At the Crossroads (yes it's blues related)

[Ixion]

Nah... Vicki has definately drawn the line at humphing in slippers... Not a good look apparently....

Paul N

(she won't let me build my own airplane either - I thinks she is getting bossy)

Humping in slippers - whatever turns you on, it's cheaper than expensive lingerie.

And if really want to see them get bossy, just mention how cool it would be to build your own cruise missile like that NZ fellow did.

[Storm]

Its all up to you mate. I reckon your bike looks cool, and so do you or you wouldnt have one. You wouldnt kick Vicki out of bed if she got outdated would you now? (Now, has that put you on the spot or what ? )

[SPman]

Reminds me of a conversation I had with a guy about 10 yrs ago. He said he was sick and tired of being approached by "enthusiasts" who were berating him for riding his MV Agusta 350 (twin), in a "brisk" fashion, on the road. "It should be cosseted away in a nice warm gagre somewhere" was a common retort.
His answer was always along the lines of...." it's meant to be ridden and if I ball it up on a corner somewhere and it gets reduced to scrap - tough! At least it is being used - for what it is intended! Having fun on the roads."
Same as yours - if ya enjoy it...who gives a toss!

PS - know of any Laverda Jota's floating around , cheap!

[Paul in NZ]

PS - know of any Laverda Jota's floating around , cheap!

Nope but there are a truckload of those RGS things about... (not keen on them myself).. Should be easy to pare down a bit... besides the cooking 3L (whatever) was probably a better bike...

[Motu]

I don't think I need comment - I've been poling my boat up side streams for so long I'm lost and can't find my way back.The day I park my bike next to an identical model is probably the day I give it all away....

[Big Dave]

Since you ask then - I'd take the thing out and shoot it - you can only use 'character' as an excuse for being under powered and over weight in a 2005 world for so long. (that politely what you were going to say WT?)
Those Brevas are nice bikes and the Corsa is getting close if you have to stay with the brand. 1100 sports are cheap too.
But try an Aprilia or a new Ducati and you'll go fark!
you're in the minority over the ST too - I had people raving over the demo all weekend.

[Blackbird]

Keep it, keep it, keep it!!!!!!

My best mate in the UK has had one since new and despite having a Fireblade for his main bike, simply can't bear to part with it. He also has a love of "interesting" machinery, also having a Morgan Plus 8 and a truly appalling Jensen CV8, both of which I suspect that you have a regard for

Let me end with a quotation from the latest PB magazine from the late Leon Moss, their old tuning guru. "I cannot conceive of a use for a Moto Guzzi unless I had taken up yachting and needed a mooring."

Funny in passing, but I think from the replies you've had, not a sentiment to which most of us subscribe.

Cheers

Geoff

[MacD]

Keep it and ride it Paul! I think half the enjoyment of motorcycling is working on the machines yourself.

While I wouldn't mind one of the latest and greatest (actually I really like the latest Triumph ST - would be a good replacement for the RF) I think I'd always want to keep a second older bike with a bit of character that I could work on without worrying about blowing up the electronics etc!

Also, I must be getting old too - I'm really not too keen on digital speedos - I can't work out the point of a display that tells you that you're going exactly 53 km/h when it's probably inaccurate anyhow!?

[woody68]

Hi mate

You gota keep it man we getting over run with these jap things that all look the same.
On the coro loop ride I went on a couple of weeks ago my Duc was the only non jap out of 21 bikes, we gota sick together to show them theys more out there than just jappers.

Big ups from

A very happy Ducati owner

PS
Real bikes are made in Itali.

[Kickaha]

Despite taking the piss out of Moto Guzzi (mainly to annoy Dangerous) I'd be quite happy to have one of them in my shed and another couple of years paying the mortgage and I might

But then my last two bikes were a 1977 BMW 75/7 and a 1982 Ducati Darmah and you've seen what I ride now not many bikes built post 1985 really interest me that much

I did the Southern cross and two 1000 milers on the Ducati and people always used to comment on using a bike like that for touring and I was doing close to 10,000km a year on it

I love seeing bikes like that being used as they should be

[idb]

Reminds me of a conversation I had with a guy about 10 yrs ago. He said he was sick and tired of being approached by "enthusiasts" who were berating him for riding his MV Agusta 350 (twin), in a "brisk" fashion, on the road. "It should be cosseted away in a nice warm gagre somewhere" was a common retort.
His answer was always along the lines of...." it's meant to be ridden and if I ball it up on a corner somewhere and it gets reduced to scrap - tough! At least it is being used - for what it is intended! Having fun on the roads."
Same as yours - if ya enjoy it...who gives a toss!

PS - know of any Laverda Jota's floating around , cheap!

Try High Country Motorcyles in Fairlie. He used to have an unfinished one that was looking really nice.
I think he was doing it up for a customer that ran out of money or something.

[betti]

great bike, top bloke,!!
imho, ride a classic like it was meant to be ridden, dont worry about the hinge in the frame, and remember they were cutting edge once, not to mention the cheap insurance and not havin to compare knee slider marks at the local bike meet!.

[idb]

Despite taking the piss out of Moto Guzzi (mainly to annoy Dangerous) I'd be quite happy to have one of them in my shed and another couple of years paying the mortgage and I might

But then my last two bikes were a 1977 BMW 75/7 and a 1982 Ducati Darmah and you've seen what I ride now not many bikes built post 1985 really interest me that much

I did the Southern cross and two 1000 milers on the Ducati and people always used to comment on using a bike like that for touring and I was doing close to 10,000km a year on it

I love seeing bikes like that being used as they should be

Me too. I've kept my 1979 Darmah and its taken me around the SI a couple of times, I love it and would prolly get rid of the 888 first.
Mind you, it is in, what they call 'original condition' and I was sitting outside a pub one day with a couple of Harley riders when a pair of lovely young things came along. We all sucked in our stomachs and they cast critical eyes over our bikes.
"Which one's yours?" one asked me.
I pointed it out to her and she said "It isn't very shiny".

[Paul in NZ]

Since you ask then - I'd take the thing out and shoot it - you can only use 'character' as an excuse for being under powered and over weight in a 2005 world for so long. (that politely what you were going to say WT?)
Those Brevas are nice bikes and the Corsa is getting close if you have to stay with the brand. 1100 sports are cheap too.
But try an Aprilia or a new Ducati and you'll go fark!
you're in the minority over the ST too - I had people raving over the demo all weekend.

Yup, ridden them all and gone fark! Saw the price tag, the projected depreciation and the service costs and went FARK (clunk).... Sorry mate. I'm on a modest income and can't manage it... (see i told you I'm not a real biker)

I'm not being mean about the ST and I'm sure it will sell. I REALLY don't like the rear end as it's very fad ish (ie pommie street fighter). IMHO the pillion is too high for a sports tourer made for fast 2 up use. from a practical point of view the lack of bungee points and other attachments for soft luggage is bloody deliberate to force you into their $2,500 luggage set. That just pisses me off...

Yeah I accept I'm a queer bugger and probably certifiably mad... But... Fug it.. I'll buy a new adjustable spanner and go another year on the old wreck... It's done nearly 10,000km a year in the last 5 years with no major drama and running better than ever so I reckon I better just harden up and get on with it....

Paul N

ps - Thanks Dave - Your reply bought out the stubborn old coot / arsehole in me and really made my mind up....

[Uncle B]

There is something to be said about old bikes.....they don't make them like they used to.
Style, character and soild to boot
I used to have an 80's adventure/ trail bike (DR750 single banger) That old baby used to go everywhere.....rain hail or shine she just kept on thumping along and if it did break down you didn't need a electrical degree to find the fault....basic was it's beauty.

In a way I wish I never sold her cause I've never seen another one since and I would jump at the chance to own/ ride the good old bugger again.

I'm sure you would feel the same way Paul If you ever (god forbid) passed her up for someother ride.

You are the Guzzie