belfastguzzi

I kept an eye on it on the motorway yesterday. The display read from around 30mpg down to 20mpg. Riding motorway and A roads as well as minor roads, the fuel warning light came on at 95 miles from brim full.

He was awarded an OBE for his charity work. He already had an MBE for services to motorcycling. http://www.ttwebsite.com/features/joeydunl...ardian_news.htm

Found out today that my Moto Guzzi dealer / service agent has Motul 10W40 in the 8V Griso. Swears it's the only oil to use in anything – and never use a synthetic. 10W60 is of course specified by MG and in any discussion here it has been pointed out that the tappet design in this motor needs the 60 grade. As Ratchet would say: what's a feller to do? The case for sticking with SG rating, rather than the later versions, has also been well made. It's very hard to find a 10W60 SG on anyone's shelves. The only one that I have seen around is Motorex, but the shop that had it has closed. Anyway, it still leaves the situation that the Guzzi agent, due to his bike experience (a different thing from high-cam flat tappet Guzzi experience) uses 10W40 semi, no matter what Guzzi specify. Motul does make a good oil, as far as I can tell. Can I say again: what's a feller to do? All comments, including comments of doom, are invited.

Must check that, thanks. Out of the blue, it just reminds me of a book from a long time ago that I would like to see again: Alternative Housing: Building with the Head, the Heart and the Hand, by Alistair Knox I see there is one on UK Amazon. It's £50 though.

I trust they're announcing that they've decided to give me a new Griso in place of the lump that they sold me. It would be good if they're planning to announce a proper dealer/service/back-up system. I'm sure that's a priority that they're working hard at. At a quick look, this event seems just a commercial travel operation (with a MG tie-in). The London 'caravan' is 2 nights out, 1 night in Milan and two nights back. I just happened to see another organised bike (Triumph) travel thing to Sardinia and Corsica, for two weeks. This trip is further and much longer but is the same cost as the 'Guzzi' jaunt. Triumph thing: "The cost of this proposed 2-week holiday ... is likely to be in the region of 1500 euros for 2 people on one bike, or 1700 euros for 2 riders on 2 bikes (i.e. 850 euros each). For a single rider who wants single accommodation, the cost is likely to be in the region of 1250 euros. These costs should include all ferries and 13 night's accommodation. So the Guzzi-EICMA operation doesn't look good value in comparison. I'm sure there will be a much superior class of rider though. November isn't the month of year that I would pick for an expensive bike holiday.

Thanks I'll check those connectors. I'd say that the Griso and Stelvio systems are exactly the same. I have had a new dash ordered (ages ago) on Warranty, due to the condensation problem that makes the bottom half of the display unreadable when it is misted. I just haven't got it yet. Thanks for the offer though, Pete. I've asked Piaggio if an independent service centre can be allowed to do MG warranty work. I can guess the answer but we'll see. The oil pressure (possible) explanation is reassuring.

Thanks, but no other keys attached and 2nd key is no better.

The ECU errors have one check column called Active. There are two check columns for Dashboard Errors. One is Active and the other is Memo. What, why? Presumably Memo is for 'old' errors. There were 4 codes marked with an x in the Dashboard errors, Memo column: 01 and 02 which are both immobiliser failures 07 which is oil sensor failure and 08 which is oil pressure anomaly. (Sometimes the little red warning triangle flashes on, when the bike is on the road – could that be the oil pressure anomalies?) I cleared the errors, exited and pressed the starter. Engine fired up. Coincidence? I stopped and tried again. No start. Error display shows an x against 02. I cleared the errors again, exited and tried to start. It won't start. No errors are displaying.

I've said before about my Griso non-starting problem. Sometimes when trying to start the bike, it simply does nothing. I have to wait, keep trying and at some point it comes to life. Today, after riding for two hours I stopped the bike. A few minutes later I turned the key and pressed the start button. Nothing I kept trying and after a while it started. Stopping for a while and then attempting to start – nothing. I've waited and waited, tried and tried, but it is still silent and lifeless. I'm wondering if this fault could be attributable to the immobiliser system? Pete, or anyone who knows the error codes / management system: Will a faulty immobiliser display an error code? Edit: I have found reference to immobiliser error codes in the Service Manual. Now to go see if any are displayed.

I've just watched it displaying the mpg on the move. At around 3,000 rpm and 50mph it can give 50mpg to 60mpg. It could be made to read over 60mpg. Wind it up in a pleasurable manner and the reading displayed dropped to 19mpg. This could give some credence to your outlandish proposition, Rob.

This is what it's about: Registration grants you technical assistance along the entire route, and dispatch cars and motorcycles to escort the Caravans, besides suppers and hotel reservations along with restaurants selected and reserved for the occasion. To all those registered, a personalised kit will be delivered including a Road Map, patch, sticker, and travel notebook. Thousands of kilometres on wonderful roads, in a journey that, beginning Saturday 7 November (depending on the selected departure city), will culminate 10 November at the 67th annual EICMA, the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition at the Milan's trade exhibition centre. For Guzzi enthusiasts participating in "Where Eagles Fly", admission is included to the first day of the trade fair, normally reserved for industry dealers and for the press.

What's this all about? From MG website: "London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Florence, Naples, ... Six Guzzi caravans across Europe, towards a single appointment! Thousands of kilometres on wonderful roads away from motorway traffic. Guzzi riders of Europe: the emotion of a memorable journey under the sign of the Eagle! Dispatch cars and motorcycles for each Caravan. Assistance on the whole road. Hotels and restaurant selected and reserved. Personalised kit: Road Map, Patch, Sticker, and Travel notebook."

Mr Spam Man must think that Enzo still visits here.

Fastest lap pushed to 133.282 this year

! wow, that's nice to know. Thanks for mentioning.

I blame the Forum geometry

Well mpg certainly hasn't improved with time. I'm prompted to post because I've just opened a copy of Bike and it fell at the end of a road trip report on a ZZR1400 and an R1200 GS. The BM averaged 44mpg with a best of 48. Theoretical range of 195; practical range 160 The Kwak averaged 40 with a best of 45. Theoretical range is 197 miles; practical 180. My Griso 1200 8V has a practical range of 100 miles. Last fill was no different to usual. From a tip-top top-up, the warning light came on after only 93 miles. The computer display tells me that the bike is averaging 23.8mpg! It may be calculating in American gallons (if that's true, what a stupid, stupid, un-necessarily stupid and obtuse way to build a 'useful' computer display feature!) but even so, 24mpg and 100 miles range is rubbish in a bike like this. Could the computer / speedometer / odometer be way out of whack? It's almost certainly over-reporting speed / under-counting distance, but it's not madly out. When I do a journey that I know is around 25 miles it doesn't tell me that I've done 15. What are others getting now with this engine? What the other CARC (modern) motors giving? 1200 Sport? BTW there is a V7 Café Classic article. It easily averaged 50mpg and gave a 200 mile range. That's more reasonable.

He liked his quick bits 1984?

Great bit of film from 1999 UGP Joey and David Jeffries Gary Dynes too – all R.I.P. 1999 UGP

Just for a bit of diversion, if not relief... Many will remember the Pan European problems from a couple of years ago. It's been mentioned here before, I think. Same sort of situation. Main problem was highlighted though the Police bike wobbles. There were crashes, then a Police rider was killed. However civi riders on standard spec machines also complained of same dangerous wobbles, while others proclaimed the machines as rock steady! "After a coroner in the UK stated that the Honda Pan European ST1300 used by the UK Police Officers was unsafe at high speeds, the Association of Chief Police Officers in the UK withdrew the motorcycle. This happened after a Police Officer (David Shreeve) lost control of his motorcycle after developing a violent high-speed wobble resulting his death. There is no problem with standard Honda Pan European motorcycles, just the Police version, due to the heavy equipment transported (communication and emergency materials), and the different suspension used." Owner A > "How much of this is accurate and how much is sensationalism, negative journalism or sour grapes. I am sorry for PC Shreeve and his family but he was doing 110 mph plus on a fully laden Pan on the M58 which has very open and windy sections. The ST 1300 handbook advises no more than 80 mph with panniers.Is the police withdrawal of these bikes backside covering in case another accident happens and the police are left open to compensation claims? I ride my ST 1300 all year every day for work as well as weekend runs. My daily commute takes me close to the accident site so I can confirm it is windy. The only time I have experienced any hint of instability is when the Honda top box is fitted, and I've been riding solo, and possibly a little too fast for the conditions. Even then I would not say it was serious. So, I'm confused - my bike seems perfectly stable under any reasonable conditions, but we hear these reports. Is it really only the police bike which is affected, or am I riding a potential death trap which is going to bite me one day. As stevenrees says, we need an answer from Honda" Owner B > "Guess I was one of the first victims of the high speed wobble (Feb 04)- totalling the bike and putting me in hospital. 50+ year old, riding since 16, I.A.M. Green badge, Police trained, I know how to ride and I know a bad bike when I come accross it. I'll keep campaigning for Honda to be brought to task - for there are few nights I go to bed without thinking of the kids being brought up without a Dad because Dave Hancock and crew at Honda wouldn't take heed of my experience/correspondance then. Funny how the media seem reluctant to persue the issue - no more free bikes/weekends away at stake? Loved my ST100 - the STX1300 is a killer - and despite reports of Police returning hundreds, Honda are still seling them. Police vs Civvie spec - mine was loaded with change of clothes in top box, computer in ns box & recovery kit in rh box, probably up to Police spec weight. Guys are dying on these machines because of 'rider error' - they rode one.RIP" Owner C > "I have had mine for two years and 7900 miles, 2500 in France last year, two up and overloaded in weight with just the passenger and rider, yes the all three boxes were full and the tank bag too. (?240kgs..me and the lad are 200 between us). Pre-loaded to the MAX!! Mine has been rock steady even flat out, It has Bridgestone 020's and at 42 psi. I too am IAM trained and am studying to be paramedic with Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Not that means much but D1 and D2 driver training alters your perdpective on hazzards. I am happy with mine, I waisted 70quid buying a brace off ebay 'cos I was scared of the hype (when I returned). Should have saved my cash. I think I must ride like a nonce but St Tropez to home 1066 miles in 14 hours is not hanging about in anyones book. Try before you buy. I did and it's fabulous. Fit the correct rated tyres and just ride it. Screen up or down fast or slow, ring it,s neck and it will keep comming back. I am acutely aware that the cop bikes are different but civii ones are ok. I might be the only one saying it's ok, but that's all that matters. I had my RF9 for 12 years, 55,000 miles and I suspect the Pan will stay a while too and I also suspect everyone else THINK they ride Hard but actually they don't. The Police on the other hand DO. In all weathers. Brave, and right decision to remove the machine from their fleets. Folk have a bump, and like todays society have to find someone to blame, in this case.... "of course it was the machine ... no,no... not me , I am traind and never make a mistake , me.... welll I am perfect am I not? I have a little piece of paper telling me I am!" It means there are some absolute bargins to be had because people are so afraid of them. Any one shrude enough not to believe the hype can have themselves an masterpiece of Honda engineering. I feel for the PC in the crash and his family. It was a police bike ot a civi. So again.... try before you buy!" Owner D > "I have had mine back to to honda and they said its fine i went back out this weekend one day and it weaved badly again look Honda ive had a lot of bikes and this is a problem you must fix my bike has cover only 700 miles and i now hate to ride it..." etc etc

Michael Dunlop at Stranocum at Cookstown picturing 'between the hedges'

wobbles

No it's different course. It's always referred to as 'fastest' because the UGP has fastest average speed of 130mph+ around the lap while the NW200, with longer straighter roads, reaches highest speed, with the superbikes cracking 200mph+ UGP/Dundrod goes 170 - 180mph

Ulster Grand Prix programme on BBC1NI now. Should be good. Possibly catch it again on iPlayer. John McGuinness has been lap record holder at 131.7 Ryan Farquhar has been on great winning form. 53 wins this year so far. Very close now to Joey Dunlop's record of 119 win: just a few behind. William Dunlop going good too at the Ulster. First race at the mo. Ian Huthinson and Farquhar battling it out. Anstey and Amor behind. Hutchinson has just done it by 3 tenths. Farquhar Superbike lap at over 132mph in earlier Dundrod 150. Topping 170 plus

just now, I'm thinking of going home