Gino Rondelli

I know the guys in Perth well, they hire an assortment of bikes if you PM me I can give you details. Personally I'd go it alone, you don't need a tour company, I organised a route for a group of Belgian friends last year and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Plenty to see suggest May or June for the least chance of rain (but its a gamble) As Mad Farquer says the Rally in Cromarty would be a bonus for you but as long as its not as fecking cold as it was last year!

Brilliant Video! Inspired me to dig the V11 out again, not used it this year Spent all year touring on the Norton Commando and my Breva but also missed the V11, I WILL use it next year!

I had an early Daytona up until September last year when I made the decision to part with it, sad but not using it enough and its a bike that doesn't appreciate being laid up. In my opinion the V11 is a far nicer bike to ride on a day to day basis, my pal has an RS which I've ridden, same bike really but with USD front forks, once again I prefer the V11 BUT if you fancy an adrenalin rush then the Daytona's the baby.

Hadyn, where was that pic taken, looks like I missed a V11 meet in my back yard?

I'll be at Applecross Monday and Tuesday on a Norton though. Skye Sunday, hopefully no issues. Last time i had my V11 up there it mysteriously lost power just before the Bealach but then cleared thankfully. Yep Scottish rally was good but a tad cold on the Friday run up.

Superb,real men in a real world!!

That is a most excellent clip! Pity they aren't on Guzzi's though!

I just finished fixing the exploded UJ on my Mk3 Lemans yesterday (I use it as a winter bike) My nose was dripping and hands went numb in the unheated garage! Next weekend I'm intending going to a bike rally in Glenfarg (Camping) where its cold even in the summer! The roads better be a bit less slippy by then, going mad not being able to ride the bike! Havent seen my road for 3 weeks now, just compacted ice and snow!

Or the Nortons hopefully, it's always a toss up which I prefer, the Guzzi's or the Commando's

4 years ago I dropped into my local bike shop for a coffee and a chat and came out with a K1200LT as a "Winter" Bike, 4 months later I sold it! What a bemoth of a motorcycle, not my cup of tea despite some neat extras, I've also owned 3 Boxers, 2 used solely as winter bikes and one for commuting 100 miles a day for a couple of years. I was always glad to get back on either My Guzzi or Norton which felt so much "tighter" in the handling department. Some of my aquantances have fallen to the "dark side" and become BMW only guys..........sad, the crack is always better at a Norton or Guzzi meeting, more to talk about I guess, like how to fix them Something you don't have to do on a BMW (The dealer has to do it!) This year on my many trips to the continent via the ferry from the UK, the ship has been full of BMW's , seems the ad guys (and Ewan & Charley) have made it appear you cant do serious touring without a Bavarian Tractor so the mass populous tour on Bmw's missing out on the vital ingredient for motorcycle touring, adventure (Of course the sense of adventure being not knowing when your next unplanned maintenace stop will occur and what interesting people you'll meet as a consequence)

Funny that happened to me at the local gas station early in the year so should have remembered it, too many bikes, too many problems, can't remember them all! Enjoy a brilliant bike which has "character"

First things first, is the kill switch OK, (Not sure about the V11 but my Daytona still primes the fuel pump when the kill switch is thrown but doesn't start obviously) Then the relay, plenty on this forum about relays, its all been said before, look in the tech section

After a run on the Mk3 Lemans yesterday, investigate the concrete mixer sounds from the transmission, had to abandon it!! Hopefully just the UJ exploded. The V11's fine but away in its giant poly bag for winter!

Its been a bit warmer than usual up here in Sunny Scotland this year but yesterday it got dark around 3 because of the heavy sky and rain! Quite depressing actually, yes South of France or Spain is becoming more appealing by the day. Its a pity we have the best motorcycling roads in the world coupled with shit weather!!

They do have a decent mechanic and they have the software for setting the bikes up (seen it working but not sure of the make) Yes real shame that Mel couldn't keep it going but I suppose if there's no money being made then there comes a day when it's time to quit, real shame for the guys who worked for him, particularly Robert (Roberto Tenni) now on the dole job hunting.

Sandy Bloy M/c's in Perth (The real one not its namesake down under) have just taken on a Guzzi dealership, good to see their faith in these troubled times. Nice showroom and first class workshop. Not a huge stock at the moment but a Stelvio Demo on offer already. Worth a try especially since the demise of Moto Ecosse.

I've never met that someone Cubes is good!

Dimitris..............Why would you? Plenty large crankcase Guzzis around!

Good man! I found my 1100 Breva a bit dissapointing to start with until I get the screen extended with one of those lanimar lip things on max extension, now I can almost sit turbulence free (I'm 6'1") also the seat nips after a couple of hundred miles (but then again what doesn't) and this is worse if you use textile trousers rather than leather. I have done a 600 mile day in less than perfect conditions (Croatia, through the whole of Serbia into Bulgaria) and still felt good at the end of the day (or was it relieved?) Stick to the Guzz, you know it makes sense (although you knew thats what you'd hear on this forum)

Saw this on the net while looking for S3 pics, strange design but could be made into something without the Munch Mammoth tank! http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/album_s...48a77554ad0ae85

Just to add my tuppence worth, I have a saying which all my mates laugh at, never eat anything you wouldn't have sex with (It's a scottish / Welsh thing) so generally all land based things are fine, all sea / River based things are out and that includes snakes, taking this theory further I'd take my chances fighting ANY land based animal (not reptile) before sea based. Therefore according to my theory Australia is a dangerous place but I do envy your climate!!! Going camping this weekend and we'll be lucky if the rain gets above 5 degC

Never, forget all this BMW nonsense, you'll only regret it BMW have a large dealer network because they need it!!! Unreliable teutonic cr*p. Germany is I believe one of Guzzi's biggest markets, why do you think that is? Don't believe the hype stick to the glorious eagle (or curly Norton) on the tank and you'll never regret it. Stand apart from the crowd, be a leader of fashion not a follower, be proud to be different because you know that IF you do buy a BM every time you meet a Guzzi owner on the road you will feel inadequate and find yourself apologising for not being on your Guzzi. Rant over

Breva was also SUPER comfy when I sat on it at the bike show but it looks so boring, Excuse me? and you think a Bemm isn't boring?

I've owned BM's over the years mainly as winter bikes and that includes a K12LT (Total shi*e) Now I use an old Guzzi as a winter bike. This year I did a 12 country 5000 mile tour on my Breva, it performed well and did everything expected of it. Last year I done a Euro tour of 4000 miles on a Norton Commando, the Commando still has it as the best toring bike out there as long as your handy with the spanners if not a Breva's a close second. In my opinion BM's are overpriced overhyped unreliable bits of machinery with no soul. No I'm not mad!!