Steve G.

Is this squeeking only when you depress the clutch lever, or does it happen all the time? Steve

The bike is totally butt ugly, and I'd never buy one but gosh you should try to ride one. It's fantastic. Ciao, Steve

A fresh rasor blade and glass cleaner is what we use at the glass shop. Don't try wd40, it'll make a mess. Ciao, Steve

Just to add to Dan's very accurate thoughts, the Guzzi is mechanically a very tough machine, and would last longer than a modern hypersports Japanese bike, mainly as the Jap superbikes engines are very highly tuned. Where Guzzi's have to be gotten used to is the entire manner of riding one. They are not point & shoot bikes, with 150+ hp, but machines that work best riding in a smooth rythm, using the engines satisfying engine braking, and mid corner torque surge out of corners that will surprisingly keep up with the superbikes in the tight stuff, and you will find yourself smiling in your helmet . Use Guzzi's in a manner employing no mechanical sympathy [running the shit out of them, popping wheelies etc] and they will protest by blowing a shaft drive u-joint or something. Ciao, Steve G.

I've had alot of seat time on my buddies 1100S, low bar model. And I've ridden a local Lemans a couple months ago, as well as my own V11, entering 40,000kmsonto the odometer in 4 yrs. The Beemer is a better handling bike, the front suspension of the newer Beemers is really a relevation. Equipped with the ABS, it will take getting used to, but once the feel is there, the brakes, and manner the bike handles under braking is impressive. Factory luggage is very handy, and works well. Throw in the standard equipment heated handgrips. On the other hand, oilhead Beemers burn an unusual amount of oil if run in hot weather, the engine has virtually no appeal, or viseral feedback, even if it has a performance pipe, absolutely emotionless. The Lemans has better fairing protection, better mileage, better gearbox, very similar riding position, with slightly less leg room, arguably better looks, surprisingly similar reliabilty, and easier self tune up. The big thing is the engine, which is literally alive, huge character and feedback. On the other hand, the factory luggage available for the V11 series is no match for the beemer, nor is it a match for two up touring in comfort. They are so similar yet so very different! Ciao, Steve

Where's Captain Nemo and his "pipes from hell" Cobras? Ciao, Steve

I've seen this site before, kind of pisses me off actually. It does not clarify [and I realise it might be tough] the incidents of rider irrisponsibility, like the Castrol Honda RC51 piling into the side of the car at over 200 kms/hr. Charles Darwin has a hand in those incidents, which I feel are fully 70% of those pictures. Ciao, Steve

So, how do you listen to it when you are riding? Ciao, Steve

Replying to "very sad news". Golly I thought someone had died. Ok, it's a bit disappointing, I'll give you that. My older cousin was a lead singer in a punk band that had radio play in the pacific north west', with the cheerfull little group "AN ACT OF DOG". Actually, I think most punk music sucked big time. Most punk musicians were not singers, alot could not play more than 6 chords. They were mostly "anti-society but can't figure out what I want" types. As for those who followed and paid money to see them, I'll offer my condolences from 20 feet away. I'm not so disappointed after all. Ciao, Steve G.

Whenever I go to the local M.G. dealer these day, the salesman 'of course' pushes me to move on up from my old V11 to a Griso, noting that there have been 5 Grisos, and 5 Brevas languishing in the shop there since they took delivery in the spring. Being someone who regretfully does not sugar coat a comment, I say simply that the two new models don't look as good as the V11. Maybe the Norge or the 1200 Sport has a chance with me [if they ever make it to Canada for sale] but the base model Breva is to me not a good looking bike. The Griso has appealing looks, and I'm sure it has better fit/quality than the V11, but honestly the only thing I can say about it right now is it has a very nice sitting position. It's advertised power output is less than the V11, which to me means not enough. I like things even, or what's the word, "asmietric", the same on both sides. The one huge can on one side, and an oil radiator on the other, I just don't know. Have you seen how Ducati has changed the styling of their classics in 2007 to go along with what I'm talking about. Ciao, Steve G.

And I thought it was AAA, AA, or CAA membership! Or a close friend with a flat deck tow truck.

Oh, don't worry, I'm just in a good mood this morning [Rossi is now in the points lead, and I was actually given a motorcycle yesterday], and I'm just trying to press buttons with Belfast, and I get in a better mood when I succeed. BTW, as a Guzzi owner, and enthusiast, I resemble the above comment, except the part about the beard. The itchy part drives me nuts, and I have oh so sensitive girlie skin. But if there's IPA within 10 miles, I can usually find it by my nose!! Ciao, Steve

Unfair yes, but if you understood the manner of crackpot red neck wannabees that are the majority of H.D. ownership in these parts, you would certainly understand. As well, most Buell owners around here are in clear identity crisis, also wear beenie helmets, have big Cuban cigars hanging from their teeth, or wear these outrageous cloth masks with skeletal head markings when it gets cold, and are literally fish out of water when even the slightest curve in the road occurs. They hang almost exclusively with the "Harley" crowd, wear chaps, Daytons, etc. I'm sick of collecting these idiots in the corners on my 35yr old, 35 hp beemer. I could go on and on about the source of this public head shaking toward this ilk. H.D. and Buell are obviously linked in more ways than business, with Buell having H.D. based engines. It's unfortunate that you have a make of motorcycle that has such a tarnished image among other motorcyclists. But you should realize this will happen. I fully understand the scurge of dis-like towards beemers on this forum. I do not get offended, rarely try to defend the brand. I understand that a forum like this, which not only has 1 manufacture as it's base, but goes one step further with one base model as it's base, that all other bikes are fair game to be picked on, and I'll probably join in. So keep your flap jacket on Belfast, it's only natural that we have a go at a Harley Davidson powered bike sold as a sport bike, with a system of engine isolation copied from a 39yr old Norton, using a final drive system from a Maytag clothes dryer, an exhaust off of a 1960's Ford Falcon, equipped with a vibration resistant liquid crystal clock!!! Ciao, Steve

Unlike my ex-wife (from Belfast as it happens) who most likely would have applied a kitchen implement to my head. Kitchen implements with built in clocks? Cool!! I'll buy one of them too!! Ciao, Steve

Buells have clocks?? Shit, I'm gonna buy one!

Moto Gp racing is a team sport in a way, with engineers, tuners, etc. backing up the riders. And they, particularly Yamaha engineers, have let Rossi down this year, with more mechanical dnf's than Rossi's career tally of race crashes!! Clearly Rossi is still the best rider in the world, and few would disagree that if Hayden wins, Rossi is still the best rider in the world. Hayden's Honda, being the best road race machine on Earth, has clearly been his trump card, not himself. Just the same, he earned the ride, and is a nice fellow. If he does win, hopefully his current very gentlemanly manner of self confidence and modest pride of origin is not displaced by something less accepted on the world level. Ciao, Steve

My Garmin 76sc has a clock. I do like the Formotion things. Ciao, Steve

I have to tell you Ryan, my 47 yr old wrists are starting to complain just a tad about the reach to the bars. Have you contemplated any kit out there for the bars? I may be interested in a "package deal" from someone. Ciao, Steve

I've got a Givi A750 which I can easily install/remove in 5 minutes on my 2001 V11. This is used for long trips that you mention to stop the fatigue. I prefer the look without it, but there's no denying the usefullness the this sort of fairing. Ciao, Steve G.

I've never heard of them. Who makes them? Ciao, Steve

There is great riding in the Bodega Bay area. Wish I could make it. Ciao, Steve G.

Take it from me, seriously, I have first hand experience, Ducati's are family breakers! They are money pits, they are one passenger bikes, even more so than a V11. I ride with a gaggle of modern Ducks, and while every Ducati owner will stomp their feet saying they cost no more than enything else, they are deniers of fact much like alcoholics! I get to ride down to the dealer all the time with them, and money changes hand quicker than a drunk at a craps table. The 749/999 is no different. A buddy just went in for his first tune up, $450!! Get a bike the missus will be happy on, and god, please not a Harley!! There are much better ways to go. Surely you don't want to have to submit yourself and your wife to such a thing, and feel forced to dress up in those rediculous "H.D. motor-clothes TM", just think about the sillyness of it all. Being brow beaten by fellow Harley owner peer pressure into going to Harley Davidson Rallies, where you will see exact replicas of you, your wife, and your bike, all while celebrating your new found uniqueness, individuality, and new found American dream-ness. Being forced to grow a moustache, starting a t-shirt collection of Harley dealers in every place you vacation to in the tropics! Wooooo!! The Harley marketing dept. has caught another one and he can't escape. You're a gonner. Next step, a mullett, and Dale Ernhart, apple pie and Chevrolet! Sorry, I had to vent. I was riding through Reno a couple weeks ago, and got stuck in a Harely Rally, it was frickin' sickening watching the stooges celebrate their individuality. Couldn't get out of there fast enough. Golly, you live in the Great Prairie, time for big time comfort. Get a Gold Wing, twice the power, twice the comfort, and this is a bike that will leave any Harley in it's massive wake in any condition, whether it be a series of hairpins, climbing a pass, or flat tarmac. That big 6 has a very cool Porsche Carrera howl as you run along, you really should test ride one. I used to dismiss these as old couples bikes, suited to pulling trailers in straight lines, but I went on a test ride this summer for an hour, highways, and a series of challengine twisties. I was simply amazed at how they go around corners, simply amazed. Your wife will love it, and after that, you will be aloud to by a lovely red money pit! Ciao, Steve G.

Methyl Hydrate [wood alcohol] can be found at any Home Depot, in the paint department. $3.95 a gallon. It is used around these parts to help get cars/trucks with questionable engine/tune status through our local emission testing. It's burning byproduct is basically water vapour. Ciao, Steve G.

Just lovely. Like the shape of a woman. Just get on and ride!