It's Official, My Anniversario Is Coming!

[Huzo]

I'm not trying to be obtuse, but I'm failing to see where a comma might be properly inserted in the quote, but then the quote is such a fragment perhaps I'm missing the context?

Yes you are Kev, but that's part of your charm. So one more go and that's it for me.
A comma BETWEEN the noun "hand" and the verb "relief" would indicate relief FOR your hand...
Now, a comma BEFORE noun "hand" would conjoin the noun and the verb to form the term "hand relief".
Now I know you understood that, but you dragged me out anyway.

[Kev m]

Yes you are Kev, but that's part of your charm.

Bite-me. At least give me the courtesy of taking me at my word when I am sincerely asking a question.

A comma BETWEEN the noun "hand" and the verb "relief" would indicate relief FOR your hand...
Now, a comma BEFORE noun "hand" would conjoin the noun and the verb to form the term "hand relief".
Now I know you understood that, but you dragged me out anyway.

an inexpensive throttle lock to give your go hand, relief.

vs

an inexpensive throttle lock to give your go, hand relief.

Maybe I need to go find the original sentence, but neither of your comma uses strike me as proper or helpful and I did not understand that is what you were trying to say from your posts.

Possible edits that might work would include:

an inexpensive throttle lock to give your go-hand some relief.

an inexpensive throttle lock to give some relief to your go-hand.

an inexpensive throttle lock to provide some relief for your go-hand.

No matter... it's hardly important.

[Luap McKeever]

Things I wish someone would have told me when I first started riding highway at the age of 15:

1. Take the MSF Basic Rider Course. It decreases insurance premiums too.
2. It's not a matter of IF you're going to crash, it's a matter of WHEN you're going to crash.  Stay ready for it.
3. Wet pavement is slick. Wet center-lines are like ice.
4. Don't ride with those that are more experienced, until you are equal. You'll only feel pressured to keep up.  That's dangerous.
5. Don't worry about the bike.  It'll be fine. Just enjoy the scenery and keep it out of the ditch 
6. 98% of all motorcycle accidents are not the bikes fault.
7. Don't try and be cool.  Keep the helmet on.  Trust me on that one.

A side note of opinion only...I taught the MSF course for many years.  Both when I was in the military, and then upon returning to civilian life.  I strongly advise AGAINST any kind of throttle assistance, luggage, riding 2-up, etc, until you have some experience with that particular bike under your belt. You're gonna be busy enough learning about the bike, its behaviors, handling, braking, etc.  Don't worry about the nick-nacks just yet.  It'll come to you what you need in no time.

Be safe and welcome to the madhouse.

[malik]

What Luap said. All of it.

I still won't even go up to the post office (all of a km) without helmet, gloves, jacket & boots. Not worth the risk.

[Kev m]

Luap speaks the truth, but observing my wife (who is fiercely competitive in the martial arts and most things in life, and drives like a banshee) I have to wonder if the competition to keep up with more experienced riders is generally more limited to us more primitive beasts with higher testosterone content. I say this cause Jenn (and a number of other women riders I've known) are more than happy to hang back and laugh at us guys when/if riding starts to become a measuring contest.

[Guzzi Gal]

Things I wish someone would have told me when I first started riding highway at the age of 15:

1. Take the MSF Basic Rider Course. It decreases insurance premiums too.  Done
2. It's not a matter of IF you're going to crash, it's a matter of WHEN you're going to crash.  Stay ready for it.  Sad, but true.
3. Wet pavement is slick. Wet center-lines are like ice. Arizona doesn't get much. When it does, I'm too busy watching it to ride in it.  I'll make a point of taking a few rain rides, after I get some more saddle time, to get the feel.
4. Don't ride with those that are more experienced, until you are equal. You'll only feel pressured to keep up.  That's dangerous.  I'll catch up.  Eventually.   
5. Don't worry about the bike.  It'll be fine. Just enjoy the scenery and keep it out of the ditch  I like the way you think!
6. 98% of all motorcycle accidents are not the bikes fault.  I'm invisible!
7. Don't try and be cool.  Keep the helmet on.  Trust me on that one.  I've got more cool factors than y'all can take.  ATGATT makes me tolerable!   

A side note of opinion only...I taught the MSF course for many years.  Both when I was in the military, and then upon returning to civilian life.  I strongly advise AGAINST any kind of throttle assistance, luggage, riding 2-up, etc, until you have some experience with that particular bike under your belt. You're gonna be busy enough learning about the bike, its behaviors, handling, braking, etc.  Don't worry about the nick-nacks just yet.  It'll come to you what you need in no time.  Probably will never need it.

Be safe and welcome to the madhouse.   THANKS!!!

[RinkRat II]

  Congrats on the new bike and Welcome!
   3. Wet pavement is slick. Wet center-lines are like ice. Arizona doesn't get much. When it does, I'm too busy watching it to ride in it.  I'll make a point of taking a few rain rides, after I get some more saddle time, to get the feel.
    All True and the big thing here in  Arizona, is after months and weeks of no rain all the oils creep up to the top layer and then it rains, even just a little and all that oil becomes Ice Rink conditions. Be wary of riding after the first rainstorm and You'll do fine.

    Paul B

[Guzzi Gal]

I didn't get the impression that GG is a tiny shrinking violet, and with a military(?) background is probably pretty tough and gritty.

If you listen to too many people you'll just end up with a hotchpotch of ideas that don't mesh and it'll get confusing and conflicting. Go to places where lots of similar bikers hang out and you'll see what works. Enjoy the bastard, good on you

Nope, I'm not even a military brat (dad suffered hearing loss in a teen car accident, and wasn't able to serve), but grandpa was a marine, and grandma was a WAC.  I have been known to shoot at "things" on occasion, though.  I'm also the only child of a very Jerry Springer family, and learned DIY early on.  Being the helper for my Eagle Scout dad, and and electrician uncle gave me a can do attitude towards most fix-it stuff.

I kind of soak in the data, ruminate, then spit out what will work for now.  The rest gets stored in a vast pit of strange, but sometimes useful info.  Often to be regurgitated at the oddest moments.   

[Rhodan]

One piece of advice (especially if you're riding in Arizona).  Don't let it sit at idle for too long without moving.  An.... hour say ... is way too long.     Don't ask me how I know.  Filter if you can and it's comfortable; pull over for a nice meal and something cool to drink if it's nearby. 

After my oops, the dealer said they don't idle the bikes longer than about 10 minutes.  I'm sure that's really conservative but it's a guideline.

And truly, enjoy the heck out of it.  A nice bike with a lot of character.  You'll have fun.

[Guzzi Gal]

One piece of advice (especially if you're riding in Arizona).  Don't let it sit at idle for too long without moving.  An.... hour say ... is way too long.     Don't ask me how I know.  Filter if you can and it's comfortable; pull over for a nice meal and something cool to drink if it's nearby. 

After my oops, the dealer said they don't idle the bikes longer than about 10 minutes.  I'm sure that's really conservative but it's a guideline.

And truly, enjoy the heck out of it.  A nice bike with a lot of character.  You'll have fun.

If I can't stand the heat, she can't.   Filtering scares the crapola outa me, so I'll find the "cool" shade of a sparse palo, or mesquite, and wait out the traffic.  If I'm lucky, a Starbucks will be nearby, and I can awe the baby hipsters with my shiny steed.  Nothing like a silver haired mama, on a hot bike (scooter), to kickstart a conversation.

[stonelover]

Congrats on your new baby!!  I agree with all of those who have said to take it slowly and ride the bike for a while before contemplating changes.  I bought my Stone II because I liked it "as is" right out the door.  Since my preference is a naked bike, I have not added bags or a top case.  I have mounted a flat carrier from MG Cycle in Albany, WI..  This allows me to use soft luggage or a picnic cooler as the need arises.  Windshield?  A must for me!  Tried the Guzzi touring shield and found it way too tall.  I wanted something that would allow me to crouch & peer over when the rains came so a fly shield was not an option.   I find that a GIVI A-620 works for me without looking obtrusive.

As a safety item you might want to change your tail light to a brighter bulb.The Sylvania ZEVO 2357R is a direct replacement and is available from Amazon.


HAPPY TRAILS!!

[Guzzi Gal]

As a safety item you might want to change your tail light to a brighter bulb.  The Sylvania ZEVO 2357R is a direct replacement and is available from Amazon.

Good to know.  Thanks!

[kidsmoke]

Great Choice GG. Looking forward to photos and impressions. Cheers

[pebra]

Congratulations with your purchase, and welcome to the site!

Look ahead when riding. Then keep on practising, preferably with professional tutors.

You will probably appreciate a small windshield for your bike.
Try to find a luggage rack that you can strap small items on, and which you can put a top case and/or side cases on at some stage.

[Phil Tunbridge]

One thing I found out in the last couple of days has made riding my V7 III a lot smoother - disable the traction control system!   P 92 of the Stone owners manual.
Unfortunately, I don't think you can disable it permanently  and have to do it every time you turn on the ignition, but lowering the level to 1 helps and it will remember that setting.
This will help make gearchanges much smoother.  I thought it was me at first. but no, it's the traction control (on a 52 bhp motorcycle!!!)

[Guzzi Gal]

One thing I found out in the last couple of days has made riding my V7 III a lot smoother - disable the traction control system!   P 92 of the Stone owners manual.
Unfortunately, I don't think you can disable it permanently  and have to do it every time you turn on the ignition, but lowering the level to 1 helps and it will remember that setting.
This will help make gearchanges much smoother.  I thought it was me at first. but no, it's the traction control (on a 52 bhp motorcycle!!!)

Thanks for the suggestion! 

[boatdetective]

NO to the throttle lock!  You are a new rider. You won't be riding much on the highway anyway. As others mention, just get used to it. Make sure your mirrors give you a good view. The little mirror extenders may help visibility. A set of crash bars might be prudent- think about the possibility of a driveway drop. Happens to everyone.

Buy nice riding gear before you spend dough on the bike. Cheap stuff doesn't last. I find the Rev it brand to strike a nice balance between quality and price. Nice gloves really are worth it. I have Held "Steve classic" gloves and they are super. Always wear boots- good ones that are comfy to walk in are hard to find.

[twowings]

Another um, area to consider is...underwear...co tton anything is not recommended for any weather...invest in some quality activewear like Moto-Skiveez or similar (some wear bicycling clothing)...the important thing is that it wicks away moisture and provides inner-thigh protection for long AND short rides...many manufacturers now have added undergarments specfically tailored for women riders...

Here are some links to peruse:

http://motoskiveez.com/

http://www.activeundies.com.au/

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/womens/underwear/g/3c3s

Enjoy your new ride!

[elvisboy77]

CONGRATS!  I love mine, it is a great bike.

Been riding Guzzis since 1986.  Must haves in my opinion:

- cell phone and means to charge it (USB connector--- Battery Tender, Aerostich and Warm N Safe make nice ones)
- spare inner tube (Slime that I have seen is only rated to 45 MPH if you RTFM it will tell you)  you can't plug an inner tube and a spare beats a patch.

The rest is gravy.  I agree with the wait and see folks.  The factory stuff is great, but very pricey!
I have the cool canvas and leather bags ($1400, my brother bought them for me)
The bar end mirrors ($575 I think) and original mirror thread covers (yeah I know, $75 WTH)
And a fly screen from Dart, around $100.  The dart screen is good for me (6' tall) but the brackets did not fit as advertised, and their support was great but even with moving stuff around it still did not fit.  Works fine but does not rest on the big factory bracket/brace as intended.

Good luck, ride it like you stole it!  It is brand new so don't sweat the repair stuff yet!  You got 2 years roadside assistance.

[ohiorider]

Congratulations on a lovely purchase.  What a nice small block!  I agree with those that advised to spend some saddle time before starting to add a bunch of farkles.  But yes, a center stand has always been a must for me.
Enjoy!

Bob

[Tom H]

Cangrats and welcome to the crazy world of Guzzi!!

Tom

[Guzzi Gal]

Another um, area to consider is...underwear...

Thanks for broaching a touchy subject.  I have some underwear for cycling, with padding, that work well.  I also have a closet full of Under Armour to keep me comfy in our outrageous heat.   

[Guzzi Gal]

Cangrats and welcome to the crazy world of Guzzi!!

   Happy-happy.  Joy-joy.

[kingoffleece]

Correct on the Racer's tape.  Typo by me.  It's seriously great stuff.

One other thing I've learned from top notch riding instructors.  Take a few moments and think about what "being invisible" means.  Where will you position the bike in traffic?  At entrance/exit of highways?  Shopping malls?  Understanding how to "present yourself" in traffic?

Using other vehicles as "blocking backs" but where and when?  Point is many of us use that term but may not think how to translate that into proven street survival strategies.

A good place to start is a small book by David Hough called "Street Strategies"  which is a short collection of one page scenarios of typical street dangers and specific ways to handle them.  I refer to mine often as a refresher.

I was told at 15 by an old Harley rider that you get two buckets when you buy a motorcycle.  One is filled with luck and the other is labeled experience and is empty.  You job is to fill the empty bucket prior to emptying the full one.

Or, looked at another way, which may assist you in the coming years.  As a former professional SCUBA and mixed gas instructor (I know kev m dives so I'm sure he can relate and join in on this) I had the opportunity to train many folks with years of experience as well as new divers.  One of the very first challenges presented to experienced divers was a self assessment of their skills with the question "Do you have XXX amount of years experience or do you have one years experience repeated over XXX years?"

You'll never stop learning about survival on a street bike and you have a wonderful machine to explore all this with.  Have fun and be safe.

[Kev m]

One other thing I've learned from top notch riding instructors.  Take a few moments and think about what "being invisible" means.  Where will you position the bike in traffic?  At entrance/exit of highways?  Shopping malls?  Understanding how to "present yourself" in traffic?

<snip>

Or, looked at another way, which may assist you in the coming years.  As a former professional SCUBA and mixed gas instructor (I know kev m dives so I'm sure he can relate and join in on this) I had the opportunity to train many folks with years of experience as well as new divers.  One of the very first challenges presented to experienced divers was a self assessment of their skills with the question "Do you have XXX amount of years experience or do you have one years experience repeated over XXX years?"

You'll never stop learning about survival on a street bike and you have a wonderful machine to explore all this with.  Have fun and be safe.

I like the bucket analogy.

On presentation that's a good point. YES ride like you're invisible from a standpoint of never assume they see you. But that doesn't mean you don't do things to help make sure they DO see you (lane positioning, occasional weave or use of high beam if situation arises).

I think one of the most dangerous situations is say when a car is waiting to pull out from a side street on your right (left in front of you) and YOU ARE FOLLOWING SOMEONE who is turning right in front of that car. The vehicle in front of you can completely shroud/screen you from the left turner. It's tempting to accelerate and pass the car getting out of your way, but unless you can see the car trying to turn left AT ALL TIMES don't do it as they may go when they realize the car in front of you is turning and in essence blocking you and any traffic behind you. I cover the brake the whole time, avoid too much acceleration, and sometimes wait for the car in front of me to have turned and be completely out of the way and I'm as certain as I can be that the left turner isn't going to go for it before I proceed.

On the Scuba thing I think the take away is that you shouldn't ever fully let your guard down. I think many accidents happen when a rider has SOME experience, maybe 6 months or a year and they start to get cocky. The think "I got this" and let their guard down then BAMN. But that doesn't mean that 20 or 30 years later we might not make the same mistake. So yeah, HONEST self-assessment.

I've trained in the martial arts since high school and one thing I tell my students or fellow karateka is that "Karate is volunteering to be Sisyphus" and in some ways so is deciding to ride a motorcycle.

[kingoffleece]

Good insight.  The scenario you describe is really dangerous and it's one of the things covered in Street Strategies.

And right you are on 6 months in.  IIRC it's a statistically high point for incidents involving new riders.  Another high point, again IIRC, is around the 6-7 year mark.

Off topic: did you go to Jon's NYS track event again this year?

[Kev m]

Off topic: did you go to Jon's NYS track event again this year?

No, I'm sure it would have been fantastic again. I'd like to.

My original plan (Man plans and God laughs or something like that) was to order/buy a new Harley CX Roadster and do the track day on it.

Then I bought a giant barge touring bike out of no where and used the time/money to explore a little instead.

 

[Guzzi Gal]

A good place to start is a small book by David Hough called "Street Strategies"  which is a short collection of one page scenarios of typical street dangers and specific ways to handle them.  I refer to mine often as a refresher.

I was told at 15 by an old Harley rider that you get two buckets when you buy a motorcycle.  One is filled with luck and the other is labeled experience and is empty.  You job is to fill the empty bucket prior to emptying the full one.

You'll never stop learning about survival on a street bike and you have a wonderful machine to explore all this with.  Have fun and be safe.

Thanks!  I ordered that book, and two others by David Hough.

In school we teach kids to "bucket fill" by encouraging fellow students, so I understand completely the bucket concept. 

Yup, being invisible means finding ways to become more visible.  My husband was almost broadsided, at a four way stop, yesterday.  In his car!  I was following him in mine, and saw it go down.  He clearly had the right of way, but the other guy was playing with his phone.     I'd hate to think of what would have happened if he was astride a bike.   

[SED]

Congrats Guzzi Gal.

I rented a V7III and I liked it so much I'm still considering buying one.  There were some minor things I'd change though.

(there are lots of great ideas in this thread, and I didn't read them all so my apologies if these are repeats)

Adjust the hand and foot levers for you and how you sit on the bike. I set up the brake and clutch levers similar to my mountain bike so that my wrist is neutral, not bent vertically.  I set the shift and brake foot levers lower - closer to where my toe is normally so I don't have to move my foot a lot, just rotate it on the peg. 

On the V7III I wanted to lean forward just a little more and so would fit lower bars. (the V7 Racer I tried was better, but I didn't ride it as long).  A friend has found that SPIII bars do not bend his wrist side to side and are very comfortable for him. It made me realize that the bars on my bike does bend my wrists to the side.

Because I was sitting bolt upright on the V7III the wind pressure on the freeway was tiring.  A small fairing would help a lot.  And because I don't have a good touring bike, I would put bags on it.  (seems like you've already decided on these)


   

And low seats are comfortable for stopping, starting and parking. I'm not short, but all my bikes have low seats (they are also old and don't have much suspension travel). Low seating makes it much easier to move in and out of parking spaces, and stop and start on slanted or uneven ground.

All my bikes have center or rear stands and I use them all the time.  I think that a well designed side stand can be more stable than a center stand, but the center stand lifts the rear wheel and sits the bike vertically which is very helpful when doing maintenance.

Enjoy the Ride   
 

[Socalrob]

I like the bucket analogy.

On presentation that's a good point. YES ride like you're invisible from a standpoint of never assume they see you. But that doesn't mean you don't do things to help make sure they DO see you (lane positioning, occasional weave or use of high beam if situation arises).

I think one of the most dangerous situations is say when a car is waiting to pull out from a side street on your right (left in front of you) and YOU ARE FOLLOWING SOMEONE who is turning right in front of that car. The vehicle in front of you can completely shroud/screen you from the left turner. It's tempting to accelerate and pass the car getting out of your way, but unless you can see the car trying to turn left AT ALL TIMES don't do it as they may go when they realize the car in front of you is turning and in essence blocking you and any traffic behind you. I cover the brake the whole time, avoid too much acceleration, and sometimes wait for the car in front of me to have turned and be completely out of the way and I'm as certain as I can be that the left turner isn't going to go for it before I proceed.

On the Scuba thing I think the take away is that you shouldn't ever fully let your guard down. I think many accidents happen when a rider has SOME experience, maybe 6 months or a year and they start to get cocky. The think "I got this" and let their guard down then BAMN. But that doesn't mean that 20 or 30 years later we might not make the same mistake. So yeah, HONEST self-assessment.

I've trained in the martial arts since high school and one thing I tell my students or fellow karateka is that "Karate is volunteering to be Sisyphus" and in some ways so is deciding to ride a motorcycle.

All good, I would add the following:

I think a high percentage of "the car driver did not see me" is at least partially due to the rider speeding.  Slow down and the number of close calls reduces dramatically.  In fact, if you are getting close calls on anything more frequent than very occasional, you are doing something wrong, and speed probably has a lot to do with it.

The other thing is, if you see an unusual situation, slow way down until you figure it out.  That big truck parked in the center lane with hazard flashers on may do something crazy like turn across your lane into a driveway for no reason.  You saw the truck.  You saw the hazards. But did you see what could happen?  Slow down and figure it out.