Marco_Guzzi
Tuned and Synch'ed
Since my last post I've been thoroughly enjoying about two weeks of trouble free operation. This bike does everything I ask of it...within reason. I just don't ask it to provide face melting acceleration - it doesn't do that, as we all know, and as such, that would be an unreasonable request. And.... that's the last time I'll beat that proverbial dead horse. I've had bikes that did do that, but given all of the other things that this bike DOES do so well, it's proving to be a better and funner experience overall. (Funner?)
The handling is proving to be the most intuitive of any bike I've ever owned and I think that says alot. There must be something to that theory behind the cylinder head angles...laying the weight so naturally into the corners. Am I stating the obvious in a Guzzi forum?
It's also very easy to ride off road. Not that I have anything to compare it to, as I've only ever owned street bikes. The second day after I got it running (see my last post) I took it down some single track, and then down the gnarliest road that I've ever seen - Jones Bar Rd. in Nevada City, California, down to the South Yuba River. I should of taken more pics. It's a rocky & rutted goat trail of a "road". I did have one low speed tip over in a technical rocky section - it sat down gently on the left saddle bag plastic corner and didn't leave a mark or scratch anywhere on the bike. It was pretty easy to pick up. This thing is tough. It's truly made for this kind of adventure riding. Tough. I'm so looking forward to exploring the less traveled roads (and trails) of this great land of ours!
...And that thrumming rhythm of the v-twin whilst cruising the twisty back roads of Northern California... 5th gear at 50-60 mph... it's the sweet spot.
Now on to the real topic of my story...
So there I was, minding my own business, doing about 90 mph on Southbound Hwy 49 when the front end started feeling really light... I thought it was just some strong cross winds, but then it started getting worse and the front end really started to wallow. As I came to a stop at the nearest gas station there was that "womp, womp, womp" sound of a flat tire. I've been riding for 37 years, have owned a bunch of different motorcycles, and never, ever had a flat tire. This Italian Diva - beautiful, sexy, dramatic and demanding! She wants new shoes, what are ya gonna do? Well I guess I've just been lucky all these years, and was probably overdue to experience a flat, regardless of motorcycle brand. I'm just trying to have some fun here.
I thought I might patch the tube and reuse the tire...NOPE! Melted gob of goo!
I'm gonna try out some Shinko 804 / 805s for a little more off-road fun. I've heard good things.
Still thinking about going with the OE or aftermarket tubeless wheels in the future...
p.s. Kudos to the engineers at Moto Guzzi for making the back wheel so easy to remove! It's literally two bolts!
Have fun ya'll, and keep the rubber side down!
The handling is proving to be the most intuitive of any bike I've ever owned and I think that says alot. There must be something to that theory behind the cylinder head angles...laying the weight so naturally into the corners. Am I stating the obvious in a Guzzi forum?
It's also very easy to ride off road. Not that I have anything to compare it to, as I've only ever owned street bikes. The second day after I got it running (see my last post) I took it down some single track, and then down the gnarliest road that I've ever seen - Jones Bar Rd. in Nevada City, California, down to the South Yuba River. I should of taken more pics. It's a rocky & rutted goat trail of a "road". I did have one low speed tip over in a technical rocky section - it sat down gently on the left saddle bag plastic corner and didn't leave a mark or scratch anywhere on the bike. It was pretty easy to pick up. This thing is tough. It's truly made for this kind of adventure riding. Tough. I'm so looking forward to exploring the less traveled roads (and trails) of this great land of ours!
...And that thrumming rhythm of the v-twin whilst cruising the twisty back roads of Northern California... 5th gear at 50-60 mph... it's the sweet spot.
Now on to the real topic of my story...
So there I was, minding my own business, doing about 90 mph on Southbound Hwy 49 when the front end started feeling really light... I thought it was just some strong cross winds, but then it started getting worse and the front end really started to wallow. As I came to a stop at the nearest gas station there was that "womp, womp, womp" sound of a flat tire. I've been riding for 37 years, have owned a bunch of different motorcycles, and never, ever had a flat tire. This Italian Diva - beautiful, sexy, dramatic and demanding! She wants new shoes, what are ya gonna do? Well I guess I've just been lucky all these years, and was probably overdue to experience a flat, regardless of motorcycle brand. I'm just trying to have some fun here.
I thought I might patch the tube and reuse the tire...NOPE! Melted gob of goo!
I'm gonna try out some Shinko 804 / 805s for a little more off-road fun. I've heard good things.
Still thinking about going with the OE or aftermarket tubeless wheels in the future...
p.s. Kudos to the engineers at Moto Guzzi for making the back wheel so easy to remove! It's literally two bolts!
Have fun ya'll, and keep the rubber side down!