Scud

I thought the Champagne one was done; I even rode it around the block a few times. But then I got concerned about an engine noise, so I've left it to sit a bit. Then I stole the fuel pump to get the Greenie going. The champagne paint is a bit scuffed up - and the LH fairing has a little road rash.

I know Footgoose has done a lot of work on that Tenni recently - engine out and stripped off the crinkle paint for example. More pics!

On Banner Grade this morning... stopped to shed layers before crossing the desert.

Great stuff. So where did all-y'all ride to? Did everybody ride together - or split off in sub-groups? And no roadside repairs needed this time?

I got this Moto Guzzi tank bag with the Greenie. It's been a while since I used one and I forgot how convenient they can be. There are lots of other options out there though. This one has a big expansion zipper, which I am taking full advantage of. In the tank bag, I have an LCD projector and speaker (wrapped in a motorcycle cover), some tools that wouldn't fit under the seat, a pair of sandals, and some clothes. I'll keep my phone and a basic map under the plastic window. I still need to carry a computer, dress shoes and few other things in a backpack with my water, but that won't be too much weight. It's less than a 6 hour ride, unless I take the twistiest way... which, of course, I will. But there's no escaping at least 100 miles of slab in 100-degree "dry" heat. So I'm gonna get rolling before sunrise to try to beat the worst of the heat. And I have to push a bit past Phoenix, to Scottsdale.

Perhaps all the greenies ever made are in that pic - or at least one full year's production run.

Antiquar - Do you have a tank-bag? How about a bag that straps to the passenger seat? I think I'm going to make a Phoenix run Monday with a tank bag (holding most of the weight) and a lightweight backpack, including hydration pack for the desert crossing.

So.... where did all-y'all go today? Any pics of today's adventure?

Finished up the tuning. Throttle bodies were way out of sync. Straightened a little bend in the LH bar. Put the flyscreen on. Installed a pair of chrome Napoleon bar-end mirrors. Loaded up the tank bag and gave it a test run. I think I might be able to pack light enough to go to Phoenix on Monday morning. If not, the little brick is standing by.

Gotta make some room for an adventure bike. So I'd like to find good homes for two V11s and keep two here. Here's the menu: 2000 Greenie: $5,250 2003 Red LeMans: $7,500 2002 Scura $19,000 (that's what Ewan McGregor asked for his Tenni recently... and I don't really want to sell it, but I would be willing to accept an unreasonably large amount of money for it.) And if you want to take over a project before I can finish it, the 2002 Champagne LeMans could be had for $3,250 in it's current state. Any of the above could be had for more or less money - depending on what sort of accessories, spare parts, and upgrades you want or don't want. I'd be happy to mix and match suspension, exhaust, farkles, etc. I'm negotiable - especially if a nicely equipped adventure bike is part of the deal.

That is literally the guiding principle of the whole Wild Guzzi board - a virtual campfire.

Ha - I bet WG will take it faster and further astray... We'll see which way the thread drifts...

The Ti ECU is the same as the stock one. It just has a different sticker and a different program loaded. No down-sizing for you...

The Ti map is available and can be installed on any V11 ECU - so it's not really any advantage. I think Meinolf's maps are probably even better than the Ti map. I need to try one of his maps soon.

I'm sure the GB has improved performance over the original bike. Looks are subjective. IMO the GB is not better looking than an 1100 Sport or a V11 Sport. As for the Coppa Italia - I also don't get why the prices are so much higher than other similar models. It's the same bike as a Cafe Sport - with a paint job that obviously appeals to some people (but not me). On Japanese bikes, the new Red, White, and Blue Africa Twin is a fine-looking machine... so was the original Africa Twin. And that Aprilia Pegaso in the background of one of those photos is not too shabby looking either. Now the BMW R1200GS? That's a fugly motorcycle.

I hope you all have a great time and am looking forward to a full report.

I knew there was a Karlsbad/CZ, but I didn't realize how close I was to it. In my rental contract, I did not list CZ as a country I would visit. Carlsbad, CA (where I live) was named after it - something about a mineral spring here being similar to one in CZ. On Tuesday night, my return trip started off 2 hours later than I planned, due to work needs. Then there were three road closures (for construction) along route 299. I could not read the signs - and there were no arrows or anything I could identify as a detour route. After the first closure, I ended up winding my way through a town (no video of that one). I got around the 2nd closure on a graded road through farmland, which was very pretty - and I got that special video clip of the sun coming through the tops of the corn plants as I rode by. The third road closure put me into dark woods near sunset - and I was relieved to pop out of the woods on the other side of the closure. It was a great ride and it was also fun to be on the Autobahn into Munich at night. It was still a great adventure though. On the way up, during the storm, I had about 40 pounds of printed material for work in my saddlebag. Good thing it was all in waterproof bags. It was fun to tell the people I was working with "Hey I carried this stuff on a motorcycle over mountains and through storms to bring it to you."

Here's part 2:

Thanks. I'm working on part 2 from Landeck, Austria to Vilseck (aka Grafenwoehr), Germany, and back to Munich, where road closures "forced" me to leave the "strasse" and go "gelande" for a bit. And more 1970s Scorpions tunes... The R1200GSA turned out to be a great bike for this trip. The water cooled boxer motor is strong and smooth - cruising effortlessly at 180 on the autobahns, while still getting passed by cars that had to be doing 240+ (speeds in km). It handled well, was all-day comfortable, and the adjustable windscreen gave me enough air during the sport bits and reasonable protection while making time and trying to escape a hailstorm near the Danube River.

Here's a video of my travel day and my loop on Saturday. With one of Germany's finest exports providing the soundtrack.

Here's a link to the Speed Bleeders I used: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19514&p=214100

How cool that there's a Moto Guzzi in the Google-Earth picture at Gavia Pass. I saw this Moto Guzzi (with hidden eagle) at the top of Stelvio Pass: Here's one shot on the way up Stelvio: And one looking back down from Stelvio: I got this still from my GoPro on the way down Gavia Pass: Started today via some choice roads in the Alps that Hubert recommended, then some Autobahn, then got lost, then caught in a hailstorm crossing the Danube River, then lost again, then made it to Vilseck, Germany for work tomorrow. I learned that my rain-suit is not as waterproof as it used to be.

I had a great ride today. About 350km of some of the tightest and most scenic roads I've ever been on. I saw several Moto Guzzis, including a Red/Grey 2002 LeMans. I followed a Red Stelvio up the Stelvio Pass. Then I went over the Gavia Pass. Then up to Tirano, Italy and up through Switzerland back to Landeck, Austria. I have a bunch of photos and GoPro video - I'll get it sorted out later. There's a group here from the San Diego BMW dealer - so I had dinner with them this evening. Off toward Nuremburg tomorrow morning. More later...

That's funny. It is my airport runner though. I never worry about it. Most people don't even know what it is... and most of those who do know what it is know it's not worth stealing. I'll keep an eye out for it. No, it doesn't. It's a checkmark on the "bucket-list." Love this little hotel (Enzian). Buffet breakfast and dinner included. They sat me with another American. Then some guys (I assume locals) bought a round of schnapps for everyone and started yodeling. Fabulous.