TEST RIDE
Our test ride was 214km long, spilt in to
five legs. The first 80km stage was from our
resort base to the Plai Phu hot springs. The
roads were twisty with an excellent tar seal
surface, little traffic and proved to be just
right for getting to know the Guzzi.
Hopping aboard, the first thing I noticed was
how good the ergos felt. It’s slim through
the middle, not too tall with its 830mm seat
height, and is generally very comfortable. The
next thing was just how effortlessly it turns
in. The steering is superb with an accurate
and planted feel as it turns into a corner,
totally losing its 208kg dry weight. This great
steering really left a lasting impression as it
was very confidence-inspiring allowing for
easy and quick mid-corner line changes…
which at times were necessary because of
wondering dogs and slow scooters!
The pace was quick, posted speed signs
were completely ignored and traffic policing
was either non-existent or, maybe, they
simply didn’t care. Gosh, my kinda riding! If
only in New Zealand…
The Plai Phu hot springs area offered gentle
off-road riding, some gravel and some water
42 KIWI RIDER
crossings. I played around a little getting to
know the Guzzi, finding the suspension a little
too soft to push hard off-road, but perfectly
good for gravel and potholes. Some riders
chose to hard boil eggs in the hot springs for
a snack, but I had breakfasted extremely well
at the resort and, for once, wasn’t hungry.
Talking of food, the next leg was 93km to
lunch at a stunning restaurant overlooking
the sea and the beautiful islands in Pang
Nga Bay – think the hangover movie – truly a
spectacular view. At this stage I was genuinely
grateful to be consuming our marvellous
Thai meal in an air-conditioned building! My
leather boot-covered wet feet, from the water
crossings, had never felt so hot – ever. But
because of my caring nature I refrained from
removing them.
On this stage the riding was a mixture of
the tight-ish previous riding we had been
doing and more open dual-carriageway style
roads. At one time our group freight trained
passed two parked police cars well in excess
of 160 km/h… and judging by their happy
expressions they were well pleased with our
most excellent progress.