When Tassles meet Italy

[scumdog]

O.K., so here's the bully on riding Dangerous's Guzzi Nero Corsa, first sprots-bike I've ever ridden.
Start of in the cage at Rashikas, follow her on her Buell to Dangerous Dungeons and climb into riding gear complete with mandatory tassled jacket (Gotta look cool when out and about in the big city ya know).
Had a full face helmet so that anybody recognising the bike would not know it wasn't Dangerous with the tassles.

Climbed onto the Guzzi, it was all nice and shiney,lit 'er up and blow me if the danged thing doesn't wobble sideways when ya tweak the throttle.

Headed off through Christchurch, most unnerving for a country boy with no experience of traffic lights, multi lanes and 'roundamabout', had to lift the mirrors as this boy is a bit longer than the ginga.

1st problem: the bloody pegs are so far back that for the first two-three gear changes my left foot was in mid air and I was just hooking upwards on the shifter, (which was a bloody small object too) eventually got both feet onto the pegs.

2nd problem: Nobody had explained about the indimacator switch thingy and how it worked (not like an H-D one thats for sure!) so after heading down the main road at Belfast indicating I was turning left-right-left-right I evetually figured ya just pushed the switch IN to cancel! phew!

3rd problem: after about 15 minutes or more of stop-go and slow riding my wrists were killing me, not use to this 'lean forwards hunched over the bars' riding position with all my weight on the bars

Fast forward to the start of the road to Akaroa (not sure exactly where) and things were better, less weight on wrists, less times of putting feet down then trying to find pegs again, bike just flowed, kept waiting for some scraping noises due to lean angle but no, just the song of the engine purring away.
This thing had some good grunt but needed to be kept above 3,500rpm to be really on song.
Suspension was good, buckets of travel but quite firm, brakes were TOPS, made for lots of confidence on late braking entering corners.:shutup:

Noticed the tassles did not flow and flap as they should, I guess the fairing/screen were doing their job, even when playing catch-up with Rashika who MUST have been speeding.:innocent:

Anyway, enough for now, Pt2 later - the bit from Little River to the Hilltop and Akkers.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Good post..looking forward to part 2

[Flyingpony]

to Dangerous Dungeons
*cough* Canterbury's unoffical offical KB HQ *cough*


2nd problem: Nobody had explained about the indimacator switch thingy and how it worked (not like an H-D one thats for sure!) so after heading down the main road at Belfast indicating I was turning left-right-left-right I evetually figured ya just pushed the switch IN to cancel! phew!
:bleh:


bike just flowed, kept waiting for some scraping noises due to lean angle but no, just the song of the engine purring away.
Sounds like you had a blast. Are you going to buy on of these machines, since after all, they are related to the H-D?


Suspension was good, buckets of travel but quite firm, brakes were TOPS, made for lots of confidence on late braking entering corners.:shutup:
Definitely :love:


Noticed the tassles did not flow and flap as they should
Well the good thing about that is, you now don't have to comb and untaggle them when you've finished riding :whistle:

[SDU]

Sounds like you had a blast. Are you going to buy on of these machines, since after all, they are related to the H-D?

Don't know what planet you're from but last time I looked Moto Guzzi was Italian not American & unrelated.

[Ixion]

Well, they are both air cooled V twins.

[SDU]

Had a full face helmet so that anybody recognising the bike would not know it wasn't Dangerous with the tassles.
Good work. Wonder if D will update his wardrobe now.:p


Climbed onto the Guzzi, it was all nice and shiney,lit 'er up and blow me if the danged thing doesn't wobble sideways when ya tweak the throttle.

Lucky you didn't roll off with the amount off polish on it. :innocent:

You gotta love the Guzzi's sweet song.
Where's part 2. :wait:

[Rashika]

1st problem: the bloody pegs are so far back that for the first two-three gear changes my left foot was in mid air and I was just hooking upwards on the shifter, (which was a bloody small object too) eventually got both feet onto the pegs.

ya shoulda seen him when he first got on...it was..."oh where the hell are the footpegs? What?? way back there...what are they doing there??"



2nd problem: Nobody had explained about the indimacator switch thingy and how it worked (not like an H-D one thats for sure!) so after heading down the main road at Belfast indicating I was turning left-right-left-right I evetually figured ya just pushed the switch IN to cancel! phew!
Like a xmas tree, flashing from side to side...thought It was some kind of secret police warning or something :yes:


Noticed the tassles did not flow and flap as they should, I guess the fairing/screen were doing their job, even when playing catch-up with Rashika who MUST have been speeding.:innocent:

They looked like they were flapping out enough from behind ;)
...and noooooo Mr Orificer....I was not speeding....much....maybe only the teeeeensiest wee bit, not even a $30 ticket, I didn't want to lose you in the wilds of Banks Peninsula :shutup:

[scumdog]

Part2
Well, just got in from fitting the refurbished seat-belt to the T-Bird ($35 to fit new buckle, $25 to post it from Texas, wtf?).

Anyhoo, Rashika and I stopped outside Little River cafe to discuss the ride so far and to compare hand warmth (the Guzzi fairing seems to keep more air off the bars than the Buells) and discuss stopping at the HillTop, Rashika cautioned me the bends were a tad tighter from here on and she was not wrong, 2nd gear stuff for a lot of them and even more leaning over, waaay over. (got gravel rash on the end of some of my tassles, did I say I had tassles?).
This part was a blast, hard work stretched my abilities a bit but left me with a grin as wide as the visor on my helmet.
Lefts and rights constantly, all uphill and the Guzzi was built for it, just kept Rashika in sight and kept it 'on song', the odd obstacle was thrown in for good measure - dried clay from cleaned-up landslides, mud dragged out onto the roadway by a cockies tractor and some keen dude on a ride-on flinging lawn clippings about but got past them no sweat.

Stopped at the HillTop to take in the view, scoff down a pie'n'Coke, talk about life'n'shit then helmets on and off down-hill to Akkers, still good tight bends, some a bit damp from being in the shade so I was not quite so quick (plus down-hill bends on a strange road make me cautious), the Guzzi brakes came into their own here - no fade and very predictable.

Down on the flat and as I was getting to grips with the Gizzi it was crank on the lean-angles and throttle as we swept around the bends and bays and a few k's later there we were, Akkers!
We parked up on the foreshore and soaked in the warmth of the sun and looked at the only other bike there (A 'suki mud-slinger of some sort) and Rashika took some more photos - one or two of me on the Guzzi resplendant in my tassles - did I mention I had tassles???

After sitting and discussing more about bikes'n'life'n'shit for about 40 minutes we donned our helmets and climbed onto our respective steeds for the return trip, not so quick this time until we got to Little River as the sun was at the wrong angle, bend after bend, particularly right-hand ones I would get to the apex and then lose the road due to sun-strike and the rest of the bend being in the shade, always worried theres a vehicle stopped in that dark bit or the road turns in even tighter.

But we got to Little River O.K. and pulled over, this time I got the Buell and Rashika jumped onto the Guzzi, the arrangement was to switch back on meeting the main road (wherever THAT was).

First notable difference was: no need to pull in clutch to start bike!!!

Part 3 to come....

[Flyingpony]

Don't know what planet you're from but last time I looked Moto Guzzi was Italian not American & unrelated.
Hmm, :shit: Was thinking about Buell. Sorry D.

[k14]

Dangerous's Guzzi Nero Corsa, first sprots-bike I've ever ridden.
:rofl: other comments abridged....

[Rashika]

:rofl: other comments abridged....

ok K14, we have to give him training wheels before he can fly you know...its a big step from an HD like scummys to maybe an R1 so little baby steps first ok?
First Iti, then a sporty HD then maybe trust him with a Japa one day.... :shutup:




kidding SD! I think you looked quite cool on the Guzzi and then thought you had dropped 30 years when you were on the Buell... it made you look younger :rockon: and very sporty ;)

[scumdog]

:rofl: other comments abridged....

You mean it WASN'T sprots-bike??
I've been gypped!!:gob:

And thanks for the comments Rashika, getting out there, not likely to be recognised, not feeling judged upon and having a bike that doesn't scrape on a tight corner made me FEEL 30 years younger, I had to restrain myself. (too many witnesses - YOU!!!)

And your comments will not influence my Part 3 of this when I comment on the Buell ride.

[Rashika]

You mean it WASN'T sprots-bike??
I've been gypped!!:gob:

yes Scummy it was a sports bike... dont listen to that young whippersnapper....of the eyetie sort of sports bike you know ;)

[Waylander]

Posts to subscribe and awaits part three.

When do we get to see the pics?

[T.W.R]

ok K14, we have to give him training wheels before he can fly you know...its a big step from an HD like scummys to maybe an R1 so little baby steps first ok?

:lol: so the guzzi is a baby's sprotbike then mmm?, D is goin to love that :shutup:

good wee summary of events scumdog :yes: it's an easy wee jaunt over the hill to akkers

[dangerous]

did I mention I had tassles???

YES 3 bloody times now... fucking tassels on my fucking Guzzi, now I specificaly remember sending Rashika a txt saying 'there beter not be tassles on my bike' and then when I see some photos... what do I see... for christ sakes man its a fine Italian machine, and you wore tassles on it.
The phones been ringing non stop today people asking if I'm feeling ok or wondering if they were seeing things... damn it SD tassels are for them car washing things at servos, or them girls blouse bikes from the states... ohhhh god help me :first:

[Bonez]

You mean it WASN'T sprots-bike??
I've been gypped!!:gob:
Tis a discussion on the definition of what a sport bike is here- http://www.sportsbike.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=51

I think the consensus is it's a :scooter: Red in colour obviously............

[Edbear]

Good post, SD! Ya should write for KR! Awaiting part 3 with keen anticipation!(Well, gotta humour the guy!:yes: )

Have you got tassles...?:innocent:

[scumdog]

O.K., Rashika and I were leaving Little River on each others scoot.....

Anyway, off we went, the Buell was much like the Guzzi in feel/ handling etc but felt a little more sensitive and 'twitchy' but it was oh-so familiar with the Harley beat, the gearbox etc - no bias mind but I kind of felt 'at home' with it, never mind we were out of the tight stuff and onto sweepers, speeds were up and there were cars to be passed - and I gave the Buell it's head (but only to keep up with Rashik mind) and it hummed, had buckets of grunt!!

Suspension was a whole lot 'tighter' and the shorter wheelbase made it 'jiggle' a little on the rougher bits of road, still not objectionable though however the screen did not deflect the same amount of 'blast' as the Guzzis.

Too soon we were at the main road and swapped back for the ride out to Belfast, nearly got cleaned up by a large truck unit with a fork-lift on board - the bastard was booting it towards a set of red traffic lights while everybody else was slowing luckily I looked over my left shoulder BEFORE I decided to move over.

Only real 'oops' was trying to 'boot it' around a roundamabout in too high a gear - the Guzzi ain't a Harley as it was quick to remind me.

In what seemed to be too short a time we were back at Dangerous Dungeons (a.k.a. The South Island KB H.Q.) and the Guzzi was put in its stable.

There will be a short part 4 when I list the pros/cons of each bike - bearing in mind I never put the Buell through its paces in the tighter stuff.

[paturoa]

the shell gas station photo is showing your "devil" eyes - lol

looks like a stunner at akers, and D shoulda covered more of your moosh in pic 3 too!

[scumdog]

the shell gas station photo is showing your "devil" eyes - lol

looks like a stunner at akers, and D shoulda covered more of your moosh in pic 3 too!

My 'devils eyes' were actually my lustful looks at Rashika!! (btw, we spotted a Monarch butterfly trying to mate with the front mudguard of Rashikas Buell at the gas station just after the pic was taken, that's how warm the day was)

As far as my 'moosh' goes, Dangerous was trying to be discrete as far as my i.d goes, no need to cause problems. (nice touch with the 'KB' on top of my balaclava Dangerous!!)

[scumdog]

:lol: so the guzzi is a baby's sprotbike then mmm?, D is goin to love that :shutup:

good wee summary of events scumdog :yes: it's an easy wee jaunt over the hill to akkers


Thank you T.W.R. (are you a dyslecsic brand of high performance pistons??

But try a H-D cruiser for comfortable long distance travel eh??
Sure, a Guzzi or Buell is good for a quick fang to Akkers but my Superglide T-Sport is A1 for a long distance two-up cruise with bags.
Dif'rent strokes fer dif'rent folks eh?

[T.W.R]

Thank you T.W.R. (are you a dyslecsic brand of high performance pistons??

But try a H-D cruiser for comfortable long distance travel eh??
Sure, a Guzzi or Buell is good for a quick fang to Akkers but my Superglide T-Sport is A1 for a long distance two-up cruise with bags.
Dif'rent strokes fer dif'rent folks eh?


Ha :lol: nah just my initials, couldn't be naffed changing from when I joined.

that's just it though HDs are purpose built for a relaxed form of travel, the Guzzi is a lazy style of sportsbike compared to a japper etc & the buell is a styling exercise that worked, each to their own I suppose & at the end of the day their all pretty classy machines. Though when it comes to big banger italian sportsbikes I'm old school bevel dukes & Laverda all the way :Punk:

[scumdog]

Ha :lol: nah just my initials, couldn't be naffed changing from when I joined.

that's just it though HDs are purpose built for a relaxed form of travel, the Guzzi is a lazy style of sportsbike compared to a japper etc & the buell is a styling exercise that worked, each to their own I suppose & at the end of the day their all pretty classy machines. Though when it comes to big banger italian sportsbikes I'm old school bevel dukes & Laverda all the way :Punk:


Good call - but my way of thinking is that the bike I use should only need three gears at the most!!

I am not keen on 'rowing' the bike along, the less gear-shifts the happier I am, lotsa torque is the story and H-Ds have heaps of that!!!

My impression is that the Buell was not far behind the Guzzi, it was better in tighter corners whereas the Guzzi suited sweepers and high-speed roads.
Just my amatuer opinion.

[imdying]

I am not keen on 'rowing' the bike along, the less gear-shifts the happier I am, lotsa torque is the story and H-Ds have heaps of that!!!Heh, that's the bit I miss most from my 6R... funny old world :Punk: Mind you, you've a few years on me :p

[Waylander]

As far as my 'moosh' goes, Dangerous was trying to be discrete as far as my i.d goes, no need to cause problems. (nice touch with the 'KB' on top of my balaclava Dangerous!!)
Why, when we've seen pics of you and several other of you south south island buggers in pics. Even your brother.

[dangerous]

Why, when we've seen pics of you and several other of you south south island buggers in pics. Even your brother.

Ohhh, FFS man... we are taking the piss out of each other, think about it :scooter:

[dangerous]

so after heading down the main road at Belfast indicating I was turning left-right-left-right I evetually figured ya just pushed the switch IN to cancel! phew!

This thing had some good grunt but needed to be kept above 3,500rpm to be really on song.

Suspension was good, buckets of travel but quite firm, brakes were TOPS, made for lots of confidence on late braking entering corners.:shutup:


so what, flashing lights just comes natural to you huh, The guzzi is used to them flashing behind it not on it, old habbits huh :rockon:

above 3500 and below 8000 tho right :first:

Bloody well should be good suspension and brakes, bout the best money can buy ya know.

Ok so pics time, Rashika left these on my comp, couldnt believe it, tassels n all... honest I'm guttered, tried to photo shop them out but they are like the plage, just kept comming back... sooooo many of them.

[scumdog]

How come that post was listed as 'yesterday' as time of posting - and yet it was posted at least a week or more ago? (I'm sure I saw it a LOT further back than 'yesterday'

What gives, am I having some kind of flash-back occurence or something or is Dangerous playing anti-tassle mind games on Scumdog????:shit:

[Ixion]

It's your tassles. You're riding so fast now that you've got that new bike, that their uncoordinated flapping is distorting the fabric of time and space. When the entire universe disappears without even a squeak, it'll all be YOUR fault. (which at leats makes a change form it being mr Biff's fault. cos he's Welch, that's what they're for, to be blamed. but in this case it's your tassles)

[Flyingpony]

There will be a short part 4 when I list the pros/cons of each bike - bearing in mind I never put the Buell through its paces in the tighter stuff.
Have you already posted part 4 or is it still to be typed up?

I'm quite interested in seeing what you think about each bike as Buell & Guzzi & HD are three bikes I'd like to see a comparison made against each other. Incidentally, they're also on my want to buy list.

[scumdog]

Have you already posted part 4 or is it still to be typed up?

I'm quite interested in seeing what you think about each bike as Buell & Guzzi & HD are three bikes I'd like to see a comparison made against each other. Incidentally, they're also on my want to buy list.

Still to come ('watch this space'.

BTW, despite my leaning towards HDs I am capable of giving a truthful unbiased comment on any bike so don't expect me to bag the Guzzi.

[buellbabe]

Great read Scumdog.
I hope Rashika convinces you to come up to Auck next year for the HOG Rally. I'll be meeting her at the ferry in Wellington.
Anyways, shame you didn't get to take the Buell for a blat on the those twisties... First time I took my Buell out to Akaroa was also with Rashika leading the way ( her being a local... ). The Buell just ate those corners up... sigh... reading about your ride makes me wish I was back down there. Roll on next March!