Ciao di Santa Rosa Valley, CA

Steak knows this story.

I always lusted after the loop frame Guzzi's. I am not very mechanical, so I do not purchase previously owned vehicles. Of course one can always have trouble with new vehicles - there is no guaranteed.

August 2006, I see the new GRiSO 1100 in photos and said good-bye to my 2005 Bonneville T-100 and took a trip to Santa Barbara to look at he GRiSO. My wife was with me and when she saw the Breva 1100 (black with red seat), it was all over for her. She said it was the Breva. What could I do.

So at the time it was the hat trick: Italian wife, Italian bike, Italian watch.

Fast forward to April 2013. Fell in love with the Stelvio NTX. This is one fantastic bike, but it is over kill in what I need (other than the motor). I do not do long distance vacations on the bike - I will fly. I do not go off roading other than some gravel/dirt driveways. And it is too tall even with my 33" inseam.

So I see MG has .9% financing for 36 months on 2014 bikes. My local dealer has a 2014 GRiSO SE in stock. I will be pulling the trigger on the bike this week.

Full circle - the GRiSO is still the most beautiful bike (IMHO).

Looking forward to the new ride.

You made The Right Choice!!
The GRiSO is one of the best motorcycles ever made.

DM

Welcome to the ghetto!

Looking forward to your first impressions and first photos.  And how can your Italian wife NOT love the GRiSO as well!

The Marabese boys created a modern classic in the brute from Lombardy.

I am certainly familiar with the engine. It is the same on the Stelvio. It should be a blast considering the GRiSO is 150lbs lighter.

By the way, my wife loves the GRiSO. When we first saw it 8 years ago, she did not think it would be a 2-up bike, but she has seen the light.

Well, she thought correctly, but it's still the coolest Guzzi out there! Good for Mrs. Oca.

Yeah the GRiSO really fucked my perception of coolness...

I thought I knew what cool bikes were until I set eyes on zee GRiSO, lol.
When I first saw that bike I flipped and ordered one as soon as I knew where to get one.
It did the same thing with my 70 Cougar, had to have that car noawww!! Nobody has one, same with the GRiSO.
The wife was set for a Bonneville but when she saw a red 1100 left over at the dealer, she flipped as well and I got it home to sit next to the 1200.    
Now, she won't even look at Triumphs, that bike does that.  

GN - does your wife ride with you pillion? My wife is 5'6" - 110#. I think she will fit fine.

Just an update -- picking up the bike on Thursday. I must give props to my local dealer -- Vespa of Thousand Oaks. i know one takes a beating on trade ins, but Monica did me a solid.

Photos to follow.

Time for a martini (or two).

Oca wrote:

GN - does your wife ride with you pillion?  My wife is 5'6" - 110#.  I think she will fit fine.

She did before she got hers. Now my 14 year old girl is hooked and can't wait to get on the back with me.   

Your wife will be fine as a pillion and you'll both have fun on it.

Picked up the bike an hour ago. OMG   I know it is basically the same donk as the Stelvio, but the low end through the high is so smooth. The throttle response is amazing. I could not be happier. I totally made the right decision.

Photos to follow.

Congrats!
I know exactly what you mean - I sold a Stelvio to get a GRiSO -
My GRiSO makes me smile like the Stelvio never could.

Oca wrote:

Picked up the bike an hour ago.  OMG    I know it is basically the same donk as the Stelvio, but the low end through the high is so smooth.  The throttle response is amazing.  I could not be happier.  I totally made the right decision.

Photos to follow.

What a beautiful day to pick up a new G! Congrats on the purchase! You have convinced me to take in an after-work blast on mine!

Congratulations B! It's easy to become smitten by the GRiSO when it speaks to you. Consider yourself one of the enlightened     And a svelte pillion always looks good on the back of the beast!

Listen, I've got a good buddy who literally lives just around the corner from Vespa T.O. and he's keenly interested in a Guzzi. I've counseled him to go ahead and have a look at his neighborhood dealership, but when he is ready to buy, go to Pro Italia in Glendale. I've been led to believe that VTO isn't really invested in the Guzzi trade and treats it more as a side gig to the scooter business. It sounds like your experience belies that preconception.

Do you feel as though the bike has been prepped and set-up properly upon delivery? Do you have good experiences with them with respect to servicing and warranty issues?

At any rate, enjoy your new GRiSO! Viva Diavolo Nero!

Steak wrote:

Congratulations B!  It's easy to become smitten by the GRiSO when it speaks to you.  Consider yourself one of the enlightened     And a svelte pillion always looks good on the back of the beast!

Listen, I've got a good buddy who literally lives just around the corner from Vespa T.O. and he's keenly interested in a Guzzi.  I've counseled him to go ahead and have a look at his neighborhood dealership, but when he is ready to buy, go to Pro Italia in Glendale.  I've been led to believe that VTO isn't really invested in the Guzzi trade and treats it more as a side gig to the scooter business.  It sounds like your experience belies that preconception.

Do you feel as though the bike has been prepped and set-up properly upon delivery?  Do you have good experiences with them with respect to servicing and warranty issues?

At any rate, enjoy your new GRiSO!  Viva Diavolo Nero!

I have to say this about Vespa TO - this is the 2nd new bike I have purchased from them in the last 18 months. Both the Stelvio and the GRiSO were the dog,s bollocks out of the box. I have not had to touch the fueling on the Stelvio and the GRiSO is even better.

I was on ADV Rider and EVERYONE there is tweaking this, futzing around with that. I don't want to give me the malocchio, but all 3 of my Guzzi's ran flawlessly. All 3 were serviced at VTO. The new tech there, Drew, knows his stuff.

If your friend lives around the corner, he should buy from them.

Monica is a pleasure to work with.

Your friend can call me or e-mail me if he wants.


By the way, this bike is some chick magnet.

Oy!   

By the way, your friend probably knows a Ducati dealer just opened up the road from VTO. Sandwiched between a Maserati and Bently/Rolls Royce dealer.

Too many choices.

Yeah, VTO is only two miles away from him. I rode right past it when I was last down there visiting him... He lives just off of E Janss Road. At first I had him leaning towards a new V7 Special, but now he has his sights set on a Cali 1400, a GRiSO, or a Norge in that order...

He's new to riding, but he's got good taste.

Oca wrote:

 I totally made the right decision.

Well duhh!!    
Glad to see another happy camper.

I'm picking up my Black Devil Saturday   
Flying to Northern GA tomorrow afternoon... Me happyyy.

The V7 is nice but the GRiSO is sooooooooo much meatier and smoother too. Much smoother.

DM

Hey Oca.
I just realized you are in Santa Rosa Valley, not Santa Rosa.

I bought my GRiSO down the street from you - Cal Coast.
We might be able to get some cabals going.

DM

Hey Carlotto, I have passed the shop many times, but never stopped in.

What year G did you purchase?

Got my new bike home yesterday.   
640 miles on it and took it to work today... couldn't help it.
I'll do the first service tomorrow and the canistorectamy this weekend.
Totally different bike than my 09 when it was new.