Gathering the Goose

[Mwether]

Thanks to this community, on Saturday, July 26 I will fly to Kansas City, meet inditx in the flesh, give him a stack of American doll hairs, and ride a sorted (all recalls addressed) and well farkled 2004 MG California EV Touring back to Asheville.

Pretty darn exciting business.



In addition to Jack (inditx), who's been super to work with, I've got to thank:

• Steve (guzzisteve), with whose help I finally determined that an EV made sense in real life
• Mike (rocker59), who as the bike's previous owner could fill in its excellent maintenance history
• Kevin (Kev m) who here and on ADVr answered my endless Guzzi noob questions
• Matt (elrealstico), Tom (Tom H), Dave (Dave Swanson), and John (LowRyter) who all shared their EV ownership experiences and expertise
• and so many more of you who contributed to WG threads that expanded my knowledge of this amazing marque

This will be my first Guzzi, but I’ve been admiring and researching them for years. I chuckle at the contradiction between the two things you always read: "It’s a bulletproof 100,000+ mile CHP patrol bike." and "Making mechanics out of riders since 1921." Is that a koan? Can both things be true? Is it about Loops vs. bikes during Aprilia ownership? All of the above? Regardless, I'm hoping for the former but expecting at least some of the latter. 🤣 

There’s nothing quite like hopping on a strange-to-you bike for an approximately 900 mile shakedown cruise; I hope it’s a good first date. But because I’m always pondering what could go wrong (dark SOB, huh?), I’ve also been thinking about Larry Grodsky’s last ride, the outcome of which many have attributed to 1) riding an unfamiliar bike 2) in the dark 3) through an area with lots of animal activity. Since #1 is a given, I’m going to dodge #2 and #3 to the best of my ability.

I don’t know how late I’ll get on the road Saturday afternoon, so I’m just looking to get a bit S/SE of St. Louis on Day One, probably a ~300 mile/4+ hour cruise across the Show-Me State. Depending on how our "date" is going, EVa and I might knock out the remaining 600 miles on Sunday. Or we might break it up with a stop somewhere around Knoxville. TBD...

Regardless, I'll document it all here. 

[mrverveus]

GuzziSteve has been helping Guzzi riders stay on the road since 1921! 😁

Hope to see you at the NC Guzzis in the Blue Ridge Rally.

Aug 1 to 3. High Country Motorcycle Camp, Ferguson NC.

[guzzisteve]

I'm not that old yet, gave a fair amount of Guzzi people their 1st taste. Most all MGNOC guys do that nothing new!! I am so glad NOT everyone rides a Guzzi.
I find my EV to be pretty effortless & relaxing, might see ya in NC

[normzone]

Consider this an official envious report filing.

There is no requirement for a response at this time, but the situation could change at any moment.

[smdl]

My first Guzzi purchase (a 2003 V11 Le Mans) involved a 1700+ mile fly n ride from Florida back to the Toronto area, where I lived at the time.  Other than the seller, who was a great guy, the first person in the Guzzi community that I met was none other than Guzzi Steve, who was then wrenching at Rider's Hill, in GA.  What a great first impression he made, and that hasn't changed over the years.  So, here I still am, 15 years later, having just purchased my 10th Moto Guzzi, and still enjoying the best community of riders that I have ever encountered.

Enjoy the ride!

Cheers,
Shaun

[Tom H]

Congrats

Since you have some miles to cover. Figure on about 120 miles per tank. Should be about 3-3.5 gallons. This should keep you safe from seeing the low fuel light or running out.

Enjoy!
Tom

[Dave Swanson]

This worked out perfect.  That is the EV(T) I was hoping you would end up with.  WG at it's finest right here.   

Make sure Inditx includes a set of red suspenders. 

[Mwether]

...Make sure Inditx includes a set of red suspenders.

LOLed at that, Dave.

Just in case he doesn't have a spare set, do you recommend clips or buttons?

[kingoffleece]

Whichever you choose, don't, for all that's righteous, do both!
That's an extra 2 bucks spent that'll blow some minds clear out of the water!
 

[Mwether]

Whoa! Who knew they made ones with Delrin carabiners?! That's so weird, it's cool. SOLD!

https://www.amazon.com/JEMYGINS-Hidden-Suspenders-Under-Clothes/dp/B0D99H3PKX/?th=1

And "Hidden Under Clothes"?? Not a chance...

[inditx]

Thanks Mwether!
Now I ordered the suspenders you recommended, hope not the same color or we’ll be twinkies!

Loved the write up and agree with the WG sentiments here.

Will pray for no accidents, break downs, illness, strange animals or whatever on your way back. IF you take Hwy. 36 east at Cameron off of I-35 it’s longer than I-70 but a great road since there are far less trucks and traffic in general. Speed limit 65 fwiw. Pass through Chillicothe, and Laclede, the latter the home of General Pershing and on into Hannibal, home of Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. Stay at the Holiday Inn Express and eat at Fiddlesticks then take a dip in the hot tub and then check out the Lighthouse at the river along with the shops there. (gas is cheap there too) Next morning you’ll immediately be in Illinois heading further east on 36 then 72 and so on. Springfield IL. home of Abraham Lincoln has his museum there btw. Darn now I want a road trip!

Anyway, take your time and enjoy, it’s a great bike! I’ll have her all gassed up and ready.

Jack aka inditx

[Dave Swanson]

Bring a cushion of some sort for the seat.  You may find it a bit uncomfy after long stretches.  Bead Rider, or my favorite Airhawk.  I predict you will thank yourself. 

[Mwether]

Bring a cushion of some sort for the seat.  You may find it a bit uncomfy after long stretches.  Bead Rider, or my favorite Airhawk.  I predict you will thank yourself.

Given the poor reputation of the OEM seat, I was thinking the same, Dave.

I was a bit on the fence, but your recommendation has made up my mind. Thanks.

[faffi]

I had to ride two-up with my brother, riding pillion. He rode with his nuts on the tank, I had the grab rail firmly and deeply recessed into my behind. We are of avedage build, about 5'11", 200 lbs and 34 in waists, meaning we should not have had any problems fitting the bike. In comparison, the Deauville 650 would be similarly cramped - if we were 3 adults.

[Mwether]

I had to ride two-up with my brother, riding pillion. He rode with his nuts on the tank, I had the grab rail firmly and deeply recessed into my behind. We are of avedage build, about 5'11", 200 lbs and 34 in waists, meaning we should not have had any problems fitting the bike. In comparison, the Deauville 650 would be similarly cramped - if we were 3 adults.

That's a hard post to "like," faf! 
Was that on a California?!

[guzzisteve]

It's got the 1 piece stock seat, dished and made by Corbin (I'm told)for Guzzi. Should be more comfy than the 2 part seats.

[Mwether]

It's got the 1 piece stock seat, dished and made by Corbin (I'm told)for Guzzi. Should be more comfy than the 2 part seats.

That's GREAT news, Steve, because I logged on to https://beadrider.com/ tonight, after deciding just a few days ago that I need a 12x12, and they're closed down!

No mention of when (or whether) they'll reopen. Hope they haven't had some terrible emergency. 

[elrealistico]

I love the chrome on the tank, and I didn't realize it had an outsider (assuming its from Harpers) I am considering one for my EV, lemme know how the trip back goes!

[Dave Swanson]

 Better to have an Airhawk in the saddlebag and not need it than to wish you had one with 75% of the ride to go. 

[ridingron]

If that's a corbin, you better take an Airhawk, sheep skin and anything else that help your back side. I found a wooden seat (literally) more comfortable than a Corbin! It seems people either swear by or swear at Corbin seats.

I saw that Outsider and thought someone along the way had some common sense.   

[Mwether]

...I logged on to https://beadrider.com/ tonight, after deciding just a few days ago that I need a 12x12, and they're closed down!

No mention of when (or whether) they'll reopen. Hope they haven't had some terrible emergency. 

The news from BeadRider is not good. I reached out to them, and Chris Sakala (one of the owners) wrote back, "Yes we are dealing with a devastating disaster. Don’t know when or if we will reopen." Suddenly, whether or not my arse is sore doesn't seem so important... Chris and Nancy have supported the LD community for years. I hope they get the support they need in what sounds like a horrible time.

In making alternative plans, I hear the AirHawk recommendations, but it's another $100 in what is spiraling into a Farklefest over here. Since I'm now a Guzzi rider with a certain reputation to uphold, I'm tempted to try the 2x3 version of the below for $33 (with discounts). I could hack about three seat covers out of it! That's $11/ea.
https://www.worldmarket.com/p/ivory-faux-sheepskin-area-rug-582397.html

[DoubleGuzzi]

I found a wooden seat (literally) more comfortable than a Corbin!

Corbin Comfy Concrete.
Bony butts need not apply and having the gait of John Wayne is a prerequisite. 

[kingoffleece]

There are plenty of places on a motorcycle to "cheap out" if that's how you roll.
I'd be hard pressed to agree that seat comfort is one of those places.

[drdwb]

 On my EV and Norge for long distance Seat comfort = Sheep skin, I’ve found nothing better. Good luck on your ride and purchase. Keep in mind a Fly and ride for most of us is a once maybe twice in a life time ride. Get the most out of it, stop frequently to admire your new riding partner, rest your ass ,and enjoy the moment and scenery. Make sure to get unknown folks to take pictures of you and your partner in various places.
Do Not  ignore or trust the low fuel light, at times I can get 15 to 25 miles before it’s over, other times it’s been less than 10. So to decrease my stress I try to refill at 100 mile, after that I’m paying more attention to the dash than the ride. Hopefully the speedo and odometer is still functioning properly, they are known to fail, it’s nice to have a GPS or bicycle speedo as a back up, I use both as mine went out around 32,000 miles.
Above all else enjoy your Ride, good luck. That’s a beautiful bike your getting.

[Mwether]

On my EV and Norge for long distance Seat comfort = Sheep skin, I’ve found nothing better. Good luck on your ride and purchase. Keep in mind a Fly and ride for most of us is a once maybe twice in a life time ride. Get the most out of it, stop frequently to admire your new riding partner, rest your ass ,and enjoy the moment and scenery. Make sure to get unknown folks to take pictures of you and your partner in various places.

drdwb, I'm leaning sheepskin now (especially given the crisis at BeadRider) but, more than that, I sure appreciate your wise counsel to focus on what a special opportunity this is. Thank you for the important reminder.

Do Not  ignore or trust the low fuel light, at times I can get 15 to 25 miles before it’s over, other times it’s been less than 10. So to decrease my stress I try to refill at 100 mile, after that I’m paying more attention to the dash than the ride. Hopefully the speedo and odometer is still functioning properly, they are known to fail, it’s nice to have a GPS or bicycle speedo as a back up, I use both as mine went out around 32,000 miles.

I will certainly err on the side of caution here. It's funny (sad?) that the range of the California EV "Touring" is not much further than my 155cc scooter with a 1.6 gallon tank!

Above all else enjoy your Ride, good luck. That’s a beautiful bike your getting.

Thanks! I think so too!

[ridingron]

I'm another don't cheap out on the seat, go with a real sheep skin.

As for going cheap, Walmart used to have a blowup seat in their hunting/fishing department. As for the AirHawk, I put about half a breath of air in it and let most of that out.

[kingoffleece]

+1.  Airhawk needs so little air most think they're doing it wrong.  They overfill and then complain.  They need almost nothing.

[elrealistico]

I get about 40 MPG on the EV, cruising at 75 ish or so, loaded. So up to about 200 miles or so. My lite starts glowing feebly at 125-130 mi on the trip odo, and is pretty much fully lit by 155. But I still have as much as a gallon if I stop at around 155-160 mi. Furthest I pushed it last long trip was 185 or so. Plus I wanted to stop anyway. Sometime I will see how far I can go before i run out, taking a small gas can with me.
Sorry to hear about bead rider, I have one for my V7III, I changed over to an air rider mesh cover because Florida heat. 

[Mwether]

I get about 40 MPG on the EV, cruising at 75 ish or so, loaded. So up to about 200 miles or so. My lite starts glowing feebly at 125-130 mi on the trip odo, and is pretty much fully lit by 155. But I still have as much as a gallon if I stop at around 155-160 mi. Furthest I pushed it last long trip was 185 or so. Plus I wanted to stop anyway. Sometime I will see how far I can go before i run out, taking a small gas can with me.

This is all really helpful, Matt. Thanks!

I'd like to conduct the "ride it to empty" experiment too. Just not on the way back from KC!

Sorry to hear about bead rider, I have one for my V7III, I changed over to an air rider mesh cover because Florida heat.

Yeah. Their situation must be horrible, whatever the specifics. I'm sad for them.

In terms of the product, I had one on my Multi. It was great, and I foolishly let it go with the bike. In retrospect, I don't think you should ever sell farkles that are universal fit. You don't make your money back, and there will almost always be another bike!

[racer1735]

What an exciting adventure!  I just purchased my first Guzzi, as well.  But I'm waiting on shipping before I can receive mine.  My advice, for what its worth, echo others:  Do not ride an unfamiliar bike after dark.  Critters and semi trucks are your worst enemies (my son was just blasted by a truck semi truck that blew a tire just as he was passing it.  Result, broken femur (but fortunately he kept the bike on two wheels).  Stay off I-70 as much as possible.  Road surface ranges from so-so to absolutely gutted with pot holes from winter and heavy trucks.  The US highways are slower, but more scenic and probably more suited to you Guzzi.  Have fun and ride safe!