Finally got to ride the Guzzi some more...

[chornbe]

I did this on the 'blog this morning ( http://motorcyclemanifesto.blogspot.com/2010/03/guzzi-moto-guzzi.html ). Kind of a bike review. Kind of a "thank goodness it's mild enough to ride" commentary. Kind of a "this is such a cool bike" post.  

----

Finally most of the ice and snow is gone from my driveway and street. The main roads have been clear enough to ride for some time, but getting in and out of the neighborhood would have been... interesting. Today, finally, my "new to me" Guzzi enjoys some road time. I let my son take my car today because his is in the shop. So, if I wanted to get to work, I had to ride anyway. Gosh... twisty my arm.

Last night I took a few minutes to get the Guzzi ready for the morning ride in to work, which included moving some things around in the driveway and in the garage. I went to fire the Guzzi up, pushed the starter button and ... click, then nothing. Dead to the world. No power, no lights, no nothing. Great...

Start with the basics... I pulled the battery cover and found a bunch of fuzzy corrosion on the battery terminals. I pulled all that apart and cleaned everything up, including wire-brushing the terminals, cable ends and hardware. I put it all back together, shot some WD-40 in and around the connectors, reinstalled the cover and fired up the bike.

crank, crank, chugga, chugga, vroom, vroom. Music. I will never understand the people who think Harleys sound good... especially when compared to a Guzzi. Harleys always sound like they're about to stall out and are barely hanging on to life at idle. This thing just sounds... intense.

I let the Guzzi just sit there and idle a few minutes while I reprogrammed the clock and got myself familiarized with using the onboard computer, all the while enjoying the mechanical music the Guzzi offers. Finally, when I was all done, I reluctantly shut the bike down, closed up the garage and headed inside for the night.

This morning I opened up the garage, geared up and rolled the bike outside and mounted up. According to the Guzzi's on-board thermometer, the temperature was just about 32 degrees. I was geared up in my Transition II jacket, Mercury pants, Windtex gloves and EXO-400 helmet. Very comfy. It was time to get going. I clunked it into 1st gear, eased out the clutch and was on my way.

This is the second time riding this bike. The first was a couple of hundred miles North on I-95 after picking the bike up in Daytona Beach, Florida. Somewhere in South Carolina I put it on the trailer for the rest of the drive home. So, I'm still learning the bike.

I headed out onto the main roads, nice and gentle, and continued on my way to US Rt. 1. Cold tires, cold asphalt covered with dried salt, the occasional moist areas that may or may not be iced over... yeah, I was riding like a sissy. I'm OK with that... this bike is beautiful and I'm not looking to rash it up any time soon because of silly impatience.

Once out on Rt. 1, I opened it up a little. By then the engine was up to temp, the tires should have been at "normal" operating temps given the conditions, so I played with the throttle a little bit. Yeah. This thing is fun.

   Now let's be clear... The Goose won't win any races against truly "fast" machines, but it pulls very nicely and all the way through the rev range. It will get you to extra-legal speeds quickly enough. But who cares...? Spirited as it may be, this bike isn't about speed. Riding this thing takes me right back to the 80s during my muscle car days. The sound and the feel of this bike are very, very reminiscent of the mid-70s Chevies I used to build. A politely-raucous engine in a fairly well refined chassis. This thing is absolutely the small block Chevy of the bike world. And that's a very good thing.

    The muscle car comparison continues as you run through the gears and apply varying levels of throttle. The engine is never Caprice-smooth but, rather, is always Chevelle-present. You know it's there, you know it's working and you know it's yawning, just waiting for you to demand more of it. Like its V8 brethren, it's got a fairly low rev limit - I've got the shift like programmed to come on at 7900 RPM - but the 6-speed gear box gives you a cog for every occasion.

    When you open up the throttle and the engine winds up - which it does in every gear due to the "all the torque, all the time" nature of the mill - the engine's mechanicals, the intake and exhaust sounds and the general feel of the lump all join together to emit... joy. Just pure, road-loving, wind-feeling, throaty-wail joy.

    I can't think of too many cars these days that would give you that same visceral, mechanical, raw feeling of power that a lumpy, cammed-out V8 of yesteryear would offer. So you young guys who've only ever driven buzzy 4-cylinder cars... I can't really help you understand. Sorry.

    But this bike offers something more, too. It offers a well-handling chassis, good brakes, neutral and comfortable ergonomics and some kick ass style that - sorry folks - Japanese sport bikes simply don't offer. They make some pretty bikes, to be sure. But rarely are they "stylish".

I continued my trip in to work, sticking to the biggest, clearest main roads. Normally I'd be impatient to take the bike down Rt. 82 - Delaware's only twisty road, and a pretty kick-ass one at that - during my morning commute, but I have to believe there are lots of icy, wet and washed-out places on that road yet. I can wait. Besides, I still haven't dialed in suspension settings and I'm still trusting the air pressure the dealer set when I picked up the bike. No... no, I can wait.

Nice and easy... just a mellow ride to work on a machine that puts character and style one notch higher on the importance scale than flat out, track-style performance. Track-capable bikes are a dime a dozen. How many of them are truly wonderful to ride on regular roads...?

What a nice machine.

[chornbe]

I'll just wrap up with this...

Orson, 'Skew... I get it. I really do.  

[kendenton]

Excellent!  Another couple warm days and I'll be glad to get the Multi on the road again.

[Mastros2]

I like it!  It's been almost a year now searching and debating on your next bike. Glad everything worked out (and you didn't buy my X1 since it's going to see some track time this year!)

Yep, everything happens for a reason.  

[chornbe]

I like it!  It's been almost a year now searching and debating on your next bike. Glad everything worked out (and you didn't buy my X1 since it's going to see some track time this year!)

Yep, everything happens for a reason.  

That thing'll rock for track days.  

[sagerat]

The electrical gremlin on my '06 Breva was a bad relay between battery and starter and tipover switch that was installed upside down.

The riding of the Breva was just sheer joy.  Brawny, throaty, purposeful.  Find a two-lane road through the mountains or parallelling a river and take it a 5-7K and just surf the torque.  Watch the tight lefties as you will drag the sidestand and/or the centerstand.  

One of my favorite visceral bikes to ride.  There are days I greatly miss it.

[chornbe]

The electrical gremlin...

... was foremost on my mind when I heard the click and everything died. Believe me. Fortunately, it was a non-issue. *whew*

The riding of the Breva was just sheer joy.  Brawny, throaty, purposeful.  Find a two-lane road through the mountains or parallelling a river and take it a 5-7K and just surf the torque.  Watch the tight lefties as you will drag the sidestand and/or the centerstand.  

One of my favorite visceral bikes to ride.  There are days I greatly miss it.

This bike is very, very much like my Sportster in all those ways, but on a good body-building protein powder with a full steak meal plan, and being taught to dance by a true professional.

It *is* a better bike.  

[atadaskew]

I'll just wrap up with this...

Orson, 'Skew... I get it. I really do.  

 

Now go and check your tyre pressures!

[Orson]

Nice and easy... just a mellow ride to work on a machine that puts character and style one notch higher on the importance scale than flat out, track-style performance. Track-capable bikes are a dime a dozen. How many of them are truly wonderful to ride on regular roads...?

I'm not sure you get it yet.

This post was much too sedated 

These bikes aren't commuter bikes. They want to scream like Lindsey Lohan at a cocaine party  

The first warm day off, when you ride most of the day near 5000 RPM, is when you will start doin the hari krishna thang  

[Mastros2]

These bikes aren't commuter bikes. They want to scream like Lindsey Lohan at a cocaine party  

Haha!  Yeah, I'm getting excited.  Want to hear it now!  Are you going to bring it to the Burger Run?

[BobW]

Stuff the rev limiter and rider her like you stole it   (after the roads clear  )

Good to hear you got in a little more time on her. About the time you finish going over her service items, the weather will be perfect. We have more snow today, but it will be 60 this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe if we all hold our breath until we turn blue, Mother Nature will relent and take care of Ol Man Winter's "needs" and we can then get on with Spring.

Cheers

[chornbe]

Matt, yessir, this is the machine I'll be riding at the National, the Burger Run and the ESTN.  


BobW, You'll come to understand I don't really baby my bikes much. Matt can attest to how I toss my Harley around.    

[BobW]

J/K I know you enjoy spirited riding   and doing the adjustments/modifications that get the handling and performance sorted.

Cheers

[Mastros2]

Matt can attest to how I toss my Harley around.    

Yep!  We'll beat on the bikes a bit on central PA roads.  

[chornbe]

J/K I know you enjoy spirited riding   and doing the adjustments/modifications that get the handling and performance sorted.

Cheers

Oh, it's not just "spirited riding". The rev limiter is there to keep me from blowing shit up... might as well make sure it's doing it's job some times.   I don't abuse bikes, but I don't baby them either. When you buy a bike from me, you know it's been mechanically taken care of, rarely washed, always runs its best, rarely looks its best, never hammered when it's cold, but well wound out when necessary.

I just ride 'em... usually to a limit. My limit usually comes due before the bike's, though.  

[falconati]

Mmm...I think my next bike is another Italian..

[garry]

So what exactly did you buy Chris?

[chornbe]

So what exactly did you buy Chris?

'06 Guzzi Breva 1100.  

I really, really like this thing.

[EricJ]

Bella! Bella!  

Eric

[Mr.Black]

Thats the best you can do for pics? Dude we expect a layout for shit sakes.
You can do better.

[chornbe]

It's filthy. Truly and rightly filthy. If I post pictures in its current condition, the militant Guzzi faction of ST.N will come to my house and swirlie me in the cat box. No, sir. Not yet.

I have to do the heated grips, spare electrical for the Gerbings kit and GPS, mount the GPS mount and get the backrest sorted. I'll wash it before I do that work and take copious pictures at that time. This past weekend wasn't the right time... Next weekend I hope to have a day all to myself to make this happen. I've got some minor dental surgery coming up in about a week and a half; Nothing that will keep me off my feet, but *may* keep me home from work a day or two, so maybe I'll have some down time then.  

[atadaskew]

 I've got some minor dental surgery coming up in about a week and a half

Good to see you're honouring your pledge to give your hind teeth to ride a Guzzi.

[chornbe]

Shit. You heard about that?

[atadaskew]

I'm just glad you don't have an appointment with your urologist because you thankfully did NOT say you'd give your left nut to ride a Guzzi.

[chornbe]

Some things are more sacred than others.

[atadaskew]

Some things are more sacred than others.

I'd give your left nut to ride a Guzzi..

[chornbe]

I'd give your left nut to ride a Guzzi..

You keep talking dirty to me and you're gonna have to buy me dinner. Perv!

[kebrider]

As much as I whine about wanting a Buell Firebolt or XR1200R my fav alltime do-antything-road-bike is the Guzzi Breva 1100. Buddy of mine and I probably burned 50 gallons apiece demo testing Brevas at Daytona every bike week and biketoberfest. They used to have their demo tent right next to Buell and we would alternate back and forth between the two brands.

What a fantastic bike. The engine pulses to one side until you put it in gear and then all it does is get the job done with one of the most unique internal combustion experiences ever. Sounds like an old school tractor chugging down the road, a mild mannered twin at elevated cruising speed and an old school V8 when you get on it. With the relatively wide upright(ish) bars the handling is super light and extremely flickable. One of my favorite "features" of the bike is it is a full sized cycle.

From the moment you slide into the saddle and those two cylinder jugs wrap themselves around you like the the knees of a beautiful woman you realize you are riding more than just a machine. Throw the SO on the back and go trolling for squids on Sunday morning, then pulse off to brunch somewhere about 200 miles from home. Finish the day with a liesurely cruise along some sun drenched twisties spending a few moments gazing at the sunset along the ocean before racing the shadows home, slowing only to lug the beast slightly to properly stimulate your passenger

 
Sorry. Those damned Italians. They always make the ride emotional, almost sensual.


Enjoy your bike Chris and don't feel like you have to explain Guzzi ownership to anyone. Life is short and quality time is precious. Riding a Guzzi qualifies as quality time.  


P.S. I found three brand new Brevas still in the crate during bikeweek, The same dealership just opened up a new shop five miles from my house. $8995 plus tax/tag OTD. No brainer. Should pick one up in the next 7 days. Small price to pay for some quality time.

KEB

[atadaskew]

P.S. I found three brand new Brevas still in the crate during bikeweek, The same dealership just opened up a new shop five miles from my house. $8995 plus tax/tag OTD. No brainer. Should pick one up in the next 7 days. Small price to pay for some quality time.

KEB

Outstanding!  For a second there I was thinking to myself 'why doesn't this man own one'?
 

[sagerat]

I had an '06 Breva 1100 for about 8,000 miles.  Great machine once you get it sorted out.  

I'd own another Guzzi.   They are just visceral machines that can go as fast or as slow as you wish.  One of my fondest memories is playing catch me if you can on the North Umpqua Hwy, a lovely two-lane twisty between Roseburg, OR, and the crest of the Cascades.  A Guzzi at 7K makes short work of many other bikes and surfing the torque means you don't have to do much braking.  

[Orson]

I fondly remember burning thru a whole tank of gas, rarely shifting out of third gear, but for clicking down to second for the occasional hairpin, or clicking up to fourth for a short straight.

Ahhh...torque  

[chornbe]

BLAPHEMY! THE I4 IS THE ONLY VIABLE POWER PLANT!

Well, I mean, BOTH my bikes have 4 cylinders combined. That counts, right?

[Croak]

Chris, if you have a dirty Guzzi, it means you're riding it.  

It's filthy. Truly and rightly filthy. If I post pictures in its current condition, the militant Guzzi faction of ST.N will come to my house and swirlie me in the cat box. No, sir. Not yet.

I think you'll find the militant Guzzistas around here will nod approvingly at the winter grime on the bike, correctly surmising that you are doing the right and proper thing by riding the machine, also knowing down to their bones that a good signora is not afraid of getting dirty, and often shines brightest when she's downright filthy.

[chornbe]

Chris, if you have a dirty Guzzi, it means you're riding it.  

I recently did the math... ~500 miles since purchase. I guess I'm happy with that. This weekend is a freaking deluge around here, so I've been puttering around inside the house and garage. No miles this weekend. (sigh)

[chornbe]

It's filthy. Truly and rightly filthy. If I post pictures in its current condition, the militant Guzzi faction of ST.N will come to my house and swirlie me in the cat box. No, sir. Not yet.

Ok, get off my back. I finally cleaned it up and snapped some proper clean pics.

[st ryder]

You missed a spot. Norge side cases would fit that bike, is that right? If so:

[BobW]

I like it!  

[chornbe]

You missed a spot. Norge side cases would fit that bike, is that right? If so:

They will, and I've got a line on a set. Failing that, I'll either do the Hepco & Becker setup, or just build my own racks for my Givi.

I've been kind of out of commission for a couple of weeks and honestly expected to have that done by now.

[sagerat]

I like my Hepco Becker, which were rebadged as Guzzi bags.  Big and watertight just like my ex.  Oh, sorry, little bitterness leaked in there.  

[Rincewind]

Looking good, 007!  

[chornbe]

I was going to get some kind of vanity plate, but when the lady at the tag place took that one out, I'm like "That'll do just fine!".

"0070D"

Bike's currently out on loan to a buddy whose forks I'm rebuilding, but I've been laid up with a bit of illness and minor surgery, so I felt bad for hanging his bike up in all this shitty weather. I gave him the Guzzi 'til I'm done. I'm on the mend, so I'll finish his bike up in the next couple of days.

[EricJ]

Looking good, 007!  

That's appropriate! Shaken, not stirred on a Guzzi!  

Eric

[BobW]

That's appropriate! Shaken, not stirred on a Guzzi!  

Eric

 

Chris, hope you mend quickly, a little more snow is falling, but it really is Spring down here! Get better so you can ride!! BTW, Good beer may not be the cure, but it will help ease the pain    I'll have a couple for you.

Be safe!

[sagerat]

2010 National Guzzi Owners rally is in John Day, OR.

Just saying if you want to do a roadtrip on the Breva, well, there ya go.

[chornbe]

2010 National Guzzi Owners rally is in John Day, OR.

Just saying if you want to do a roadtrip on the Breva, well, there ya go.

They have enough rooms for all 8 people????

[atadaskew]

They have enough rooms for all 8 people????

Yes.  2 called in sick.

[chornbe]

I took the Guzzi out twisty hunting for a little while this morning before becoming a hermit again for the rest of the day doing busy work around the house and garage.

WOW, did I have fun. I found some limits, I found some trust, I found some sweet RPM ranges, I found the rev limiter and bounce-shifted a few gears, I found some suspension weaknesses and work-arounds (and decided on what to upgrade next!)...

I would say I am now fully in tune with bike and it is just.... well... wow, I really like this bike!