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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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ranetteParticipant
Certainly happy to have sold my bike, but kind of sad to see my Ducati, my first love, sitting on a trailer tonight, waiting to go to her new owner tomorrow. Wish I had the resources to keep buying new bikes without having to sell any. Oh well, being a one motorcycle guy certainly beats the crap out of being a no motorcycle guy.
ranetteParticipantJeff, one other thing about your list. The Griso is definitely not considered a sport tourer; MG makes a bike called the Norge that competes in that space. The Griso is a little hard to define. In most ways it is a naked standard, competing with the likes of the Ducati GT1000, and Monster, the Triumph Speed Triple and maybe even a Yamaha FZ-1. On the other hand it sits a little lower than those bikes and has been compared to power cruisers such as the V Rod, the V Max, or even the new Ducati Diavel. Nobody who rides a Griso 8V speaks of a lack of power, but it certainly isn’t a rocket like the ST, the Diavel or the two Yamahas I mentioned. In retrospect I think it might be best described as the gorgeous, iconoclastic, offspring of a V Rod and a Monster.
ranetteParticipantEon, it’s certainly a large engine, but I believe what you’re noting isn’t the size, it’s the way the engine sits in the frame. Moto Guzzi uses a transverse V Twin. While most manufacturers mount their engines longitudinally, MG does things a little differently. Imagine taking any V Twin and rotating it 90º, the cylinder heads would protrude like they do on Guzzis, it’s certainly one of the most recognizable trademarks of the brand. Not really sure of any advantages or disadvantages, I do know that it gives them an unusual side to side sway when stopped at idle.
On a personal note, Moto International in Seattle is widely regarded as one of the more knowledgeable Moto Guzzi dealers anywhere. The owner is the author of the book Guzziology. Maybe not on Amazon’s Top 100(or top 1,000,000) but revered in certain circles.
ranetteParticipantSimple reprogram. First thing I’ll do is take it to the “local”(3 hours), dealer to make sure everything’s properly sorted.
I’ve had that weak kneed feeling before. Anybody looking for a well cared for Ducati? Amore??? Italian bike(s), Italian jacket, Italian boots, Italian helmets-both of them, and most importantly, Italian wife(3rd generation, so not sure if that counts).
ranetteParticipantI picked up the Griso, with about 4300 miles on it for $7950. A few leftover 09’s are available for about 11k, and I was very tempted. When I spotted this one it was a no brainer for me.
ranetteParticipantJeff, that HP stat is for the older 1100 4 valve Griso. The 1200 8 valve comes in at around 110 HP. That being said, you can certainly find more power for less money, but that’s beyond the point. I bought it because from the first time I saw it, the thought of owning one has made my knees go week. FWIW, I got a killer deal.
ranetteParticipantMine is an ’09 Griso 8V in Moon White. Thanks for the history lesson Jeff, that was interesting, and well explained. As for the dyno chart posted by TR, most of the early riders, and reviewers, reported a surge in power around 5k, some reporting that it was almost an I4-like surge. Apparently, the newest fuel map addresses this, giving it a much more linear power band. All I know is I can’t wait.
ranetteParticipantCongrats, and best of luck with the new wheels. Did you trade in the MP3 or do you have the beginnings of a stable?
ranetteParticipant“Don’t get a receipt at the gas station”…? OK, I’ll bite. Why not?
One very minor thing that I disagree with, at least in my personal situation is keeping the registration in the tool kit. My tool kit is under the seat and my seat is a PITA to take off. Last thing I would want is to be struggling with the seat, giving impressions of incompetence, with a police officer over my shoulder. I keep the registration with my license, in my wallet.
ranetteParticipantGot in my last ride yesterday, November 14th, not bad for north central Vermont, and a great ride it was. Yo-Yo’d Route 17, the Appalachian Gap, certainly one of the better roads to ride in Vermont and all of the northeast. Road was in great condition, no sand, salt or ice. A few spots where melting ice had spread some water on the road were a little disconcerting at first, I approached them like it was my first day on two wheels. I knew that it was above freezing but I wasn’t about to take a chance there wasn’t a little black ice hiding out, thankfully there wasn’t. I did my best Rossi impersonation(which isn’t very close to the real thing) and had a great time on the seemingly endless curves of the AppGap.
Safely home, chilly? a little, exhilarated? a lot. All in all a great season, great riding weather in the northeast, many thousands of miles, no drops and nothing too scary. The bike is in the barn, the skis come out next week, ready for winter.
ranetteParticipantThis upcoming week looks pretty doable. Then she’s off to the barn.
Last year in Mid January, temps in the low 20’s, I saw a guy riding in Burlington. I tipped my hat from my heated Ford.
ranetteParticipantThanks Ben. What a PITA that must have been to deal with. Your efforts are much appreciated.
ranetteParticipantI’m in Vermont and if I can get a short ride or two in after Halloween I consider myself lucky. Best is when I put my bike away one day and take out the skis the next.
ranetteParticipantYou need to sit on each bike. You can have bikes of the same seat height but a narrower seat will enable you to get your feet down while a wider seat wouldn’t, and if you are only talking about 1/2″ to an inch sometimes that can be done by reshaping the seat rather than any sort of lowering links.
I’ve written this before in other threads, but I’ll repeat it because you state that you’re pretty much talking about your second bike. Once you have some miles under your belt seat height will become less and less of a factor. Take it from me and my 5’6″ frame with very stubby legs, there are simple steps to ride comfortably, safely and confidently without being able to flatfoot your bike; again, I am talking about your second bike.
ranetteParticipantI would join the others suggesting a scooter if you’re looking for an automatic in the 250 range. Kymco makes some very nice, reasonably priced, reliable, 250 and 300cc scoots. Depending on your budget you could also step up to a Suzuki Burgman or if you wanted to step up in another way, to a Vespa GTS300.
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