What it’s like when you meet or see a new Guzzi rider…

[MerleLowe]

A few years ago I was riding my 1200 Sport Moto Guzzi on a long straightaway near Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. I must have been doing about 60 mph when another motorcyclist passed in the opposite direction and I think to myself, that was a Stelvio!

About a minute later, I look in my rear view mirror, and I see these dual headlights quickly closing the gap behind me. In no time it pulled alongside me and sure enough, it was a Stelvio. We pulled off the side of the road at a convenient location and conversed for about 15 minutes. I mentioned wildguzzi forum and he was a member. Imagine that happening with any other brand or motorcycle.

I think that all of my direct interactions with Guzzi owners have originated from this forum.  As to other makes, I've found Royal Enfield owners to be quite enthusiastic and chatty. 

[cliffrod]

Y’all are funny….

I’ve done it a couple of times. 

1994 Honda Hoot in Asheville, NC- goldwings everywhere, me on my V7 Sport.  A similar profile Guzzi flashed by, headed in the opposite direction.   He was flying so I really twisted it to catch up.  Leaned over hard while going around an interstate exit cloverleaf, he glanced back to see what was wearing the headlight that was catching up with him and recognized my Guzzi.  He stopped his Lemans a few moments later at a gas station and we had a good visit, talking about liking Guzzis better than Goldwings before going our separate directions.

About 6 months later in Feb?, a Ducati passed me going the opposite direction on the west side of Knoxville.  Same story, I had to hurry to catch up except this time I was in my Galaxie.  As I pulled in the driveway, she (I had no idea..) took off her helmet. It was a polite exchange and great to become friends with her & her husband.  A couple yrs and another divorce later, when the bottom end went out after my top end-only rebuild, he rebuilt the engine on my V7 Sport for $100 labor just because he wanted to do a Sport engine.  Decades later, it’s still bulletproof and running great.  They’re still some of my best motorcycle friends- absolutely awesome people.  He was/is a WG member, but I haven’t seen him post for a while.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

To turn around and follow someone or wait for someone because they own the same brand bike is creepy. Well, creepy for any reason actually. But you do you.

We’re still friendly in these here parts of Pennsylvania so I did not think it odd or weird for him to chase me down. I welcomed it!

[PJPR01]

Last year while riding the Grand Tour of Texas in Burnet (hill country), I saw a White Norge going in the opposite direction.  I waved, and turned around, and the fellow had pulled over about a 1/2 mile down the road.

Coincidence of all, it was Larry who used to work at MPH and had worked on my bikes many times...was great to catch up for a 1/2 hour.

Wouldn't have happened if I didn't make a U-turn and took a chance...

I've had a couple of times when other bikes have pulled in next to me at a gas station and mentioned they were curious about my bike and wanted to see it up close...those are great interactions too.

[s1120]

I am not a outgoing person at all. That being said, im not going to be chasing anyone around, but I will pull into a parking spot, and wait around a bit to say hi. Ive done this with cars also. Ive got a odd ball car [72 ford LTD convertible.. only about 4k made..] and ive seen others in parking lots, and waited to talk to the owners about them. Its vary uncommon to see another Guzzi local. Most will look at it when I stop, but the local HD people will wonder...  but its not a HD so they wont say anything. Most others have no idea, and it being a California, they think its just another cruzer. The people that will say anything are the BMW, RE, Ducati, and the oddball brand riders that are used to being out of the mainstream.

[twowheeladdict]

A few years ago I was riding my 1200 Sport Moto Guzzi on a long straightaway near Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. I must have been doing about 60 mph when another motorcyclist passed in the opposite direction and I think to myself, that was a Stelvio!

About a minute later, I look in my rear view mirror, and I see these dual headlights quickly closing the gap behind me. In no time it pulled alongside me and sure enough, it was a Stelvio. We pulled off the side of the road at a convenient location and conversed for about 15 minutes. I mentioned wildguzzi forum and he was a member. Imagine that happening with any other brand or motorcycle.

I have imagined it, and done it on many different brands, but specific models. 

[blackcat]

About 20 years ago I was on my CX headed to work and I noticed a guy on a silver V11 sport who was heading the opposite way and we both ended up stopping at the same traffic light. I thought he was going to rip his arm off waving at me. I waved, gave a little chuckle and headed to work.

I have met quite a few people over the years riding that CX around Manhattan and have at least four good friends from those encounters due to the bike. A few of those meetings were Italians who rode a Guzzi back home or had one in their youth and those were fun encounters. One day I was unlocking the bike and I could see someone out of the corner of my eye as I was getting ready to leave and it was the actor Daniel Day Lewis, he gave a nod of approval and that was cool.

[LowRyter]

I always mentioned that we had a group of riders that did rallies and to sign up on Wild Guzzi to get plugged in. 

[Mr Pootle]

Another rider on a Guzzi wouldn't be reason enough for me to turn back, unless it was someone I knew. I do stop and chat with stopped riders though, especially when it's unique to see one (winter riding).

Or Ann Margret.

[xackley]

I wouldn't know. I have yet to see a Guzzi on the road. Maybe because the nearest Guzzi dealer is 4 hours away. Maybe because most my riding is back roads.

Don

[Bulldog9]

A couple years ago, while sitting at a street side Cafe in Rome (just down the street from the Vatican), I hear a familiar sound. Look up and see a Convert buzz by. I few minutes later he rides by again, and pulls to the curb about a block away from us.... So I walk over, hoping he speaks English because I only know how to curse and order food in Italian......... His English was better than my Italian. The bike was his dads, owned from new, and he rides it in his memory. Really not a guzzista, but he enjoys the bike. Was a fun experience, and the only Guzzi I saw in the wild while there. I did see a few parked.







Had very few encounters in the wild, though I do see them frequently in the DC area. Mostly "Skinny Jean latte sippers" who have their bikes serviced, and have never turned a wrench or plan to.  Nice guys and the occasional girl, almost all first time riders, but GLAD they chose Guzzi.

[bobrebos1]

If I spot, see, meet another guzzi rider on the road it’s GREAT!  Like finding Bigfoot!!!  Lol

[johnwesley]

If I spot, see, meet another guzzi rider on the road it’s GREAT!  Like finding Bigfoot!!!  Lol

You’re more likely to see a big foot around this part of Oklahoma/ Arkansas. They shot the documentary not far from here. That said if I see a person on a guzzi then I’m going to stop and say hi while offering advice on the roads to ride in the area. May even offer to buy his lunch. I am weird that way though. I love bikes and most of those who ride them there is a certain camaraderie among us. You never know when you maybe meeting that new friend that adds to your life. I’m not out going and generally don’t talk with people, but that is because I really don’t have anything in common with normal people.

[Kaladin]

Not exactly the topic, but I arrived at Dead Horse Point state park on my BMW just behind another BMW GS riding 2-up.  When I went to pay the fees the ranger said that the guy in front of me already paid for me. 

[LowRyter]

You’re more likely to see a big foot around this part of Oklahoma/ Arkansas. They shot the documentary not far from here. That said if I see a person on a guzzi then I’m going to stop and say hi while offering advice on the roads to ride in the area. May even offer to buy his lunch. I am weird that way though. I love bikes and most of those who ride them there is a certain camaraderie among us. You never know when you maybe meeting that new friend that adds to your life. I’m not out going and generally don’t talk with people, but that is because I really don’t have anything in common with normal people.

I've met Guzzi riders at all sorts of unexpected times.   A couple years ago, the Mrs and I were heading back from Colorado and stopped at Rio Grande bridge west of Taos.  In comes some Guzzi riders from Minnesota or somewhere.  I think one of the riders is a member of the board.  You never know.