A special thanks to Bill Hagan

[Unleaded]

I rode my first Moto Guzzis today at the invitation of Bill Hagan. To let a stranger from the Internet ride those beauties was an unselfish act of courage, for sure. It was an absolute pleasure meeting Bill, and I can't say thanks enough. And he wouldn't even let me buy him a steak or a beer. Pretty one-sided in my favor, for sure.

I was able to ride both his Griso and his Norge, and they were both completely different than I thought they'd be. Just loved them both. That Griso in particular got under my skin. Didn't know what to make of it at first. It was rougher around the edges than anything I've owned in years, yet refined at the same time. Sounded like nothing else, steered like nothing else....just completely different.

But damned if it didn't get under my skin, had a 4.5 hour drive home, and thought about it the whole way.

Just a great couple of bikes, great guy.

Thanks Bill.

Warm yet? :lol:

 

[Bill Hagan]

Yes, all things considered, riding on a warmer day might have been more pleasant. I thawed about midnight; bourbon helped.

Had a fine time, tho, and that 80-mile loop in Illinois and Iowa included about the best roads one can find around here within an hour. Loud Thunder, New Boston, and New Era Roads aren't the Cherohala, but have their joys, and gave you a reasonably decent idea of the Griso's characteristics.

Come back and borrow the Griso or Norge anytime. And, if you ever get to Cross Junction, the EV always enjoys a romp. Even better, the roads out our gate are as good as anywhere.

Bill

 

[wittangamo]

You may think he's a friend now, but when you're trying to find room in your garage for a third or fourth Guzzi and you can't pay the rent because you just ordered a new exhaust system, you'll remember Hagan as the pusher who launched your addiction. There's no turning back now. :twisted:

 

[Mi_ka]

Hey, Bill , do you have any relatives in Greece? :lol:

 

[Bill Hagan]

Hey, Bill , do you have any relatives in Greece? :lol:

No, but I've always enjoyed visiting there. And, just did a google maps "terrain" look at Thessaly. Oh, my. Fine roads.

You are, btw, always welcome in Cross Junction, Virginia, USA. The roads are stupendous right out of our front gate, and we usually have at least one bedroom and a Guzzi available for "qualifying" visitors.

Best,

Bill

 

[kmac33]

Don't even try to fight it...once the Guzzi "bug" burrows in, it is near impossible to get it out

 

[Mi_ka]

No, but I've always enjoyed visiting there. And, just did a google maps "terrain" look at Thessaly. Oh, my. Fine roads.

You are, btw, always welcome in Cross Junction, Virginia, USA. The roads are stupendous right out of our front gate, and we usually have at least one bedroom and a Guzzi available for "qualifying" visitors.

Best,

Bill

My humble DR is at your disposal should you ever find yourself around here, sir!
Eventhough the road surfaces look much smoother on satelite images, we have plenty beautiful dual sport mountain routes around here that I have yet to discover since I left Athens 18 months ago.
If only this attitude was more widespread among all people!

 

[Bill Hagan]

No, but I've always enjoyed visiting there. And, just did a google maps "terrain" look at Thessaly. Oh, my. Fine roads.

You are, btw, always welcome in Cross Junction, Virginia, USA. The roads are stupendous right out of our front gate, and we usually have at least one bedroom and a Guzzi available for "qualifying" visitors.

Best,

Bill

My humble DR is at your disposal should you ever find yourself around here, sir!
Eventhough the road surfaces look much smoother on satelite images, we have plenty beautiful dual sport mountain routes around here that I have yet to discover since I left Athens 18 months ago.
If only this attitude was more widespread among all people!

Actually, Todd, our Guzzi guru here, is probably responsible for my view of such things.

Several years ago, I was in LA on business. I e/m'd Todd, whom I'd never met, and said I'd like to stop in and say hello.

Next thing I knew, he and a friend led me -- as I couldn't keep their taillights in sight! -- on a grand tour of some of the best roads in the area ... and there is no end to grand roads out there. Todd was on his Jackal, and he let me ride his LeMans. Had a stupendous time, and I have followed Todd's example ever since.

Lawyers -- and I am one :whistle: -- and other worry warts might say that is foolish. I view it as sharing the joy of life. So, Guzzista (and aspiring Guzzista) are welcome in my home and garage, and on my Guzzis.

Thanks, Todd.

Bill

 

[Unleaded]

Next thing I knew, he and a friend led me -- as I couldn't keep their taillights in sight! -- on a grand tour of some of the best roads in the area ... and there is no end to grand roads out there. Todd was on his Jackal, and he let me ride his LeMans. Had a stupendous time, and I have followed Todd's example ever since.

Lawyers -- and I am one :whistle: -- and other worry warts might say that is foolish. I view it as sharing the joy of life. So, Guzzista (and aspiring Guzzista) are welcome in my home and garage, and on my Guzzis.

What a fantastic and refreshing outlook on life. Todd and Bill both. Breath of fresh air, it is.

Don't kid yourself folks...Bill is unnecessarily modest. He won't leave you behind if you ride with him...but it'll most likely be because he doesn't want to. He's a fine rider - swift and smooth. He makes his Norge look like its hard wired to his brain. And calm. The story he won't tell you is that I came in too hot and ran wide on the first fast sweeper we rode, still coming to grips with the steering on the Griso. Front end chattered on gravel on the white line....that wide. Stopped a few miles later, and Bill just smiled and said "that got fun", or something of,the sort, and off we went again.

 

[GTM®]

Thanks Bill, my absolute pleasure. I've been afforded the same over the years, starting from just a kid. I am fortunate to be the third generation rider who has enjoyed family and friends that leave their homes open, and the keys in the ignition of all of their bikes. It's a tradition I will pass along. I've made dozens of friends around the World now offering the same. To me, it's what this, my passion, is all about... and I love to share it. My grandfather Bill Balsis below, who started it all.
On Any Sunday.

Circa '36:

Circa '51:

 

[Mi_ka]

Whoa! It certainly seems you know more than a thing or two about bikes in the family!
The nicest thing about this super cool attitude is that it propagates through society once someone rolls the dice, e.g. my DR was donated to me by a simlarly cool friend, I donated my former and needing work NX650 and Aprilia moped to other friends and the biggest chain I ever partcipated in is the change of ownership of four cars between five friends for very good prices and cash "wheeen available"...

 

[gdp]

...which model Vincent?

 

[Penis Rotor]

I have long had a policy of lending bikes to people if they visit Oz. so far I haven't yet had a disappointing experience with an idiot.

I'm sure if you turned up off your face or exhibited any signs of barminess Bill would of found some excuse to politely renege on the offer, as would I, but generally I find the sort of people who accept such an invitation are overwhelmingly good and sane-ish.....

Daniel Kalal and some Dutch bloke who was working in the Gulf both borrowed my Griso for a couple of weeks. It came back in one piece and its insured anyway so......???

Pete