Fly N Ride Guzzi Purchase

[Huzo]

Huzo...so you're getting about 408Km on each tank?  Equivalent to about 250 miles...right on target.   I think I may have stretched to 260 miles once with less than 0.5 gallon in reserve.

Yes mate.
Fuel light on @ 400 k give or take and dry @ 480 k.
Now that's at a cruisey 115 kph or so. It'll drop to light on @ 370 if you're up around 140 and conversely I know I could achieve light on @ 430k to save my life if I had to, but would need to be @ 90kph.
Suffice to say, can do 500 k to dry, but at unrealistic speed.

[sidecarnutz]

Wow. Great adventure! Thanks for sharing it so well too.

I have driven 600 miles to pick up a bike. But never had the confidence to want to ride it home not being certain of its condition and ergonomics. Love road trips. I did one once back in 2001 with my son in tow in an RV pulling a trailer. Son came down with chicken pox after we left. Thankfully I'd had it as a child. We stopped in at the MD/DC Spring rally on the way home. Used the oven in the RV to bake a hot berry pie to share with everyone. One guy wanted to know how much to rent a bed in the RV as it was in the 30s there that night! Great trip.

[catneck]

Huzo...so you're getting about 408Km on each tank?  Equivalent to about 250 miles...right on target.   I think I may have stretched to 260 miles once with less than 0.5 gallon in reserve.

I was at 180-200 miles before low fuel light.
Assume 50 mile reserve then?
Unknown tune on my bike, but that seems optimistic.

[Huzo]

Huzo...so you're getting about 408Km on each tank?  Equivalent to about 250 miles...right on target.   I think I may have stretched to 260 miles once with less than 0.5 gallon in reserve.

yes, that's 408 "safe" k's, it usually takes around 19 litres from there.
I didn't count on more than 430 and did my plans for around 400.

[Huzo]

I was at 180-200 miles before low fuel light.
Assume 50 mile reserve then?
Unknown tune on my bike, but that seems optimistic.

200 miles is around 300 k and that sounds a wee bit thirsty, but it's early days.
A Beetle map and properly balanced TB's, valve clearance and a good health check and you'll see 250 miles before "light on" with 4 litres in reserve, @ 70 mph cruise.
Forget abaarrt it !
The fuel sender units in the Norge can be a bit problematic at first.
You may find that the gauge doesn't read "full" after top up  and sits @ 7/8 th's until fuel drops to that level and normal service is then resumed.
I fixed mine and is now spot on, but I'll not contaminate your thread further regarding that issue.
Ask if you want to know...
Great story, this one seems special. I think it is because your heart is in the bike and the bike is in your heart...
Not always the case.
More please....

[Guzzi Gal]

I think it is because your heart is in the bike and the bike is in your heart...
Not always the case.

Stealing this!

[catneck]

Continued....
Day 2 dawned (pre-dawn ,actually). Breakfast served at the hotel @ 0500!
I wanted to get an early start. I planned on a 600+ mile day.
Westbound I 10, enjoying the sunrise in the mirrors.
Gassed up in Coachella, with the ghosts of music festivals past in my head:


5.2 gallons of mid grade in, I continued West.
Decided on the 210-5 route, because, again, miles were to be logged today.
Feeling a caffeine stop was in order. I took the 15 (becoming a local, saying "the" in front of a highway #) off in Fontana/Rancho Cucamonga (a fun name to say), and wandered into a ginormous shopping center (next to another equally excessively large and remarkably similar shopping center).

I found a Starbucks. It has a drive through, and a couple spots out front reserved for those busy people to pop in to pickup their app-ordered order.
I used 1 of those empty spots to execute a u turn, and parked at 45 degrees, facing out, adjacent to the "loading zone."
Dismounted, walked in, and placed my order.
Back outside, I found a table next to the bike, taking in the local flavor.
Lots of super tan people.
Lots of them talking to themselves (on their stealthy, hidden bluetooth).
Lots of short pants (in November), and everybody in a hurry.

A local police officer parked his cruiser, and walked up to chat bikes.
He told of his prior R1 Yamaha, lost in a fire some years ago.
Seems SoCal flashes over every few years, and everyone has to start re-accumulating stuff.

A couple fun things happened there:

First, this parked next to me:

Really?
Somebody does this for a living?
I see only 1 Christmas tree air freshener in the car.

The pooper scooper left, and a gargantian Merceded SUV pulled in next to the bike. The passenger, a well dressed elderly biddy, swings her door into the pannier of the bike. Hard.
The officer watches with interest, as she immediately states "You parked crooked," implying it is my fault. I am a foot inside of the space.
I am only concerned with her attitude, as the panniers have plenty of dings and scrapes. If this was a Stelvio, it would be a opportunity to cover over with stickers.

I told her, "Don't worry about your intentionally damaging my legally parked motorcycle, I won't make a claim against you for your negligence".
The officer chuckled, and whispered "I am on your side."
Then she suddenly saw him, stopped blaming,  and dodged around the back of her car to the front door of the coffee shop.
No harm, no foul. Just an incredible not my fault attitude.
I asked the officer about big bike shops in the area, as I now wanted to kill an hour to miss traffic.
The officer recommended Chaparral in San Bernardino. It was about 15 miles back, but
I was curious about the big shop experience again.

The officer left, I strapped on, and traveled back to the 15, then 210 East.

More to come.....
 

[catneck]

200 miles is around 300 k and that sounds a wee bit thirsty, but it's early days.
A Beetle map and properly balanced TB's, valve clearance and a good health check and you'll see 250 miles before "light on" with 4 litres in reserve, @ 70 mph cruise.
Forget abaarrt it !
The fuel sender units in the Norge can be a bit problematic at first.
You may find that the gauge doesn't read "full" after top up  and sits @ 7/8 th's until fuel drops to that level and normal service is then resumed.
I fixed mine and is now spot on, but I'll not contaminate your thread further regarding that issue.
Ask if you want to know...
Great story, this one seems special. I think it is because your heart is in the bike and the bike is in your heart...
Not always the case.
More please....

Thanks, I appreciate the knowledge that better mpgs can be had.
I never seem to get the mileage others get. A tune will be in order soon, along with the swingarm bearing job, like I did on the Stevio.
And yes, a full tank only registers 7/8 on the gauge.
I do indeed like this bike, it just feels good.

[Guzzi Gal]

"Don't worry about your intentionally damaging my legally parked motorcycle, I won't make a claim against you for your negligence".

LMAO!!! 

The officer recommended Chaparral in San Bernardino.

More to come...

I purchased my helmet & jacket via Amazon from them.  I've never been to a big box bike goodies retailer, and can't wait for your review (and )

Safe, and pleasant Turkey Day!

[Tom]

Have you been to Powersports in Chandler?   

[catneck]

Have you been to Powersports in Chandler?   

No, WeRide on Camelback in Phoenix was my stop.

[TimmyTheHog]

you sir and the rest of the fellow who posts their trips...I envy and salute you guys! It is just so much fun to read and pretend you are on the trip as well...

the stories like this always put a HUGE smile on my face reading and and always wanting to go on it...

With young family obligation and having a dad who disapprove motorcycle is kind of hard for me to make it happen..........yet! 

anyway!...Love it!!!!! and will always tune back in to see what happen next :D

[Tom]

No, WeRide on Camelback in Phoenix was my stop.

Sorry that was Guzzi Gal.

[Huzo]

Stealing this!

Sorry GG that might mean something different in the States..
(I hope so)

[Huzo]

you sir and the rest of the fellow who posts their trips...I envy and salute you guys! It is just so much fun to read and pretend you are on the trip as well...

the stories like this always put a HUGE smile on my face reading and and always wanting to go on it...

With young family obligation and having a dad who disapprove motorcycle is kind of hard for me to make it happen..........yet! 

anyway!...Love it!!!!! and will always tune back in to see what happen next :D

This is a good one...

[Guzzi Gal]

@ catneck & Tom
I've been to dealers (Ride Now Chandler/Avondale, Go AZ Scottsdale, and the Harley in Chandler), but not any suppliers of moto related stuff.  Seems odd, considering bike nights probably abound, but I've been too busy with the job of becoming semi-competent.  Now I feel like I've finally become a solid beginner (with basic bike operation, and manoeuvring no longer fear-inducing), I will go exploring and see what the local retailers have to offer.     

@TimmyTheHog
My dad hated motorcycles (his best friend almost died on one), and our kids are 6, 10, and 14, but we still ride.  Fear has its purpose, but our purpose is to show our children how to live.  They will do as we do, regardless of what we say.  Besides, we showed up late, and we have some catching up to do!
When the time is right, the pieces will fall into place, and off you will ride.

[oldbike54]

 Great thread 

 Dusty

[Huzo]

The best !

[Huzo]

C'mon Catty...
What have you been up to?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Somebody does this for a living?
I see only 1 Christmas tree air freshener in the car.

The pooper scooper left, and a gargantian Merceded SUV pulled in next to the bike.

Yep, SoCal all right. Certainly sounds authentic.  The five, the 10, the 405, uhh, yep. This guys' been there and done that.

[catneck]

C'mon Catty...
What have you been up to?

Tomorrow, I hope to wrap up this trip thread.

[Huzo]

Tomorrow, I hope to wrap up this trip thread.

Ok, but hope to hear about the next one.

[Nic in Western NYS]

"Don't worry about your intentionally damaging my legally parked motorcycle, I won't make a claim against you for your negligence"

Classy and classic

[catneck]

Continued..
I found Chapperal Moto Emporium.
Not hard to do. It's as big as Costco.

Made a lap around the building, and parked in front.
There is a greeter. He is also a gear check guy.
I thought, "wow, what a convenience, not having to lug my Power Ranger outfit through the store."
Nope, wrong thinking. It's mandatory.
Explained as theft deterrent.
Seems that some of their clientele walk in with $10 helmet, and walk out with a $500 trade in.

Made my way through this:



To the tire shop:


This is the most impressive moto tire shop I have ever seen.
It has It's own lounge!

Because of that, I was feeling like a new rear tire was in order.
I made my selection, and trekked back to claim my gear.
Strapped on, and a short ride to Service.
Where I unstrapped, and stowed my gear in a somewhat less rigid environment.

Off to shop!

More to come.....

[Guzzi Gal]

  I guess I know where we will be going on our next so-Cal visit.

[catneck]

Continued....
I walked by this:

I remember when I was a motocross racing teenager. We didn't wear such costumes. Now I sound like my dad.

Bought these RAM mounts:

They were as cheap as EBay, and 1 replaced an under mirror unit that put my GPS out too far in the wind for my liking.

The Service Writer rolled the Norge out:

Now both tires are new! I strapped in, and headed out for more adventure on the freeways.

Out on the 210, I was behind most of the traffic. I did use the HOV lane, however, as traffic never really goes away in SoCal.
I was traveling at about 45 in the right third of said HOV lane. A look back noticed a motorcycle with 4 bright white lights in my tracks. Usually, other riders choose the opposite track, so I assumed it was the California Highway Patrol.
I swung over to the left track, and the officer went by with a little wave. He rode off into the distance.

Into Pasadena, and swing up to the 5. This will be by home freeway for the rest of my trip. I usually take 395, but not this time of year.

Gas in Santa Clarita. A great friend of mine lived here until his passing a few years back. The city brought a smile to my face as I remembered Tom.

Up over the Grapevine. Hard to maintain posted speed on the downhill, but as I passed by a waiting CHP cruiser, his staying parked confirmed I was within the speed margin of error.

Then up to this place:

A faux western "town" at the end of an anonymous off ramp.
A passable coffe bar inside too.

Restroom did have some humorous posters though:


Conveniences used, headed back North.
Trying to meet up with Mike, a friend in Vacaville. He was buying sushi, and putting me up.

The rain came at nightfall. Tire test. But also a bug smearing soup on my shield.
New waterproofing wash in compound was failing too.
Oh, and a contractor had been dropping sheetrock panels for about 10 miles.
561 miles today.
The ride was turning into a video game.

Uncle: headed for a hotel:

Hot shower, and a calzone later, off to bed.

Mike was understanding. We agreed to meet up in Woodland for brunch.
I stopped for a pic on the side of 5 (now in NorCal - no "the"):



A few miles of lane splitting through "rush hour" in Sacramento. This isn't traffic, these guys ought to see it south of here!
A nice visit with Mike, and off through the upper third of 5.
A clear, cool,windy day. Stopped in Weed for the last fill up.
Its 34 degrees.
My heated gloves are intermittent. Did I mention that I couldn't find the heated grip switch?
Blew through the state of Jefferson, and headed over Siskiyou Pass.

I commute this every day on 2 wheels, weather permitting.
Today isn't one of those days.
I was about an hour too late to have sun on the Oregon side of Northbound 5.
It's 31 and icy, Finding the dry spots, I snaked through the lanes at 40.

Exited the freeway. I made my way to my wife's school.
A nice surprise to get there just as she was getting off work.
Reunion over, I cautiously trekked up the mountain to my house.

Parked in the driveway, no room in the garage:


As I dismounted, I saw this:


Wow, should have Read The Fricken Manual.

A great bike, a great seller, a great trip, thanks for reading!

[Tom]

Just a wild guess but that switch under the blue looks like your heated grip switch.         BTDT.

[catneck]

Just a wild guess but that switch under the blue looks like your heated grip switch.         BTDT.

Yep, but I am used to my Stelvio. It is buried in the "mode" menu on that bike.
Didn't find it there, I started to get bent remembering that some bikes had some parts of the heated grips, but not in the controller menu, etc.
Never thought that the previous version had an actual switch that, albeit well hidden, works without having to be MCSE certified like the later Guzzis.

[Tom]

I would never have found it myself.  "Heated grips???  What's that???" 

[Tom H]

That was one of the best ride stories I've read in a bit. Thank you!

For lane position on the cesspool, formerly carpool lane. I like riding right next to the RH line. It allows you too see many cars ahead. You just never know what some idiot way up ahead is about to do to mess up the cars in front of you. When I see a bike behind me, I move to the left of the lane to let them through. Splitting lanes is the norm nowadays. Had a CHP flip me a siren once while splitting in stopped traffic, I don't check my mirrors in stopped traffic. Ticket time, crap. Wrong, he wanted to get through, I was going too slow

Thanks again for the story!
Tom