Steve G.
-
Posts
1,739 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Community Map
Posts posted by Steve G.
-
-
It's the same light, same part #, used on Laverda triples from 1973-1981, a Bosch unit.
So, what are your plans for this Magni fairing if you have no bike now????
Steve
-
Doesn't always work.This female would not leave, with me and a friend,both of us over six feet,yelling,banging pots,spraying with a hose,AND throwing rocks (had a couple direct hits),Wasn't until SHE was bored that she meandered off.Most likely had cubs in the area,have seen several in the yard over the last few seasons.
Just don't want people to believe any one tactic will work on all animals.That can lead to an unfortunate contact .Just because Black Bears are statistically non-threatening (had a fatality here in the Catskills a few years ago) you have to factor in the unknown.Cubs,hunger,sickness,...bad bear,
OK, I'll give you that one. I could also fall down my stairs today. I'll take my chances with a black bear over an Australian Brown Snake.
Steve
-
Hey, don't get me wrong. If everything was perfect, the GS or GSA are the best bike for my 6'4" 250ib frame. But there's a reason why hex head and oilhead BMW's resale value is suffering, especially ones with just expired warranty. They have issues, noted issues with leaky gearboxes, rear hubs blowing apart, electrical overcomplexity frying out. There's a reason why oilder airhead Beemers resale is holding solid, because more than just a few people are avoiding the newer complex ones.
Steve
-
Um, when I saw this guy in the yard I didn't go out and try to hug him !
No problem, chuck a rock at him!
Steve
-
hey I'd rather face any of the above than a black bear, well maybe not the croc
A black bear is not something to worry about. We used to get them in our back yard all the time. It's the grizzly bear that will take you out in a heart beat. But they are way out there.
My brother took a 1 yr stint in Brisbane to run a glass shop. He was blown away by the 'interference' to humans just doing regular stuff from the 'local' fauna. Like the time he wanted to take a short cut through a field back to the shop, the guys said, not to because of the 'brownies', I guess nasty snakes. Then there was the time the regional manager came by, asked Dave if he'd ever heard of a funnel web spider, Dave said "no??" The guy casually pulled off his shoe, and crushed a well developed and occupied nest right beside Dave's sandaled feet under the desk. Hew mentioned the literally hundereds of miles of incredible sea shore with nobody on them, then around a corner, a mass of people within 2 giant red flags, with safety patrols on seadoos, life guards, and even a helicopter watching the safety of the mop, with nobody on the other side of the flags!
Yup, I'll take on a 100ib black bear any day.
Steve
-
I'm going to have to test ride a regular GS, I test rode the gs Adv. and was not impressed it was too bulbous, tall, and the seat was terrible, comparing the two they have different seats and obviouslly body work so I bet I would like the regular 1200gs a lot better, part of this mile eater would be ability to cope with adverse weather conditions, wish they had a better rep and reliability. I also wish the stelvio was a tad more affordable for me and had at least one dealer within 2 hours drive.
funny side note is I almost bought a sprint ST when I was looking at the guzzi, I was at the dealer to test ride the sprint but went home with the Guzzi
I'm also prejudice against kawasaki and yamaha but I find honda to be appealing with their 800vfr looking like a good one or just that valkyrie.
I thought reasonable cost was on your priority list? I like GS's as well, but they're pricey!!???
Steve
-
I'm looking at what you are looking for in a touring bike. Wind Protection. Comfort. Storage. Reliability. Relatively inexpensive.
Well, you can pretty well rule out modern BMW's in the reliability and inexpensive aspect. I can say that because I've owned BMW's since 1988, have at least a dozen riding buddies with Beemers. They have become overly complex, problematic, high maintenance machines, with major component failures almost becoming a regular affair.
Buells? Well, I'm not even going to go there.
I'm going to steer you to the basic UJA [universal Japanese Motorcycle]. There are many that meet your criteria. Honda ST1100/St1300. Yamaha FJR 1300. Kawasaki C14.
Youi seem to be going towards a cruiser style of bike. I just don't get how a cruiser format can be linked to comfort, all that weight on the tailbone, arms up high in the classic cruiser stance. To me, the most comfortable long distance riding position is with the feet below the hips, hands at elbow level, and torso 5-10degrees forward. This sitting position is mostly found on big dual sports, GS/GSA's, Uylesses, etc.. But not the best wind protection. So I go back to the 3 sport tourers above. You can treat them like cars, they are that reliable. My FJR hasn't had 1 valve adjustement needed since it came out of the factory in 2005, 50K miles. 50mpg. factory bags. 87 octane.
Steve
-
And the time has come again. I can't believe this thread is three years old!
I hope many of you are planning on making this event. Two or three of us are riding down from Columbia, Tennessee, (about an hour south of Nashville) Friday noon. Let me know if you're going to be in the neighborhood. (We're going the "back way", no Interstate Highway). We're staying in Irondale (Hampton Inn) about 6 miles west of the grounds.
I really hope to see some of you there. No question, this is a World Class event!
Yup, I'll be there, flying down from Vancouver. Staying at Springhill suites on Colonnade Pkyway, Thursday to Monday. I'll look for Guzzi's!!
Steve
-
I wonder what they are actually doing?? ... because they are not answering my emails about the Ballabio, Scura, etc! Transport Canada that is. Until (if) this gets settled I am going to hold off on bidding on any Ballabio's. I still think that a Ballabio is essentially a v11 Sport sub-model.
Al
PS Steve, you mentioned the ECU hookup on the Guzzi that I would not have access to. Is the diagnostic tool unique to the Guzzi & is it a critical diagnostic component of the tune up ... that could be a deal breaker. Thx.
You may want to PM Greg Field, Pete Roper, or Todd Haven to confirm, but I'm pretty sure you'd need Guzzi softwared diagnostic tool to read. That said, I've had mine looked at once since I bought it new in 2001, it still runs great! Not a deal breaker in my books.
Where's your nearest Guzzi dealer?
Yes, a Ballabio and a V11 Sport, V11 Lemans, all of them are based on the 'spine frame' 6 speed format.
Steve
-
Stupid bureaucrats. It's not even a safety issue! Hang them all...
Unfortunately, my country has a high percentage of this kind of government worker than others.
Steve
-
I have a pile of junked ITIs. They last, on average, 9,000 miles, unless you open them up and grease them regularly.
How big is your pile of V11 based Veglias Greg? What's failing on these things?
Steve
-
After I finally managed to stick back in the silly rubber sockets, bulbs working, I thought the speedo wars were over, at least for a while. Was not to be. Tonight on the highway the speedo needle jumped to zero clockwise and sat there for a while, than slowly went back to what was my ballpark speed at the time, about 80. Upon stopping, it would slowly go back to about 20 where it got stuck. Odometers seemed to work fine--tested the trip against the mile posts and it's almost accurate, like .9+ per 1 mile.
Right now I don't have the time and energy, not to mention confidence in my ability to fix the problem, to cut the case open and see what's wrong (probably one little bulb that got stuck or grease that migrated where it shouldn't, or likely both). This is the speedo I got under warranty. Perhaps one day I'll open the original--whose speedo works, and maybe the odo could be repaired.
Guck Fuzzi, Iuck FTI, or whoever dumped these junk instruments on us.
I think Aprilia went with ITI guages after Vaglia went bust, the ITI's were used on all Aprilias.
Steve
-
Thanks for the thorough answer Steve, appreciated, great comparison.
The more I read the more likely a Moto Guzzi is in my future vs a Ducati if it is to be a one bike family ... and it is :-) My next hurdle is the whole 'import to Canada process'. The RIV inclusion list is quite explicit and I am wondering if models like the Scura, Ballabio are considered 'children' of v11 Sports or are they there own model? I have corresponded with a Ballabio owner and his title lists the series body as Ballabio and the model as blank ... which may all be moot as this Ballabio is a 2004 which seems to be RIV compliant. I did get the VIN ... is anyone aware of Moto Guzzi friendly VIN decoder tool/app?
Nothing but questions! Thanks again.
Al
Be very carefull about which specific model you are looking at for possible import from the USA. When Moto Guzzi changed from a 170mm rear tire to a 180mm tire, there was a window of Transport Canada inadmisability as Moto Guzzi importers did not make Transport Canada aware of this tire change, so they blocked some 2003-04 models from Canada. 2005 saw the last of the Lemans with a few brought in. Now, there are at least 2 Tenni model bikes in BC, and they were never brought into Canada new, but I know that these were brought in late 02 as used bikes from the states before the RIV went strick. But, I see that older Sport 1100's are now included, wereas pre 2001 Guzzi's less than 15 yrs old were all excluded.
Study the list carefully!! Get it wrong, and they will take it away from you, and crush the bike. I've seen them do it to 2 Aprilia RS250's and a Bimota V-Due , crush them.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehicle.../list/vafus.pdf
Steve
-
There may be an obvious answer but I need to ask. As I mentioned above, in my pursuit of returning to 2 wheels I have also been looking at mid-90s Ducati’s and wondered about the maintenance of a Moto Guzzi? I do have access in Winnipeg to a local Ducati dealer if required but am unaware of a Guzzi presence here and as a result would have to do most of it myself.
I would like to perform some (most?) of the maintenance myself where possible. Does anyone have any experience with the regular maintenance of the 2 brands? Is the Guzzi much more 'user friendly' than a Ducati? All I have to compare this all to is a 1979 Laverda! Comments welcome. Thanks again.
Al
I curently own an'81 Laverda Jota, since 1991, own a V11 Sport since new, 2001, and have owned 2 Ducati's, both 2 valve models. My experience is direct.
The V11, the early ones, had teething issues, most had to do with cheap parts outsourcing, the list is long, and in the first 2 yrs, it was embarrasing owning this thing as it was quiting almost regularly. All of it was super easy to figure out, which made it all the more hard to take because M.G. should have taken care of it at the factory. Now that proper relays have been very inexpensively installed, fuel lines properly heat shielded, and vibration incapable parts retrograded, the thing is as trouble fee as my FJR Yamaha. Valve tappet adjustement is super easy, and as yet, have not gone out of adjustement @ 48,000kms. Your lack of dealer support could only be an issue if you needed to do a tune up which needed an ECU hook up.
My Ducati experiences were difficult years, as the machine is tougher to do the top end adjustement, which must be done regularly, and is expensive at the dealer. They are fragile in the scheme of things. Ducati ownership almost swore me of Italian bikes!! The machines are vastly superior road bikes with peerless handling and balance, but there's a price.
Laverdas are very tough mechanically, and because they out sourced the best equipement available when they made them, irregardless of country of origin, their reputation as solid machines is backed up. In 75,000 miles, my Laverda has yet to cause any issues mechanically, only a Nippon Denso regulator/rectifier which fried a good battery has reared it's head. I think the M.G. engine may be slightly tougher as far as 'extreme' mileages are concerned, more to do with the different bearings Laverda and Guzzi employ. We're still talking about Laverda engines regularly going 200,000kms between crank rebuilds, vs stories of Guzzi's going 300,000kms, worthy bragging rights, but how many really go that far in a riding lifetime. Not sure of the slightly higher state of tune of a V11 is going to alter engine lifespans.
Steve
-
I raced a Harley the other day, and after some really hard riding I finally managed to pass the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really, twisting sections of Mountain road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".
if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.
I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. Three corners later, I was on his tail. Catching him was one thing.
Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out power me.
My only hope was to out brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant, I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up.
But now I was in the lead, and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the mountain, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.......................
I don't think I've ever pedalled so hard in my life
You've got a 5 speed Raleigh right??
Steve
-
Hello,
I have a request of any Winnipeg based v11 owners out there, if there are any? I am currently searching for a v11 but have never had the opportunity to actually sit on one and see if I fit. I did go down the path of a mid-90s Ducati 900SS but have found my legs just don't seem to bend that way anymore! All I am after is some friendly advice and an opportunity to sit on the bike ... no rides required :-)
Any comments or help would be appreciated and feel free to use the email below. Thanks very much.
Regards,
Al
Winnipeg, Manitoba
laverda_jota@yahoo.com
I've got an early V11. I'm 6'4", and I installed a footpeg relocation kit by Evolusione, now not available. It would have been a difficult long term ownership without the extra legroom.
Steve
-
You here a lot, on problems with the v11, but I'll just say, they are easilly sorted,and once done, are very reliable,not to mention classy looking and a hoot to ride! I've done over 12000 kms this season , and no problems other than a relay that i had not yet replaced, but had a spare omron- on- me, so, really no problem! I'd also like to add, that, they are under valued, and would like to see the price go up.....insert smily face here.
Agreed.
With regard to value, they are by far the most numerous single model out there, so supply & demand is running the show value wise.
Steve
-
Your Rosso has the smaller rear rim, so a 160 is going to work well. I'm running a 160/70 on my '01, I prefer it to the 160/60, just a bit taller for better clearance and slightly lower rpm's at cruising speed. BT021's are working very well, bare in mind though that only the rear of the 021's are dual compound.
Steve
-
Havn't been to Ireland, but must say the roads seem very much like those seen down in Somerset and Cornwall in England, or up in the Dales. Small, tight, bumpy.
Great shots!!
Steve
-
I use Napolean Beren's. BTW, they are available in chrome too. While the Rizomas and CRG's are probably just a step up quality wise, Napoleans are certainly not crap. Stadium's are entry level cost wise, as well as price. Napolean's have convex mirror. I also like the Napoleans because they are heavier, they actually reduced the vibration on the hands, almost like bar end weights.
Steve
-
QUOTE (Steve G. @ Aug 30 2009, 02:06 PM) *
Too bad most of the stuff in the middle is unhabitable...
So same as in Europe then?
Oh, I'm not so sure about that. Of course just a visitor, but I spent the best holiday of my life last Sept. riding Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Lichtenstein. Absolutely glorious time!!!
Steve
-
Thing is most of the people live in the thin strip down the East Coast roughly where the European countries end. The vast majority of them live in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne!
Almost the whole area covered by Europe is a hot, dry, miserable desert full of nothing but Emu's, Roo's and lost tourists drinking their own urine!
What makes us the 'Lucky Country' is the fact that the bit covered by Spain and the North Atlantic is basically a huge lump of Iron, Copper and Bauxite. The bit covered by the UK and the Republic of Ireland is essentially a big lump of Uranium! The bit covered by Bulgaria and the Black Sea is a massive lump of Coal!
Our population is about 22 million of whom a good 2/3rds live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide and rarely leave them. That leaves plenty of space for the rest of us!!!!
Pete
Almost the whole area covered by Europe is a hot, dry, miserable desert full of nothing but Emu's, Roo's and lost tourists drinking their own urine!
Pete, you gotta write a book, "quotes of Pete Roper", it'll sell a million. Brilliant, best laugh in a week!!
Steve
-
Golly gosh. Is this really the size of Australia?
Does it really need to be this size?
Too bad most of the stuff in the middle is unhabitable. Great weather though.
Steve
-
Ah, yes, Mitch Boehm, of Motorcyclist magazine. Seems pretty 'ballsy' to start up a mag at this time. Also, there's immediate competition established [classic bike magazines all over] . We'll see how it goes.
Steve
Magni Fairing Headlight
in Technical Topics
Posted
Yeah, I used to have one.
So, you think your V11 shook???? @#!#$#, it'll destroy any ridgidly mounted plastic!!
Steve