Trade Ninja 1000 for Moto Guzzi Griso 8V ? Am I insane?

[ConPilot1]

What bike is that? It's purdy.

Yes it is. That's beautiful. I like the rear fender just the way it is also if that's the bike he's talking about.

Is that a LeMans?

[Croak]

V11 Le Mans Rosso Corsa

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto%20guzzi/moto_guzzi_v11_le_mans_rosso_cor%2003.htm

[ConPilot1]

It's gorgeous.

If I had some extra cash laying about for a "toy" that'd be it.

That's one of the few motorcycles I look at that makes my pulse quicken a bit.

The Griso everybody gets so excited about has NOTHING over than in the looks department,
but I am partial to half and quarter faired classic bikes.

Beautiful Guzz.  

[Dan K]

It's gorgeous.

If I had some extra cash laying about for a "toy" that'd be it.

That's one of the few motorcycles I look at that makes my pulse quicken a bit.

The Griso everybody gets so excited about has NOTHING over than in the looks department,
but I am partial to half and quarter faired classic bikes.

Beautiful Guzz.  

Ohlins, Brembo, Guzzi. Not used to seeing those words together!

What years did they make it?

- Dan

[Orson]

What years did they make it?

Guzzi built 11 variants of the V11 platform. Here is the model year breakdown:

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5691

The V11 forum is littered with remorseful souls who rue the day they sold their V11s.

I will never sell mine  

[Papa Lazarou]

How much?

[Dan K]

The Scura and the Cafe Sport are VERY good looking bikes...


'02 Scura



'03-'05 Cafe Sport


'04-'05 Coppa Italia



'05-'06 Scura R


Huh.  They all show in preview, but not when posted...anyway, gorgeous bikes.

[ConPilot1]

Corso's and the LeMans for me. Those bikes are beautiful.

[Pete Roper]

Looks are very subjective, to be honest I've never been a great fan of the V11 series although the Scura I owned was one of the funnest bikes I've ever ridden. No idea what had been done to it but it was stupid strong for a pushrod Guzzi. Third gear wheelie? Certainly sir, no problem!

FWIW every Guzzi since disc brakes were adopted has had Brembo brakes. Only 'Special Edition' models get Ohlins suspension.

V11's are considerably more fragile than both their predecessors and subsequent models. Even a low speed crash will tend to write them off. The frames, although strong enough for the power of the bike, will tend to bend in the event of only minor impacts. This usually destroys the timing chest as well. Gearbox mounts are also prone to cracking in the event of an accident. Any V11 that has been properly sorted should avoid all the little niggles that the model suffered from when new and post 2003 models are generally better than earlier ones.

They do also have a tendency to expose their oil pick up under hard acceleration which will lead to the motor blowing up but I've built a fix for that.

Pete

[Dan K]

Looks are very subjective, to be honest I've never been a great fan of the V11 series although the Scura I owned was one of the funnest bikes I've ever ridden. No idea what had been done to it but it was stupid strong for a pushrod Guzzi. Third gear wheelie? Certainly sir, no problem!

FWIW every Guzzi since disc brakes were adopted has had Brembo brakes. Only 'Special Edition' models get Ohlins suspension.

V11's are considerably more fragile than both their predecessors and subsequent models. Even a low speed crash will tend to write them off. The frames, although strong enough for the power of the bike, will tend to bend in the event of only minor impacts. This usually destroys the timing chest as well. Gearbox mounts are also prone to cracking in the event of an accident. Any V11 that has been properly sorted should avoid all the little niggles that the model suffered from when new and post 2003 models are generally better than earlier ones.

They do also have a tendency to expose their oil pick up under hard acceleration which will lead to the motor blowing up but I've built a fix for that.

Pete

Pete, I've begun putting together lists regarding my current bikes which I plan to sell (at least one) and replace.  If I am bitten by the Guzzi bug (although the quoted post makes me wonder if I am ready for something like that), I will plan to soak up as much of your knowledge as possible.  Thanks for the info!

- Dan

[Flying W]

After lusting the Griso for a few years I finally jumped...With Guzzi knocking down the price from $14.5 to $12.6 then getting another $1k off of that and a free first 900 mile service I couldnt say no




                                                                   

[Bama67]

Damn, you got a good deal. Good Job  

After lusting the Griso for a few years I finally jumped...With Guzzi knocking down the price from $14.5 to $12.6 then getting another $1k off of that and a free first 900 mile service I couldnt say no


                                                                  

[Flying W]

Damn, you got a good deal. Good Job  :thumbsup

At $11.5 thats what I thought although I really didnt look up any deals on ebay or any other site.. I sure the 900 mile service has to be at least $300. or so..I see you had a Bandit 1250, I have an 07 with the factory bags  and after 50 k miles have not had one problem.. Hope the Guzzi is as reliable.  I debating if I will keep it or not but its not worth much and really is an awsome sport tourer so it will probably stay put with me...

[Pete Roper]

It will be as reliable as any other bike on the market as long as it is set up and serviced correctly. I hope that your dealer understands the importance of and knows the tuning proceedure for W5AM equipped Guzzis? Unfortunately places that offer deep discounts tend to be 'Stack 'em High, Sell 'em Cheap' places with a low budget for staff and training. This tends to lead to disappointed customers.

Pete

[Flying W]

It will be as reliable as any other bike on the market as long as it is set up and serviced correctly. I hope that your dealer understands the importance of and knows the tuning proceedure for W5AM equipped Guzzis? Unfortunately places that offer deep discounts tend to be 'Stack 'em High, Sell 'em Cheap' places with a low budget for staff and training. This tends to lead to disappointed customers.

Pete

I believe its more the case of a dealer who realizes that the economy is still in the crapper and would rather move it than pay flooring cost to let it sit, obviously Guzzis have a habit of overstaying their welcome as new bikes at dealers and the 2013's are just around the corner..Not a mall type dealer, a small shop that's been around a long time in down town San Diego.... BTW, one more left at $11.5

[Kraz]

I believe its more the case of a dealer who realizes that the economy is still in the crapper and would rather move it than pay flooring cost to let it sit, obviously Guzzis have a habit of overstaying their welcome as new bikes at dealers and the 2013's are just around the corner..Not a mall type dealer, a small shop that's been around a long time in down town San Diego.... BTW, one more left at $11.5

Nice - I saw that bike there... looks good, feels great!  Glad they didn't have a green one... I'd be in trouble.  

I used them (GP, right?) for my V7 Cafe service - they did a great job.  Little bit of a 'tude from the salesmen - but that seems normal to me (irritated my wife a lot though).

[Flying W]

Nice - I saw that bike there... looks good, feels great!  Glad they didn't have a green one... I'd be in trouble.  

I used them (GP, right?) for my V7 Cafe service - they did a great job.  Little bit of a 'tude from the salesmen - but that seems normal to me (irritated my wife a lot though).

Same feeling here, made me a good deal but afterwords when returning for my first service acted like he(Mike, salesman) had never met me before and didnt seem to want to be bothered by me...I was looking into buying some accessories but no one seemed interested in taking time to discuss what they have available or can order so Ill go back there if I have a warranty issue but am buying anything else I want or need from other places..Too bad really as they come across as an old school type dealer that cares and is interested in there customer base..Next Guzzi...Pro italia.