Touring on a Silver Star

[MZCountryRider]

This weekend I attended the Virginia Moto Guzzi Rally held in Meadows of Dan, VA. Decided to take the Silver Star instead of my '69 Guzzi Ambassador. Filled the homemade saddlebags to bulging and expanded the tank bag to it's fullest extent as well. "Silvia" ran beautifully all weekend and was a hit at the rally. Most folks have never heard of MZ and even fewer have seen a Silver Star. Lots of positive comments all weekend.

I rode US highways and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way down, same on the return trip except for about 50 miles of interstate to get past Roanoke. Whatever the speed, Silvia was fantastic - 45 mph on the Parkway or 75 mph on I-81 - it didn't care. Gas mileage is still in the low 60s even though I changed to a 16 tooth countershaft sprocket. The small Guzzi Breva windscreen I installed keeps wind blast to my torso at a minimum while not causing any turbulence around my helmet. The only comfort issue is the seat - overly firm foam had my butt aching after 2 hours. Might try a sheepskin and see if that helps. Wished I had a few more days off to ride the area more, maybe next year.1000 kms in all for the weekend, zero issues.

[phoenix76rb]

Hi Charlie;

sounds like it was a great ride and a great weekend. I'm envious! I've ridden very little this year due to moving out of a house that I was in for 32 years (!) and now setting up the new house and planning a fall wedding. Hopefully I'll be back out to the Blue Ridge mountains next spring when things calm down a bit!

BTW, your bike looks great! As long as I've been into motorcycles (since 1978) and as many as I've owned, and despite my love of thumpers, I can't actually recall ever seeing an MZ Silver Star "in the metal." Maybe one day I'll get a chance to see yours in person!

Tim