Introduction Thread

[Guest Bonneville01]

I learned to ride 25yrs ago, and I've owned a couple of bikes over the years. I started out with a '71 Triumph Bonneville,(a GEM!), a '73 Norton Commando 750,(a DOG!), and an '83 Honda V45 Sabre,(completely forgettable).I took a way-too-long hiatus from riding from 1986-2001. I bought a 2001 Triumph Bonneville as a re-entry bike, and it has suited me well for that purpose. I've put 11,000 miles on it, and I still grin every time I get on it. However, I'm seriously considering buying a 2003-2004 Guzzi V11 LeMans at Winchester Motosports so I can do some longer rides more comfortably, and possibly commute to work on it. I'm asking for opinions, facts, reviews, and pertinent comments on the new V11 LeMans. Any problems with reliability, what kind of fuel mileage/range does it have, what kind of mods have you done? If I decide to purchase this bike, I'd like to buy the Fast by Ferracci carbon fiber slip-ons, air filter/airbox top elimination kit, and a power commander, so comments from anyone with those specific mods would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

 

Karl

[droydx]

Well, time to check in. Looks like I've gone and bought myself a Moto Guzzi, of all things. I'll be heading down to New Orleans to check on the bike and to take a much needed/deserved trip with my wonderful wife, who is basically buying me this bike for my 50th (god, when did I get so old?). What a great woman I lucked in to getting hitched up with! The bike is an 03 Le Mans, Rosso Corsa, I'm having it shipped back to California. Would like to ride it back, but don't relish the thought of break in miles across desert country.

I've long admired Moto Guzzi's rugged long range ability, the simplicity of basic design, along with the style and individuality that the marque represents. I've pretty much had motorrcycles in my life since I was 15 1/2. Too many to recall, but lots of bikes, including Jap, British, Ducati (still have a 250 single),dirtbikes, flat track bikes, mini-bikes. I enjoy wrenching my own....got sick of fiddling with modern Ducatis though...so Guzzi Time! I'm also lucky to have a great shop here in Santa Barbara where I live: Guzzidave's "SportCycle Pacific".

This Forum and web site is great...the regulars really have a great sense of humor, something that seems to be lost to so many of us nowadays, so I'm looking forward to future postings. I'm sure that I'll have a million questions. Now to start working some OT to save up for the Mistral cans, Stucchi X over and PCIII. $$$

[Guest willinghamtoniners]

I'm 55, and ride a Stone. I'm a prison guard at San Quentin, been there 20 years. I wouldn't disclose that information on a Harley Davidson forum but, really, how many ex-cons do you know who ride Guzzis. Back in my twenties I lived in Hawaii for ten years where my only transportation was a bicycle and a Honda CB350, and briefly, an old Harley Topper motorscooter. Yeah, that's not a typo-a Harley scooter. I gave up motorcycles upon getting married 25 years ago and raising the young-uns. Two years ago I bought a KLR650 but that didn't suit my style and I sold it. Upon reflection, I should have kept that machine, lowered it, and installed street tires and a custom saddle. Nonetheless, I always wanted a Guzzi and found my Stone on craigslist.org with only 1,500 miles on it. When I can afford another bike I'll get a V11. I don't like wrenching, but neither do I like paying dealer service fees. The Guzzi appealed to me partly for its simple, old school technology and ease of maintenance. But also because it's such a beautiful bike that I just love looking at it. Nothing against Japanese bikes, my wife is from Tokyo, but you just can't beat European style. I grew up in Detroit, MI but the SF Bay locale suits me just fine with its temperate weather, beautiful geography, and richly creative environment.

When I'm not working or riding I like to read about depth psychology, as well as history and foreign policy. Technical stuff like computer science and programming my vcr befuddles me. I'm a moderate Democrat with a strong environmental ethic.

I'm hoping that some of the members here will organize a consortium to purchase the company.

[strider]

My name is Bill Howard and I live in a little place called Gowrie Junction, Queensland, Australia.

 

I've just bought my first Guzzi - a 2001 V11 Le Mans and I pick it up in Sydney on Monday (19 April).

 

I'm 18 years old in a 51 year old body and I've had my bike licence since 1968. I currently own an R75/5 BMW, a Honda ST1100, a 'Supermono' - KLR650 engine in an RGV250 frame (still under construction) and as of today, the Le Mans.

 

My history includes motocross, enduro and short circuit riding but I never tried road racing. I do 'track days' with my club but that's not competitive - well, it's not supposed to be competitive!

 

I bought the engine and rolling chassis for the Supermono to help my eldest son get into racing but I'm looking forward to riding it too.

 

I first became interested in Guzzis with the S3 in the 70s. I thought it was absolutely beautiful but couldn't afford one at the time. The Le Mans has been a long time coming but after riding a mate's Rosso Corsa for about 140 km I became very interested in getting a Le Mans. It just so happened that one was advertised on our club bulletin board at a price I could afford - is that fate or what?

 

Although the 'straight line' distance to Sydney is about 1,000 km, I'm planning on taking several detours around some well known twisty roads on the way home. I plan on writing a story about it and I'll probably post it on the site.

 

Cheers

Bill

[Guest steveguzzi]

Wow just finished reading all these bio's, there a lot like me out there in V11 land There is definitely something appealing about Guzzis for us older guys. I'm 52, work in the hospital as a clinical specialist (that's a radiographer with a bit more salary ) and really just enjoy motorcycling. I got the interest when I was 4 and used to sit on my friends dad's bike in his garden, and I still get a woozy feeling whenever I catch that smell of heat and oil! I married early,have three grown up kids, and am still married to the same girl, but she doesn't share my love of motorcycling, but allows me to get out on my own. I passed my test in 78 on a 250, and immediately traded it for a Yamaha XS 1100. I moved house soon after and commuted to/from work 80miles. Expected to get a more local job but discovered that I loved the commute... went through a load of different bikes including a Guzzi Mille GT (still my personal favourite..for looks and "feel") and BMW's (which were better cosmetically for riding all year round) I commuted through the 80's and 90's until I hit a car and broke bits of me. Got a job up in Orkney for two years, and returned to another passion of mine..cycling.. then got a new job on the Isle of Lewis. Wife agreed to let me get another bike I liked the Triumph Thunderbird/Sport versions, Speed Triples, all of which I have test ridden, but when I heard a LeMans was available near where my son was living, he went to have a look at it, and I talked to him and the dealer by mobile phone and clinched the deal I didn't really care what the bike was like I just had to have it! I'm free again Steve

[F344]

Hello Everybody,

 

When I registered I noted that the moderator wants us to make an initial post to stay active...

 

I'n new to the Moto Guzzi World. I just bought a V11 Sport Naked from Moto Italiano in San Mateo. Having been out of riding for 15 or 20 years, my skill are are pretty rusty, so I'm probably that slow red bike that you passed on skyline:)

 

I'm signed up for a couple of Kegwins at the track days next month to brush up my skills.

 

That's all for now. Mainly I'll be reading and learning from all you experienced MG owners.

 

Frank

[Guest ratchethack]

Well I guess it's time I jumped in after lurking for so long without an intro. This board seems to be one of the best dedicated Guzzi forums. I've learned a tremendous amount of important stuff here. Y'all have contributed greatly toward the enjoyment of my 2000 V11 Sport, and I sincerely appreciate it! I picked mine up about a year ago with about 10K mi on the clock and I've put about 6000 mi on it since then. In that time I've done all the service (including removal & installation of the transmission for the recall) and generally got it well sorted now (for the most part, refinement is a never-ending process for me).

 

Apart from occasional tire changes when I'm being lazy (but sometimes I do these too), I do all my own maintenance. For me, knowing as much as possible about the state of maintenance and tuning of my bikes is an essential part of the overall experience and a large part of the enjoyment. After a prior 15-year absence from motorcycling (over a dozen Japanese and English bikes since age 15), the Guzzi is currently my 2nd moto. The "no-bike phase" breaker was a 1995 Yamaha XT 600 dual-sport thumper, which I resurrected - make that, did an "intervention" on. I still ride it and really enjoy the contrast between these 2 bikes.

 

Man, have I missed out on A LOT in those 15 years without a bike... But I've got to say that the Guzzi is without question my fav of all time - at age 53, I find that it's the perfect "Old Guy" no - let's make that, "Action Geezer" ride - for me, it's the right mix of retro-mechanicals with the convenience of modern-day components - and FI, too!! Every time I row the shifter thru that gorgeous torque spread, it reminds me of what a great "fit" this bike is for me. I've installed a PC3, Stucchi crossover, and I guess I've done about a dozen more minor mod's, & will likely continue to refine it as the miles roll on... If possible, I'd like to contribute anything of value I can offer to others on this forum in repayment for the value y'all have provide me. See ya on the Web!

 

Regards,

 

Ratchethack

[Guest pugwash]

Another new boy.

 

Rode a Spada for 5 years in the late 80's and only realised how much I liked it after I swapped it for a ZXR 750. It was a quantum leap forward for speed and smoothness but never felt rewarding to ride like the Guzzi.

 

Now I have been given approval to buy another bike again and it just has to be a Guzzi!

 

But which one? Has to be capable of two up riding as that is part of the approval to buy one - My wife has to come too.

[jrt]

Oh, I think they'll ALL do that. What kind of riding, and how far?

Cheers,

Jason

[Guest scooter jay]

Hello all,

 

Scooter Jay 37 bald and kinda fat.

 

Been riding from the age of 5 32 years now if my math is good.

 

Current scoots are

 

03 le mans red-black 14000.mi

 

95 TRIUMPH Daytona 900 48000.mi

 

79 cx 100 (factory race motor) not completed yet

 

74 triumph T-150 TRIDENT (street)

 

73 TRIUMPH TRIDENT Stroker motor Dragbike(ret) now Streetable

 

67 TRIUMPH TR6-c Full CAFE' under construction

 

I reside in the fine city of FT.Worth Texas (life is too short to live in Dallas)

 

I enjoy my LE MANS however it is a mechanical nightmare as compared to my Triumph Daytona I think I may have it all lined out now Guess I'll just put it in the wind and see........

 

Scooter Jay

 

:

[Calamarichris]

Chris in Carlsbad, California. 35, male, happily married to a cute little motorcycliste. Ridden a little more than half a million miles on seven different bikes, but don't yet have a Guzzi. Since 1991, the looks keep bringing me back, but then I've always been chased away by the issues, which never seem to get resolved.

Currently riding Kawasaki W650 (42,000 miles) and ZX9R (31,000 miles). Rode 6300 miles to Philadelphia and back this year and to Victoria,BC and back last year.

I know what plastiguage and prussian-blue are for, but I value mechanical virtue* over character.

I might never get a Guzzi, but I feel more at home with Guzzisti than I do with the usual kids who ride bikes like mine: "Which pipe will allow my engine to breath enough for me to ride 200mph and still match my DOT-illegal turn-signals?"

I love Guzzi's, but if my views offend, I'll happily leave before hurting anyone's feelings.

-Calamari Chris in Carlsbad, CA

http://www.chrisandlisachan.com/

 

(*I'm a dull, dull person and can't afford to ride a machine with a personality that outshines my own.)

[Guest RVZoo]

Hi, all. I'm 33, married, no children. Been riding for almost 23 years, now. Born in Italy, my granddad truly madly deeply loved Guzzis. I've never had one, but after many years of 'superbikes' I think I've reached the right frame of mind (age?) for a real street bike. I have always thought Guzzi's longitudinal (crank) twin is the best looking engine of them all. And the Le Mans Rosso Corsa really makes click in my mind and heart... I'm feeding the cat generic food to be able to get one when the weather gets nice again, next year. Meanwhile, I'm trying to learn as much as possible... Cheers.

[PEPPERONI BROS.]

Hey everybody, My name is Tom Liberatore, the person responsible for Pepperoni Bros. Racing. I campaign a '73 V7 sport out at Bonneville, keeping the flame alive. I'm 55, grew up in the frozen northeast, discovered bikes at 16, had Indians and Ducati's before they were worth anything. After Viet Nam, traveled the US on a Daytona 500, ending up in northern california where I am still happy to be. I joined this list because I made the mistake of test riding my friends '03 V11 sport and now want to buy it [he doesn't like it]. I'd like to find out as much as I can about spine frames before I take the plunge as it requires the sacrifice of the bulk of my musical instruments and Mille GT

[Guest philbo]

Damn ... there are a lot of people on this board. It certainly makes things interesting.

 

Anyhow, my name is Phil and I’m 46 years old. I was born in Sydney Australia and I’ve lived all over Australia, parts of South Africa, England, Japan and I’ve been living in Connecticut U.S. for around 13 years now. I’ve been in computers for 29 odd years with the last 18 or so dedicated to Unix. I’m currently working as a Senior Technical Architect for GE – hence the living in Connecticut bit.

 

I started with a mini bike at around 8 years old (my father was of the opinion that riding bicycles on the road was dangerous – riding mini bikes in the bush was a much better idea). From there I went through a series of BSA’s, Honda 90’s, Suzuki 125’s and various other cobbled together bikes until I was old enough to start junior motocross.

 

I eventually scraped up the money for a beaten up Yamaha TZ350 and tried road racing for a while. That was fun but it started getting very expensive to stay competitive so I dumped everything and got a Kawasaki Z1B. So began the street racing days. Unlike Biker Boyz and the other street racing movies of late, the reality of street racing is somewhat different than it is portrayed in the movies. In short, I lost my license 5 times, paid thousands of dollars in fines, spent a couple of weekends in jail (Long Bay for anyone who is familiar with Sydney) and watched several very close friends die horrible deaths at way to young an age. I did have a lot of fun from what I recall but as someone else said, it’s a good thing you’re only young once.

 

I eventually settled down into a Laverda Jota 1000, then a Ducati 900 SS followed by an 850 LeMans with a factory race kit. I loved that bike and literally rode it all the way around Australia.

 

Skipping forward a few years, when I moved to the US I bought a (you guessed it) Harley – I wanted something to tinker with so I got the 1982 FXR. Years and more money that I care to mention later, it was still a 1982 FXR. Nuff said. That went but for some perverse reason, I still wanted a cruiser so I bought a Honda Shadow Spirit or Honda Davidson as it became known. That got old after a couple of years so I was driving past the Guzzi dealership and there it was – a red V110 LeMans. I just love riding that bike and plan on keeping it for many years. My only complaint is that it might actually snow today so no more riding until next April – which really sucks.

[k7qz]

Hi All:

 

Thought I'd take a minute and toss my name into the hat here as well.

 

Let's see, brief bio: My dad put me on a bike at the young and tender age of 10 (Yamaha 175 enduro) and there has been no looking back. I've been an avid rider ever since. That was about 35 years ago... (this is where you're supposed to think "you don't look that old" ).

 

Raced moto-cross as a high school kid, then jumped to desert racing and as a college kid moved to street bikes.

 

I've tended to own several bikes at a time and then sell them and try several more figuring that variety was the spice of life. Having pretty much run the spectrum of manufacturers (FWIW one of my first street bikes was a Laverda 750) I decided several years ago that I would just have a handful of really good scooters and keep them. My stable has pretty much been machines of the BMW ilk of late (RT, GS-A and a GT).

 

Went down to the LD recently to check out the new crop of '05 Ducati's. Even though I'd decided to stick with my current round of bikes, I figured no harm in looking.

 

Although the new 999's were indeed sweet, I noticed a V11 LeMans sitting off in the corner looking forelorn and collecting dust. Asked the sales manager about it and turns out it was a "new" '03 showing 9 miles on the clock. It had been sitting there for over a year and the owner was anxious to find it a home. Jokingly, I said "I'll give you such and so for it" offering a ridiculously low price. Sales manager just smiled and shook his head and we went on with the window shopping.

 

Well imagine my suprise when he called back a few days later and said "the owner will take that price"!

 

So I'm headed down this weekend to pick up my newest aquisiton!

 

In skimming the owners manual, I've noticed much less in the way of technical detail (such as torque values) compared to my BMW books. I do like to turn a wrench myself and have grown used to BMW precision, but maybe I'll just need to relax a little with this Guzzi. I guess it just reflects the difference between the German and Italian mechanics philosophy?

 

Of the 3 dozen plus bikes I've owned in my lifetime the aforementioned Laverda still haunts my daydreams. Here's hoping that this new Italian beauty will do the same!

 

Best-

 

Mike