenny had, buy the last stage model engineered every bit of Norton out of his bike, except the sticker on the tank. Maybe a good thing, but this bike had serious issues, not the least was the habit of grenading under hard use. But the race bike is clearly a straight lineage line from the original Norton Shenstone, Stafordshire factory, where in the end they were producing Norton Interpol rotary powered bikes, Norton 'Classic' rotary road bikes, Norton Commander [yes, Commander] rotory sport tourers, and the lovely and fast Norton F1 588s. Clearly the current race bike is the Shenstone 588 F1. I wish them luck. It's a tricky time in financial history to be opening up a new bike factory. I hope it's not just a front for selling boutique t-shirts. Steve

The factory tank bag has always fit perfect for me, looks the part. As for e4xhaust, I like shiny stuff, so the only choice is Staintune . http://www.cbtimports.com/staintune/stntnmotoguzziapps.htm

Time for new Relays!!

I must agree!! I'm up to 7, and they are all very different.

Luckily with the Highrider, this can be recified easily. Serial numbers in Commando production did not designate model, so a quick change of seat, tank, and rear grab bar could restore your sorry ass Highrider to it's rightfull place as one of the most iconic bikes ever made. The new 1200ST Beemer, yes, it fell out of the ugly tree hard!

The BMW K1 is for sure a "function first" -- "form be damded" dseign. Not the first, or last. The Suzuki Hyabusa's shape is hugely built around aerodynamics. Where BMW went a step further was with the garish use of colors.

As noted, and sought after as the Prince is now, at the time it was panned by the press, and buying public.

I understand and agree with Greg's explanation. Many other twin cylinder bike companies ,BMW as a direct comparison] have gone to great lengths to lighten the rotating mass of their engines, and the result has been a success. My basic point as a potential Moto Guzzi purchaser, is that Moto Guzzi is not producing bikes right now that are big sellers. Guzzi should be about retro, this is their potential "meat & potatoes". When Guzzi dropped their retro V11 series, they allowed Ducati to walk right in and take over with their money making Classic series. The new V7 is a fine restart, but they REALLY REALLY need to build the same retro style again based on the big block series. If they can't do this with the big block Breva frame, fine, or the Griso frame, fine. But, Guzzi is too small to have showroom dogs, and the standard Breva is not moving, it's time is done. They need to see this, everyone else can! The one advantage a small company like Guzzi should be the quick decision, the ability to quickly get a model out. Big companies like Honda plan for yrs, to get through all their levels. Steve

It's a perfect opportunity. The legend has planted the seed. It doesn't have to be a 150 hp superbike. It would sell as just a 105hp bike, the look is very important. They have a huge problem with those unsold big Brevas, they really are showroom anchors. Someone is not reading the market, they are missing a great shot here. Steve

I totally agree with you on this. There are times when I come across a bike that I find myself forcing to like. All of the current machines at Moto Guzzi fall into this catagory. I don't hate them, I kind of think they're ok, but I'm trying to like them too much. It's not working. The things are not selling at the 2 dealers where I live. There's an '07 Breva sitting there, what a showroom dog! Heck, it would not take hardly any amount of engineering to place MGS body panels on either the Griso frame or Breva frame. They could call it the MGS - 02, or the MGS Mk11. It's a no brainer, just on visual presence alone!! Look at the bodywork Gezzi Brian fixed up, it can't be that hard, really! Steve

I'm just finishing reading a test of this bike against the 'known benchmark' in this catagory. Anyways, it says that this engine is basically right out of the Griso, so fairly good power. As for the design of the bike, and as an owner of two bikes of this catagory, I can say that none, NONE, of the 'adventure' catagory bikes ever made could ever be considered beautiful. Interesting, polarizing, utilitarian, proud, excentric, purposefull, these are word more acurate to describe any of the current big "duallies". That said, as always, I say "beauty is in the eye of the beer holder", so go for it, buy it, you literally only live once!!!! Last month I was lucky enough to ride the Stelvio Pass [Passo Stelvio]. At the top, walking around looking at the views, t-shirt stands, bikes, and people, I came upon an outside restaurant where Moto Guzzi flags flew. Uopn further inspection was a platform where two MG Stelvios sat, and a sign welcoming everyone to view the bike with the same name as the pass we had just ridden. It was quite cool actually. Steve

Hi Greg, I'm kind of interested in this. You say you know the history of the bike. Was it a crash that has made this fellow sell off parts? It says the headlight is missing. What kind of fastening assemblage could be missing along with the headlight? Finally, can you see an issue with fitment on a pre '02 V11, with it's non stretched/extended headstock frame. I have visions of fairing to tank fitting issues. And of course the price. ??? Steve

This pretty well confirms how fu@&ed up some people are, to actually admit to liking them!! http://www.lk3000.com/madura/