Breakin' in the new Guzzi...

[RadHawk]

First day out on the Norge... The snow has cleared from the roads, gotta watch for sand but that's part of living here...

Headed home after work and got the registration, took off by six and took off North. Up through Augusta along the Kennebec River, crossed over onto to Rt 202 toward LA (Lewiston/Auburn... ) )
Stopped by Lake Auburn just at sunset. Continued on to Gray, Yarmouth, Freeport and Portland, back down to the Village to home.







Lake is still iced over.. !



Got a 150 miles in before getting back just in time for the 10 o'clock news, hit the rack.

I will need a few more miles before making any real decisions on making changes, possibly the lower seat or bar risers. With the Gerbing's heated gear loop and heated grips, I really do not need much. Garmin Zumo needs to be hard wired and I'll probably use the Powerlet type outlet to allow for quick-disconnect of the cradle vs hard wiring right to the battery.

The engine makes sa-weet, usable power any where. I took care not to lug it, run in constant engine speeds or rev too high. Lots of up and down and shifting. Feels absolutely awesome.

I do like this motorcycle... More later.

Best,
Rob



Due to domestic responsibilities I took Tuesday off from adding break-in miles but made up for it yesterday.

I was able to make a loop from Brunswick, down to see Tim at The Motorcycle Shop in freeport, he is putting the final touches on his GS Hack... very cool.

From there I made my way over through Pownal and Gray to Windham to visit with Gerry and Jamie at Moto Milano, Ducati dealer and excellent wrench/dyno guys...
Heading North and West toward Sebago Lake area, Casco, Raymond, Naples and the Long Lake causeway... Then Rt 11 over to Poland, Mechanic Falls, Auburn.
No shops to visit there so on to Manchester, Augusta and Gardiner and down Rt 27 to the Hacienda....

Another 170 miles closer to the first service... Getting right around 41 MPG during these first few tanks of regular...

I took a blast at lunch and where the temps have soared : into the low 60's I did hear a slight ping on acceleration pulling from low speed in the wrong gear... damn six speeds... I tried to replicate that but from then on I choose teh correct gear, no ping.

I have to say that this engine makes some good usable power...

The # 2 Grandson's birthday party this evening so another small trek of maybe 100 miles. This break-in process is fun... ;D

Ciao,
rd


Went to the Birthday gathering for the little guy and headed home the long way....

Up to Rt 17 in Augusta and East to Rockland and then back down Rt 1 to Home, about 140 miles for the night...
I am using mostly main routes as the back roads are still a bit bumpy right now, until the frost comes out of the ground for good, well at least for the Summer...

I will be ready for the first service this week.... Geting better mileage now, 43.5 mpg or so, depending on how much I keep my fist out of the twisty thing it should get even better.

I like this rig...

Best,
rd

[Kurlon]

Let me know the next time you get a hankering to swing by Windham, I wanna see the new Guzi ST in the flesh.

[OreoGaborio]

that's a shaaarp lookin tourer right there

[RadHawk]

Let me know the next time you get a hankering to swing by Windham, I wanna see the new Guzi ST in the flesh.

Will do, I go visit Gerry and Jamie often... plus I need new Sidis so I may be down there soon...
Rob

[RadHawk]

any updates on the Norge?

Hey g®eg,
Yeah I have done a couple of things to it... I did not want to just go make changes without putting some miles on so I waited and analyzed things for a bit.

Ended up installing a set of 1-1/2" aluminum bar risers to sit up just a tad more, installed some GPS and Gerbing's dedicated outlets, Givi top box for stuff and the tall dark screen that has since come back off.

I did not realize how much I looked through the screen, say in traffic or in weather that gets me ducking behind it and I also found myself peering up and over it, started to make a neck strain so I will get another only in clear... What a bonehead. I got the dark smoked screen 'cause it looked cool...

I have been through the first rear tire and went with the Z6 again but I'll try the Dunlop Roadsmart Sport Touring tires as replacements.

Oh, what else, no seat change or any of that, I am average in size and the seat is fine... for now. I took it out in April and have just a bit over 8200 miles on it as of today.

Done two oil changes and I need to have the dealer (Seacoast) touch up the TPS and re-sync the TBs just to do it, there is an odd hollow spot just off throttle only at start up but it bugs me.

The more it gets on it the more I think I need to use either a stiff front fork spring set up of maybe just heavier oil, little whimpy feeling in a downhill left turn transition as it bottms in that type of turn. No serious but it keeps me from really wringing it out in confidence where I would with say the Sport or SP. I'll get it dialed in, rear shock is tight and I don't think that is part of the diving issue... I run teh Metzlers fairly firm also.

Getting right around 40-45 mpg depending on how I twist the happy handle...

If you check out the ones at Seacoast, tell them I sent you... well, even if I didn't... say "Hey" to Jim and Jesse for me...

Best,
Rob

Come on up to the Maine Guzzi Rally in Sept.

Stopped in to say Hi to Sugarloaf... in May... !






Hogback over look...

[RadHawk]

No prob...

Where are you located..? There are a couple of lightly used ones about. Might be able to save a buck or two...
Rob