Gathering the Goose

[Mwether]

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!

Racer, congrats on your new Guzzi! Please be sure to post pictures when it arrives.

I'm glad to hear your son survived what has to have been a truly harrowing incident. Truck blowouts/tread separation are incredibly dangerous to motorcyclists. I'll be sure to give semis as wide a berth as I can and not linger in the passing lane.

From what you and others have told me, it sure sounds like I-70 is best avoided. My first day will be Kansas City to Hillsboro MO (SSW of St. Louis). I'm thinking either the straight shot on 50 through Sedalia and Jefferson City. Or, if I have a bit more time, I was looking at 49/7 toward Lake of the Ozarks, then 5 to 44—figuring I might get off and travel some of The Mother Road.

[LowRyter]

I'm a little confused.  I thought the buyer wanted a Guzzi with the Plexifairing ?

Perhaps that was another thread?

[guzzisteve]

I think he (OP) had a thread like that or maybe someone else with an EV.


Maybe this one

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=123497.0

[Mwether]

I'm a little confused.  I thought the buyer wanted a Guzzi with the Plexifairing ?

Good memory, John! I was indeed wondering about folks' experience with different fairings.
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=123448.msg1904729#msg1904729

In the end, I realized that you can pretty much wait forever looking for the "perfectly" outfitted California. Ultimately, I decided that the base bike is what matters. There are a lot of folks who feel that a sorted Hydro is the pinnacle of this era. Pete Roper, whose opinion I value a lot, wrote the following on another forum:

"The Hydros are LOVELY. If I was a Cali sort of person I'd have a Hydro over any of the others. Preferably an EV with tubeless wheels and all the bling. The motor is the one they SHOULD of put in the Norge!!!!"

When I found "an EV with tubeless wheels and all the bling" with a serious Wildguzzi pedigree AND excellent upgrades, it seemed like a no-brainer. If the OEM fairing is a disaster, I can try a Plexifairing in due time.

Given that I'm 5'8", I tend to fit most bikes reasonably well, and the factory wind protection usually works. Fingers crossed it's the same for the EV-T.

[Dave Swanson]

Given that I'm 5'8", I tend to fit most bikes reasonably well, and the factory wind protection usually works. Fingers crossed it's the same for the EV-T.

The EVT fairing has its share of haters, but I always thought it was quite good just as the factory designed it.  Never did I contemplate changing anything about it.   I hope your experience is the same.

[guzzisteve]

If you like to go fast(over 100mph) often the mount tabs will break. I  had to weld on pieces of small angle iron for mounts on the solid bar. Mounts are not made for wind velocity that high. On the factory EVT faring.

[elrealistico]

I did add an extender to the top, after the seat was redone with 3" of memory foam. Works great, a little too great in the heat, I often sit up straighter to get airflow thru the helmet

[Tom H]

When I got my bike, it had one of those deflectors attached to the shield. Always felt like it would blow loose and get me in the nose.

Clearview Shields makes the shield in stock or taller/wider versions in clear and smoke (perfect smoke, not too dark to see the road close at night. I DO look over the shield though, not through). I bought the tall and to fit me perfect I had to cut about 3/4" off the top. If you know the height you want, they will cut it down for you. Also ask about a blem as it will save a few bucks.

Tom

[Mwether]

The EVT fairing has its share of haters, but I always thought it was quite good just as the factory designed it.  Never did I contemplate changing anything about it.   I hope your experience is the same.

Thanks, Dave. I hope so too!

And great picture, BTW.

[Mwether]

If you like to go fast(over 100mph) often the mount tabs will break. I  had to weld on pieces of small angle iron for mounts on the solid bar. Mounts are not made for wind velocity that high. On the factory EVT faring.

Steve, too funny you mention that! I haven't held the EVT manual in my hands, but I'm almost positive that one I found online said you shouldn't exceed 80mph because the fairing wasn't designed for it.

I think in that case they were talking about a headshake or wobble problem, but it might have been the mounts as well?? I'll see if I can find it...

I don't know what I think about a touring bike that shouldn't go faster than 80mph?

[Mwether]

Matt, that is a GREAT picture! Killboy?

[elrealistico]

I think so, it was one of those guys out there on TOTD a few weeks ago.
I recall somewhere dimly--maybe in the manual, that the 80mph suggestion applied to the cases, when on. Much like changing fuel maps and exhausts and tyre sizes, everybody does what they want. I have never had problems going up to 100+ loaded, but generally cruise at 75-80 on 2-4 lane US highways, traffic  and posted  limits permitting.

[bobrebos1]

Congratulations.  Awesome bike!

[Mwether]

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.

My first day will be Kansas City to Hillsboro MO (SSW of St. Louis).

After some additional planning and critical thinking, the above statements about Saturday are completely false.

First, given that I'm connecting through O'Hare, I have no idea when I'll actually get to KC. The flight is scheduled to land at 10:30, but that's really just a story United tells us. I have no way of knowing whether or not I'll get on the road before noon.

Second, I was allowing the location of Bunk-a-Biker hosts to have an outsize influence on my decisions about stops. Free lodging is great, but taking unnecessary risks to get there is dumb.

After an obligatory stop at Harper's (it will only be a shot of the sign, they're closed on Saturdays), the trip to Hillsboro is about five hours ride time, but that's on I-70, which MANY people smarter than I have told me to avoid. Click "avoid highways" and you're up to six hours, plus stops.

The only thing worse than being in a hurry on a motorcycle is being in a hurry on an unfamiliar motorcycle, so Hillsboro is out. Instead, I'm just riding about three hours to a nice inn in Versailles MO, north of Lake of the Ozarks. Versailles is the county seat of Morgan County and looks like a lovely little town. There's a brewpub a few blocks from the inn that I have my eye on for dinner.

I'd much rather put in a big day on Sunday, when I can get a proper early start. 

In other news, North Carolina won't issue me a temp tag without the title in my name, and the DMV in Kansas won't be open on Saturday. Therefore, we'll be proceeding with no tag and hoping that the title, proof of insurance, and story of what I'm up to is enough for the gendarmerie. Not ideal, but there don't seem to be any other options...

[Tom H]

As long as it's currently registered, you should have no problem with the sale paperwork with you. You might check your Ins. Co. to see if a new to you is covered, or if you need to get a policy BEFORE bringing it home, this is provided you NEED to have Ins. like in Ca or feeling better knowing your personal assets are protected by Ins.. Cars policies normally will cover a new purchase, bikes may not?

Have a nice trip,
Tom

[Mwether]

...if you need to get a policy BEFORE bringing it home...

Thanks, Tom!
 
I've added it to my current policy, effective Saturday. So it will be covered by my insurance, as soon as I take ownership.

[Mwether]

Farkles are starting to roll in.

First, the potential Rump Saver 3000.

I would have preferred a BeadRider (only b/c I've used one and have no experience with sheepskin), but this handsome hunk of wool may prove me wrong...




Seems like sound advice. The world is not ready, and it certainly wouldn't be ATGATT.




I've had great luck with the OG molded polymer version of this. Stone simple and effective.

Since I wasn't positive about EV grip diameter, I upgraded to the Fancy Dan adjustable 6061 alu. model, complete with Black Broccoli Band™ (not really).

Andiamo!

[kingoffleece]

Never had good results with either of those.
Bead rider is it.  Too bad about them.  Hope it works out for you.

[Mwether]

Never had good results with either of those.
Bead rider is it.  Too bad about them.  Hope it works out for you.

Thanks for the good wishes, Jim.

I will learn the hard way whether I have a sheepskin arse or not. It could become a literal "trial by fire."

[Mwether]

The idea of riding 900 miles without a license tag of any kind is making me slightly crazy.

I've done it within NC for roughly 150 miles (and had police behind me once or twice during the trip) but never on a multi-day jaunt across six states.

As you might imagine, the Internet is awash with folks who will print just about whatever you want on a 4x7 plate. The trouble is I'm up against a time crunch, since I ASSumed I would stroll into the DMV yesterday and get a 10-day NC tag. Wrong again.

First, I thought about this. Simple. Captures the origin story. Nice souvenir of the adventure. Matches the bike!



But then I figured I could convey a little more information. So I considered this.



The more I thought about this, the more it seemed an argument could easily be made that I was trying to create a facsimile of something official and therefore running this plate was fraudulent. That could be bad.

Version three was my favorite of the things I came up with. Clearly not state-issued. More information than the previous version. Just an honest attempt to convey what's going on. Also color-matched! Unfortunately, the vendor could not ship in time, and I couldn't reproduce it anywhere that could.



So here's what I wound up with given the constraints. A "50-State Plate" may actually make me more conspicuous, but (at least until I'm pulled over) I'll feel better that there's SOMETHING back there, and there's no effort to deceive LE.

If I'm a cop and I see NO plate, I'm probably pulling you over, especially if it's a slow day. If I see this oddball attempt at an explanation, I may still pull you over, but I'd give the rider credit for trying.



If later I post one of those classic over-the-shoulder shots with flashing lights and an officer returning to his car, while I hold up a performance award, we'll know it didn't work too well!

[AJ Huff]

Piece of cardboard with LAF written in large letters with sharpie. (Though not technically true).

Or, just In Transit written in sharpie.

I think you'll be fine with nothing as long as you have a title and bill of sale in your possession.

-AJ

[drdwb]

My wife demands a wrist saver on both her 04 Stone and her baby Breva, I tend to take them off whenever I ride either of her bikes,they just seem to get in the way and to me dangerous. At least it’s not a permanent attachment.

The bike probably already has an adjustable throttle lock, combination bar weight, which fit in the end of the handle bars, on multi day long drives,it’s great to be able to relax your right wrist. I think ours are called throttle meisters , perhaps someone will confirm, but they were seen on a lot of Californias at rallies, probably one of the best farkles you can add,in my opinion.
 How does the sheep skin attach to the seat? For ours I put grommets in the four corners and ran a small bungee cord under the seat, one in front one in back. Sometimes they need a little persuading especially near the latch in the rear.

[Mwether]

...How does the sheep skin attach to the seat? ...

Just a single strap and Fastex-type buckle under the seat.
https://www.alaskaleather.com/cdn/shop/products/Buttpad_Strap_SM_a310e4fc-73a7-47fe-8208-79c06503017f.jpg?v=1748531136&width=5000

If you're a dual sport rider and up on the pegs a lot, they recommend adding their "nose strap."
https://www.alaskaleather.com/collections/buttpad-add-ons/products/nose-strap

[kingoffleece]

I used the AK sheepskin for years during testing of seat covers prior to any new design.  I already knew the results but my guarantee was 100% waterproof 'cause 99% ain't.
Anyway, a sheepskin under on of my covers, then 500 rain miles-not hard to do in the northeast.  ANY water leaks will be present, and that was my testing method.  Nebver had a failure-ever.  It was a great ride while it lasted-but on to new ideas and products.

We shall see................

Oh, yea.  After 100 miles or so the buttcheeks sort of compressed the skin and left a rather uncomfortable "ridge" in the center.  No need for further explanation, no?
I did sell over 1000 covers over the years to sheepskin users so plenty like them-some swear by them.
Best, Jim.

[Mwether]

After 100 miles or so the buttcheeks sort of compressed the skin and left a rather uncomfortable "ridge" in the center.  No need for further explanation, no?

Oh, lordy! Reminds me of those drug commercials that talk about side effects "in the skin of your perineum."

I did sell over 1000 covers over the years to sheepskin users so plenty like them-some swear by them.

Hope I'm one! 

Either that, or I'll be sitting on the knife's edge of a wool ridge that formed over 900 miles. Egads!

[PJPR01]

Or ask the seller if you can keep the original plate on and mail it back once you get home.  I did that with a bike I bought in Tucson about 1.5 years ago and rode home to Houston, and mailed the plate back via a FEDEX letter package the next day.

I hope the fairing works out well…the barn door fairing on the California I bought…identical to yours in color and bags was Intolerable above 60 mph…unbelievable buffeting.  Hopefully your setup is good…I took it off for riding and it was much more comfortable as a naked bike.

[Mwether]

Thanks for the ideas, Paul.

The current screen on the bike has had major efforts applied. If I understand correctly, it's been trimmed, fitted with a removable top section, and drilled/vented.

[Vagrant]

Just have the seller get a notarized sale agreement dated the day you pick it up. That should satisfy them.

[antmanbee]

Why not get the tag and title done before you fly to get it. Bring the new plate and registration with you on the plane.
I did this two times for fly and ride purchases I have made. I also got insurance ahead of time too.

[Mwether]

Going to bed. The adventure begins at 4:00AM.

Sleep may be elusive, but watch checks probably won't be...