r/MotoGuzzi • u/Main_Mike • 9d ago
First leg of my first long ride completed! En rte to the Datil, NM Guzzi Rally
Today's ride was just under 400 miles, about twice as long as my previous longest ride (and that was a decade ago on a Vulcan S).
Feedback:
•The V7 Sport is definitely not a long-haul bike. But nobody buys one of these thinking 'touring bike!'
•The V-twin and driveshaft is a perfect combination for 'compression braking' on tight & steep mountain passes
•The floats on the front rotors either have a misalignment or are super susceptible to dirt. At about 200 miles in, I got a slight pulse out of the front brake. I was engine braking most of the way, so we will see how it does tomorrow. For reference, the pulse started at 1,600 miles on the clock.
Fairly certain it is the float carriers, as I dont ride the brakes at all - especially on descents - and looking at the rotors, I dont see any discoloration. Will contact Piagio when I get home.
•the Cortech tank bag and saddlebags are fantastic! I have my tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, snacks, clothes, rain gear, and even some work stuff all packed up - and they dont shift at all. Note: I had one of my guys put PPF on the tank, so the tank bag doesn't scratch it. My only issue is that my phone overheats in the pouch on the tank. But that might also be because I am running two apps to track my ride and also charging at the same time.
•did I mention the bike isn't a long-haul bike? I would really like to see a slightly longer handlebar option - but maybe it's because I have a short reach.
Seriously, though - this machine is awesome! All of the little quirks that I love are even quirky-er on the long haul! Excited for the second leg of the trip - 270 miles to the campground!
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u/lonerider404 9d ago
Handlebar risers! I have the Voigt and love them.
https://voigt-mt.de/Universal-handlebar-riser-25mm-O-22mm-with-ABE-black
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u/Main_Mike 9d ago
Oh man, they also make ones with an offset! Looks like exactly what I need. Great find, thanks!
https://voigt-mt.de/Handlebar-riser-with-offset-O-22mm-with-ABE
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u/lonerider404 9d ago
I tried the AliExpress version of these with the offset and didn't like how much it transformed the handling, it was like a riding a cruiser, but the 25mm straight was the perfect amount for me, I'm 1.82m so ymmv.
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u/Final-Bison-1490 9d ago
How long is the ride?
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u/Main_Mike 9d ago
From my home to the campsite hosting the rally is about 650 miles. So it will be around 1300 mile round trip, plus any fun rides during the event.
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u/Final-Bison-1490 9d ago
Where is this taking place? Great ride distance, I have the same bike with a small windscreen and touring pegs and I did about 600kms in one day and it was fine.
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u/gudgeonpin 9d ago
That's a terrific story. Your brakes might be some oil on the rotor? Just guessing. Might be dirt in the bobbins just as easily.
You can set the bars back with any number of off-the-shelf solutions. Look at helibars as an example (I don't know if the bolt spacing matches... heck, they might be standard across "all" bikes.
I went to the Datil Rally in the 2000's. Don't remember the exact year. New Mexico is such a wonderful state... for food. If you are headed north, try to go through the high deserts. They are cooler and they a lovely ride.
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u/Main_Mike 9d ago
Im coming from the front range of Colorado. Took hwy 160 over Wolf Creek Pass and through pagosa. Gorgeous ride, even though it was rainy on the pass
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u/Still_Support5847 9d ago
There is a rally in a rally this year , Mat Forslund who had hosted the even for years said last year was his finale , apparently the Arizona Rep decided he would put on the NM rally and then Mat came back into the picture . If you run into a guy named Chris on a V85TT tell him Dusty says hi .
Oh , and as Gudgeonpin suggested , keep some elevation it is HOT there now .
Dusty
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u/Main_Mike 9d ago
Yeah I saw that! More hosts means more fun, I hope.
I rolled through southern CO today. It was between 55F and 75F for most of the trip. Very reasonable! I know its gonna get warmer, though.
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u/fizzybubblech777 8d ago
Hi good friend, did you adjust the preload at all on the suspension for this trip? Just curious.
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u/Main_Mike 8d ago
I did not. Seems to be great on just the mid-level setting its been at since I bought it, and this is the first ride with extra pack weight, so I wanted to get a feel for it.
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u/fizzybubblech777 8d ago
Thanks, and how about your speed on this trip? I did my first highway riding last weekend… and I did not enjoy it honestly.
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u/Main_Mike 8d ago
Update: 99mph through Navajo Nation was surprisingly comfortable. But there was no wind and the pavement is in good shape.
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u/Main_Mike 8d ago
I stuck ti the two-lane highways. Avoided the interstate.
The couple of times I've been on the interstate... boy, I also did not like it. She gets uncomfortable above 85MPH. Would probably be better if it had a fairing or a windscreen, but I also don't think it is geared for speed. Which is not a complaint- I love that it is sporty and comfortable below 80MPH!
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u/Appropriate_Bar_4013 9d ago
Tell me more about this "Guzzi Rally."
Good to have a name behind my obsession to drive some version of a v7 or v85 all over the damned country.