First ride up the 'Takas today (30 December)

**nudemetalz** · 30th December 2006, 14:51

...on the Guzzi V11.
Boy, what an experience !!! All the of Guzzi owners said ride them how they should be ridden or they will bite.
Well mine bit me a couple of times !!
I tried the hard up to the corner, hard brakes while starting the lean, lean over and power out approach...and it did not like that !!!
The shaft reaction dropped my line in too narrow and the engine torque reaction made it run too wide !!!
Thank god for the overtaking lane saving me !!!

So, I tried the power up to the corner, hard brakes while upright, lean into the corner with a neutral throttle and then power out progressively.
Much better !!!

I have to say, the sound of the big twin going down through the gears and also doing 8000rpm bouncing off the wall is something to behold.
Big smile material !!

Anyway enough drivel from me, thought I would share this experience.

**RantyDave** · 30th December 2006, 15:00

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

The shaft reaction dropped my line in too narrow and the engine torque reaction made it run too wide !!!

Does it do the same thing on the opposite corner? If so, I suspect it's the suspension and not the shaft.

Not that I know shit, but this guy does...

http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/...nsionSetup.htm

Dave

**nudemetalz** · 30th December 2006, 15:04

Originally Posted by RantyDave

Does it do the same thing on the opposite corner? If so, I suspect it's the suspension and not the shaft.

Not that I know shit, but this guy does...

http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/...nsionSetup.htm

Dave

The rear drops down when the power comes off, but I was also leaning to the left at the same time.
The engine torque reaction is only on left handers as putting on the power pulls it to the right.
Hope this all makes sense.

But you are right to a degree, I am slowly sorting out the suspension for me.

Thanks for the link.

**merv** · 30th December 2006, 15:15

Doesn't sound like the kind of "character" I would enjoy. I like my bikes soft and sensual.

Nothing like experience though eh!

**laRIKin** · 30th December 2006, 15:37

Very quickly.

I brake, release brake, tip into corner and (then) on the gas right though the corner.

On the older bikes with integrated brakes, if to fast or got a wobble or bounce on, you would drag the foot brake to stabilise or slow down a bit.
You would keep the power on and I use to gas up even a bit more and release the rear brake slowly.

This will not work as well on the newer Guzzi's as they do not have integrated bakes, but I still drag the rear brake a bit before I think about throttling off.

**pritch** · 30th December 2006, 15:55

I used to own a K100RS and didn't corner much differently to what I do now.
That "much differently" is mainly occasioned by the fact the Hornet may be thrown around more easily than a K100.

Any bike will tighten its line if you chop the throttle in a corner, similarly all bikes widen the line if you gas it and they should all hold a constant line while you maintain constant throttle. Properly set up bikes all lose ground clearance if you suddenly shut the throttle in a corner.

Get your suspension right and follow normal good cornering practice as described in many books and magazine articles and you should be fine. The shaft effect shouldn't be a problem.

**nudemetalz** · 30th December 2006, 16:47

When leaned over and powered off it felt like the rear end dropped but then the engine torque picked the bike up and went way off where I wanted the bike to go despite lots of countersteering.
Like has been said before, the suspension isn't quite rightly setup for me, but I'm working on it.
My "Guzzi Technique" needs to be learned still as well.

Apart from those scary couple of moments, riding the Guzzi up the Rimutakas was a sheer joy indeed and made me feel like I had made the right bike choice for sure. Just a little more vocals from the exhausts is needed now.

**Colapop** · 30th December 2006, 17:22

Had the opportunity to see one "up close and personal" like, in Mt Eden Motamacycles today ('zactly like yours). They is a sexy beast. If I had more time I might have conned a test ride on it... Woulda been interesting to see you on the Taka's with yours