Any Guzzi riders near Columbia Falls, MT?

[fxb750]

Hi Everyone,
Just moved to Columbia Falls, MT.
Was wondering if there are any other Guzzi riders nearby and where you get your bike serviced?
Have an EFI light on intermittantly (no VDST), but runs ok, although after trailering it from MN to MT, it was
very difficult to start the first time.
Is Moto International the closed dealer?

Also, maybe we could get together and ride sometime.

[motoguzzibill]

Welcome to Montana! It will quite a change from Minnesota. Unfortunately there are no dealers in the state nor any in the neighboring states. Moto Guzzi motorcycle isolation is wide spread, and we have a very high suicide rate. The last "nearby" dealers I recall are Empire Motors in Spokane WA. and the Motorcycle Shop in Watertown SD. Spokane is a lot closer to your location, but I have never dealt with Empire.

I'm down in Billings and have always relied on my own wrenching. If you get down this way be sure to let me know. I'd be glad to take you through the Beartooths and Big Horns. I also have a 72' BSA Rocket 3. Not much left in CF, what brought you there?
Bill N.
00' V11 Sport
73' Eldorado
07' Norge
Asst. Triumphs, Ducati, etc.

[rboe]

Wow, gateway to Glacier!

[fxb750]

Thanks motoguzzibill. Beartooth is definitely on my bucket list.
Retirement brought me here. No work commitment, and always liked the mountains.
Want to get some quality time in before the grim reaper comes looking for me.
Been to Whitefish multiple times snowboarding, and really liked the area,
Never been here during Summer.
Spent the entire Winter here snowboarding,
so went back to MN, packed up, and moved this past week.
In a temp spot now till I find a place to settle.
Only know 2 people here from my winter visit, but the new Backslope Brewery opened just
before I left at end of March, so at least there is good beer and endless outdoor possibilities!

[rboe]

Johnson's Cafe in St. Mary. Good place to put on the feedbag after doing the Going to the Sun Road.

[aschem]

Empire is no longer a MG dealer. There is a dealer in Salt Lake but Seattle is closer.

[fxb750]

Thanks for the updates guys. Will check out Johnsons.
Yes, I found Empire carries Aprilia and Piagio, no MG.

I like the folks at MI in Seattle, and Norm Hardy lives there.
Would like to visit with him and maybe ride some of the mountains nearby.
I bought this bike from him a few years ago, and drove it home the long way.
I posted a trip report with a title something like New Guzzi Driver.

[travelingbyguzzi]

This is a good opportunity for a summer campout in Montana. Most of our Seattle riders could get there in a day.
Fxb750, step up to the plate and SWING!

Bill Lovelady      is
Eskimo Spy

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Spuddy is in Helena with a Stelvio, no idea where he gets it serviced. Chlamydia Falls and the surrounding areas are beautiful in the summer, both days of it....

[rodekyll]

This is a good opportunity for a summer campout in Montana. Most of our Seattle riders could get there in a day.
Fxb750, step up to the plate and SWING!

Bill Lovelady      is
Eskimo Spy

I could get from Yellowstone to Hoquiam in 18 hard hours on my ambo.

[nosail]

I believe the closest dealer is north in Calgary, Alberta. Blackfoot Motosports. I have no idea how their service is.

[Spuddy]

FXB:

I have yet to get it factory serviced but I'd go to Moto International in Seattle.

Dunno about other riders in Montana but I'm just a puddle jump away in the Helena area. Perhaps we meet somewhere.

Paul Spuddy Smietanka
406-431-0830

[idahorider]

You are an easy ride away from the Broken Arrow Rendezvous, just south of the Idaho line in Gibbonsville.  Good chance to meet Guzzi riders from the region. It's July 15-16.

Paul Emerson

[rboe]

You are an easy ride away from the Broken Arrow Rendezvous, just south of the Idaho line in Gibbonsville.  Good chance to meet Guzzi riders from the region. It's July 15-16.

Paul Emerson

All three of them?   

[fxb750]

Will be scheduling a ride to MI in Seattle early June. Will post soon with exact dates in case anyone wants to ride to/from.
Ride to Seattle will be shortest fastest route and hopefully will make it without an all out EFI failure; ride back to MT can be slow and fun, maybe even through Banff or Jasper. Hopefully Norm will ride at least some of the return trip with me or maybe we will tool around in the good riding areas closer to Seattle.
When I get settled into a permanent home here, I'd be up for hosting MT ride/stay.

MI is a busy place. Could not get scheduled for service till 06/21/2016.

[fxb750]

Well, the Nevada is a strange machine alright. I started out on the long trip to Seattle to have the EFI fixed, but within 2 hours of driving, the EFI light went out and never came back on   Another unsolved mystery...
Anyway, had a great drive on US hwy 2 camping near Sandstone ID  at Lake Pend Orielle and again at Gold Bar, WA. What a great ride that was with such breathtaking scenery! At MI no codes showed up to show any problems, but they gave the bike a once over, tuned it, made some small adjustments, and changed all the oils. Glad this was done because the rear drive oil was dirty and filled with water. MI is the best! I love this place. They are friendly and helpful, and really know their stuff.

After leaving the shop, I headed up to the North Cascades and camped at Lake Diablo, which was very nice. Then headed up to Canada to Revelstoke and Banff. Hiked around a bit in those places then headed back down rte 93 all the way to Columbia Falls. The mountains in Banff and Kootenay national parks were majestic, in spite of the 42 degrees F temp and constant rain almost all the way home.
Looking forward to going back to Banff NP next month for another ride.