JStorm
Just got it firing!
Greetings fellow Guzzistas, my name is Jay and I am happy to be a part of the Family! I recently picked up a 2023 v7 Stone Special Edition from Cadre Cycles in Cincinnati, Ohio and how I came to own this bike is a bit of a story I'm happy to share.
Last summer my son bought a 17 v9 Bobber from a local dealership about an hour from his house. I went with him for moral support and bring his truck home after the sale. I liked the bike and took it for a quick spin in the parking lot just because. Very cool bike that will suit him well for a first street machine. He was still on his temporary permit for the license endorsement so I figured we were either going to load it in the truck or he would ride home carefully while I followed. Nope.....he didn't want to risk the freeway trip and asked me if I would mind riding it home for him. I had brought gloves but no helmet. He offered his helmet but I declined. Ive had my endorsement for decades although it had been probably 15years since I've owned a bike. I took another lap in the parking lot and we set off. Immediately a spark had reignited in me that had been suppressed for a long time. The bike rode great, had character in its V twin vibration, mechanical song of the valvetrain and gearbox. I really enjoyed shaking off some cobwebs on that ride. He was pretty excited to see me back on a bike too....looking back, I think he might have done this on purpose! Anyway, shortly after this, I enrolled in a rider safety course with him...for moral support and to spend some time doing something fun together. Within a month or 3 I bought a GoldWing to go ride with him, which we did. I figured the wing would be good at my middle age and grey beard, ha ha. Plus, riding with my better half would be more comfortable. Her only stipulation upon catching me looking at bikes on marketplace, was the need for a backrest. Holy crap, I had PERMISSION! I couldn't squander the opportunity away! I yore wondering what this has to do with Moto Guzzi, I will admit that I was focusing my shopping on a California, Jackyll, Honda Valkyrie or GoldWing.
Fast forward to November, I am still riding when weather allows and my son sends me a link to a benefit raffle put on by Cadre Cycle. Grand prize is a new 2023 v7 Special Edition. I look at the details and see the limited number of tickets to be sold, limit of 4 per person and cost each. I buy 3 and figure it's money going to a good cause (animal welfare league). When I received the tickets I notice the numbers. One ticket has the same number as the race car I've been building and running for more than 20 years. Hmmm....I start feeling optimistic! Drawing day comes around and I didn't give it much thought. Didn't look for a live feed of the drawing or anything. My phone rang around noon and I see it's a Cincinnati number. My heart skipped a few beats, thinking they drew and were letting me know they chose a different winner but thanks for playing. Nope....they confirmed my name and broke the "bad news" that I now owned a new Moto Guzzi! I was just beside myself. Surreal, honestly. We chatted a bit and made some preliminary plans for collection after the new year. I called my son to tell him what happened and he hit the roof! He sent the raffle link in passing, not expecting me to actually enter...let alone WIN! We went down to Cadre on the 5th of January 2024, did some paperwork, took some pictures, made some friends and loaded up my new bike!
Once we got home to my place, we unloaded it and I gave him the keys for the maiden voyage, as he had done for me when he got the Bobber. It was awesome.....I took a quick spin up n down the road and already feel pretty damn good! Some minor changes planned but I look forward to learning as much as I can about these bikes and making new friends in the family. Maybe learn some Italian while I'm at it! Anyway, pictures are attached if you've read this far. Me on the Bobber that started this story last year. His and my bike parked during our first ride together and a few more of the new Stone!
Last summer my son bought a 17 v9 Bobber from a local dealership about an hour from his house. I went with him for moral support and bring his truck home after the sale. I liked the bike and took it for a quick spin in the parking lot just because. Very cool bike that will suit him well for a first street machine. He was still on his temporary permit for the license endorsement so I figured we were either going to load it in the truck or he would ride home carefully while I followed. Nope.....he didn't want to risk the freeway trip and asked me if I would mind riding it home for him. I had brought gloves but no helmet. He offered his helmet but I declined. Ive had my endorsement for decades although it had been probably 15years since I've owned a bike. I took another lap in the parking lot and we set off. Immediately a spark had reignited in me that had been suppressed for a long time. The bike rode great, had character in its V twin vibration, mechanical song of the valvetrain and gearbox. I really enjoyed shaking off some cobwebs on that ride. He was pretty excited to see me back on a bike too....looking back, I think he might have done this on purpose! Anyway, shortly after this, I enrolled in a rider safety course with him...for moral support and to spend some time doing something fun together. Within a month or 3 I bought a GoldWing to go ride with him, which we did. I figured the wing would be good at my middle age and grey beard, ha ha. Plus, riding with my better half would be more comfortable. Her only stipulation upon catching me looking at bikes on marketplace, was the need for a backrest. Holy crap, I had PERMISSION! I couldn't squander the opportunity away! I yore wondering what this has to do with Moto Guzzi, I will admit that I was focusing my shopping on a California, Jackyll, Honda Valkyrie or GoldWing.
Fast forward to November, I am still riding when weather allows and my son sends me a link to a benefit raffle put on by Cadre Cycle. Grand prize is a new 2023 v7 Special Edition. I look at the details and see the limited number of tickets to be sold, limit of 4 per person and cost each. I buy 3 and figure it's money going to a good cause (animal welfare league). When I received the tickets I notice the numbers. One ticket has the same number as the race car I've been building and running for more than 20 years. Hmmm....I start feeling optimistic! Drawing day comes around and I didn't give it much thought. Didn't look for a live feed of the drawing or anything. My phone rang around noon and I see it's a Cincinnati number. My heart skipped a few beats, thinking they drew and were letting me know they chose a different winner but thanks for playing. Nope....they confirmed my name and broke the "bad news" that I now owned a new Moto Guzzi! I was just beside myself. Surreal, honestly. We chatted a bit and made some preliminary plans for collection after the new year. I called my son to tell him what happened and he hit the roof! He sent the raffle link in passing, not expecting me to actually enter...let alone WIN! We went down to Cadre on the 5th of January 2024, did some paperwork, took some pictures, made some friends and loaded up my new bike!
Once we got home to my place, we unloaded it and I gave him the keys for the maiden voyage, as he had done for me when he got the Bobber. It was awesome.....I took a quick spin up n down the road and already feel pretty damn good! Some minor changes planned but I look forward to learning as much as I can about these bikes and making new friends in the family. Maybe learn some Italian while I'm at it! Anyway, pictures are attached if you've read this far. Me on the Bobber that started this story last year. His and my bike parked during our first ride together and a few more of the new Stone!
