New, flat tappet, 8 valve Guzzi's. What are my options?

[Travlr]

There are still a few new, flat tappet 8 valve bikes available.  I have real mixed feelings about making an offer on one.
My understanding is MG will not upgrade them unless the tappets show wear.  These are new bikes, so no wear.
It will be a used 4-5 year old Guzzi once I title it.  Depreciation should be 30% to 40% immediately.

I'm trying to figure my options.

1. Buy and ride until the tappets begin to fail?  Then file a warranty claim.
2. Ask the dealer to upgrade before purchase?  (what would this cost the dealer?)
3.Buy and get an extended warranty.
4. Skip the whole thing.  It's not worth the hassle.

M

   

[rocker59]

There is a reason they're sitting unsold.

4.  Skip the whole thing.  It's not worth the hassle.

[JeffOlson]

It might indeed be a hassle, but would you deal with it if you could buy one of these new left-over bikes for, say, $1,000? Of course you would! For the right price, a hassle is not as much of a problem. So, why not make a ridiculously low offer if you find a bike you like and see what happens?

[pete roper]

Buy it, ride it for 10,000 miles, inspect it and rollerise. Or, buy it for 2 grand less and rollerise it yourself. Or, just buy a 2013 on model for a bit more.

Depends what's being asked money wise.

Pete.

[Travlr]

Just a bit of clarification about price.  The reason I did not mention price was because I could build in the cost to convert to rollers in any offer.  For example,

$12,000: what I can buy a new Stelvio NTX with bags for.  So what does that make the new/old Stelvio w/o bags worth?
Then subtract the cost to convert to rollers.  Or ask the dealer to do the conversion before delivery.

Just exploring my options.  Rocker may be right.
Thanks for all your thoughts.

M

[not-fishing]

I've been looking at purchasing a used Stelvio and rollerizing it off the warranty and here are what I figure the costs are:

2009, most expensive parts; $1500 parts + $1500 labor = $3000
2010 & later, less expensive parts ; $1000 parts + $1000 labor = $ 2000

Your prices may very. 

I may be able to do the 2010 kit (A or B) myself but the 2009 kit I figure on taking it to the shop.

My decision is I'm better off getting a 2013 or newer Stelvio unless the rollers have been done.

Mark

[arveno]

I've been looking at purchasing a used Stelvio and rollerizing it off the warranty and here are what I figure the costs are:

2009, most expensive parts; $1500 parts + $1500 labor = $3000
2010 & later, less expensive parts ; $1000 parts + $1000 labor = $ 2000

Your prices may very. 

I may be able to do the 2010 kit (A or B) myself but the 2009 kit I figure on taking it to the shop.

My decision is I'm better off getting a 2013 or newer Stelvio unless the rollers have been done.

Mark

What is the difference between rollerizing a 2009 bike vs a later bike ?

sorry to jack the thread.

Marco

[rocker59]

Just a bit of clarification about price.  The reason I did not mention price was because I could build in the cost to convert to rollers in any offer.  For example,

$12,000: what I can buy a new Stelvio NTX with bags for.  So what does that make the new/old Stelvio w/o bags worth?
Then subtract the cost to convert to rollers.  Or ask the dealer to do the conversion before delivery.

Just exploring my options.  Rocker may be right.
Thanks for all your thoughts.

M

If you're looking at a 2012, it will soon be five model years old.  Original MSRP was $15990.

Take five years of depreciation and the @ $2000 rollerization cost into account.

They'd have to practically be giving them away for me to be interested.

[Wayne Orwig]

What is the difference between rollerizing a 2009 bike vs a later bike ?

sorry to jack the thread.

Earlier bikes need to have the heads pulled.

[Wayne Orwig]

2009, most expensive parts; $1500 parts + $1500 labor = $3000
2010 & later, less expensive parts ; $1000 parts + $1000 labor = $ 2000

Since Piaggio covers the parts, and labor shouldn't be THAT high. I suspect it is more like $1200 and $750.

[rboe]

My first impression: The Stelvio is too tall for you so then you'd want to sell it and now you're in the position the dealer is in now.

Griso; if you can document all your maintenance then Piaggio will donate the kit, you pay the labor to install (how long they will have the kits is unsure) and I would inspect the tappets at 6K instead of 10K knowing what I know now.

But all in all; I'd say pass on it. Get the CB. 

[tc]

Piaggio covers the parts IF their people look at the pictures and determine that there is excessive wear.
If not you pay for the parts or button the engine back up and ride it till there is a problem.
Going through this on my '09 right now. Very low miles and running well, I don't believe there will be enough wear to get the claim approved. I have already got an estimate from MPH but not sure what to do. I need to sell it but with this issue....?

tc

[smdl]

I know that there has been some indication that this is not 100% solid, but keep in mind that some 2012s will have roller engines. 

From Curtis Harper:

According to Piaggio, Roller tappets are in the following engines.

Stelvio AC : After AC12596 03/12/2012
Griso A8 :    After 13524     04/12/2012 
Norge AA :  After 12214     04/18/2012


My 2012 Stelvio (engine number 12998) has factory rollers.

Cheers,
Shaun

[power685]

I really enjoy the character Moto guzzi brings to the table. And I love the Griso's looks and riding position. I would have one in my garage already if it didn't present this crazy issue of an obvious design flaw and a manufacturer with such "vague" warranty policies. For me its to hard to plunk down such a big chunk of change for a motorcycle that, somewhere down the line is going to present some aggravation and expense. Wish it was different.... I say pass

[rocker59]

I really enjoy the character Moto guzzi brings to the table. And I love the Griso's looks and riding position. I would have one in my garage already if it didn't present this crazy issue of an obvious design flaw and a manufacturer with such "vague" warranty policies. For me its to hard to plunk down such a big chunk of change for a motorcycle that, somewhere down the line is going to present some aggravation and expense. Wish it was different.... I say pass

The issues on each model are known.  They shouldn't scare you off Guzzis, in general.

My 120,000 Guzzi miles have been relatively trouble-free, and I think many in the silent majority here would agree.

A 2015/2016 Griso would be a great bike.  Retains the Guzzi character, but the kinks have all been ironed out.

[Steph]

 The dealer is probably secretly hoping for a fly-in and ride-out buyer. They don't want the 'hassle' either

Hassle = unwanted long-term relationship

[Cool Runnings]

Paid 12k for a new 2014 Norge last fall, with trade in it was 9k. My trade in was impossible to sell on craigslist, tried twice and got one phone call and one looker (05 Royal Star Tour Deluxe). Sounds like better deals can be had than the 12k I paid, but remember, my dealer is a 15 minute drive, not a fly and ride. A fly and ride to the west coast would have been horrible as without a custom seat and lowering pegs the drive home would have put me into the ER. 

[pete roper]

Can someone tell me what sort of price is being asked for a new flat tappet Griso? It'd be bloody tempting if the $'s are small enough. I have spare kits!

[Dilliw]

Low mileage Black Devils can be found for less than 8k if you are patient.  Here's one at the same place that I bought mine for $7300.  Buy OMG a beer and he will check it for rollers...

http://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/Hourglass-Cycles-3016628/listing/2012-Moto-Guzzi-GRISO-1200-8V-SE-118655158

[Travlr]

Can someone tell me what sort of price is being asked for a new flat tappet Griso? It'd be bloody tempting if the $'s are small enough. I have spare kits!

None of the bikes I found were Griso's.  A 2011 Stelvio and a 2011 Norge.  They also have a leftover 2011 Black Eagle.

Here is a link to the bikes.  I'm going to take Rockers advice and pass.

M

www.judsoncyclesale s.com

[Cool Runnings]

None of the bikes I found were Griso's.  A 2011 Stelvio and a 2011 Norge.  They also have a leftover 2011 Black Eagle.

Here is a link to the bikes.  I'm going to take Rockers advice and pass.

M

www.judsoncyclesale s.com

2k off a 5 year old bike? 

[Yo Man]

For what it's worth, I have a '09 Stelvio and brought it to Seacoast Sport in NewHampshire and had it "rollerized". It had 9000 miles on it and no service records. They had the parts in three weeks, did the work on the day they promised and negotiated with Piaggio and had the cost of the parts covered, all on the same day as the work was done (thanks guys).  Cost to me was $900 and now I have a bike that I love to ride that I can sell with a clean conscience, if I choose to. That's not the plan. My point; It's not that huge a deal and the bike, whichever model you want, is really worth the hassle.

[pete roper]

For what it's worth, I have a '09 Stelvio and brought it to Seacoast Sport in NewHampshire and had it "rollerized". It had 9000 miles on it and no service records. They had the parts in three weeks, did the work on the day they promised and negotiated with Piaggio and had the cost of the parts covered, all on the same day as the work was done (thanks guys).  Cost to me was $900 and now I have a bike that I love to ride that I can sell with a clean conscience, if I choose to. That's not the plan. My point; It's not that huge a deal and the bike, whichever model you want, is really worth the hassle.

Excellent! See? All it takes is a willingness to behave in a sensible and civilised manner and things can be resolved amicably and without rancour.

Behave like a whiney, aggrieved, beligerant, entitled, fart-stain and the end result will probably be a lot less satisfactory.

Pete

[Nic in Western NYS]

Excellent! See? All it takes is a willingness to behave in a sensible and civilised manner and things can be resolved amicably and without rancour.

Behave like a whiney, aggrieved, beligerant, entitled, fart-stain and the end result will probably be a lot less satisfactory.

Pete

(aside... If I heard that in a campaign speech, I'd consider voting for the person.)

[Markcarovilli]

Excellent! See? All it takes is a willingness to behave in a sensible and civilised manner and things can be resolved amicably and without rancour.

Behave like a whiney, aggrieved, beligerant, entitled, fart-stain and the end result will probably be a lot less satisfactory.

Pete

:1:

Mark

[Rox]

I wouldn't touch them . As said there's a reason they've not sold. If you want a Griso it might be smarter to just fork out the extra money for a 15 leftover or a 16.

[pete roper]

I wouldn't touch them . As said there's a reason they've not sold. If you want a Griso it might be smarter to just fork out the extra money for a 15 leftover or a 16.

Anything from 2013 on, (Withe exception of 1200 Sports in the markets that had them.) is safe.

I'd buy a left over Flattie but I have kits to deal with the problem.

Pete

[rocker59]

Anything from 2013 on, (Withe exception of 1200 Sports in the markets that had them.) is safe.

I'd buy a left over Flattie but I have kits to deal with the problem.

Pete

and you have an excellent mechanic on staff to complete the work!

 

[beetle]

Yep! Big Mike is an excellent mechanic!

[pete roper]

Yes he is! That's why I hired him!:D He's done so many rollerisations now I just let go of the leash and he's into it in a blur of spanners!

We have a 750S coming in next week. This is going to be his baptism of fire on the old stuff as we have to go through and rebuild/restore the entire motive unit front to back. He's eager to get into it!

The great thing about having an offsider's is that it means younger, unarthritic, hands can get to touch the freezing cold metal! My hands turn into claws nowadays when it's frosty and you know what the bloody workshop is like with the big roller doors front and back! The wind howls in off the Snowies and its perishing!

We might be having to relocate to Queanbeyan soon as well. Hoping not but we might have no choice.

Pete