LowRyter

Perhaps, I also said it wasn't a fair assessment since they were OEM tires. BTW- the Pirelli Rosso 3 on my Duc didn't last that long either but they really felt good. And those were the OEM tires, I bought some generic Rosso 3 replacement (not Ducati marked) they wore out in a thousand fewer miles than the Ducati marked tires. The Duc tires retail for a few bucks more but I just thought it was hype. Anyway, long and short of it, I switched to Dunlops on the Duc too. I like the cost, handling and mileage with Dunlops. If you wanna go back 20 years before all that and I can tell why I quit riding Dunlops the first time which were several generations replacements for 'stones...... so it goes.

I'm sticking with cheap Dunlops. The RS3 are $30-$50 cheaper than the 'stones. I've only had OEM Bridges, they didn't last and I never bought another set. That's not a fair assessment. BTW- did you get the GT spec for heavy bikes?

I remember back in the '90's driving by the track and seeing this guy on the street the day before the "500". I said, if the cops are this cool, this is the place to party. My brother and I slept in our car parked on the street before the big race. I think the revelry stopped about 3am and then the bomb goes off at 5 to alert race fans that track parking opens up. IIRC the City police as well as the Sheriff's Dept each HAD a drill team. This was one of the coolest things seeing them to all kinds of precision riding before the start of the Indy 500. The last time I saw them was in 2000. Since then the Motorcycle Drill team has been disbanded- at least it's not there for the big race.

I know my typical diner had a half a dozen choices. Usually Grappa was offered.

Aperitifs/digestifs seem to be special in Italy.

Any idea what this costs? I'll bet the sounds of the gears might be pretty cool too.

So is this a fully gear drive system or a replacement for the original sprocket with chain?

So far as the 18k Desmo service. I was quoted about 4 hours. Not much different than a 4 cyl sportbike. I got hosed on the parts. I took it to my local mechanic but was in a hurry to make a trip so I told him to get the parts from the local dealer. Ducati charges $90/ea timing belts ($180) and $45+/ea for plugs ($90). OK, by aftermarket, the belts are $60 and NAPA will sell you the plugs for less than $20. So I paid $270 for parts should cost $160. Easily cudda saved $100+. But wait, there's more. I did put a chain on it at 18k, it might've gone further but was getting a slight tightspot. The rear sprocket is another piece that's hard to find, I ordered mine from Italy for about $75 IIRC...I think they're better than $200 from Ducati -not a standard or generic design and hard to get (many places want to sell some kind of special quick-change sprocket and carrier deal for $400). After all that, both sprockets looked OK, so I have the new one in my parts stash. The front is a standard $20 generic but I recommend going with 14T front, this is about 7% lower gearing than stock. It wakes the bike up, the close ratio transmission is geared a little high in the lower gears and the opposite for the top gears. With the sprocket change, this is the only bike that I never have to downshift passing someone on the highway. I still get about 42 mpg. Then I put tires on it. Same Dunlop Roadsmart 3's I have the Greenie. One other concern about the bike, that saddlebag bracket has a tendency to sheer two of the bolts. We've learned to tap out the receiver in the bracket and replace with larger bolts. The bracket is pretty easy to remove. I keep it preassembled and can reinstall it in about 20 minutes. The bike would be near perfect if it had another 30hp and cruise. All things considered the cost of ownership has been less than my V11 Sport. The Sport is fun bike but the Duc is quite a bit more reliable and useable. Of course I'm comparing bikes that are 15 years apart.

Thanks, you're close. The socket connection was corroded. I used some contact cleaner, ground several time with the bulb and took a pick to it, had no luck and gave up. The shop used some emery cloth and cleaned it right up. Don said it's fine. Still awaiting a rear tire and new kickstand- the old one is wallowed out, he saw the kill switch was bent and fixed that too. I guess I didn't know what to look for on that. BTW- He told me hasn't sold a transmission bracket in a while. So I'm not sure where the OP got his.

Agree with all said except I've never gotten the courage to go more than 160 miles on a tank. I've somewhat tamed mirror vibration with some vibration pads. I find the windshield ok, and the stock seat the best I've ever had on a bike. It's more comfortable than the Guzzi, better seating and little more relaxed. It's light and tossable but I can lock the throttle and take both hands off the bars and wave like Miss America. And that's rub, no cruise control. The only mods I've done to my bike is a throttle lock, Duc tankbag, 3/4 in bar risers, factory foldable levers ($20 on closeout, regular $360- <Guzzi Content>) and 14T front sprocket (it's a little over geared). Mine's a standard bike (no Ohlins), with bag package. It's the best bike I've ever owned, I have 26k miles. Frankly Al, I'd make a deal on this one, if you're interested in one. OTOH, it's due 16K desmo service. The labor isn't bad but shop got me for the belts and plugs, I got hosed on that. We've also got a forum on these bikes.

One of Don's? Actually my Greenie is back in the shop. Getting a rear tire and figuring out why the tail light isn't working. After the laundry list, it's supposed to get a dyno tune.

Good luck with the sale. I saw you ad in the Ducati Supersport forum. I recently rode an RS and considered one to be a tourer as well.

I wish that Piaggio would put that wasted legal money into their freaking products. It would be nice to get a new design on the road when people wanted it without the hidden defects.

oooh, this explains the e-mail I received today: HMB-GUZZI (info@hmb-guzzi.de)To:you (Bcc) + 1 more Details Dear customer, as of next week (week 6 2023) we have to change our internet access as well as our email addresses. The shop itself will remain unchanged, the existing customer/login data will continue to apply. The new shop address: www.hmb-moto.de The new email address: info@hmb-moto.de Until Sunday 5.2.2023 everything will remain as it is, orders will be processed normally. On Monday, the internet shop will not be accessible during the implementation. As soon as the shop is available again, we will inform you. This notification will then already be sent from the new email address info@hmb-moto.de. Michael -- Mit freundlichem V2 Gruss, Michael Behrendt HMB-GUZZI Zeppelinstr. 48 91187 Röttenbach Tel: 09172-669918

There's something wrong with that company. I've talked to a few dealers that have had issues with them, more than the other brands. I've heard that Aprilia is one of the worst. Now they want to go after their most enthusiastic customer base? What's next, the owner's club too? Hopefully the silliness will stop and won't affect the couple of forums that I participate.

at that price, I'd at least to hope they're bright. OTOH.... I haven't any bulbs to burn out on a bike since my '81 Seca 550. <knock wood>

I've got one of those H4 LED replacements on both Guzzis (headlight buckets). They were cited here a few years ago. They're no brighter than OEM. All in all a disappointment. If someone has a better solution that will fit my Sport and EV, great to know. thanks

does anyone know if the LeMans headlight and the naked/sports are interchangeable? https://www.ledperf.us/led-headlight-for-motoguzzi-v-11-le-mans-round-motorcycle-optics-approved-p-33045.html

Whichever bikes are "better", the spineframes win the beauty contest.

Just curious. I wonder if there is a mark (or memory) of how far the TPS was moved during the reset and if it could be returned to the original position? Is it possible to set the TPS by ear and to continually adjust it until the cough went away? Perhaps it would be good to make a pen marker when adjusting. My bike has a low rpm power crater and occasional cough when I take off. It was shown on a dyno. I have to be careful sometime because it's right when I get my feet on the pegs and taking off. I have to be vigilant on the throttle. New plugs really help.

That looks like the rear end, not the gearbox

I sent you a PM on WG a week ago. it looks like you have some folks that are within a day's drive of you. All have a great reputation.

She looks expensive to maintain....where have I heard that before?

Dusty runs a Spring Rally that caters to the old Guzzi crowd and a Fall Rally that set up on Adv Riders board. Just to clarify to help determine which one or both rallies you might want to attend. Me, I saw the Sultan on New Year's and still didn't get it straight.

you could do worse http://www.ghezzi-brian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_4859_l-min.jpg