So this is what all the fuss is about (Finally rode a Griso)

[desmoface]

So, Phil at ClevelandMoto in Mentor, Ohio was kind enough to let me demo his brand new, out of the crate Griso.  What can I say other than; "Not bad for an old tractor motor."  Now I have to research this bike to learn about potential issues a new owner may encounter.  I read something about replacing starter or battery cables to make starting easier?   Other than that, is there anything else a potential new owner should be on the lookout for?

I should mention one thing that caught my attention as soon as I saw the bike; it has cheapie plastic/chrome turn signal housings...Looked out of place on a bike of this caliber.

I still want to snag a ride on an R Nine T but I could get used to this very quickly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EESH9Dx8sT8

Steve

[Tom]

Didn't know there was a dealer in Mentor.  There are a number of Guzzi owners in the local area.  Hunt them down and go for a ride with them.   Zoom Zoom is nearby.  They have a monthly breakfast meet also.

[desmoface]

Hi Tom,

The demo ride sure was a lot of fun; I've been bikeless for about the last two years and have always had a thing for Guzzi's.

Steve

[blackcat]

Didn't know there was a dealer in Mentor.  There are a number of Guzzi owners in the local area.  Hunt them down and go for a ride with them. Zoom Zoom is nearby.  They have a monthly breakfast meet also.

I believe that ZZ lives near that dealer and has mentioned that he likes them. Did you test ride the red one?

[mojohand]

Interestingly, Phil is a longtime pal of my local Triumph/Zero/Vespa/Moto Guzzi dealer, Chelsea Lammers. So there's that.

The Griso was my favorite of all the Guzzis I owned.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/72157627073164935/

[desmoface]

Hi Blackcat, yep, this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EESH9Dx8sT8

I believe that ZZ lives near that dealer and has mentioned that he likes them. Did you test ride the red one?

Steve

[Guzzistajohn]

Someday........you'll understand

[desmoface]

Hi Mojohand; I know the importance of having a good dealer and I know Phil's been selling Guzzi's for quite a while now.  Seems to know what he's doing.

Steve

Interestingly, Phil is a longtime pal of my local Triumph/Zero/Vespa/Moto Guzzi dealer, Chelsea Lammers. So there's that.

The Griso was my favorite of all the Guzzis I owned.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojohand/sets/72157627073164935/

[desmoface]

LOL, I believe I am.

Steve

Someday........you'll understand

[blackcat]

Hi Blackcat, yep, this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EESH9Dx8sT8

Steve

Yep, you need to buy the red one.

[thepittsburghguzzi]

I bought my V7C from Phil at Clevelandmoto... awesome guy, impressive selection :)

[desmoface]

You came all the way from Pittburgh?

I bought my V7C from Phil at Clevelandmoto... awesome guy, impressive selection :)

[ITSec]

You came all the way from Pittburgh?

Pittsburgh to Cleveland? "all the way"?  My sense of distance must be permanently distorted! 

[thepittsburghguzzi]

It's only a couple hours from here to Cleveland, and the ride back home was my maiden voyage 

You came all the way from Pittburgh?

[desmoface]

LOL, I guess it's not that far.  I guess I'm fortunate to have them a stones throw from my home.

Steve

[guzzi ride]

I had a short test ride on a Griso at Cadre cycle 2 weeks ago and fell in love.

[pyoungbl]

"old tractor engine"....not so, by a long shot.  That 8 valve high cam engine has no tractor roots. 

[desmoface]

I had a short test ride on a Griso at Cadre cycle 2 weeks ago and fell in love.

She's addictive, right?

"old tractor engine"....not so, by a long shot.  That 8 valve high cam engine has no tractor roots.

Ahh..I was just funning.'  Not even a little tractor dna?

Steve

[oldbike54]

"old tractor engine"....not so, by a long shot.  That 8 valve high cam engine has no tractor roots.

 Yeah , more of a high performance ditch pump engine 

 Dusty

[sturgeon]

I still want to snag a ride on an R Nine T but I could get used to this very quickly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EESH9Dx8sT8

Having been through testing and buying a new R-bike recently, I'll offer this.

To me, the R Nine T is really just a previous gen R1200R, dressed a bit differently to attract the hipster crowd.

Whatever you do, don't test a new shower-head R1200R right after the Nine.

[desmoface]

Hi Sturgeon,

You know, I sat on the new r12r as I thought this bike was custom made for me...I actually found it too upright..I prefer a slight forward lean like on the r9t and the Griso.  Is the new r12 that much better than the 9t?  I would also fancy a spin on the new s1kr 

Steve

Having been through testing and buying a new R-bike recently, I'll offer this.

To me, the R Nine T is really just a previous gen R1200R, dressed a bit differently to attract the hipster crowd.

Whatever you do, don't test a new shower-head R1200R right after the Nine.

[jGuz]

I've been through the same conundrum before I got my R9T.  At first I wanted the S1KR, but then concluded that if I were to use it to its full potential I would either be in jail or in the ground.  Still, seems like a fantastic bike for $15k.

I test-rode the WC R1200R and thought it was just a well-refined, proper bike.  It was smooth and did everything pretty much effortlessly.  The problem was that it was a little too much like my Honda...very refined, but a little "too perfect."  If you like Honda-like smoothness with an upright seating position, the R1200R is pretty close to perfect.

The Griso was a little too tall for me.  For me, I need to flatfoot or else my overall riding confidence declines.  Plus, it didn't have ABS and since I am a relative noob, I would feel much more comfortable with ABS.

I ogled the R9T for months before I test-rode it.  The handling was precise, the throttle was punchy but linear, and it looks absolutely gorgeous.  The stock exhaust sounds amazing, too.  It rumbles, grumbles, and burbles and even does the torque-jacking to the right with throttle blips.  I'll admit they're about $3K overpriced, but for me, she was a keeper.  Nothing else had the combination of ride quality, appearance, fit, and fun for me. 

Still, I continue to dream.  All kinds of bikes out there I'd love to have in the garage.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I'll admit they're about $3K overpriced, but for me, she was a keeper.  Nothing else had the combination of ride quality, appearance, fit, and fun for me. 

 2014 R Nine T models are showing up in the used market priced around $11,000 to $12,000. Not overpriced at that level IMO.

[sturgeon]

Hi Sturgeon,

You know, I sat on the new r12r as I thought this bike was custom made for me...I actually found it too upright..I prefer a slight forward lean like on the r9t and the Griso.  Is the new r12 that much better than the 9t?  I would also fancy a spin on the new s1kr 

Steve

You must have longer arms than I do. On my 04 R1150RT I was upright; on the R12R I lean forward, maybe about the same as the V7S, maybe a tad less.

As for which is better, I guess that depends on your personal preferences. I ended up loving and getting all the tech on the R12R after my test rides. BMW purists whine about the missing telelever; to me the dynamic suspension on the standard USD forks comes very close to mimicking the anti-dive on the telelever. The ability to set the throttle response to suit the situation is very nice. Some people will sneer at all the tech and proclaim that it'll be hell to fix, and liquid cooling is just some new-fangled invention, along with ABS, FI, etc, etc. I'm not among them. I've also tested both the S1000RR and the S1000XR. I quickly came to the conclusion that I liked the lower HP of the boxer with nearly the same torque. The shift assist is a joy to use, as is the wet clutch (never been all that fond of dry). The R12R has more suspension travel than the Nine, and its ABS is a bit more sophisticated.

But ask me again in August after I've put 10,000 km on it.

[Doppelgaenger]

I rode the NineT a few months ago after going to the BMW/Ducati dealership to ride the scrambler and see what the fuss was about. The scrambler is cheap, and it feels cheap. And for an "entry level" bike it has an absolutely vicious first gear.

The NineT was a revelation to me. Solid, great looking, TONS of torque way down low, extremely smooth and handles like a dream. On the downside it's not as comfortable like as Breva 1100, but on twisty roads it's probably more fun ultimately because it has more torque. I know I wouldn't want to do more than a few hundred miles on it at a time. And it's not the seat as much as it's the riding position, a bit leaned forward and cramped.

On the flipside, the guzzi is louder, less smooth, but it likes to rev more and rewards you for it, whereas the BMW kinda peters out at the top of the rev range. Also, the boxer engine made my vision blur at stoplights, something that I couldn't make stop. It feels mechanical, whereas the 90 degree twin in the guzzi has a cadence to it more akin to a heartbeat, which doesn't blur vision.

If I had the money, I would own both bikes. They are different enough that it'd be worth it and they are both excellent in their own right. Now I just need to go ride a Griso 

[Huzo]

Someday........you'll understand

Just love John Fogerty !

[not-fishing]

Yeah , more of a high performance ditch pump engine 

 Dusty

I got your hot rod ditch pump right here:




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQDul5m8oEQ

[Dilliw]

I've been getting settled in to a new to me Griso for a couple of months now.  If you read this article I think it gets it right at least for the Griso:

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/retro-roadster-shootout

If the Griso came delivered with a better map, better brake pads, and better spark plug caps (why?) I think it would have easily won that shootout.  All of those can be done for less than $300US total.  For ergo's I did Onar's 15mm risers and the KD 1" lower pegs and it is about as comfortable as any standard I've ever ridden. 

[desmoface]

Hi Dilliw,

Thanks for the info and the link.

Steve

I've been getting settled in to a new to me Griso for a couple of months now.  If you read this article I think it gets it right at least for the Griso:

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/retro-roadster-shootout

If the Griso came delivered with a better map, better brake pads, and better spark plug caps (why?) I think it would have easily won that shootout.  All of those can be done for less than $300US total.  For ergo's I did Onar's 15mm risers and the KD 1" lower pegs and it is about as comfortable as any standard I've ever ridden.

[Zoom Zoom]

Didn't know there was a dealer in Mentor.  There are a number of Guzzi owners in the local area.  Hunt them down and go for a ride with them.   Zoom Zoom is nearby.  They have a monthly breakfast meet also.

Yep, Phil is close, and I have been quite satisfied with them.  Tom, remember the H-D pic where you were on my 550? Phil is maybe a little less than a mile West of them on the same street, not too far from Jan.

John Henry