Martin Barrett

Enzo, the SP-1 and Firestorm (the soft version) are well known in UK for being juicy and small tanks to boot, The firestorm got a larger tank on its revision. Dealers rarely fill it right up, hope you kept that can. You can at least find out its true range now. There was an SP-1 done out in police livery with lights etc, in the magazine the capton went along the lines "for short pursuits"

John, what exactly is your experiance in simian abuse. No best not answer that.

I forgot to say - try and ride in daylight hours only

Well thats some first trip. My only venture across the channel was to the V11 meet last year. What to take. I took a bulb and fuse kit, and puncture kit with gas bulbs. Since my tumble on the ferry to Ireland I've added plug caps and spare plugs. (I got away with it on that occasion) I think the rule is only take what you know how to use. I think you may need a first aid kit to comply with some Euro countries. But first aid is about improvisation. A field dressing should surfice IMHO. On my 1700mile Ireland trip I wore the rear pads right down by the time I was leaving Wales. So dual carriage way home without using the rear brake. So for Scotland I took front pads with me and a tube of copaslip, just in case they needed changing on the 2500mile trip. They didn't. As to driving on the wrong side of the road. Didn't have a problem was only there for three days. The major roads are easy due to white lines and sign posts. The little roads eg Dike tops could get carried away and revert but I found that the roads and scenery being different always acted as an aide memoire. I believe the big danger is if you stop for fuel or photos and then go to rejoin the carraigeway, being where you're most likly to forget. Also the longer you are there the more natural it becomes so you then use less thought to keep right and that again is when you don't. Have a good trip. I also had the reassurance of Guzzi's Euro assistance and also took out RAC cover, belt and braces - Didn't need it.

I suppose they are what Americans term a Levee as in "when the levee breaks" (Led Zep) Where " I drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry.Them good ol' boy were drinkin' whiskey and rye"( Don Mclean). See I did " learn more from a 3 minute record than I ever did at school"(Bruce Springsteen) My lasting memory of last years International V11 meeting was 25 assorted V11s going across the dike tops. Splendid view. Yes I was towards the back. The dike roads were a new experiance. Strange because the shoulders of the road drop down out of sight. Where I'm used to verges and hedgerows. The picture doesn't really illustrate it, as taken at a village where the road is a little wider, and the drop away not quite so steep. But the road joining from the left gives a slight flavour.

By the way, what do you recommend as protection for that piece of glass?

Thanks for the link to your site Dan, You should put a link in on your signature. Scroll to the bottom of the page hit home and then view 30 years worth of trip reports with pictures. Really opens up the mid west and beyond for us armchair viewers. Much better than a list of roads on the linked page. I know how I will be spending the quite hours tonight.

Yeah, but Enzo has a nice flowery article with pictures as well

I think should also paint the tail piece to match and not leave it black. they made the effort with the cowl.

Yeah. Compare it to Troy's nice foot first slide in to the gravel. As nice and gentle as can be. Deffinatly the place to drop your bike on a track. I can't remember who it was sliding off and just seemed to clear enough so that who was following could turn inside them. I'm surprised more aren't struck by following riders. I remember I think it was Marco Lucchinelli hitting Franco Uncini as he was getting up. I don't particularly want to see that happen again. The horror of the inevitable. Potentially very nasty though I think it was worse than it looked and he did make a quick and full recovery.

I stand corrected. I was misled by the tank, and lack of balance pipes. What about the rest of the ancilaries. Obviously the forks are Ohlins are they 43(02) or 41 (99)? OD?

As to which is the better buy. I was faced with the choice of a 5,000m 18 month red and silver Lemans or for £1500 more a new 03. The lure of the new bike (my first) won out. The "improved" spec and full warranty were an added bonus. I think I lack the sophistication to notice the difference in the suspension. Brought up on flexi flyers. So if Iwas looking at another Guzzi I would make the same choice again Standard Lemans in black. If I wanted the more upright bikini versions the Ballabio. By buying the new bike you help keep the company solvent(ish); the used helps keep our residuals high. There is a theoretical 20-25mph shortfall between the Guzzi and Falco. Be certain that you won't miss that. That could be the one thing that spoils the experiance for you.

I think the Scura despite being an 02 bike is short framed 99 V11, but with single plate clutch, flat matt paint and ohlins suspension. Clip on handle bars! The Cafe Sport has the long frame, post 02 engine, ohlins. The Coppa Italia the same. The Ballabio the same but without the Ohlins. All have bars mounted above the tripple clamps! So its apples and pears. Not satsumas and clementines comprasions. The 02 revisons include the frame,tank, fork diameter, hollow front spindle, black faced instruments, fatter rear tyre, balance pipe on the headers, and slight alledged engine internal modifications.(errors and omisions excepted) 04 was a change on the crinkle paint to a flat satin finish. There are allways some variations depending whats to hand when they assemble them. Baldini, John O'Sullivan and Belfast Guzzi all have Scuras but between them they came with two different mirrors. I can't remember who was the odd one out. (they're all odd in their own way ) John's came from Holland, Whilst the others were sourced via the same UK dealer. I'm not sure that John's was the odd one out apart from the rattle of the clutch. The MGNA bikes seem to be 6months to a year behind on the model years and some short framed are sold as 02 or even 03. There has been talk of Hybrids with mixed parts esp clocks or forks, but I'm not sure.

Serious point, Just make sure she has clear title on the bike. You don't want him or finance co turning up witha claim on it.

Some of the calis have V11 on their side panels. I don't know if they share the engine. i know they went to hydralic (oil) tappets in 02 that didn't workand subject of recall. The styling isn't quite my thing but those who do rate them highly(pre 02). So its some sort of sports tourer in tarts clothing There that will upset numerous people. No seriously each to their own. Yes we are all individuals.

Tomsp, I see you're selling the Tecknos and Shop stand. I know the bike was going to be sold anyway before the accident. Does this mean that the bke has been written off beyond economical repair and you've been paid off and just unloading what you have left? If this is the end, can you give an exit post on your V11Lemans experiance. Please cover if you kept it longer or shorter than normal, what you replaced it with etc It's been good reading your posts and I'll miss seeing your Sully avtar (I know you changed it when you put the bike up for sale) Hope that doesn't sound too wet or make me sound like a homosexual. Not that there's anything wrong with being a homosexual, but I'm not. best I'd shut up

use a hosting service - e.g. Photobucket.com and then link to there* advantages are resizes picture and doesn't use up Jaaps serve space or your global wotnot * highlight the bit that starts IMG and cut and paste into post eg like this &

Scura over MGS01 or isit as MGS01 is male so not in comparison?

My 03 model didn't have a shroud. But when the lens was smashed with a stone. It was replaced. My dealer forgot about me and as a guilt trip did it as a warranty. But I think I've got a RHD beam. Could be interseting next year when comes up for MOT.

The Ryhope engines. Not allowed to show pictures yet but come October. Though some are obvious and not giving anything away. But even then you can make mistakes see above post re King George memorials and I think I got one wrong in Scotland aswell Taken the gloss off it all.

Sorry to rain on your parade. But isn't 1 & 3 the same, basicly a hyper link but the 3rd is a little bit less obvious to those not quite in the know. the 3rd different way would to be to post an attatchment. But not the prefered method as uses up Jaap's server space At your current rate could doable for the new year n.b. I use photobucket also. eg;

Day Five. onday. A 0730 start. The rain is threatening but I hope to avoid it. I decide I don't need the Jerry can so empty it in to the tank and leave it for my sidter to look after till next year. Head off north and east in to the Northumberland moors after the second check point it's started to rain and I've doubts about leaving the petrol can behind. The fuel lights going to come on any moment and theres no petrol in the village I'd hoped to find some in. its over 20 miles to the next one, should be some but one never knows. The light comes on with 10 miles to go and the rain is heavy. Find petrol and head off to the industrialised north east. Then track down the east coast to Scarborough where I visit the Barry Sheene memorial. I enter the Olivers mount race track and go against the racing direction. It is two way working as is based on public roads. On seeing the grid I realise how narrow the track is compared with some of the old airfield tracks. Leave towards York and on to points north and south of Leeds. The roads are unexciting but efficient with a fair bit of dual carriageway. Last point visited and then a two hour blast down the A1. Back for 2000hrs and 500 miles. A trip total of 2600 miles. Just wait now to see if anything nasty drops in the post over the next two weeks. The remaining points can be covered in two single day trips, one to the midlands the other to Humberside. 1 Alston, railway 2 Holystone, Lady's well 3 Corbridge, Aydon Castle 4 Consett, Old Transformers 5 Ryhope, Ryhope engines 6 Scarborough, Barry Sheene memorial 7 Pool, Mile stone to churches 8 Ackworth, Plague stone

Day 4. Sunday. Again 0630 start, but delayed at the bike as chatting to one of the Buell owners. By the time I'd finished the rain had set in, so oversuit back on. By the time reached first check point out of the rain. After the third point head south across the Tay again a free toll for motorcycles. But run straight into the traffic control system for the open golf at St Andrews. seemed to have a well thought out system and minimal delay. Was now into glorious sunshine and getting a bit hot in the slow traffic. I have two incidents with traffic here one is when commencing a three vehicle overtake the third vehicle starts to do the same , luckily I've only got a wheel along side him so can get out his way dropping back. The second is going down the outside of a long cue of cars, as an oncomming vehicle approaches, move back on to the centre line. taking up a position behind one car. The volvo driver behind then chooses to give a blast of his horn as I move further across into the gap between their vehicles. WTF, I know he's there I've just gone past him. Its purely some sort of retalitory guesture. Two can do that , take up central position and ease of so increase the gap. Don't know what he hopes to acheive. I'll be gone as soon as there's a gap in the oncoming traffic.Well once I've mulled over the merits of backing him off or not. I'm past this line of traffic in two further moves. I continue into Edingburgh where whilst having a drink a petrol station. I assist a dutch chap with the conversion of BAR in to PSI so he can use the air compressor to inflate a tyre on his 4X4. I give him an estimate and then point out there is a button that converts the display over. I'm pleased to say my estimate was spot on. He relays that in the Farroes, where he'd come from that they didn't have displays on the pump. I was then able to produce my tyre pressure pencil guage from my jacket pocket. The whole world loves a smart arse. Continue on to Coldstream (7) I had seen the odd motorcycle up to that point. but here there were hundreds it seemed, and even more so when I went through Kelso. Did point (8) and as turned south stopped for fuel. Again lots of motorcycles here. seemed that there was some sort of Festival at Kelso. From there back to my Sisters. I'd managed to avoid getting tangled up in any of these othe groups of motorcycles. Overtaking one just before Carlisle only to find about 20 waiting in a lay by quarter of a mile down the road for it. In for 1800hrs, only 420 miles. 1 Kilin, Finlarig Castle 2 Comrie, Earthquake house 3 Glamis, Pictish stone 4 Pittenweem, Mercat cross 5 Edinburgh, Craigmillar Castle 6 East Linton, Castle 7 Coldstream, Dovecote 8 Newsteed, Trimontium stone

Day Three. Saturday. An early start 0630 The weather forecast was for rain coming in from the north west, just where I was headed for. Its fine at this time. Head off towards the Isle of Skye my first check point is just short of it. Lovely roads, spectacular scenery through the deep glens. Hit first point. 80 miles done The small petrol stations I'd passed had all been closed. but put that to time of day. I was carrying an extra 5 litres in a jerry can in one of my panniers. I head off to my next check point about 80 miles away and the next big town 60 beyond that. I'm immediatly having doubts, should I have continued in to Kyle of Lochalsh about 5 miles out my way and looked for fuel there. The new road rapidly becomes single track and I pass a set of snow gates. Now getting a bit paranoid about my fuel. 15 miles later and I join a road coming from inland and immediately it becomes two lane a normal road as I enter a village Lochcarron. There is a Petrol station village shop and the propriator is putting out his displays. It's just turning 0800, but he's been open from 0700. As leave the village its back to single track road. The scenery is great, the mountains here are what I guess are Bassalt plugs, going from sea level to 3000'.I had been up some of them in my RAF days. I am able to make good progress. Get a good view across the land scape to see any oncoming traffic very infrequent. And the ones I caught up with allowed me to pass at the next passing place. I continue more of the same untill check point 3 which is another pub, again I arrive at midday. But this time they are serving food. Coffee and Ham sandwich for me, Whilst there a Dutch chap on his K75 turns up and we have a nice little natter, so end up spending best part of an hour there. Leave the northern wilds as head down to Inverness and along the north coast road out to Elgin. Traffic here is very heavy and is slow going. At Elgin come across this on the forecourt of a petrol station In my failed RAF carrers this is what I aspired to fly in. probably due to watching a promotional video in my air cadet days with music by Vangellis. Continue east wards and it starts to rain, traffic still heavy. Able to make some progress but in the end stop to put over suit on. Hit point (5) and then turn in land. Lose the rear as it kicks out on a tight bend. It catches, but gave me a start and threw my foot of the peg. I think it was a stone but with the wet roads I'm now taking no chances. Leave check point (6) and the rain has stopped but roads are still a bit damp so exercising care. They dry by the time I'm in to the cairngorms. None of this poncy zig zaging up a mountain . theres one where it goes straight up ( & down) it's good to be on a motorcycle with a surpless of power to weight, imagine being in a loaded mini bus or car strugling. Again doing the distance fuel mental arithmetic. Need to fill up at Grantown on Spey or I won't make it back if I can't find anything else on route. Odds are good and I'm not disapointed. Arrive back in Spean Bridge but popdown to Fort William to ensure full petrol tank for the next day. Back for 2030, 14 hrs and 630 miles done. 1 Kyle of Lochalsh, Murchison memorial 2 Cove,Convoy memorial stone 3 Crask, Crask Inn 4 Spynie, Spynie palace 5 Peathill, Dovecote 6 Alford, Railway 7 Laggan, Relief map

Day 2. More civilised start at 0730. Retrace steps back past Carlisle and Annan saves about an hour and a half at least by not having to do those two points I did the previous afternoon. Fast empty A road and two hours later I got point (1) done. Then head up the east coast road. On the approach to Girvan and on through Ayr on the A77 average speed measuring cameras are being installed. I'm not sure if they're live or not. but risking no chances. They have over head gantrys which have a camera to take evidential photo graphs and Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) linked to a computer works out your speed to the next gantry.The only saving grace ist that they appear to be front readers only. I can leave this behind and head up a minor road to point (2) but have to rejoin to point (3). End up following a van towing a trailer and his tailgate is swinging free on one side. Its allready bending on the remaining hinge. Wait for a good overtake and pull along side and shout and wave at the driver who seems to understand and stops to check. Once that point is done its head up north to skirt Glasgow to point Greenock (4). Once done across the Erskine bridge toll free for motorcycles join the A82 up the side of Loch Lommond. Lots of traffic but making good progress. Catch up with a couple of Dutch motorcycles. I am always wary when catching up other bikes and particularly don't like getting tangled up amongst groups. past the first one a Ducati Monster and then the second a red and grey V11 Lemans. Suspect its Antonio and give him a big thumbs up as I go past. They're keeping with me as I continue my progress through the traffic but I probably throw them when I peal off down the A83. Traffic is much lighter and cracking on. Roads starting to really wind around mountain sides. Getting good views across the bends and approach roads able to overtake around the outside, brilliant. Point (5) done and the towards Fort William but catch the Coran ferry across the Loch Linnie narrows. 12 miles of really good roads some of which have been recently resurfaced. One litle slide on a corner! Then turn off again and the roads down to single track with passing places. Have 20 miles of this for point (6).That done retrace steps back to the ferry and then on to Fort William and then Spean Bridge. And the Monster and V11Lemans are parked out side the hotel. Booking in at 2000. 530 miles. 1 Logan, Fish Pool 2 Knowside, Electric Brae 3 Strathaven, Castle 4 Greenock, Free French Memorial 5 Andrishaig, Minature railway 6 Drimin, Killindine Castle