Mark909

From where I sit it seems that you have to decide whether to spend money on independent opinion/evaluation of the engine (which I imagine would not be cheap as it would involve tearing the engine down, someone please correct me if this is not the case). If this information shows the engine to be damaged more extensively you have to get the distributor to accept the findings (unlikely?). Next step, court action? Cost? Or do you do as Hubert suggests and do with the bike what you bought it for, ride it. Ride it lots, ride it hard, keep the services up to date and if something does go wrong it is warranty claim time. This is something only you can decide. I really feel for you, to have spent big money on a new bike and to have the experience ruined like this is just sad. I really hope the recall does the trick, but I also realize there are people here who really know their stuff who say it won't. I think for this guy to assume all those who post in forums do not know about such things is head in the sand syndrome. Good luck with it.

Welcome Tom, enjoy the bike. I'd offer an opinion on which one to keep but it might be a little predictable I imagine that once the V Twin bug has sunk it's fangs into you the choice will become clear.

Gotta agree with you Todd. My "old fashioned" two valve per cylinder bikes sure do not leave me feeling that I'm missing out on anything. They go plenty hard enough for me, and a ride always leaves me feeling like the world is a better place. As you say, why do I need anything else?

Great to hear you are now a bona fide Guzzi owner miki. Congratulations, I'm sure you will love the bike the more you ride it. I can only agree with all the wisdom posted above regarding setting up the bike etc. It is spot on advice, give it a go before paying out the big dollars for Ohlins gear (if you can find it). A well set up and ridden Ballabio is a very competent machine in the twisty stuff (a lady in the Queensland Guzzi club takes great delight in demonstrating this on club rides). Take your time and learn to ride the bike the way it wants to be ridden, as mentioned by mdude. Forget all the late braking stuff the boy racers do on their hyper-sports, this is a classic motorcycle and is best ridden in a classic sporting style. Brake smoothly, pick your line, wind in the power coming off the apex, riding that surge of torque and listening to the sweet song of the engine.......oh yeah baby! When it all comes together on a sunny day on a windy road it makes you glad to be alive.

I sold my R1150GS to get my Guzzi and have never looked back. Happy wheeling and dealing Greybeard. And remember..... You've gotta haggle !!!!!!!!

I guess the fairness of the asking price depends on your local market. I got mine earlier this year with very few km on the clock and paid a little more than the asking price on this one (I did a currency conversion to figure it out). My bike did come with aftermarket mufflers as well as the stock items, and both seats. So that certainly sweetened the deal. I'd think that if this bike is low millage and in top condition perhaps the price is not too crazy? After all, it is not a bike you will get the chance to buy every day. Besides, if it what you really want, you should go for it. I did, and I'm happy because I will not look back in the future and think of what might have been.

So sad to see a Rosso Corsa end up like that, I hope someone takes the leap and gets it back to it's former glory.

Welcome to the Tenni community Birdman. Enjoy your new love

A guy I know has these mirrors on his 750 Breva and loves them. I also have them on my Norge and they are the best. I don't know that they would extend out more to the side than the standard ones, but the elongated shape may solve the problem you're having.

That's great news miki, welcome to the V11 fold. Having seen the bike myself I think you have got a very good deal and you'll be happy when she arrives.

Good to hear miki. That bike has been for sale for a while now. It was advertised privately for a few months before ending up up Newell's. I last saw it there a couple of weeks ago and mentioned to Tom that I was surprised it had not sold. Maybe the owner is starting to get more prepared to move on the price now? Here is a picture from Newells site to get you dreaming Picture from Don Newell Motorcycles BTW, 36,000km on a Guzzi engine means it is nicely run in, not worn out. No need to worry there. If you need a hand on this end let me know. I only live about 30 minutes from Newell's and deal with Tom for all my Guzzi stuff, so don't be shy about asking. A guy I know in Sydney went out of his way to help me when I bought my Tenni so I'm happy to do the same for you. It might be good karma for me. You might be shocked by the shipping costs. I looked into shipping the Tenni from Sydney to Brisbane with a local specialist firm, it was over $500 from memory. In the end I flew down and rode it back. Worked out lots cheaper and a hell of a lot more fun. Of course Melbourne is a lot further but it would be a great trip. Oh yeah, don't forget to factor in insurance cover when working out the $. And be sure to get the cover in place before moving the bike anywhere.

G'day miki, Good luck with your search. The Ballabio in Qld is at Don Newell Motorcycles at the moment, it is on consignment I think. It is a very tidy bike (no it is not me selling it, but I have looked it over). I take it you are interstate?

Hi Andrew, I'm 190cm and if I sit back on the seat I just fit the tank cutouts. I have recently fitted a set of bar risers from MPH cycles and that has made a huge difference to overall comfort on the bike. I guess the only way to find out for sure is ride one.

I got two books with my Tenni. Owner's Manual: This covers the V11 Le Mans and V11 Sport, it is not particular to the Tenni. The part number is 01 90 00 60 Also got a standard warranty+service book, again this seems to be a generic item for all Guzzi's of the period.

Welcome and congratulations on your new bike. I only got my Tenni recently with only 3300km on the clock. They are truly a moving work of art, it makes me want to wax lyrical, write songs in praise, perhaps a poem.... But alas, no time, as the road is calling. Enjoy and treasure your Tenni.

I've drifted away from watching this series over the last few years. Not any more! Round one at the island was awesome, I will be an avid fan this year. It was great to see Haga get that win first time out on the Duke. I've enjoyed watching him race for years, some of the stuff he did on the R7 was just nuts. I'm with gavo, I'd love to see Haga take it out this year, he really deserves it. Looks like he may have the bike and team to do it too.

If you simply cannot bring yourself to do this there is another way...... Migrate to New Zealand, last I heard they have a skills shortage of huge proportions so you are bound to be able to do something they need. You'll need to stay there long enough to become a NZ citizen. I'm not sure how many years that takes but it is a nice place with great bike roads so chill out and enjoy. Once you have NZ citizenship the welcome mat to Australia is waiting for you to walk all over it, stay as long as you like. Mind you, big dumpy girls need love too

Welcome Red27. Seems only right that you have a Guzzi to enjoy the Italian roads on. Please do not worry if your English is not perfect, nobody will mind at all. I am always impressed with anyone who speaks more than one language. I reckon my Italian would not even be good enough to order pasta without getting my face slapped

If you get a bit West of the big smoke you could try Two Wheel Tyres, they are just beside the intersection of the Warrego Hwy and the Brisbane Valley Hwy. If you want to get really fancy tap this into the TomTom... S27 34.522 E152 42.221... and you'll find yourself there. Good ride if you go via the Bris Valley Hwy, Splityard Creek Rd, Mt Glorious.

Welcome muddy, good to see the Aussie contingent getting larger.

A wonderful step back in time, thanks for posting them.

Welcome Bugs. Good luck with your quest to find your Le Mans. I hope you will find the bike of your dreams and it will be even better than you hope. But beware, Guzzi's are addictive, you may not be able to stop at one

Sorry, don't like it. I think the lines of the bike are best shown with a single color paint scheme. Besides it reminds me of these old things.....

So instead of all this guff about carbon trading what we need is to find a way to induce volcanic eruptions BTW, I just love the name of the Meteorologist who helped put that chart together, pure gold!

I have no clue who this Howard guy is, but that picture looks so so wrong to me. Or maybe it is just that I have a sick mind........