Mello Yello Stornello Ride Report

[Bulldog9]

Figured it was time to post up a ride report. Things have been hectic since I've been back. SWMBO had rotator cuff surgery, Grand Daughters 2nd birthday, etc etc. Prepare to be bored.

The 2025 Mello Yello Stornello Mutton Run-Ozark and South East Ride Report Wrap Up.

Total Miles: 2936

Riding Days: 9

Average riding Day - 8-9 hours, 250-300 miles.

Road Style: All on country and back roads with very limited 2 lane State highways, but ZERO moments on any Interstate or "Super Slab"

States Ridden Through: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and back to Virginia.

Motorcycle: Modified 2016 Moto Guzzi V7ii Stornello

Modifications: 420MM Hagon Rear shocks and KTEC Fork springs with synthetic fork Oil, Custom "King of Fleece" Seat with Airflow Cover, Custom Fabricated Hepco Becker Side Case racks, and stock Hepco Becker Top Case rack with HB Xplorer bags, HB Crash Bars, LED lights all around with additional front and rear LED lighting, Custom fabricated and modified windscreen, Headlight Guard, Mistral Exhaust, Oxford Grip Heaters, Custom fitted Hand Guards, Beetle Map Engine Tune, and wiring for GPS, USB power, Shinko 705 60/40 all terrain tires, and a bluetooth/phone app engine monitoring program from Moto Guzzi.

Oil Use: NONE

Fuel Mileage: Average of 48 MPG. BEST 56, worst 44

Mechanical Issues: NONE

Ride Observations and Feedback:
1. This was my longest trip in a very long time. The V7 is a wonderful motorcycle and great for short day trips, It is generally NOT a great bike for long distance or high speeds, so this backroad trip was perfect. 

2. The suspension modifications paired with the custom seat, and wind protection made this into a perfect long distance and touring motorcycle capable of ANY road type paved and unpaved.

3. The United States is a BEAUTIFUL Country.  Fantastic Roads in every state I rode through. Mississippi was less than exciting, but I didn't really seek out good roads, just looked to cross quickly. Still beautiful country. Highlights were 2 days in the Ozarks in Arkansas, and the 200 miles in NC and VA on the beautiful roads of the Appalachian.

4. Having compatible and likeable riding companions is ESSENTIAL.... This was 100% true in all but 2 of the total of 8 riders. Even my immense 'ignore' capabilities were stretched to their limits.  Having similar riding styles, rest and stop habits, food and lodging choices become very important after 2 or 3 days. At day 6 I had had enough and went solo for the return trip through Mississippi and following. Nothing and no-one was terrible, but.......if I do a trip this long again, it will be with a smaller and more compatible group. I can to 1-2 day or even day trips with anybody, and let's face it, I am sure I am not the perfect riding companion.

5. The Shinko 705 Dual Sport Tires did VERY well, even in fast twisty roads. Impressive grip wet or dry, they didn't miss a beat, though it took a wile to scrub the knobby ends on the front tire. Some of the high speed turns were a little hairy, and tracking was a bit skittish, but by day 3 things felt normal.

6. I was GOBSMACKED by the Barber Motorsports Museum and complex...... Guzzi was WELL represented, especially the older models. Found multiple on every one of the display areas, no GRiSO that I could see, but they did have a beautiful California 1400 Touring model. If you are in or passing through the Birmingham Alabama, this is worth your time. I hope to do an annual trip.

7. One thing I missed was seeing and linking up with more friends along the way. Hard to do with a large group, but I did manage to link up with and get a free nights sleep once or twice 😉

8. Riding is in my blood............ I dont know how long I can keep doing it, but it is such a deep part of me.  Why???

A. The sense of Isolation. Silence except for the wind road and machine. No phone calls, no texts, notifications, no conversations except with yourself and God. Such wonderful formative moments...
B. Endurance and Perseverance. The ability to push past your fears, the call of the bladder, the cramping arms, sore butt, heat, rain, sketchy roads, all come together.
C. Planning and strategy. Picking roads, places to fuel up, sleep, eat are all part of the adventure and it can ALL change in a moment as you want.
D. Exhilaration of the experience. Throttle, Braking, Position, and just the raucous mix of speed, sound, and connection to a machine that is direct, personal, and rewarding. ALL in the presence of nature. A car, even a full convertible just doesn't compare.
E. WRENCHING - As much as I love riding, I love wrenching. Mind you this is related to routine service and improvements. Repairs suck...........

9. WAVING............. ..... Somewhere along the way, the "Brotherhood of bikers" became repugnant..... I just stopped unless it was a Guzzi, or similar, or ADV styled bike.

OK, Coffee cup is empty, so the ramble ends. PICS to follow. Will stick to some of the highlights.

[Bulldog9]

PICS didn't attach I see.......

Rear Shinko 705 and the Stornello after the ride. Cut it close. About 5500 miles on the rear, the front finally has the edges worn in perfectly and has at least 10K left in it. I'll gladly put another Rear on, though I am going to try the Outex kit thing.

https://ibb.co/PsMCRB5G
https://ibb.co/jkzbktgJ

[Tkelly]

Sounds great,any photos?

[Vagrant]

#4. Well said. I had a good laugh.

[Bulldog9]

For whatever reason, the images aren't auto loading....

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[kingoffleece]

Very nice!

[Tkelly]

Best looking Stornello!

[Vagrant]

I think it's a sight issue. I gave up and do 1-2 at a time and it takes forever.

[Bulldog9]

It really was a great ride.

I'm planning a few changes for the MYS, chief is swapping out the Hagon rear shocks for the Bitubo Guzzi shocks in the rear, and something for the front fork to give it a better suspension and lower the ride height. I'll also try the outex kit and mount a new 705 at the rear, and make a few changes to the modified Norge windscreen and mounts.

I currently have a rear tire mounted backwards on the front, and it has been fine for the slower back roads, but chasing down well ridden V85's and a V7850 with PR6 tires really pushed the front tire in it's stability and tracking due to the knobby nature of the rear tire. I've seen an actual 705 front and it is much smoother and rounded. Add that I had the bags overloaded with camping gear and tools and water and fuel, and it made double the yellow sweepers and twisties quite the challenge..... Towards the end, the front tire was fully scrubbed in for this type of riding and was much smoother and planted, and stopped dancing around. I was initially planning on swapping out for a more streetable tire set, but the front has so much tread left and is working well that I am just going to do the outex and new 705 on the rear because it is the CHEAP way...... "proudly snapping red suspenders"

Still, I was impressed how the little Heron Head V7ii kept up. Never skipped a beat, got great fuel mileage, didn't burn a drop of oil, and all my custom work held without needing attention. It's been 5 years with all the current mods, but putting around here and there, a couple short trips don't really expose failures or issues like a long trip with decent miles back to back.

I love how this motor just absolutely LOVES to be flogged. I only hit the rev limiter once or twice, but the motor was kept between 5 & 7K most of the time, and the bike never felt over taxed, or uttered a single complaint.

The ONE FLY IN THE OINTMENT???? Passing while at 60mph is something that takes Pentagon level planning, especially when you are used to Big Blocks like the Griso, 1200 Sport or 8V Norge............ I really think this is the perfect motorcycle were it not for that lack of power.

Final point on this post is this oil change was the first time I used the Guzzi Recommended Castrol 10W60. I bought the kit from AF1. I've used Motul or Liquimoly before this, and I have to say that based on this trip, lack of oil burning and fuel mileage, I am going to stick with the Castrol from this point forward. Color me impressed, and feel free to not debate oils....

https://i.ibb.co/KxcnQqsy/IMG-20250612-191442592-HDR.jpg

[kingoffleece]

I found the exact same thing on my Heron Head for power.  5K to 7K is a blast.  Only thing: running with some big dogs in WV in the hills (hills? more like Mts!) I'd run out of revs in 4th and didn't have enough left to pull 5th.  Now, I could really go but not at the pace of the larger motors.  Handling?  Oh, yea.  Hamlin did a fantastic job on both ends.

[Bulldog9]

Introduced the Stornello to some of its older siblings........... No fights broke out in the AXIS garage of orphans...........

[vf84pc]

I also have a Stornello and I am wondering how you modified your panniers racks?