Opposite ends of the spectrum

[nick949]

A short ramble - going nowhere in particular:

Last Thursday, I rode my 2007 Breva 1100 through the nightmare which is Toronto along the 401 corridor - reputedly the busiest 'freeway' (if that isn't an oxymoron) in North America (http://www.isitpacked.com/2011/03/31/the-busiest-freeway-in-north-america-highway-401/). The Breva was a perfect partner; easy power at 70-80+mph, decent brakes, nice handling and a good road presence - essential for keeping your space when the traffic gets thick. I usually avoid urban areas like the plague they are, but the bike was running so well with its 1200 Sport map (thanks Molly), that the whole trip was rather fun.  Oh yes, and I got 52 mpg(imp) - 43.3US, over the 500 mile round trip, which I didn't think too bad considering the speed and conditions.  A modern bike is a thing of wonder: smooth, powerful, easy, reliable - I really enjoyed and appreciated the Breva.

Today I finally got my Nuovo Falcone back on the road with a new front tyre, new headlamp lens and sparkly new Quartz Halogen bulb. So I went for a short ride.  The NF will never see 80 and is unlikely ever to see 70, even downhill with a following wind.  It's not very smooth, slow as molasses, has clunky gears which sometimes go for a bit of a vacation, has marginal brakes and indicators that are only visible when my elbows aren't in the way. Yet I enjoyed every minute of the ride.

They are at opposite ends of the motorcycling spectrum (OK - so the Breva isn't powerful compared to some bikes - but plenty for me), yet they are both wonderfully satisfying to ride.  I'm not exactly sure where I was going with this, except that if I tried to ride the NF as if it were the Breva, I'd be doomed to misery and failure, and if I expect the Breva to feel as emotionally fulfilling as the NF, that would be misery too. 

Each bike has it's place and as long as we with live within their limitations and don't expect them to be what they are not, all is well. 

Nick

[smdl]

Couldn't have said it better, Nick.  The right tool for the job! 

Shaun

[fotoguzzi]

my 125cc is equally fun as my 103hp (claimed) bike.. it's all about face in the wind.

[Farmer Dan]

I had the pleasure of taking my Father's 1800 GoldWing for a ride once.  Only two things I didn't like about it.  It's too heavy and it's too perfect.  I was really glad to get back on my Eldorado.

[JoeW]

IMHO  the thrill of riding a motor cycle is pushing it's limits. So, a bike that reaches it's limits sooner, is more fun!

[nick949]

Things can change in a flash!

Despite waxing lyrical about how nicely the Breva has been running at the beginning of this thread - I just sold it and have replaced it with this:




I'm going backwards!

Nick

[lucky]

Dagnam it, Nick.

I was going to see that Quota tomorrow with a friend.  How are we going to get new Guzzisti inmates when folks like you and me jam our garages to the rafters with them?

Now what's he going to buy to replace his Transalp?

[nick949]

Dagnam it, Nick.

I was going to see that Quota tomorrow with a friend.  How are we going to get new Guzzisti inmates when folks like you and me jam our garages to the rafters with them?

Now what's he going to buy to replace his Transalp?

Sorry lucky - I didn't plan it at all.  Here's how it played out.

I saw the Quota while I was escorting my brother and wife on a wine tour of Prince Edward County (I was accused of passing the bike twice - just to look..).
I mentioned it to Norm (he of the Trans-Taiga etc.) who immediately decided that he HAD to go and look at it.
He took his trailer. I may have mentioned something silly like 'if you buy it, I'll buy it off you.......'
Norm bought it (he's an expert haggler). 
I bought it from Norm.
I asked my friend Paul if he was interested in my Breva.
He was. 
I sold it to him.
Now, I'm just awaiting a safety and ownership, which should be cleared up by tomorrow lunchtime.
Then I ride.  It's far too clean!
But I think the Eldo and N Falcone will still see some gravel............

Best

Nick

[lucky]

Well . . . good catch . . . my buddy was a bit too slow . . . it's been up for sale for quite a few weeks . . . Still, even Guzzis sell eventually!

I'll keep an eye out for you . . . it's usually Bancroft where I see you, in spitting distance of Tim's . . .

Best to you

[Lotsahorses]

Nick,  I hope you'll let us know what you think of the bike.   In particular the height of the bike,  its weight and its off road capability.   Cheers and good riding.   

[nick949]

Nick,  I hope you'll let us know what you think of the bike.   In particular the height of the bike,  its weight and its off road capability.   Cheers and good riding.   

Hello Lotsa....

So far: height isn't an issue for me - I have a 34 inch inseam.
            weight seems negligible too, it's easy to wheel around in the garage. It's a bit like a big, comfortable, more powerful KLR.
            I've only ridden a few miles on some gravel tracks and back roads but it feels absurdly stable and secure. It's hardly like being off the pavement at all.  I doubt whether I will really off-road with it, but for the kind of roads I like to ride it's likely to become a favourite.
     It has less punch than the Breva and is less smooth running, but it feels like a Guzzi and I'm finding it very enjoyable to ride. 
     No doubt I'll be providing more impressions once I've got a few more miles in the saddle.

Nick

[canuck750]

Beautiful bike!

well done

Cheers

Jim