Returning to the Guzzi world on a Rosso Corsa

[radlefty]

I've spent the last 3 yrs riding a BMW K1300s. It's a very well designed motorbike and on paper was the best bike I've ever owned in most measurable categories.  But spec sheets rarely define how we relate to our bikes and I just never could bond with it. Unless ridden at lose your license speeds    the bike just bored the crap out of me.  So yesterday, it found a new home with a rider who enjoys the inline4 experience.

My favorite 2 previous bikes were a Triumph Sprint and the Norge. I was leaning towards going back to a Sprint as I preferred the more forward ergo's.  With the Norge, I spent more time with my feet on the passenger pegs when on the Hwy to create more forward lean.  I was able to ride 10+ hr days comfortably on both bikes and loved the motors on both of them. The K bike has similar ergo's to the Sprint and I was also able to tour comfortably on it. But again, boring, boring, boring....

And then as fortune would have it, I found a 2003 Rosso Corsa listed on cycletrader. I've always been drawn to the looks of the Vll Lemans, and especially the Rosso Corsa. It's just a beautiful looking bike.        I'm in Mpls and the bike is in Portland, so although I'm usually hesitant to buy a bike I've never ridden, I decided life is too short to not roll the dice once in a while. It was originally sold by Moto International and seller has service records, so I'm cautiously optimistic I won't be disappointed. The ergo's appear to be very similar to the Sprint, so don't anticipate any problems with comfort on the bike.

I decided to have it shipped, as a fly and ride from Portland to Mpls could be a bit iffy this time of yr weather wise. The next couple weeks will be filled with anxious anticipation of waiting to get back on a bike that will awaken my senses and stir my soul again

[Zoom Zoom]

The Rosso Corsa is, IMHO, one of the most gorgeous bikes around. It should stir your senses before you throw a leg over it.

Congratulations!

John Henry

[O]

  once you have it please!

[not-fishing]

Rats!  I was looking at it to......

Well, that's fine I'm still in the process of sorting out a V50 III that I picked up from Port Townsend,  Then there's "a ran when last parked" 7 years ago Peugeot 504 Wagon turbo diesel I "inherited" recently.

Also I still have a major chore of selling the house and downsizing this year.  the house not the garage

Finally I still hear an Aprilia Futura siren's call....at half the price, 30,000 miles with hard luggage.

So many LUSTS and so little time.

Mark

[fotoguzzi]

Your pretty lucky.. hope you can ride to one of our brunches.. you still on the list locally?

[zedXmick]

Congrats,I was looking at that same motorcycle. At least it's much closer to WI now.

[LowRyter]

I think you'll find a more satisfying ride the Sprint ot Norge.  Perhaps not performance wise but the handling feel, brakes and torque curve really make the LeMans a great ride.

The K bike is rocketship. But I've not driven one.  It will be interesting to see how you the bike "feels" since you've been riding the telelever to conventional fork.

[Lcarlson]

Among several bikes I owned until last year was a K1200GT.  It was once the bike I wanted over any other, and it was a superb performer, particlarly for distance sport touring. However, I always found it somewhat automotive, never as compelling a ride as the boxers that it so easily outperformed. It was also more mechanically troublesome, and last summer I got rid of it (and a Diavel) for the Cali 14. Very different rides....

[radlefty]

Picture sent to me from the seller.


John Henry, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments.  The Rosso Corsa is an Italian work of art.  Just stunning to look at.

fotoguzzi,  I am still on the Mn newsletter list.  The bad news for me the last couple yrs is that the sport of bowling has been in serious decline and I closed my pro shop and I'm not teaching much anymore either.  The good news is that even though I don't make nearly as much money as I used to, I work a lot fewer hrs, travel less and have more free time.  Should be able to make a brunch some time.  And yes, I feel very fortunate to have stumbled on this deal. The stars appear to have lined up for me this time.

Although I don't post much I have found this forum to be extremely helpful on many occasions.   When I decided to ship the bike, I did a quick internet search of motorcycle shippers.  I found prices between $450-$650, which I expected and didn't think were bad. What I didn't like was the expected shipping times of 3-4 weeks with most of them. I then did a quick search here and found several recommendations for UShip.  I went to their website, filled in my information and within hrs had seveal bids. What I really liked was that you were able to look at their company profiles, read reviews and ask questions before choosing a shipper. I went with a smaller company who bid $360 and had excellent reviews.  Within an hr he had already contacted the seller. He will be there on Tuesday and scheduled to deliver to me this coming Friday.  So cheaper price, quicker delivery with excellent reviews. Pretty simple choice to make. 

Looking forward to getting out on the road and posting up some impressions soon.