Your “One that got away”?

[Neil955i]

For me, the one bike I always wanted to own / ride was a Moto Guzzi Le Mans   You could keep your Ducati 916’s for me. Don’t know what it was about the big red Guzzi beast, but I just loved the look of them.

And now, just when I thought I might be over it, look what they’re launching to tempt me all over again -

[Stig / Major Tom]

2014 red Honda NSS Forza 300.
Purchased while my LIKE200iLX was down for a new TPS.
This was my 5th Honda over span reaching back to 1967.
Miss communication with my wife resulted in a move up to a Burgman 400.
Not the worst thing a female has ever done to me, by a long shot....
But still......😊
Stig

[Neil955i]

.
Miss communication with my wife resulted in a move up to a Burgman 400.

Stig

Digressing slightly, the Burgman 400 is on my (very short) list of possible next scooters - if I can get it in white.  Did you rate it or not?

[randyo]

I passed on a Stelvio, just cause Moto Guzzi doesn't have the greatest dealer network in my area, but I did really like the bike otherwise

[Paco]

Two Guzzis I really like: the Griso and the 1400 California...

[Stig / Major Tom]

Digressing slightly, the Burgman 400 is on my (very short) list of possible next scooters - if I can get it in white.  Did you rate it or not?

IMHO - it's a great Buick of a scooter. Cross-country cruiser. Maybe the best in this class. Handsome in it's own way. Flowing lines, with reason to them.
I mean very well drawn, by whomever. (More modern stuff leaves me cold - most of them look like a collection of broken dinner plates. Probably designed by a committee who only met in the same room on the final day. I'm glad they can get light out of a lens the size of half a domino - but I'll take the lights on the Burgman and the Forza, for their presence, on the road.)

The Burgman: Goofy name, even sounds like it weighs nearly 500 lbs. Great ergos. Comfy, adjustable seat. Great headlights and controls. Has a pretty good forum filled with mostly miserly & grumpy old guys....who love sharing ideas on how to make air filters out of $.98 furnace filters for their expensive scooter.

It was an impressive scooter - but a lot more scooter than I need, or want, after my wife decided she wasn't keen on touring with me. Sold it and bought a new Piaggio Liberty150i from the proceeds. Much happier with the Liberty. Suits my riding, perfectly.

Here it is, waiting on the shippers to come collect it for its 2,700 mile trip to the new owner in Portland, OR.
My mods were: adjustable levers, short Ermax (French) sport screen (SO much better than the turbulence of the tall stock screen!) and 1.75" mirror shaft extensions (U.K. motorcycle shop), Trailblazer pulsing  brake bulbs.


Stig

[Neil955i]

Thanks Stig, pretty much confirms what I’m thinking. We’ll see!

[Kansas kymco]

On Motorcycles I always wanted a BMW 1200 GS adventure tour.  I ended up with a BMW 650 GS witch is a lot better weight for me.  As I age I'm less inclined to purchase a heavy bike.  I have some heavy  scooters with the Bergman 400, Yamaha 400 Majesty,  Kymco 500 Xicitings. 

To go up North I took the Kymco People 250S because it's easier to load and unload on the trailer.  It can run the county roads at 55 without issue. 

[wymple]

I've got a couple of Guzzis. Unlike other bikes, there is never any urge to trade or sell them. The one that got away was a 1976 Suzuki 750 triple two stroke, the water buffalo. I lusted over that thing big time.

[Kansas kymco]

I've got a couple of Guzzis. Unlike other bikes, there is never any urge to trade or sell them. The one that got away was a 1976 Suzuki 750 triple two stroke, the water buffalo. I lusted over that thing big time.

I remember a person who owned a water buffalo who lived up the street from me.  I owned a Yamaha DT-2 enduro at the time. Have not thought of that person since the 70's.

[mine88]

I use to work with a person who had two water buffalos and a rotary Suzuki.

[Kansas kymco]

I use to work with a person who had two water buffalos and a rotary Suzuki.

Now talking about  a rare machine the Suzuki rotary.

[Neil955i]

On the subject of rare machinery, I once had a neighbour with a road legal Suzuki RG500 a la Kevin Schwanz!