mojohand

I'm so pissed at guzzi's a) delay, delay, delay with the Breva 1100 increased prices thinking about a CS/Billybob at rock-bottom prices. Maybe that's in the future instead of the new ones.

I take it you're riding the Cafe Ballabio to FLA?

And then again, there's this: http://www.motointernational.com/HDB_7_05.htm

According to a dealer I spoke with, MGNA sez only one left in inventory. I'd showed some interest in a Ballabio that the dealer had had for ever...and then was told someone bought it four days before I contacted them last week! funny how that works. Anyway, they called MGNA, who said they had one...and only one. Since I was just "windowshopping," I told the dealer not to order it for me. But, if you'd love to have a nagelneu/brand-new Ballabio, one that's not currently at a dealer, there's only one left.

...and some pics from more recently: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/1131334/: Pictures from a riding course that included part of the Blue Ridge. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/1121729: scroll down to some of the last pictures--includes pics from US 64, the Cherohala Skyway, and the Dragon.

Many of us also lurk on www.wildguzzi.com/discussion...which is down for some technical reasons. I get this message when I go there: Warning: mysql_error(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in /home/wildguzz/public_html/discussion/db/mysql4.php on line 330 Warning: mysql_errno(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in /home/wildguzz/public_html/discussion/db/mysql4.php on line 331 phpBB : Critical Error Could not connect to the database Too bad...

Remember two things: 1. No radar detectors alllowed in VA--they will bust ya 2. I-81 is full of trucks. If you have to, use U.S. 11, which parallels I-81.

Hey John, Glad to hear the invite...I'll be driving through on Wednesday, hoping to get to Speakers before nightfall (just to have him balance throttlebodies & CO on the Breva). If i need the space, I'll call...but at any rate, I hope to see you at the rally! It was great having an escort from OH to MD in March.

So where in Tennessee are you moving to?

He was an extraordinary writer who wrote about politics, guns, drugs, sex, journalism, sports (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...thompson/050216, and of course motorcycles: Even Italian bikes (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html), not just Vincent Black Shadows (http://www.vincent-hrd.co.uk/hst.html). One of my graduate school articles was a biography of him, back before people were writing bios of him. Been a fan since I first read Hell's Angels. Too bad...too bad.

I put a copy in the Dealers folder of some details of the dealers' meeting. Enjoy. Yeah, looks like no more V11s...

Cross-posting/copying from the Wildguzzi discussion list: a great summary from a great dealer. Hope you enjoy... -------- Ok every one listen up school is in session. I went to the MGNA Dealer meeting on 2/18/05 and here is what I have to report. Marketing : They will be advertising alot this year with magazine and internet sites. Going on right now the campaning is for financing 2003 models 1.9% for 60months and 2004 models 3.9% for 60months depending on your credit history of course this is good till May 31st. Breva 1100 : They had a 2006 Breva 1100 at the meeting and I absoulutely loved it. I might have to pawn every thing I have to get one for my self I loved it so much. It looks good and feels so good to sit one it. US production will start in July and should be arriving on our showrooms in September but they are only bringing 180 units to the states. so if you want one I would suggest placing a forward order because there won't even be enought for two per dealer. Grizo 1100 : No official word but should arrive in the US in March 2006 MGS01 Corsa : Right now there are only 10 for the US but the US has the most demand for this bike so right now they are trying to get another 20 for the US. There will Be NO MGS01 Street model. That Project has been terminated. To get a MGS01 will require you to have a $2,000 deposit and a signed purchase order at the dealer. Sales : In 2003 there were 1,162 new Moto Guzzi's retailed. In 2004 there were only 870 new Moto Guzzi's retailed. I spoke to MGNA's Vice President personally and this is what he told me. They are going to Terminate production on the LeMans, Titanium, Stones, EV, & all special edition V11's. The new line up will be maybe the V11 & EV Touring, and for sure the 750 Breva, 1100 Breva, 750 Nevada, and the Grizo. I found this hard to believe but it looks like it is true. there will not be any 2005 Models except the Nevada 750 & MGS01. They have 270 2003 & 2004 V11's, EV's, Stone, & Breva 750's in the warehouse to get ride of so they didn't order any 2005 V11's, EV's, Stone's & Breva 750's. DEMO Rides : Daytona March 4-7, MGNOC National May 26-29, Americade June 6-11, Honda Hoot June 21-25, Leguna Seca July 5-10, and Mid Ohio July 14-17. I know in the past we were dissapointed with no shows but this is what they said. Also if you test ride a Moto Guzzi at any of these events and buy one from your dealer within 30 days you will get a $100 credit for parts or accessories. Piaggio : The Sale became official on 12/28/04. In september 2004 Piaggio gave Aprilia and Moto Guzzi $400,000,000 to keep operating and now Aprilia and Moto Guzzi are virtually debt free. They say that the US will be a major battle ground for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi in the comming years and I hope that is true and eventually Piaggio Group wants to go public on the stock market. Piaggio is 4 times larger than Ducati with 2 billion in sales. In 2004 Piaggio sold 600,000 units and Ducati sold 40,000 units world wide. Hydro Cam Fix : there is a topic called Hydro Cam Update (I Think) I posted what the fix is going to be under that topic after all this I didn't want to type it all over so check that out as well.

all I get is

Though I like the bike a lot, I agree that Ballabio is a stupid name. On the other hand, what about the model names like YZF-R1 FZ1 YZF-R6 FZ6 YZF600R I'm so confused...

thanks for the info, dopiata. Good to know. Anyway, she's back up, so I suppose all is well.

Hi all, I know that some of you, like me, also browse Luap's MGNOC list MG List Here's the message that's showing up these days: Sounds like a denial of service attack. Too bad...I know he's probably just about OVER it all.

(crossposted on MGNOC) Hi, looking for riding position reviews from those who ride both the Ballabio (or Cafe Sport) and a non-sport bike...an EV (Hi, Bill!), a Stone, or another brand's cruiser/tourer. I test-rode an Aprilia Futura today. Nice bike, great transmo, great seat, but I sorta felt like the position was too sporty. I expected a bit more upright position. Comments? _________________ Joe Sokohl -------------- used ta have a 2000 Jackal http://facetime.blogspot.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/

spam, no more, no less.

Funny, but I've done 400-mile days on my Jackal's Corbin and felt fine...then again, it came with the Corbin, so that's all I know.

Question about the Ballabio's seat: What's your impression of its comfort, especially on longish rides? I've ridden a Ballabio for about 60 miles, but I couldn't really tell whether it'd be fatiguing over a long haul.

I agree with Bill & a few others who highlighted the time and focus aspect. I come to V11LeMans.com to read about Moto Guzzi's sport bikes, to learn about 'em and your experiences with 'em, and to help me decide whether to get a Ballabio/Cafe Sport. Also, I like to hear any new news/rumors about the company in general. I don't come here to discuss religion, sex, sports, music, computers, or other non-Guzzi, non-V11LeMans topics. Too, when lists devolve into nonfocused areas, I just don't visit 'em--I don't have time to wade through the tripe to find the truffle, as it were. Would that we could discuss the topic at hand...

I heartily recommend The Perfect Vehicle. It's one of the best-written books I've ever read, and her weaving of personal experiences in with history is a great way to bring that history to life, IMHO. As far as what she's doing, apparently she got a bit burned out on the whole biking scene. Whether she bought a horse & gave up motorcycling is unknown to me, but she did write about being a horse fan as a young girl. In fact her book Dark Horses and Black Beauty examines that. I found this great quote about the book: Great stuff.

Having read Fever Pitch (and seen the movie), I became an Arsenal fan...and, because I was living in Hamburg at the time, also became an FC St. Pauli fan...two really sad teams to be fans of. At least Arsenal is still in the Premier league. St. Pauli's in the Regional League...two steps from the first league. Eeek! Still, good heart and good fans. Too, that's where you see Moto Guzzi riders.

Me too. I check it three or four times a day...plus I browse the small block section, too.

that's fine for next December 25, but what are you gonna get this year? joe