First World Problem - Trade the Griso or Not?

[Dave Swanson]

My V100S has arrived at Cadre.  Later next week I will make the drive out to pick it up.  The BIG question is whether I trade my 2016 Griso or not?  Enzo has made a very respectable trade in offer for the Griso.  As you all know I am terribly over served with bikes, therefore common sense dictates that I should trade the Griso.  The problem with that is the Griso is a fantastic motorcycle.  And trying not to brag too much, but it is probably the nicest example you could ever find.  The engine/powertrain is absolutely sublime.  Beetle map, Mistral high pipe, and tuned per Roper specs result in the finest fueling motorcycle I have ever owned.  I always marvel that Moto Guzzi had the guts to bring the Griso to market.  The styling is like no other bike and there will never be anything quite like it again.  Of course the Griso isn't perfect - slow speed handling is not the best, and the riding position is not ideal for an almost 70 year old guy, but it is tolerable. 

In my opinion only, the Griso is kind of a single purpose bike, where the V100s will be more versatile.

Folks on the interweb are known to say that the V100 is a Griso + 25% 

Performance comparisons in most if not all categories will give the V100 the edge, which it should.

Will I ever intentionally pick the Griso over the V100 when both are in the garage?  No doubt the Griso will be ridden less than it is today.

But that Griso is just really something special and this is a special example of one indeed.  Big decision looming very quickly.

[blackcat]

Tough choice, but I’d keep the Griso and sell something else.

[brider]

Agreed on both fronts, first-world problem I wish I had, and keep the Griso. Looking at your listed stable, if it were ME, I'd sell one of the others instead. But that's a collection that would invite regret no matter which bike you sold.

[Perazzimx14]

if you are getting decent money for the Griso, trade it. You'll also get a tax benefit of the trade if you are in a state that collects tax on vehicle purchases.

If you find down the road that life is just not worth living unless you have a Griso the good news is Guzzi made more than one and you'll be able to find another. I have sold a lot of bikes I thought I could not do without and even have had the opportunity to buy some of them back and to date I have not replaced a single one of them. The other thing is the motorcycle market is tanking and the Guzzi market is never good. Coupled together I say take the money and run as it may be the best you'll ever do on the Griso.

[Frenchfrog]

By your description of how it runs I'd think you would be nuts to sell it....

[Dave Swanson]

By your description of how it runs I'd think you would be nuts to sell it....

There is the rub.  It is unlike any other bike I have ridden other than the Norge 8v that had the same tune.  It has a turbine-like smooth tower of power that never fails to impress.

But if I am going to trade it off now is probably the best time.  I can't see the Griso holding it's value well over the years.

[bigbikerrick]

Keep the Griso, sell one of the "duplicates".   The Griso is just so unique!
Rick.

[dguzzi]

  It is possible that some here might be interested in that Griso. Then I would be in the same position, I'd have to send one off to another owner...EV or Cagiva...hmmmm

[lucian]

Dave , I understand the dilemma well and congrats on the v100 purchase. You are going to be amazed at what a great  motorcycle it is. I have had my v100s model since the beginning of summer . I had pre -ordered it back in early winter of last year. I just reached the 900 mile first service mark and the dealer is picking it up next week to complete.I traded in my v4 Tuono factory and have no regrets at all. That bike was just silly for the street and I'm glad its gone. My 8v griso has only been ridden once since I took delivery of the Mandello. They are more dissimilar than they are alike.  The new motor is fantastic  and the active ohlins is light years ahead in terms of ride quality and handling as the stock griso's  .    Aside from the rather harsh first gear clunk I have found nothing about the new bike that isn't above and beyond my expectations. I prefer the road mode for every day riding and have found the factory suspension setting to be very well done for how and where I ride . Like you , I have the fueling on my griso dialed in to the greatest degree possible given  the limitations of the single , narrow band  o2 and 5sm controller.. The new motor is in another league altogether when it comes to fueling and throttle response.  You will not be disappointed, I can guaranty that .  I decided to hold onto my griso for now at least until I have had the v100  for a full season of riding. I doubt I will keep it after that as I find the v100 is just a bit more comfortable . Performance wise you could say it is a Griso plus 25% but it is actually much more a sport touring than a roadster like the Griso.  I plan to do a more detailed review after the first service and some more seat time. I hope you are as pleased with yours as I am so far , it's a very unique machine.  Look forward to hearing your take on .As far as trading your griso ,I would say hold onto it as it really won't lose much value in the short term and the newer Griso's don't seem to sit long in the classifieds.
  Ps.   thanks for sharing the pics of the beautiful eldo you just acquired it's a beauty ! 

[Dave Swanson]

Keep the Griso, sell one of the "duplicates".   The Griso is just so unique!
Rick.

Owning 2 1974 Eldo's is a bit excessive.   

[Dave Swanson]

Lots of great, well thought out responses.  I appreciate it. 

[cliffrod]

Much like trusting your gut and going with your first guess on a test question when you don’t have know the right answer, I would trust my gut and hang onto the Griso for at least a little while until keeping or selling it is a more obvious right answer.   

You wouldn’t be asking WG if you didn’t have some angst about parting with it.  The decision wouldn’t need a sounding board.  It’s not like you’re new to motorcycles.  After all you’ve done, if your Griso has made such a noteworthy positive impression and you don’t have to sell/trade it right now, keep it until the dust settles.  Then do what makes you happy.

[Tkelly]

Figure how many miles per year you actually bride the Griso,then take your trade in amount and you can see what it is costing you on a dollar per mile basis to keep and ride the Griso.You can always find another Griso and you know how to tune them,where are you going to put the Mandello if you don’t get rid of something given your space.On the other hand ,if you love the  Griso just keep it and forget the economics.

[LowRyter]

I thought I saw you on a Norge?  That would be most redundant I think. 

[SIR REAL ED]

Lots of great, well thought out responses.  I appreciate it.

Life is tough, and obviously, your life is tougher than most.   

Just join one of those cults that believe "suffering is good for your soul," and realize that in the long run, you will be a better person because of the pain.

Once you get to X number of motorcycles, adding one more makes little difference.......   

as x increases, the percentage of increase decreases, calculate as (X +1)/(X) = %

[Scout63]

I'd hold the Griso for six months Dave. Once you have the best example of a bike don't sell it unless you are sure you won't want that model again. If you have the garage space and don't need the money, the only valid test is which bike you take out. I am so sorry I sold my perfect XR1200 and touring CBX.

[Huzo]

the only valid test is which bike you take out.

How very true.
I’m a bit that way with my V85. I just keep going for my Norge, but I have a lot of satisfaction also with my V85 and I know I would miss it too much if I sold it.
So it stays….
I was thinking of a V100, but now I’m eyeing of 300,000 km on the Norge and sort of consider any  kilometres I do on anything else, as a wasted opportunity.

[Vagrant]

You asked the question so that means you already know the right answer.
I bought a 98 EV in January of 99. Traded it at 80,000 miles the end of 2007 for a 10,000 mile red and white 2001 EV in showroom condition. I just reluctantly sold it this winter with almost 100,000 because my body aged out of that size bike. It still hurts, but was necessary. While EV's resided in my garage/life at least 20 other bikes rolled through my life, but the EV still got ridden every couple of weeks.

[kidsmoke]

Just shed my gear from 186 sweaty curvy miles aboard my Beetled and Ropered GRiSO. New shoes, mistral exhaust. Doing my best to challenge your assertions of best in class... i may have raised you one with the Corbin Gunfighter(game changer, but I digress)

Everytime my helmet comes off I'm peppered with questions. Today one mate on an FTR suggested we exchange...I declined. My opinion mirrors yours. When astride, and under way, all I see is the road ahead and the sensation my right hand produces, and sublime is indeed the correct word.

Air cooled. No ABS, no ride modes. Looks that are incomprehensibly unique. Enzo can't spare space for a bike that won't generate a profit...bare that in mind when considering it's market cache. I'd like to believe (for obvious reasons) that the GRiSO will increase in stature as it ages, much as the 1000S did. A sleeper in the showroom, but more and more unique with every passing year.

If I'm not mistaken you had two 1000s' and let one go because the other had a special provenance. Seems that narrative has repeated itself with the new Eldo. Providence? Let the other go. Keep the GRiSO for when the Hoon rises....

[Turin]

The Griso is hot, I'd love to have one someday. I jhope your right about prices dropping.

I would get rid of one of these two-

2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore

I don't see the stone will ever be worth anything in the future.

[Huzo]

In 20 years the Griso will fill the niche’ that the 80’s Katana’s currently do, but the problem will be in 20 years, that gas engined bikes will be like white elephants.
Great to own one, but most stuff will be electric and getting gas, passing ANNUAL emission tests and noise protocols, will render it basically unworthwhile.
Ride the one you like the  most, if you can afford to have one laying around unused and it pleases you…?
Keep it.
If you can’t pay your last utility bill…?
Sell it.
These things are an expensive indulgence and as such, attempting to attach commonsense reasoning techniques to your decision making process, will ultimately prove fruitless.
Celebrate the fact that you have the problem….
“First world”…as the title suggests.

ps..
Why does GRiSO have a lower case “i” ?

[kidsmoke]

ps..
Why does GRiSO have a lower case “i” ?

it's the font as determined by the creator. 

[Moparnut72]

I didn't see too many suggestions as to what to replace. However I agree with Turin, either of those would be easily replaced if you "have" to. The Griso, not so much. I have always looked at those with envy even though I have only seen less than a handful. Very unique machines.
kk

[kballowe]

Tough choice, but I’d keep the Griso and sell something else.

^^^   THIS   ^^^

[Guzzidad]

   Just my opinion. Since Enzo gave you a respectable trade-in offer I would take it. I doubt it will ever gain in value. I thought the same about my 96 1100 Sport but in the end it never did appreciate. ( Though it did have over 120,000 miles on it. ) The Griso is kind of like the Centauro. Both unique. I never got to ride either one of those models. The Centauros aren't bringing much money right now and I think the same fate is in store for the Griso. Awesome bikes in their time. And as we age and our bodies change so do our bikes.

[tommy2cyl]

Dave: You have 14 motorcycles listed and I am making the assumption that they are all in your possession currently with one more on the way.
How many miles do you ride a year?  Divided out over 15 bikes.   That would make my decision.   Clearly you enjoy looking at them
and doing preventative maintenance.  I can't imagine you put many miles on the bulk of your herd.  My mantra is if it not being used, it
is gone.  Everybody is different.  The ultimate decision can only be answered by one person

[Shorty]

IF the new Guzzi developes teething problems requiring months of parts snafus, (yeah I know, never happen ) and you get the urge for a Guzzi hot rod ride, that Griso would fill the bill. You obviously have the means to keep a herd of bikes in top form, and the Griso is sorted and trusted by you. What's one more? 

[SmithSwede]

I respectfully request that you keep the Griso, and then treat the Wild Guzzi family to an extended, in-depth compare/contrast of a dialed-in Griso to a V100S. 

I’ve briefly ridden a Griso.  Never a V100.  The V100 is certainly intriguing.   But what with water cooling and modern tech, does the V100 lose that old-school, visceral Guzzi feeling that the Griso definitely has?

[Dukedesmo]

Quote from: blackcat on August 13, 2023, 03:17:59 PM

Tough choice, but I’d keep the Griso and sell something else.

___________________ ___________________ _____

Agreed, I can't really justify another bike but, the Griso is top of my want-list and the OP's looks to be a perfect example.

For me it'd be a keeper.

[kingoffleece]

As I've stated her previously, the V100 feels more like an old(er) school Guzzi (Re; Griso) than the V85TT.  My V85 feels much more modern than my Jackal, and the test ride on the V100 felt more like the  feel we get from our older Guzzi bikes.