Oh Woe! 1450 miles on the V7 this weekend.....

[pyoungbl]

and nothing went wrong.  Oh, I know that this is where we are supposed to bitch and moan while recounting heroic efforts to correct the crappy watchamacallit frammitz that Louigi could have built better.  Sorry to throw water on that fire.  The little girl ('13 V7 Special) ran like the proverbial top for a couple 600 mile days plus a back road tour at the Ohio rally.  I'll admit to being a bit concerned when I decided to take a 'little' 750 on a road trip but the bike was stable on the Interstate and pulled those West Virginia mountain grades without a complaint.  I just tallied up fuel used for miles traveled and got 49.93 mpg.  This with hard bags packed and a top waterproof bag for even more treasures.  All of the above is by way of letting the faithful know that you CAN tour on the V7.  OK, I have upgraded the shocks, forks, and seat.  Still, the basic lump performed perfectly.  Thanks Carlo and the rest of the guys at the Guzzi factory, you done good!

Peter Y.

[Bill Hagan]

and nothing went wrong.  Oh, I know that this is where we are supposed to bitch and moan while recounting heroic efforts to correct the crappy watchamacallit frammitz that Louigi could have built better.  Sorry to throw water on that fire.  The little girl ('13 V7 Special) ran like the proverbial top for a couple 600 mile days plus a back road tour at the Ohio rally.  I'll admit to being a bit concerned when I decided to take a 'little' 750 on a road trip but the bike was stable on the Interstate and pulled those West Virginia mountain grades without a complaint.  I just tallied up fuel used for miles traveled and got 49.93 mpg.  This with hard bags packed and a top waterproof bag for even more treasures.  All of the above is by way of letting the faithful know that you CAN tour on the V7.  OK, I have upgraded the shocks, forks, and seat.  Still, the basic lump performed perfectly.  Thanks Carlo and the rest of the guys at the Guzzi factory, you done good!

Peter Y.

Super.  A V7 is in my future, so am always happy to hear good reports.

OTOH, upon reflection, aren't you retired? 

With some of the best back roads on the planet (Ok above the fall line anyway  ) ) between you and Zanesville, you HAD to slab it?   

Glad you had a fine time.   

Bill

[Lannis]

and nothing went wrong.  Oh, I know that this is where we are supposed to bitch and moan while recounting heroic efforts to correct the crappy watchamacallit frammitz that Louigi could have built better. 
Peter Y.

Yebbut, we only bitch and moan if the frammitz on our nice new bikes really ARE blowing up.

Haven't heard about any of that happening on the V7, so no one has any right to be moaning about it .....

Glad you had a good ride.    If the V7 could carry two of us, I'd probably have one too ....

Lannis

[ChuckH]

Peter,

Good to see you and your V7 this past weekend.  Glad that your trip went without major incidents.  After all, it's a Guzzi -- right??

I left the rally site about noon since Laura Blake arrived with the parts I was expecting and I could get home in the evening for the morning festivities at church.  I'll catch you again later on this year.  Ride safe until then. 

[pyoungbl]

OTOH, upon reflection, aren't you retired? 

With some of the best back roads on the planet (Ok above the fall line anyway  ) ) between you and Zanesville, you HAD to slab it?   

Correct on all counts Bill.  I was traveling solo and fitting the trip into 'life'.  To add insult to injury....I leave again on Thursday for Seneca Rocks and a Norton gathering, then on to Meadows of Dan for the Twin Valley Riders rally.  Between those two I hope to ride the entire Blue Ridge Parkway north to south and then head back North following the crooked line on the map.  With any luck that will add 2K to the odometer.  Not too shabby for three weeks in September.  Oh, we missed you in Ohio.  Great turnout, outstanding food, and the pool was delightful.

Peter Y.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Correct on all counts Bill.  I was traveling solo and fitting the trip into 'life'.  To add insult to injury....I leave again on Thursday for Seneca Rocks and a Norton gathering, then on to Meadows of Dan for the Twin Valley Riders rally.  Between those two I hope to ride the entire Blue Ridge Parkway north to south and then head back North following the crooked line on the map.  With any luck that will add 2K to the odometer.  Not too shabby for three weeks in September.  Oh, we missed you in Ohio.  Great turnout, outstanding food, and the pool was delightful.

Peter Y.

Good to (finally) meet you, Peter..  I think you are getting this retirement gig off on the right boot..
Oh. September in the midwest rox for those of you that are unfortunate enough to not be us.. 

[Cam3512]

Yebbut, we only bitch and moan if the frammitz on our nice new bikes really ARE blowing up.

Haven't heard about any of that happening on the V7, so no one has any right to be moaning about it .....

Glad you had a good ride.    If the V7 could carry two of us, I'd probably have one too ....

Lannis

If you guys ride two up on a vintage BSA, what's stopping you from doing it on a Guzzi smallblock?

This once again confirms that the reliable, fun, V7 line pretty much gave Guzzi a much needed sales boost needed for its survival.  HAS to be it's best seller.  I have also personally seen the light!

[Lannis]

If you guys ride two up on a vintage BSA, what's stopping you from doing it on a Guzzi smallblock?

A fair question, and one that in recent weeks has been much on my mind.   

It's mainly related to "What am I actually out DOING on this ride?"     When we're on a 55 year old BSA two up with drum brakes, and overloading the original intention of the bike by 50 pounds or so, the job at hand is 'making the BSA get there and get us home without getting hurt.'   We're generally only going a few hundred miles, and we're doing it that way because it's a vintage ride with other vintage riders at the end, and there's not many people left that are willing and able to do it.   We use the stock horsehair-stuffed seat (or that's how it feels) and we get off to stretch quite often.    Generally, today, we ride the Norton to these sorts of things because it's a more powerful bike with two disk brakes, and so not quite as "death-defying" as the A10.

But sometimes the thing we are DOING is "Traveling on a motorcycle".   In that case, I don't want to compromise the ride because of engine power and braking ability, I want to be on a competent two-up bike designed to carry the load, with lots of room for Fay's long legs, room for me to move around some so that we can burn through a tank of gas without having to get off and have therapy in order to move our limbs, and with three strong disk brakes so I don't have to make a note in my Franklin Planner as a stop approaches.

I rode a V7-II at the National and it's a lovely bike - I'd choose it in a second for a "personal bike" for me alone, and go anywhere with it.   I rode the BSA solo on a 1400 mile weekend last month.   But I already know that Fay and I would never fit on it for a longish ride, it would have the same limitations as the BSA as far as "space" and comfort for two goes, and we've already got something that will do THAT for us!

Lannis

[Cam3512]

A fair question, and one that in recent weeks has been much on my mind.   

It's mainly related to "What am I actually out DOING on this ride?"     When we're on a 55 year old BSA two up with drum brakes, and overloading the original intention of the bike by 50 pounds or so, the job at hand is 'making the BSA get there and get us home without getting hurt.'   We're generally only going a few hundred miles, and we're doing it that way because it's a vintage ride with other vintage riders at the end, and there's not many people left that are willing and able to do it.   We use the stock horsehair-stuffed seat (or that's how it feels) and we get off to stretch quite often.    Generally, today, we ride the Norton to these sorts of things because it's a more powerful bike with two disk brakes, and so not quite as "death-defying" as the A10.

But sometimes the thing we are DOING is "Traveling on a motorcycle".   In that case, I don't want to compromise the ride because of engine power and braking ability, I want to be on a competent two-up bike designed to carry the load, with lots of room for Fay's long legs, room for me to move around some so that we can burn through a tank of gas without having to get off and have therapy in order to move our limbs, and with three strong disk brakes so I don't have to make a note in my Franklin Planner as a stop approaches.

I rode a V7-II at the National and it's a lovely bike - I'd choose it in a second for a "personal bike" for me alone, and go anywhere with it.   I rode the BSA solo on a 1400 mile weekend last month.   But I already know that Fay and I would never fit on it for a longish ride, it would have the same limitations as the BSA as far as "space" and comfort for two goes, and we've already got something that will do THAT for us!

Lannis

Makes sense.  It's the challenge of doing it on a vintage bike.

[Lannis]

Makes sense.  It's the challenge of doing it on a vintage bike.

Yes.   Sometimes you want to free-climb to the top of the cliff for the sport of it, sometimes you'd rather take the cable car ......

Some riders would rather see how much gas they can burn and tires they can wear out on a motorcycle death march, trying to make a bleary-eyed, sore-arsed 1000 miles in a day.    That's "sport" to them, measuring themselves against others, doing something that most sane people wouldn't do, and getting an IBA pin as a reward.

Fay and I get the same "thrill" out of pulling up into a vintage rally two up on an antique bike, with oily boots and the same sore arse as the IBA guy, and get the "Long Distance Ride To The Rally" award ....

(When I say it all that way, none of it makes much sense, does it?          )

Lannis

[Bob Wegman]

Last weekend I rode my V7C to NYC for a visit.  No issues for the 700miles round trip.  Joy to ride.  Thinking of going to a Yankees game next week so maybe I'll do a repeat performance.

[Kev m]

I hate to admit this, but Lannis his on IT (what's it? The answer to all stupid motorcycle debates).

It DOES COME DOWN TO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING TO DO.

That's for EVERYTHING, whether you're into a 180 hp supersport, a ridiculously raked chopper, a stylistically challenged hipster cafe, a pseudo scrambler that will never see dirt.

It all doesn't matter... It's what YOU WANT TO GET from the experience.

If it's PURE TRANSPORTATION there are "better" (more efficient, less challenging, less dangerous, more luxurious) options.

But IF YOU RIDE A MOTORCYCLE, YOU DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF THE EXPERIENCE.

Stop cutting down the ridiculous choices that your fellow nuts make, as your's is equally ridiculous.

And I LOVE MY RIDICULOUS CHOICE.

My V7 answers so many questions that so many poor bastards will never think to ask.

And most of them have nothing to do with the most efficient, comfortable, powerful, etc. way to do things. They all have to do with the BEST WAY for ME to enjoy the challenge and fun of riding a motorcycle.

 

[gerryp]

Last weekend I rode my V7C to NYC for a visit.  No issues for the 700miles round trip.  Joy to ride.  Thinking of going to a Yankees game next week so maybe I'll do a repeat performance.

Bob,

I enjoyed meeting you and Bill at the rally in NH.

If you or Bill ever get up/down or across to CT let me know.

Enjoying the hell out of my V7.  Of the five bikes I've owned this is the most fun bike.


Regards,

Gerry

[Lannis]

I hate to admit this, but Lannis .....
 

Just relax and let it happen ... see, it's not so bad .... 

Lannis

[Kev m]

Just relax and let it happen ... see, it's not so bad .... 

Lannis

You sound like a creepy uncle...

[Lannis]

You sound like a creepy uncle...

Just fiddling about .... 

[pyoungbl]

Smelling the roses at the Ohio rally


Off Rt 26, a delightful road on a motorcycle.  It's no place to day dream at 50 mph!

[MGPilot]

...It DOES COME DOWN TO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING TO DO.
...My V7 answers so many questions that so many poor bastards will never think to ask.

And most of them have nothing to do with the most efficient, comfortable, powerful, etc. way to do things. They all have to do with the BEST WAY for ME to enjoy the challenge and fun of riding a motorcycle.

After having my wife complain about her time on the back of a 2005 BMW R1200RT, my question was, "What interesting bike can I get that will be pleasant to ride on the island where I live, capable on the freeway -- but that won't encourage (or allow) passengers?"

V7 to the Rescue!

 

[coastdude]

After having my wife complain about her time on the back of a 2005 BMW R1200RT, my question was, "What interesting bike can I get that will be pleasant to ride on the island where I live, capable on the freeway -- but that won't encourage (or allow) passengers?"

V7 to the Rescue!

My wife loves riding on the back of "our" V7, you should see her ears prick up when I try to sneak out the keys.

[twhitaker]

It was good to see you again this weekend, Peter. Hope you stayed 'warm'. 

[pyoungbl]

It was good to see you again this weekend, Peter. Hope you stayed 'warm'. 

 :1:, yes, the rallies are when I get to see my Guzzi friends.  As for warm....it's always a challenge when going on a trip.  This time I wore the Roadcrafter Light with the hope that the temps would not get above the mid 80s, not too bad as long as you are moving.  I think the high was 91F.  Still, the Roadcrafter was mighty nice in the rain/thunder storms of Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.  IMHO a mesh jacket would have been just too risky for this time of year.  Hope to see you again in Ohio next year.

Peter Y.

[Kev m]

it's always a challenge when going on a trip.  This time I wore the Roadcrafter Light with the hope that the temps would not get above the mid 80s, not too bad as long as you are moving.  I think the high was 91F.  Still, the Roadcrafter was mighty nice in the rain/thunder storms of Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.  IMHO a mesh jacket would have been just too risky for this time of year.

MAN that's a good point. The past couple of years I've been caught in at least one bad storm in my mesh each year. 

I really should consider a Darien Light (or Roadcrafter Light) for summer use!!!

[Dean Rose]

Good to see you Peter. Also I guess I'll see you at the TVR rally at Willville

Dean

[pyoungbl]

 :1:

See, lots of good socializing at a rally! 

Peter Y.

[Lannis]

My wife loves riding on the back of "our" V7, you should see her ears prick up when I try to sneak out the keys.

Totally geared up now ....

6'2" height 32" inseam 260 pounds on the front, 5'8" 34" inseam 140 pounds on the back ...... ?

I thought not!              

Horses for courses around our house ...

Lannis

[Yukonica]

You all sound so surprised there was no drama. Good that the OP had an excellent trip.
I've put 20k km on my 2013special and until the ignition switch failure of last week it has been admirably suited to the task of hauling me around the countryside. After it was sorted out the only other significant failure was a plug lead that went bad in a downpour (so heavy the rain was bouncing off the tank and up into my full face helmet).

[nobleswood]

Pete,
I enjoyed meeting you and many of the other people from the forum at the Ohio Rally. I had a great time and certainly felt included just by turning up on my V11 Sport. Hell, they even welcomed some Harley riders!

The highlight for me was Saturday's ride, with Joe Motta leading. South on 60 then East on 78, catching 26 Southwest, watching Joe scrape the pegs on his week old 2015 Californian !
A late lunch at the Marietta Brewing Co & then an easy ride back on 60, in & out of the rain, passing the wet doo-rag Harley gang on the way !
That is now my favorite ride !

Wish I could get away more often to the Rallies, but I will be back next year in Zanesville.

Tim

[tonUPRacer]

Impressive.

[canuguzzi]

OP reminds that his experience is what most experience.

Taking a bike out for a long weekend without sitting by the road messing with bailing wire and some McGiver fix is not what happens to most people. If the website stats are correct, most people riding a Guzzi do just that, without problems cropping up every time they head out.

[Lannis]

OP reminds that his experience is what most experience.

Taking a bike out for a long weekend without sitting by the road messing with bailing wire and some McGiver fix is not what happens to most people. If the website stats are correct, most people riding a Guzzi do just that, without problems cropping up every time they head out.

On the other hand, if everyone who rode his Moto Guzzi everywhere stopped as soon as they came home, sat down at the keyboard, and said "I rode my Moto Guzzi to work today.   It got me there and got me home, no troubles.   I enjoyed the ride ...."

... then Luap would probably start getting complaints about unnecessary "spam" .... and to be honest, it would be hard to read through all that.   

Lannis