2000 Moto Guzzi Quota in northern WI
This was a spur of the moment trip planned after receiving a GPS track that links paved
and gravel roads w/ some trails thrown in to keep you on your toes. The GPS track
was put together by Chad (Rokklym) and Bryan (Cannonshot) on ADVrider.com. Links
to be added soon.
This trail has been called the "Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail" I'd only have time for
the north half this weekend, so I headed for Clark County on Fri after work.
and gravel roads w/ some trails thrown in to keep you on your toes. The GPS track
was put together by Chad (Rokklym) and Bryan (Cannonshot) on ADVrider.com. Links
to be added soon.
This trail has been called the "Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail" I'd only have time for
the north half this weekend, so I headed for Clark County on Fri after work.
6/20-22/2008
When your daily ride is under the knife you have to pull out the next best thing, a 2000 Moto
Guzzi Quota. We picked this up last summer w/ about 10,500 miles on it. It's mostly all
stock and has never let me done. The Guzzi is a bit "Huskier" than the 950 so a different
riding mentality must be turned on when traveling. There is no skid plate to protect the oil
pan and crossover pipe, so encounters w/ rocks on the trail must be avoided. It has about
half the suspension travel too, so a slower pace is required to keep it in one piece. These a
pretty rare bikes as I've read that only about 150 of these bike were brought into the US in
2000 and 750 were made total from the Italian manufacturer.
Crashing is a bad idea. Let the Adventure begin......
Guzzi Quota. We picked this up last summer w/ about 10,500 miles on it. It's mostly all
stock and has never let me done. The Guzzi is a bit "Huskier" than the 950 so a different
riding mentality must be turned on when traveling. There is no skid plate to protect the oil
pan and crossover pipe, so encounters w/ rocks on the trail must be avoided. It has about
half the suspension travel too, so a slower pace is required to keep it in one piece. These a
pretty rare bikes as I've read that only about 150 of these bike were brought into the US in
2000 and 750 were made total from the Italian manufacturer.
Crashing is a bad idea. Let the Adventure begin......
30,000 miles check up on
950, so it will have to sit
this ride out.
950, so it will have to sit
this ride out.
Fist order of business was to get my tent, sleeping bag and misc. stuff packed.
This bike came setup w/ a Hepco and Becker tail box and side bags, Nice units
for road touring, too bulky, and not sure how they would hold up bouncing around
for 300 miles of trails though. I only needed a tail pack for this trip and knowing
that everything I need would fit in my Chase Harper Alaska soft bag I wanted to
take that.
Off came the Hepco tail box and mount. (The grey GOBI's are from the 950 ADV
and work on this bike too. Works great when lots of parts need to delivered to the
anodizer.)
This bike came setup w/ a Hepco and Becker tail box and side bags, Nice units
for road touring, too bulky, and not sure how they would hold up bouncing around
for 300 miles of trails though. I only needed a tail pack for this trip and knowing
that everything I need would fit in my Chase Harper Alaska soft bag I wanted to
take that.
Off came the Hepco tail box and mount. (The grey GOBI's are from the 950 ADV
and work on this bike too. Works great when lots of parts need to delivered to the
anodizer.)
I pulled the rack off on my LC4 640 and
it looked like it would be an easy mount
to the Guzzi stock racking.
it looked like it would be an easy mount
to the Guzzi stock racking.
After adding a couple of new holes for the tab
clamps it bolted up very nicely.
clamps it bolted up very nicely.
Using 4 clamps w/ countersunk bolts it was
bolted on and time to pack up.
It even matches....
bolted on and time to pack up.
It even matches....
I grabbed the Wolfman Explorer lite Tank bag
off the 950 and strapped it to the Guzzi,
worked very well.
Ready to roll.
off the 950 and strapped it to the Guzzi,
worked very well.
Ready to roll.
Friday
Heading out after work I'd take I-43 to Black river falls. Problem is that around Lake Mills to Johnson Creek is one lane
w/ all the flooding. I was trying to stay south far enough by taking back roads until past Lake Mills, but that failed.
Wound up on the north detour up to Watertown then south to I-43, about 40 miles out of the way.
My GPS was failing me, as I have no power hookup on this bike and it's eating new batteries in about 20 min. Never
had that problem last year. With out the GPS I could not plan an alternate route, so I just stuck w/ the detour like
everyone else. :(
w/ all the flooding. I was trying to stay south far enough by taking back roads until past Lake Mills, but that failed.
Wound up on the north detour up to Watertown then south to I-43, about 40 miles out of the way.
My GPS was failing me, as I have no power hookup on this bike and it's eating new batteries in about 20 min. Never
had that problem last year. With out the GPS I could not plan an alternate route, so I just stuck w/ the detour like
everyone else. :(
This is the East bound traffic heading towards
Milwaukee. West bound looked just as bad I'm
sure. Even if it was 40 miles out of the way, I'd
rather be moving than sitting still. I'm sure the
Guzzi feel the same way.
Milwaukee. West bound looked just as bad I'm
sure. Even if it was 40 miles out of the way, I'd
rather be moving than sitting still. I'm sure the
Guzzi feel the same way.
All clear behind me as everyone is stuck on the One lane crossover fix
they built this last week to cure the 100 mile detour to Beloit and back.
they built this last week to cure the 100 mile detour to Beloit and back.
Traffic was moderate and moving at a good pace. I stopped at Lyndon Station for fuel.
A older gentleman stopped me and asked what kind of mileage I get and how much it
cost to fill up. I told him this tank I got 38 mpg and it was about $19 for premium.
He continued to tell me how I looked ready for battle and asked about my trip. We
chatted for a bit as he told me his Aunt back in the 30's rode her Harley w/ a side car
from WI to PA solo, Cost her $13.50 for gas and oil back then for her entire trip.
Times sure have changed. Sometimes it would be cool to experience the roads and
bikes of back then, to see how much things have changed.
A older gentleman stopped me and asked what kind of mileage I get and how much it
cost to fill up. I told him this tank I got 38 mpg and it was about $19 for premium.
He continued to tell me how I looked ready for battle and asked about my trip. We
chatted for a bit as he told me his Aunt back in the 30's rode her Harley w/ a side car
from WI to PA solo, Cost her $13.50 for gas and oil back then for her entire trip.
Times sure have changed. Sometimes it would be cool to experience the roads and
bikes of back then, to see how much things have changed.
At Warrens I pulled off to put my jacket liner back
in, change visors and get ready for the rain. It was
cooling off and the bugs were getting thick.
in, change visors and get ready for the rain. It was
cooling off and the bugs were getting thick.
North on G, in Clark county, the rain stopped
and a huge double rainbow came out. I don't
remember seeing one this large and a
complete loop in a long time, if ever. It was
too big to get it in one shot.
No pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but
this will do.
and a huge double rainbow came out. I don't
remember seeing one this large and a
complete loop in a long time, if ever. It was
too big to get it in one shot.
No pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but
this will do.
Ended the day's ride at my parent's place around 8:30pm. 250 miles for today.
Supper is ready....time to eat.
Supper is ready....time to eat.
End of the day thoughts:
This is the first long ride I've done on this bike after installing the updated ECU. It is much smoother overall.
This bike likes to be warmed up well, it starts up no problem, but it will sputter a little if you ask to much to
soon. Early version of Fuel Injection technology I guess?
The Guzzi is much more stable on the freeway than the 950, I guess the extra 75lbs may have something to
do with that. Going past Semi trucks the 950 KTM gets blown around while the Guzzi plows right past. Maybe
the height and the side profile of the 950 contribute too, it's like a sail in the wind with it's large flat side profile.
The seat is just as uncomfortable as my stock KTM and the low seat, puts my knees at bad angles. Highway
pegs would be nice. A throttle lock would be nice too, I have both on my 950 to ease these long freeway rides.
Hand warmers would be a welcome addition, but w/ both cylinder heads sticking out, I just rest my hands on
them for a bit to keep warm, also works well to dry wet gloves.
This bike is shaft drive, and so far seems geared pretty good. Low first and easily cruises at 75 on the freeway
in 5th.
Tires are Michelin Anakees 21" front 17" rear.
Rox risers were added to get the bars back and up a bit. This is a long bike and it's a stretch to get to the bars
even for me.
Overall, great ride
This is the first long ride I've done on this bike after installing the updated ECU. It is much smoother overall.
This bike likes to be warmed up well, it starts up no problem, but it will sputter a little if you ask to much to
soon. Early version of Fuel Injection technology I guess?
The Guzzi is much more stable on the freeway than the 950, I guess the extra 75lbs may have something to
do with that. Going past Semi trucks the 950 KTM gets blown around while the Guzzi plows right past. Maybe
the height and the side profile of the 950 contribute too, it's like a sail in the wind with it's large flat side profile.
The seat is just as uncomfortable as my stock KTM and the low seat, puts my knees at bad angles. Highway
pegs would be nice. A throttle lock would be nice too, I have both on my 950 to ease these long freeway rides.
Hand warmers would be a welcome addition, but w/ both cylinder heads sticking out, I just rest my hands on
them for a bit to keep warm, also works well to dry wet gloves.
This bike is shaft drive, and so far seems geared pretty good. Low first and easily cruises at 75 on the freeway
in 5th.
Tires are Michelin Anakees 21" front 17" rear.
Rox risers were added to get the bars back and up a bit. This is a long bike and it's a stretch to get to the bars
even for me.
Overall, great ride
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