sws626

Hello Ken, et al., I spoke with Erik at Twisted Throttle, who recommended arranging some 6 to 9mm M5 spacers as shown in the attached photograph. Stuart

Hi Gary, Yes, I got them. They are beautiful and fit fine with a good range of adjustability. No complaints. Stuart

I just got the Bags-Connection Engage Sport for my 2002 V11 Scura. Had previously used an Oxford Humpback tankbag, but never cared for the awkward straps and decided to replace it when the zipper broke. The Engage Sport is a very nicely constructed bag, and I like to concept of the mounting system, but it will require some modification to fit on the V11 Scura. I haven't yet been able to fit the Guzzi-specific gas cap mount from SW-Motec. The problem with this mount on the Scura is that the gas cap is recessed about 1/2" to 3/4" down below the carbon tank cover. I'm not sure whether this is a problem with the rubber tank covers that are probably thinner. The solution I have in mind is to cut a thick ring a heavy felt or rubber and put this between the gas cap and the mount to lift it up high enough to clear the tank cover. Any other suggestions would be welcome. Stuart

Spoke to CRG this week and so will answer my own question, in case of use to others. The part number for the V11 is AB-511-B12, for the brake lever and AB-511-C12 for the clutch lever. These are for 12mm pivots.

I've used both PDAs and dedicated devices. Advantages of each depend on your applications. Advantages of PDAs over dedicated GPS devices: - Flexibility of software and maps. Just about any digital map you can find can be used for navigation. - Can be used as a PDA to store useful information on the road Disadvantages: - Not waterproof, but you can get bulky waterproof enclosures from companies like Otter - Poor screens in sunlight - Short battery life ( - No 12 V input, so somewhat more complicated to install if not running from internal battery - Less stable operating system (possibly due to 3rd party applications) - More fragile For boating, I still go with a PDA because it is most important to be able to load up to date charts from wherever I can find them. For on-road touring, Garmin has won me over. But if I were going off road, I'd want something more flexibile than the 2820 or any of the devices that focus on turn-by-turn navigation. The mapping data used in the Garmin units all comes from Navteq. The mapping data in the TomTom units comes from TeleAtlas. Between them, Navteq and TeleAtlas control the market in mapping data and do a pretty good job of keeping each other on their toes. Not much to distinguish them on that score, in my experience. One thing I would definitely recommend against: a PDA with a Bluetooth GPS receiver. Not only are these much more expensive, but you'll feel like an idiot in tangled cables when you have to plug the PDA and the "wireless" receiver into a Y-adapter to the cigarette lighter to keep them going for more than a few hours. sws

I'm must be overlooking this in all the threads on this subject. Could someone tell me specifically which CRG brake/clutch levers will fit the V11? Thanks, Stuart

Just returned from a first ride out with the Garmin 2820. Installation was relatively straightforward. Navigation was a bit annoying, but no more so than TomTom. Software documentation was nil, but it worked. It is water proof. Didn't yet have a chance to try out the FM traffic routing (XM in the US).

Thanks Paul. I had a look through and saw pretty much the same hypotheses and concerns as have been expressed in this forum. Stuart

Does anyone have the link to the German V11 site handy. I speak German and would be happy to report back on the general tone of discussion there on this topic. As an owner a 2002 Scura, I find these reports very disturbing. Stuart

I have a set of Hepco Becker hard luggage that looks pretty good on my Scura. I'll send some pictures in the next day or so. When I say it looks good, I mean it looks about as good as luggage can be expected to. It's certainly very convenient and it was no trouble at all to mount the support bracket. I'll send photos with and without the luggage so you can see what it looks like with just the rack.

I've just completed a hard 1500km ride from southern Germany to the UK on a V11 Scura. Though I sympathesize with Jeff's frustrations and experienced some similar trouble along the way, on the whole, the journey went without a hitch. The only problems I can point to are: 1) the mysterious disappearing turn signal cover. I don't know where it went or how. But I rang up MG and easily found a mechanic/dealer in Freiburg who gave me one off his own bike. 2) tach still fogs up all the time -- just plain annoying. 3) clutch has gotten a bit noisy -- need to have that looked at. 4) I need to lose a couple of inches from my legs or learn to take more frequent breaks. 5) Hard luggage would have been nice, but the Oxford softbags are not a bad alternative (see pic under naked bikes) -- it is a pain to take them on and off and they don't lock, but they do hold enough for one person on a long journey and do keep out most of the water in a downpour. My overall impression is very favourable and I would not (will not) hesitate to take this bike out on even longer trips as soon as I can steal the time from work. Stuart