Will the Griso be a collectible?

[lucian]

 Having second thoughts about trading the the Griso vs. just holding on to it in hopes that it retains it's current value as it is a superb looking and performing bike. I have purchased a tuono and the dealer offered me close to full book value towards the trade. My Griso is an 09 with the early A5 lump. I currently have 7,400 miles on the clock and it has been rollerized at 6000 miles and flawless ever since. It also has the no longer available Termi pipe as well as rear fender eliminator, rizoma directional s  adjustable peg mounts , guzzi dart screen and a beautiful Corbin gunfighter seat.  Besides having brand new Metzlers and flawless fueling ( thanks to Beetle) it is also in showroom condition without so much as a scratch on it. The trade offer at 6,000 dollars is 50.00 dollars less than current NADA value which is I thought a very fair offer from the dealer, however. Now that the griso is going by the wayside production wise, part of me is feeling like it may hold up over time value wise, and if nothing else it should still fetch 6,000 on the private market for another year or two. I do have at least a temporary place to store it in a dry garage and should the tuono turn out to be wrong for me for any reason I could always revert to the Griso. On the other hand if it going to just depreciate sitting I would take the deal.  Many thanks for your thoughts.  dave

[canuguzzi]

Hang onto it unless it is a cash flow question.

Take out a free ad and put some high price on it, not really caring if it sells or not. Sooner or later someone comes along and gives you that price.

There are probably hundreds of thousands of CB350-360s out there, try to find a pristine one and see what it costs.

Try to find an excellent (truly) Trophy 1200 with less than 10k on the clock and they were made up to 2003.

Point is, you already have something few others have. The day you sell it you'll regret it.

[Travlr]

Most used bikes depreciate bottoming out at around 20/25 years.  Then some begin to appreciate.
For instance, early LeMans bottomed out a few years ago.  The V11 bikes are at the bottom
and may start to go up in the next few years.  Especially the Ohlins bikes.

Lots of Grisos were manufactured.  Likely they will depreciate for some years to come.


Mike

[lucian]

Thanks NP, I know there is no right or wrong answer, only opinions and I certainly appreciate yours.

[pete roper]

If you can afford to I'd say hang on to the Griso at least until you are sure you've made the right decision. As I said before the TV-4 is a staggeringly stupid motorbike but it's also the sort of bike it's almost impossible to ride sensibly or legally. That's the major reason I don't own one, the chances of me ending up license less or worse still seriously injured or lifeless are just too high! I know I don't have the self control to behave sensibly on one!

The other side to the coin though is that I don't think there is any risk that the supply of Grisos is suddenly going to dry up! If you do find you've bitten off more than you can chew with the TV-4 you can always trade it in against another Griso. Yours though you know is rollerised and clean and well set up. If you trade for another one you'll have to address all the same issues all over again.

Tough choice. Best of luck with it.

Pete

[lucian]

Thanks Pete, you're honesty is much appreciated. I think as long as I have the ability to store the Griso for now it may be a wise decision. I think I could still get the trade value next spring and that gives me a whole summer to evaluate the T purchase. I realize that there is much less margin for error on a 175 hp bike and do not take your caution lightly. I don't think holding onto the griso long term as a collectible makes any sense as it will likely depreciate continually for years to come. In the short term I don't think I can loose too much by sitting on it and I may just do that. I will likely loose more in the first five minutes on the T as I will keeping the griso for another year until I figure it all out. Thanks for all the responses, it's nice to have the opinions of those who understand the dilemma that trading a beloved motor bike poses. Many thanks dave

[mjptexas]

Having second thoughts about trading the the Griso vs. just holding on to it in hopes that it retains it's current value as it is a superb looking and performing bike.

Well, I've always wanted a 'classic' bike, but know myself well enough that it don't currently have the demeanor to give a true classic the attention it needs (I'm a rider & not a wrencher, and am blessed in living someplace I can ride every month of the year).

I've decided that my '06 Grsio is my classic.  it's nearly stock except the pipe (and I have the stock one stuck away), requires a modest amount of maintenance, is not terribly common and is a stunning looker (as is any Griso).  I figure I'll put about 1,000-1,500 miles on it a year & hang on to it for as long as I'm riding.  I think the current value is at the floor ($4,000) and will probably only go up from there, albeit slowly. 

I was watching V11 Sports for a while and noticed that 'average' V11s seem to be at that $4,000 range, with the rarer variants commanding more.  I have no reason to think The Griso will be any different.

[rocker59]

 Lucian, money wise we're talking nickels and dimes here. The real question on a rare Guzzi is being able to replace it if you want another one later. Rarity and value are two different things. Rare Guzzis are not valuable but they are hard to come by sometimes. If you like the Griso that you have I think you should keep it.

[drlapo]

I've had my 85 BMWR80 since new.
I've had my 79 triumph t140 since new
Both are class's and I'm glad I kept them.
Collectable? They sure are to mea
The griso is a classic and with that milage should be considered a family heirloom to be kept in the family
Keep it!

[Kentktk]

Guzzi`s of all types are old guy bikes. Since old guys own them now they will not be around to buy as a collectible in 20 years. They are also not desired by younger people now nor will they be in 20 years. If you like it keep it, it will never be an "investment" collectible.

[rboe]

Of course the Griso is a "rare" and collectable bike. But is desirable? Certainly more so than my old Quota.

I was all set to sell mine down the road until I rode it to breakfast this morning. Think I'll keep it a while longer. Other bikes I'm looking at are too $$ or don't seem so cool once I sit on them. sigh....

[beetle]

I don't think it will be a collectible outside of Guzzi enthusiasts. The fact you've even asked this question tells me you really don't really want to part with it. Griso can be like that - you bond completely or you don't. I've bonded. You'll have to pry Griso from my cold, dead hands. Hopefully not after dropping Griso.

[ohiorider]

I parted with my 2012 8vSE, and now I find myself, every so often, searching thru Cycle Trader for a new left-over Griso.  The bike definitely gets under ones' skin.  Maybe if/when I would do another one, I'd spend more time slightly modifying the ergonomics, and put some $$ into making the ride more 'cushy' for our not so good secondary roads.  I probably gave up too soon on the lovely Tenni Green machine.

[lucian]

I don't think it will be a collectible outside of Guzzi enthusiasts. The fact you've even asked this question tells me you really don't really want to part with it. Griso can be like that - you bond completely or you don't. I've bonded. You'll have to pry Griso from my cold, dead hands. Hopefully not after dropping Griso.

Your 100% right Mark. The griso is the only bike I've owned that I can't seem to imagine being gone for some reason. I know the T will be a blast to ride but it's uglier than a bag of dog shit to look at, and I'll be at the mercy of the dealer if it has issues. I'm leaning towards keeping it at least until l I can go in the garage and not stare at it for ten minutes. Besides, once the T shreds my license I'll have plenty of time to wax the griso.  mucha grassi ass. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Lucian, money wise we're talking nickels and dimes here. The real question on a rare Guzzi is being able to replace it if you want another one later. Rarity and value are two different things. Rare Guzzis are not valuable but they are hard to come by sometimes. If you like the Griso that you have I think you should keep it.

[/b]

Agreed. Rocker's right again. I looked for an almost worthless Lario for two freakin years. Over paid (still well under 2K) because I *wanted* one. You'll be in the same shape if you sell yours and then decide that was a bad idea. It's not eating anything.. unlike Rocker's horses. 

[lucian]

So much wisdom at the click of a mouse. You guy's rule!  Thank You!

[swordds]

Guzzi`s of all types are old guy bikes. Since old guys own them now they will not be around to buy as a collectible in 20 years. They are also not desired by younger people now nor will they be in 20 years. If you like it keep it, it will never be an "investment" collectible.
[/quote

Well stated. I have a pre-WWII Lionel electric train set that at one time had a fairly high appraised value (about 10 years ago). I held on to it thinking its value would continue to increase but I was wrong. Apparently the people old enough to value it have mostly died off and those young enough to fool with it have no interest in it. I suspect a lot of cars and motorcycles from the 50s and 60s will likewise start to loose value as those of us who cherished them from our youth become to old to want to fiddle with them and those younger than us have no associations or interests in them.

[rocker59]

  It's not eating anything.. unlike Rocker's horses. 

Yeah.  That's where motorcycles beat horses everytime.  Only 1500 miles on my Sport 1100 last year, and it's spent a lot of time just sitting in the garage.  It doesn't cost much to let it sit.  Horses cost money every day whether you use them, or not! 

[Dilliw]

ok. bit of thread drift here.  everyone knows that late 50s, 60s, early 70's muscle cars are collectible.  but tell me what if any cars from the 1990s. or 2000s.  will show up in auctions in 2050?????

2003 Mustang Terminator restarted the hp wars.  If you bought a Ford GT you were pretty smart.

I've collected a Griso but not to put it away or anything.  Sucker is too much fun for that.

[swordds]

What's a Ford GT?  Maybe no cars will be collectibles because they all are so functional and they all are all so bland and they all have no soul. They are nice and they are comfortable but they are not something that you can get attached to.

[Perazzimx14]

I believe the flat to roller tappet conversion motors will be damned to low valuation as they will have a black cloud of doubt hovering over them. Not that the rollers didn't fix the problem but what was the damage to the motor (if any) prior to the conversion.

While the chances of the Griso be collectable are about the same as hitting the powerball there is a chance. The one thing is for sure is that you Griso will continue to drop in value for years and then level out and then possibly start to rise. This process will take 20 to 30 years to flesh out. If you add in the cost of tags and insurance and maintenance for that duration even at an average of $150 per year you will almost always end up on the loosing side.

If you like the Griso keep it and ride the wheels off of it. If at some point you feel you can let it go, sell it. You can always find another if you want to go back Griso ownership.   

[Chuck in Indiana]

While the chances of the Griso be collectable are about the same as hitting the powerball there is a chance.

Oh, I think the Griso will eventually be collectible, just not in our lifetime.

[steven c]

 I have toyed with the idea of selling my 77 Lemans and picking up a Griso which to me is a modern Lemans, long low and lean. But the Lemans keep going up in value so my wife dosen't want me to, maybe my Eldo since not having the correct motor (convert motor) it probably will not be worth to much. Also I still enjoy riding both. I think the early Griso's have bottom out price wise, a lot of bike for the money.

[charlie b]

FWIW, the Ford GT was collectible the day it was sold since there were only going to be a 'few' produced.  But...what will their value be in 20yrs compared to their new price adjusted for inflation?  Probably not much of a deal.

Original GT40's, like Ferrari GTO's, are another story since they were not regular production cars (25 made per model to meet racing rules of the day).  When a vehicle is notable in it's day, and there are few made, it will be worth a lot of money.  And usually that starts the day it was put up for sale.  Look at Vincent Black Shadows.  "Collectible" when they were made, valuable now.

Look at motorcycles.  Any regular production model will rarely get past it's new price, adjusted for inflation.  And, yes, there is a 'curve' to the price, usually following the age of the folks who find the object desirable.  As stated above, 60's and 70's muscle cars are at their peak right now.

Unless you are looking at a rare model (like an all original Stingray split window coupe, first year VW beetle, etc) then don't even think about making money on the vehicle. 

It is more a matter of how much money will you lose in the deal and is the value of ownership worth it to you?

I will say that if you like an item that is no longer produced, then consider carefully before selling it.  As has been stated, if you sell it and then decide you want another one, it will cost you more in both time and money.

[Rough Edge racing]

 How much will the Griso be worth in the future after the electronic parts have failed with no available replacements? This is a problem with some Japanese bikes .....

[thepittsburghguzzi]

Guzzi`s of all types are old guy bikes. Since old guys own them now they will not be around to buy as a collectible in 20 years. They are also not desired by younger people now nor will they be in 20 years. If you like it keep it, it will never be an "investment" collectible.

False, false, false I say. 

[cj750]

What's a Ford GT?  Maybe no cars will be collectibles because they all are so functional and they all are all so bland and they all have no soul. They are nice and they are comfortable but they are not something that you can get attached to.

2004 model:


I could get attached to that.

And the 2017 version:

[jbell]

There are few bikes I've had over the years that I don't regret selling/trading.  If you're unsure now, guaranteed, you'll be kicking yourself in the future.

[Kentktk]

False, false, false I say. 

For someone owning a 79 KZ750, all opinions are invalid.

[Devildog]

Knowing what will be a collectible is a guessing game. The Ducati Paul Smart has become one, but our dealer said they did not sell well when new off the showroom, he thought they were ugly. I would hope the Griso holds its value like the Ducati Sport and Classic have. Even nice low mileage MG V11's from the early 2000's are selling for either side of $6k, and I rarely see a pristine Guzzi advertised for under $5k no matter the model or year. It will be interesting what low mileage V7s will be going for in a few more years.