*Guzzi Riders Sign In With Pic*

[Cortez]

Nice shots (and editing)!

[Speed King]

[optimum_malarky]

First of all, beautiful bikes, all of them! There is something about the look of a Guzzi that speaks to me! I haven't ever ridden one, but I'm researching in hopes of buying my first in the next year or two. I'm more interested in the sporty guzzi's than the cruisers, so I've been researching the Griso (4V and 8V), the 1200 Sport and the V11 Sport series (I love the various editions -- Coppa Italia, Rosso Corsa, Ballabio, Scura, Nero Corsa... amazing!). With so many models to choose, I'm not sure which to pursue, so I'm looking to the experience of others for this one.

I'm less concerned with top end power than grunt, I'd like some range (I don't like searching for gas at just over 100 miles), and some two-up comfort would be nice. Handling is important, as is braking; I don't need sport-bike performance, but I do need to be able to get around obstacles easily, as well as make the most of the roads where I live. Price is also important, as I can't see spending more than $9-10K right now for this type of bike.

Thoughts? Advice? Resources I need to explore? (I've already been reading at wildguzzi.com)

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by optimum_malarky

First of all, beautiful bikes, all of them! There is something about the look of a Guzzi that speaks to me! I haven't ever ridden one, but I'm researching in hopes of buying my first in the next year or two. I'm more interested in the sporty guzzi's than the cruisers, so I've been researching the Griso (4V and 8V), the 1200 Sport and the V11 Sport series (I love the various editions -- Coppa Italia, Rosso Corsa, Ballabio, Scura, Nero Corsa... amazing!). With so many models to choose, I'm not sure which to pursue, so I'm looking to the experience of others for this one.

I'm less concerned with top end power than grunt, I'd like some range (I don't like searching for gas at just over 100 miles), and some two-up comfort would be nice. Handling is important, as is braking; I don't need sport-bike performance, but I do need to be able to get around obstacles easily, as well as make the most of the roads where I live. Price is also important, as I can't see spending more than $9-10K right now for this type of bike.

Thoughts? Advice? Resources I need to explore? (I've already been reading at wildguzzi.com)

If you've been over to WildGuzzi then you know about Moto International in Seattle. They always have something good in stock for an outstanding price. A year or two old Griso, 1200 Sport or Norge for under 10K should be more than doable.

Drop a like to KITZE2 over on WG and get hooked up with the NoCal Guzzi bunch. That should help confuse your decision process even more

jdg

[Earl of Portchester]

Woohoo! A Guzzi thead!

Have posted pictures of my 2007 Griso on page 112 of the 'Your Italian Bike' thread so won't post those again, instead here are some other pictures.


Griso at Devizes


Griso at Newhaven


Griso at Goodwood

[Scott of the Sahara]

Here I am in Eastern Washington last September.

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by optimum_malarky

First of all, beautiful bikes, all of them! There is something about the look of a Guzzi that speaks to me! I haven't ever ridden one, but I'm researching in hopes of buying my first in the next year or two. I'm more interested in the sporty guzzi's than the cruisers, so I've been researching the Griso (4V and 8V), the 1200 Sport and the V11 Sport series (I love the various editions -- Coppa Italia, Rosso Corsa, Ballabio, Scura, Nero Corsa... amazing!). With so many models to choose, I'm not sure which to pursue, so I'm looking to the experience of others for this one.

I'm less concerned with top end power than grunt, I'd like some range (I don't like searching for gas at just over 100 miles), and some two-up comfort would be nice. Handling is important, as is braking; I don't need sport-bike performance, but I do need to be able to get around obstacles easily, as well as make the most of the roads where I live. Price is also important, as I can't see spending more than $9-10K right now for this type of bike.

Thoughts? Advice? Resources I need to explore? (I've already been reading at wildguzzi.com)

Exactly same here. Local dealer doesn't have a demo, don't know anyone that owns a guzzi, haven't even seen one on the streets in years and all the owners are showing off thier sweet rides in this thread.
My eye is on the Griso, any Griso, but just no clue as to what i would be getting into.

[g®eg]

Originally Posted by Scott of the Sahara

Here I am in Eastern Washington last September.

Scott,

you need to lose the chrome mirrors & put a set of 1200 sport mirrors on. Not only will they look good w/ your color scheme, you'll actually be able to see stuff in them! (no vibes)

[waspp]

Speed King that LeMans 3 is a real beauty!!

[kirb]

Originally Posted by Snuffy

Exactly same here. Local dealer doesn't have a demo, don't know anyone that owns a guzzi, haven't even seen one on the streets in years and all the owners are showing off thier sweet rides in this thread.
My eye is on the Griso, any Griso, but just no clue as to what i would be getting into.

I was in the same boat. I took the plunge the hard way. Plunked down $6k on an '07 Griso with 2400 miles to see if I would like it. I could always flip it a year later and not take that big of a hit.

Here it is a year later and I love it. It is a great replacement for my old '99M2 Buell. Sounds great, looks great, turns heads, draws crowds...it doesn't have a ton of range (~150 miles), but it's more of a 'round towner for me.

I need to post some pics, but I'm too lazy to pull the cover off this winter.

[JJGeo]

Originally Posted by optimum_malarky

First of all, beautiful bikes, all of them! There is something about the look of a Guzzi that speaks to me! I haven't ever ridden one, but I'm researching in hopes of buying my first in the next year or two. I'm more interested in the sporty guzzi's than the cruisers, so I've been researching the Griso (4V and 8V), the 1200 Sport and the V11 Sport series (I love the various editions -- Coppa Italia, Rosso Corsa, Ballabio, Scura, Nero Corsa... amazing!). With so many models to choose, I'm not sure which to pursue, so I'm looking to the experience of others for this one.

I'm less concerned with top end power than grunt, I'd like some range (I don't like searching for gas at just over 100 miles), and some two-up comfort would be nice. Handling is important, as is braking; I don't need sport-bike performance, but I do need to be able to get around obstacles easily, as well as make the most of the roads where I live. Price is also important, as I can't see spending more than $9-10K right now for this type of bike.

Thoughts? Advice? Resources I need to explore? (I've already been reading at wildguzzi.com)

I've owned a 2007 Griso 1100, and then a 2008 1200 Sport.

I regret selling the Griso, as it was a nice bike. I sold it to get the SMT though, which is a far better bike for any distance. It doesn't have the intangibles of the Guzzi though. I don't regret buying the SMT, just selling the Griso. I'll have another someday.

The 1200 Sport I don't miss. It just didn't do it for me. Braking was crappy (relative to the SMT which I had at the same time), and handling was heavy. Suspension needed work too, as did the fueling. All of this was fixable, but I just didn't want to spend the $$ on it since I wasn't in love with the bike.

For whatever reason I really like Guzzis, even though they aren't the lightest, fastest, best handling, or best stopping bikes. There's just something cool about them though...and I really like the V11s and Grisos. You should definitely ride one before you buy though...they're different.

Moto International up here in Seattle is awesome. Your not too far away in N. Cali so ride or fly up for a few days, stop by Moto I and ride a few of them...they're awesome about test rides...and like was said earlier, they always have great deals on left overs.

[Dust_]

Originally Posted by Scott of the Sahara

Here I am in Eastern Washington last September.

With 1000 different smilies there isn't one that's drooling?! This was the closest I got ;P

God I wish I had the money

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by kirb

I was in the same boat. I took the plunge the hard way. Plunked down $6k on an '07 Griso with 2400 miles to see if I would like it. I could always flip it a year later and not take that big of a hit.

Here it is a year later and I love it. It is a great replacement for my old '99M2 Buell. Sounds great, looks great, turns heads, draws crowds...it doesn't have a ton of range (~150 miles), but it's more of a 'round towner for me.

I need to post some pics, but I'm too lazy to pull the cover off this winter.

Ok... time to take the plunge.

[joe cool]

Originally Posted by g®eg

Scott,

you need to lose the chrome mirrors & put a set of 1200 sport mirrors on. Not only will they look good w/ your color scheme, you'll actually be able to see stuff in them! (no vibes)

Greg, I think the stock mirrors are just fine. Had read a lot about owners switching them out, but so far they seem to work good for me.

[Speed King]

Originally Posted by waspp

Speed King that LeMans 3 is a real beauty!!

Thanks Man...it's a hell of a bike.