Sunday, a couple of years back, In the midle of the summer with temps scorching at high 30's (as always) , the local gang desided to go for a fast ride in the northern freeway , us with 4 K bikes and a new pal Dimitris with his brand new Agusta MV SENNA edition (respect to both driver and bike).
Excellent ride , have to admit that at the regrouping and refuelling point some 200 kms after we were all a bit envy of the extremely beutifull bike and the way it nagotiated curves, am not saying anything about acceleration, demonic.
On the way back at the final tolls one of us noticed something looking like fire fm the rear left side of the Agusta under the seat. We came close and nod to the guy about the issue, he imediately stoped at the emergency lane and we all came within close distance signalling alarm. The fire started to look brighter and there was a smell of burned plastic. He cursed himself and the Agusta factory jumped on the bike wich started at the click of the starter and disappeared at the horizon, we followed him with great difficulty. Every time someone was comming close to him to check on bike he released a bit throtle and the fire imediattely became to erupt fm under seat. Hard on throttle fire diminished to small just nearly visible flames. In this way we reached the Agusta dealer located less than 1 km fm freeway exit . Arrived netered dealers show room and imediatelly stoped bike , which imediately after engine was turned off the fire slowly and gradually became bigger and bigger. A couple of persons run towards us cause our arrival and then endrance to premises was a bit dramatic, one of then the sales man regognized our friend and welcomed him only to receive a direct hit on the chin. Big fuss and people run towards us, we restrained Dimitris (unable to talk, only cursing and shouting ) and began to explain issue, remember bike is still in fire. They all look towards bike and one shouted " someone get the fire extinguisher". Fire was immediately surprised and bike was moved outside the show room. Head dealer immediately started talking and then promised immediate replacement of bike , Dimitirs had bouth it only 4 days ago and payed in cash. We were offered coffe ( a must at all dealers) simultaneously an assistant mechanic was summoned to take bike back in the garage located in the other side of the road. The guy arrived and asked for the key, went to bike turned keys and hit start, bike started and engine with a wonderfull italian style rumor reminds us of good italian craftsmanship, he sat himself on seat and rode to the other side of road. Small flames under the seat again but engine worked perfectly. We all looked with mouths wide open and Dimitris said in a much calmer voice now : it's a marvelous bike who cares about flames all over as long as engine works". For the record they gave him a new bike and issue was the traction control unit .