The beginning

Well where to start! Bought a new Stelvio for the tour and the next day after taking delivery there was obviously something wrong with the transmission - the clutch as it turned out. On Guzzi Tech it says that this is a known issue with the dodgy clutches that MG make (blame Colin for provoking my interest in these bikes). I am told by my NZ biker "collegaues" that the word on the street is that MG asemble the bikes but they are finished off by the owners! They are bikes of character and emotion - not commonsense (bit like women really). Prue has just emailed to say that there is a recall of the suspension arm which needs replaced - wot next?? Am in a detailed discussion with Fowlers of Bristol about getting things sorted ASAP as I still need to run the bike in during the 2 weeks prior to our tour (and I am also attending with JR the IOM Classic TT)- so time is of the essence. You can start taking bets as to whether I will complete the tour without further breakdowns, recalls or other mishaps. JR thinks I need extra insurance for bike recovery. I am confident it will go well!