VtwinStorm
-
Posts
461 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
5
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Community Map
Posts posted by VtwinStorm
-
-
-
-
Finally, an update. It has been about 3 hours since I got to actually ride the V11, and I haven't come down yet. Oh my word, what a machine. She's a bit unrefined, but still...dignified and graceful.
I confirmed before setting off all the lights, horn, brakes, etc. all were functional. No smoke on startup again, no terrifying and expensive noises within the sump telling me to replace bottom end bearings...just the normal V11 noises I'm told to expect. Again, hold the clutch in...rattle, rattle, rattle...Love it. There were a few idle surges while things warmed up for 5 mins or so before I set off. While riding, I confirmed the speedo and odo BOTH work...simultaneously...on the same V11...and the ODO reset knob is still present and works. One less thing, right?
I arrived on a 900SS, a stark contrast to the V11.
I don't have to address the elephant in the room, the style of the V11. She is sexy and elegant. Enough said.
The ergos on the V11 are more standard than sport, in spite of the clip-ons. Lots of vibration through the grips at nearly all RPM (hands got numb after 20 mins. I have to address this), I got zero vibration through the stock footpegs, which is exactly opposite of what I was told to expect. Strange.
The saddle was very wide but firm and comfy. I expected to be punished with the stock saddle, but I was pleasantly surprised! AF1 Racing in Austin, Tx. got me a NOS black seat cowl and all the fasteners and washers (still waiting to be shipped to me when the fasteners arrive). I am waiting on the cowl "moon" pad from a gent in Italy. No rush, as I won't ride her again until Spring of 2022.
The gearbox was BUTTER! Click-click-click...effortless shifting, just effortless. I was beside myself in the refinement of the gearbox. Better than even my 900SS...blasphemy! No false neutrals, no matter how many times I tried---and I tried to upset the gearbox. But, firm, deliberate shifts are what worked best as many wise members of this forum informed me. I stopped, clicked up, never popped out of gear under any scenario. Just a sweet gearbox. Great work, Guzzi!
I wasn't on bad roads, but the suspension felt firm and slightly bouncy over undulating pavement. About what I expected, but it wasn't bad.
Steering was pretty average, or more, of the wide turning radius type.
One thing I will need to get used to, is that super forward kickstand. Wow! I know it is for clearance issues, but it is going to take me a LONG time to get used to the kickstand location when I want to park the bike or set off at first. Guzzi does everything differently.
The brakes were adequate. They just did the job, but a lot of lever input was required to get the machine stopped effectively.
The tires were hardly used but old Dunlop SportMaxes, and I wasn't going to dump my baby and grind the side of a cylinder head pretending I was qualifying for the Isle of Mann TT, so I kept the leans to a casual tempo. Turn in was still excellent and composed. Tracing a line and cliping apexes was so smooth and effortless, belying the weight of this bigger lady.
As many told me about the torque-effect of the shaft drive, and the V11 didn't disappoint. At a stop, a few blips of the throttle leaned the bike slightly to the right repeatedly giving me a chuckle.
The stock cans as I understand are a bit muted, so thankfully the previous owner had great taste and donated a set of Mistral conical upswept cans for my listening pleasure. They are boomy, baritone, but perhaps 7/10ths the sound put out by my 900SS's carbon Termis. It's not fair for me to say which I prefer, they are just both their own personality. That said, the Mistrals are NOT quiet. They just boom along as the engine hums underneath you. They fit the more laid back/standard ergos and personality of the V11.
What a machine! You hit the wall of torque at 2k and it just keeps pulling and pulling. You have to rev this engine to get the most out of it, but it spins up pretty fast. The engine is eager to deliver a smooth helping of carmel-like torque. She really is industrial in her own way. Rear weight bias is evident once underway...wow. Truly, more of the weight is on that back wheel, and you feel it when you go WOT, the front suspension lets up, and you feel the front end starting to rise two or more inches. It is a very different balance than I am used to. On the plus side, the weight feels so much lower than I would have thought! You just have these two giant aluminum cylinders sticking out in front of your knees in the airstream. I feel like I am riding a wingless WWI biplane. Ha ha!!!
I stopped by a gas station after legally touching an indicated 80mph on the highway, impressed. I topped the plastic/nylon acerbis tank with sta-bil to at least minimize the damage of the ethanol while it is stored until I get her back in April '22...and I was sad to end the ride. I wanted to keep on going, and the big Guzzi certainly felt obliged to please me.
FINAL THOUGHT: These machines are like flying a WWI wingless biplane. The V11 is still an underappreciated jewel in the motorcycle world, and I am fortunate to have gotten (a NICE one, lots of junker V11s out there!!!) before too many people discover them and make them cost new bike money. Physically small, yet feeling big and agricultural in some ways, nevertheless, this sultry Italian lady has class, curves, style and is full of brio. Bellissima!
What a damned fine motorcycle. I only regret not getting one a LOT sooner! I finally got to officially drink the kool-aid and join the cult! Now, where are the cookies?
-
12
-
-
11 hours ago, Kostarika said:
Congrats on the find.
Welcome to the “Familia”
"You check in...but you don't check out of the Guzzi family."
-
3
-
1
-
-
16 hours ago, Scud said:
Do you do any of your own maintenance? Seems to me you could enjoy a ride with a minimal work:
- Flush the hydraulics (all 3) - and really, a short ride with the current fluid is probably not going to hurt anything. Brakes are easy, clutch fluid is a hassle the first time.
- Valve clearances are easy enough to check, but if it's running well now, it's hardly urgent.
- Fuel lines are probably fine... but worth doing over the winter.
- I'm a fan of new tires... but hey, if they are in good shape and not 20 years old, just ride it.
In short... I don't see anything that would stop me from taking it for a ride immediately.
Also, Scud, thank you for the springs, my friend!
-
1
-
49 minutes ago, LowRyter said:
I think if you search here, you'll find the black one is the rarest of all the red frames. Hard to say why but the red frames are among the best looking bikes of a family of spine frame best looking bikes.
I think red frames really look great on the V11. Black frame, black engine, both are muted.
Ideally, red frame and silver engine looks best to me.
I'm happy with my machine. Very happy.
-
1
-
1
-
-
8 hours ago, Rox Lemans said:
Two different animals, two different types of clients. However, cool. For the suggested price of the new Speed Triple RR I'd rather an MV Superveloce Realistically, when the Speed Triple R hits it'll be atound the price of a Superveloce anyway. The MVs have been going out the doors for around $22k. That's about what the Speedy will be out the door.
But the Guzzi? My guess prolly around $15k. Maybe less after the hype goes away.
Yes, but the after sales service and parts availability for the sexy MV Superveloce? Unacceptable garbage from everything I have heard from owners. Even lately, when the CEO claims MV has improved...by what metrics?
It sure looks amazing, though... especially in that gold and black. They just don't or won't stand behind their products. I'm not gambling $22k... I'm not patient with flaws for that outlay. I expect damn near perfection for a $22k motorcycle.
At least you can get parts and warranty coverage for the Triumph. If Triumph isn't exotic enough, I'd nab any V4 Aprilia or Ducati. At least you are acknowledged after you buy it. Especially with a new Ducati. They treat their clients like celebrities almost...well, if you get a Panigale at least.
VW/Audi wants you happy. They want you coming back. Ask me how I know.
Piagio would be wise to follow their lead in the US market if they want a future.
-
1
-
-
30 minutes ago, Scud said:
Do you do any of your own maintenance? Seems to me you could enjoy a ride with a minimal work:
- Flush the hydraulics (all 3) - and really, a short ride with the current fluid is probably not going to hurt anything. Brakes are easy, clutch fluid is a hassle the first time.
- Valve clearances are easy enough to check, but if it's running well now, it's hardly urgent.
- Fuel lines are probably fine... but worth doing over the winter.
- I'm a fan of new tires... but hey, if they are in good shape and not 20 years old, just ride it.
In short... I don't see anything that would stop me from taking it for a ride immediately.
I totally agree. This is more of my hangup than anything else.
Service history is a giant "?", and I hate unknowns. It's already with them, so I will let them go through it, top to bottom.
After I get it back, I will handle everything but clutch and tire replacement. I have 4 other bikes that have my attention as the riding season draws sadly to a close here in NE.
-
13 minutes ago, LowRyter said:
sorry you got the slow black one. But you'll be fine
Would have loooooved a clean green one, or a silver one. Black was not my first choice, but, given the mileage (under 13k), price ($5500+$650 shipped to my dealer), and the clean overall condition, I can't really complain. She also sounds strong. That is very important to me.
Again, I think I got lucky.
Would have loved a champagne V11 LeMans, but those were thin on the ground, so I got a V11 Sport. So far, I'm pretty happy. Got a sweet bikini fairing too!
Can't wait to actually ride her...like an attractive curvy Italian woman. 😂
I'm such a b@stard. 😂
-
1
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, Twin AH said:
Your going to love this machine if you can give it time.............
Ciao
Time is thankfully the one thing I have in abundance. I think she will need a couple shakedown runs to get her totally dialed in after all the service she needs doing. I have zero service history, so replacing all the fluids, valve adjustment and new tires is the minimum I feel comfortable with. She may need more loving. We just don't know until November.
I know she's going to need love. Don't know if the dreaded ODO and speedo cables have packed up yet. They just need to go through the V11 top to bottom before I get her back.
I think tomorrow morning I will swing by with a couple dozen donuts and steal a quick ride, if it's not raining.
She appears to be pretty well loved...but again, no service history, so I won't take any chances.
I think I got a good machine. I'm over the moon excited. I'm happy to have actually been able to join the cult of big block Guzzis!!!
-
8 minutes ago, PJPR01 said:
Nothing more exciting than a new toy! Early Xmas present...enjoy! Maybe you can "sweeten" the incentive for the shop to work on a Sunday or two...several boxes of donuts or kolaches or whatever their favorite snack is might bring your forward in the work queue. Have fun!
Well, they already have. "25% off service work starting Nov."...Didn't even ask. I'll bring the shop two dozen donuts and coffee from Dunks, just as a thank you. They do great work at Seacoast Sport Cycle (not a paid endorsement, just honest).
If the total RO is under $2k, I'll be happy.
-
Today, my bike arrived.
It is an 8.5/10, with 10 looking new off the showroom floor.
I can work with this bike. Everything is there, and she wasn't beat to $h!t like every other V11 I saw locally. Naturally, all the sticky eagle badges are missing.
I'll order 4 of those (two for side covers, one for generator cover, a new one for the triple tree)...
I didn't get to ride it, and the earliest they can get it in the shop is Nov., so, it is what it is.
She started first time, very strong, very nice sounding. The upswept Mistrals (?) have a nice booming sound, but not very obnoxious. No smoke on startup, so valve stem seals should still be okay. When running, held in the clutch...yep, it's a Guzzi. Rattle rattle...
I'm more and more getting the appeal of these machines.
I asked them to replace all the fluids (incl. fork oil), do throttle sync, valve adjustment, new fuel and vacuum lines, new metal fuel filter, cut me two new key blanks, and mount a set of Diablo IIIs...plus, if they find anything else, I asked them to let me know. Darn, I need to ask them to mount a Roper tray while they have her. No oil starvation for me, please!
I didn't realize how tiny the V11 is in person until now. Just slightly bigger than my M696. The V11 is even sexier in person, especially in black. Yowza!
I guess I'll get to ride her in 2022, because the shop is swamped with work at the moment.
Oh, well. Something to look forward to next year then.
Enjoy your V11s, friends. I will join you on the roads with mine next year, unless a miracle occurs...Going to be a loooooong winter.
-
5
-
-
28 minutes ago, Mikko said:
Exactly what I was implying when I said “do you think there’ll be a “v100forum” 20-30 years from now? All these screens, computer crap will have been obsolete and unobtainable. There’s a guy on YouTube sinking large amounts of money into a Ferrari 360 and he needed a engine ECM.
Those run 2, he sent the bad one to a company that repairs ecm’s and they can’t fix it. The board was built by a computer and its impossible to replace anything on it. Of course Ferrari no longer supports it and new ones aren’t available.
This is where the world is headed. The Rent Seeking class continues to push towards planned obsolescence. We as a race are hurtling headlong into a situation where we are becoming increasingly ignorant and when something catastrophic happens… we’ll, it’ll be back to the Stone Age.
Something that I think has happened maybe more then once already. My newest ride is a 2010 Mercedes and it’s full of those devilish German Electrical Gremlins…
I had a good laugh looking at their new all electric model and thinking to myself that the 4-5th owner 10 years from now will be eternally screwed instead of thinking what a great deal they got paying 15% of MSRP.
I agree with all of what you said, Mikko.
Assume the gent with the Ferrari cannot locate a new ECM for any price, new, used, refurb. This is a critical part that removes total functionality from a product.
Without the ECM, that 360 becomes a paperweight. I'm also willing to bet, it is a 1-time application item, not shared with any other car, and it is totally proprietary. I hate the built-in, planned obsolescence engineering they are building into so many things now. TPTB don't want anyone to own assets. They want us all to lease, have a subscription, along recurring fees into perpetuity. A vehicle which can be cheaply and easily rebuilt by the every-man doesn't fit into that plan. We now live in a throwaway society and I hate it.
I find it unethical, wasteful, and insulting to the intelligence of the consumer. The only way I can push back is not buying anything new, and building a stash of "analog" parts that I know will be NLA in the near to distant future.
The new Guzzis will be great bikes. I know they will. However, in 10-20 years? Good luck.
The same reason I look at all the new Ducatis, TFT screens, lots of exotic electronics and complexity. All very expensive. All very fragile. All soon to be NLA, obsolete, and a motorcycle, that can no longer be used.
I look at these new bikes, and all I can say is "...no thank you."
-
1
-
1
-
-
23 minutes ago, footgoose said:
Allen Millyard is a genius. It seems like there's nothing he can't do. I've watched a slew of his videos and can't get enough. My first question to him would be ... where do you find the energy? His lovely wife's cakes no doubt.
Alan, V4 Guzzi. Dooooo eeeeeeet!
-
6 minutes ago, po18guy said:
Not a Guzzi, but clearly aircraft inspired.
Put it in a supermotard and wear a cape while you ride and bully GSX-Rs in the turns.
-
Just now, Chuck said:
The first time I saw the valve train of a Guzzi, I thought.. "Aircraft engine."
The bottom end is .. uh.. sturdy. I'd fly one any time.
If my shipper is to be believed, I'll get to fly my V11 tomorrow...and render my verdict.
I'll be sure to wear goggles and a scarf.
Science, you know.
-
2
-
-
2 minutes ago, p6x said:
I was going to post the exact same thing.
I got that story from an Italian enthusiast while working for Agip in Nigeria. He told me the V twin Guzzi was inspired by aircraft engines. I wish I had asked him how he knew that.
That would be so awesome, if true.
The only radial engine tie I see as a non-mechanical engineer is the cylinders are in line with the chassis, and out in the airstream.
Would add some more significance to the golden eagle mascot, aside from the obvious nod to proto-Italian/Roman glory.
-
2 hours ago, Mikko said:
Yeah, I wished they were the ones to take over Norton. I still want a 1200 4cyl Daytona…
They are so worth it, Nikko. Stock Nissin brakes are not up to task of slowing down such inertia from dizzying speeds the Daytona 1200 is easily capable of. 100mph feels relaxed, like 70mph. 70mph, feels little more than idling down the motorway.
Would recommend. Needs Alcon TR-6 brakes though...but not for $800 US per side...
-
13 minutes ago, Mikko said:
The heart may still be there, I question the soul of Guzzi!! Gimmie ma long low and lean leeeemens dammit
You know, I am just grateful Guzzi built the V11 LeMans. I guess I'm a knuckle-dragging cave dwelling ape, but I think every car and motorcycle I will ever own has already been built.
I just can't get worked up with anticipation over TFT screens, ABS, TC, quick shifters, heated grips, GPS, Bluetooth, etc.
I'm glad I got a V11 so I can experience and preserve the classic air-cooled Guzzi V Twin experience for myself moving forward into the impending dystopian, anti-DIY hell...
EFI? 6 speed gearbox? Digital ignition system? Analog gauges? No tubes in my tires?
That's as new as I will tolerate. I can hardly accept water-cooled engines.
I am a dinosaur.
Rawr.
-
3
-
-
1 hour ago, Scud said:
Looks like it comes in the original colors, so I assume it is made for the red-framed bikes. Does anybody happen to know the cost or whether it will also bolt up (without modification) to a longer, black frame?
As exhaust, I have not heard the Magnis, but I've heard Mistral and Staintune. Those are nice, but the best sound, (IMO) is from the Moto Guzzi Factory Titanium Racing cans. Sadly, if you want a set of those, you probably have to buy a motorcycle that already has them.
I've heard a MAGNI fairing kit is around $1500 USD...so pretty dear, price wise, but, if you are like me... you justify such prices to reward companies such as MAGNI for catering to our niche bikes...and if you are also like me, you become disgusted with the thought of putting Chinese eBay trash on such a lovely motorcycle, such as a V11.
I'd contact MAGNI directly to get a current price. With import duty, tariffs, the price will probably be ugly, even though the kit is heavenly.
-
1
-
-
Just now, VtwinStorm said:
Finally! The shipper picked up my V11 Sport from Texas today. No ETA yet, but she's on her way to my Guzzi dealer! Woooooo!!!
-
3
-
-
Finally! The shipper picked up my V11 Sport from Texas today. No ETA yet, but she's on her way to my Guzzi dealer! Woooooo!!!
-
1
-
-
16 minutes ago, Chuck said:
You may very well have to buy a TPS some day.. but they are under $100. The last one I bought was $42, but that's been a while.
Just saw one listed on a Guzzi vendor site while browsing and it was the Magneti Marelli OEM TPS...was just over $400 USD. Glad there are alternatives that aren't so dear!
-
5 minutes ago, Chuck said:
I'll bet that up close and personal that green paint scheme will rock.
I'd look good on it, but I have my wind up bike.
This bike is going to be a headache for the GS if the quality matches what I'm seeing.
Mine! V11 Sport RedFrame, black
in 24/7 V11
Posted