The Goose is Loose in da house

[MrKiwi]

Recently rode down to the 4oth (and final) Brass Monkey ride, middle of winter, to one of the coldest locations in NZ. Although it was not overly cold this year, not really dropping below zero C.

Some pics for you to enjoy.

Waiting to catch the ferry to the South Island


One the way down






At the event

[MrKiwi]

On the way home







A dirty goose in the line waiting to catch the ferry back to the North Island

[MrKiwi]

Earlier in the year, a goose in the wild...









At the place of the world's longest place name...

[Camp Director]

That's purty.

[MrKiwi]

That's purty.

sure got the looks. It attracts a fair bit of interest from on-lookers.

[diogenes009]

That is a pretty bike. And you have a great backdrop for it.

[MrKiwi]

Went for a ride a couple of weeks back, just before we went into lock down again. Good timing.

Red beside the harbor, about 4 km down the road from where I live.



Top of the local hill


In the wild about 250km up the road

[MrKiwi]

It was a very nice day for a ride

[diogenes009]

[MrKiwi]

Way back in January this year I placed an order in the NZ Motor Guzzi importer for a factory made top box for the Cali. The factory made top box comes colour matched for my bike and it blends in with the design much better than any after market option. The year drags on and no top box arrives. After several requests for an update which were all matched with silence, in September I sent a frustrated email to the importer asking for an update.

They replied ten days ago to say it still had not left the factory, shipping containers are apparently hard to come by!

So I have been forced into plan b, at least until the top box does arrive. We fitted a bracket to the bike to enable fitment of third party panniers.

Old rear seat frame


New one


Ready for the top box


A few pic with the top box, a small one at 25L.




Then I tidied up my garage workspace...

[diogenes009]

That should tide you over until the one you want arrives.

[4PawsHacienda]

Nice bikes.
Participated in the Moto Guzzi Experience last year, rode a V85TT for a week in northern Arkansas. Thoroughly enjoyed the bike and found it competent just about everywhere. Most of our time was in the twisties through the mountains with a little gravel and even some single track thrown in. Bike did great. Last day was an Interstate run back to Memphis, tried out the cruise control and also found out how it handled high speed (100mph +) travel. I came away a convert. V85 made enough power for me to enjoy and the bike has some character.

[MrKiwi]

Glad you liked it. If I was riding only one up I would have kept it, but two up it is limited for the way we use it.

[ROAD DAMAGE]

Glad you offered the reason for the swap from V85 to the California.
I was just about to ask your reasons.
I'm a new owner of my 1st MG ....... a 2013 Stelvio. I recently flew to Pennsylvania and rode it back to Northwest CO. Put about 3500 miles on getting it back home. I'm enjoying it so far.

Really enjoying your pictures MrKiwi! Thanks for that.
RD

[MrKiwi]

Hi Road Damage

Hope you like it.

I now have my California up for sale and will be going back to an adventure bike. I'll be buying a Norden 901 later in the year.

[MrKiwi]

And if you want more pics, here are some from a recent trip on the California. I did a circumnavigation of the South Island in March.

Me approaching the south eastern corner of the South Island


Lindis Pass on a fine day


Lake Pukai


Looking up the Holifird Valley on the way to Milford Sound

[MrKiwi]

Central Otago


Danseys Pass


Lake Tekepo


Higher on Danseys Pass

[diogenes009]

Very nice scenery!