Here's a good story.
Little background about myself, i grew up riding dirt bikes of all sorts, 20 yrs later i decided it was time to buy a bike. I wanted to start riding again on something that would give me a challenge and test my 20 yr inactivity. I picked up a 99 Honda cbr600 for very little and it all came back, riding that is. After over 1 yr i decided i wanted something different as riding ability was of no concern to me anymore.
Enter the Moto Guzzi, I visited the local shops here, Victoria BC Canada, and just didnt see anything that caught my eye. After many visits to the shops, one shop had a new Griso, i fell in love right away, only my very short inseam said no way too short.
After seeing the Griso i researched the Moto Guzzi brand, when i seen the California touring i knew without even sitting on the bike that was the one, no Harley for me. Back to the shop i went, i was told by the shop, "you will have to pay 5k CAD non-refundable" just to get the bike here and by the way our mechanics have not done the Guzzi course so there would be limited troubleshooting skills if required. Needless to say, i didnt plunk down my 5k, not a warm fuzzy feeling from the dealer.
About 2 weeks later i was scouring the local bike-for-sale ads and i see a 2014 California touring. I call the guy and arranged a visit, he was a 2 hours drive from me here on Vancouver Island. I knew i wanted the bike so i decided to go cash in hand.
I get to the guy's home and he starts tells me this is his dream bike after riding for more than 50yrs, I had a good hour chat with him, he was told by his Doctor that he cant ride anymore due to a failing heart. I felt very sorry for him, and felt his pain. However, he accepted his Doctor's wishes and needed to sell his bike.
We agreed on 14900CAD as the bike had just 2k kilometers and had just been for first service in Vancouver. I could not contain the smile as i counted out 14900 as new cost over 19000CAD.
Long story, i know, this is how i got my "New Baby".
