The things I do for Proff.
I promised him I would carefully look after
HIS Guzzi and make sure it is kept in A1 condition. Obviously the battery needs to be topped up and I don't trust Optimates with those Italian electrics so it seems that I had to take it out for a ride.
Tough job but someone had to do it.
It started first time and the noise shook the entire workshop. Got told off again by SWMBO that it scares the horses but DILLIGAF.
Got to the end of my drive and noticed that the farmer had just been in and out of the fields and coated the road with thick mud for about a mile.
Very slowly slithered to end of road until I got on to clean dry tarmac. Pulled away slowly from junction and then wrestled the mightly carbs fully open. I need to work on my wrist muscles as the throttle is very very heavy.
Holy SHlT Batman
What a sound on full throttle, I think everyone within a 5 mile radious must have heard it. Couldn't believe how a 32 year old twin could gather speed so rapidly. The sound when you change gear is pure music, it drops an octave and then builds up again in next gear. I've never heard such a beautiful note from any bike ever before. If it wasn't for the bent over riding position I would have been nursing at least a semi.
On my own piece of private racetrack it managed to hit 100 mph with ease, it is significantly faster than my 1100GS. At first I confused the rev counter with the speedo and was thinking it felt a lot faster than 50 mph but it was actually 5,000 revs. The brakes are fully up to the job as well fortunately.
Found some lovely twisties through the valley and was pleasantly surprised at how good the roadholding was. I remember all those old 70's roadtests with the cliche "it handles like its on rails". It really does, it feels absolutely planted to the road and the steering is just about perfect. Its not slow steering but its nothing like modern sportsbikes that always want to dive into corners as if designed for Valentino. It felt like it was running in Scaletrix slots, you just think the line through the corner and it follows it perfectly. Unlike modern bikes like my 180bhp R1, you can enjoy this bike at sensible speeds that doesn't risk you life, licence or liberty.
I parked it outside my doctors and had to keep looking at it as I walked away from it, not done that with a bike for a long time. It seems to have an emotional pull I've not felt towards a motorbike in many years.
Road up to shop and discovered its not perfect in town traffic, heavy controls and riding position are not best suited for crawling along. When I came out of shop and started it up, an old lady put her fingers in her ears and told me it was noisy. Again, DILLIGAF.
Filled it with petrol and it again had a crowd of admirers all staring at it, young and old.
Its got no mirros fitted but on way back I noticed a newish XYZRRR600 something with young boy racer had crept up behind me. It would have been rude not to let him hear the full orchestra of sound so I streched those heavy duty throttle cables again. Wow, it can't half shift when you rev it enough.
A 32 year old bike that can leave behind a modern sports bike can't be bad.
Called into Devon's (Andy) house on way home, I think he heard me coming.
When he saw my slim athletic build he immediately knew it was not Proff riding.
A few other Tossers were at his place and all admired the Guzzi.
Finally got back home only to be told off again by SWMBO that I'd even managed to scare the neighbours horses this time.
Looked at the state of the bike and realised it would have stood a good chance of winning the "Dirtiest Bike" competition at the Hograost. Better get it cleaned before Proff turns up later or he'd have a heart attack. (Then again.....)
Decided against the high powered pressure washer as that might kill the dodgy Eyetie electrics. Just spent a while cleaning it and it should be good as new by the time he gets here later.
That was honestly one of the most enjoyable bike rides I have had in many years. It was better than I expected in every area, acceleration, handling, gear changing, roadholding, braking and sound.
A beautiful, beautiful bike.
), jacket potatoes, beer, wine, and lots of fireworks.
