Your Three Best Buys?

[Dilliw]

Sex, drugs and rock n' roll...     

There's more to life than those??? :)

If just limited to motorcycles:
1. Turtle fur face/neck cover for Kim. 
2. Dead sheep for the seats
3. All of my past and present helmets that have the flip down shade.

[not-fishing]

Custom Bates jacket purchased 4 decades ago - worked very well in multiple high speed dismounts.  it would be very nice if I could fit it again
My Griso, riding it has helped my back more than any Doctor, Drugs or Masseuse well except one well endowed Blond who doesn't work anymore
A couple of helmets that I've had to replace.

Mark

[canuguzzi]

1. My Norge
2. Gasoline
3. Oil

#2-3 allow #1 to provide the best motorcycling experiences to date. I might add to but won't give up the Norge for all the STs out there although a new FJR might be headed home soon. Something has to reign supreme in the garage and on the road, that job goes to the Norge, all others are filler material.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Sex, drugs and rock n' roll...     

  Now, we're talkin..

[PJPR01]

I might add to but won't give up the Norge for all the STs out there although a new FJR might be headed home soon. Something has to reign supreme in the garage and on the road, that job goes to the Norge, all others are filler material.

Can we make this quote a sticky please!    :1: :1:

[drw916]

Aerostich Darien Jacket/pants

Gerbing heated jacket liner

Goretex Boots

Ear plugs (never leave home without them)

[cruzziguzzi]

Weirdly, given the OP's parameters I start with real estate.

Buying acreage in the White Mountains went a long way towards making up for less than fun riding in most of this state of Arizona compared to New England and California - they being my "gold standards" for riding fun.

Then - when "Ton-Up" closed down here - from whom I bought my Calvin - I bought one of their lifts. The first proper platform lift I've owned. Priceless and the connection is cool to boot.

Rolling through "Big Tex" trailers just to get a light or something, I came across a trailer which was mis-delivered to them. They never have them in stock here in Phoenix as they are under-engineered for any of the trades but perfect for me. It's almost exactly 4x8 feet inside - you can just get your fingers around a piece of plywood laying flat - but as small outside so as to track exactly the width of our old Cherokee. Outstanding dimensions for one fella to move one motorcycle by himself. That particular trailer has allowed me to jump on three separate motorcycles, a 1962 Cub Cadet and several golf carts for its convenience of ownership.

So:
Dirt to ride to.
A lift to bend less.
A trailer to spend more.


Todd.

[janusz]

Since you said: "not including your motorcycle" my picks are as follow:
1. Vespa GTV 300
2. Davida Jet Helmet
3. Crosby Jacket from Belstaff / Moto Guzzi 3/4 Riding Jacket by Dainese

[Red07]

1.  Baxley Sport Chock

Makes life much easier when hauling, storing, working on, changing oil, cleaning the motorcycle.  Worth every penny, and then some. 


Randy

[pebra]

Waterproof duffle bag. Can be strapped of course, but also it can be used as a backpack.
Ear plugs
Heated grips

[jbell]

A small engine repair teacher at Maricopa County Technical College named John back in the '70's who wasn't afraid to tackle an engine he wasn't familiar with and then figure out how to fix it.

Heinrich Reisman, the Guzzi dealer in Albuquerque again back in the '70's, who was a veritable surgeon when it came to working on bikes. 

Craftsman tools which I started buying one or two every payday beginning in the early '70's.

[Steph]

In no particular order:
My iPhone (my only link to the Guzzi forum! camera, docs holder, research, bla, bla, bla)
My Guzzi t-shirt (s)
My 25 year old Leatherman tool

-honourable mention: my Arai helmet

[Moto]

Handy Lift and a good collection of tools
Rostra cruise control on Griso
Flyscreens with stowable over-screens

[Triple Jim]

As far as Guzzi buys:

1. A nice tail bag for my Mille (Firstgear Onyx)
2. A CDI unit for my Mille (great price since I made it myself)
3. A new U-joint and carrier bearing for my Mille, replaced just as both were starting to show early signs of trouble

[Doppelgaenger]

Heated Gloves for the cold days
Riding Jeans for the hot days
mesh jacket for the hot days

Seriously, nothing is worse than a bad case of monkey butt, or numb fingers in the winter. If I don't have to literally peel my clothes off after riding, I consider it a good ride.

[radlefty]

1. " Profecient  Motorcycling"  by David Hough.  By far the best book on motorcycling I've read.

2.  Heated Jacket Liner and Gloves.  My most important gear for comfort as I have lousy circulation.

3.  SW-Motech Evo Cargobag Tail Bag.  No more bungee cords. 

[kingoffleece]

Interesting that more often than not a saddle that works for the rider is mentioned.

So, three choices, eh? 

1) 49 years on a motorcycle and the Stayin' Safe riding school was so informative I went back two years later.
2) Proper suspension.  At the very least time spent to sort out the stock components but quality aftermarket from the leaders like Ohlins and such makes such a huge difference.  As they say, until you've experienced a proper set up you'll never know what your missing, and then you'll never go back!
3) Proper airflow management.

[Adan]

Earplugs
suspension upgrades
heated grips


If "best" means bang-for-the-buck, then earplugs are a clear winner.  To think I used to ride without them, I must have been crazy (or young).

[Furbo]

Hmmn,

1 - a German motorcycle lift - I love it, and at 52, I've earned it

2 - El Cheapo 'Hippo Hands' knock off's from Moose Racing. I've used them on lotsa bikes in the 16 yrs I've owned them. Paid less than $10  and they're priceless for cold days!

3 - Dainese armored touring leather pants. The support the offer makes almost any seat comfortable and they've saved my knees too many times .

[Red Dog]

Wife & Business that supports my mental motorcycle health.

Brown Leather Jacket: New $149.00

Hi Top leather boots with side zipper & laces in the front:  New $85.00

[gnorts]

Definitely #1:  a loving spouse who supports my habit, even though she doesn't go along.  My SPOT Locator gives her regular updates of my whereabouts.

#2: the Fox Creek vented racing jacket in brown leather.  Got it for half price on their clearance page.  They don't normally make the jacket in brown, but someone had special ordered it and never took delivery.  Luckily it was my size.

#3:  the new Shoei Multitec helmet in safety yellow that I just got.  Shoei helmets fit my skull.  This is my third Shoei.  I love the flip-down sun visor.

[gnorts]

Handy Lift and a good collection of tools
Rostra cruise control on Griso
Flyscreens with stowable over-screens

Moto, I'm interested in your Rostra cruise control.  Their website says their product can be used on engines with 3 cylinders and up.  Unless you're riding a rare 3-cylinder Griso, you know something their website isn't telling me.  Did you buy it through a dealer?  Did you do the install?  Please enlighten me.

[Moto]

Moto, I'm interested in your Rostra cruise control.  Their website says their product can be used on engines with 3 cylinders and up.  Unless you're riding a rare 3-cylinder Griso, you know something their website isn't telling me.  Did you buy it through a dealer?  Did you do the install?  Please enlighten me.

Gnorts, it's all here, in detail: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=63286.0

I never heard that anyone followed my lead, but the installation is still working well!   

Moto

[gnorts]

Gnorts, it's all here, in detail: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=63286.0

I never heard that anyone followed my lead, but the installation is still working well!   

Moto

Hey Moto, thanks for the link.  I look forward to some careful reading.

I had an ST1300 for a few years, and a group of the local ST guys did a group install of the generic Audiovox cruise control on our bikes.  They worked well, and my arthritic hands would appreciate one on the G - it will enable me to do more miles in a day.

[OldMojo]

Lots of good things mentioned, so I'll limit my responses to those things that I thought I could "get by without" in the beginning mainly due to expense.

1) Practical and convenient storage- whether it be saddlebags, top box, tank bag or what have you. It's the difference between the bike being a toy or being practical transportation. A place to stow real tools, a few grocery items, sack lunch, etc. The backpack & skinny throw-overs didn't cut it for me. Once I got a top box I could do so much more with the bike because I could shuttle all of that everyday stuff around with me. Heck, I can bring home a large pizza if I have them split it into 2 medium boxes 

2) Ned's comfort seat  - Unfortunately, what looks good on the showroom floor and what feels good on your bum are rarely the same. Don't put up with an uncomfortable stock seat for another minute. You'll never miss the money.

3) Lower fork mounted auxiliary lights - Opinions vary, but I feel they're the single best thing you can do to improve your visibility to others. I'll put them on every bike I own.

[Huzo]

Red '07 Norge, Tom Tom Rider, High quality tent ( and a hundred other bits for camping and touring)

[Huzo]

Red '07 Norge, Tom Tom Rider, High quality tent ( and a hundred other bits for camping and touring)

Woops ! Not including bike, sorry. Let's delete #1 and add ultra lite American rollout cot to keep me off the ground.