The Guzzi was purchased in 1995 at a Guzzi dealer in Perth for approx $7.500. It had low kms and was in good condition. It was the kind of bike I had wanted for quite some time, an Italian V twin. I did not want a Ducati - not that I have anything against them - it's just that I wanted a bike that was not as common as the Ducati!.I had also become sick of the Japanese bikes. I did not want or need to go 300kms an hour, having lost my licence on one in 85 for too much speeding! Not that you could not loose it on a Italian bike it was just a bit harder!
The bike was a major departure from the previous bikes I had, no more missiles. The Guzzi had it's own idiosyncrasies that made it a harder bike to ride (linked brakes,long wheelbase, weight, points ignition on an 86 bike, terrible front suspension,etc.) However, once these had been fixed (suspension,electronic ignition) or mastered (linked brakes,cornering etc) it was pure joy out on the open road, with big sweepers where it came into it's own. I enjoyed every minute on the Guzzi until it was stolen in Melbourne in 1999 and was never seen or heard from again. If you are interested in the Moto Guzzi marque then go to history of Guzzi, which gives you a brief history of the oldest Italian motorcycle company.